Everyone dreams of witnessing the mighty Mt. Everest, and every year, thousands of trekkers from across the world are excited about the Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter return, from which one can enjoy the majestic view of the mighty Mt. Everest and other lofty mountains.
The classic Everest Base Camp Trek is a lengthy Trip that takes about 13 to 15 days and involves round-trip hiking of the trails covering a distance of 130 km. If you are time-bound and still want to make it to the base camp of the mighty Mt.Everest, unlock the ultimate adventure with EBC Hike and Helicopter Return packages, which are perfect for you.
The adventure from Gorakshep to Kathmandu is the best trek for the adventurous seeker unable to do the classic 13 to 15-day trek to Everest Base Camp due to being time-bound. This EBC trek with Helicopter return offers a close-up view of mighty Mt. Everest and a sense of accomplishment to hike up to 5,545 m – Kala Patthar. The short EBC trek ride back by Helicopter escapes the trodden trekking route, letting you enjoy the thrilling 20-minute Helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Lukla and again fly back to Kathmandu, providing a bird’s eye view of Namche Bazaar and the small settlements of the Khumbu region. The classic Everest Base Camp Trek covers a distance of around 130 km, generally taking 13 to 15 days, so this short trek to Everest Base Camp Helicopter Return saves you 2 to 4 days.
Trek to Everest with Helicopter return takes you through Sherpa villages and verdant forests with cascading waterfalls, making your journey to Everest worthwhile. The short EBC trek return by helicopter itinerary traverses the same classic Everest Base Camp trails but returns via helicopter to enjoy scenic bird-eye views of the Khumbu region. Hence, if you have limited time and want to trek to Everest Base Camp, it is the perfect trek package.
Everest Base Camp Trek and fly back by helicopter offers a majestic view of pristine blue skies with eagles and birds flying high. You will see animals like Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer, and yaks grazing on the high mountain slopes. The 11-day short Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return itinerary includes 2 days of acclimatization, helping you to adapt to the increasing altitude and lessen the chance of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You get to explore the surrounding places and interact with the locals during acclimatization in Namche and Dingboche. You can visit the Khumbu Glaciers, explore the valleys, and witness the mesmerizing panoramic vistas of the highest peaks in the world. The most fascinating feature about this trek is that you will walk on the same path, leading you to the top of the world!
The trip begins with a flight from Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest Region, and you hike towards Phakding. On another day, you will cross verdant forests, farming fields, and swaying bridges decorated with prayer flags and reach Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa Capital of Nepal. You will witness breathtaking vistas of snow-capped mountains like Thamserku, Kongde Ri, Kusum Khangaru, Khongeta, and many more astonishing peaks. You will hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) to acclimatize to the increasing altitude. The short 11-day EBC Trek itinerary takes you through Sherpa villages like Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. You will reach the foot of Base Camp at an altitude of 5,364 m. You will experience a close-up view of Mt.Everest from the webcam in Kala Patthar, located at an altitude of 5,545 m. The highest altitude you can hike without a climbing permit is Kala Patthar (5,545 m). You will have an awe-inspiring experience witnessing the spectacular view of Nuptse, Changtse, and a glimpse of Lhotse from Kala Patthar.
On the way back, you will escape the normal, classic Everest trails, saving you 2 to 4 days. You will experience a thrilling helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Kathmandu, enjoying the aerial view of the Khumbu region and its villages. The Helicopter ride rewards you with an astonishing aerial view of Mt.Everest, Nuptse, Amadablam, Lhotse, Changtse, Pumori, and Nuptse II. What an awesome way to end the Everest Base Camp Trek, isn’t it?
Nepal Adventure Team, a well-established trekking agency in Nepal, offers you this short Everest Base Camp Trek with a Helicopter returning from Gorakshep to Kathmandu in 2025/2026. This short 11-day Everest Base Camp Trek accommodates all the wonders and surprises of the classic Everest Base Camp Trek, so you can have the best out of a trip even if you have a short time.
Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return Packages costs are flexible to customize the packages as per your choices and needs. We provide discounted fares for large groups. We have affordable prices for early birds for 2025/2026.
Join us, and you will have the best-organized and wonderful trek to Mount Everest.
Why Book the EBC Helicopter Return Trek with the Nepal Adventure Team?
- We are available 24/7 on multi-communication channels (WhatsApp, Email, Facebook, ZOOM Meeting, WeChat, Viber, Line, and Instagram).
- We provide a secure online payment system. Book Now
- We have an easy booking and reservation procedure.
- We provide professional and experienced guides assisted by fully insured porters.
- We offer free excess luggage storage at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
- We provide waterproof duffel bags for luggage safety.
- We provide an appreciation letter and a free company T-shirt.
- Our Managing Director will present an online trip briefing.
- We have 100% fixed departures and special group fares.
- We are available for an Affiliated Business with us.
- 10% of the company’s profit is contributed to Corporate Social Responsibility.
Important Notes
- Sometimes, due to weather and Helicopter schedules, there could be delays or cancellations of Helicopter rides. Don’t worry; we will make it available.
- A valid passport photocopy is required to book a domestic flight to Lukla and back to Kathmandu.
- Intake of meals rich in carbohydrates and a balanced diet.
- Minimize the use of single-use plastic during the trekking period, as it might hamper the fragile ecosystem of Mountain regions.
- Always ask permission from people for their photos.
- Respect the Sherpa culture and their traditional way of living.
- Always stand on the hillside, not on the riverside, whenever your path crosses with yaks.
- An extra $1 to $3 is required for battery charging and $3 to $5 for hot showers. It varies with different locations.
- Travel insurance is a must for your safety on the trek, as misfortune can’t be predicted.
- A maximum of 20 kg is carried by porters, so pack your bag with essential goods and gear.
- The baggage allowance service provided by airlines is 15 kg per person. Need to pay an extra amount for the excess baggage if you have any.
- Everest Base Camp Helicopter Return Trek costs include breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek. Only breakfast will be provided in Kathmandu.
- Have to pay personally for any kind of hot and cold beverages during the trek.
- Highly recommend bringing extra cash with you for personal expenses, as the ATMs aren’t reliable.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated on the trekking trails.
- Always maintain a slow and steady walk with short breaks to adapt to the increasing altitude.
- Carry sunglasses, sunscreen, and a down jacket in your day bag.
Route to Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Return Trek starts with an early morning 30-minute thrilling flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla, where you will meet our porters for the trek. Lukla is the starting and ending point of many Everest treks. Shortly after breakfast, your hike towards Phakding commences as you pass Sherpa villages with views of Kongde and Kusum-Khanguru in the backdrop.
The next day, you will head towards Namche, the main trading center of the Khumbu region. On the way, you will swing in the popular long suspension bridge known as Hillary Bridge and cross tall rhododendrons and pines in the uphill forest, reaching Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu region. You will be staying in Namche the other day for acclimatization and a hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m).
On the fourth day, the EBC Helicopter Return Trek itinerary traverses you through the uphill forest leading to Tengboche. You will be astonished by the impressive monasteries surrounded by breathtaking views of Amadablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other mountains.
Your next day camp will be Dingboche, a Sherpa village in the Chukhung Valley above the treeline. You will stay one more day and hike to Nagartsang for breathtaking views of Lhotse, Nuptse, and the North face of Amadablam to acclimatize to the increasing altitude.
You will hike towards Lobuche, climbing the steep uphill known as Thugla Pass, where you can observe the memorials of climbers who lost their lives in the mountains. Lobuche offers great views of Nuptse and Lobuche peaks.
The trekking trails take you to Gorakshep from Lobuche after a few hours’ walk over the moraine of rocky dunes. You will further hike towards Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) with a close-up view of Lhotse, Nuptse, the Khumbu glacier, and the falls.
On the last day, you will have an early morning hike to the highest altitude of the trek – Kala Patthar at an altitude of 5,545 m. You will witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mt. Everest with panoramic vistas of other lofty mountains in the backdrop. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for every trekker who has been to the Everest Base Camp Trek.
