Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek – 11 Day

• Flight Distance: 138 km (86 miles)
• Flight Duration/ Trek Duration: 25-30 minutes / 3-4 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Lukla (2,860m/9,383ft) & Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft)

Start your morning with an early transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic airport, where you’ll board a scenic flight to Lukla. This short but unforgettable flight provides your first aerial glimpses of the snow-capped Himalayas, including Everest itself. Landing at Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport, nestled against dramatic cliffs, marks the beginning of your trek. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your porters and start the gentle trek to Phakding, descending slightly through pine forests and alongside the glacial Dudh Koshi River.

The trail leads past traditional stone houses, fluttering prayer flags, and mani walls carved with sacred inscriptions. You’ll cross your first of many suspension bridges and enjoy serene views of the surrounding valleys and waterfalls. After a few hours of easy trekking, arrive in the riverside village of Phakding. Check into a luxury teahouse lodge, where you can enjoy a warm meal and a cozy evening by the fire, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature.

• Trek Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3,440m /11,283ft)

After breakfast in Phakding, you’ll continue your trek northward through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests, gradually ascending toward Namche Bazaar. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River and passes through quaint villages like Benkar and Monjo, where you’ll register your permits at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. From here, the path becomes more challenging, with a series of suspension bridges and a steep uphill climb leading to Namche.

As you ascend, you may catch your first glimpses of Mount Everest, along with other Himalayan giants like Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru. The final stretch to Namche involves a strenuous but rewarding ascent through winding switchbacks. Once you reach Namche Bazaar—a bustling Sherpa town nestled in a natural amphitheater—you’ll check into a deluxe mountain lodge offering panoramic views, hot showers, and hearty meals. Spend your evening acclimatizing and exploring the lively streets lined with bakeries, shops, and quaint cafés.

• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3,440m /11,283ft)

Today is a scheduled acclimatization day to help your body adjust to the altitude. After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a short but steep hike to the Everest View Hotel, the highest-placed hotel in the world. From this vantage point, enjoy awe-inspiring views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the elegant Ama Dablam. This hike serves the dual purpose of offering mesmerizing scenery while aiding acclimatization through “climb high, sleep low” strategy.

Return to Namche in the afternoon for a relaxed exploration of the town. You can visit the Sherpa Culture Museum to learn about the region’s mountaineering heritage or stop by the local monastery for a quiet moment of reflection. If you’re up for it, enjoy a fresh pastry from a German bakery or browse handmade souvenirs crafted by local artisans. The evening is yours to rest and refuel, as tomorrow you continue deeper into the heart of the Khumbu region.

• Trek Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Tengboche (3,870m /12,694ft)

Leaving Namche behind, your journey continues along a scenic trail that offers exceptional views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The path gently ascends before descending to the Dudh Koshi River, crossing it via a suspension bridge. From here, a challenging uphill climb through pine and juniper forests takes you to the spiritual village of Tengboche. Known for its serene atmosphere, Tengboche is home to the region’s largest and most significant monastery.

Upon arrival, you’ll have the chance to visit Tengboche Monastery, a majestic structure perched on a hilltop with a panoramic backdrop of towering Himalayan peaks. Inside, witness the vibrant murals, spinning prayer wheels, and monks chanting ancient Buddhist mantras. After soaking in the spiritual energy and awe-inspiring views, retire to your teahouse for a warm meal and quiet evening under a sky filled with stars.

• Trek Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
• Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Dingboche (4,410m /14,470ft)

After morning prayers and breakfast, begin your trek through rhododendron forests that soon give way to more alpine terrain. The route takes you through charming villages like Debuche and Pangboche, the latter being one of the oldest Sherpa settlements in the region. En route, take in the increasingly rugged scenery as trees become sparse and the terrain more barren and dramatic.

