Overview

The Everest Base Camp Heli Trek is a less strenuous trek in the vicinity of Mount Everest that starts with a 30-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, known for being one of the most challenging airports. The trek takes place in Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers a blend of adventure and breathtaking views. Adventurers and photographers find this trip particularly stunning. The trek starts in Namche, the hub of tourism and trade in the Khumbu region, also known as the Sherpa capital. The market, cultural museum, and restaurants in Namche will delight visitors, and the hike to Thame village offers a chance to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and enjoy peaceful surroundings. This Heli tour will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will test your limits and immerse you in natural beauty, away from the comforts of everyday life. You’ll get to traverse famous trekking trails, witness an amazing mountain panorama, including Mount Everest, and experience the Sherpa kingdom.

Major Highlights of Everest Heli Trek with Kalapathher Landing

Adventure Walk & Scenic Flight

The highlight of the trek is reaching the Base Camp of the highest mountain in the world, where you will witness panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including Mount Everest. The trek also offers a glimpse into the unique Sherpa culture and their way of life. With opportunities to acclimatize, explore vibrant villages, and relax in comfortable lodges, this trek is a perfect blend of adventure and comfort.

Breakfast at Everest View Hotel

Visiting the Sherpa museum, National Park museum, and Thame village enriches your knowledge about the Sherpa culture and the history of mountaineering in the region. The helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp provides an up-close view of the world’s tallest peak and the glaciers, adding to the excitement and thrill of the trek. The entire trek through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases the diverse flora and fauna, and diverse culture and traditions of the region. The journey ends with a scenic flight back to Kathmandu and a lifetime of memories.

Helicopter Flight over Khumbu Region

Helicopter flight in the Everest region offers a lifetime opportunity to experience the world-class view of the tallest mountain and its surrounding terrain. The scenic flight takes you over the Khumbu valley, glaciers, and to the base camp, offering a bird’s eye view of the entire region. The experience of flying over the Himalayas and witnessing the panoramic views of the highest peaks is truly breathtaking. It is an ideal option for travelers who want to experience the thrill of the mountains without the physical challenge of trekking.

Best time for Everest Trekking

The ideal period for visiting Everest is from April to June, when the weather is clearer and the surrounding area comes to life. The lush forests in the region are particularly vibrant during this time, making the trek a truly memorable experience. The spring and autumn months are much warmer than winter, and are therefore the preferred time for most travelers to visit.

Major Highlights

Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu such as Pashupatinath Temple, Swyambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and Boudhanath Stupa.
Exploration of diverse exotic flora and fauna in UNESCO World Heritage Site- Sagarmatha National Park.
Trek with beautiful mountain animals like Yak, Donkeys, Horses, and Dzho.
Experiencing Tibetian Buddhism and its correspondence while trekking in the Everest Region.
Rich sherpa culture, traditions, and practices
Amazing landscapes and picturesque scenery all around the trekking.
Exploration of beautiful ancient and biggest sherpa villages like Thame and Namche.
Exploration of Sherpa museum and national park museum in Namche Bazaar.
Helicopter flight over Everest base camp, Kala Patthar, and Khumbu region.
Panoramic views of the world’s highest mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Pumori, and numerous neighboring mountains.

Day 1 :

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu and Pre-trip meeting.

Landing at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, and Pre-trip meeting.
A representative from Visit Nepal Holidays will pick you up from the airport upon arrival and take you to your hotel. After a brief rest, you will meet the VNH representative and tour guide to go over the details of the trip. It is recommended to interact with the representatives and guides to better prepare for the trip. If you arrive late at night, the meeting will be held the next day after a tour of Kathmandu city. During the meeting, any remaining booking and payment processes will be completed, and you will need to provide a copy of your passport, passport-sized photos, and travel insurance for verification and documentation.
Overnight Stay in Kathmandu.

Day 2 :

A guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley.

After breakfast, the sightseeing tour will commence with a private vehicle and professional tour guide. The following World Heritage Sites will be visited:
Swyambunath Stupa - The Monkey Temple:
Swyambunath Stupa (also known as Monkey Temple or Samhengu) is a hilltop temple with a view of the valley, inhabited by many monkeys.

Pashupatinath Temple:
Pashupatinath Temple is a highly revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in eastern Kathmandu.

