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11 days
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Everest
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Challenging
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5,545 m
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From 1 person
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Trekking
Highlights
- Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) on foot along the classic route
- Sunrise over Everest from Kala Patthar (5,545 m)
- Helicopter flight from Gorak Shep back to Kathmandu
- Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery and Dingboche
- Saves three days of walking back to Lukla
- Ideal if you have limited time
Overview
This trek follows the classic route to Everest Base Camp but replaces the long walk back to Lukla with a helicopter flight. You fly to Lukla and trek through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m.
After sunrise on Kala Patthar (5,545 m), a helicopter takes you from Gorak Shep back to Kathmandu via Lukla, with views of the Khumbu Glacier and the high peaks on the way, and you spend a final night in Kathmandu. It is a good choice if you have limited time but still want to walk to base camp yourself.
Know before you go
Best time to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons, with stable weather and clear mountain views. In spring the rhododendron forests are in bloom, and autumn brings the clearest skies after the monsoon.
Winter (December to February) is possible but cold, especially at night. The monsoon (June to August) brings rain, cloud and slippery trails, so we do not recommend it for this trek.
Difficulty and fitness
The trek up to base camp is the same as on the classic route: five to seven hours of walking on most days and a high point of 5,545 m at Kala Patthar. The helicopter saves the three-day descent, not the climb.
No technical skills are needed. Acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche help your body adjust, and good fitness and regular training with long walks before the trip are recommended.
Permits
You need a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit.
We arrange all permits for you before the trip. See Includes/Excludes for what is covered in the price.
Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal. On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a Pikey Sherpa Adventure representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Later in the day your guide gives a trek briefing, checks your equipment and answers any questions. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu (1,400 m).
An early-morning mountain flight takes you to Lukla, with views of the Himalaya on the way in. After meeting the porters, you set off on a gentle three-to-four-hour walk down through Sherpa villages and along the Dudh Koshi river. Please note: in the main seasons (March–May and October–November), Lukla flights usually depart from Manthali airport in Ramechhap, about a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu, so the day starts very early. Overnight in a teahouse in Phakding (2,610 m).
Today the trail follows the Dudh Koshi, crossing several suspension bridges before a long, steady climb to Namche Bazaar, the main trading town of the Khumbu. Take the ascent slowly and drink plenty of water; the walk usually takes six to seven hours. Overnight in a teahouse in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m).
A rest day in Namche is essential for acclimatization, following the rule of climbing high and sleeping low. A morning hike up to the Everest View Hotel gives you one of the first good views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, before you return to Namche to explore the town. Overnight in a teahouse in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m).
A scenic trail contours high above the Dudh Koshi with views of Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse, before dropping to the river and climbing to Tengboche. The village is home to the famous Tengboche monastery, and the evening light on the peaks is memorable. Overnight in a teahouse in Tengboche (3,860 m).
The trail descends through rhododendron forest, crosses the Imja Khola and climbs gradually past mani walls and small settlements into open alpine country. Dingboche sits in a wide valley of stone-walled fields beneath Ama Dablam and Island Peak. Overnight in a teahouse in Dingboche (4,410 m).
A second acclimatization day helps your body adjust before the higher ground ahead. A hike up the Nangkartshang ridge above the village offers wide views of Makalu, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, after which you return to Dingboche to rest. Overnight in a teahouse in Dingboche (4,410 m).
The trail climbs gently across open terrain to Thukla, then up a steep hill to the memorials for climbers who lost their lives on Everest. From here a gradual walk beside the Khumbu Glacier leads to Lobuche. Overnight in a teahouse in Lobuche (4,910 m).
A short walk along the Khumbu Glacier moraine brings you to Gorak Shep, where you drop your bags and have lunch. In the afternoon you continue to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), with close views of the Khumbu Icefall, before returning to Gorak Shep. The day takes about eight hours in total. Overnight in a teahouse in Gorak Shep (5,164 m).
You start before dawn to climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m), the classic viewpoint for sunrise over Everest, Nuptse and Pumori. After descending to Gorak Shep for breakfast, a helicopter flies you back to Kathmandu via Lukla, and a Pikey Sherpa Adventure representative transfers you to your hotel. Helicopter flights depend on the weather. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu (1,400 m).
Your trip ends today. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few free hours for last-minute shopping or a final stroll, before a Pikey Sherpa Adventure representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.
