Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

Early in the morning, we’ll go on board a domestic flight bound to Lukla. This 30 minutes picturesque flight navigates between the snowy mountains and takes you through the Dudh Koshi valley. You can witness splendid outlooks of lofty summits in clear weather conditions. Subsequent to a dramatic landing in the extreme Tenzing–Hillary Airport, we’ll commence the trek and cover a short distance this day in order to make you familiar with the higher altitudes. Following the well-marked trail, we’ll gradually move up along the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. We are likely to share the path with other trekkers, native people and their yaks. Advancing past the prayer wheels, Mani walls, Buddhist monasteries, and the settlements of Chheplung (2,660m), Thado Koshigoan (2,580m) and Nuring (2,492m), we’ll arrive at Phakding (2,610m). En route, we’ll observe the sublime view of Mt. Kusum Kanguru (6,367m).

Leaving Phakding behind, we’ll proceed uphill for a while and get the first glimpses of Kongde Ri (6,187m). The trekking route ascends uphill beyond woodland of Rhododendron, Magnolia, pine and fir and traverses many high suspension bridges spanning over the Dudh Kosi River. We’ll steadily climb through the settlements of Benkar (2,630m) and Chhamuwa (2,760m) to reach Monjo (2,835m), the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. A UNESCO natural world heritage site, the national park conserves and protects the delicate mountain ecosystem. Past Jorsalle (2,740m), we’ll now proceed on a steep ascent towards Namche Bazaar during which, you can catch a sight of Mt. Everest positioned somewhere in the middle of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse. This beautiful vista is only visible on the clear days.

The commercial centre of the Khumbu Region, Namche Bazaar is often referred to as ‘the Sherpa Capital.’ Situated 3,440m asl, Namche boasts all the present-time amenities such as Money exchange, bank, internet cafes, shops offering essential commodities such as medical supplies. That’s the reason why it is considered the most appropriate place for early acclimatization. It is necessary for us to adapt in the atmosphere with temperature and low oxygen levels to ensure our survival in higher elevations. Explore this Sherpa town, spend relevant time in the Sherpa Museum and interact with the natives to get insight into their culture, and traditional lifestyle. Check out the Saturday market, a weekly market where traders from the entire region gather to buy or sell every-known merchandise on the planet. Moreover, you can contemplate Kongde Ri (6,187m) to the west and Thamserku (6,623m) to the east from here. If you seek a side-trip then you can to go for a short hike to Khumjung (3,780m), Thame (3,810m), and Khunde (3,840m) for breathtaking mountain panorama.

Re-energized and full of excitement, we’ll pack our bags then set off on a trek on a magnificent pathway along the hillside over the Dudh Koshi River. Beyond the water-driven prayer wheels, the trail passes through the enchanted woods rhododendron, firs, and pines and end up at Tengboche (3,870m). If lucky enough, you may encounter a musk deer or a Himalayan Tahr amid the trees. The village is scattered across a wide area dotted by pines scrub and firs. Once here, make a stopover at Tengboche Monastery, largest in the Khumbu region. We can watch the close-up outlooks of awe-inspiring Ama Dablam (6,856m). In addition, Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,501m) and other neighbouring peaks are also visible.

Starting the day with morning views of snow-clad summits and monasteries from Tengboche; we’ll advance to the north and make our way to the other side of Dudh Koshi River via a small suspension bridge. Thereafter, the trail appears at the countryside covered with sparse vegetation of juniper shrub then gently climbs to Pangboche (3,900m). We’ll stay with the very trail to pass through several chortens, mani walls, small settlements such as Somara and continue along the west bank of the Imja Khola to Dingboche (4,360m). This village is the gateway for trekking in Chukung. You can notice that the fields of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes here in Dingboche are enclosed by extended stone walls. Locals describe the walls as the method to protect crops from cold winds. Strange but amazing!! Also, we can gaze at magnificent panorama including North Face of Ama Dablam and other majestic mountain peaks.

Today, we’ll pursue the main trail once again. As we keep on with the ascent across the vast valley, we’ll observe thinly distributed habitation and landscapes turn out to be more frozen and isolated. Enjoy the outlooks of Mt. Cholatse and Mt. Tawache, which emerge marvellously on your left.  Thereafter, an abrupt climb beyond turquoise ice structures at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier will lead us to the apex where we can find many stone cairns. Dedicated to mountaineers and Sherpas who fallen during the expeditions to the vertex of Everest; this memorial honours their courage and determination. We’ll now negotiate the slope of the glacier and climb down to Lobuche (4,910m).

We’ll now tighten the laces of our shoes then navigate to the other side of Khumbu Glacier and eventually arrive at Gorakshep (5,170m). After some rest, we’ll stride along the snowscape past streams, glacial moraine, and rocky dunes in our quest to set feet on Everest Base Camp (5,364m). We’ll maintain a uniform rate of climb throughout this trek to preserve our endurance and minimize the dangers from the extreme surrounding. The struggle against ice-cold temperatures, high altitude and unforgiving terrain finally yield wonderful results! Savour the heavenly vistas embracing Khumbu Icefall, Mt. Khumbutse and Mt. Lingtren. At the time of the climbing season, you can see colourful and meet the climbers aiming to conquer the Everest. Feel the true sense of achievement as you get as far as the base of world’s highest peak. We’ll retrace our steps to Gorakshep at the end of the day.

We’ll wake before the daybreak and push ourselves on the path to Kalapatthar (translates as Black Rock) where you could see the sun elegantly rising over the snow-capped mountaintops. Here, you’ll be very pleased with the sight of golden rays of light that illuminates the entire crest. Kala Patthar is the highest point of our trek and regarded as one of the planet’s foremost viewpoint. There is a slight probability that you would climb Mt. Everest sometime in your life, but now this is your moment. Succeeding the arrival at the base of the highest peak in planet earth, we’ll now encounter it face-to-face. Moreover, we’ll also witness the unrivalled view of Khumbu Glacier below and mind-boggling Himalayan panorama above us. Thereupon, we’ll move down to Gorakshep. Instead of trekking back the way we came uphill, there is another exhilarating yet stylish method to return. Unveiling our bunch of happiness, we’ll step abroad a helicopter destined back to Kathmandu. While we hover in the air, we can lay our eyes on the vistas of Ama Dablam, Everest, Thamserku, Kantega, Lhotse, and Nuptse. These aerial views are so appealing that one cannot simply put it on words.

Following our appearance in Kathmandu, you'll be guided to your hotel and can enjoy the rest of the day on your own.