Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

Flying into Kathmandu on a clear day offers an indelible experience, with the majestic Himalayas forming a backdrop.

Upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport, a representative from Wind Horse will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the evening there will be a short briefing followed by a delightful dinner along with a cultural performance, hosted at a traditional Nepalese restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today’s itinerary involves visiting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.

Your exploration begins at Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you’ll immerse yourselves in the area surrounding the former palace of the Nepalese kings, admiring various temples and monuments.

Subsequently, you’ll journey to Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal’s largest Buddhist stupa, engaging in the act of circumambulation alongside pilgrims and exploring the nearby monasteries.

Lastly, you’ll head to Pashupatinath Temple, revered as Nepal’s holiest Hindu temple. Following these visits, the evening remains free, offering an opportunity for last-minute shopping to acquire any necessary supplies or gear for the trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular, and the landing is an exciting experience. One end of the runway is 60 meters higher than the other. The flight is typically on a small Dornier or Twin Otter aircraft, with duration of around 25–30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Lukla (2800m), you will meet your guides and porters before commencing the trek towards Phakding. Begin the trek by descending gradually for about 2 hours to Thado Koshi, then gradually ascend, crossing several suspension bridges, passing through villages, and finally arriving at Phakding (2610m). Overnight in Phakding.

Following the Dudh Koshi River, the trail traverses through Sherpa settlements such as Bengkar and Chumao, and then enters the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. Crossing over the Hillary Hanging Bridge, continue with a steep uphill climb to Chautara, where you get the first glimpse of Everest through the trees.

Continue the ascent to reach the vibrant Namche Bazaar (3440m), the pulsating heart of the Sherpa community, offering accommodations, cafes, and stores vending souvenirs and trekking essentials. Namche Bazaar serves as an ideal location to procure any forgotten items and acclimatize to the altitude for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Today is set as an acclimatization day, and you will embark on a short hike to Syangboche Hotel Everest View, situated at 3880m, which takes about 1-2hrs. This location is renowned as one of the best vantage points, offering breathtaking views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other peaks.

After relishing at the panoramic scenery, a brief descent on the other side leads you to the large village of Khumjung, home to Hillary’s School. Following the visit, you will descend back to Namche, where you have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving Namche, it is a brief ascent until you’ll reach Kyangjunma, an area with charming tea shops where the trail from Khumjung also converges. The view of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent from this part of the trail. The journey continues, leading through the quaint settlement of Sanasa before descending to the river at Phunkithenga (3300m).

From this point, the trail takes a steep ascent, weaving through pine and rhododendron forests along the hillside, eventually reaching the saddle where the Tengboche Monastery rests at 3870m. Passing through these rhododendron trees on a clear day provides breathtaking vistas of Himalayan giants like Kongde, Taboche, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku. Overnight in Tengboche.

Descending through a picturesque forest adorned with rhododendrons, birches, and conifers leads you to the serene village of Deboche (3820m). This quaint village hosts a few lodges and a nunnery. Continuing on the journey traversing over a stunning hanging bridge before ascending to Pangboche village (3980m). There is an option to visit Pangboche Monastery, situated higher up than the village.

Beyond Pangboche, the trail ascends above the tree line through alpine meadows with scrub juniper and a vibrant display of wildflowers during the summer. Along the trail, you will encounter several yak herders’ camps, after crossing a river the trail ascends to a small ridge, arriving at Dingboche(4410). Overnight in Dingboche.

At this point in the journey, it is crucial to allocate a second day for acclimatization owing to the substantial altitude gain. Today you will hike to Nangkartshang hill, situated at an altitude of almost 5,100 meters. Nanagkarsthang hills offers  panoramic views of prominent peaks like Taboche, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam.

This vantage point also provides stunning vistas overlooking the Imja and Pheriche Valleys. Following this exploration, you will return to Dingboche to spend the night. Overnight in Dingboche.

Departing Dingboche, the trail gradually climbs through the highlands adorned with sparse alpine shrubs. After crossing a lively stream, a short ascent will lead you to Thugla (4600m), the designated lunch spot for the day’s journey.

Beyond Thugla, the path steepens, passing by stone memorials decorated with vibrant prayer flags, erected in memory of climbers who have passed away. Continuing the trek, after a brief stretch, you will reach the small settlement of Lobuche (4950m). This village presents breathtaking panoramic views of Nuptse, Lobuche, and Pumori. Overnight in Lobuche.

Today marks one of the most highly anticipated segments of the trek: the journey to Everest Base Camp. The initial phase entails a relatively level walk, transitioning into a path navigating across rocky highlands and glaciers until arriving at Gorakshep (5,164m).

This small settlement stands as the final permanent outpost, adorned with trekking lodges perched on the periphery of the Khumbu Icefall. After a short break, you will traverse alongside the Khumbu glacier moraine for an additional hour and a half to finally reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m).

Congratulations on reaching the base camp! Capture the breathtaking scenery around you, including the majestic peaks, the sprawling Khumbu Glacier, and the mesmerizing Khumbu Icefalls. Absorb the vibrant sight of expedition tents, creating a colorful contrast against the natural backdrop. Afterwards, make your way back to Gorakshep for an overnight stay. Overnight in Gorakshep.

Early morning, you will hike to Kala Patthar, situated at an altitude of 5,540m(although recent measurements suggest it exceeds 5600m). This challenging yet brief hike covers approximately 1.5 kilometers and involves a rapid ascent of about 400 meters within an hour from Gorakshep.

The trail steeply ascends, offering glimpses of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse after a 100-meter climb. Continuing upward, a breathtaking vista of the Khumbu glacier and the Nuptse massif awaits you. The final ascent to the rocky vantage point of Kala Patthar places you in the midst of an awe-inspiring Himalayan panorama, showcasing majestic peaks, icefalls, and sprawling glaciers.

After enjoying the beautiful moment, you will then descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast. After breakfast you will board a helicopter and fly back to Kathmandu, culminating this incredible journey with everlasting memories of the experiences encountered during the Everest Base Camp Heli Trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

We have set aside this day as a free day, which you can spend as you please. You might wish to go souvenir shopping for your loved ones or, if you prefer, you can request a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley to witness its unique culture and history. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.