Discovery World Trekking
This trek is for those short in time, but who want to see Everest up close without sacrificing any highlights. The hike starts from Lukla and follows the classic Everest Base Camp trail reaching Everest Base Camp and then to Kala Patthar viewpoint. From Gorakshep, you will take a helicopter to Lukla. The helicopter ride will take you over Cho La Pass and Gokyo lakes.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek offers the best of both worlds — a classic trekking experience through the Khumbu Valley combined with a spectacular helicopter return, allowing you to save time while still achieving the full EBC adventure. This journey leads to the iconic Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), the ultimate trekking achievement, followed by an unforgettable aerial journey over glaciers, mountain passes, and rugged landscapes.
The trek begins with a scenic flight to Lukla, leading into the heart of the Khumbu region. The trail ascends steadily through Phakding and Namche Bazaar, passing suspension bridges, monasteries, and terraced landscapes. Trekking further, you reach Tengboche and Dingboche, witnessing the gradual transition from lush valleys to alpine terrain before heading toward Lobuche and Gorak Shep—the final stops before reaching Everest Base Camp.
After standing at the foot of the world’s highest peak, you hike to Kala Patthar (5,545 m), offering the most stunning sunrise views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and surrounding peaks. Instead of retracing steps through the lower trail, the journey concludes with a thrilling helicopter flight from Gorak Shep or Pheriche, offering breathtaking aerial perspectives of the very landscapes trekked—the winding valleys, glacial moraines, and towering mountain ranges seen from above in their full glory.
This 10-day adventure provides an efficient yet immersive Everest experience, blending challenging trekking, cultural exploration, and luxury helicopter travel. It makes it perfect for you if you seek adventure and convenience in the Himalayas.
We suggest you arrive in Kathmandu by 3 PM at least one day before your trek departs. This gives you time for any final preparations.
Our online briefing will answer all your questions about the trek. We'll cover what to bring (including an equipment checklist), go over the itinerary details, and explain what to expect on the trails. As soon as you book, we'll email you available dates and times for the briefing. Once we have your essential documents, we'll conduct the online trek briefing.
During peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, October, and November), flights to Lukla often leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu due to airport traffic. If this happens, you'll need to depart Kathmandu around 12:30 AM for a five-hour drive to catch your flight from Ramechhap on your trek departure date. Outside of these peak seasons, flights typically fly directly from Kathmandu.
Be aware that the weather can delay flights between Kathmandu and Lukla, so it's a good idea to add at least two extra days to your trip to avoid missing your international flight home.
Flight from Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla. Flight time: Approx 40 min from KTM/20 min from Manthali. Trek to Phakding (2,650 m). Trek time: Approx. 3 hrs.
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m). Trek time: Approx. 6 hours.
Rest and acclimatization at Namche Bazaar.
Trek from Namche to Tengboche (3,855m). Trek time: Approx. 5 hours.
Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m). Trek time: Approx. 5 hours.
Rest and acclimatization at Dingboche.
Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,930m). Trek time: Approx. 5 hours.
Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep (5,185m). Trek time: Approx. 6-8 hours.
Hike to Kala Patthar Viewpoint, return to Gorakshep and trek to Lobuche. Trek time: Approx. 2.5 hours. Fly to Lukla. Flight time: Approx. 20 minutes.
Fly back to Kathmandu/ Manthali from Lukla. Flight time: Approx. 40 min for KTM/20 min for Manthali. Drive time: Approx. 5 hrs from Manthali to KTM
If the published schedule does not suit you, we can build the trek around your dates, your pace and what you want to see.
The calendar below displays the available trek schedules. Please select the exact trek start date. Ensure your arrival day is before the trek start date and your departure day is after the trek end date.
Depending on the trekking season, you will be flying to Lukla either from Kathmandu or Manthali. If you are flying during peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), the flights to Lukla from Kathmandu might be rerouted to Manthali Airport instead. To catch a flight from Manthali to Lukla, we will pick you up at your hotel at around 12:30 am and take you on a 5-hour drive to Manthali Airport. The subsequent flight from Manthali to Lukla takes roughly 20 minutes.
You can avoid the Kathmandu-Manthali-Lukla route by booking a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla but be prepared to spend around 550 USD per person to cover the helicopter expenses, assuming five people share the helicopter costs.
