Pur. Helicopter and Lhotse mountain Everest Base Camp trek

EBC trek and helicopter

Trips/Everest Base Camp Trek

13 days

The Everest Base Camp trek is a challenging multiday journey that offers unparalleled scenery, including views of Khumbu Glacier and Everest itself. En route you meet the Sherpa people and learn about their customs and religion. Finally, you catch a helicopter back to the starting point in a breathtaking ride that affords views of the Himalayas few ever see.

Detailed Itinerary

Everest Base Camp with helicopter map

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Today is meet-up day. We fetch you from the airport and take you to the hotel in Thamel, a busy district in Kathmandu. Arrive early enough and there'll be time to purchase or rent any last-minute items, explore the town a bit, and maybe even take a tuk-tuk ride. We enjoy dinner together as a group and chat about what to expect in the upcoming days.

Scenery of Patan Durbar Square at Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 2: Drive to Ramechhap

Today we drive southeast for five hours to reach the town of Ramechhap. It's a pretty destination; it's surrounded by terraced farms and snow-capped mountains. There's time to explore the town before our flight tomorrow from nearby Manthali Airport (also known as Ramechhap Airport).

Male Oriental garden lizard (Calotes versicolor), also known as bloodsucker or changeable lizard, sits on the dry branch in Nepal near Ramechhap

Day 3: Trek to Phakding (3-4 hr)

We take a short flight to the mountainside town of Lukla (2,860 m). Then we get walking! We head into in a lush, forested valley. The start of the trek route is a very pretty and relatively easy hike. The trail stays close to the river and passes through picturesque Sherpa settlements. We overnight in the riverside village of Phakding (2,610 m).

Pur. Village of Phakding, Nepal

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (6 hr)

Today's trek ups the ante as we must climb greatly in altitude to reach the regional hub of Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). Namche sits on the side of a steep valley and overlooks the confluence of two rivers. For the lucky ones here on a weekend, there's a Saturday market that sees folks from all around come to Namche to trade.

Ours. Hotel Everest View EBC Nepal

Day 5: Acclimatisation day

We have a rest day to allows the body to acclimatise to the jump in altitude to avoid developing altitude sickness. There's a local monastery, Sherpa Museum and other great places to visit in Namche Bazaar. And those who wish can do a day hike to the pretty nearby village of Thame, or to Everest View Hotel where you can order a coffee and take in the amazing view.

A trekker stands by Tibetan prayer flags near to Namche Bazaar, a town that sits along the Everest Base Camp trail and is a common acclimatisation rest stop

Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (5 hr)

Today we head further up the Dudh Kosi valley to reach the village of Tengboche (3,870 m). The views on today's hike of Lhotse, Everest and Ama Dablam are unforgettable! Tengboche Monastery is the largest gompa (Tibetan Buddhist fortification) in the Khumbu region and definitely worth a visit. You can expect to feel the effects of the thinning air.

Ours. Tengboche Monastery, EBC trek, Nepal

Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (5-6 hr)

We climb up the Imja Khola valley, walking through woods and enjoying increasingly spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks towering around us. Ama Dablam and Island Peak in particular are breathtaking. We also pass by Panboche, the highest year-round settlement in the valley. Its monastery is the oldest in the region. We overnight in Dingboche (4,360 m).

Dingboche, with Island Peak in centre

Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (5-6 hr)

As we head deeper into the mountains today, the environment becomes very barren and forbidding, and settlements increasingly sparse and rudimentary. But oh, the mountains, how they soar above us! Expect a rocky path and a steep ascent near the end of the day's climb before reaching the village Lobuche (4,950 m) for the night.

Stupa on EBC trek, Nepal

Day 9: Everest Base Camp! (7.5 hr)

We dig deep today, because we have around eight hours of trekking ahead of us, and also the rarified air means every step requires extra effort. The reward is huge: standing in the famous base camp (5,364 m) that's seen the likes of Norgay and Hillary! We also see the Khumbu Icefall and the peaks of Khubutse, Pumori and Changtse. After soaking in the moment, we go back to Gorakshep (5,164 m) for the night.

Ours. Everest Base Camp trio on rock

Day 10: Helicopter ride to Lukla

In the morning we tackle Kala Patthar ('Black Rock'), which leads us to our highest elevation: 5,643 m. From here we have an amazing view of Everest (8,848 m), as well as Lhotse, Nuptse and other epic peaks! We then board the heli for a once-in-a-lifetime flight through the Himalayas back to Lukla. What a way to end the journey!

Ours. Helicopter and bags EBC trek Nepal

Day 11: Transfer to Kathmandu

Today we catch the short but breathtaking flight back from Lukla to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. We then drive to the Thamel district of Kathmandu. There are many great places to eat in Thamel, from fine dining to street stalls, or you could opt for a well-deserved spa treatment followed by a night in!

Lukla airport and plane

Day 12: Explore Kathmandu

Today you're at leisure to explore Kathmandu on your own or join our exciting city tour! Please note that the main reason for this sightseeing day is that you need a buffer day before flying out of Nepal in case you're delayed in the Everest region. It's not unusual for helicopter rides out of Gorakshep or flights out of Lukla to be postponed for hours or even a day due to bad weather. So you really do need this extra day before your departure โ€“ it's just too stressful to miss your international flight because of forces outside of your control.

Women sit by a shrine in Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 13: Departure day

Today is farewell time as we pack our bags and head to the airport. If there's time before you flight, you can check out some of the sights and sounds of Kathmandu, a city rich in history and culture. We especially recommend visiting the Monkey Temple, a large complex full of ornate temples and colourful prayer flags.

kathmandu temple stupa

Inclusions

Price Includes

Domestic flights

Airport transfers

Helicopter ride

Hotel accommodation before and after the trek

Some meals before and after trek

Lodge (teahouse) accommodation on the trek

Price Does Not Include

Nepali visa

International airfares

Any luggage in excess of 15 kg on domestic flights

Traveller's insurance

Wi-Fi on the trek

Charging of tech items on the trek

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May 2025

Everest Base Camp & Helicopter

May 5, 2025

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fromUSD3,090
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Everest Base Camp & Helicopter

May 19, 2025

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Everest Base Camp & Helicopter

May 25, 2025

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Jun 2025

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Aug 2025

Everest Base Camp & Helicopter

Aug 25, 2025

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Sep 2025

Everest Base Camp & Helicopter

Sep 4, 2025

Open for bookings

fromUSD3,090
DepositUSD250

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Gallery

Himalayan tahrs in front of Ama Dablam on EBC trek, Nepal
EBC trekkers valley
EBC trekkers valley
Sagarmatha NP, view of village, rhododendrons, Image by GRID-Arendal on Flickr
EBC trek FA group helicopter