Everest Base Camp Trek 9 Days with Helicopter Return OverviewEverest Base Camp Trek 9 Days with Helicopter Return is a combo that combines the adventure, the beauty of nature, and Helicopter Flight to end your days up there. This is an exhilarating trek that not only takes you to the base of the world's tallest mountain but also involves a helicopter flight back to Lukla from Gorak Shep for a fast return to Kathmandu.
The adventure starts with a stunning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a small mountain airstrip with notoriously short runways. You begin your journey toward Phakding, visiting lush valleys and adorable Sherpa villages. After you reach Phakding, the next day's trek will take you to Namche Bazaar, the colorful trading center of the Khumbu region. Namche is a beautiful little town and also a well-known acclimatization point. Crucial day to acclimatize before another journey.
On the acclimatization day in Namche, you can hike to some nearby viewpoints and enjoy the panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, and other surrounding peaks. The upcoming leg of the hike leads you to Tengboche, where the revered Tengboche Monastery is located and to absorb the spiritual essence of the area before your hike to Dingboche. Dingboche provides great views of the surrounding mountains and is another acclimatization stop for the altitude.
Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the mighty Everest as you continue your way up. The last stage of your trek brings you to Gorak Shep, the final settlement before Everest Base Camp. From there you’ll trek to Everest Base Camp, where you’ll experience the emotional moment of standing at the foot of the great Everest.
An early morning hike to Kala Patthar the next day is the trip highlight, as you capture the stunning sunrise view over Everest and its neighboring peaks — memories that’ll stay with you forever.
Then you’ll make the trek back down to Gorak Shep and take a helicopter flight back to Lukla, where you’ll get a unique perspective of the mountains. You will then take a scenic flight back to Kathmandu, thus ending your amazing adventure. This 9-day trek with a helicopter return makes for an unforgettable experience, perfect for adventure with a twist!
Alert 🚨:: From March to May and September to December, Lukla flights will operate from Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu. You will need to drive 5-6 hours from Kathmandu to Ramechhap before catching your flight to Lukla.
Your adventure begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a small yet thrilling airport in the heart of the Khumbu region. Upon arrival in Lukla, you'll meet your guide and start your trek to Phakding, a charming village along the Dudh Koshi River. The trek offers beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and peaks. You'll spend the night in Phakding, preparing for the days ahead.
Today’s trek takes you from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa town and the gateway to Everest. The path leads you through dense forests of pine and rhododendron, crossing several suspension bridges. As you ascend, the views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam begin to appear. Namche is an excellent spot to rest and acclimatize before higher altitudes.
Today is a rest day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize to the higher altitude. You can explore the local area, visit the Everest View Hotel for panoramic views, or take a short hike to Syangboche or the Tengboche Monastery. This day helps your body adjust to the altitude, reducing the risk of altitude sickness on the higher sections of the trek.
After breakfast, you’ll leave Namche and trek towards Tengboche, home to the famous Tengboche Monastery. The trail passes through scenic forests, offering amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Once in Tengboche, you can visit the monastery and enjoy the serene atmosphere of this spiritual spot, with breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
Today’s trek takes you from Tengboche to Dingboche, a picturesque village with stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Ama Dablam and Island Peak. The trail crosses high-altitude pastures, and you’ll notice the air thinning as you gain elevation. Dingboche is a great place to rest and adjust to the altitude as you prepare for higher climbs.
Another crucial acclimatization day is spent in Dingboche. You can take a short hike to Nangkartshang Hill for panoramic views of Lhotse, Makalu, and Cholatse, or just relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. This rest day helps ensure a safe and comfortable ascent to the next stages of the trek.
From Dingboche, you’ll continue your ascent towards Lobuche, passing through rugged terrain and gaining altitude steadily. Along the way, you’ll pass through the memorials of climbers who lost their lives on Everest. Once at Lobuche, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Pumori, Nuptse, and Everest in the distance.
Today is the day you’ve been working toward—Everest Base Camp! The trek takes you from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, where you’ll rest before heading to Base Camp. The trail is challenging but rewarding, with stunning views of the Khumbu Glacier and surrounding peaks. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, take in the awe-inspiring surroundings and celebrate your achievement before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.
