Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

What better way to see Mt Everest than on a helicopter ride? Everest Base Camp Heli Trek offers you a chance to trek in the famed Everest region but only for a few days in lower altitudes. This means the trek isn’t challenging and anyone can sign up for this. And the main twist or attraction of this trip is, a helicopter will pick you up from Namche Bazaar and take you to Everest over Khumbu Valley and Glacier, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar. Perhaps, this trek is the finest blend of hiking and Helicopter tour in the Everest Region. The tiring long day walks to Everest are replaced by a comfortable ride on a helicopter that offers you bird’s eye views of the Everest region and an up-close view of the Himalayan giants. Similarly, your journey to Everest base Camp Heli Trek starts with the most thrilling flight to Lukla from Kathmandu or Manthali. After arriving at Lukla you’ll be hiking through the intriguing Sherpa Hamlets with a stunning view of the mountains. Likewise, you’ll be welcomed with the panoramic view of the majestic Kongde Ri, Thamserku, Kusum Khangaru, etc at Namche Bazaar. As per the schedule, we will spend one more day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. On this day we’ll have a short hike to Thame village and head back. Thame Village is the homeland of most of the Sherpa mountaineers for example Ang Rita Sherpa. It is situated on the Tibetan border and was formerly used as the salt trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Your picturesque helicopter ride from Namche to Everest Base Camp will finally take place on the sixth day. This is the most exciting and fascinating adventure in the entire trip. You’ll be flying over Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Glacier, and Kalapatthar. Additionally, you’ll enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of mountains like Mount Everest, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse, and many others. After the most thrilling adventure, your heli ride stops at Lukla and likewise, we’ll head toward Kathmandu.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

Watching the world’s highest Mount Everest (8,848.86 m) & other Himalayan giants. Captivating aerial views of the Himalayas en-route to Lukla. Trekking in the famed Everest region. Namche Bazaar, an entrance, and a cultural hub to the Everest region. Immerse in the lively culture and tradition of the Sherpa community. Magnificent helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Glacier and Kalapatthar. Get a glimpse of the Khumbu glacier and Khumbu icefall.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel — Max. Altitude: Kathmandu (1,400 m)One of our officials will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, upon your arrival. We will take you to the hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Pre-trip meeting will be done and you will meet with your trip guide. Make sure to confirm your queries about trekking in the mountains. Overnight at a HotelMeals not includedNote: Pre-trip meeting will be done at the office if you arrive before 4 pm and in your hotel itself if you arrive later in the evening. Be sure to bring two copies of passport-sized photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy to the meeting. These documents help to acquire trekking permits and related documentation during the trek. Pay the remaining balance of your invoice and sign in the legally binding trip form and non-liability disclaimer. Day Day 2: Flight to Lukla (2,840 m) from Kathmandu or Manthali/Ramechhap (474 m) and then trek to Phakding — Max. Altitude: Lukla (2,840 m), Phakding (2,610 m)Duration: 35 mins flight from ktm or 5-6 hrs drive & 20 min flight from Manthali, 3-4 hrs trekManthali to Lukla Flight (March, April, May, October, and November)During peak seasons, such as March, April, May, October, and November, the flight to Lukla will be operated from Ramechhap/Manthali due to air traffic expansion. The Manthali/Ramechhap airport is about a 5 to 6 hours drive away from Kathmandu. On this day, we wake up between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, take an escorted shuttle to Manthali Airport in a shared tourist vehicle, and board a 20-minute flight to Lukla. Kathmandu to Lukla Flight (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December)The flight to Lukla is typically operated from Kathmandu during nonpeak seasons, which include January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. Please be aware that the decision regarding the operation of flights solely depends on the airline and is influenced by the volume of travelers during a specific month. On this day, we wake up between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Our staff will escort you to the domestic airport terminal in Kathmandu, where you will board a 35-minute flight to Lukla. Helicopter Option Helicopter OptionYou have the option to book a direct helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla for an extra charge of USD 550 per person. This price is quoted on a 5-people sharing basis. This is the best alternative to avoid the long drive to Manthali airport during peak season (March, April, May, October, and November). Prepare your luggage for the trek the day before the flight. You will be arriving at the Tenzing Hillary Airport early in the morning. Breakfast in Lukla. Porters will meet the group in Lukla and are assigned to carry luggage. For every two clients, one porter is assigned. Today we trek to Phakding. The trail is straightforward. We head out of Lukla and follow the Dudh Koshi River downhill. The route connects to the Namche Bazaar trail, just above Chaurikharka (2,713 m). Continuing, we come across the small village of Ghat. After a brisk hike, we arrive at Phakding. Lukla AirportLukla AirportPhakdingOvernight at a GuesthouseBreakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included Day Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar from Phakding — Max. Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)Duration: 5-6 hrs trekAfter breakfast, we follow the trail alongside the Dudh Koshi River while crossing suspension bridges along the way. After hiking for a while, we come upon Sagarmatha National Park and go through entry permit verification in the Everest region. As the trek advances, we ascend a steep climb with astonishing perspectives of majestic Himalayas, splashing glacial rivers, multi-colored prayer flags, and sacred mani stones. We arrive in the charming Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar in the early evening. Hillary Bridge on the way to NamcheNamche BazaarNamche BazaarOvernight at GuesthouseBreakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included Day Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Namche. Hike to Hotel Everest View and back — Max. Altitude: Hotel Everest View (3,880 m)Duration: 4-5 hrs hikeTrekkers and climbers who have arrived in Khumbu region spend time in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize to thinning air of the mountains. It’s exciting to be in this Sherpa town, which is a center of both commercial and cultural activities. During the first half of the day, your guide will take you for a hike around the Bazaar. Visit Sherpa Culture Museum and hike up to Syangboche Airstrip. In your walk, if weather is clear, you will be rewarded with magnificent views of mountains such as Kongde, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest. Namche Bazaar AcclimatizationNamche Bazaar AcclimatizationHotel Everest ViewOvernight at GuesthouseBreakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included Day Day 5: Trek to Thamo and return to Namche Bazaar — Max. Altitude: Thamo (3,610 m)Duration: 6-7 hrs trekWe have one more day of acclimatization before we fly to Everest Base Camp. Today we will take a day hike to a small traditional village called Thame which is located off the main trail to Everest. It will take us 5 to 6 hours to get there and return back to Namche. Thame was the childhood home of Tenzing Norgay, one of the first climbers of Everest, and was part of the ancient salt trading route between Tibet, Nepal and India. Thame villageOvernight at GuesthouseBreakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included Day Day 6: Scenic Shared Helicopter Flight from Namche to Everest Base Camp with landing at Kalapatthar & then return to Lukla including shuttle in Pheriche — Max. Altitude: Kalapatthar (5,555 m)Duration: 30-45 mins flightIt is the most exciting day of this entire trip. From Namche, we will take a helicopter. You will go for a ride over the majestic Khumbu Valley. The heli sightseeing takes you and flies over Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Glacier and Kalapatthar. You will see the Himalayan giants such as Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse and many others. The tour will stop at Lukla. The helicopter ride from Namche to Everest to Lukla takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the weather and the number of passengers. The helicopter ride is on a sharing basis. It only flies over Everest Base Camp and Khumbu Glacier and doesn’t land at EBC or anywhere near it. But, if you want a private charter flight and want it to land near EBC, which is usually at Gorakshep (5,180 m), please contact us to find out the additional cost. Private charter with landing is a great option as you can get out of the helicopter, enjoy the Himalayan scenery and capture some amazing photographs. (Please be aware that helicopters cannot land and take off with more than three passengers at altitudes above 4,500 meters. So, in addition to this, if you’re a group of 5, we’ll shuttle the flight in Pheriche into groups of 3 and 2. After that, each group will fly towards Everest Base Camp and land at Kala Patthar one by one.) KalapattharHelicopter flying over Kalapatthar with Mount Everest in backgroundOvernight at GuesthouseBreakfast, Lunch, and Dinner includedNote: In the event the helicopter can’t be flown because of bad weather or any other technical reason, we will refund the cost of the helicopter ride which is valued at USD 250 per person. And to return back to Lukla, we will be trekking which takes about 6 hours. Day Day 7: Flight back to Kathmandu or Manthali/Ramechhap and same day drive back to Kathmandu from Lukla — Duration: 35 mins flight to ktm or 20 mins flight to Manthali & 5-6 hrs drive to KtmLukla to Manthali Flight (March, April, May, October, and November)The flight from Lukla to Manthali is a 20-minute flight. After that, it is about a 5 to 6 hour drive to Kathmandu. Please note that the driving hours may vary according to the highway traffic condition. You’ll be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu on a shared tourist vehicle. Lukla to Kathmandu Flight (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December)The flight from Lukla takes about 35 minutes. After arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu via a shared tourist vehicle. Please be aware that the decision regarding the operation of flights solely depends on the airline and is influenced by the volume of travelers during a specific month. Helicopter Option Helicopter OptionYou have the option to book a direct helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu for an extra charge of USD 550 per person. This price is quoted on a 5-people sharing basis. This is the best alternative to avoid the long drive to from Manthali airport to Kathmandu during peak season (March, April, May, October and November). If you would like to spend more time in Nepal, we offer trips to the popular destinations in Nepal. Pokhara tour, Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu Cultural Heritage Tours, etc., are some of our popular Nepal trips. In addition, we also provide outbound tours to Tibet, India, or Bhutan. You will be served a farewell dinner in a fine restaurant. Lukla AirportLukla Airport with Mount Kongde Ri in the backgroundOvernight at a HotelBreakfast and Farewell Dinner included Day Day 8: Transfer to the International Airport for Your Final Departure — Our thrilling Everest base camp Heli trek has come to an end. You will be escorted to the international airport by one of our airport representatives in preparation for your return trip. We wish you luck in your future travels and hope to see you again in Nepal soon.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel — Max. Altitude: Kathmandu (1,400 m)+