Everest Base Camp is a dream trek of many trekkers from all around the world. Trekking to the base camp of the highest peak in the world sounds exciting and thrilling at the same time. The experience of following the footsteps of the first ones, Tenzing Norway and Edmund Hilary, who conquered the Everest is an incredible one.
Trekking to the Everest Base Camp is quite challenging and physically demanding. Not everyone can trek to the Everest Base Camp and return successfully. So, for a less challenging and short trek, you can opt for Everest Base Camp Trek return by Helicopter. In this trip, you can enjoy both the adventurous trekking experience as well as ariel view of the Everest region through a helicopter. The trek is an ideal trek for the trekkers who have been planning on trekking to the Everest Base Camp but have an early international return flight.
Helicopter return tour will not only save your time but also give you a chance to have a panoramic view of some of the highest peaks in the world such as Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku and many more. Within these 9 days, you will trek to the Everest Base Camp, hike up to Kalapathar to have amazing mountain views. Along with trekking, you will experience the scenic helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
Are you ready to conquer the Everest Base Camp? Get a quote from your recommended trekking agency. They have well-experienced representatives who will assist you throughout your journey.
Trip Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek Return by Helicopter
- Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
- Spectacular views of Mount Everest, Khumbu glacier and Khumbu icefall.
- Exploring the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region, Tengboche monastery.
- Visiting Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Hiking up to the Kalapatthar to have panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges.
- Incredible aerial views of the entire Khumbu region during the helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
Detail Itinerary of 9 Days Everest Base Camp Trek return by Helicopter
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. (1300m)
Upon arriving, the tour representative will welcome you in the Tribhuvan International Airport. He/she will immediately transfer you to your hotel where you can take rest. After having some refreshments, they will give brief ideas and information regarding your trip.
Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2860m) Then trek to Monzo. (2804m)
Highest Altitude: 2860 meters
Trekking Distance: 10 km Approx
Trekking Duration: 3-4 Hours
From Kathmandu, you will take a scenic flight to Lukla. It will take you around 25-30 minutes to reach Lukla from Kathmandu. Along with being highly scenic, the flight is equally thrilling. Landing at Lukla airport is a hair-raising experience.
After reaching Lukla, you will start your trek to Monzo which sits at a height of 2804 meters. Beginning from Lukla, you will descend down the trekking trails through the exciting forested trails. On the trails, you will meet with lots of trekkers and yak/mule herds en route.
Walking further, you will reach the Pasang Lhamu Gate from where you will descend towards Chilping village. Following the Dudh Koshi river, you will walk along with different Sherpa settlements. You will cross several bridges and come across different waterfalls.
On walking further, you will reach the village in Phakding. Phakding is the stop point of lots of trekkers in the Everest region. You will see lots of teahouses there. From Phakding, Monjo is just a few kilometers away. You will also have to cross a suspension bridge before you reach Monjo.
Monjo is a small settlement with beautiful teahouses. Overnight in a teahouse at Monzo.
Day 03: Trek from Monzo to Namche Bazaar. (3445m).
Highest Altitude: 3445 meters
Trekking Distance: 4km approx
Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
Monzo is the area from where Sagarmatha National starts. Before entering the park, you have to get your entry permits. The company will help you get the permits. From the Sagarmatha National park entrance, the trail descends down and continues following the bank of Dudh Kosi river.
Today is literally the day of crossing the suspension bridges. You will cross the high suspension bridges over the same Dudh Kosi river several times. On the way between Monzo to Namche is the Jhorsale village. Most of the trekkers from Monjo to Namche or Phakding to Namche stop here for lunch.
After having lunch at Jorsale village, you will again start tapping off the trekking trail with your trekking poles. The major highlight of today’s trek is crossing the Hilary suspension bridge over the Dudhkoshi river. This is the highest and longest suspension bridge on the trail. There are two suspension bridges here, one over another.
After crossing the bridge, the trail to Namche is a straight uphill trail. While climbing the trail, you will meet with lots of herds of loaded mules and Jokpeys (a breed of Yak). While walking, always remember to stop on the safe side of the trails when you hear the bells ringing. (the animals have bells hanging on their neck). This is because the angry and tired animals don’t mind pushing you off the cliff.
