Everest Base Camp Trek and fly back by Helicopter 12 days

About this tour

Everest Base Camp Trek takes you deep into the Khumbu Region of Nepal walking 4 to 9 hours a day surrounded by many of the world's highest mountains. This itinerary ensures proper acclimatization days and along the way you will have chance to taste local food and culture of mountain people and you will sleep in their traditional, warm tea houses run by friendly Sherpa families. We start our trip from Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour of UNESCO listed world Heritage Sites and relax for a night before flying to Lukla from where we start on leg. After making it to Everest Base Camp we will fly in a Helicopter from Gorakshep to Lukla. From Lukla we take a regular domestic flight back to Kathmandu.

Highlights

• ✓Helicopter Charter Cost from Gorakshep to Lukla
• ✓Salary, food, accommodation for guides and porters
• ✓Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast,L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• ✓Private transportaion
• ✓Accommodation as per itinerary

Itinerary

1. Stop 1

   On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, a representative from our office will greet you and take you to the hotel. Overnight Hotel in Kathmandu.

2. Stop 2

   Today after breakfast we go for sightseeing in Kathmandu. We visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old city where the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving is located. Outside is Kumari Chowk, home of the Kumari, the young girl who is revered as a living goddess. The whole area is a maze of temples and images. We also visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world and Boudnath and the most important Hindu temple in the valley, Pashupatinath. Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu Meals: Breakfast

3. Stop 3

   We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the DudhKosi. We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night. Overnight: Lodge in Phakding Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Stop 4

   From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. You then take a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, you get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market, a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. Overnight: Lodge in Namche Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Stop 5

   Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, you can do a strenuous day walk to a higher altitude, coming back down to Namche for sleep. Overnight: Lodge in Namche Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Stop 6

   After breakfast we start our trek further to Tengboche. Tengboche is famous for its celebrated monastery, the largest in the Khumbu where lots of visitors come for traditional yoga and meditations. From Tengboche we can see nice views of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse and Mount Ama dablam. Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Stop 7

   We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja River, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily the trail enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja River, A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, at 4,530m, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us. Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Stop 8

   Today we walk alongside arid terraces with awesome views of mountains on all sides. We pass through Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953 then onwards uphill to to the memorial site. After the memorial site it is an easy walk in the fairly even trail. As we continue towards our destination, the sight of Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) comes into view. Then the trail descends and curves, paving way for Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku and others to appear before us and after a short while we reach Dughla. Walking steeply up at first onto the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. Here you come across scores of memorial cairns commemorating climbers and Sherpa’s that have died on the mountains. The path then slowly climbs along the left hand side of the glacier to Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft), a large village with several tea houses. Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. Stop 9

   About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach GorakShep (5,170 meters), the site of the 1953 expedition's base camp. Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. For those visiting base camp in the spring, it is a chance to meet teams making an ascent of the mountain. Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend some time wandering through it and getting a sense of what it must be like to be camped here for two whole months, whilst attempting the mountain. Overnight: Lodge in Gorakshep Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10. Stop 10

    Very steeply up at first onto the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. Here you come across scores of memorial cairns commemorating climbers and Sherpa’s that have died on the mountains. The path then slowly climbs along the left hand side of the glacier to Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft), About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach GorakShep (5,220m/17,126ft), the site of the 1953 expedition's base camp. Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. For those visiting base camp in the spring, it is a chance to meet teams making an ascent of the mountain. Overnight: Teahouse Lodge in Gorakshep Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11. Stop 11

    Today we will make an ascent of Kala Pattar (5,545m/18,188ft). and walk back to Gorakshep. From Gorakshep you will board helicopter to Lukla. Overnight: Lodge in Lukla Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12. Stop 12

    Fly from Everest Base Camp to Lukla in a helicopter

13. Stop 13

    In the early morning you board a flight from Lukla Airport to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu AIrport you will be transferred to your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this wonderful city; shopping for souvenirs, trying out the various restaurants in Thamel or simply relaxing. You spend the last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant. Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

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