Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli Return

Charter Helicopter return from Gorakshep (5140m) to Kathmandu is central to this luxurious tour and totally redefines the end of this trekking experience. Instead of the 5 days spent retracing the trekking route back through Lobuche, Dingboche, Namche and Phakding prior to flying to Kathmandu, on morning 9 you embark on a private helicopter charter from Gorakshep and land in Kathmandu just 45 minutes later. The helicopter flies above the Khumbu Glacier, past the base of Lhotse's South face, and along the high Himalayas before descending through the foothills to the valley of Kathmandu. Seeing the views of Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, and the sweep of the Khumbu from high altitude is unbelievable – it is considered the highlight of a Nepal visit by many who have completed both a trekking return and a helicopter return.

The timing of Gorakshep helicopter returns is dictated by weather conditions, with early morning departures generally preferred for the clearest visibility and calmest winds. Nepal Adventure Holidays confirms bookings and flight timings with licensed Nepali helicopter companies and checks weather forecasts on a daily basis from the village of Lobuche onwards. Should a morning helicopter flight be cancelled due to weather, the return flight will be re-scheduled and the group remains in Gorakshep until conditions permit the flight. Mandatory insurance covering helicopter evacuation to 6000m is required and authority needs to be provided to the company before boarding. Passenger weight limitations apply to all high-altitude helicopter flights and Nepal Adventure Holidays will provide the necessary guidelines upon booking, as seats will be allocated on a weighted basis. One small carry-on bag is allowed per trekker in the helicopter. Your main duffel will be returned to Kathmandu by road with the porter team.

The Yak & Yeti Hotel and the Soaltee Crowne Plaza are the two most classic and esteemed 5-star hotels in Kathmandu, both linked for many years with Himalayan climbing and overseas visits. The Yak & Yeti occupies a colonial Rana palace in central Kathmandu with charming accommodation, several restaurants (including the excellent Chimney Restaurant) , a full-service spa and an outside swimming pool as well as all the services that many years catering for world mountaineers and cosmopolitan travellers entails. 

Set in large gardens close to the airport, the Soaltee Crowne Plaza also boasts luxuriously appointed rooms and numerous other amenities in the shape of dining, health club and spa and business services. At both of these two hotels, only your room and breakfast meal will be covered by the package price. Other meals, drinks and hotel services will be at your own cost.

MLN (Mountain Lodges of Nepal) operate a high-altitude lodge network in the Khumbu that stands in a class above the rest. These modern purpose-built lodges are located on the EBC trekking trail at altitudes ranging between Phakding to Lobuche and cater to a very different market. All MLN lodges have either private or semi-private en-suite rooms with proper mattress and duvets, proper furniture in a heated common room, good quality menus cooked by a well-trained kitchen staff, hot solar water and an overall level of cleanliness and service that make the altitude significantly more comfortable to deal with. MLN lodges are located in Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche/Deboche, Dingboche and Lobuche, essentially all the stops on the EBC route below Gorakshep. Your accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis: only the room and breakfast on that day is included in your price. Lunch and dinner are ordered off the menu from the lodges and paid for directly, which is how we allow for flexibility in choice of food on the mountain.

Accommodation in Gorakshep (5,140m). Since MLN does not have lodges above Lobuche, you will be accommodated in the best available of the basic Gorakshep teahouses. There are not a huge number of teahouses available and the facilities are basic at this altitude but the best-available and most efficient service will be arranged by Nepal Adventure Holidays. Breakfast is included on this occasion as you only spend one night in the teahouse before taking the helicopter from Gorakshep.

You'll have an early morning 35-minute domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (on Tara Air or Summit Air) to fly before valley clouds come into Lukla. Flights are arranged and domestic terminal transfers are arranged by Nepal Adventure Holidays. A private car will pick you up from your 5-star hotel at around 5AM on Day 2 to drive to the domestic terminal. Your luggage will be split into two: cabin daypack (which you will carry with you) and main duffel (which you will have transferred to your porter). Domestic flight baggage allowance is very strict, so let us know when booking, so we can verify the allowance for the date. 

