Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return — 12 Days 2026

Your HSJ representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to the Himalayan Suite Hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to acclimatise to the city, explore the nearby streets of Thamel or rest after your journey. In the evening your guide conducts a full trek briefing — covering permits, daily schedule, gear requirements and what to expect on the Everest trail.

An early morning transfer to the airport for the 35-minute flight to Lukla (2,840 m) — one of the world's most dramatic airstrips, perched on a Himalayan ridgeline. From Lukla the trail descends through pine forests along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. The walk is relatively gentle and serves as a fine introduction to the Khumbu landscape — suspension bridges, prayer flags and the first Sherpa villages of the region.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi upstream through several small settlements before a sustained 800 m climb to Namche Bazaar — the gateway to the high Himalayas. The ascent passes through the Hillary Suspension Bridge and enters the Sagarmatha National Park. Namche is the principal trading hub of the Khumbu, with teahouses, gear shops, bakeries and an energy unlike anywhere else on the route. On a clear afternoon, the first views of Everest appear above the surrounding ridgeline.

A rest day in Namche dedicated to the climb-high-sleep-low protocol that underpins safe acclimatisation. The morning hike ascends to the Hotel Everest View (3,880 m) — one of the finest vantage points in the Khumbu, with an unobstructed panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. The afternoon is free to explore Namche's Sherpa cultural museum, the local market or simply rest and hydrate well in preparation for the days ahead.

Leaving Namche, the trail traverses the high ridge above the Dudh Koshi valley with Ama Dablam commanding the skyline ahead. The route passes through Sanasa and Phungi Thenga before the final ascent to Tengboche at 3,860 m. The Tengboche Monastery — the largest in the Khumbu region — sits on a commanding promontory surrounded by a 270-degree panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Arriving in the late afternoon light, this is one of the most memorable settings on the entire route.

The trail descends from Tengboche through rhododendron and juniper forest before crossing the Imja Khola and climbing steadily to Pangboche — one of the oldest villages in the Khumbu, with a monastery reputedly housing a yeti skull. Continuing upward, the vegetation thins and the landscape opens into the wide, high-altitude valley of Dingboche at 4,410 m. The surrounding peaks — Ama Dablam, Island Peak and Lhotse — are seen in full for the first time from this elevation.

A second acclimatisation day, this time with a demanding hike to Nangkartsang Peak at 5,083 m — your first time above 5,000 m and an important test of your body's response to altitude. The views from the summit encompass Makalu (the world's fifth highest), Cho Oyu, Island Peak and the full Dingboche valley. The afternoon is spent resting at the lodge. Hydration, light meals and early rest are the priorities tonight.

The trail climbs gradually through alpine terrain to Thukla Pass at 4,620 m, where a hillside of stone memorials commemorates climbers and Sherpas who have lost their lives on Everest. The setting is sobering and powerful. From here the route continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche at 4,940 m. The landscape is stark and dramatic — bare rock, ice and the immense scale of the glacier make this one of the most visually striking days of the trek.

An early start from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,190 m), where bags are left and a light meal taken before the final push to Everest Base Camp. The trail crosses the Khumbu Glacier moraine — a challenging and rewarding approach of approximately two hours. Base Camp at 5,364 m sits beneath the Khumbu Icefall with Everest's southwest face rising directly above. The return to Gorak Shep takes two to three hours. Tonight is the highest night of the trek.

A pre-dawn start for the climb to Kala Patthar at 5,545 m — the highest point of the trek and the most celebrated viewpoint on the Everest approach. Sunrise over the summit pyramid of Everest, with Nuptse and Lhotse on either side, is the defining moment of this journey. After descending back to Gorak Shep, the trail continues down to Lobuche where the group boards a shared helicopter for the spectacular flight to Lukla — sweeping over the glaciers and valleys of the Khumbu in approximately 20 minutes. Overnight in Lukla.

Morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu or Manthali (Ramechhap) depending on weather and flight availability. On arrival, transfer to the Himalayan Suite Hotel. The evening is free for a celebratory dinner in Thamel, a massage at the hotel spa or simply a long rest in a comfortable bed at low altitude.

Your HSJ guide transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight. If your departure is in the afternoon, there is time for a final visit to Pashupatinath, Boudhanath or the streets of Thamel before leaving Kathmandu.