Everest Base Camp with Helicopter Return

After breakfast in Phakding, it's time to head on the trail toward the vibrant Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar, known as the gateway to Everest. The route is alongside the Dudh Koshi River with several long suspension bridges strung with colorful prayer flags.

The pleasant villages of Toktok, Benkar, and Monjo, with their tea houses and small shops, dot the path. There is a check for permits at the Monjo checkpoint before you enter Sagarmatha National Park; from this point onwards, the views become superb - green pine forests, roaring rivers, and some glimpses of snow-capped peaks.

One more exciting highlight of the day is the crossing of the Hillary Suspension Bridge, the longest and highest in the Everest region. From there, it is a long and steep climb through a dense forest—hard work, but with the big reward of your first magnificent view of Mount Everest (weather permitting).

Finally, after trekking for 6 to 7 hours, you will reach your destination-Namche Bazaar (3,440m). This lively mountain town is the center of trade in the Khumbu region and is packed with cafes, bakeries, shops, and wonderful views.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

The extra day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) is an indispensable addition to the Everest Base Camp trekking itinerary that allows trekkers to acclimatize and prevent altitude sickness symptoms before heading higher.

From the Hotel Everest View (3,880 m), which is one of the most famous hotels in the world, the morning hike affords astronomically amazing views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku, and can continue to the Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung, where one can see the Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery with the legendary yeti scalp. The afternoon could see your return to Namche, where you could then visit some interesting markets, bakeries, gear shops, and cultural attractions such as the Sherpa Museum or the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center, making this acclimatization day an enriching experience for a successful journey to Everest Base Camp.

Leaving Namche Bazaar (3440m), the trek to Tengboche (3860m) is surely one of the scenic travel days in the Everest Base Camp trek. The route starts on a gentle walk along mountain ridges where an astonishing view of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku is cascading before it drops into beautiful pine and rhododendron forests beside the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing a suspension bridge, the steady uphill climb takes you to Tengboche, where the most famous monastery, Tengboche Monastery, is located. It is the largest and most spiritual monastery in Khumbu. Also, a 360° Himalayan view is part of the trek for trekkers plodding up to this point. Tengboche is, thus, an acclimatization stop, as well as a cultural and spiritual high point of the Everest Base Camp hike.

The journey from Tengboche (3,860 m) to Dingboche (4,410 m) takes you deeper into the Everest Base Camp trek, showcasing cultural beauty interspersed with dramatic Himalayan landscapes. The trail descends through lush forests to Debuche, crossing the Imja Khola River before climbing past the village of Pangboche, which boasts the oldest monastery in the region. As the height is gained, the place opens up with ridges, a few trees, and wider valleys. Walking through alpine meadows and stone-walled farms, Dingboche welcomes you, a picture-perfect Sherpa village known for potato fields and shadowed by the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and Lhotse. Dingboche is very popular as an acclimatization stop; it offers great views of the mountains and a relaxed atmosphere, preparing trekkers for the higher trails ahead.

The journey from Tengboche (3,860 m) to Dingboche (4,410 m) takes you deeper into the Everest Base Camp trek, showcasing cultural beauty interspersed with dramatic Himalayan landscapes. The trail descends through lush forests to Debuche, crossing the Imja Khola River before climbing past the village of Pangboche, which boasts the oldest monastery in the region. As the height is gained, the place opens up with ridges, a few trees, and wider valleys. Walking through alpine meadows and stone-walled farms, Dingboche welcomes you, a picture-perfect Sherpa village known for potato fields and shadowed by the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and Lhotse. Dingboche is very popular as an acclimatization stop; it offers great views of the mountains and a relaxed atmosphere, preparing trekkers for the higher trails ahead.

The trek from Dingboche at an altitude of 4,410 m to Lobuche, which stands at 4,910 m, tends to be the hardest and most rewarding area of the Everest Base Camp journey; a much tougher landscape with an increasing gain in altitude. The trail first rises gently up along the broad valley of the Khumbu Khola with magnificent views of Taboche, Cholatse, Ama Dablam, and Pumori. After reaching Dughla (Thukla), the path becomes very steep and climbs up to the Thukla Pass, where memorials pay tribute to climbers who lost their lives on Everest, creating a poignant and emotional moment for many trekkers. The trail thereafter progresses along the glacial moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to the small Lobuche settlement, overshadowed by great peaks as well as icy terrain. Thin air makes this day seemingly heavier than the previous ones, but relieves the spirits, for the near presence of Everest and the memorable mountain scenery, as one walks closer to the place where the climax is meant to end.

The hiker's journey from Lobuche (4910 m) to Gorakshep (5164 m) was certainly tantalizingly exciting and profound, with a challenge. The trek leads right along the edge of the Khumbu Glacier along rugged trails and rocky moraines- flanked by breathtaking views of Pumori, Nuptse, and the towering ridges of Everest. After a few hours of walking, one reaches Gorakshep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. From here starts a delightful detour to the famous Everest Base Camp (5364 m), the starting point for climbers' summit expeditions. Standing on the rocky terrain of base camp, you can see the massive Khumbu Icefall and colorful prayer flags marking this world-famous spot. From base camp, however, one will not be able to see the summit of Everest. However, the feeling of accomplishment and the mountaineering history surrounding the place make this one of the most memorable highlights of the entire journey. After some exploration and taking pictures, the hikers will return to Gorakshep for the night.

One of the most famous highlights on the trek to Everest Base Camp is the early morning hike from Gorakshep (5,164 meters) up to Kala Patthar (5,545 meters). The trek is reported to provide the closest look at Mount Everest (8,848 meters) amid beautiful views of Nuptse, Pumori, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The steep and demanding trail is attributed to the extremely high altitude, but the climb is relatively short and extremely rewarding. Trekking to the peak in either dawn or dusk gives its visitors a fantastic 360° Himalayan panorama with the closest sight of Everest. This can also be considered one of the best photographic points to savor the majesty of the world's highest mountain. After hanging around the viewpoint, trekkers return to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue the drop towards lower heights.

For trekkers who want to save time and experience the Everest region, the best option is a helicopter back to Kathmandu from Kala Patthar. The helicopter will mostly be leaving from Kala Patthar(or a nearby location). Thus, one can easily trek to the peak for early sunrise and get back to catch the helicopter home later on. The flight will take about 45 minutes to an hour, giving stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and more Himalayan peaks.

It saves around 3-4 days of downhill trekking and also spares the uncertainty brought by flights from Lukla, since most would be delayed because of weather disturbances. Most helicopters can carry about 4-6 passengers, depending on the type, and provide a comfortable and tension-free descent after one's tiring trek.

It really saves a trekker from missing the entire experience at Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, but then again, it provides a helicopter return, which is perfect for those who are either short on time, unwell, or just wishing to have a hassle-free ride back to Kathmandu, admiring the sights.