Everest Base Camp Short Trek Return by Helicopter

Elevation of Kathmandu: 1,400m (4,593ft)

Language spoken Nepali/English

Currency: Nepalese Rupees

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Moonlight

On arrival to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the representatives of Best Adventure Travels will greet the explorers and transfer them to the 3-star hotels. On reaching, travelers can go through the busy streets of Thamel and their nearby area.

In the evening, a brief introductory session is organized to discuss the schedules, introduce the team leaders, members and fine dine the Nepali cuisine.

Elevation of Lukla: 2,800m/9,184 ft

Elevation of Phakding: 2,652m/8,700 ft

Distance covered: 8km/5 miles

Walking duration (Phakding): 3-4 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

On this day, we move on to take the lifetime experience through Lukla flight. As everything thing has been arranged beforehand, through private transfers we shall head to domestic airport, to fly off to Lukla.

Residing at an elevation of 2,860m (9,383 ft), Solukhumbu district, the place is a gateway to Everest Base Camp. The 35-40 minutes flight to Lukla, can be nerve-wracking for some, while thrilling for the rest. Through the concrete city to the denser jungle we shall fly above the glaciers.

From Lukla the Everest Base Camp trek is approximately 130km. On landing at Lukla airport, we shall greet the porters who shall accompany us throughout the trek.

Then and there our journey begins. We kick start with an easy walk towards Chaurikharka village and descent towards Dudhkoshi Ghaat (2,530m/ 8,300 ft) and walk through the riverbeds of Dudhkoshi. The trip to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) is a warmup trek. The residential area of Phakding is 8km (5 miles) from Lukla, while the time taken to reach is 3-4 hours.

Elevation of Namche Bazar: 3,440m/11,283 ft

Distance covered: 10.7k/6.69 miles

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Ascending Jorsalle, we shall cross the Dudh Koshi suspension. The trail surpasses the natural attractions such as waterfalls, pine trees and the lusty forests of Rhododendrons. While walking uphill we go through the settlements of Chumoa, Benkar, Zapute, TokTok, and Monju, a gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. In between Phakding to Namche Bazaar we shall enjoy the vigilance of local Sherpa tea houses and shops.

From the national park, the trial drops steeply, taking us to the high Hillary Bridge. The 5-6 hours walk will give us the vivid vigilance of Kwangde peak, Kangaru peak and Kusum peak.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

The Sherpa habitat resides at the elevation of 3,440m (11,283 ft) in Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality. The place is a business destination for the people in Solukhumbu district. Namche is the gateway to the EBC and a place for acclimatization for the trekkers.

We have reserved this day to adjust with the changing altitude for the oxygen level in the proceeding expedition may dip, hence another warmup hiking is organized in this day.

We will head to Thame, an old Sherpa village or to Khongde, Khumjung, Khunde which shall further assist in the acclimatization. Three hours walk shall acquaint the Hillary School, Buddhist monasteries, the influenced Tibetan culture, the local eateries of Namche, the living standards and the lifestyles of Namche.

Elevation of Deboche: 3820m (12,530 ft)

Distance Covered: 10.5km / 6.57 miles

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

From climbing the stone staircase to steep pathways, we shall head to Deboche (3820m/12,530 ft) which is near to Thyangboche Monastery. The path from Namche is initially steep and later opens to a high valley. The 5-6 hours hike shall take us through the Imjatse Khola, birches, conifers, and the village.

Along the fresh flowing water, mountain valleys, we capture the magnificent glaze of Mt. Lhotse (8618m), Mt. Thamserku (6608m), Mt.Everest (8848m), and Mt. Ama Dablam (6856m).

The saunter gives you a chance to spot wild musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar, and multi-color pheasants. The trail reaches Sansa, from their the EBC and Gokyo trail separates, where you shall again encounter Dudh Koshi river.

From descending to the Pungiki Tanga, the Dudh Koshi valley we ascend to Tengboche Monastery (3860m), the spiritual center of the Khumbu. Outside the monastery gate there is Eco-Center consisting a souvenir shops, eateries including bakery serving coffee, pizza and a small cinema home, where a film related to Sherpa culture, Tengboche monastery is shown for every half an hour.

During the month of October or November, 19 days meditation festival is held with a spectacular mask dance and ceremony. After the hectic walk, we reside in Deboche.

Elevation of Dingboche: 4,360m (14,300 ft)

Distance Covered: 10.5km / 6.57 miles

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Every pavement we take, shall take us a little closer to the white glaciers. The trail today takes us to the parallel to the raging glacial blue Imja Khol River and to Pangboche village (3900m), one of the biggest village settlements of the Sherpa region. We choose the upper Pangboche trail commend the Himalayan vistas and the Pangboche monastery.

