Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli Return-11 Days

Trip Facts

  • Duration 11 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Destination Nepal
  • Transportation Private Vehicle, Domestic flight and Helicopter Ride
  • Activity Trekking/ Hiking & Helicopter Ride
  • Best Season Feb - May and Sept- Dec
  • Group Size Mini 1 person – Maxi 14 people
  • Trip Start/End Kathmandu
  • Max Altitude 5545m/18,192ft

Luxury Everest Base Camp Heli Trek Overview:

The Luxury Everest Base Camp Heli Trek is designed for trekkers who want the classic Everest Base Camp experience with better comfort, well-organized logistics, and a helicopter return from the high mountains. It combines guided trekking through the Khumbu region with quality lodges, proper acclimatization, and a scenic flight back instead of the long walk down.

This type of Everest Base Camp helicopter trek is ideal for travelers who want to reduce physical strain, save time, and still experience the main highlights of the Everest region.

The journey begins in Kathmandu with airport pickup and hotel check-in. Before flying to the mountains, trekkers receive a detailed trek briefing that explains the route, altitude plan, safety process, and helicopter return schedule. This helps first-time Everest trekkers understand what to expect day by day.

Most luxury Everest Base Camp trek packages provide essential trekking gear such as a duffel bag, sleeping bag, and down jacket for use during the trip. Route maps and checklists are also reviewed. Sorting equipment early prevents problems later at higher altitudes where services are limited.

The trek starts with a mountain flight to Lukla, operating from Kathmandu or Ramechhap depending on the season and air traffic. Lukla Airport is known for its short, high-altitude runway and changing weather, so flights usually run early in the morning.

From Lukla, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi River through small Sherpa settlements and forested paths toward the national park entry area near Monjo. This first section helps trekkers adjust gradually to elevation while walking through active local villages rather than isolated terrain.

Namche Bazaar is the main trading and service town of the Everest region. Good acclimatization here is important for a safe Everest Base Camp trek itinerary. Most groups stay two nights.

During the acclimatization day, trekkers usually hike to the Everest View area for altitude gain and return. On clear days, you can see Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Namche also offers bakeries, gear shops, and museums, which makes it one of the most comfortable stops on the route.

Above Namche, the trail moves through Tengboche and Deboche, where forests thin and mountain views open wider. Tengboche Monastery is an important cultural site in the Khumbu and a common rest stop for trekkers.

Dingboche is another key acclimatization location on the Everest Base Camp route. A side hike to higher viewpoints such as Nangkartshang helps the body adjust to thinner air. From here, the landscape becomes more rugged, with fewer trees and more glacial features.

The route continues through Lobuche and then to Gorak Shep, the last settlement before base camp and Kala Patthar. Walking days are shorter but feel harder due to altitude.

A pre-sunrise hike to Kala Patthar is often the highest point reached on the trek. From the top, trekkers get wide views of Everest and surrounding peaks, along with a direct look toward the Khumbu Icefall. Early morning usually gives the clearest mountain visibility.

Instead of trekking all the way back down, the trip ends with a helicopter flight from Gorekshep to Kathmandu. This Everest Base Camp helicopter return saves several days of descent and reduces stress on knees and joints.

Key Highlights of Luxury EBC Trek with Heli Return:

  • Take a scenic mountain flight to Lukla from Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
  • Stop at Everest View Hotel, known as the highest luxury hotel in the world
  • Trek through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Walk through Namche Bazaar, the main Sherpa town and trekking hub
  • Watch the sunrise over Everest from Kala Patthar (5,545 m).
  • Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) at the foot of the world’s highest mountain.
  • Hike to a high viewpoint with clear views of Mt. Makalu (8,485 m)
  • Visit Tengboche Monastery, an important spiritual center of the Khumbu
  • Explore the Sherpa Culture Museum and learn local history
  • Return by helicopter over the Himalayas to Kathmandu

Itinerary

+ Expand All- Collapse All

  • Max. Altitude1,350 m/4,429 ft

  • Max. Altitude2,635 m / 8,301ft: 10 km /

  • Max. Altitude3,440 m / 11,286 ft

  • Max. Altitude3,880m/12,730ft

  • Max. Altitude3,820m/12,533 ft

  • Max. Altitude4,410 m / 14,469 ft

  • Max. Altitude5,083 m / 16,677 ft

  • Max. Altitude4,910 m / 16,109 ft

  • Max. Altitude5,383m at EBC (5,164m at Gorak Shep)

  • Max. Altitude5,545 m / 18,192 ft at Kala Patthar

  • Max. Altitude1,350 m/4,429 ft

Cost Details

Price Includes

Transportation & Domestic Flights:

  • All airport transfers (international and domestic) by Private tourist vehicle

  • Domestic flights from Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla

  • Shared helicopter flight from Gorakshep to Kathmandu

  • Kathmandu to Manthali transportation by Private tourist vehicle

Accommodation:

  • Two nights in Kathmandu: Stay in a comfortable 5-star hotel in a twin room with breakfast included.
  • Twin-sharing guesthouse accommodation during the trek for 5 nights in the Everest region
  • During the trek, you stayed at a deluxe mountain lodge for three nights at Yeti Mountain Home in Phakding and Namche (2 nights), with full-board meals provided.