Trekking in months - December, January, February, June, July, and August- means your journey to Lukla from Kathmandu remains on track. After breakfast, we'll take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for an exciting and picturesque 40-minute flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.
After arriving at Lukla, you will take a short trek to Phakding, passing Chaurikharka village. We have deliberately limited the trekking hours so that you can acclimatize. You can utilize your free hours visiting local monasteries (including Rimishung Monastery), shops, and restaurants in Phakding.
We start early morning trekking along the northern banks of the Dudh Koshi River enjoying stunning views all around. The thrilling suspension bridges often adorned with prayer flags, make this hike even more exciting. You will be passing Monjo Village before reaching Sagarmatha National Park.
We register our permit at the Sagarmatha National Park and climb a dense forest, finally catching the first views of Mount Everest. Then, we continue our journey through the woods and stone-paved ways to reach Namche Bazaar. With incredible scenery and pleasant vibes, Namche Bazaar is an amazing place to relax.
We spend another day at Namche Bazaar, to adjust to the thin air at a high altitude. However, we will not just be sitting idle. You will be exploring the alleys of Namche and hiking to Sagarmatha National Park and Khumjung (3,790m). You will also visit Hillary School and old monasteries on the way to Khumjung. If you wish, you can further hike to Khunde. You must not miss visiting Syangboche Airport (3,780m) - one of the highest airports in the world. If you want to view Mount Everest some more, you can hike to Everest View Hotel.
The trek begins gently till Phunki Village. Reaching Tengboche can be quite challenging, as we have to hike through steep uphills. As demanding as the hike might be, the majestic views of the Himalayas will make the ascent worth it. The walk uphill provides you a chance to spot musk deer, pheasant, and Himalayan tahr. As one of the most beautiful places on the trekking route, Tengboche has so many niceties to offer, especially the panoramic views of the mountains like Everest (8,848m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), and Thamserku (6,623m).
Tengboche is home to one of the largest and most famous monasteries in the Khumbu region - Tengboche Monastery. This monastery is also called the monastery on the top of the hill, and you must not miss this site. We conclude the day with the peaceful sound of the prayers and the bells and get ready for our next walk to Dingboche.
We continue our journey toward Pangboche Village (3,985m), passing by numerous stupas, mani walls, and quaint Sherpa villages along the way. This section of the trail winds through lush alpine forests that come alive with seasonal rhododendrons. As we ascend, the landscape gradually shifts—forests give way to hardy shrubs and eventually to a stark, desert-like terrain, reflecting the increasing altitude.
The most strenuous part of the day begins after crossing the Lobuche River, where a steep and demanding climb takes us to Dingboche (4,360m). Often referred to as the 'summer valley of Khumbu,' Dingboche is known for its kilometer-long stone wall, built to shield crops from harsh winds. The village rewards us with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, making the challenging ascent all the more worthwhile.
Today, we explore the areas in and around Dingboche (4,360m / 14,290ft) while acclimatizing to the thinning air. To prepare for the next ascent, we hike up the ridge above Dingboche and take in the panoramic close-up views of Mount Lhotse (8,516m / 27,940ft), the backside of Ama Dablam (6,812m / 22,349ft), and Island Peak (6,189m). As our bodies adjust to the altitude, the breathtaking scenery helps us calm our minds and stay present in the moment.
The trail to Lobuche (4,930m) is absolutely stunning, offering breathtaking mountain views throughout the journey. It begins with a short uphill climb and leads to the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier (4,900m). Along the way, you’ll pass massive slabs of rock displaced by the glacier over time. As we gain altitude, every turn reveals more intimate and dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. The path steepens before gradually leveling out as we approach Thukla. Here, we pass a poignant memorial site dedicated to climbers who lost their lives in this unforgiving region. Though the climb is demanding, the increasingly spectacular views push us forward—until, finally, we arrive at Lobuche.
After days of hiking, the day to reach the foothills of the highest mountain finally arrives. We will begin our walk to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) early in the morning, passing through many glaciers, including the famous Khumbu Glacier. Beyond Khumbu Glacier, you can see Khumbu Icefall (5,486m). We will also pass the Army Mountaineers Memorial.
