Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla

Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla

1Day
5,550mMax altitude
MediumDifficulty
$2,950per person

Overview

Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla

The Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla is the most well-known, daring, and popular excursion in Nepal. For any climber, the best experience that can be cherished forever is climbing to the top of the highest peak in the world. 

Everest Base Camp Trek and Helicopter Ride to Lukla Trek Trip Introduction:

The trail in the trek and Heli ride winds through verdant green forests, glacial lakes, lush green meadows, and suspension bridges, and eventually arrive at the Himalayan Giants. The gorgeous 20-minute helicopter trip from Gorkashep to Lukla is what makes this trek special. After trekking, you can choose to take private or shared return flights from Gorakshep, Everest Base Camp, or Lukla. 

The return trek goes with experience a tremendous difference between a walk-in adventure and a spectacular helicopter flight on the trip. You can take a flight back to enjoy the breathtaking view of the mountains and peaks. The thrilling helicopter ride back gives you a great opportunity to enjoy the beautifully dramatic landscape with tall snow-capped mountains, lush hills, a view of the greatest peak of the world, and many more. 

Itinerary Outline:

1st Day: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
2nd Day: Flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) 3-4 hrs walk
3rd Day: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft) 5-6 hrs walk
4th Day: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar
5th Day: Trek from Namche to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft) 5-6 hrs walk
6th Day: Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft) 5-6 hrs walk
7th Day: Acclimatization day at Dingboche
8th Day: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,910m/16104 ft) 5-6 hrs walks
9th Day: Trek to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) & short hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,593ft) 5-6 hrs walk
10th Day: Trek to Kala Patthar(5,550m/18,204ft) then return back to Lukla by Heli
11th Day: Flight back to Kathmandu
12th Day: Departure from Kathmandu

Duration1 day
DifficultyMedium
Max altitude5,550m
Start / EndKathmandu
Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla photo
  • Sunrise/ sunset view from base camp
  • Panoramic view of mountain
  • Sherpa culture
  • Sunrise/Sunset view from Kalapathhar
  • Tyangboche Monastery
  • Monastery
  • Rhododendron forest
Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla photo Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla photo

Best Season for this trip

Mar to May & Sep to Dec

Spring: Mar-May Monsoon: Jun-Aug Autumn: Sep-Nov Winter: Dec-Feb

Day by day

Unfold your journey

Everest Base Camp Route Map

Kathmandu → Kathmandu

Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla route map
day
1

Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

20 Minutes Hotel Kathmandu Breakfast
Our representative will be waiting for your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You will have to make your way to the arrivals hall exit after completing the necessary visa formalities and retrieving your luggage from the airport. You will meet the trip leader outside the arrivals area, who will also accompany you to your hotel in Kathmandu. At the departure of the arrivals hall, keep an eye out for a Nepal Vision sign. You will be transferred to your hotel for some refreshments. In the evening, your trek leader will give you a trip briefing in the lobby of your hotel after serving welcome beverages. We will walk down the street to get a feel for your surroundings.
day
2

Flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) 3-4 hrs walk

20 Minutes 27 Minutes 3-4 Hrs Tea House Phakding 3 Meals
We will take a plane for the alpine flight from Kathmandu to Lukla after an early morning breakfast. The flight will take us about 35 minutes to reach the destination, Lukla. The size of the enormous peaks that surround the settlement of Lukla initially overwhelms us, but this is merely a foreshadowing of what is to come. We will meet the team, take a clearly indicated track up the Dudh Koshi Valley, and spend the night in Phakding.
day
3

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft) 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Namche 3 Meals
The trail through the Dudhkoshi River will take us through a pine forest. We will continue our adventure through the trail. We will arrive at Monjo after crossing multiple suspension bridges and traveling through the hamlets of Zapute, Toktok, Benkar, and Chumoa. The Sagarmatha National Park entrance is located ahead of Monjo and was designed to protect and preserve the delicate mountain environment. We will descend from the park and travel across a different suspension bridge on our way to the tall Hillary Bridge, which is situated at the base of the hill. We will cross this bridge and then ascend a hill to the Namche Bazaar. If the skies are clear, we may also get our first look at the Kusum Khangru, Lhotse, and Everest peaks.
day
4

Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar

Tea House Namche 3 Meals
For proper adaptation to the altitude, we will spend an additional night at Namche. Namche is a wealthy community that is located in a sizable protected hollow. There are several options for what to do after breakfast, including hiking to the Everest View Hotel, Khumjung, and Khunde, walking to Thame (3,810m), which is above the lovely Bhote Khola river valley, or going to the National Park Headquarters to see the intriguing exhibits about Sherpa culture and lifestyle. You can also get information about the park's ecology and fauna as well as a mountaineering display. Your walk leaders will be there to provide guidance and accompany you.
day
5

Trek from Namche to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft) 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Tyangboche 3 Meals
We'll stroll by the glacier water in the Dudh Koshi River. You'll get an amazing view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku, and the Ama Dablam mountains from the route. We will carry on the trek to Sanasa through the vibrant rhododendron woodland in bloom. The wildlife is abundant in the area, including musk deer and vibrant pheasants. The path will split off near Sanasa, with one leading to the Gokyo Valley and the other leading to Everest Base Camp. We will also visit the largest monastery in the Khumbu region, Tyangboche, which will be reached by a steep ascent. Our journey will be rewarded with up-close views of numerous nearby mountains. We'll see the monastery after checking in at the hotel. Overnight at Tyangboche.
day
6

Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft) 5-6 hrs walk

4-5 Hrs Tea House Dingboche 3 Meals
After breakfast, we'll descend to Deboche. We'll trek through a birch and rhododendron forest. We will travel via Pangboche, the highest of the genuine lasting settlements in the valley. We will finally arrive at the regular settlement, the last steep climb of the day on our way to Dingboche. We will then haul up some food and enjoy our meals while admiring some front-row views of Amadablam towering just above us.
day
7

Acclimatization day at Dingboche

Tea House Dingboche 3 Meals
We will go high and rest low! We will take a day for acclimatization so that we get used to working up and resting actively. With our journey to Nagartsang Peak [5,083m/16,625 ft], our acclimatization will gain even more momentum, and when we reach the summit gasping for air, we will quickly come to the conclusion that the arduous ascent was worthwhile. Following this acclimatization, we will return to Dingboche. You will have a free afternoon to rest and allow your body to adjust to the high altitude.
day
8

Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,910m/16104 ft) 5-6 hrs walks

4-5 Hrs Tea House Labuche 3 Meals
We will plod upward along the somewhat perilous moraine of the Khumbu glacier after passing a string of stone memorials constructed in honor of Sherpas who have lost their lives on mountaineering excursions to Mount Everest. We will also pass by a few of Duglha's teahouses along the way. The trail will then descends from here, following the west side of the valley to Lobuche. The view of Nuptse's sunset you'll get from here will be truly breathtaking.
day
9

Trek to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) & short hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,593ft) 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Gorekshep 3 Meals
We will have to leave early to reach the Everest Base Camp for the beautiful view. The trail will wind among ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier, taking many hours. We will trek to Everest Base Camp through the formerly sizable Gorak Shep Lake after a quick lunch and rest. We truly appreciate the Everest climbers who choose to conquer the brave perilous route via the Khumbu icefall. You can see the brightly colored mountaineer's tents stand out in contrast to the monotonous, drab surroundings (especially in the spring). From the base camp, we can see the mountains Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. On the way back, we will have the option of taking a higher path to gain a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the path leading to the South Col. We will go back to Gorakshep to spend the night in peace.
day
10

Trek to Kala Patthar(5,550m/18,204ft) then return back to Lukla by Heli

25 Minutes 3 Hrs Tea House Lukla 3 Meals
We reach the most significant portion of our journey. We get going at the crack of dawn to enjoy the breathtaking sights of Kalapatthar as the sun rises over Mount Everest. You should be ready for an early morning departure in the cold (-5 to -10 degrees Celsius) and darkness so that we don't miss any beautiful sceneries. Additionally, there will always be a chance for frigid winds. Mt. Everest starts to emerge between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse, with familiar peaks like Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse Tower to the east. We will arrive at Kalapatthar after 2–3 hours of climbing. We will scurry up the nearby rocky outcrop marked by prayer flags and cairns from here in order to reach the peak. Our eyes will wander from one impressive massif to another as we sit on the Kalapatthar rocks at the top and soak in the breathtaking Himalayan views. We will use our camera to shoot as many pictures as we can so they will last a lifetime. On average, the journey up and down will take 3 to 4 hours. Following this, we will return to Gorekshep for breakfast before boarding a helicopter to return to Lukla. You will be taken to the hotel after the chopper lands at Hillary Airport.
day
11

Flight back to Kathmandu

20 Minutes 27 Minutes Hotel Kathmandu Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
We will take a day off in Kathmandu to relax, wander, and buy. The itinerary for the day will be empty as we won't have any activities. This day also functions as a backup day in case there might be any flight delays. You can take the day to explore the valley.
day
12

Departure from Kathmandu

20 Minutes Breakfast
We will appreciate you coming along on this journey, and having a great time for a long time. Hoping that our endeavor has made your experience more enjoyable, we bid you a final goodbye. You'll be departed to the airport if you are flying back.

Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla Altitude Chart

Metres above sea level

Everest Base Camp trek and Helicopter ride to Lukla altitude chart

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Trip includes

  • All airport and hotel transportation by private vehicle in Kathmandu as per the itinerary suggested.
  • Deluxe twin-sharing accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu (Alcoholic beverages are excluded)
  • Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu by flight
  • Full board meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) during the trek
  • Seasonal fruits during the trek are provided
  • Comfortable & clean accommodation on teahouse/lodge/tent during the trek
  • Government Registered Trek guide (English speaking, First Aid and eco trained), Sherpa porter (one porter for two trekkers)
  • All necessary paper works, Everest region entry fee, and permits & TIMS card
  • Four seasonal sleeping bags, Nepal Vision Treks duffel bag, and trekking map (sleeping bag to be returned after trip completion)
  • First aid exclusive medical kit bag
  • Helicopter Prices
  • All government and local taxes

Trip excludes

  • Visa fees (You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu so (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)) International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Any extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary plan
  • Travel and rescue insurance

Dates & Prices

Upcoming Departures

departure

status

from

22 October 2026

Guaranteed

4/4 seats remaining

$2,950

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Dates don’t fit? Every trip also runs privately on the date of your choice. Book a private departure.

FAQ’s

What travelers often ask

Can you Helicopter to Everest Base Camp?
Yes, the Helicopter Tour is available at Everest Base Camp. You can take the mountain flight to Everest, which sits above 18000m during your flight. The flight was first started in 2005.
Why don't Helicopters go to the top of Mount Everest?
The Helicopter can't reach the top of Everest as there is thin air in a rapid way which doesn't let the helicopter be stable automatically can't make the Helicopter to be near Everest.
How hard is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The difficulty level of the Everest Base Camp is moderate also the trekking time is often two weeks. You must be determined and passionate about the climb so that you motivate yourself throughout the journey to succeed in the climb.
Can we see Mount Everest from Kathmandu?
Mount Everest can be seen from Kathmandu. The Chandragiri hills located in Kathmandu offer you a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and Mount Everest on a clear day.

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