- Helicopter flight
- Nepal
- 1 day
We cover more area of the Everest region than any company providing this tour!
Key Information
Book this Nepal trek and get a complimentary one hour Trekker’s’ massage after the trek is over. The masseuses will be from a marginalized community. This is part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Note: You can pre-book a seat on a direct helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and return for an additional US$450 per person each way. You will avoid the 4-5 hours drive to or from Manthali. For example – if you decide to book a helicopter seat for both ways – US$900 extra needs to be added.
Hike to Everest base camp and fly out by helicopter.
Let our team make this a memorable and value-added experience for you with the best Everest Base Camp trek. Your expert trek leader will fulfil your quest for knowledge about culture and history. At the same time, our trekking chef will serve you food with superfood ingredients to help you get the best nourishment to help you achieve this goal. These “Outside the box” experiences will help you achieve this bucket list adventure.
We provide you with the best chance to make it to Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar with our added wellness factor, making this the best trekking experience. The itinerary has been designed to offer the best experiences by adding the wellness factor. We are the first trekking company to provide this service throughout the Himalayas.
Food and nutrition on the trek
We are pioneers in gastronome trekking in the Himalayas. We provide a varied, exciting menu on treks throughout the Himalayas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be catered for upon request, and other special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
Trekking is not only fun, but it is beneficial for you. It helps detoxify the body while also nourishing the soul. Although to provide a better experience, we also tailor our meals to include superfoods as ingredients to keep you fit and healthy while assisting in acclimatization to high altitudes. Combining hiking in the pristine mountain air and healthy food makes trekking with us a complete gastronome adventure. Read More on Food and nutrition on our treks.
We strive to do things uniquely different from other trekking companies. We have chosen lodges with character yet are less busy, owned by exciting people, and located away from the villages’ bustling areas. You will stay at lodges whose owners
- were involved in mountaineering expeditions,
- has created a cultural museum,
- is a world record holder of the most summits above 8000 meters,
- an inn that was used for scientific experiment
We include a trip up to the rarely-visited Ama Dablam Base Camp. Then, we will follow in the footsteps of great climbing parties. Next, we will trek through Sherpa country, potato and vegetable fields, and villages before the hard work of the climb up to Namche Bazaar begins.
High above the tree line, the scenery gets stark but spectacular. The incredible Monastery at Thyangboche, set up against Ama Dablam, Everest, and other snow-capped peaks, is lovely.
The hike up to Amadablam base camp allows the walk from the tree line to high altitude alpine forest and the summer grazing pastures with beautiful views of the Maha Langgur range not seen from the main trail to Everest Base Camp.
We trek to Everest base camp first. However, if you are up for it, we could also grab this opportunity to climb Kala Pathar (5,545m) for Mt. Everest’s ultimate view (8,850m).
Optional:
If you feel energetic after the previous day’s exhausting hike and still want to climb Kalapathar, you might be able to do that. You will most like to do this around 3-4 am to make it to Kalapathar around sunrise and be at the helicopter pick-up point. The pick-up point of view is also stunning if you don’t choose to go to Kalapathar. This depends on several factors, such as the weather and the time the helicopter will try to arrive to pick you up (reminder; the flights are very dependent on good weather, and the pilots need to make the most of it).
Kalapathar means Black Rock is a viewpoint 200 meters higher than EBC with a terrific 360-degree view of Everest, Nuptse, Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori, a few mountains. It takes a slow but steady uphill climb of 2 hours to reach the top. Then, it takes about 60 minutes to return to Gorakshep. For some trekkers, Everest base camp is the ultimate goal, giving Kalapathar a miss.
You will have time to shop and chill out in the afternoon.
Day 12: You will be brought to the airport 3 hours before your flight to return home or to the next destination—international departure.
Why Choose Us?
- Our expert trek leader will ensure your safety while enhancing your trekking experience.
- Your private social bubble by staying in less busy lodges and trekking away from the crowded trails where possible.
- Experience authentic Sherpa culture, both past and present.
- Your food is prepared with superfood ingredients to give the best nourishment, recovery, and acclimatization to high altitudes for our Wellness culinary and wellness factors.
Note: Flight to Lukla and back can be delayed or cancelled due to poor visibility. We ask you to have a few days buffer days and a few hundred dollars if your flight to Lukla is affected and a helicopter ride is needed to fly in or out of Lukla.
Detailed Itinerary
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Arrive in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Our airport representative will meet you and bring you to your hotel. You will be briefed for the trek.
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Morning walking tour of Ason (an old spice market) and the ancient Durbar Square (palace). In the afternoon, we have lunch, and we take a 4-5 hour drive to Manthali to stay overnight to catch an early morning flight to Lukla (2,840m) the next day.
Note: You can pre-book a seat on a direct helicopter flight at an additional $450 per person to avoid the 4-5 hours of drive to Manthali.