However, before reaching Everest Base Camp, we will trek to Gorakshep, where we will keep our belongings. Then, we climb up to the Everest Base Camp (5,364m). As you find yourself surrounded bysnow-capped mountains all around you will be overwhelmed with joy. After immersing ourselves fully with the views from the EBC and clicking tons of pictures, we climb down to Gorakshep (5,185m) and rest for the day.
Kala Patthar Viewpoint (5,555m) is a short hike from Gorakshep. You will hike very early to Kala Patthar to view the sunrise on Mount Everest and other surrounding peaks. Kala Patthar is the highest altitude of our entire trek. After spending a good hour at Kala Patthar, you will return to Gorakshep, have breakfast, and trek for another two and a half hours to return to Lobuche. From Lobuche, you will board a helicopter to Lukla. As you skip the downhill trail, you can reach Lukla fully relaxed.
At the end of the trek, you will fly from Lukla to Manthali or Kathmandu, contingent on the ongoing trekking season. You'll likely board a Manthali-bound flight, followed by a drive to Kathmandu if your trek takes place in March, April, May, September, October, or November. In other months (December, January, February, June, July, or August), you will fly directly to Kathmandu.
You can bypass the Lukla-Manthali-Kathmandu route is feasible if you book a helicopter along with four other individuals, resulting in an additional cost of approximately 550 USD per person.
We hope your journey to Kathmandu will be a relaxing one. We are sure you will be flooded with the memories you made during this trek. Your trek ends at Kathmandu, and you can spend the remaining day as you like. Kathmandu has several world heritage sites, which we believe you must see before ending your vacation.
You have seen all 10 days.Next, choose the date you want to start.
See trip datesIf the published schedule does not suit you, we can build the trek around your dates, your pace and what you want to see.
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We recommend you bring only the basic clothing and accessories for the trek. Though different persons have different preferences, we have prepared this packing list. Porters will carry your main luggage, but your limit is 9 kg.Our porters will carry the luggage of two trekkers and no more than 18 kg. Hence, we request you partner with a fellow trekker and pack your things together in a duffle bag with a capacity of over 60 liters.
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13 steps · Everything you need to know before you book: permits, meals, costs and what each day looks like. No rush, take your time.
Your journey to the majestic Himalayas begins with a warm welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu as you will find our representative with your name on a placard. Our representative will greet you with a traditional Khada or marigold garland and transport you to your hotel in a private vehicle.
Please ensure you arrive by 3 PM at least a day before your trek departure for preparations. During peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), Lukla flights may be rerouted from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Manthali Airport due to heavy air traffic.
If this happens, your trek departure day will start with a guide picking you up from your hotel around 12:30 am for a five-hour drive to Manthali. From there, you'll take a quick 20-minute flight to Lukla.
During off-peak months (December, January, February, June, July, and August), flights to Lukla operate directly from Kathmandu. On the departure day, you'll head to Kathmandu Airport early in the morning for a 40-minute flight to Lukla.
This 10-day package includes 4 luxury lodge stays at Yeti Mountain Home in Lukla, Phakding, and Namche (2N), and 5 standard lodge stays at Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. Two nights in Kathmandu (before and after the trek) are not included, but the city offers a range of hotels to suit every budget.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter package provides three nutritious and delicious meals a day and a total of ten breakfasts, ten lunches, and nine dinners in trekking regions.You will get buffet-style meals at Yeti Mountain Home.
The menu items are traditional local, Asian, and Western cuisines, but as you go up, the menu gets shorter.
We advise you to take plenty of liquids - green, lemon, ginger tea, garlic soup (must), and fresh vegetables in trek regions.
Porters will carry up to 9 kg of luggage per trekker (18 kg per porter for two trekkers). We advise you to partner with a fellow trekker and pack your thing in a duffle bag of over sixty liters. Please bring only the essentials, you can store your excess luggage at your hotel or our store for free.
You can purchase bottled water from shops or tea houses along the trail, but we encourage you to carry a reusable water bottle and refill it with boiled or filtered water available at tea houses. This helps reduce plastic waste and protects the environment. For extra safety, we recommend using water purification methods. If needed, we can provide purification tablets—just let us know!
