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Way to Everest
Helicopter retun from Everest Base Camp
Mount Everest Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return - 11 Days

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Recommended by 99% of Travelers

Highlights

  • Scenic and thrilling flight to and from Lukla (38th highest airport in the world!)
  • Trek on one of the most popular Himalayan trails.
  • Explore and overnight at various traditional Sherpa villages.
  • Visit the oldest and biggest monastery at Tengboche.
  • Incredible views of some of the highest mountains in the world such as; Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse, Island Peak, Mt Cho Oyu, Mt Nuptse, Mt Ama Dablam, and Mt Pumori.
  • Visit and explore around Everest Base Camp.
  • See the mighty Khumbu Glacier and Ice Falls up close.
  • Witness a stunning sunrise view from atop Kala Pathhar.
  • Enjoy an amazing helicopter flight back to Lukla across the Himalayas.
  • Optional 2-week trip, returning by helicopter, thus saving 4 days
Duration
12 Days
Trip Grade
Moderate (Intermediate Level)
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
5545m
Group Size
1-16
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Activities
Trekking
Best Time
Spring and Autumn

Discover one of Nepal’s most famous treks Everest Base Camp trek See the incredible Top of the world Everest up close, trek on some of the most popular treks, visit the famous Everest Base Camp, and instead of trekking back, enjoy a relaxing and scenic helicopter flight to Lukla overseeing the entire trail. Beyond the Limits Trek and Expedition takes you on the Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return from Gorakshep to Lukla.

Kathmandu and Trek Preparation:

It all starts with a wonderful trip to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city. Before heading out to Everest Base camp, Beyond the Limits takes you on a guided sightseeing tour throughout Kathmandu city. Visiting some of its most popular and ancient landmarks the trip just gets better and better! Holding also a detailed trek preparation and briefing session Beyond the Limits makes sure you are ready to head out into the Himalayas. After having checked your trekking gear, having gone over the itinerary, talked about safety during the trek, and going on an exciting guided sightseeing tour we turn in for the night.

Lukla and the trek to EBC:

On the 3rd day of the Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter flight back, it’s time to depart for Lukla the starting and ending point of the trek. Transferring in the morning after breakfast to the domestic airport is crucial as depending on the weather flights can get delayed. Making sure we catch our flight, we head to the world’s 38th-highest airport in the world the name is Tenzing Hilary Airport Lukla. The flight is quite scenic and the landing is thrilling if not adventurous. Having safely landed at Lukla it’s time to meet up with our porter team. The supermen of the Himalayas will be carrying most of the luggage during the trek to Everest Base Camp. After a final check and enjoying some of the spectacular first views, we head out to Phakding village. In the first part, we’ll be mostly descending down towards an elevated trail leading alongside the Dudh Khosi River. The way is quite easy and a great way to get accustomed to the terrain. A good few hours of trekking takes us straight to the village waiting for us at the end of a long suspension bridge.

The next day we make our way to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft). Also known as the Sherpa capital of the region it takes a while to reach here. Mostly descending we make our way to Monjo, a small village at the gate of the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. After a permit check we continue and head further up passing by Jorsalle and ultimately reaching Namche Bazaar. Acclimatization is an important part of the trek as we are aiming to head up to a max elevation of 5,545m/18,192ft during this trek! Namche Bazaar makes for the perfect spot for our first acclimatization day, and we’ll spend the day exploring around town and taking a hike up to the famous Everest View Hotel, from where you’ll get your first nice views of Mt Everest and its neighboring peaks. We can also hike down to the Khumjung Valley and explore around Khumjung village for a more authentic experience.

Return from Everest Base Camp in Helicopter

The trek to Everest Base Camp continues the next day as we trek to the biggest monastery in the region at Tengboche. Surrounded by snowcapped Himalayas this monastery is truly a piece of art and harmony. Continuing on our next stop is also our second acclimatization rest place. We head for Dingboche at 4,450m/14,5910ft. Located in the Imja Khola Valley this day of trekking is truly incredible.

With more Himalayan mountains coming into view and incredible sceneries appearing we make our way slowly but steadily toward the village. For our 2nd acclimatization hike, we head up the famous Nagarsang Peak. This will help us acclimatize for the next few days as well as offer you some amazing views. From Dingboche, it takes another day to reach Lobuche, a famous crossroad village for trekkers heading towards Gokyo Valley trek as well as the EBC trek. It’s just a few hours of trekking to reach Gorakshep (5,170m/16,962ft) from Lobuche. This is the last stop before reaching Everest Base Camp! Following a part of the Khumbu Glacier and heading higher and higher we reach Gorakshep and check in to our lodge/ tea house. Dropping all the heavy bags, it’s time for the final push to Everest Base Camp. Traversing rocky and barren terrain it’s a short trek to reach the world’s most popular base camp and soon the many tents filling the base camp appear as well as a famous rock with red letters displaying Everest Base Camp. Congrats, you have made it! Everest Base Camp in all its glory. We enjoyed the views and our great sense of self-accomplishment before making our way back to Gorakshep. While we plan for an early morning sunrise view from Kala Patthar, Beyond the Limits also offers you to hike up to Kala Patthar for an even more stunning sunset view over the Himalayas.