Boudhanath Stupa:
Boudhanath Stupa, a 2500-year-old Buddhist shrine in the Valley built in the 5th century, features four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha facing in all directions, symbolizing an eternal watch. Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims visit, spinning prayer wheels as they circumambulate.

Patan Durbar Square:
Patan Durbar Square is located in the center of Lalitpur city and showcases Newari architecture at its finest, achieved during the reign of the Malla kings, known for their building and art patronage skills.
Overnight Stay in Kathmandu.

Day 3 :

Fly to Lukla (2,800 m) from Kathmandu, trek to Phakding (2,651 m):35 min flight/ 3 - 4 hours trek

For Lukla flight from Manthali:
On the trekking day, you'll wake up early in the morning, usually 2-3 am, and be taken by a shared tourist vehicle to Manthali, which takes 4-5 hours. From there, you'll fly to Lukla, which takes about 20 minutes. This schedule is only applicable for the peak trekking months of March to May and October to November.

For Lukla's flight from Kathmandu:
You will fly to Lukla airport, which takes around 30 minutes from the domestic airport in Kathmandu. You will leave Kathmandu at around 5 am and arrive in Lukla after a short flight of 30 minutes. This schedule applies to the months of June-September and December-February.
The flight will give us a breathtaking view of beautiful mountain ranges and wonderful mountain scenery. Upon arriving in Lukla, our guide will provide information about the first day's trek and introduce you to our porters. We will have our first mountain meal, breakfast, in Lukla. We will start the trek by taking an easy walk through Chaurikharka village and reach Phakding. On the way, we might come across animals like Dzho, Donkeys, and Yaks and pass by rhododendron forests and tiny villages. Since Phakding is a small and rustic village situated along the Dudh Koshi river, we will have to descend from Lukla.

Day 4 :

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar: 5 - 6 hours trek

Breakfast is taken around 7:30 to 8 am. The trek continues on the bank of the Dudh Koshi river with several thrilling suspension bridges, green and blue pine trees, rhododendron bushes, and juniper tree forests. Chortens, prayer flags, and small stupas are encountered, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. A short uphill trek from Phakding leads to Monjo, which is an entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. A permit will be obtained from the check post, followed by a lunch stop in Jhorsalle. The trek continues with a 45min easy hike to the Hilary Bridge, which is the junction of the Dudh Koshi and Bhotekoshi. The trek is tough uphill until Namche, which is rewarded with beautiful views of the sherpa capital, several mountain ranges, and the first sight of Everest.
Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Day 5 :

Acclimatization Day - Namche Bazaar

On this day, we will acclimate our bodies to the mountain environment as we reach higher altitudes. Namche Bazaar, being the capital of the Everest region and home to the sherpas, offers plenty of things to explore. We will hike to the Everest View Point and visit the Everest View Hotel, which is known as the world's highest star hotel. As we savor our coffee or tea, we will be greeted with a stunning view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other mountains. From the hotel, we can also admire Thamserku, Kongde, Kusum Kanguru, and Nuptse. We will also visit the Sherpa Museum and the National Park Museum to learn about the Sherpa culture and the Everest region. The Syangboche Airport, located near the main town, offers a beautiful view of Namche and is a good spot for taking photos. Afterwards, we can explore the town's restaurants and coffee shops for more food options.
Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Day 6 :

Trek to Thame and Return to Namche Bazaar: 5 Hours

The following day, we'll have an extra day in Namche to take a hike to Thame, a traditional Sherpa village in the west of Namche. This 4-5 hour hike will allow us to explore the stunning views of the Khumbu valley, alpine forests, and mountain peaks such as Mt. Kongde and Thamserku. Thame was the childhood home of Tenzing Norge Sherpa, one of the first climbers of Mount Everest, and is also part of the ancient salt trade route between Tibet, Nepal, and India.
After the hike, we'll return to Namche for overnight accommodations.

Day 7 :

Helicopter Flight from Namche to Everest Base Camp/Kalapatthar to Lukla: 30 minutes flight

This is the highlight of the trip, where you'll fly to Everest Base Camp by helicopter. You'll be awestruck by the incredible views of the Khumbu Valley, Sherpa settlements, and breathtaking mountains. The helicopter tour will take you over the Khumbu Valley, glaciers, Everest Base Camp, and Kalapatthar, before dropping you off at Lukla. The flight typically lasts 30-45 minutes, subject to weather and passenger numbers.
Overnight stay at Lukla.