Your final morning begins with an early morning hike up to Kala Patthar, one of the best viewpoints for a sunrise view over Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. After soaking in the views, you’ll return to Gorak Shep, then take a helicopter flight back to Lukla. From Lukla, you’ll board a scheduled flight back to Kathmandu, where your Everest adventure concludes.
The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
Toiletries (tissues, toilet paper, moisturizer, lip balm, sunscreen, sanitary pads, hand sanitizer, nail clippers, a small mirror, toothbrush, toothpaste, glasses, contacts, etc.)
By keeping these key points in mind, you’ll ensure a smooth and unforgettable adventure to Everest Base Camp with the added thrill of a helicopter return!
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The trek lasts 9 days, including the trek to Everest Base Camp and a helicopter return from Gorak Shep to Lukla.
The trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, followed by the trek to Everest Base Camp, and ends with a helicopter flight from Gorak Shep back to Lukla, then a flight to Kathmandu.
The trek is considered moderately challenging. It requires a good level of fitness, as you'll be hiking at high altitudes (up to 5,545 meters/18,192 feet). However, it is suitable for trekkers with average fitness and no technical climbing experience.
Yes, acclimatization is crucial to avoid altitude sickness. The itinerary includes rest days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, where you'll gain elevation and return to lower altitudes to adjust.
Essential items include warm clothing, trekking boots, a down jacket, layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, first aid kit, and a camera to capture the beautiful landscapes.
You will stay in tea houses along the trek, which offer basic but comfortable rooms and meals. The tea houses provide a cozy and welcoming atmosphere to rest each night.
The helicopter ride from Gorak Shep to Lukla is a thrilling experience, offering an aerial view of the Himalayas. It’s a scenic and faster way to return compared to trekking back to Lukla.
The best trekking seasons are autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). However, flights to Lukla may operate from Ramechhap during these months, requiring a 5-6 hour drive.
Yes, you can, but it's recommended to train for the trek to ensure you’re physically prepared. The itinerary is designed with sufficient rest days to help you acclimatize and adjust to the altitude.
Helicopter flights are weather-dependent, and if the weather is not suitable for flying, you may experience delays. In such cases, you may need to wait in Gorak Shep or Lukla until conditions improve.
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Based On 5436 Reviews
My experience with Sherpa Lhakpa was fantastic! He was incredibly attentive to all of my needs and always had a smile on his face. The trek to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes was well-organized by the Sherpa Expedition team. Every detail, from the teahouses to the trekking gear, was taken care of. The views along the way were absolutely breathtaking, and I’ll never forget the moment I reached Everest Base Camp.
This trek is probably the best starting point for people planning to trek the peaks in the Everest Region. The trek difficulty is moderate for an absolutely unprepared person, and easy for experienced hikers. The trek is filled with stunning beauty of the very diverse Himalayan terrain. It was a fine experience with dense forests, plain mountains and rocky regions. The trek to the summit was exceptional, and I witnessed the sunrise of a lifetime at the summit, along with a great panoramic view of Mt. Everest and the Greater Himalayan Range. Climatic conditions were good, except for very strong wind on the way to the summit from base camp. I profusely thank Mr. Lhakpa Sona, the Sherpa who was with me throughout the trek, making accommodation and food arrangements during the trek, and for guiding me at each step as it was my first Himalayan trek. I also thank Mr. Ang Giljin the porter, who carried my personal effects and luggage and was incredibly supportive. Finally, I thank Mr. Ram Barakoti for organizing this trek for me. I'm already making plans for my next trek to Gokyo valley and Mt. Gokyo Ri summit with Lhakpa, as the next step towards my dream of summiting Mt. Everest. Thank you Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Pvt. Ltd. ! Let's meet again soon.
I embarked on the Annapurna Circuit trek with Sherpa Expedition & Trekking, and it exceeded all my expectations. The professionalism of the staff was evident from the start. Our guide was not only skilled but also friendly, making the trek enjoyable and educational. The landscapes were jaw-dropping, with diverse terrain and charming villages. Every day brought new wonders, and the support from the Sherpa team made all the difference. I can’t wait to return for another adventure!
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