Why trek back when you can fly back?

As a twist to the Everest Base Camp trek, Beyond the Limits has booked a chartered helicopter to take you back to Lukla from Gorakshep. Taking off from the Himalayas and flying back over the same trail is just amazing. Seeing the Himalayas and the entire region from a bird’s eye view is spectacular and makes the entire trip to Everest that much worth it!

Back at Lukla, we take our time to rest and do some last exploration of the town as the next day we fly back to Kathmandu to conclude the Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter flight back.

Itinerary

Beyond the Limits Treks offers the Everest Base Camp Trek and fly back by Helicopter for 12 Days Package. We also customize the package depending on your time & preferred routes. Contact us if you need customized itineraries or Everest Helicopter Tour Package.

Kathmandu to KathmanduExpand all

▪ Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu

▪ Meet up with our team and transfer to your hotel

▪ Explore the streets of Thamel aka Trekkers’ Paradise

▪ Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

  • Hotel breakfast
  • Meet up with your trekking guide at the hotel
  • Trek preparation and gear check
  • Afternoon guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu if you like to take guide and car please let us know.
  • Visit the Hindu Temple Pashupatinath
  • See the mighty Buddhist Stupa Boudhanath
  •  Explore around Kathmandu’s Durbar (Palace) Square
  • Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

▪ Hotel breakfast + check out

▪ Transfer to the national airport

▪ Scenic flight to Lukla

▪ Meet up with our porter team + final gear check

▪ Make your way to the village of Phakding

▪ Go down towards the Dudh Khosi River

▪ Follow the trail with the river on your left

▪ A suspension bridge leads straight to Phakding

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/tea house

▪ Breakfast + start the trek

▪ Take the trail through cooling pine forests

▪ Continue to Zam Phute and Tok Tok villages

▪ Go up to Benkar and cross the bridge to reach Monjo

▪ Short break + permits check

▪ Enter the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park

▪ Follow the trail to Jorsalle

▪ A bit further ahead is Namche Bazaar

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Breakfast

▪ Acclimatization hike:

            ▪ ▪ Hike up to Syangboche’s airstrip

            ▪ ▪ Continue further to the Everest View Hotel (first views of Mt Everest)

            ▪ ▪ Visit the Everest Photo Gallery & the Sherpa Culture Museum

            ▪ ▪ Optional: Hike to Khumjung and Kande Villages

▪ Return back to Namche Bazaar

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Breakfast + start the trek

▪ Make your way above Namche Bazaar

▪ The trail leads on towards Kyangjuma

▪ Ascend on through pine forests to Pungki Thanka

▪ Continue on along the Dudh Koshi River

▪ Reach further up to Tengboche

▪ Explore around the region’s oldest and largest monastery

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Breakfast - start the trek

▪ Make your way down to Deboche

▪ Cross the Imja Khola River and head into the Imja Valley

▪ Further ahead is Pangboche

▪ Take the right leading trail to Dingboche

▪ Enjoy the views of Mt Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island Peak

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Breakfast

▪ Acclimatization hike:

▪ Hike up the Nagarsang Peak

▪ Enjoy the views of the surrounding Himalayas

▪ Hike back to Dingboche

▪ Explore Dingboche village

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Breakfast + start the trek

▪ Continue on to Thukla and Pheriche

▪ Follow a rugged trail to Chupki Lhara

▪ Descend to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier

▪ Make your way over the moraine and head down to Lobuche

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Breakfast  start the trek

▪ Make your way up alongside the Khumbu Glacier

▪ Reach at Gorakshep village and check in to the lodge/ tea house

▪ Hike further up to Everest Base Camp

▪ You made it! Congrats!

▪ Enjoy the views and scenes from Everest Base Camp

▪ Follow the trail back down to Gorakshep

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

▪ Optional evening hike up to Kala Patthar for a sunset view

▪ Early wakeup call (3.30am)

