Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

Half-day sightseeing tour of UNESCO Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, including Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalized. In the evening, sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu

Early in the morning, you will be picked up to go to the Kathmandu airport, from where you will take the airplane to Lukla, which will take about 30 minutes of flight time. At Lukla, we will meet our porters and head north from the airstrip to Chablung (2,700 m). Here we will cross the Tharo Koshi river on a local-style suspension bridge. Just past the bridge, we can see the peak of Kusum Kangru (6,367 m), which is the most difficult of the so-called “trekking peaks." Beyond the Tharo Koshi, the trail climbs a bit towards Ghat (2,590 m), where we will cross a ridge marked with painted Mani stones and climb to Phakding, where we will stay overnight (3 hrs).

From Phakding, we follow the valley of the Dudh Koshi river, staying on the west bank of the river. We climb steeply over a rocky ridge towards Benkar (2,710 m). From here the trail continues alongside the river. All along this part of the trail, villages are interspersed with magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia and giant firs. In both the early autumn and late spring, the flowers on this portion of the trek make it a beautiful walk. We cross the Kyashar Khola river and climb out of the valley to Monjo (2,840 m). Just beyond Monjo, the trek enters the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, which was established in 1976 to protect a 1,148 sq. km. area surrounding Mt. Everest. Beyond the national park entrance station, the trail makes a steep, rocky descent and crosses the Dhudh Koshi river on a 120-meter-long suspension bridge towards Jorsale (2,830 m). After crossing this river a few times while climbing our way up the valley, we will reach Namche Bazaar (3,420 m). Namche Bazaar is the main trading center in this region and features numerous shops, hotels and restaurants (6 hrs).

Acclimatization is important before proceeding higher. Today we will take a day hike through the villages of Khunde and Khumjung. We start with a steep one-hour climb to the Shyangboche airstrip (3,790 m), from where we will slowly ascend towards Khunde, passing numerous chorten (stone Buddhist monuments). We take the trail east from Khunde to Khumjung, the largest village in Khumbu, at the foot of the sacred peak Khumbila. After enjoying lunch here, we will follow a steep switchbacking trail descending to Chhorkung (3,540 m). It's a quick descent back to Namche Bazaar (5 hours) from here.

Our route today to Tengboche weaves in and out of side valleys, making small ups and downs, to the teashops of Kenjoma, and joins the trail from Khumjung just before a collection of Mani stones. The views of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent from this part of the trek. We pass the small settlement of Sanasa, from where the trail drops towards Phunki Thanga (3,250 m). From here, the trail climbs steeply through forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3,870 m. The view from here is rightly deemed to be one of the worlds most magnificent. Kwangde (6,187 m), Tawachee (6,542 m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8,501 m), Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku provide an inspiring panorama of Himalayan giants. We will spend the night in Tengboche village (5 hrs).

From Tengboche, we start our day by descending through forests of birches, conifers, and rhododendrons to the village of Deboche. From here, the level trail passes many Mani walls in a deep rhododendron forest. After crossing the Imja Khola river, the route climbs past some magnificently carved Mani stones to Pangboche (3,860 m). This is the highest year-round settlement in the valley, and the Pangboche gompa is the oldest in Khumbu and once contained relics that were said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. Beyond Pangboche, the route enters alpine meadows above the tree line, mostly consisting of scrub juniper and tundra. We will cross the Khumbu Khola river and arrive in Pheriche, which is a labyrinth of walls and pastures (4:30 hrs).

The most important thing for acclimatization at high altitudes is a slow ascent. Therefore, it is imperative that we spend an additional night at Pheriche to aid the acclimatization process. A good way to spend the day is to hike to the small summer settlement of Chhukung at 4,730 m. From here, we have tremendous views of Island Peak (6,189 m), the south face of Lhotse, and the south-eastern face of Ama Dablam. After enjoying the views here we return back to Pheriche (4 hrs).

The trail of today ascents the broad, gently sloping valley from Pheriche to Phalang Karpo at 4,320 m. In many places, the trail crosses small streams on boulders. Beyond Phalang Karpo, the trail climbs steeply onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, then joins the trail from Dingboche and contours down to a stream, crossing it on a bridge just before Duglha (3 hrs).

From Dughla, the trail goes directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier for about an hour to the memorial area known as Chukpilhara, which was built in memory of six Sherpas who died in an avalanche during the 1970 Japanese skiing expedition on Everest. From here, the trail drops a bit and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche, a summer settlement at 4,930 meters that has become a major trekking stop. The sunset on Nuptse, seen from here, is a memorable sight.

The first section of today's trail follows the western side of the broad Khumbu valley and ascents gently through meadows besides the glacial moraine. The ascent becomes steeper and rougher as it crosses several side moraines. After rounding a bend in the trail, the conical peak of Pumori comes into view. On the lower slopes of this mountain, a ridge extending to the south terminates in a small peak known as Kala Pattar (5,545 m), meaning "black rock." The trail then makes a short descent onto the sandy, flat expanse of Gorak Shep. From here, we will continue to the current Everest base camp, which is about a 4-hour return walk from Gorak Shep. We will return to this small settlement after our visit to the base camp (6 hours).

After an early morning rise, we will start our day by climbing the Kala Pattar (5,545 m). This is a steep ascent up the grassy slopes west of Gorak Shep. From Kala Pattar, the entire Everest south face is visible, as are Lho La (the pass between Nepal and Tibet, also known as the Western Cwm), Changtse (the northern peak of Everest), and most of the West Ridge route. We return to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then return to Kathmandu via Helicopter where our team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel

Departure from Kathmandu or continuation of onward travels in Nepal