There is a viewpoint on the trail from where you can get the first sight of Everest if the weather is clear. Walk slowly drinking plenty of water. Cover your nose and mouth as the trail is dusty at places.
On walking further, you will get the incredible view of Namche Bazar. Right at that point, there is another checkpoint where you have to verify your permit again. Namche is a beautiful place with clustered houses with red and green roofs, mainly.
There are plenty of teahouses in Namche where you can stay overnight.
Day 04: Rest Day in Namche Bazaar, Trek to Khumjung
Trekking Distance: 7 km approx
Trekking Duration: 4 hours
Acclimatization is very important when high altitude trekking to prevent altitude sickness. Today is a rest day in Namche. A rest day does not mean you will keep resting sleeping at your teahouse. Today, you will trek to the Khumjung village for an acclimatization hike.
If the weather is clear, you will see the beautiful Himalayas from Namche. After having breakfast, you will start trekking uphill to the Khumjung village. After walking for some time, you will reach a viewpoint from where you can get a mesmerizing top view of Namche Bazar.
The trail passes through a big meadow where you will see the Yaks grazing. Walking through the forested trail feels awesome. You will see the purest form of nature there. Khumjung is a large and beautiful village with uniform looking houses with green tops.
At Khumjung, there is a monastery where you can see the skull of Yeti. Yeti is a mysterious creature that people believe lives in the high Himalayas that remains covered in snows.
At Khumjung, you can also visit the Everest View Hotel. At the hotel, you can have your Lunch while enjoying the incredible Himalayan panoramas. You will see incredible mountains including Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and others.
On your way back to Namche, you will see the Syangboche Airstrip. The trail is awesome with splendid views of the Himalayas accompanying you throughout.
Overnight at Namche.
Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3850m)
Highest Altitude: 3850 meters
Trekking Distance: 9.5 km approx
Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
Early in the morning you will have your breakfast at Namche and start your trek to Tengboche. From Namche, you will climb the stone stairs for a short while. The trail is beautiful. While walking, you will see Mountains ahead and in the sideward directions. If you look down, you will see the Dudh-Kosi river deep down.
Walking through the beautiful trail, you will reach Phunki Thanga. This is a small settlement with teahouses where you can have your lunch. After having lunch, you will again walk. On the trail is a suspension bridge and after crossing the bridge, you will begin the uphill trek to Tengboche. There is a checkpoint where you have to verify your permit.
There are chances of seeing Himalayan Thar near the river in this area. You will slowly and gradually climb the steep and dusty trail with lots of trekkers and porters around. There are some short cut trails made by the porters. Do not take those as they are risky and hard as well.
After finishing the climb, you will reach a flat terrain. As soon as you reach there, you’ll see the beautiful Tengboche monastery. Tengboche monastery is the oldest monastery of the Khumbu region. While visiting the Tengboche Monastery, you will feel beautiful. The chants by the Buddhist monks in mornings and evenings inside the monastery is heart soothing.
At Tengboche, you can enjoy some of the best views of mountains such as Kwangde (6,168m), Nupste (7,861m), Tawache (6,542m), Lhotse (8,516m), Kangtega ( 6,782m), Amadablam (6,812m), Thamserku (6,623m), and Kusum Kanguru (6,367m) during sunset.
There are few lodges and teahouses in Tengboche where you can stay for overnight.
Day 06: Trek from Tengboche to (4350m) 11 KM Approx.
Highest Altitude: 4350 meters
Trekking Distance: 11 km approx
Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
On this day, you will walk through the beautiful Imja Khola and descend through a beautiful forest filled with rhododendron. The trekking trail to Dingboche is one of the most beautiful one in your Everest base camp journey. The trail is rich in flora and fauna and you may come across musk deer and Lophophorus along the way.
The Himalayan ranges look magnificent as you trek to Dingboche. You will continue walking and reach to Pangbuche Village. After Pangboche, there are Somare and Orsho village where you can have your lunch. After crossing the Lobuche river, you reach Dingboche village.