Wi-Fi service during your stay at Yeti Mountain Home Hotel in Lukla, Phakding, and Namche is free. At other places, Wi-Fi is available with some extra service charge. However, communication at high altitudes will be through mobile. You can buy a local SIM card in Kathmandu, but the signals may not be strong enough throughout the trail. We remain in contact with all our trek teams at least once a day via the trek lead to ensure that the hike is going as planned.
All foreigners (except Indians) need a visa to enter Nepal. You can get an arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. The visa application requires a passport with six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees. The current visa fee is US $50 for 30 days.
For the latest visa info, visit https://www.immigration.gov.np.
Travel insurance is compulsory for this Everest Base Camp trek. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation - including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 5,500 m). Before buying travel insurance, call your insurance provider, and recheck if your policy covers helicopter rescue and evacuation.
The legal currency is the Nepali Rupee (NPR). (1 USD = ~ NRS. 133) You can exchange major currencies at banks and legal money exchanges in Kathmandu. ATMs are widely available but carry transaction limits and fees. Trek regions accept NPR only, so exchange enough cash beforehand.
The package does not include personal beverages such as alcoholic drinks, caffeinated beverages, or bottled water. Additionally, it excludes the cost of stays in Kathmandu, giving you the flexibility to choose accommodations that suit your preferences. Wi-Fi and charging fees at lodges not part of the Yeti Mountain Home chain are also not covered.
Weather is a key factor when planning your trek to Everest Base Camp, as conditions vary greatly throughout the year. Here's a simplified guide to seasonal weather patterns in the high-altitude regions.
Weather in the Himalayas can change rapidly, so it's essential to be prepared for varying conditions.
Your day starts with a warm cup of tea or coffee and a hearty breakfast. After 3–4 hours of trekking, you’ll stop for lunch. The afternoon hike lasts another 2–3 hours, ending at a lodge where you can rest, explore, and enjoy dinner. Evenings are for relaxing, learning local customs, or playing games with fellow trekkers.
After your trek is completed, we’ll host a celebratory farewell dinner in Kathmandu. After dinner, we will present you with a trek achievement certificate. This is also the right time to share your feedback. If you are happy with your trek, we encourage you to leave your review on travel portals.
We’ll transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport during your departure. We hope you enjoyed your trek in Nepal and will return for more treks.
We conduct private treks only and do not add anyone to your group. We can handle all group sizes and add an assistant guide for a group of twelve or more.
Discovery World Trekking is a Nepal government-authorized and bonded trekking and touring operator, providing service for over a decade. We are members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). We require 10% of the trip cost as an advance for booking confirmation. You can pay through bank transfer, Western Union, and online payment directly from our website.
For those unable to book in advance, we have a special provision for last-minute booking. To take advantage of this provision, you must pay 100% of the trip cost 24 hours before trek departure. Even though we try our best to organize treks at any time, in the case of last-minute booking, there is a chance of trek delays due to circumstances beyond our control, like unavailability of air tickets, unfavorable weather, etc.
If the trek departure dates do not suit you, let us know. We will arrange the treks at your convenience.
If you’d like to add more adventures after your trek, we can organize exciting activities such as a Chitwan jungle safari, paragliding, or rafting.
Our guides come from the remote high Himalayas. They are experienced, government-licensed, have completed wilderness first aid training, and have rock climbing experience. We try our best to keep them happy by paying them fair wages, insurance, food, and accommodations during the trek as we believe that only a happy person can make others happy.
We believe in sustainable travel. We partner with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize eco-friendly trips that protect the environment and support local communities. We aim to leave only the footprints behind in the trek regions.
Tipping is customary in Nepal. We recommend you tip as a group at the end of the trek. The tip amount should reflect the quality of service received, the trek cost, and the length of the trip.
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Discovery World Trekking allocates a certain percentage of business profit to rural development and relief programs.
Discover Nepal’s breathtaking trails at your own pace with our exclusive private treks. No strangers, no rushed schedules—just you, your adventure, and complete flexibility.
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Trip Reviews
Explorations that last a lifetime.
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Although I rarely leave reviews on Tripadvisor despite my extensive travels, I felt compelled to share my experience this time. I had been researching extensively to find the right company or agency to book this particular tour...