Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return 12 Days

Trip Facts
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Destination Nepal
  • Max. Altitude 5,644 m/18,517 ft
  • Trip Style Solo or Group
  • Trip Type Adventure
  • Best Time Autumn & Spring

Highlights

  • An exhilarating adventure that takes you to the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas

  • Trek to the lap of the highest mountain in the world, Everest base camp, following the well-made trail inside the Sagarmatha National Park

  • Experience a thrilling Kathmandu Lukla flight with stunning aerial Himalayan scenery

  • Walk through lush rhododendron forests and Sherpa villages, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river

  • Learn Sherpa culture, live a unique mountain lifestyle, and get exposed to the fragile Himalayan environment

  • Visit ancient monasteries along the way

  • Witness breathtaking landscapes and the surreal panorama of mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, etc

  • Witness a gorgeous sunrise from Kala Patthar and fly back to Kathmandu in a helicopter instead of retracing the path back to Lukla

“The Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return is an exhilarating adventure that takes you to the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas, the northeastern part of the country.” 

The venture begins in the bustling city of Kathmandu, where you will spend a day acclimatizing to the altitude and exploring the city's rich culture and history. From Kathmandu, you will take a short flight to Lukla (2,840 m/9,317 ft), where you will begin your trek to Everest Base Camp. 

The Everest base camp trek route follows a well-worn trail that winds its way through lush rhododendron & magnolia forests and past picturesque Sherpa villages, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more barren and rugged, with towering peaks and glaciers providing a breathtaking backdrop. You will get to live a unique mountain lifestyle and have a glimpse into the culture of the villagers. 

After several days of trekking, you will reach Everest Base Camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). Here, you will have the opportunity to explore the base camp of the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest (8,849 m/29,032 ft), and take in the awe-inspiring views of the Khumbu Icefall and the surrounding peaks. The Everest base camp is packed with colorful tents of mountaineers in the peak season. 

Ironically, Mt. Everest is not seen from the Everest base camp because other giant mountains block the views. So, the next day, you'll hike to Kala Patthar (5,644 m/18,517 ft), which is also the highest point of Everest base camp trekking with a helicopter return. Kala Patthar is a famous viewpoint. You will be standing in the clouds at this point, and overpowering views of the Himalayas from here will surely inspire and humble you. 

After spending time at the Everest base camp and Kala Patthar, you will begin your journey back to Kathmandu. Rather than retracing your steps, you will take a helicopter ride back to the city. This allows you to avoid the arduous trek back down and gives you the chance to see the mountains from a unique perspective. The aerial views of the Himalayas are to die for. Trust us, you'll not believe your eyes. 

Overall, the Everest Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers the perfect combination of adventure and luxury. It is a challenging trek that rewards you with incredible views and a true sense of accomplishment. Every second on the trek you will learn, unwind, and rejuvenate. This is one of the best Everest base camp trek packages. The itinerary is short (12 days), so perfect for travelers bound by time. 

Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return difficulty

The Everest Base Camp trek is considered a moderate to difficult trek that requires a fit individual and preparation. The trek involves hiking for several days at high altitudes (5-6 hours a day at minimum), which can be physically demanding. The trail can be rough and uneven in places, and the weather can be unpredictable, with cold temperatures and possible rain or snow. 

However, the trek is not considered technical, and no previous mountaineering experience is necessary. The route is well-marked, and there are teahouses & lodges along the way where trekkers can rest and eat. The Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter can be made easier by taking your time, acclimatizing properly, and staying well-hydrated and nourished. 

Overall, the difficulty of the Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return will vary depending on individual fitness levels and the conditions on the trail. It is important to be prepared and to listen to your body to have a safe and enjoyable trek.

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a common concern for those who are trekking to high altitudes, such as on the Everest Base Camp trek. AMS occurs when the body is unable to adjust to the lower levels of oxygen at high altitudes, leading to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue. 