Meals:

  • All standard meals during the trek: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 7 dinners
  • Each meal includes one cup of Tea/Coffee and seasonal fruits
  • Welcome & Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

Guide and Support Staff:

  • Experienced, government-licensed, English-speaking trekking guide, first-aid trained, and locally recruited
  • Assistance guides are provided for groups larger than 4 people.
  • Porters will carry your luggage during the trek (one porter per two clients).
  • All staff wages, meals, accommodation, equipment, insurance, and medical needs are fully covered.

Trekking Permits:

The following permits and entry fees are included in your package:

  • Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
  • Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fee
  • TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card

Trip Benefits and Inclusions:

  • Adventure Club's trekking bag/duffel bag, Trip T-shirt, and Everest Base Camp trail map.
  • A first aid kit with an oximeter is carried by guides.
  • Everest Base Camp with Helicopter Return 8-Day Completion Certificate.

Rental Trekking Gear:

  • Sleeping bag & down jackets are provide (To be returned after the trek is completed)

Administrative Fees & Taxes:

  • All administrative costs and government taxes included

Date & Prices

     
Start DateStart: SaturdayFebruary 14, 2026End DateEnd: TuesdayFebruary 24, 2026StatusStatusAvailablePricePriceUS $3189
Start DateStart: FridayFebruary 20, 2026End DateEnd: MondayMarch 02, 2026StatusStatusAvailablePricePriceUS $3189
Start DateStart: MondayFebruary 23, 2026End DateEnd: ThursdayMarch 05, 2026StatusStatusAvailablePricePriceUS $3189
Start DateStart: ThursdayFebruary 26, 2026End DateEnd: SundayMarch 08, 2026StatusStatusAvailablePricePriceUS $3189
Start DateStart: SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026End DateEnd: TuesdayMarch 10, 2026StatusStatusAvailablePricePriceUS $3189

The Published dates are guaranteed departures. If the scheduled dates are unsuitable, we will happily create trips to suit your needs. Let us know what kind of trip you are looking for, and our travel experts will help customize your dream destination.

Useful Info

Kathmandu- Lukla- Kathmandu flight Delay Info:

The weather in mountain areas can be unpredictable, affecting flights to and from Lukla. When the weather is good, the Twin Otter planes are reliable. However, flights may be delayed or canceled due to bad weather or technical issues. We can arrange a helicopter to ensure you stay on schedule in case of flight cancellations or long delays. Helicopters can fly in lower visibility than Twin Otters, meeting the Nepal Civil Aviation rules. You can pay for the helicopter flight in US dollars, credit cards, or traveler’s cheques at our Kathmandu office. We provide a receipt for reimbursement from your travel insurance company. The cost for the helicopter flight is $500 per person, or you can opt for a Helicopter Charter at a rate of $3000. We recommend arriving in Kathmandu one day before the trek to allow time for purchasing trekking gear and adjusting to the time difference. Additionally, allocating extra days after the tour will help minimize the risk of missing your international flight in case of any trekking difficulties or flight cancellations caused by severe weather conditions in Lukla.

Acclimatization And High-Altitude Sickness

The acclimatization planned during the trip helps trekkers adapt to the environment with less oxygen. Our body needs time to adjust to higher altitudes. Rushing to the higher elevation without acclimatization may result in acute mountain sickness (AMS), which could be fatal. The trekkers may suffer from AMS above 2,400m/7,875ft as the amount of oxygen becomes less and less with the increase in elevation.

We can categorize AMS into three categories with its symptoms. The trekker suffering from normal AMS feels giddy, gets headaches, has Nausea, and is out of breath, and is suggested not to worry as it disappears after the body gets used to less oxygen. Likewise, trekkers suffering from mild AMS show symptoms of dizziness, muscular pain, insomnia, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Mild AMS can be treated with anti-headache medicines.

A person suffering from serious AMS shows heightened symptoms, including shortness of breath, even while resting. The trekker with serious symptoms can barely walk, and fluids may start building up in the lungs. The trekker having serious AMS has to be taken to a lower altitude immediately.

