Flying back in a helicopter is the quickest, easiest, and most luxurious return to Kathmandu after a 40-mile ascent from Lukla to Mount Everest Base Camp. One ideal package is the Everest Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return.
We designed this combined trek and heli trip for those who are under time constraints and don’t want to exert their bodies harshly through long days of trekking activity.
Unlike the standard EBC Trek, it gives you the flexibility of not walking to the endpoint again after Gorakshep and then taking a domestic flight. Instead, you will fly back in a helicopter to Kathmandu directly.
On a standard EBC trip, the total distance you hike, including day hikes and side trips, is 127–130 km. But in this package, you will only hike 65 km (40 miles), which is almost half the distance from the standard 14-day trip.
Thus, the primary advantage of this helicopter tour is that you not only bypass the lengthy trekking from Gorak Shep to Lukla but also escape the hassle of getting on a domestic flight.
Also referred to as the EBC Heli Return Trek, the 12-day itinerary includes both trekking and a helicopter flight. First, you start as usual with a flight to Lukla, either from Ramechhap or Kathmandu, and then trek to Everest base camp.
Finally, after you achieve the remarkable feat of being at the base of the highest mountain, you make your way to Gorak Shep to spend the night. The next morning, you will visit Kala Patthar and then take a helicopter flight after breakfast at the guesthouse in Gorak Shep.
From the flight, you get an aerial view of the highest mountains, Gokyo lakes, Khumbu glacier, Sagarmatha National Park, and other major highlights of the region before you land at the Kathmandu airport.
The Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is an ideal trip for you if you
- are under the constraint of time. You have just 12 days’ free time, but you still want to trek to base camp.
- want to experience a helicopter ride over the snow-clad mountains of Everest.
- need a relaxing way to see the EBC with a return journey on a chopper.
- want to enjoy the picturesque view of the Everest region.
- you don’t want to excite yourself by walking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp for days on end.
Here’s what the trip will look like:
Here’s what our Everest Base Camp Trek, with a helicopter return itinerary, looks like.
The day-to-day itinerary until Everest Base Camp is the same as it’s in the classic trek. Then you opt out for a flight back instead of trekking back.
The itinerary begins with a flight to Lukla Airport, followed by a jovial walk along a well-paved path to Phakding village.
The following day, the trail traverses into the Sagarmatha National Park and passes some interesting villages like Monjo, Jorsalle, and Namche.
After spending a day for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar, the trail ascends to Tengboche and then to Dingboche. No matter how high you go, you will always find the mountains closer to you.
Likewise, after an extra acclimatization day in Dingboche, you ascend to Lobuche village, cross Thukla Pass, and then walk to Gorakshep, the endpoint of the lodges.
On the same day of reaching Gorakshep, you make your way to the final destination, the Everest Base Camp, via the Khumbu glacier. After spending some time there, you descend to Gorakshep to spend the night. This will be your last night in Everest.
The next morning, after a short hike to Kala Patthar, you will descend to your guesthouse, have breakfast, and then wait for the helicopter on the helipad, which is 50 meters away from the settlement. Ultimately, after the helicopter arrives, our team will transport you back to Kathmandu.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) recently proposed a rule in spring 2023 that they don’t allow helicopters to carry over two passengers from Gorakshep. Thus, if more trekkers fly in the same direction, they fly each individual to Pheriche first and then transport everyone to Kathmandu collectively. A helicopter can carry only five passengers in total from the Everest area with a weight limit of 500 kg, including their stuff.
Tours to Everest Base Camp with Chopper Return
The Everest Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return is the perfect tour for those who want to trek but end the trip in the most relaxing way. This trip can be costly and not everyone wants to spend a lot on a single trip.
Relax; we got you covered as well. For you, we have the Everest Base Camp Heli Shuttle Trek.
Here, the helicopter will fly you back to Lukla instead of Kathmandu. And, after spending a night in Lukla, you will catch a domestic flight to either Kathmandu or Ramechhap. This is also a budget-friendly way to escape trekking downhill from Gorakshep to Lukla.
If you want to opt out of the trip, then write to us here.
Moreover, you can also choose to catch a helicopter flight from either Lobuche, Pheriche, Namche, Everest View Hotel, Monjo, or Lukla. You can choose to catch a flight from anywhere in Everest where there’s a helipad.
Alternate Routes
Everest Base Camp Heli Trek is a super combo of trekking and flyback on a chopper. But if you want only a trekking journey, you can go on an EBC Trek Package. Also, we have the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek to give you ample room for luxury, and if you prefer the helicopter tour only, you can go for our Mount Everest Helicopter Tour.
We always have options for all trekking and tours in Nepal. Our other options to hike to Everest include:
Option 1: If you love lakes and water systems, then there’s no better alternative for you than the Gokyo Lakes Trek. It’s a 12-day journey to Gokyo Valley on Everest.
Option 2: A third alternative that involves a challenging trekking route is the Chola Circuit Trek. We highly recommend this trek, as it involves a trip to Gokyo Lakes and then crossing a high mountain pass with a trip to base camp.
Option 3: If you have enough time and want to experience a strenuous, long trekking journey, then the Everest Three High Passes Trek is the best alternative for you. With this 20-day travel package, you hike to Gokyo Lakes, three high mountain passes, and then to base camp.
Option 4: If you are looking for an easy hike for a week to appreciate the glory of Mount Everest, then we have the Everest Panorama View Trek. It’s a 7-day journey for beginners with no long trekking hours and a chance of getting altitude sickness.
Additional Benefits of this trek with us
- Get a local mountain guide licensed from the Nepal Tourism Board
- Get a sherpa or a porter to carry your bags while trekking
- Enjoy a free, guided full-day tour of Kathmandu Valley's top sights: Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Patan Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath temples.
- Free airport transfers to and from Tribhuvan International Airport
- Complimentary use of any necessary trekking equipment, such as sleeping bags, duffle bags, and an oximeter to monitor your oxygen and pulse.
- Fun souvenirs of your Himalayan adventure: a trekking route map, a t-shirt emblazoned with the Heaven Himalaya logo
- Free luggage storage access is available in Kathmandu.
- Pre-arranged trekking permits, accommodations, transportation, and round-trip flight tickets between Kathmandu and Lukla.
- While staying at trekking lodges or teahouses along the EBC trek, we provide daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Quick EBC Heli Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu Airport. (Airport Pickup)
Day 2: Full-day Guided Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour
Day 3: Fly to Lukla, then hike to Phakding (2652 m/8699 ft), Duration: 3 hours.
Day 4: Trek to Namche (3440m/11283ft), Duration: 5–6 hours.
Day 5: Acclimatization Day: Hike to Everest View Hotel (3865m/12680ft), Duration: 3 hours.
Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (3860m/12660ft), Duration: 5–6 hours.
Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4410m/14464ft), Duration: 5–6 hours.
Day 8: Acclimatization Day: Hike to Nagerjun (5100m/16728ft) and return, Duration: 6-7 Hours
Day 9: Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16105ft), Duration: 5 hours.
Day 10: Trek to Gorekshep (5181m/16994ft) and then to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17594ft) and back to Gorekshep, Duration: 7-8 Hours
Day 11: Hike to Kala Patthar (5545 m/18188 ft), then take a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu.
Day 12: The Day of Departure (Airport Drop Off)
