Everest Base Camp Heli Trek is the shortest and most luxurious trek to Everest base camp for those without plenty of time to do a return trek back to Lukla. However, the most significant setback of classical Everest Base Camp is that you trek the same trail to Everest Base Camp and have to trek around the same route unless you take a longer, challenging path through Cho La Pass and Gokyo Valley.
So, if you dream of doing the Everest Base Camp Trek in the shortest time possible, we recommend you do the Everest Heli trek, in which you trek to fly to Lukla from Kathmandu and trek to Everest Base Camp. Then, after exploring the Everest base camp and Kalapatthar, you fly back to Kathmandu directly from Kalapatthar or Everest base camp.
Although Everest Base Camp Heli Trek is designed to do in the shortest time possible, it does not affect the safety, acclimatization, or exploration of natural and cultural aspects on the trek because while trekking to Everest Base Camp, you take two acclimatization days to acclimatize well with altitude, you hike through Sherpa villages, enjoy the Himalayan vistas and savor every sort of things you need to experience on Everest Base Camp Trek. At last, upon reaching the Everest base camp trek and Kalapatthar, you take a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu, enjoying the Himalayan views in about one hour’s comfortable chopper instead of the grueling trek back to Lukla.
As you arrive in Nepal, complete your custom and visa formalities at Kathmandu Airport (TIA). Then you will meet our office representative there waiting for you, who will transfer you to your respective pre-chosen hotel and assist you in checking into the hotel. After that, spend the rest of the day on your own; you can explore the streets of Thamel or rest. You can also check with the packing list once again and buy/hire any if something is missing.
Trek Distance | 9 km |
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Highest Altitude | 2860 m |
Trek Duration | 3-4 hours |
Flight Hours | 40 minutes |
We have to board an early morning plane to Lukla today for our trek. Icicles Adventure representative will transfer you to the airport. You can feast on the best Himalayan views from the small aircraft's left-side window. At Lukla, other crew (porters) will meet 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 the riverside walk along the hill crossing a suspension bridge a couple of times, we reach Phakding.
Trek Distance | 12 km |
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Highest Altitude | 3440 m |
Trek Duration | 5-6 hours |
It’s wise to begin the day early to take the opportunity of perfect morning temperature, weather, and views. Mt. Thamserku welcomes us from the north side across the hill, and we also enjoy fantastic landscape views. We enter Sagarmatha National Park, where our TIMS and trekking permits are checked, and we get ahead, encircling a massive mani stone just next to the gate. It is primarily a downhill walk until we reach river ground level next to Dudh Koshi River. Afterward, we hike the grueling uphill, cross the iconic Hillary suspension bridge, and finally arrive at Namche Bazaar later. If the weather is clear, we will have our first view of Mt. Everest after a few minutes of a hike from the bridge. We stay overnight at one of the quality lodges in Namche Bazaar.
Trek Distance | 12 km |
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Highest Altitude | 3440 m |
Trek Duration | 5-6 hours |
Today is the first scheduled acclimatization day to the high altitude in this region. We are supposed to stay active for better acclimatization, so we will spend the day enjoying small hikes in and around Namche Bazaar. Then, we hike up to Everest View Hotel to enjoy the lovely 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 Sagarmatha National Park's headquarters, where we can observe things related to the first Everest ascenders and Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life that the Everest region houses. If you would like more, there are plenty of beautiful villages like Thame and Khunde to walk around with outstanding views of the snow-capped Himalayas and cultural exposure.
Trek Distance | 9.2 km |
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Highest Altitude | 3,860 m/12,660 ft |
Trek Duration | 4-5 hours |
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.
Trek Distance | 11 km |
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Highest Altitude | 4410 m/14464 ft |
Trek Duration | 5-6 hours |
Before giving your baggage to porters and starting the trek, remember to pack your windproof jacket with you on your backpack today; you will need it (even in the warm season, and if it is colder, like December-February, you will need a down jacket almost throughout the trek). Today's first part of the walk is a slight descent through pine and Himalayan cherry trees. Then, we cross the wooden bridge over the Imja River. After crossing the Imja River, it slightly ascends to Pangboche village. We have our lunch at Somare Village, enjoying the views. View the beauty of Mt. Everest, as we will not see it shortly for two more days until you reach Gorekshep. As we have significantly gained altitude, we notice more small shrubs that now substitute the shady trees. We see an unpleasant rocky landscape as no noticeable plants cover the landscape except grass in the meadows (post-monsoon time). Now it's time to take out your windproof jacket and probably headband to avoid a strong blast of air. If exposed to the chilly wind, you will be prone to the common sickness here—the Khumbu cough, so take preventive methods.
