Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek

Drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport 3.5 to 4.5 hrs

An early morning drive from Kathmandu on winding roads takes us to Manthali, a tiny little town in Ramechhap district. Manthali Airport has been the gateway to Lukla since 2019. We start around 2 or 3 am in the morning following the Sunkoshi and Tamakoshi rivers, and reach Manthali right on time to catch the 6:30 or 7 am flight to Lukla. Note: All the flights to Lukla operate from Manthali Airport, Ramechhap during the months of March, April, May, October, November and December.

Fly from Manthali to Lukla 20 mins

A short, scenic and exhilarating mountain flight takes us from Manthali to Lukla, the gateway of Everest Region.

Trek from Lukla to Monjo 5 to 6 hrs | 12 kms (7.5 mi)

Highest point: Lukla at 2860m (9383ft) | Gain/drop: +604m/-638m (+1982ft/-2093ft)

We meet the rest of our crew, arrange our baggages, have breakfast, and embark on a journey to Monjo, passing exciting suspension bridges and tiny village settlements following the Koshi river. If the flight is delayed causing late hike start, we will call it a day in Phakding (1-2hrs before Monjo).

Trek from Monjo to Namche 4 to 6 hrs | 6 kms (3.5 mi)

Highest point: Namche at 3440m (11286ft) | Gain/drop: +976m/-354m (+3202ft/-1161ft)

We walk northward along the banks of Koshi and reach the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park, from where the gruelling uphill awaits before we reach the amphitheater town of Namche, nestled perfectly atop a hill.

Explore Namche

Spend the rest of the day exploring monasteries, mountain museums, tiny cafes and coffee bars.

Trek from Namche to Khumjung (Acclimatization) 4 to 5 hrs | 7 kms (4.5 mi)

Highest point: Syangboche at 3880m (12730ft) | Gain/drop: +490m/-127m (+1608ft/-417ft)

We take it slow and easy to the peaceful and serene settlement of Khumjung today. We stop by Hotel Everest View for a stunning view of the Everest mountain chain on the way.

Explore Khumjung and Khunde

The green-roofed valley of Khumjung and Khunde offers several options to explore, including a monastery housing a (supposed) yeti scalp and a school established by Edmund Hillary.

Trek from Khumjung to Pangboche 5 to 6 hrs | 11 kms (7 mi)

Highest point: Pangboche at 3985m (13074ft) | Gain/drop: +1025m/-876m (+3363ft/-2874ft)

The walk on the first bit is a combination of minor uphills, downhills and flats with views of the picturesque Ama Dablam mountain staying with us, followed by an arduous uphill to Tengboche. After exploring the biggest monastery of the region, we trudge on and stop at Pangboche village, with equally impressive sights.

Trek from Pangboche to Dingboche 3 to 4 hrs | 6 kms (3.5 mi)

Highest point: Dingboche at 4410m (14469ft) | Gain/drop: +477m/-67m (+1565ft/-220ft)

We're greeted by the charismatic Ama Dablam in the morning. The trek to Dingboche today is only a few hours, but you will feel the altitude and notice a complete change in vegetation and landscape as we leave the tree line behind and walk the arid lands of Khumbu.

Explore Dingboche

We settle in a mountain lodge, our home for the following day. You can either choose to rest or take short hikes to nearby hills.

Acclimatization hike to Nangkartsang and rest in Dingboche 3 to 4 hrs | 5 kms (3 mi)

Highest point: Nangkartsang mid way at 4800m (15748ft) | Gain/drop: +500m/-500m (+1640ft/-1640ft)

In the morning, we take an acclimatization hike to the Nangkartsang peak or a hilltop before it. We are rewarded with the alluring face of Ama Dablam and severeal other mountains from this gorgeous vantage point. We slowly head down for lunch, and have the rest of the day for leisure.

Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche 4 to 5 hrs | 8 kms (5 mi)

Highest point: Lobuche at 4940m (16207ft) | Gain/drop: +736m/-129m (+2415ft/-423ft)

After a gradual uphill, we walk the wide barren flats until the white-washed rocky terrains show up. Lobuche memorial sits right where our short but tough uphill ends. We take a break here to admire the grandeur of the Himalayas and pay respect to all who lost their lives in the mountains. In no time, you’ll find yourself walking on lateral moraines of Khumbu glacier before you reach Lobuche.

Acclimatization walk to glacier ridge 1 to 1.5 hrs | 1.5 kms (0.5 mi)

Highest point: Glacier ridge at 4990m (16371ft) | Gain/drop: +50/-50m (+164ft/-164ft)

We take a short walk up to the ridge with great view of the glacier and surrounding mountains.

Trek from Lobuche to Gorakhshep 2 to 3 hrs | 5 kms (3 mi)

Highest point: Gorakhshep approach at 5190m (17028ft) | Gain/drop: +282m/-54m (+925ft/-177ft)

We set off to Gorakhshep (the last settlement) on rocky trails shared by yak caravans ferrying goods. Khumbu glacier stays right next to you with tiny turquoise water bodies.

Hike to Everest Base Camp, and back to Gorakhshep 3 to 4 hrs | 6.5 kms (3.5 mi)

Highest point: Everest Base Camp at 5364m (17598ft) | Gain/drop: +231m/-231m (+758ft/-758ft)

We leave our bags in the hotel (our home for the night), have a quick lunch, and set about to the grand prize - Everest Base Camp. Setting foot on the icy terrain surrounded by mountains on all sides is an ineffable feeling. Relish the moment by taking pictures with the massifs of Khumbu mountains on the backdrop before heading back.

Morning hike to Kalapatthar view point and back to Gorakhshep 3 to 4 hrs | 3.5 kms (2 mi)

Highest point: Kalapatthar at 5500m (18045ft) | Gain/drop: +475m/-475m (+1558ft/-1558ft)

A pre-dawn start to Kalapatthar (5500m / 18045ft) as we set off on a grueling ascent to catch the first rays of golden light over Everest. Everest stands tall and enchanting with the other giants in the frame - Lhotse and Nuptse adjoining to the right and left from the viewpoint of Kalapatthar. Pumori perfects the frame with its imposing massif.

Heli from Gorakshep to Kathmandu 1 to 1.5 hrs

Bid farewell to your porters and support staff after breakfast, and catch a helicopter from Gorakshep to Kathmandu. The helicopter takes a quick stop at Lukla.

Drive from airport to your residence