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TripAdvisor Β· Travelers’ Choice 2026

Luxurious Everest Base Camp Trek with heli ride Pheriche to Lukla

This is a 12-day, Grade 3 Strenuous trek to Everest Base Camp, reaching a maximum altitude of 5545m at Kalapatthar. You return from Pheriche to Lukla by helicopter instead of walking back down. Best season is Feb, Mar, April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec, and price starts from USD 1450.

Duration
12 Days
11 nights
Max Altitude
5545m
Highest point
Difficulty
Strenuous
3 out of 5
Group Size
2–14
people
Best Season
Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
Activity / Day
5-7 Hours

Trip Highlights

  • 12-day Everest Base Camp trek, Grade 3 Strenuous, maximum altitude 5545m
  • Helicopter ride from Pheriche to Lukla, skipping the walk back down
  • Views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse and Ama Dablam from the trail
  • Lodges with attached bathroom and hot shower for 4 nights, up to Namche Bazaar
  • Guided tour of Kathmandu's old temples and stupas at the start of the trip
  • Welcome and farewell dinner with a 30-minute complimentary massage on the last night
  • Optional helicopter flight Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu for an extra USD 350 per person, one way
  • Suitable for trekkers aged over 12 and under 75, group size 2 to 14

Trip Overview

This 12-day Everest Base Camp trek follows the classic route on foot to Base Camp and Kalapatthar (5545m), then skips the days-long walk back down by taking a helicopter from Pheriche to Lukla. It is graded 3 Strenuous, runs with groups of 2 to 14, and is priced from USD 1450.

Why take the helicopter back from Pheriche instead of walking?

The standard Everest Base Camp trek takes extra days to walk back down the same trail you came up. On this trip, after reaching Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar, you descend on foot to Pheriche and then take a helicopter straight to Lukla. This cuts the trek down to 12 days while still covering the full route up, including Sagarmatha National Park, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche.

What does "luxury" mean on this trek?

Up to Namche Bazaar, you stay in lodges with attached bathrooms and hot running showers for 4 nights. In Kathmandu, you stay at the Himalayan Suite Hotel on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast and dinner included, and your last night includes a welcome and farewell dinner with a 30-minute complimentary massage. You also get a guided tour of Kathmandu's old temples and stupas at the start of the trip.

Can I fly by helicopter both ways instead of just Pheriche to Lukla?

Yes, as an optional add-on. If you want to skip the regular KTM-Lukla plane flight as well, you can take a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla and back for an extra USD 350 per person, one way. This removes the risk of plane delays or cancellations due to weather on that leg.

What will you see along the way?

The route takes you past Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse and Ama Dablam, among other peaks, with views building as you climb through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche towards Kalapatthar and Everest Base Camp. The helicopter leg from Pheriche to Lukla gives you a last look at the same mountains from the air.

Who can join this trek?

This trip is suitable for trekkers aged over 12 and under 75, in good general fitness, as it is graded 3 Strenuous and reaches a maximum altitude of 5545m. Best months to go are Feb, Mar, April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.

Last updated

Day-by-Day Itinerary

12 days70 km
1
Day 1

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport, extend a warm welcome, and transfer to your hotel. Take advantage of this day to adjust to the new time zone and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Kathmandu. Orientation Program will be at 5 PM. After orientation program welcome dinner with guide.

Meals Dinner
2
Day 2

6.2 KM3/4 hrs
Meals Breakfast
3
Day 3

12 KM6/7 hrs
Meals Breakfast
4
Day 4

5.4 Km4/5 hrsAcclimatisation
Meals Breakfast
5
Day 5

10.5 KM6/7 hrs
Meals Breakfast
6
Day 6

11.5 Km6/7 hrs
Meals Breakfast
7
Day 7

5.1 Km5/6 hrsAcclimatisation
Meals Breakfast
8
Day 8

8 km5/6 hrs
Meals Breakfast
9
Day 9

11.7 KM8/9 hrs
Meals Breakfast
10
Day 10

4-5 hrs
Meals Breakfast
11
Day 11

Meals Breakfast and dinner
12
Day 12

Meals Breakfast

Route & altitude

12 days Β· 70 km on foot

View Map
Starts
Arrival to Kathmandu Airport
Ends
Departure or Extra tour
12 stops