Day 8 :

Fly to Kathmandu from Lukla: 35 min flight

Today marks the end of our trek. After having an early breakfast in Lukla, we will head to the nearby airport for our flight back. As per the flight schedule, we will leave the hotel and enjoy the last views of the mountains from the airplane window. Our guide will accompany us on the 35-minute scenic flight from Lukla to Namche, and drop us off at the hotel. From there, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own.
Overnight Stay in Kathmandu.

Day 9 :

Departure day: Transfer to the Tribhuwan International Airport for your departure.

On your last day, our representatives will accompany you to the Tribhuwan International Airport for your departing flight. We hope you had a great time and a safe journey ahead.

Cost

Inclusion

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: All ground transport in a private vehicle, including airport and hotel transfers
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN KATHMANDU: Three nights' accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
PERMITS: All necessary paper works: Sagarmatha National Park permit, Tims Card, Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit, and fees.
INSURANCE: Medical & Emergency rescue Insurance for all involved Nepalese staff during the trek.
TREKKING EQUIPMENT: Visit Nepal Holidays duffel, sleeping bag, T-shirt and trekking map - if necessary
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: Fly from Kathmandu – Lukla and while returning Lukla - Kathmandu, as per itinerary.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT: Helicopter Flight from Namche to Everest base camp/Kalapatthar to Lukla
TRANSPORTATION: All ground transportation in a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
LUGGAGE: Up to 15 Kg per member as personal baggage during the trek to be carried by porters.
FOOD & LODGING: Best available twin-sharing lodge for accommodation during the trek with breakfast
GUIDE: Government-licensed Guide (English speaking) during the trek and sightseeing in Kathmandu valley.
PORTER: Porters as required (2 Trekkers: 1 Porter) to and from Basecamp.
STAFF SALARY AND ALLOWANCE: All Nepalese staff & porter’s daily wages, salary, equipment, food & clothing.
VALLEY SIGHTSEEING: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley by private vehicle and a professional guide.
MEDICAL KIT: Comprehensive medical kit.
FAREWELL DINNER: Farewell dinner in Kathmandu in a typical Nepali restaurant with a cultural dance performance in the evening.
GOVERNMENT TAXES: All government taxes and official expenses.

Exclusion

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: International flight airfare (from and to Kathmandu).
NEPAL ENTRY VISA FEE: Nepal entry visa; you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (See the Visa & Entry Procedure of Nepal page)
LUNCH & DINNER: Lunch and Dinner while you are in Kathmandu and in trekking days
HOTEL UPGRADE AND ADD-ON: Optional Add-on for Meals and Hotel upgrades in Kathmandu and in trekking
EXTRA NIGHT IN KATHMANDU: Extra nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu. In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from Trekking, domestic flight cancellation (due to any other reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
INSURANCE POLICY: Insurance covering both medical and high-altitude evacuation costs (for the trip cancellation, interruption, high altitude rescue & air evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
PERSONAL EXPENSES: Telephone Calls, Internet, Toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers, and any Alcoholic beverages.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Clothing, Packing Items, Bags, Personal Medical Kit, and all kinds of Personal Trekking Gear.
TOILETRIES: Soaps, shampoos, toilet and tissue papers, toothpaste, and other items used to keep yourself clean.
FILMING: Special Filming, Camera, and Drone permit fee.
SIGHTSEEING FEES IN KATHMANDU: City sightseeing and entrance fees(NPR 2600 ∼ US $ 22 per person )
FOR PRIVATE AND CUSTOMIZE TRIP: Please contact us or send us an email at visitnepalholidays.com
Group and Family Discounts: Please contact us or send us an email at visitnepalholidays.com
INTERNET SERVICE: Not included during the trek.
TIPS: Tips for the guide, porter & driver. (Tipping is Expected).
EXTRA: Any other services, activities or personal expenses, which are not mentioned in the itinerary and other items not listed in the “Cost Includes” section.

Everest Heli Trek with Kalapathher Landing

Overview

Itinerary

Cost