Everest Base camp Heli Trek

Upon our arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, Nepal, We Were welcomed by the Team Himalaya staff and our guide. A short transfer to your respective hotels, checking the lovely rooms, and getting refreshed from jet lag. Join the trek members at the hotel meeting place for a briefing. Our guide/leader will brief you on dos and don’ts, as well as other important information about the treks, hotels, local lodges, and trekking trails. As well as local culture and religions, changes in flight routes from Manthali airport in Ramechap, rather than taking off from Kathmandu.  
 Evening, a group welcome dinner in typical, authentic Nepali restaurants with folk 
cultural programs from all parts of Nepal, including traditional ethnic dance and music. 

Please note that an early morning drive might involve flying from Manthali airport in the Ramechap district. It is a 4-5-hour drive over 140 km of 2-lane roads to reach Manthali airport. Wherever the flight is from, a swift, sweeping flight in a small aircraft takes you to Lukla, where you land at Tenzing & Hillary Airport. 
From the airport at Lukla, get organised and take short, refreshing stops; the walk starts through Lukla. From the gate of Lukla, down towards the Dudh Koshi River, past several lovely Sherpa villages adorned with Buddhist monuments. The walk on the gradual winding trail with a few short ups and downs to Phakding town for an overnight stay in the comfort of a lovely lodge. 

After a hearty breakfast at Phakding Lodge, having a pleasant overnight halt, the trek begins towards Namche Bazaar. The central hub and capital of the Khumbu Sherpa, the walk follows several smaller villages and crosses bridges over the Dudh Koshi River.  Then, reaching the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park (a Nepali name for Mt. Everest, while the Sherpa calls it Chomolungma, of Tibetan origin). From the entrance to the national park, cross towards the last village, Jorsalle, for a possible lunch stop. Afternoon walks on the riverbed; they cross a high, old bridge and head uphill on an undulating, wide, scenic trail to Namche Bazaar. 
The main trading centre of the Khumbu and Everest region, Namche Bazaar, offers good-standard restaurants, pubs, and internet cafes, as well as excellent lodges, hotels, and resorts. The Saturday market is held every week, hence the name "bazaar," and is tagged as Namche Bazaar. Enjoy the comfort of a lovely lodge for two nights, with grand views of the Kongde peaks.  

Namche Bazaar is at a perfect altitude and an excellent place for acclimatisation. A short hike up to Syangboche (3,720 m) is worth a visit to the Everest View Hotel on route, panoramic view of Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m), Mt Lhotse (8,749 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Ama Dablam (6,856 m), and Kongde with Tharmasarku peaks can be seen as you enjoy a warm, refreshing cup of tea/coffee. Enjoy a visit to the National Park Museum and the rest of the day at leisure, strolling around the streets of Namche Bazaar, which are of great interest. 

The journey to Tengboche begins along a scenic trail high above the Dudh Koshi River. Facing mesmerising views of the Himalayas, the afternoon starts with a few hours' climb to the famous Tengboche Monastery—a grand spot for views of Mt. Everest and other peaks. After checking into a lovely lodge, take time to visit the majestic monastery, enter the main prayer hall, and see a 20-foot statue of Lord Buddha. Treasures are incredibly ornate, including wall hangings, and observe the musical instruments and religious activities of the Lamas and monks. A prayer ceremony is held every evening, during which trekkers may observe the ritual. 

Today’s walk is of moderate distance, enjoy the morning panorama of Everest and the surrounding snow peaks. The morning starts with a downhill through lovely woods, then crosses a bridge and climbs slowly up to Pangboche. From here, leaving the tree lines behind for barren country with few bushes of juniper. 
From Pangboche, a short walk up to Somare for lunch, and then a walk on the windswept terrain. The afternoon walk leads down to a bridge, then up for an hour or more, reaching Dingboche for an overnight halt. Located in a scenic Imjatse valley below Lhotse and Ama Dablam peaks, with views of popular Island Peak. 

Dingboche is an excellent place for a rest day. After breakfast, hike to Nangkartshang hilltop—a good way to acclimatise before heading into higher terrain. 
From the top, enjoy superb views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, and Island Peak with Mt. Makalu. After a good downhill hike to the lodge, the afternoon is free for leisure, and you can marvel at the grand surrounding scenery of towering snow peaks.

After an enjoyable rest in Dingboche, the adventure continues with a short, steep climb, then a gentle uphill to Thugla. A small spot with few tea houses and lodges, where the route from Pheriche and Dingboche joins. A place for lunch before Lobuche. Afternoon, a steep climb for an hour or less to Thugla-La Pass, a small ridge top, and then on a gradual, pleasant walk to Lobuche. Located on a corner, with many lovely lodges facing views of Nuptse and Lobuche peaks.

Start the morning quite early, after breakfast, carrying a packed lunch for the day, and take a slow walk further up. After a few hours' walk with a short climb above the Khumbu glacier, we reach Gorakshep. Our overnight stop after visiting Everest Base Camp relieves the burden of carrying unnecessary items for the remaining walks.  
Have some refreshments or a light lunch, then continue walking toward Everest Base Camp. The trail leads for a few hours over rocks and icy glaciers to Everest Base  Camp. Stand beneath the world's highest peaks, Mt. Everest and Lhotse, for close-up views of the Khumbu Icefall. On completing the main highlight of the adventure, return to Gorakshep for an overnight stop after a long day of trekking. 

Early morning climb from Gorakshep to Kala Pathar Hilltop, a strenuous climb of a few hours. Reaching the highest point of the adventure at 5,545 m rewards you with spectacular views of giant peaks, including Mt. Everest, at close range.  
The hike to Kala Pathar is done early in the morning, since the sunrise is one of the prime attractions of the whole trek. The view is truly something to behold, with early sunrises and vibrant colour changes on the high Himalayan peaks, from silver to gold.  
After an enjoyable, mesmerising moment downhill to Gorakshep, enjoy the last breakfast at the highest point in Gorakshep. Then get ready to pack, bid farewell to the porters, trekking staff, and the guide. Board a chopper for a nearly 2-hour scenic flight back to Kathmandu. 
The helicopter might land in Lukla for refuelling, then continue to Kathmandu airport. After a marvellous flight and an incredible, memorable journey, transfer to your hotel, and the rest of the day at leisure. 

Enjoy the day in Kathmandu with an exciting sightseeing tour and visits to the city's great wonders. Accompanied by our expert tour guide, visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square or the old Palace Courtyard with the residents of the Living Goddess Kumari. From the Durbar Square, a short drive west of the city, to a hillock where the Swambhunath Stupa stands. After a fascinating tour, drive east to visit the holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. 
From the Hindu temple, a short drive to Bouddhanath with its massive dome Stupa. The area is also known as ‘Little Tibet’ due to the large number of locals of Tibetan origin. 
 An exciting place to visit is the Buddhist Stupa, regarded as Asia’s most significant monument. After a fantastic day tour around the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu, return to the hotel for the last farewell dinner. 

At the time of your international flight, whether homeward bound or to the next port of call, Team Himalaya staff will transfer you to the airport. Bid farewell to the staff and Nepal after an enjoyable Everest Base Camp trek with a Helicopter flight.