Several factors can increase the risk of altitude sickness, including the rate of ascent, the altitude reached, and individual susceptibility. It is important to monitor symptoms and descent if necessary to avoid more severe symptoms, which our mountain guides are experts in.

It is also important to take steps to prevent altitude sicknesses, such as acclimatizing properly, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol and other dehydrating substances. Trekkers should also consult with their doctor and follow any recommended precautions before embarking on the trek. 

Our 12 days Everest base camp trek with helicopter return itinerary let trekkers acclimatize properly during the trek. We have ample acclimatization days and side hikes. Moreover, our guide ensures the safety of the trekkers by regularly checking their health conditions in the mountains. 

Everest base camp trek with helicopter return preparation

There are several important steps you should take to prepare for the Everest Base Camp trekking. 

These include: 

Get in shape: The Everest Base Camp trek is a physically demanding trek that requires a good level of fitness. Before embarking on the trek, it is important to get in shape by doing regular cardiovascular and strength training exercises. This will help you to cope with the demands of the trek and reduce the risk of injury. 

Consult with your doctor: It is important to consult with your doctor before embarking on the trek, especially if you have any existing medical conditions. Your doctor can provide advice on any precautions you should take and can recommend any necessary medications. 

Get the necessary gear: Everest Base Camp trekking with helicopter return explores a challenging environment, so it is important to have the right gear. This includes proper hiking boots, warm and waterproof clothing, a good quality sleeping bag, and other essentials. It is also important to have a good-quality backpack to carry all of your gear. 

Best Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return 2023 

We have the best Everest base camp trek with helicopter return given our short itinerary, price, and services offered at low cost. You will be guided by a professional mountain guide and porters. Likewise, our management team will make sure all the permits and reservations are done on time for a smooth venture. You do not have to worry about anything while doing Everest base camp helicopter trek with us, Admire Nepal Tours. 

To book the Everest base camp trek with helicopter return 2023 spring or autumn departure, send us your inquiry now. It is a perfect adventurous trek for everyone, friends, couples, family, colleagues, etc. We offer great discounts on big groups with assistant guides. 

You can do the classic Everest base camp trek with us if you do not prefer to fly in a helicopter. Luxury Everest base camp trek also offers a great trekking experience. Travelers who do not have time to go on a long trek can join our Everest base camp helicopter tour. It is a 4-5 hours tour with multiple landings and happens in the morning. 

Trip Itinerary


This is our regular recommended intinerary. It can always be customized according to your interest and available days in Nepal.
 

  • Day 1:Arrive at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
  • Day 2:Kathmandu sightseeing tour
  • Day 3:Fly to Lukla, then hike to Phakding
  • Day 4:Trek to Namche Bazaar
  • Day 5:Hike to Everest View Hotel- acclimatization
  • Day 6:Trek to Tengboche
  • Day 7:Trek to Dingboche
  • Day 8:Hike to Nagarjuna hill- acclimatization
  • Day 9:Trek to Lobuche
  • Day 10:Trek to Everest Base Camp via Gorak Shep (5,185 m)
  • Day 11:Hike to Kalapattar, then take a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu
  • Day 12:The day of departure

Say hello to our airport representative upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You can find them with your name placard at the terminal gate. They will escort you to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day as you wish and meet other team members over welcome dinner in the late evening in Thamel.

  • AccommodationHotel     
  • MealsWelcome dinner
  • Max. Altitude1400m

We have a full day in Kathmandu to look around the city and prepare for the trek. In the morning, we'll be visiting sites like Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. The tour will be guided by a professional guide who'll inform us about the monuments and their history. After the tour, we'll take a short break and meet the trek guide in our office. There'll be a short briefing, and we begin packing our trekking essentials in the duffel bag.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast only
  • Max. Altitude1400m

Duration: 30 minutes flight & 3 hours trek

Take an early morning short flight to Lukla, the beginning point of the trek. From here, descend to Phakding village. The porter joins the group, and we begin walking alongside the Dudh Koshi river. We will walk past Ghat village on the way crossing multiple suspension bridges. The view of Kongde Ri is excellent from Phakding.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude2,860 m

