Highlights
- Experience the awe-inspiring grandeur of Mount Everest up close by embarking on a trek to its base camp, situated at the foot of the highest peak in the world.
- Experience the unique culture and hospitality of the Sherpa people, who live in the region and are known for their mountaineering expertise.
- Trek through the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see a variety of flora and fauna, including rare species like yak, yeti, snow leopards, and musk deer.
- Enjoy breathtaking views of other majestic peaks like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu throughout the trek.
- Take a thrilling helicopter ride back to Kathmandu, allowing you to soak in the views of the Himalayan range from above.
Overview
“Everest Base Camp Trek with return heli ride is one the best course of action to enjoy and finish the trek in style. The main feature of this package is, that you will get a helicopter ride back to Lukla from Gorakshep after you finish the hike to base camp which is to escape the same route while returning down.“
The sceneries of stunning mountains, alpine forests, villages, and terraces you get to view from flying above like a bird-eye view are just mind-blowing. It takes around 20 minutes to complete the ride. This alternative way has been preferred by many trekkers in recent days.
Everest Base Camp Trek has been on the top bucket list of every trekker due to its panorama view, high elevation, and challenges. Those who haven’t done the Everest Base Camp trek yet are considered not worthy to be called a trekker.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel
Upon your arrival at Tribhuban International Airport, Kathmandu, you will be welcomed and greeted by our office representative. After then, transfer to the hotel for overnight accommodation as per booking. At evening, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. At evening welcome dinner with traditional Nepali Culture Show.
Day 02: Drive to Ramechhap, scenic flight to Lukla and trek to Phakding
We take you to Kathmandu domestic airport to make you fly to Lukla from Kathmandu at early morning with packed breakfast or take breakfast in Lukla and Trek (4hrs) to Phakding (2652m) where you get teahouse or lodge accommodation in full board basis.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m and trek to Phakding 2,640 m - 04 hrs.
We’ll board a flight to Lukla (2810m). You will be able to enjoy the beauty of splendid hills, rivers and mountains during the 30 minute flight. On reaching Lukla airport, you’ll be introduced to your porter, and served a wholesome breakfast. After that, we will head north to Phakding (2620m). It is an easy 3 hour hike through the Dudhkoshi valley. We will head north from the airstrip to Chheplung (2700m) and cross the crystal clear Thadokoshi on a locally built suspension bridge. Past the bridge, you can witness KusamKanggru (6367m), which is one of the toughest mountains to conquer. Away from the ThadoKoshi, the trail continues towards the Ghat (2590m) and we will cross a ridge marked with painted Mani stones. We will reach the beautiful tribal village of Phakding where you will stay overnight.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 05 hrs.
Morning on the pleasant path walking into pines and rhododendron tree lines with views of the snow-capped peak, the walk follows upstream crossing over bridges to enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo.
Sagarmatha Park listed in world heritage sites, the trail follows to a high bridge and climb to Namche Bazaar, a colorful large village, nearly a size of a town with many good houses serving as hotels and lodge.
At Namche Bazaar facilities of ATM, Banks, post office, Cyber Café, Trekking / Climbing shops with stores and café, bakeries, restaurants facing views of Kwangde peaks towards the south.
Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion.
Namche Bazaar an ideal spot for rest day and acclimatization at 3,440 meters high before heading higher elevation. The morning after breakfast take a short walk to the top of Namche at Park headquarter area with a museum full of information regarding the Khumbu / Everest area of Sherpa religions, culture, history, mountaineering to flora and flora.
High hill of Namche offers stunning views of Amadablam, Tharmarserku, Kantega, Kwangde, Khumbila with Mt. Everest and Lhotse towards North, after an impressive morning head back to lodge for lunch with afternoon free to relax and catch up with the dairy and browse around the street of Namche, where once a week Saturday market/bazaar takes place.
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche 3,867 m - 05hrs.
Our route for today to Tengboche weaves in and out of side valleys, making small ups and downs, to the picturesque tea shops of Kenjoma, and joins the trail from Khumjung just before a collection of Mani stones. The views of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent from this part of the trek. We pass the small settlement of Sanasa from where the trail drops towards Phunkithanga (3250m). From here the trail climbs steeply through pine forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3870m. The view from here is rightly deemed to be one of the world’s most magnificent sceneries. Kwangde (6187m), Tawachee (6542m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8501m), Amadablam, Kantega and Thamserku provide an inspiring panorama as the Himalayan giants. We will spend the night in Tengboche.