 

Advanced cases of AMS

If AMS is not treated in time, it can be life-threatening and lead to edema, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the body's tissues. Following are the two serious altitude sicknesses caused at high altitudes.

 

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

In HACE, the brain gets swollen, leading to coma and even death. Its symptoms are paralysis on one side of the body, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, bowel dysfunction, loss of coordination, and confusion. Descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible to prevent the worsening of the condition.

 

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

Fluid accumulates in the lungs, which also increases the capillary pressure. Its symptoms include severe shortness of breath at rest, dry cough that produces pink frothy sputum, and fatigue. Important Note: Severe cases of AMS are rare. All our guides at the Adventure Club Trek are aware of the symptoms of AMS and can handle it with care. We prioritize acclimatization, talk about the use of Diamox beforehand, and counsel all our trekkers on the risk and preventive factors before and during the trip. Your safety is our main concern.

 

First-Aid Kit

Our guides and porters are equipped with a basic first-aid kit during regular treks. For expeditions that take on isolated and off-the-beaten trekking paths, a comprehensive first-aid kit is compulsory; the same goes for climbing expeditions.

  • A bandage in case of sprains.
  • Plasters/ Band-aids and antiseptic ointments for simple cuts
  • Iodine or water filter (optional) instead of buying bottled mineral water
  • Moleskin/Second skin in case of blisters.
  • Aspirin/Paracetamol -painkiller.
  • Oral rehydration salts-Nava Jeevan or Jeevan Jal (orange-flavored ORS)
  • The broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin).
  • Anti-diarrhea medication (antibiotic).
  • Diarrheal stopper (Imodium - optional).
  • Diamox 250/500mg (for altitude sickness).
  • Gel hand cleaner/sanitizer.

Note: We can add medical supplies per the trekkers' unique needs to the first-aid kit given above.

Equipment And Packing List

We recommend that you bring the items to the list below. If your trek is longer or shorter than that, appropriate adjustments can be made to reflect the specific requirements, season, and length of the trip. Adventure Club Trek will provide the items marked with an asterisk (*) at no additional cost. You are welcome to use such articles if you already have them and prefer your own. Many trekking items can be bought cheaply in the Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu; quality will vary, with the imported from China often being of higher quality. There are also several high-end shops in Kathmandu which carry well-known brands. Since our porters will take your pack, please remember the weight limitation is 15kg (33 lbs since there is nothing there but some prayer flags. Also, please note that you still need to send me a gear list.

* The Adventure Club Trek will lend each trekker a set of down Jackets, sleeping bags,s and duffle bags.

* Our main guide, trained in wilderness first aid, will carry a comprehensive medical kit.

 

Important Documents and Items

  • Valid passport, 2 extra passport-size photos, airline tickets.
  • Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepali visa at Kathmandu airport, paying for restaurants and hotels, gratuities, snacks, and buying your own drinks and gifts.
  • Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc

 HEAD

  • A bandana or headscarf is also useful in dusty conditions.
  • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
  • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Prescription sunglasses (if required)

UPPER BODY

  • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
  • Light and expedition-weight thermal tops
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and jacket *
  • Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

LOWER BODY

  •  Non-cotton underwear briefs
  • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
  • 1 pair of hiking trousers
  • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
  • 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
  • 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

FEET

  • 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
  • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
  • 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, "broken-in")
  • 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and sandals
  • Cotton socks (optional)
  • Gaiters (winter only), optional, "low" ankle high version

HANDS

  • 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
  • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
  • 1 pair of mittens, consisting of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

TOILETRIES

  • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
  • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  • Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  • Deodorants
  • Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Female hygiene products
  • Small mirror
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  • Tissue /toilet roll
  • Anti-bacterial handwash

SLEEPING

  • One sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
  • Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Rucksack and Travel Bags
  • 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
  • 1 large duffel bag *
  • A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
  • Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
  • 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

MEDICAL

  • Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
  • Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-headache pills
  • Cough and cold medicine
  • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylpolyamine
  • Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills, as they are respiratory depressants.
  • Water purification tablets or the water filter
  •  Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
  • Extras/Luxuries
  • Reading book
  • Trail map/guidebook
  • Journal and pen
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
  • Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

Visa And Entry Procedures

Everyone needs a visa to enter Nepal except Indian nationals. Citizens of the SAARC nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan do not require a permit for 30 days. Fortunately, getting a Nepal visa is an easy process. Tourist visas are issued on arrival at the international airport and official overland entry points. However, travelers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia have yet to be issued visas on arrival. After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will find electronic kiosks to assist with your visa processing. After taking the completed form and paying the visa fee, you must stay in the long immigration queue for your visa on arrival.