What’s Included

Included
Airport pickup and drop-off
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (Himalayan Suite Hotel), twin-sharing, with breakfast and dinner
Helicopter ride from Pheriche to Lukla
Lodge accommodation during the trek with breakfast (4 nights with attached bathroom and hot shower, up to Namche Bazaar)
Licensed, English-speaking guide and porters (1 porter per 2 trekkers), or yaks where needed, including their meals, accommodation, insurance and other trekking-crew expenses
Welcome and farewell dinner, with a 30-minute complimentary massage on the last night
Sagarmatha National Park permit and trekking entry fees
First aid kit
Company T-shirt
Necessary equipment (sleeping bag and duffel bag, if needed)
Domestic flight Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
Airfare for the trekking crew
All government taxes and office service charges
Not Included
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and on trekking days
Personal trekking equipment and clothing
International flight ticket (we can help you book this)
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Tips for your guide, porter and driver, at your discretion
Optional helicopter ride Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
Anything not mentioned under 'includes'

Departure dates

12 days Β· fixed departures or your own dates
1traveller
4 departures
No date suits?Run it privately on any day.

Recommended Gear

Thermal top (base layer) – 2
Thermal bottom – 2
Trekking shirts (quick-dry) – 3–4
Trekking pants – 2
Fleece jacket / mid-layer – 1–2
Down jacket (warm, insulated)
Waterproof & windproof jacket
Waterproof trekking pants
Warm hoodie / pullover
Underwear – 4–5 pairs
Sleepwear / lodge wear
Trekking boots (high ankle, waterproof)
Trekking socks – 4–5 pairs
Liner socks (optional)
Camp shoes / sandals
Gaiters (optional)
Day backpack (30–40L)
Duffel bag (for porter use)
Sleeping bag (–10Β°C to –15Β°C)
Trekking poles
Headlamp + spare batteries
Sunglasses (UV protection)
Water bottles / hydration bladder
Thermos flask (optional)
Quick-dry towel
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Sunscreen (SPF 40+)
Lip balm with SPF
Wet wipes
Tissue / toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Personal toiletries
Ear plugs
Personal first-aid kit
Blister treatment
Pain relief medicine
Diamox / altitude medicine (doctor-advised)

Video Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a 12-day trip, from arrival in Kathmandu to departure, including the helicopter ride from Pheriche to Lukla.
It is graded 3 Strenuous. You walk up to Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar at a maximum altitude of 5545m, then fly back from Pheriche to Lukla by helicopter instead of walking down.
5545m, reached at Kalapatthar before you descend to Everest Base Camp and then to Pheriche for the helicopter flight.
The included helicopter flight from Pheriche to Lukla is a shared ride. A private helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and back is available as an optional add-on for an extra USD 350 per person, one way.
Best months are February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December.
Price starts from USD 1450 (previously USD 1815).
Groups run from 2 to 14 trekkers.
The trek is suitable for people aged over 12 and under 75.

Traveler Stories

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2,023 reviews on Tripadvisor β€” travellers rate us 4.8 out of 5
7% of profit donated β€” Through the Himalayan Community Project, we fund education, healthcare & conservation in rural Nepal.
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$1,450per person
Enquire us

Traveler Reviews

Overall rating
5.0/5
Across 20 reviews of HSJ trips
Prashant Pratap S
Verified booking Β· Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days
5.0

They are thorough professionals but I was most impressed by our guide Mr Indra. He is am amazing person. Memory for life. It was my first trek ever and he made sure he took care of the weakest to others. It was an emotional Journey for all of us. Thanks Himala…

Read more
Jason
Verified booking Β· Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days
5.0

100% satisfied with this company's service. Everything went well perfectly. The staffs are very kind and their response was very fast. I really like their flexibility and professionalism. I strongly recommend this company for the EBC trekking that I just did.

Ritika Pramod T
Verified booking Β· Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days
5.0

I had an amazing experience on my first trekking trip to Everest Base Camp with Himalayan Social Journey. Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Mingmar Dai and Janak Dai were the best guides I could have asked forβ€”professional, kind, knowled…

Read more
Curious720266
Verified booking Β· Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days
5.0

I completed my first long trek to Everest Base Camp with HSJ and a few friends, and it was an incredible experience. Despite an unexpected storm that caused delays and reservation cancellations, the team handled everything seamlesslyβ€”quickly rebooking and secu…

Read more

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