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We fly to Lukla in the morning. Depending on the time we arrive in Lukla, we will do a longer hike of 5 hours to the village of Monjo. If we arrive in the afternoon, we will trek for 3 hours to reach Phakding village. Overnight lodge. 2,650m. 3-hour trek. We have two options because the flight to and from Lukla depends on the weather. Therefore, the weather can cause delays in flights.
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We trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441m). (3.5 hours walking from Monjo or 6 hours from Phakding). Overnight lodging. We enter Sagarmatha National park at Jorsalle in the morning. We have about a 90-minute hike with a mixture of undulation (of the Himalayan scale) before we have a 2-hour steep climb to Namche Bazaar.
We stay in a lodge above the bustling Bazaar area for “Social Distancing.” This lodge is owned by L.S. Sherpa, a conservationist and photographer.
He also runs the Sherpa Cultural Museum and the Everest Documentation centre.
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We go to the National Park Headquarters for the views of Mount Everest and other mountains before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Then, we take a steep uphill hike to the village of Khunde, where Sir Edmund Hillary built the first hospital, and on to Khumjung village to see the school, also built by him and the Monastery with the Yeti scalp.
Kunde and Khumjung villages are in a broad valley below Mount Khumbila (the Sherpas’ protector deity). We spend the night at Khumjung village. Not many trekkers stay in this village. 3790 meters.
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We have an ascend as we leave Khumjung village. We continue to go ‘off the beaten path toward the village of Phortse for lunch. We hike up steadily to a small pass called Mong-La, with a cluster of tiny tea houses. We have a 350-meter drop to Phortse Tenga, and a 200-meter ascend to Phortse village. On the trail, we might see Danfe Munals (Impeyan Pheasants), Nepal’s national bird.
We will get a different vista of surrounding peaks from this village. It is home to the Khumbu Climbing Center. The indoor climbing building was inaugurated on 13th June 2019. It is where the Sherpas and other indigenous Nepalese have learned essential climbing skills since 2014. The hike to Pangboche is a series of ups and downs on an exposed but wide trail. It generally takes two and a half hours (or longer with photo stops) to reach Pangboche. We stay at a long-time friend’s lodge. His lovely dining room is like a mini mountaineering museum with oxygen bottles, goggles, wooden boxes from the Tenzin and Hillary’s 1953 Everest Expedition, and artefacts from later expeditions.
We join the main route to Thyangboche or Namche in the opposite direction after 20-30 minutes of leaving Khumjung.
We descend to the confluence of the Imja Khola and Dudh Koshi Rivers. We have a two-hour steep climb from here until we reach the Thyaboche Monastery. We will aim to take a long morning walk and stop for lunch at Thyangboche. After that, we spend some time looking at the most crucial Monastery in the Khumbu region. Many mountaineering expeditions used to get blessed by the Reincarnate Lama Ngawang Tenzing Jangpo (he passed away on 9th October 2020) on their way to the base camp.
We continue our trek to Pangboche via the Deboche Nunnery. We avoid staying in this bustling Thyangboche area and help bring income to places where fewer trekkers spend the night. Instead, we stayed in a lovely lodge owned by our old friends. The inn’s dining room is like a museum of the ancient climbing pioneers. A.T. Sherpa has a collection of oxygen cylinders, wooden boxes, goggles, and ice axes from the 1953 Everest Expedition.
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After breakfast, we hike up to the less trekked base camp of the most beautiful mountain in this region – Amadablam. It is a three-hour trek to Amadablam Base Camp (ADBC). The panoramic views of the surrounding peaks will reward your tiredness as you climb higher.
You might be able to see the mountaineers’ campsite during the autumn climbing season. Our team will serve you the packed lunch they carried from the lodge at the Amadablam base camp.
We will head down to the village after lunch. It usually gets windy in the afternoons. Your trek leader will remind you to pack layers of clothing and a windproof jacket.
Our team will make a good meal with superfoods as ingredients to recover from your excursion. It will also give you all the nourishment you need to prepare for higher altitudes in the coming days—five an hour’s walk.
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We have a short trek to Dingboche. Then, your trek leader will take you towards Nakardzong Ridge for acclimatization. The previous day’s hike up to ADBC and above 4500 meters in the afternoon, plus our specially prepared meal with superfoods, should get you well acclimatized to this altitude and energized. Overnight lodge (3 to 4 hours walking).
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We have a 20-minute uphill walk to a Stupa with stunning 360-degree views of Mount Makalu 8481 meters, Lhotse 8501, and other ‘smaller mountains (in the Himalayan context). Then, we have an undulating hike for two to two and a half hours with Mount Taboche 6542 meters and Cholatse, 6440 meters on our left before crossing the Khumbu river to stop for lunch at Thuglha 4620 meters.
