The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek with helicopter return is the best way to experience peace in the mountains and the perfection of nature when you are on a short trip to Nepal.
With this EBC tour, you can trek on trails cutting through mountains and take a helicopter tour on your return trip.
This article shares some amazing Everest base camp treks and returns by helicopter packages with varying routes, days, and rates.
Table of contents
Price of EBC trek & helicopter return
The cost of an Everest base camp trek and helicopter return depends on many factors, especially the tour duration.
There are options for 5-day, 7-day, 10-day, or 12-day treks.
Other factors influencing the price of an Everest base camp helicopter tour:
– Company you book with
– Season (Spring and Autumn are peak seasons pushing the ticket prices up)
– Number of passengers, their ages, and whether they are a couple or a group
– Length of the Everest base camp helicopter trek (shorter tours will cost less than longer ones)
10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek & fly back by helicopter
Private 10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek & return by Helicopter tour offers you a long and memorable trek of EBC with a quick helicopter return.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Your first stop is Thamel, the capital of Nepal.
You will meet the tour operator for a small briefing about the tour at the airport and then return to your hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Lukla & trek to Phakding
Altitude: 2652 m
Duration: 3 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Early morning, drive to the domestic airport to catch the flight to Lukla.
Upon arrival to Lukla (nearly 30 minutes flight), the tour guide will introduce you to the Everest region and the trekking routes.
You will then walk uphill to reach Phakding, a beautiful village locked up in Everest.
The trail is filled with the green landscape and scenic view of Kusum Kangaru.
You will also get a chance to visit Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3440 m
Duration: 6 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
On day 3, after breakfast, you will herald on new trails and attractions.
You walk along the edge of the Dudh Koshi River and cross the Hillary suspension bridge decked with prayer flags and shawls.
Hillary suspension bridge, named after Sir Edmund Hillary, is considered the gateway to Namche bazaar.
After a while, you will cross the check post and enter Everest National Park or Sagarmatha National Park.
The trail then follows the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers and reaches Chautara.
As you walk further, you will be blown by the first glimpse of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Namche Bazaar is reached upon 2 hours of continuous walking.
On your trek, you will visit the famous Sherpa Museum, where you can see and know the culture of Nepal more closely.
Day 4: Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar, hike to Everest view hotel
Altitude: 3900 m
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Acclimatization is the key to an easy and peaceful trek.
So on day 4, you will spend a night at Namche Bazaar before moving to the tour’s next stop.
You will enjoy breathtaking views at Syngoche Marg and delicious meals at Everest View Point.
Day 5: Trek to Tengboche
Altitude: 3860 m
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
During this trek, you will pass through some stunning hamlets like Kenjoma and Sanasa and cross the Dudh Koshi bridge to reach Phunki Tenga.
All along the way, you will catch sights of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kwangde peak, which will truly amaze you!
A further walk will lead you to Tengboche, a beautiful village in the Khumbu region, where you will visit the renowned biggest Buddhist Tengboche Monastery and get a close view of Ama Dablam.
Day 6: Trek to Dingboche
Altitude: 4410 m
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
The day six trek is unusual, taking you through several Chortens, Mani walls, and small villages.
On the trail, you will pass by Imja Khola and Pangboche villages (3900 m).
The trail enters the Imja Valley and descends to the Lobuche River. After a continuous trek, Dingboche is reached.
Dingboche is another acclimatization point of the trek.
Day 7: Trek to Lobuche
Altitude: 4910 m
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
The next stop of the trek is Lobuche, a quiet and quintessential village docking a few houses.
The trail passes through Pheriche village, Duglha, Khumbu Khola Valley, Chupki Larka, etc., consisting of numerous rocks, trees, and peaks.
Day 8: Hike to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorak Shep
Altitude: 5400 m
Duration: 7 hours
Accommodation: Overnight lodge
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
This is the most important day of the Everest base camp tour.
With every step on the trail, you will find yourself closer to the magnificent Mt Everest.
The trail from Gorakshep to EBC is wide, quiet, and full of ups and downs, and the feeling that you’re just a few meters away from the destination keeps you excited throughout the journey.
When you arrive at Everest Base Camp, you breathe fresh and experience a sense of relief.
You will discover a mindblowing panoramic picturesque view of mountains like Mt. Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, and Lhotse, along with several other peaks bathed in snow from top to bottom.
After that, you walk back to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.
Day 9: Hike to Kalapathar & fly back to Kathmandu
Altitude: 5550 m
Duration: 7 hours
Accommodation: Overnight Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast + Dinner
This is the last day of your trek and probably the most exciting day of the tour.
In the morning, you will climb from Gorakshep to the pinnacle, i.e., Kalapatthar (5545 m), one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayan region.
From the Kalapatthar, you will relish a jaw-dropping 360° view of Mt. Everest, Khumbase, Pumari, Cho-Oyu, Khumbu Glacier, Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp, etc.
You then return to Gorakshep and prepare for the helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
During the heli tour, you will be again surprised to see amazing views from the top.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you enjoy a delicious dinner in the hotel.
Day 10: Trip concludes
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast
Here comes the end of your long and memorable EBC tour.
Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight as per your flight schedule towards your home.
Cost of tickets
The 10-day Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return costs US$3400 per person and allows you to book up to 15 passengers.
A minimum of 2 travelers are required for this activity.
This trek to Base Camp Everest is also available in various combinations:
12-day trekking and flying back by helicopter, which costs US$3098 per person
7-day EBC Trek with helicopter return, which costs US$3500 per person
5-day Everest Luxury Helicopter Trek, which costs US $3670 per person
Ticket inclusions
– Airport pickup and drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary
– Accommodation in Kathmandu, including breakfast, as per the itinerary
– Flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla by plane & Gorekshep to Kathmandu by heli on group sharing basis
– Accommodation during the trek at guest houses or lodges
– Breakfast (9) + Lunch (7) + Dinner (8)
– Experienced English-speaking trekking guide and necessary porters (1 Porter for two trekkers) during the trek, including their transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and insurance
– Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card fees (Please bring two passport-size photos for TIMS & Permit)
– Duffle bag, down jacket, sleeping bag, and walking pole
– Trekking map and trip achievement certificate
– All government taxes, VAT, and office service charges
– Landing and facility fees
Ticket exclusions
– Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
– Nepal entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs for faster service)
– Personal expenses like phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, hot shower, etc
– Any drink (tea/coffee, hot chocolate, boiled water, bottled water, cola, beer, etc.)
– Tips for guides and porters (Tipping is expected but not mandatory)
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable Seaplane rides over Vancouver.
A minimum of two and a maximum of fifteen passengers are required on these tours, failing which, it will be canceled.
A valid photo ID is required.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.
No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.
Helicopter tours require good weather.
If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.