Flight delays in Lukla due to weather may occur, so keep your international flight time somewhat flexible when making arrangements. You will return from the mountains via a private charter helicopter, arranged and booked with licensed operators by Nepal Adventure Holidays. All private vehicle transfers within Kathmandu are included in the price; hotel-to-domestic airport, helipad-to-hotel and hotel-to-international airport.

On the mountain this is a bed & breakfast package – your lodge breakfast is included at each of the Mountain Lodges of Nepal establishments, plus at the lodge in Gorakshep on Day 8. Lunches and dinners during the trek are not included in the package price. You pay for these meals as you order directly from the menus of each lodge or teahouse along the route, which gives you freedom to choose your meal and the amount you wish to spend on the mountain rather than being fixed to a set meal. 

At Mountain Lodges of Nepal premises the food standards are considerably higher than in ordinary teahouses – a good standard of freshly baked bread is available at each establishment; a larger variety of protein than usual (yak, chicken, eggs, pulses); tasty Nepali dishes cooked to a higher standard; a choice of continental dishes cooked reasonably well; and in some cases an a la carte menu. At Gorakshep the choice is less diverse as it's not so easy to carry supplies to 5,140m. All hotel breakfasts are included during your stay at your Kathmandu hotel on your two hotel nights. All other meals, food, drinks and room service at your Kathmandu hotel are paid for directly.

All trekking permits are included in the package and prepared by Nepal Adventure Holidays before departure:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit — checked at the Monjo gate between Phakding and Namche Bazaar

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit — checked at Lukla and at various checkpoints along the route

• TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System) — included for all Nepal Adventure Holidays package trekkers

• Carry all permits on your person at all times — permit checks occur at Monjo, Namche, and higher trail points

The Everest Base Camp luxury trek is at least moderately difficult, and could feel tough. The luxury lodges can enhance comfort and recovery, but do little to ease the physical stress of altitude. There is less oxygen at Base Camp (5,364m), about half as much as at sea level. Daily activity, relatively effort-free at home, requires constant effort; your body will be in a state of sustained physiological stress from Day 6. The trek between Lobuche, Gorakshep and Base Camp covers rough glacial moraine terrain, which requires careful footing and a steady balance. Daily trekking durations on the climb vary from 3 hours (the acclimatisation day) to 7-8 hours (on the longer trekking days). 

A serious commitment to physical preparation is essential, including 10-12 weeks of cardiovascular training and some hill walking with a loaded pack, plus leg strength training. Travelers who are well-prepared will truly appreciate the lodges on the trek. Travellers who do not physically prepare for this trip will gain little from a comfortable lodge at extreme altitude.

A single day at Namche Bazaar is used for an acclimatization (Day 4) and the ascent to Everest View Hotel ridge (3880m) is done by following 'climb high, sleep low' rule. Except for that, all the ascents are carefully planned so that the total altitude gain for sleeping purposes is within 300-500m each night over the altitude 3000m. Staying in luxury lodges makes it much easier for you to acclimatize as good food and room to sleep will enable your body to adapt to the change unlike damp and cold rooms in teahouses. 

Guides examine all the trekkers daily from Namche onward and do not allow the group to go ahead if someone is not recovering from sickness. Drink at least 3-4 liters of water every day, give up on alcohol after Namche and speak your feelings to your guide at every step of your expedition.

It doesn't matter if you're fit, young, have trekked to high altitudes before or whatever your age, if you go above 2,500 m you could develop Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Risk is apparent at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and needs to be managed closely. Minor AMS (headache, nausea, lethargy, sleep disturbance) becomes commonplace above 4,000 m, and this needs management in terms of hydration and rest. Moderate to serious AMS, HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) are medical emergencies and necessitate immediate descent and helicopter rescue. 

Our Nepal Adventure Holidays guides are experienced in high-altitude sickness recognition and emergency first response. Emergency helicopter rescue is available from anywhere along the route through our Kathmandu office. It is essential that your travel insurance covers helicopter rescue to at least 6,000 m - this is not optional. Consult your physician about medication such as Diamox (Acetazolamide) prior to the trek. For a full guide toAMS symptoms, prevention and treatment please read the Nepal Adventure Holidays Altitude Sickness Guide given to you at the pre-trek briefing.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this package and is not included. Since this trekking itinerary goes to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m and includes a charter helicopter return from 5,140m, it is imperative that your policy clearly covers high-altitude trekking to 6,000m (minimum) and emergency helicopter evacuation. A helicopter evacuation from Gorakshep (or higher) to Kathmandu will cost $4,000 - $6,000 without insurance, so have your policy printed out, keep your emergency assistance numbers easily accessible and submit a copy of your insurance details to Nepal Adventure Holidays before we fly to Lukla. 

