12-Day Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal with Return by Helicopter

Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transferred to the hotel. After check-in, you can either rest or spend time around the city, depending on your interests.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 1,300 m/4,264 ft

We take an early morning regular flight to Lukla by Twin Otter plane, where all Everest treks begin. We meet the rest of our team in Lukla and start trekking from there. We walk on a trail that gradually descends to Cheplung village, from where we get a glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a sacred mountain that has never been climbed. From here, we continue descending gradually until we reach Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 2,651 m/8,700 ft
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs
Flight Duration: 40 mins

Our trail passes through a pine forest, and we continue our walk on the path that goes north through the Benkar valley. We cross the Dudh Koshi River and pass Chumoa and Monjo villages before reaching the entrance of Everest National Park. After entering the park, we ascend on a steep trail with incredible views. Climbing further, we reach Namche Bazaar, the biggest town in the Everest region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,440 m/11,280 ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Spending one more day in Namche Bazaar will help us get used to the high altitude and thinning oxygen in the air. We tour the main town of the Everest, or Khumbu, region, which has government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a colorful market. We can hike up to Sagarmatha National Park and enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and more. If we are interested in a day hike, we can trek to Khumjung village. Today we also visit the Hillary School and a monastery that houses a yeti scalp. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast

This segment of the trek includes the famous descent to the Dudh Koshi River and the equally famous ascent through rhododendron forests to Tengboche. While descending toward the river, we enjoy views of mountain tops such as Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and more. Upon reaching Tengboche, we visit Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the region, and soak in the views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. Overnight in Tengboche.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,870 m/12,694 ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

We descend and trek through forests filled with a variety of lush trees - birch, conifers, and rhododendrons. This journey again rewards us with tremendous views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The picturesque trail dips down to Devuche, crosses the Imja River, and takes us to Pangboche. The upper Pangboche trails reward us with a more pristine view of the Himalayas and Pangboche Monastery. The trek moves ahead toward the Imja Valley and Lobuche River, and ultimately begins climbing up to Dingboche. Overnight at Dingboche.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,360 m/14,300 ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Dingboche is a popular stop for trekkers and climbers headed to Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, or Imja Tse. The village is beautiful, with an array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold wind and grazing animals. We spend a day in Dingboche for acclimatization. We take day hikes to either Nagarjun Hill or Chukkhung Valley for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawache, and Ama Dablam.
Meals: Breakfast

We start the day with a gradual climb to Duglha at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here, we climb a steep trail to Chupki Lhara, where we find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer, an American mountaineer, and 10-time Everest submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa, a Nepali mountain guide, who perished on a mission to climb Everest. Next, we continue to the Khumbu Glacier moraine and find ourselves facing several great peaks - Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuche. Overnight in Lobuche.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,940 m/16,207 ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

We take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come across the Indian army mountaineers' memorials. The path from here can be misleading; hence, it is important that we follow our lead Sherpa diligently. The walk is strenuous due to the thin air at high altitude. We pass through rocky dunes, moraine, and streams before reaching Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching the base camp, we see tents of mountaineers standing out in bright colors against the monotony of the gray surroundings, especially in spring. Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. We return to Gorak Shep for a good night's rest. Overnight in Gorak Shep.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 5,364 m/17,594 ft
Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

We prepare for an early morning departure amid pre-dawn darkness and cold temperatures (-10 to -14 C). There is also always the potential for chilly winds, which are quite common. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse Tower are seen to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself. But it is upon reaching Kalapatthar (5,545 m/18,192 ft) that we get to see 360-degree, up-close, and formidable views of Mt. Everest. We take pictures, enjoy the magnificent mountain panorama, and then return to Gorak Shep for a good night's rest.

Those participants who visit Everest Base Camp today will have an early breakfast to start early, as the Everest Base Camp hike takes longer than the hike to Kalapatthar. We descend to Gorak Shep and take a helicopter ride to Lukla. We fly over the serene waters of Gokyo Lake, which holds deep cultural significance for the Nepalese. After admiring the lake's tremendous beauty, we continue our helicopter ride to Lukla. Overnight in Lukla.
Meals: Breakfast
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

We catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping. If we want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu, we may do that today. Our guides can help you with both souvenir shopping and sightseeing. There will be a farewell dinner in the evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, you are free until departure time. If you have more time, you can go shopping or sightseeing around Kathmandu. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative will drop you off at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast