Walk all the way up the Khumbu valley to the base camp beside the glacier, just as on the classic trek.
A dawn climb of about 5,550 m for the best close-up view of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse.
Fly out from Gorak Shep and see the valley you walked up, from villages to glaciers, in minutes instead of days.
The flight replaces the long descent through Pheriche, Namche and Lukla, ideal if your holiday time or knees are limited.
Market town, bakeries, monasteries, prayer walls and suspension bridges on the way up.
Views of Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse from the best-known monastery in the region.
Rest days at Namche and Dingboche keep the ascent safe even with a shorter plan.
A UNESCO World Heritage area with Himalayan wildlife, rhododendron forest and high alpine valleys.
This trek follows the standard Everest Base Camp route on the way up, with Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche as overnight stops, then replaces the long walk down with a helicopter flight from Gorak Shep. You keep the best part of the journey, the climb to Base Camp and Kala Patthar, and gain back around three days.
The ascent is not shortened by much, so the body still needs time to adapt. Two acclimatisation days are built in and you should treat them seriously. Helicopter flights depend on weather and visibility, and it is wise to allow a spare day at the end so that a delay does not cost you your international flight.
The helicopter normally flies to Lukla or directly to Kathmandu depending on the day, the weather and the operator. We confirm the exact arrangement with you before you book.
| Duration | 9 days on the trail (Kathmandu hotel nights extra) |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Fly Kathmandu to Lukla; helicopter back from Gorak Shep |
| Highest point | Kala Patthar, about 5,550 m |
| Base Camp altitude | 5,364 m |
| Distance | Roughly 60 km on foot (the descent is flown) |
| Walking per day | 3 to 7 hours; the longest day is Base Camp day |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging; the ascent is quicker than the classic trek, so fitness and acclimatisation discipline matter |
| Best seasons | March to May and September to November |
| Accommodation | Simple teahouse lodges on the trail |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups; helicopter seats are best shared by a small group |
| Permits | Sagarmatha National Park and local municipality permits are arranged by us |
After an early mountain flight from Kathmandu, start walking along the Dudh Koshi river through small villages. A short, easy first day.
Walking: 2.5 to 4 hoursCross suspension bridges, enter Sagarmatha National Park near Monjo and climb the long steady hill to Namche Bazaar.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursHike to the Everest View area at about 3,880 m or visit Khumjung, then rest. On Saturdays the weekly market is a highlight.
Walking: 2 to 4 hours, optionalA scenic trail with views of Ama Dablam, down to the river and then up to the monastery at Tengboche.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursPass through Pangboche and out of the trees into the high alpine valley, with Ama Dablam and Lhotse in view.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursClimb the ridge behind the village for a view over the valley, then come back to rest at lower height.
Walking: 3 to 5 hours, optionalFollow the glacier valley past the Thukla memorial chortens to Lobuche. The air is thin and the nights are cold.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursWalk over rocky moraine to Gorak Shep, then on to Base Camp beside the Khumbu Glacier, and return to Gorak Shep for the night.
Walking: 6 to 8 hoursA pre-dawn climb for the sunrise over Everest, then return to Gorak Shep for breakfast and board the helicopter. The flight over the valley takes only a short time, and the journey continues to Kathmandu on the same day or the next, depending on weather and route.
Walking: 3 to 4 hours, plus flightHelicopter and Lukla flights depend on weather and can be delayed. Please keep at least one spare day before your international flight. Day counts here start at Lukla; Kathmandu arrival and departure nights are not included in the 9 days.
It saves about three days of walking down the same route, which suits travellers with limited time or tired knees. You still earn Base Camp and Kala Patthar on foot.
It leaves from Gorak Shep, close to Base Camp. Depending on the day, weather and operator it flies to Lukla or directly to Kathmandu. We confirm the plan with you before booking.
Yes. Mountain weather changes fast, and flights can be delayed or cancelled. Keep a spare day in your schedule, and make sure your insurance covers helicopter use and delays. If the helicopter cannot fly, the fallback is to walk down.
Only the return is easier. The ascent is faster than the 14-day trek, so altitude is just as serious. Do not skip the acclimatisation days and tell your guide about any symptoms.
You should be comfortable walking 4 to 7 hours a day for several days. Hiking, stair climbing and cardio training for two months before travel makes a big difference.
Yes. Your policy should cover trekking to at least 6,000 m, medical treatment and helicopter evacuation. Send us the policy details before you arrive.
It is usually shared by a small group of trekkers to reduce the cost per person. Ask us about a private flight if you prefer one.
The price includes Kathmandu airport pick-up and drop-off, the flight to Lukla, the helicopter seat back from Gorak Shep, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided Kathmandu tour, welcome and farewell dinners, a licensed guide, one porter for every two trekkers, permits, taxes, and teahouses and meals on the trail. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Visa, international flights, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses are extra.
Simple twin rooms with blankets and shared toilets. Hot showers and charging cost extra and get more expensive with altitude. Meals are rice, noodles, soups, eggs and dal bhat.
Nights above 4,000 m often fall well below freezing. Bring a down jacket, thermal layers, gloves, hat and a sleeping bag rated to about minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details, and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
No reviews have been published for this trek yet. Have you trekked with us? Share your experience below.
Fill in your details, and we will confirm availability. A 20% deposit secures your booking. Prices are per person and the final price is confirmed by us.