Dingboche is a beautiful village in the Khumbu region where you will see fields of Barley, Buckwheat, and potatoes. One of the interesting facts about cultivation in the mountains is that people surround their fields with stone walls from around. This wall prevents the crops from the cattle and from the cold winds also.
From Dingboche, you will see amazing views of mountains such as Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Taboche. There are some teahouses in Dingboche. You will stay overnight at Dingboche.
Day 07: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4950m).
Highest Altitude: 4950 meters
Trekking Distance: 11 km approx
Trekking Duration: 5 hours
After having breakfast at Dingboche, you will start your trek to Lobuche. On the trail, the great Himalayan ranges will surround you. You will feel much colder as you trek towards the higher elevations. The wind is quite chilly. Wear warm and windproof gears.
The trekking trail is enjoyable. You will see the striking views of the Himalayas so close and so beautiful. The trekking trail is wider and becomes narrower as you reach to Dusa. From there, you can have a beautiful view of Mount Pumori along with other neighboring peaks. While trekking further on the splendid trekking trail, you will come across various streams before you reach Duglha. At Duglha, you will see several prayer flags hanging along the valley. From Dughla you will head towards Lobuche taking a steep ascent.
On your way, you will also come across Khumbu Glacier. The trekking trail passes through the glacial moraine of the Khumbu glacier. After walking for some time, you will reach a place called Chupki Lhara. After trekking further from Chupki Lhara, you will finally reach Lobuche. Lobuche is a Sherpa settlement which sits at the foot of Mount Lobuche. You will see the best view of Mt. Lobuche from the village.
At Lobuche, you will find a limited number of teahouses where you can stay for overnight. Make sure you book for the teahouses earlier if you are trekking in the peak seasons (Autumn and Spring).
Day 08: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5160m). Trek to Everest Base camp (5,364m) and down to Gorakshep
Highest Altitude: 5364 meters
Trekking Distance: 15 km approx
Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
Today is the day! Today, you will trek to the base camp of the highest peak in the world. Early in the morning after a filling breakfast in Lobuche, you will trek towards Gorakshep. The first part of the trek might be quite easy but the trek gets harder as you come near to Gorakshep. You will have to climb over a rock and take different ascends and descends. Keep your feet strong, use your trekking poles and walk slowly and carefully.
After reaching Gorakshep, you will check into your teahouse. You can take rest and have your lunch at the teahouse. After having lunch, leave your bags at the hotel and set off on the trail to the base camp of Everest. The walk to the base camp is exciting as you feel getting closer to your destination. Drink plenty of water and walk slow.
The Everest Base Camp which sits at an altitude of 5364 meters. Walking along the views of magnificent mountain ranges is exciting and adventurous. After walking for a few hours, you will finally reach your dream destination, the Everest Base Camp. At the base camp, enjoy your moment. Viewing the breathtaking mountain ranges feels awesome. Live your moment mate! you are literally standing at the place from where the highest peak on the world rises.
After spending some quality time at the Everest Base Camp, you will return back to Gorakshep. Gorakhshep is the highest altitude where you will sleep during the entire trek. Be careful and aware of altitude sickness. Overnight at a teahouse in Gorakshep.
Day 9: Trek from Gorak Shep to Kalapathar (5545m). Trek down to Gorekshep, Pick up by Helicopter, Fly back to Kathmandu directly.
Highest Altitude: 5545 meters
Trekking duration: 2 hours approx
Today is the last day of your trek where you will hike up to the Kalapatthar. Hiking to Kalapathar is definitely gonna be tough since you must start early in the morning.
Kalapatthar is the place from where you will have 360 degrees view of Everest. You’ll also see alluring views of Mount Lhotse, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku and many more. The sunrise views over the surrounding Himalayas is breathtaking. After exploring the spectacular mountain views, you will head back to Gorakshep.
After reaching Gorekshep, you will take a helicopter tour to reach Kathmandu. Flying back via Helicopter will allow you to have an eagle eye views of the natural beauty of the Everest region. You can witness the gorgeous mountains of the Himalayas just outside your window. Helicopter flight to Kathmandu from Gorakshep will definitely take your breath away.