Crossing the Imja Khola River on a sturdy bridge, the trail continues with a steady climb to Dingboche. Surrounded by stunning views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak, Dingboche is a scenic high-altitude village nestled in the Imja Valley. Here, fields are protected by stone walls to shield crops from cold winds and grazing animals. Settle into your teahouse, where you'll rest and refuel in preparation for the next acclimatization day.

• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Dingboche (4,410m /14,470ft)

With the increasing altitude, today is designated for acclimatization. After breakfast, embark on a short hike to Nangkartshang Hill (5,100m), which offers unparalleled views of Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu. This steep but rewarding climb allows your body to adapt to the thinning air and enhances your chances of safely reaching higher altitudes in the coming days.

After returning to Dingboche, spend the afternoon relaxing in your teahouse or strolling around the village. Observe daily life in the high Himalayas, interact with locals, or simply enjoy the peacefulness of your alpine surroundings. The crisp mountain air and spectacular vistas make Dingboche a truly memorable stop on your journey.

• Trek Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
• Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Lobuche (4,940m /16,207ft)

The trail today leads through a remote, desolate landscape known as the Thukla Pass. After a hearty breakfast, trek uphill toward the steep moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The path gradually ascends through Dughla, where you’ll pause to pay respects at a memorial site dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on Everest—rows of stone chortens adorned with prayer flags create a somber yet inspiring scene.

Continue your climb over the glacial terrain until you reach Lobuche, a small settlement tucked beside towering peaks. Though rugged, your teahouse offers essential comforts and warmth. From this altitude, the views are breathtaking, especially as the sunset paints the ice fields and mountains in hues of gold and pink. Rest well tonight, as tomorrow takes you to Everest Base Camp.

• Trek Distance: 14.9 km (9.2 miles)
• Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Everest Base Camp (5,364m /17,598ft)

Today is the day you reach the iconic Everest Base Camp. Depart early and make your way toward Gorak Shep, the last outpost before Base Camp. The path winds along the Khumbu Glacier, surrounded by glistening ice pinnacles and towering peaks. After a short rest and refreshment stop in Gorak Shep, continue the final stretch to Everest Base Camp.

Reaching Base Camp is an emotional and rewarding experience. Take time to celebrate and capture the moment with photos amidst colorful prayer flags and dramatic glacial landscapes. Though you won’t see the summit of Everest from here, the sense of standing at the base of the world’s highest mountain is surreal. After soaking in the achievement, return to Gorak Shep for the night.

• Trek Distance: 2.5 km (1.5 miles)
• Trek Duration/ Flight Duration: 3-4 hours / 1 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highest Altitude: Kala Patthar (5,545m/18,192ft)

Wake before dawn to summit Kala Patthar, a renowned vantage point offering the best panoramic views of Everest and the surrounding Himalayan range. The hike is challenging but short, and the reward is immense. As the sun rises over Everest, witness a spectacle of color and light on the snow-capped giants—an unforgettable highlight of your trek.

After descending back to Gorak Shep, prepare for your dramatic exit from the mountains. Board a chartered helicopter and soar above the vast glacier fields, deep valleys, and rugged peaks on your return journey to Kathmandu. The flight offers a bird’s-eye view of the terrain you’ve conquered on foot. Upon arrival, transfer to your luxury hotel where you can rest, enjoy a hot shower, and reflect on your incredible adventure.

• Drive Duration: 30-45 minutes
• Meal: Breakfast
• Altitude: Kathmandu (1,400m/ 4,600ft)

Today marks the end of your Himalayan adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. You may opt for some last-minute shopping in Thamel’s vibrant markets or visit nearby cultural landmarks such as the Garden of Dreams or the sacred Swayambhunath Stupa. Take in the final moments of Kathmandu’s charm—its chaotic beauty, its spiritual calm, and its warm, hospitable people.

Your private transport will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. As you board your flight, carry with you the memories of breathtaking peaks, serene monasteries, and the unmatched spirit of the Everest region. The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek isn’t just a journey to the top of the world—it’s a transformative experience that stays with you long after you’ve left the mountains behind.