Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Nine days to the foot of Everest: a helicopter to Lukla, the classic trail through Namche, Tengboche and Dingboche with two acclimatisation days, then a helicopter from Gorak Shep straight back to Kathmandu.
9 days · Everest · From US$ 6,390
Enquire- Duration
- 9 days
- Max altitude
- 5,364 m (Everest Base Camp)
- Group size
- Private — from 2 guests
- Best season
- Mar–May & Oct–Nov
Overview
This is the Everest Base Camp trek with the slow parts taken out. A private helicopter flies you from Kathmandu to Lukla, so the journey begins on the trail, not in a departure lounge. From there you walk the classic route through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche to the foot of Everest.
The days on foot are not rushed. There are two acclimatisation days, in Namche and in Dingboche, and a licensed guide sets the pace for you alone. Every night but one is spent in a lodge room with its own bathroom and an electric blanket.
After standing at Base Camp you do not walk back down for three days. The next morning a helicopter collects you at Gorak Shep and you are in Kathmandu in about an hour.
Highlights
- Private helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla on day one
- Stand at Everest Base Camp, 5,364 m
- Two acclimatisation days, in Namche and Dingboche
- Tengboche, the Khumbu’s best-known monastery
- Helicopter from Gorak Shep home instead of three days’ walk back
Gallery
Day by day
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) by helicopter, meet your porter and walk gently down along the Dudh Kosi river to Phakding (2,610 m). About 3–4 hours of walking.
Cross the suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi, enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and climb to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Sherpa capital. About 6–7 hours.
A rest day for your body, not your eyes: a morning hike to the Everest viewpoint above Namche for your first clear look at Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, then back to Namche for the night.
A balcony trail high above the river, then a long climb to Tengboche (3,860 m) and its monastery, with Ama Dablam in front of you. About 5–6 hours. On the Luxury level you sleep at Mountain Lodges of Nepal in Deboche, a short walk beyond.
Through Pangboche and into the Imja valley to Dingboche (4,410 m), a village of stone-walled fields beneath Ama Dablam. About 6–7 hours.
A second rest day to let your body adjust to the altitude, with an optional short hike above the village.
Up the Khumbu valley past the climbers’ memorials at Thukla to Lobuche (4,940 m). About 5–6 hours.
Walk to Gorak Shep (5,164 m), continue beside the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), then return to Gorak Shep for the night. The longest and highest day of the trek.
A helicopter lifts you from Gorak Shep back to Kathmandu, saving three days of walking down the same trail. Transfer to your hotel.
Choose your comfort
| Comfort tier | Lodging | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | The best teahouse in each village every night, with all meals. | From US$6,390 |
| Luxury | Yeti Mountain Home in Phakding and Namche and Mountain Lodges of Nepal in Deboche for the first four nights, then the best teahouses higher up, where no premium lodges exist. | From US$7,000 |
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car
- Helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Helicopter from Gorak Shep to Kathmandu
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on the trek
- Lodge rooms with attached bathroom and electric blanket every night except Gorak Shep, where lodges are basic
- Licensed, professional trekking guide
- One porter for every two guests (carries 20–25 kg in total)
- All necessary trekking permits
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Hotel in Kathmandu before and after the trek (we can arrange it)
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (required)
- Drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and battery charging in the lodges
- Tips for your guide and porter, and personal expenses
Dates & departures
The clearest skies are in October–November and March–May. Helicopters only fly in good weather, so we suggest keeping a spare day in Kathmandu after the trek. Price per person, based on two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Ask us for solo or larger-group prices.
Questions, answered
How fit do I need to be?
You should be comfortable walking 5–7 hours a day, several days in a row, with some steep climbs. No climbing skills are needed. Regular hiking or stair training in the months before helps a lot.
Why fly back from Gorak Shep?
Walking back down to Lukla takes about three days on the same trail. The helicopter turns that into about an hour, which is why the whole trek fits into nine days.
How do you deal with altitude sickness?
The plan has two acclimatisation days and your guide checks on you every day. If anyone feels unwell, the first step is to stop climbing; if needed we arrange a descent or a helicopter evacuation, which your travel insurance must cover.
What are the lodges like?
Every night except Gorak Shep you have a room with its own bathroom and an electric blanket. Gorak Shep is the highest and most remote stop, and its lodges are simple. On the Comfort level you stay in the best teahouse in each village. On the Luxury level the first four nights are at Yeti Mountain Home (Phakding and Namche) and Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Deboche); higher up only teahouses exist, so both levels share them.
When is the best time to go?
October–November and March–May have the most settled weather and the clearest views. Winter is possible but very cold; the summer monsoon brings cloud and flight delays.
Is the price per person?
Yes. The price shown is per person for two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Tell us your group size and dates and we will send an exact quote.
Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return: the complete guide
The route at a glance
Lukla (2,860 m) → Phakding (2,610 m) → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) → Tengboche (3,860 m) → Dingboche (4,410 m) → Lobuche (4,940 m) → Gorak Shep (5,164 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). You walk up; the helicopter brings you back.
Altitude
The trek climbs above 5,000 m, so the pace matters more than speed. Drink plenty of water, walk slowly, and tell your guide about headaches, nausea or unusual tiredness straight away.
Permits
You need a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. Both are included and arranged for you.
Luggage
Your porter carries the main bags (20–25 kg in total for two guests); you carry a small day pack. Helicopters have weight limits, so pack light and leave extra luggage at your Kathmandu hotel.
Enquire about this journey
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