Visitors can now apply for the online visa within 15 days of their arrival date in Nepal. For this, you will need your Nepal hotel address and a digital passport-sized photo that needs to be uploaded to the online application. After submitting the form online, you need to print out the confirmation page, which has to be furnished at the immigration section in Kathmandu airport, along with your passport and the required visa fee. 

Tourists can also apply for a Nepali visa at the local Nepali Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries. Or, they can even mail their visa application to the visa office near their location, but well ahead of time to allow sufficient processing time. Nepal visa information for all categories of travelers and their correspondence cost can be convenient for more information and contact details of the Nepali Embassies and Consulate worldwide.

Whichever way you enter Nepal, you will be given a 15/30/90-day visa as per your requirement. The general Nepal tourist visa fee on arrival for multiple entries is:

15 days – US$30, 30 days – US$50, and 90days – US$125

Tourist visas can be extended for a maximum of 150 days a year, and these extensions are granted only at the Department of Immigration offices in Pokhara and Kathmandu. For more information on Nepal visas, visit our visa information page.

 

Our Trekking Guides/Leaders 

Here at Adventure Club, our staff is like family. We only use locals to support their communities, and we train our staff rigorously to be the best they can be – for you! 

  •  Full first-aid training
  • Guide Training (trekking)
  • English and other common languages (as requested) 
  • Village and Land Conservation 
  • Mountaineering (for specialty expeditions or climbing treks)

All our guides are carefully trained for leadership, as good leadership is vital for your trek to be enjoyable, safe, and successful. Most of our guides grew up in Sherpa country or other mountainous parts of Nepal. Their pride in their region shows itself in the way they lead treks and interface with you. 

Porters Care

Courtesy and respect are fundamental for an enjoyable and worthwhile experience on any team. Our porters are an essential, integral part of each trekking team; as such, they are well-treated and well-paid. After your trek, you will find that they have fully earned your gratitude and respect. We expect all trekkers to keep their baggage weight under 22kgs/40lbs. Adventure Club Trek maintains a full commitment to the rights of our porters, providing them with appropriate clothing, gear, and lodging. In case of serious accident or sickness, they receive the same care as anyone else employed on the trekking team, even including evacuation by helicopter at our expense if appropriate. We fully support the IPPG (International Porter Protection Group), which strives to maintain and improve our porter's working conditions.

Travel Insurance

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialist travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers helicopter evacuation, trip cancellation, injury, death, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment, and expenses is strongly recommended. Ensure the insurance covers all the activities you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal, such as trekking and climbing. If you are injured and unable to travel, you can ask for a rescue helicopter from a remote area only if you have definite proof you can pay for it. Adventure Club Trek has an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. They produce a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from you once you have been rescued. Be sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism, or you may need help to settle a claim.

Electricity, WIFI, and Battery Recharge

During your trek on the Everest region, electricity is available to recharge your phones, laptops, and iPads from micro-hydropower and solar panels on a paying basis. As for Wi-Fi, there are no hotspots along the trekking trail after Namche. The only two places offering free Wi-Fi are Starbucks Coffee in Lukla and Everest Bakery in Namche. At other places, you need to pay for internet services, which increases gradually with the altitude.

Communication On Trek 

On the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return in Nepal, the internet service will be available at lodges with some extra service charge. You can contact your family and friends from the guesthouses, but as we reach high altitude, the communication will be through the phone for safety purposes. We communicate with all our valuable clients through the team leader at least once daily to ensure you are fine and enjoying the trip. The Adventure Club Trek office in Kathmandu will constantly contact you for help you may need during the trek. Depending on the network you use, there could be a poor signal to the network before the high altitude. Upon your request, we can provide you with a separate local SIM card for a better network. Many places have WIFI service available at an extra cost.

Group Size and Team Composition 

We always form a small group of like-minded people to give them a wonderful and wise travel experience. It provides opportunities to interact and share in a fun-filled environment when out in the wilderness. Generally, our travel group comprises a maximum of 16 members. We need at least two participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, the number of group members does not apply. We always strive to form a team, ensuring that the members are comfortable with one another.

Tipping 

Tipping is optional in Nepal, as most services include a service charge. However, if you want to express your gratitude, you are free to tip drivers and hotel staff. People usually welcome such generosity. When listing your porters or trekking leaders, use your discretion as per the quality of the services. Tip money does not form a part of our employees' wages. However, you can use tipping to show appreciation for excellent service at the end of the trip.

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