10 Day Everest Base Camp Trek with Chopper Return

Transfer to the domestic airport to connect to a 30-minutes flight to Lukla (2800 meter), the gateway to the Everest Region. The trek begins with a gentle hike up by the river side, along excellent paved footpaths, passing a multitude of teahouses and scattered green conifers.

Phakding at 2610 meter, is a pretty village comprising approximately 30-40 houses. It is roughly a 3-hour walk from Lukla and is located at both sides of Dudh Koshi River.

We will spend the night at Phakding, preparing for a tougher hiking day tomorrow.

The day will begin with a hike up to Monjo, another beautiful Sherpa settlement of the trek. This is also the point at which you will officially enter into the Sagarmatha National Park (the Everest Park) where you will have to show your permits (SNP entry permit and TIMS card) at the office in Monjo.

The walk to Namche Bazaar involves a tough uphill climb of about 590 meter, taking approximately 2.30 - 3 hours, however, halfway up the hill you will be able to see Everest and Lhotse for the first time.

As you approach the town of Namche Bazaar, the peaks of Thamserku (6648 meter) and Kwangde (6224 meter) are visible to the East, and to the West the sacred mountain Khumbila (5707 meter) is within sight.

Being the capital of the Solu Khumbu region (aka Everest region), Namche Bazaar, at an altitude of 3440 meter, is famous for its many bakeries and local market (Haat Bazzar) which takes place each Saturday. Built on a steep mountain bowl with excellent views of high Himalaya on either side, the town has restaurants, shops, banks and currency exchange.

Today we will stay another night in Namche Bazar to better acclimatise. We recommend hiking to high altitudes on this day as it will help your body acclimatise better

There are a few hiking options here: (1) trek to Khumjung where you can visit the local school and hospital or (2) trek to Thame village or (3) to the airstrip at Shyanboche (3720 meter), above which you can visit the Everest View Hotel, a perfect location to take a break and order a coffee or tea. This is also the point at which we will start hiking back to Namche Bazar again.

The day begins with a little climb up about 10-minutes and descend back to the Dudh Koshi at 3550 meter before ascending to Tyangboche at 3870 meter. The views of Everest, Thamserku, Ama Dablam and the valley are mind-blowing.

At an altitude of 3870 meters, Tyangboche is a charming spot built around the main Tibetan monastery in the region where you can enter and listen to the monks chanting their mantras. The view of Lhotse, Everest and Amadablam are unforgettable. We will stay overnight at Tyangboche.

Your journey will pass through wooden forest and along the Imja Khola valley. The views will become more impressive as the high himalaya begins to surround you.

You will gradually trek up to Pangboche, an interesting Gompa site above the main village. This is the oldest monastery in the region and also symbolises the introduction of Buddhism to the Solu Khumbu region. You will then climb up to Dingboche at 4360 meters.

The views of Ama Dablam and Island Peak are breathtaking here. We will stay at Dingboche over night.

Today, we will have another day of acclimatization, while we again recommend that you do a small hike to acclimatise better.

One option is to hike up to Chhukung (4750 meter) which offers magnificent views of the Mt. Makalu (8463 meter), Island Peak (6160 meter), Peak 38 and several other himalayan peaks. An alternative hike is up to Nangkartshang Peak (5083 meter) that offer magnificent views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Thamserku, and Mt. Khangtega.

The valley now becomes barren of vegetation as you walk up towards Lobuche (4950 meter), but your attention will be firmly on the snow-capped peaks, which soar above you.

The Everest trail joins the trail from Gokyo below Thugla and gives beautiful views of Mt. Cholatse (6442 meter) across the valley. The path can become quite rocky in some places so it is important to watch your step.

After another steep ascent, Mt. Tawache and Mt. Nuptse are particularly spectacular form the village of Lobuche, towering almost 2 kilometers directly overhead.

Today, the walk towards Everest is along the Khumbu Glacier. You will reach the small village of Gorakhshep, where you will be able to have lunch. Gorakshep is the last settlement before Everest Base Camp.

After having your lunch the trail will lead you to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5400 meter. Everest base camp gives you an unforgettable view of Mt. Khubutse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Changtse and the Khumbu Ice Fall. Everest is not very visible from here, but you will get amazing view of Mt. Everest tomorrow morning, when hiking up Kala Patthar.

We wake up early in the morning to increase our chance of clearly seeing Mt. Everest. The ascent of Kalapatthar or 'Black Rock' will offer the best views of Everest!

Once at the top, you will get a 360-degree view of some of the highest peaks in the world including Mt. Pumori (7169 meter), Mt. Everest (8848 meter) and Lhotse (8516 meter), the Tibetan peak Changtse, Mt. Nuptse (7861 meter) and countless other smaller peaks.

This also marks the ending point of our journey. You will now be boarding the helicopter to Lukla and seeing the Himalayas from the above.

Today, we connect regular flight to Kathmandu. A fantastic 30 hour flight awaits you, with several stunning vistas of the majestic Himalayan mountain chain.