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,260 m - 05hrs.
We descend through a beautiful forest then cross the Imja Khola and trek through the village of Pangboche. The route continues through summer pastures to Dingboche. We will spend the night at Dingboche. It is a very relaxing village with lots of mountain views. This is very easy hike which will take about 3 to 4 hours.
Day 08: Rest day at Dingboche for acclimatization and excursion.
A pleasant rest day at Dingboche for acclimatization so that all can enjoy walks to reach base camp safe and sound; from here altitude gains rapidly.
Dingboche offers views of Amadablam North Face with Island / Imjatse Peak, includes Nuptse and Lhotse mountains, a short high climb to a high ridge provides views of the world’s 5th highest Mt. Makalu and Amphu Lapcha peaks.
Day 09: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche 5018m -5hrs.
You begin your trek Dingboche toward Lobuche (5018m) after having breakfast, on the way lunch, which takes about 4-5 hours where you get teahouse or lodge accommodation in full board basis.
Day 09: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep Trek 5200m -4hrs.
Today’s trek is begin from Lobuche after having breakfast, Lunch at Gorakshep, lodge/teahouse check-in and trek up to Everest Base Camp(5200m) and back for overnight accommodation in full board at a teahouse/lodge at Gorakshep (5170m). The total trekking time is about 6 hours.
Day 10: Explore Kala Patthar; fly down to Lukla and then to Kathmandu
Early in the morning, your guide will wake you up keeping approximatley 2 hours spare time before sunrise. A walk from Gorekshep to Kalapathar will normally take 1.5-2 hrs. SO you will need to wake up keeping the time gap in order to see the sunrise. After KAlapathar you will have breakfast at hotel. After then we will fly down to Lukla by heli and then to Kathmandu.
Day 11: Departure to your onward destination
Last day in the land of world's highest mountains and exciting cultures, as per your time for international flight depart from the hotel, where All Nepal Excursion staff and guide transfers you to the airport, with grand experience and wonderful memories on EBC Trek with return heli.
What's included
- Arrival and departure to international airport by private vehicle
- 3 star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- 1 day Kathmandu full day sightseeing by private vehicle.
- Kathmandu-Manthali-Kathmandu transportation by shared jeep transportation.
- 2 way flight(Ramechhap-Lukla-Ramechhap) for guide and clients
- Three Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
- Clean tea-house/lodge accommodation during the trek.
- Government license holder English speaking Guide and his food, accommodations, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine and transportation.
- 1 Porter for 2 members (2:1 ratio) his food, accommodations, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine and transportation.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit fee.
- Trekker’s information management system (TIMS) card fee.
- Travel & Rescue arrangements.
- First Aid Kit.
What's not included
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, sweets, snacks, tips, etc.,
- All beverages and bar bills.
- Travel Insurance (Essential - Should include emergency evacuation coverage while trekking up to 5545 meters).
- Personal trekking equipment except stated above.
- Donations
- Any loss arising due to unforeseen circumstances that is beyond All Nepal Excursion control.
- Tips for guide and supporting staffs.
- Do regular flights from Kathmandu to Lukla fly from Kathmandu?
Due to an increase in the number of trekkers and climbers in the Everest region, the number of Lukla flights have increased. This has increased traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Thus, flights are rerouted to decrease traffic congestion and minimize loads at TIA. So, if you are going to Everest trek, you will have to go to Manthali airport and take a flight to Lukla from there. The schedule for the Lukla flight are from 1st April to 30th May and from 1st October – 31st November every year.
- What's it like during the monsoon season?
During the monsoon season (Jun to Aug), most of Nepal experiences heavy rain for a few hours each day. It's humid, wet, and the trails in the lower regions (Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Langtang, etc) can be quite muddy. That being said, it's still a great time to visit if you don't mind the rain — you'll have the trails to yourself, the skies often clear up in the morning, and certain treks offer stone-paved trails that drain the rain and make for easy trekking. Also, certain regions, like Mustang and the upper reaches of Everest, lie in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and receive little rain.
- How much should I tip the guide and porters?