The helicopter provider will ask for insurance authorization before allowing you to board for your charter return on Day 9. Useful providers: World Nomads, Covermore, Battleface (compare high altitude adventure trekking cover).

Luxury lodge accommodation reduces but does not eliminate the need for proper high-altitude kit. The helicopter return means your main duffel travels by road from Gorakshep — pack it accordingly. Your daypack carries all essentials for the trail and the helicopter flight.

Clothing

• Moisture-wicking base layers, top and bottom — 2 sets

• Mid-layer fleece or lightweight down jacket

• Heavy insulated down jacket rated to -15 degrees C — essential above Lobuche

• Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket

• Waterproof trekking pants or softshell

• Thermal leggings for Gorakshep and Base Camp

• Wool or synthetic trekking socks — 4 to 6 pairs

• Warm hat and balaclava

• Wide-brimmed sun hat or cap

• Lightweight liner gloves and heavy insulated mittens

• Neck gaiter or buff — essential above 4,500 m

• Smart casual clothing for 5-star hotel dinners in Kathmandu

Trekking Gear

• Waterproof trekking boots, well broken in before arrival

• Light shoes or slippers for lodge evenings — MLN lodges have warm common areas

• Collapsible trekking poles with rubber tips

• Sleeping bag rated to -15 degrees C — even MLN lodges recommend a personal bag above 4,000 m

• Daypack 25 to 30 litres for daily essentials and helicopter carry-on

• Duffel bag 60 to 80 litres for the porter — returns by road from Gorakshep

• Headlamp with spare batteries — essential for early morning Base Camp approach

• UV400 glacier sunglasses — mandatory above 4,500 m

Documents and Money

• Original passport valid at least 6 months beyond return date

• Nepal tourist visa — on arrival at Kathmandu airport

• Travel insurance documents and emergency assistance number — printed copy

• Credit cards for 5-star hotel extras, spa, and restaurant meals

• USD cash for visa, trail expenses, tips, drinks, and personal items

• Photocopies of all documents stored separately

Personal Items and Medicine

• Sunscreen SPF 50 or higher — UV intensity at Base Camp is extreme

• Lip balm with SPF — lips crack badly above 5,000 m without protection

• Hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap

• Personal toilet paper and wet wipes

• Microfiber towel — MLN lodges provide towels but a personal one is useful

• Diamox (Acetazolamide) — consult your doctor

• Ibuprofen or paracetamol for headaches

• Oral rehydration salts

• Antidiarrheal medication

• Blister plasters and moleskin

• Personal prescription medications with adequate supply

Electronics

• Camera or smartphone with ample memory — the helicopter flight deserves serious photography

• Power bank 20,000 mAh — MLN lodges provide reliable charging but above Lobuche it is solar-dependent

• Universal travel adapter — Nepal uses Type C, D, and M plugs

The Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return offers the ultimate version of the ultimate trek. Ten days, from a 5 star hotel in Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp (5364 m) and back- not on the standard 5-day return trek, but in a 45 minute helicopter flight over the entire Himalayan range. The properties run by Mountain Lodges of Nepal along the way offer a level of comfort which transforms trekking at altitude. The Yak & Yeti and Soaltee Crowne Plaza provide quality hospitality to start and end the adventure.

Altitude is still reality, training is still necessary and the Khumbu is still difficult irrespective of the standard of the accommodation. But if travellers do not want to forego standards in accommodation, helicopter return, and quality of the experience then the package from Nepal Adventure Holidays makes perfect sense. Flexible departure dates, private helicopter return charter, premium mountain lodge accommodation and the most experienced guides in luxury Khumbu trekking have been brought together here. Get in touch with Nepal Adventure Holidays.