You will descend to Gorakshep for breakfast and fly back to Lukla and Kathmandu to enjoy the aerial view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Khumbu glacier, Sherpa villages, and the rich verdant forests of Sagarmatha National Park.
Best Time to Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
You might be confused about when to go for the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return to experience the wonders of the Everest region and have the best trip in a short period.
For trekking in the High Himalayas, the best times are spring and autumn, which offer great visibility with stable and clear weather. Winter and Monsoon are low seasons, as the weather will be quite challenging with rain and snow showers.
Spring Season (March to May)
The season of newness is when the flowers and nature start to blossom. It’s the perfect time to embark on the journey to Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return. The weather will be stable and the sky is clear, providing the best visibility of Mighty Mt. Everest and other lofty mountains.
The temperature will be moderate, from 16 degrees to 23 degrees, at a high altitude during this time. You can experience the fresh greenery of nature and crystal clear blue skies with lofty mountains in the backdrop. Wow, what breathtaking vistas!
You will meet many other fellow trekkers on the way to Everest Base Camp (5364 m), as it is also the busiest season of the year; however, less crowded than the autumn season. April is a better month than the other months of the spring season.
It is the season of climbing Mighty Mt. Everest, so the trails get crowded with porters carrying expedition goods. Everest Base Camp will be decorated with many different colors of tents where climbers can acclimatize for the summit push to Mighty Mt.Everest.
Autumn (September to November)
The months of September, October, and November fall in the autumn season. It is the post-monsoon season with clear blue skies, green nature, and clear visibility of the surrounding mountains.
The weather will be stable, warm, and pleasant, with excellent daylight attracting thousands of trekkers from all over the world. It is the busiest season of the year as the trails and tea houses will be full of trekkers.
The beginning of the season until mid-September will be rainy due to the monsoon aftermath. It is the perfect time for the Everest Base Camp Trek with a Helicopter Return from the mid-September autumn season.
It is the best month of the autumn season. The greatest festival of Nepalese Dashain and Tihar falls this month. The whole country will be in a festive mood. You will have an enriching cultural experience along with a great trekking experience.
Monsoon (June to July)
It's that time of year that experiences heavy rainfall in Nepal. The months of June, July, and August experience rainfall mostly in the morning and at night. The days will be cloudy, hiding the mountains behind them. However, the view after the rainfall will be heaven to the eye.
The trekking trails will be muddy and slippery, so it’s quite challenging to walk. You need to be cautious when walking. The leeches and mosquitoes will cause problems, too. There is a high chance of landslides and avalanches during the trek.
The weather won’t be stable and clear, causing poor visibility and rainfall. So, helicopter operation is also risky and challenging during this season.
Winter (December to February)
The cold season begins in December and ends in February. The weather will be dry and cold, with snowfall at higher elevations. Temperatures will be at freezing levels at night at higher altitudes, like the Everest region.
The weather will be challenging due to the bitter cold and snowfall. So there will be less number of trekkers on the trekking trails. You can have a serene and peaceful trekking experience if you trek during winter.
However, the operation of helicopters is risky as there is a high risk of snowfall in the high Himalayas.
Can We Take a Helicopter to and Return from Everest Base Camp?
The 11-day Short Everest Base Camp with Helicopter Return starts with an exhilarating flight to Lukla –the Gateway to Everest. Then, you will hike through Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. You can hike to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar to view the awe-inspiring vistas of Mighty Mt.Everest and other lofty mountains.
You will follow the same classical trekking routes to Everest Base Camp. However, you won’t fly out from Everest Base Camp. On the last day after the morning hike to Kala Patthar, you will descend to Gorakshep, have your breakfast then you will be flying out from Gorakshep to Kathmandu, enjoying the bird’s eye view of the High Mountains, glaciers, Sherpa Settlements, hanging bridges, and lush forests of the Khumbu region.