Duration: 6 hours

The day begins early with a gradual walk to Monjo village. We register the permits at the checkpoint and begin trekking through lush rhododendron & magnolia forests. The trail goes through villages like Jorsale and crosses the Dudh Koshi river numerous times via hanging suspension bridges. The trail is tranquil. The final ascent to Namche Bazaar is steep.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude3,440 m

Duration: 4-5 hours

Namche is the tourist hub of the Khumbu region, with many modern services, cafes, restaurants, museums, and shops. Today, we will go on a hike to Hotel Everest View and return to Namche Bazaar to spend one more night acclimatizing. The hike presents stunning views of Thamserku, Kongde Ri, Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Later, we will visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery in Namche Bazaar. Spend the remaining day exploring the village and observing the lifestyle of the locals.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,962 m

Duration: 5-6 hours

We leave Namche Bazaar and trek on an uphill route to Tengboche village. Located at 3,860 meters, Tengboche village houses the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region and offers excellent views of Mt. Everest and Mt. Ama Dablam. The trail from Namche Bazaar first descends to Pungi Thanka. We then slowly walk on a long uphill trail that takes all the way up to Tengboche village.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude3,860 m

Duration: 5 hours

After a warm breakfast, we will drop down to the Imja river and follow a scenic route to Pangboche village. The mountain views and landscapes in this part of the trail are phenomenal. We get to witness many snow-capped mountains like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cholatse, etc. We will walk on various pastures and summer settlement areas before reaching Dingboche village for a night stay.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude4,360 m

Duration: 6-7 hours

On this day, we will take another acclimatization and go on a hike to Nagarjuna Hill. Located above Dingboche village, it is a fantastic hike during which we can see striking views of the snow-capped mountains. The hike will be a bit more demanding than last time. Taboche, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Kangtega, Makali, etc are some of the mountains we can see from Nagarjuna hill. The remaining day, we’ll spend in Dingboche village relaxing and interacting with the villagers.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude5,100 m

Duration: 5 hours

We are very close to Everest base camp at this point. We leave Dingboche and walk towards Lobuche village. Following a wide valley, we trek towards Dughla. We will walk on the glacial route and continue trekking via yak pastures to Lobuche village, situated at the lap of the famous trekking peak Lobuche. The mountain views are very close and prominent.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude4,930 m

Duration: 7-8 hours

Today is the big day. We’ll reach Everest base camp. The day begins very early, and we walk alongside the Khumbu glacier. The trail walks through glacier moraine to Gorak Shep. Snow-capped mountains and gray hills are seen along the way. The terrain is rocky and steep. From Gorak Shep, we continue trekking towards Everest base camp.

At base camp, we can see numerous tents and expedition parties. We will spend some time at the base camp looking around and clicking some photographs before returning to Gorak Shep to spend the night.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Max. Altitude5,364 m

Duration: 1-hour flight

Today is the last day of our trek. Before dawn breaks, we hike to Kala Patthar. An arduous hike will take us to one of the best viewpoints in the world, which will welcome us with an enchanting view of the Himalayas and a gorgeous sunrise. We will relish the panorama and descend to Gorak Shep. The helicopter will pick us up here.

Flying over the Everest base camp and Khumbu Icefall, we go to Lukla airport. After refueling the chopper, we continue the flight to Kathmandu. Our team will drop you at the airport. You have the rest of the day leisure. You can go shopping and spend the day as you wish. In the late evening, we will have a farewell dinner with the entire team.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast & farewell dinner
  • Max. Altitude5,644 m

Pack your luggage. Our airport team will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You fly back to your next destination today.

    It is our regular itinerary if you are looking for a personalized or planning an offline trip. Please, feel free to share our travel experts.