There's no fixed tipping rate for guided tours or treks in Nepal. Nevertheless, tipping is expected—if the service merits it—and it's a nice way to show your appreciation. After all, the guides and porters have ushered you and your belongings across mountain passes and have been your only lifeline (and perhaps a source of entertainment) in remote areas. Your guide and porters are also the people who will ensure you have a memorable experience.
- How can you get drinking water?
You can buy bottled drinking water in the stores or tea houses along the trail. However, the price of bottled mineral water rises as you head up the higher altitude. Alternatively, you can also buy boiled water from the tea houses at a relatively lower price.
To save money, you can also carry a purification tablet or reusable bottle with built-in filtration so that the water from local taps can be filled and filtered for drinking.
- Does a trekking guide carry first aid? Do you need to bring some medicine?
Yes, most of the professional trekking guides assigned by the travel agencies carry first aid so that you won’t have to. Also, they are trained in the first aid response in case of emergency. For an independent trek, you need to make sure of this before you hire a guide. Additionally, you can carry only the medicines prescribed by your doctor.
- Is internet access available while trekking?
Internet connection is available in most of the trekking regions in Nepal. As you go to the higher altitude the connectivity will be erratic. WI fi is accessible in some of the tea houses in popular trekking routes. The teahouse/lodge will charge about USD 2-2.5 for a day usage but the connectivity can be uncertain. The popular trekking trail in the Everest region has Everest Link ISP so the internet works throughout the trail in different tea houses and lodges.
Alternatively, you can also get prepaid SIM card internet service by buying data packages from two popular companies NCELL and NTC. You can expect 3G service in Annapurna and Everest region while using this. In the higher altitude it is tough to get cellular network.
- Do I need a trekking permit In Nepal?
Yes, the majority of the treks in Nepal require trekking permit. A common trekking permit that you require are the National Park/Conservation Area Project Permits which is applicable if your trekking trail passes through any national park or conservation area.
Restricted Area Permits are required in certain remote and rural areas near the borders that the Nepal Government highly regulates. Some areas like Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Humla, Kanchanjunga require this permit. An independent trekker cannot collect it. Hence, one should hire a registered Nepali travel agency to acquire the permit.
- What is the best season for hiking/trekking in Nepal?
The best season for trekking in Nepal is the autumn and spring seasons. The autumn season lasts from September to November, while the spring season lasts from March to May. These are the best months for trekking/hiking in Nepal. The weather is clear during these seasons with blue skies, fresh vegetation, blooming wildflowers, and ideal temperature. The views of the Himalayan range around Nepal are clear.
The winter season from December to February has temperatures dropping to -15 Degrees Celsius, so it is not suitable for higher altitude trek.
- How far will you walk every day?
The average walking distance varies according to the topography, length of the trek and altitude. For example you would cover about 12km/7.5 miles each day during the 7 days Annapurna Base Camp trek. However, for the longer treks in remote areas, the distance covered could be more. On an average you may walk for 5 to 7 hours on a trek in the Himalayas during a day.
- Can you trek alone In Nepal?
Yes, you can trek alone in Nepal except for some restricted areas where the government has made it compulsory to take a guide.
However, we don't recommend trekking alone in off seasons when there is a high chance of getting lost in the heavy snow. It is also not wise to trek alone if you are a first time trekker in Nepal.
- Is guide compulsory while trekking in Nepal?
Being with a Trekking Guide for trekking in Nepal is highly recommended for your safety (especially during emergencies) as well to get full information about the places of visit. So, it is recommended but not compulsory.
Trekking in restricted areas of Nepal like Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Humla, Kanchanjunga, Tsum Valley, Ruby Valley, Nar Phu require a guide and a registered agency to go through. An independent trekker cannot travel solo at these areas. Hence, one should hire a registered Nepali travel agency and a guide to get permit as well as to trek along.
- Is Nepal safe for solo female travelers?
Nepal is a safe country for solo female travelers as the government takes all precautions to maintain the safety & security of travelers. However, in the trekking regions you need to properly plan the trek beforehand, keep your belongings to yourself, and wear non-revealing clothes as a precaution. You can hire a good travel agency and a guide to make your trip memorable.
- What is the trekking boots option during trekking in winter?
Winter in Nepal is too cold especially if you are trekking in high altitude areas. The temperature may go below -20°C during December and January. So, it is recommended to have proper hiking boots with ankle support with gaiters and micro spikes.