You can’t fly directly from Everest Base Camp as it is located at an altitude of 5,364 m, and because of the difficult terrain conditions, the helicopter can’t be operated. Only in emergency cases and during the climbing season can the helicopter be operated. You will fly from Gorakshep to Kathmandu, escaping the trodden trekking trails down to Lukla.
Why Everest Base Camp with Helicopter Return Trek?
Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is ideal for trekkers dreaming of hiking to Everest Base Camp for a shorter duration. The Classic Trek to base camp is usually about 13 to 15 days. It is a round trek covering a distance of 130 km.
Trek to Everest base camp with Helicopter Return is shorter, offering more adventure than the traditional EBC Trek. You can enjoy the majestic close-up view of Mighty Mt.Everest from Kala Patthar. However, descend to Kathmandu by helicopter ride from Gorakshep, escaping the trodden trekking trails to Lukla. Please avoid 2 to 3 days of strenuous descent to Lukla; hence, you will have a less strenuous trekking experience than other trekkers.
The Helicopter ride saves you time and energy, providing you bird’s eye view of Mighty Mt. Everest with other high mountains and the Khumbu region. Your trek to Everest Base Camp will be comfortable and less physically demanding as you fly from Gorakshep to Kathmandu. The EBC Trek with Helicopter Return Cost accommodates trekking, Classical EBC trails, and thrilling helicopter rides. You can enjoy the experience of both trekking in and flying out of the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return Packages. Your trek to Everest Base Camp will be unique and different from others, am I right?
How Difficult is the Everest Base Camp with Helicopter Return Trek?
EBC Hiking is physically demanding as it requires you to hike for 5 to 7 hours every day in the Himalayan terrain. However, if you start preparing before the start of the trek, then it won’t be that hard.
You should prepare by performing activities such as exercises, cycling, and multiple-day hiking, carrying a certain weight backpack, as you will carry your day bag by yourself. Mentally, you should make yourself strong so that you can make it to the Everest Base Camp and enjoy the close-up view from Kala Patthar, the highest altitude of the EBC Trek – 5,545 m.
Here, the main problem is Altitude Sickness. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is an illness caused by a low level of oxygen in your blood as you ascend higher; as the oxygen level goes down, you might be vulnerable to Altitude Sickness. You can avoid altitude sickness by following these preventive measures:
- Maintain a slow and steady pace of walking with frequent small breaks.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated along the trekking trails.
- A balanced diet should be consumed.
- Avoid the intake of alcohol, cigarettes, and junk foods.
- Proper acclimatization is the most effective remedy for AMS.
How Many Nights Do We Stay in the Mountains During the EBC with Helicopter Return Trek?
Everest Base Camp with Helicopter Return Trek is an 11-day package. Your first day will be arriving in Kathmandu, and flying to Lukla on the second day. Then you trek gradually towards the final destination, Everest Base Camp, passing through the Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche – a Trade Hub of the Khumbu region, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep, respectively. On the tenth day, you will fly back directly to Kathmandu.
So, the total number of nights you will stay in the mountains is 9. You will be staying in Kathmandu for two nights. That is the arrival day and the day before the departure to your home country. On the 11th day, you will be back home, missing the mountains and Nepal.
You will have the best accommodations with two beds along with a good quality mattress, warm blanket, and soft pillow, so that you can have quality sleep and good nights in the high Himalayas of Nepal.
Highlights
- Everest Base Camp trek and return by helicopter promises you a height of 5,364 m, the foot of the highest mountain in the world – Mt.Everest.
- Trek in and fly out experience, especially for trekkers with a time bound.
- Experience the wild flora and fauna of the highest National Park in the world – Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Exploration of the ancient Thyanboche Buddhist Monastery, a major landmark in the Everest region.
- Reach the top of the webcam of Mt. Everest, Kala Patthar is located at an altitude of 5,545 m.
- Immerse yourself in the Sherpa culture and their unique lifestyle in beautiful Sherpa settlements and museums.
- Enjoy a thrilling helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Lukla, enjoying the bird’s eye view of the Khumbu region - Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar.