7 Days Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return

Experience the best of the Everest Base Camp Trek without the arduous long hiking!  This 7-day trip takes you through the lower reaches of the Everest Region with its pine forests and raging ice-cold rivers, into Sagarmatha National Park, and up to Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. 

Experience the history of the Sherpa community as well as follow the footsteps of those first famous climbers, Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay in Namche. 

Then breathe in the rarified air mixed with oil prayer lamps at Tengboche Monastery while meeting the Buddhist monks and participating in a puja (when possible). 

All this while taking in the panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains from the same location.  A wonderful helicopter ride takes you over Everest Base Camp to land at Kalapattar, with its even more wonderous views of Mt Everest before taking the helicopter back to Kathmandu.  This 7-day EBC trek is the best suitable option for those who don’t have time for 14 days Everest base camp trek

With three days of trekking, some hiking around the interesting spots of Namche, and half a day on board a helicopter, you get all the adventure of Everest base camp packed into 5 days of memories. 

Also included in this tour is accommodation the night before and the night after the trip.

Highlights of the 7-Day Everest Base Camp Trek

• Your adventure starts in the wee hours of the morning as we drive to the airport located a few hours southeast of Kathmandu. Consider it as part of your exciting voyage into the land of snow and Sherpas.
• Fly into the high-altitude airport at Lukla, named after those first adventurers, Hillary Tenzing Airport. 
• Experience the best of trekking with the knowledge there is a helicopter waiting and the end to take you home!
• Learn something about the ancient and the modern Sherpa culture.
• Stare at the beauty of the Himalayan mountains from the two best locations there is: Tengboche and Kalapattar.
• Compare the abundant flora and fauna of the lower Everest Region to the rugged landscapes above Namche. 
• Be awakened not only by the mountains but also by the spiritual atmosphere at Tengboche Monastery. 
• Stand atop Kalapattar, known as Everest viewpoint for good reason, and get a close-up view of the grand mountain itself.
• Depart straight from Everest Base Camp (Kalapatthar) back to Kathmandu by helicopter.

Permits for Everest Base Camp Trek

Regardless of the fact you are in the region for only a short period of time and are taking a helicopter back out again, you still need to buy permits.  These permits help to ensure the region remains beautiful.  But please play your part also in ensuring the beauty of the countryside and the integrity of the locals are maintained. 

There are two permits required as detailed below.  One is for the Sagarmatha National Park.  Like all the national parks in Nepal, a fee is collected from all visitors. 

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit (NPR 2,000 Per Person)
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000 Per Person)

We will purchase these permits on your behalf at the relevant checkpoints. 

A Typical Day on the Base Camp Trek

Here we would normally detail out what happens on your trek.  But your trek is not a ‘normal’ one.  So there is no ‘typical’ day as such!  Your five-day trip is different every day.   What will be the same is the high standard of guidance, reassurance and care you will receive from our guide; the high quality and range of local Sherpa cuisine and western fare; the stunning mountain views; the early starts and early to sleep, and experience of your pilot and high quality of helicopter provided. 

Important Notes for the 7-Day EBC Trek

As with all treks in the Everest Region, there are some things you need to know before you go. 

• Flights to the Everest Region now depart from Ramchhap airport in the east of the country. Ramchhap is several hours’ drive from Kathmandu, so we leave Kathmandu at 1 am to reach there for the early morning flight that is necessary in the mountains as high winds tend to occur in the afternoon.    
• It is unusual for helicopters to be delayed due to bad weather, but sometimes planes can be delayed. So we request our clients not to book their international flights home the day after arriving in Kathmandu.  Leave some days space in case of delays due to bad weather in the mountains. 
• We require a copy of your passport in order to book the domestic flight. Please send us a copy when you book your trip. 
• Porters are included in this package but please remember they are human too!  One porter can only carry 20kg.  So please pack lightly.  We will provide you with a bag/duffle bag that is easy for porters to carry.
• Airlines have a weight limit of 15kg per person.  
• Not included in the package are hot and cold drinks, alcohol, and extra food.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, however.  Also not included is the cost the lodge will charge for a hot shower and for charging your devices.  Please bring Nepali rupees with you for this.  
• As an indication as to how much money to bring: hot showers are $3 to $5 and charging your battery is $1 to $3. Beer will cost around Rs700 to Rs1,000 and cold drinks will be around Rs 400, as will café latte and americano – when available on the lower slopes. 
• A Wi-Fi card is available in Lukla or Namche Bazaar at http://everestlink.com.np/  for $25.  Data can be used over 30 days only in the Everest Region.  We cannot guarantee the Wi-Fi quality – it will depend on the weather and location. 
• If the weather does change, please follow your guide’s advice and be patient. 
• Drones are not permitted without permission.  It is extremely hard to obtain permission. 
• Remember your insurance must cover you for trekking and for trekking up to 5,000 m / 16404 ft