▪ Hike up to Kala Patthar hill for a stunning sunrise view

▪ Head back to Gorakshep for breakfast + check out

▪ Pick up by helicopter

▪ Take off and scenic flight over the Himalayas back to Lukla

▪ Check in to the lodge/ tea house

▪ Explore around Lukla

▪ Optional celebration with the team

▪ Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/ tea house

we will drop off to  Tribhuban International airport Kathmandu

Cost Details
Includes
  • Pick up from the  Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival Day
  • Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Sightseeing 
  • Hotel Radisson Kathmandu 3-night
  • Lukla, Phakding had a private Bathroom during the trek, and the rest were common toilets.
  • Professional Government Registered license holder  English speaking  Trekking guide
  • Trekking supporter ( porter) with dally salary, meals, accommodation, and insurance 
  • Accommodation in Twin Sharing bed basis on trekking trails during trekking
  • Daily freshly cooked meals three times a day (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) in the mountains
  • Tea and coffee 3 cups a day
  • Everest National Park Permit
  • Pasang Lhamu municipality Trekking Card fees 
  • Trekking maps for Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Airport tax
  • Ground Transportation as per itinerary( note that from the 1st of October to the last of November  Nepal Civil Aviation moved flights from Ramechhap Manthali airport in this care travel by private vehicle    
  • Your flight from Kathmandu Lukla Kathmandu or Ramechhap  lukla Ramchhap 
  • Round trip flight for guide and Assistance guide ( if you have an assistance guide)
  • Trekking staff salary, insurance, meals, accommodation, equipment, transportation, etc.
  • Emergency rescue service arrangement ( Please do Insurance from your country that covers Medical and Evacuation)
  • Drop at the Airport on your departure day
  • Agency service charge and government tax/VAT
  • Certificate of achievement 
  • farewell dinner 
Excludes
  • International airfare
  • Nepal visa fees
  • All drinks( Hot/cold/Alcoholic on the mountain) more than including section
  • wifi expenses 
  • Personal Nature expenses
  • Travel Insurance( need to cover Medical and evacuation)
  • Nepal Visa Fee( Can be received on your arrival day at Kathmandu Airport. It depends on what type of visa in Nepal, you like to Take)
  • If more than the 3-night hotel in Kathmandu
  • Meals in Kathmandu
  • Hot shower during the trek  if out of private bathroom
  • All chargeable batteries, camera
  • Extra cost Natural or Political Disturbance which beyond our Control.
  • The Extra cost of any case earlyof return from the tour. Anything beyond the included section above or an unforeseen event out of the control or beyond the limits may incur additional charges. Where possible we will negotiate with the client for alternative arrangements. 
  • Tips for a guide and porters
Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return - 11 Days FAQs

While prices differ per service given during the trek, you can estimate 1,400 USD per person for the trip starting from Kathmandu. This includes all overnights, permits, guide + porters, meals during the trek, and transportation according to the itinerary. International flights are usually excluded. Beyond the Limits offers a unique and professional service in trekking to Everest Base Camp, do check out our packages with different routes and options as well as costs for Everest Base Camp.

During the Everest Base Camp trek, Wi-Fi connections will be available in most lodges/teahouses. They do charge for the usage, and this rate increases the further up you go. Using a mobile SIM in Nepal, you might have a chance to connect with mobile data in the lower elevations.

Food during the Everest Base Camp trek varies between traditional Nepalese and Sherpa dishes as well as some international dishes such as hamburgers, pasta, or even pizza. Beyond the Limits recommends that you to eat veg items at the higher elevations, to prevent any discomfort during the trek. Try out the famous Sherpa stew or the classical dhal bhat tarkali, a Nepalese dish of steamed white rice covered in a blanket of hot lentil soup with seasonal veg and a spicy pickle sauce!

Instead of the commercial Lukla flight, you can opt for a short, comfortable, and scenic helicopter flight. We provide helicopters from to/from Kathmandu and Lukla. Likewise, you can walk to Lukla if you have 3 to 5 days extra in your hand.

With flying to and from Lukla there is always the chance of flight delays. This is mainly due to weather circumstances. In case of long delays Beyond the Limits can manage an extra day for you. There is also the option to fly to Lukla via Ramechhap or charter a helicopter, however, the agency will decide the best course for you to not get delayed much.

To add a helicopter return from Lukla to Kathmandu, you can use the add-on button during booking or contact us. We have both shared and private helicopter flight options. Yes, the helicopter flight will be 100% worth it. You will get to enjoy a very comfortable and panoramic ride back to Kathmandu from Lukla. The flight will not be stressful at all.

The trek can be tough for beginner trekkers but is certainly doable. With children 7 years of age and seniors of 80 years making the trek successfully, we feel that anybody who has the determination can easily make this trek. Beyond the Limits has been trekking this route for over a decade and will guide you safely to Everest Base Camp!

It will take 8 days with 2 days counted for acclimatization to trek to Everest Base Camp. Average trekking hours per day will be between 5-7 hours. The route to Everest Base Camp can take longer if you opt to trek via a longer route such as the Three Pass trek in Everest or the Everest Circuit via Cho La Pass trek.

Depending on the season you travel in the weather can change quite a bit during the Everest Base Camp trek. For ideal weather circumstances, we do suggest trekking during either the spring season (March to May) or the fall/autumn season (September to November). During these seasons the weather is perfect not too hot not too cool! Furthermor,e the skies will be blue allowing you to see the best views of the Himalayas.

Yes, it is. Besides the incredible views of the highest Himalayas in the world, you’ll also get to see up close the mesmerizing culture of the Sherpa as well as visit there unique Himalayan villages. The Everest Base Camp trek also offers its visitors a unique experience by trekking through varied geography, from lush jungles to rocky barren no man’s lands.

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