    Trip Map

    Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return 12 Days map

    Cost Details

    • Airport pick up and drop by private tourist vehicle.
    • local SIM card with internet and balance.
    • 3-4 star hotel in Kathmandu stay.
    • Kathmandu-Lukla Return flight
    • Fully guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu and nearby cities on private vehicle.
    • Government licensed Englsh speaking local Guide with porters.
    • Dinner at local restaurant with cultural show.
    • All food (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) in trekking
    • Tea/ coffee and other local non-alcoholic drinks in trekking.
    • Tea house/lodge accommodation.
    • All land transportation (private vehicles)
    • TIMS (Trekking information Management System) card.
    • All require national park and entry Permit.
    • Duffel/kit bag, sleeping bag, down Jacket, hat .
    • All food, drinks, Lodge, salary, Insurance, medical equipments, for guide and porters.
    • International flight tickets.
    • Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (A multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 50 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 120. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
    • Any bar bills (alcoholic drinks, mineral water, and cold drinks), cigarettes, client’s personal insurance, any kind of unforeseen expenses.
    • Travel insurance (should include high altitude resuce in an emergency)
    • Tips for Guide and Porter (Tips are not compulsory but expected).
    • Personal treeking gear

    Essential Info

    Best time

    The best time to do the Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return depends on a few factors, like the weather, the crowd, and your personal preferences.

    In general, the trekking season in Nepal runs from September to May, with the best weather typically occurring from October to November and from March to April. These months offer clear skies, mild temperatures, and less chance of rain or snow.

    However, these months are also the busiest, with the trails and teahouses often crowded with trekkers. If you prefer a more intimate and less crowded experience, you may want to consider trekking during the starting/ending of the off-seasons, from June to August or November to February.

    These months have unstable weather but fewer crowds. You may come across seasonal hurdles like landslides and avalanches. You have to be well-prepared and packed to trek in the off-season.

    Accommodation & Meals

    During the Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return, trekkers will have a variety of options for accommodation and meals. The trek follows a well-established route that is lined with lodges and teahouses, which offer simple rooms and meals.

    The lodges are typically located at regular intervals along the trail and offer a range of accommodation options, from shared rooms to private rooms. The rooms are basic, with twin beds and a shared bathroom, but they are clean and comfortable.

    In terms of meals, the lodges offer a variety of local dishes, such as dal bhat (a staple dish of rice and lentil soup) and momos (dumplings). Most tea houses also offer a range of Western dishes, such as pasta and pizza, as well as snacks and beverages.

    Overall, the accommodations and meals during the Everest Base Camp helicopter trek are basic but comfortable and satisfying. Trekkers can expect to enjoy a unique and authentic experience while staying in the lodges or tea houses along the trail.

    Group/private joining

    The Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return can be done as a group trek or as a private trek. Group treks typically include a bunch of trekkers who are led by a guide. The group will stay together throughout the trek, with the guide providing support and assistance. Group treks can be a good option for those who prefer the social aspect of trekking and the support of a guide.

    Private treks, on the other hand, are arranged for an individual or a small group of people who want to trek independently. Private trek with us can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences, and you will have your own guide and support staff. Private treks can be a good option for those who want a more personalized and flexible trekking experience.

    The choice between a group trek and a private trek will depend on your preferences & your budget. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks. It is important to research and compare the different options before deciding.

    Child Policy

    We have experience with children aged 6 to 12 and above trekking with us. We are quite flexible with our child policy for the Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return. If you wish to trek to the lap of Mt. Everest with your kid, then feel free to let us know. Our team will do a general assessment and help you prepare the perfect Everest base camp trek for you and your family.

    Travel Insurance

    It is highly recommended to have travel insurance for the Everest Base Camp trek. Trekking in the Himalayas can be unpredictable, and travel insurance can provide security in case of an emergency.

    Travel insurance can cover a range of situations, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost or stolen belongings, and emergency evacuations. It can also provide peace of mind, knowing that you are covered in case something goes wrong.

    When purchasing travel insurance for the Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return, it is important to choose a policy that covers emergency air evacuation up to 6,000 meters. It is also a good idea to read the policy carefully and to understand what is and is not covered.

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