Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

Just landed. After completion of your custom and visa formalities at Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be met by our office representative who will transfer you to your respective pre-chosen hotel. He/she will also assist you in checking into hotel. Spend rest of the day on your own. You can also take time to check with the packing list once again and buy/hire any if something is missing. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel

We have to board an early morning plane to Lukla today for the start of our trek. Icicles Adventure representative transfers you to the airport. You can feast your eyes on best Himalayan views if you are at the left side window of the small aircraft. At Lukla, further crew (porters) are met waiting for us, we may watch around with a cup of tea while the porters arrange the baggage to carry. Gradual ascents, enjoying much of riverside walk along the hill crossing a suspension bridge couple of times we reach Phakding.

Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

It’s wise to begin the day early to take opportunity of perfect morning temperature, weather and views. Mt. Thamserku welcomes us from the northern side across the hill and also we get to enjoy awesome views of landscapes. We enter Sagarmatha National Park where our TIMS and trekking permits are checked and we get ahead encircling huge mani stone just next to gate. Its mostly downhill walk until we reach river ground level next to Dudh Koshi river. Then-after we hike grueling uphill, cross beautiful iconic Hillary suspension bridge and finally arrive at Namche Bazaar later on the day. We stay overnight at one of the quality lodges in Namche Bazaar.

Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

Today is the first scheduled acclimatization day to the high altitude and we are supposed to stay active for better acclimatization. We spend the day enjoying small hikes in and around Namche Bazaar. We hike up to Everest View Hotel to enjoy adorable Himalayan vista. We can also visit Khumjung Monastery which houses Yeti Scalp and may also visit Hillary School. You can also visit the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life that the Everest region houses. If you think you would hike more there are plenty of beautiful villages like Thame, Khunde to walk around with outstanding views of snow capped Himalayas and cultural exposure.

Walking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

The trail contours around the valley side high above Dudhkoshi River. As we trek ahead we get amazingly beautiful views of great peaks of Everest region that are Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. We pass through several small villages and tea shops. Its mostly gradual and downhill through refreshing rhododendron forest until Phunki Thenka. We cross suspension bridge and have lunch at Phunki Thenka . After our break we will make the long climb on a dusty zig zag trail. The hike now to Tengboche is uphill through pine trees for about two hours. Tengbouche is home of an ancient monastery that is now rebuilt. The views from the monastery is awesome, we have plenty of time to have spiritual chat with the monks there and soak up in the view too.

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

Before giving your baggage to porters and starting the trek, remember to pack your windproof jacket with you on your backpack today; you will definitely need it (even in warm season and if its colder like December-February; you will definitely need down jacket almost throughout the trek). First part of the walk today is a little descent through pine and Himalayan cherry trees. We cross wooden bridge over Imja River. After the crossing of the Imja River, its slight ascend to Pangboche village. We have our lunch at Somare Village enjoying the views. Take good inspection of Mt. Everest as we are not going to see it shortly after and for two more days until you reach Gorekshep. Now we notice that we have significantly gained the altitude. We notice the shady trees are now substituted by more of small shrubs. We see unpleasant rocky landscape as there are no noticeable plants to cover the landscape except grass in the meadows (post monsoon time). Now its time to take out your windproof jacket and probably head band to avoid strong blast of air. If exposed to chilly wind, you will be prone to the common sickness here—the Khumbu cough, so take precautionary methods.

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

Dingboche is the perfect altitude to spend our second acclimatization day.  We stay active throughout the day; thus hike to higher altitude to Nangkartshang Peak (5083 m/16676 ft ) that lies north of Dingboche.  Or if you want to take a challenging longer day you might go to climb Chhukung Ri which offers up-close views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Thamserku, Awi peak and innumerable others. We also get glance of Pheriche valley from top. However the stone huts with snow capped Himalayas at backdrop would make anyone spellbound.

Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D

Lets start early.  We have been gaining significant altitude, so its normal to gasp, feeling of having lack of energy, have headache, have loss of appetite, and feel nauseated sometimes. Don’t hesitate to share these experiences with your guide so that he will keep checking on you occasionally if you get other severe symptoms and how you are feeling every while and again. This is important. The awful feeling the altitude is giving you will be conquered by the outstanding vistas of Lobuche East (6,119m/ 20,075ft) ahead, and formidable north face of Tabuche to the left. After three hours we reach Dugla (4,620m/15,153ft). After lunch we continue the walk up the steep hill to the Sherpa memorials, there are outstanding views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse and Tabuche. From Dugla, the trail starts steeply up towards the glacier moraine, levels out and after a few hours the trail eventually leads to a small cluster of tea houses pleasantly situated at Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft).  We feel excited that Everest base camp lies 1,000 ft above this point.

Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

Getting up early is recommended to start our long walking day even sooner in the morning. Our grueling hiking day begins with an ascend to Lobuche Pass. Slowly walking through very unstable rocky path, in about three hours we arrive at Gorakshep. We check in to our guest house, get our lunch done and start the hike to Everest Base Camp.  The trail reaches the top of the ridge and follows the mountain’s spine due north towards the cul-de-sac at the end of the glacier. The elevation makes the hike exhausting but the views make it worth taking the tour ahead. From EBC, Khumbu glacier and views of Pumori, Nuptse, Khumbutse is seen. Views of Everest is however best seen from Kalapatthar tomorrow morning.

Walking time: 8 to 9 hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Includes: B, L, D.

Another option you have today is to hike Kalapatthar today late afternoon to get best views of Mt. Everest at the time of sunset and target Everest base camp tomorrow morning.  If we do this, we will be hiking up steep in sunlight and returning in dusk. You can discuss or plan your interest and suggestion from our professional trekking guide at the final moment too. Anyway, we trek back to Gorekshep to spend the night.

We take a hike to Kalapatthar today. About 2 to 3 hours hike is grueling but take it slowly thoroughly enjoying the view. You are sure to realize that you have done most worthy thing upon reaching the top of Kalapatthar gives the most stunning view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and the whole Mahalangur Himalayan range is wonderful from Kalapatthar. View of Everest Base Camp, the massive Khumbu Glacier, the whole 360 degree view is breathtaking. While you take photographs, your helicopter will be there and you will take an enjoyable Heli ride back to Kathmandu. Don’t miss to watch out for the Himalayan vistas from the helicopter too; its an amazing opportunity.

Walking time: 2-3hours
Flight Time: 1-1 ½ hours
Accommodation: Local lodge
Meal: B, L, D.

If you don't have other schedules fixed in Nepal, you might be leaving today. We will provide an airport drop for your scheduled flight back home and wish you a safe flight back home. We are sure the Everest Base Camp Heli trek has left you to determine to come to Nepal again to explore its more beautiful landscapes in the future.