We en-route through the pastures before descending to Dingboche, also known as ‘Summer Valley. A best view of Ama Dablam can be taken, while arriving to Dingboche.

From Pheriche to Imja Valley we shall be climbing the final steps of today’s destination. In Dingboche, we shall see the fields are surrounded by an array of stone walls, to protect the crops (potatoes & buck wheat).

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house 

On the second acclimatization day, we shall take a short walk to the nearby valleys of Dingboche i.e. Nagkartshang Gompa, in the north. If the weather is superior we get to spot Mt.Lhotse, Mt.Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Ama Dablam. From the pinnacle we can see the 360-sweeping glance of mountains, and landscapes.

We shall also visit the Himalayan Rescue Association, in Pheriche to get an insight of high-altitude health, and for medical checkups.

Elevation of Lobuche: 4,940m (16,207 ft)

Distance Covered: 7km / 4.38miles

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house 

As the altitude increases, the trek gets gradually challenging. The trek begins from the alpine region of Dingboche and concludes in the beautiful village of Lobuche. We start by climbing the Dughla through Khumbu Khola valley. The valley narrows down on reaching Dusa, still we continue and move to Phulong Karpo.

Get ready to track down the naturalistic beauty of Mt. Pumori (7,138m/23,418 ft) and Chola lake, which moderately vanish through the endless curves. The route further subside to the steep terminal of Khumbu Glacier, which provides monuments of those Sherpa who perished on the glaciers of Mt.Everest.

On the way to Lobuche, you cross the Thukla glacier and frozen river while you see the white range near and clear. As the Lobuche village (4910m) sits on the foot of Lobuche peak, you will see a sharp outlook of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumari and Mt.Nuptse.

As we are closer to Mt.Everest and high in altitudes the nights are downright chilly.

Elevation of Gorak Shep: 5,170m (16,961 ft)

Distance Covered: 4.0km / 2.48 miles

Walking duration: 3-4 hours

Elevation of Everest Base Camp: 5,364m (17,594 ft)

Distance Covered (EBC): 13km/8.13 miles

Walking duration (EBC): 6-7 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

The Everest Base Camp trails follow from the narrow space between glacier and moraine. Crossing the tributary mountain glaciers, we approach the drylands of Gorak Shep.

We pass by the crest of Everest, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Mahalangur, and Mt.Nuptse. On reaching the dramatical cold land of Gorak we shall take a halt to prepare for the next accomplishment i.e. Everest Base Camp.

A steep climb to the torrent of Changri glacier gives a vista of Kala Patthar. After an hour or two walks through the glacial tails finally takes us to the Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,594 ft). Though no further elevation is gained, but the trip comprises of several ups and downs in altitude which can be really tiring.

At the base camp, we shall trek along the sideways moraine of Khumbu glacier, icefall and the territory of base camps. After exploring the base camp area, we shall return to Gorak Shep.

Elevation of Kala Patthar: 5,540m (1,8175 ft)

Distance Covered: 3 km/ 1.9 miles

Walking duration: 3-4 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

We shall not miss the early morning sunrise in the Mt.Everest. Hence, we climb up to Kala Patthar (5540m/1,8175 ft), the highlight of the entire EBC trip. To reach the destination it takes us nearly 3-4 hours. From there we shall enjoy the first stroke of sunlight in the peaks of Mt. Everest.

Kala Patthar is pretty much famous for offering best views of Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and more. The rewarding view of the bright skyline, white snow-capped mountains are the jewels every trekker crave to visualize throughout their exploring tenure.

We will be spending an hour or two in Kala Patthar and return to Lukla via helicopter. The heli trip assures the vigilant and aerial view of Mount Everest and its ranges. From above we see the blue-greenish Gokyo lakes, lining view of the trials, and the floating clouds.

Elevation of Kathmandu: 1,400m (4,593 ft)

Distance covered: 138km/85.74 miles

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Moonlight

This is the last day of the Everest Base Camp trek. We shall thank the porters who have helped us throughout the trip and catch the scenic flight to Kathmandu. On landing to Kathmandu, we will take you to the hotel where certain hours are allocated for refreshment. Then we shall take the crew to the popular local shopping destination of Nepal; Ashon & Indrachowk. The place is filled with spice stores, edible items, and garment stores.

Taking the same lane of Asan, we shall head to Basantapur (Kathmandu Durbar Square), the place built by the Malla kings. At present, the place is converted to museum, where the monuments of Shah regime are stored.

Just next to Kathmandu Durbar Square is Kumari Ghar. We shall take the troupe to Kumari Ghar, where the living goddess Kumari resides. We can take photographs around the Basantapur area, but not inside the Durbar Square.

The final day in Nepal, Best Adventure Travels provides transfer service from hotel to airport, as per the airport timings.