Then, we have a steep climb of 45 minutes to the top of Thuglha, where there are numerous memorials – “Chortens” in honour of those who perished on Mount Everest. The final stretch of a gentle uphill trek to Lobuche 4900 meters takes about 90 minutes. Overnight lodge (5-6 hours walking).
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Today is the day for most people to achieve this bucket list wish of being at Everest base camp. First, we start hiking on undulating terrain for about 45 minutes before ascending to the Gorakshep-La pass. Then, we spend the next two and a half hours walking next to a lateral moraine in a series of ups and downs. Finally, don’t forget to stop and look up at the awe-inspiring vista of Himalayan Peaks around you while sipping your water – rehydration is always essential.
We arrive at Gorakshep 5180 meters about three and a half hours after leaving Lobuche. Some trekkers have a fast and early lunch to continue to EBC. Our staff will bring packed lunch for you at EBC or whenever you feel hungry. It would help if you were attentive, as the trail is narrow and slippery in some places. Stand on the ‘safer’ side of the path when allowing other trekkers to pass through. It takes about two hours to reach EBC. We will stop to observe, absorb, contemplate, and of course, take lots of photos for remembrance at EBC. and overnight lodge at Gorakshep (5,120m)
The return journey back to Gorakshep should take about 90 minutes. Most of us will be very tired after this long day of hiking, an adrenaline-filled day of adventure. You will probably have dinner early and go to bed soon after.
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We have a 30-minute hike towards Kalapathar, where the helicopter can land to pick you up. Then, we will be flown down to Lukla. Finally, the helicopter will refuel and fly us back to Kathmandu.
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You will be brought to the airport 3 hours before your international flight departure.
Cost Includes:
- Boutique hotel in Kathmandu on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Hotel/lodges on twin sharing basis
- All transportation
- Responsible Adventures’ expert trek leader or Trek with Raj
- Complimentary T-shirt
- Use of trekking kit bag during the trek
- One assistant guide between 4 trekkers
- Trekking Chef
- One porter between two trekkers
- Proper clothing for porters and crew
- Food for porters & crew members (we are one of the few trekking companies that provide this facility)
- Insurance for team and porters
- All permits
- Twin sharing room on the trek
- All meals on the tour (best trekking meals in the whole of the Himalayas)
- Domestic airfare
Cost Excludes:
- International airport taxes
- Visas
- All optional additional tours or activities during free time
- Transportation outside of the tour program
- Travel insurance (compulsory to have insurance that covers helicopter evacuation)
- Tips (suggested amount US$75 per week for staff only); Leader’s tips at your discretion
- Items of a personal nature, e.g., alcoholic drinks, bottled beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
- The charge of US$6000 for the return Helicopter flight will be divided among up to 4 passengers.
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A Responsible promise
Despite the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves at the moment, we don’t want you to give up your holiday – and we want you to be able to book your trip without any worries.
To provide additional security for your booking, we have introduced a new rebooking and cancellation policy so that you can easily rebook or cancel your trip free of charge if the worst comes to the worst.
Free Cancellation With the Responsible Promise 100% Money-Back Guarantee
For new bookings made between May 10th 2021, and December 31st 2022, you may cancel your complete package (activities, hotels, tours, excl. flight) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure and get 100% of your money back. However, to stay flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.
Complete flexibility on your booking
Stay flexible with our new rebooking service until shortly before your departure. For new bookings made between May 10th and December 31st, 2021, you may rebook your package (activities, hotels, tours) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure (subject to availability). Rebooking is only allowed once, and you must inform us 30 days before your planned departure. Any additional costs incurred due to changes in your schedule or upgrades, such as additional fees in high season or upgrades to your accommodation, will still apply. To remain flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.
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Trek FAQ
Most of our clients have completed their treks from 3 years old to some in their 70s with almost no exercise or training.
Do you offer hotel/airport pick-up?
We offer hotel and airport pick-up. As you continue with your booking, there will be an option to input flight details or hotel names.
Do I need a Visa?
A visa for Nepal can be acquired on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border, and Kerung on the Nepal-China border.
A visa can also be obtained outside of Nepal at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
For more information, visit the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
What should I bring on a Trek?
Being adequately equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip, please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.
Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.
If you have more questions, please check this article to reference equipment to pack or contact us.
Is this trip safe for solo/female/LGBT+/minority/POC travellers?
You are safe if you respect the culture, do not show affection in public, and dress decently (this won’t pose too much problem as you will be covered up in layers to stay warm).Here are some helpful articles:
Am I too old to go trekking?
Arriving at Kathmandu airport.
Should I bring cash or ATM cards?
What to pack for a trek?
Do I need to train for a tour?
What is a typical day on a trek like?
What is the food like on the trek?
The Benefits of using trekking poles.
What do I need to know about high altitudes?
High altitude myths.
How to trek safely?
For more articles, you can go to our blogs.