Trek Distance | 6 km |
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Highest Altitude | 5,100 m/16,728 ft |
Trek Duration | 4-5 hours |
Dingboche is the perfect altitude to spend our second acclimatization day. We stay active throughout the day; thus, we hike to a higher altitude to Nangkartshang Peak (5083 m/16676 ft ), north of Dingboche. Or, if you want to take a challenging, more extended day, you might go climbing 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 a glance at Pheriche Valley from the top. However, the stone huts with snow-capped Himalayas as a backdrop would make anyone spellbound.
Trek Distance | 8.5 km |
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Highest Altitude | 4,910 m/16,105 ft |
Trek Duration | 4-5 hours |
We have been gaining significant altitude, so it is normal to gasp, lack energy, have a headache, lose appetite, and sometimes feel nauseated. Don’t hesitate to share these experiences with your guide if you get severe symptoms and how you are feeling every while and again. However, the awful feeling the altitude gives you will be conquered by the outstanding vistas of Lobuche East (6,119m/ 20,075ft) ahead and the formidable north face of Tabuche to the left. Finally, we reach Dugla (4,620m/15,153ft) after three hours.
After lunch, we will continue the walk up the steep hill to the Sherpa memorials. Again, there are outstanding views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, and Tabuche. From Dugla, the trail starts steeply towards the glacier moraine and levels out. 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 the Everest base camp lies 1,000 ft above this point.
Trek Distance | 12 km |
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Highest Altitude | 5,181 m/16,994 ft |
Trek Duration | 8-9 hours |
Get up early to start our long walking day. Our grueling hiking day begins with an ascend to Lobuche Pass. Then, slowly walking through a dangerous 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 glacier’s end. The elevation makes the hike exhausting, but the views make it worth taking the tour. From EBC, the Khumbu glacier and views of Pumori, Nuptse, and Khumbutse are seen. Views of Everest are, however, best seen from Kalapatthar tomorrow morning.
Another option today is to hike Kalapatthar in the late afternoon to get the best views of Mt. Everest at sunset and target Everest base camp tomorrow morning. If we do this, we will hike up steep in sunlight and return 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.
Trek Distance | 1.2 km |
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Highest Altitude | 5,545 m/18,188 ft |
Trek Duration | 2-3 hours |
We are taking a hike to Kalapatthar today. About a two to three hours hike is grueling but take it slowly and thoroughly to enjoy the view. You are sure to realize that you have done the 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 superb from Kalapatthar. The breathtaking view of Everest Base Camp, the massive Khumbu Glacier, and the 360-degree view are spectacular. While you take photographs, your helicopter will be there, and you will take an enjoyable Heli ride back to Kathmandu. So don’t miss to watch out for the Himalayan vistas from the helicopter too; it is a fantastic opportunity.
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. We are sure the Everest Base Camp Heli trek has left you determined to come to Nepal again to explore its more beautiful landscapes in the future.
I have just completed the EBC trek with helicopter return and I can't praise Icicles highly enough!
From our first meeting with them at KTM airport, thier staff were so helpful and friendly. Everything was very well organised and efficiently ran and our tour guide, Pusa, was outstanding. She had great knowledge of the areas we hiked through and was so kind and friendly through out the trip. Our porter, Kazi, was also a great guy and accompanied us on the "rest day" treks and to base camp.
Everyday on the trek feels different and exciting as the terrain and views change with far too many highlights to list!
If you are pushed for time or don't fancy the trek back, I would really recommend paying the extra for the helicopter ride back to Lukla. The ride was absolutely breathtaking and its something I will remember forever.
I would 100% recommend Icicles and would definitely book with them again.
Thank you so much to the team!
Got to Kathmandu and somebody already knew what I looked like in a busy taxi street and came to collect me. The hotel in Kathmandu was much better than I expected. Met up with my guide on the first morning at the hotel and She took me and others to the airport to fly to Lukla. From there we tracked over 10 days staying at different tea houses along the way. Our guide was beyond professional and was pointing out all the nature along the way along with every peak. Everything was organised to a high standard. I really can’t say anything negative about this company at all. They even got me a birthday cake and I didn’t mention it was my birthday 😂.
If your thinking of going to do this trek, look no further than icicles.
These are standard group departures for Everest Base Camp Heli Trek trip. We understand these departures may not suit your schedules, if so, please feel free to ask a customized departure date that suits you. Also, if you are looking for a different customized itinerary, please ask our local travel specialist for a new personalized, customized program as per your interests and requirements.
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