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Landmark Discovery Treks offers special trekking package named Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter return to Lukla just of 10 days. It's a combine trip of trekking and helicopter ride in the Himalayas.
In the wake of the 2015 earthquakes and in answer to an increasing demand for superior accommodation, particularly in the Mahalangur Himal region, home of the Sherpa people: numerous three-to-five-star lodges have been built by the community, to answer this need; and with more being built to satisfy the demand.
We are now happy to offer you the following itinerary which uses the finest establishments currently available. Our recommendation is that, after your arrival, you allow for two nights in Kathmandu, staying at the Yak and Yeti Hotel (or equivalent) before flying to Lukla for the 13 day trek. We also recommend at least two nights and one full day in the city after your trek to allow for unscheduled mountain flight delays out of Lukla caused by inclement weather.
A short early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla leads to the start of our luxury EBC trek. Follow trails to Sherpa villages that head, between towering peaks, towards Everest. Once above the treeline, you will be closer to the ice-giants than on any other trail.
The 10,5 trekking days are designed to minimize the risk of altitude mountain sickness (AMS) by limiting daily altitude increases: to 350m a day, above Namche. Two obligatory rest and acclimatisation days are included as the altitude rises. The first is at Namche Bazaar: explore the town and walk up to the Everest View Hotel for a great view of Everest or walk to nearby Khumjung to experience the culture, lifestyle and beliefs of the Sherpa People.
Trek to the hilltop village of Tengboche which has a vibrant Buddhist Monastery and great views. Overnight in nearby Debuche, home to a Buddhist Nunnery. Continue through Pangboche to Dingboche for the second acclimatisation day: walk up to Nangartshang Gompa for unparalleled views of the Nuptse glacier, Ama Dablam’s north face glacier and, further east, towering Makalu.
As the altitude rises, temperatures fall: forests and farmland give way to alpine scrub; then rock and ice. After a night at Lobuche, trek to the highest village at Gorak Shep for lunch. Follow the trail to the ring of peaks surrounding the upper Khumbu Glacier – and the ice falls towards the summit. Everest Base camp is laid out annually on the ice opposite the ice fall. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.
A pre-sunrise climb from your hotel, up Kala Patthar, offers glorious views that include Cho Oyu in the west, the Everest – South Col – Lhotse and Nuptse cluster and the Lower Pumori – Lingtren – Khumbutse – West Face ring that surrounds the Khumbu Glacier.
After breakfast at your hotel, a helicopter will fly you to Lukla to refuel before returning you to Kathmandu’s domestic airport. We will transfer you to your hotel. Rest of the day free.
NRS. 3000 ($30) per person
Khumbuu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality
NRS. 2000 ($ 16) Per Person
NRS. 1000 ($10) for organized trekkers
NRS. 2000 ($20) for independent trekkers
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at Yak and Yeti (or equivalent) hotel.
Sadly, many of our architectural treasures were damaged in the recent earthquakes: but these sites still have much to offer. Take a guided day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, the world’s largest stupa. (Lunch is not included.)
After breakfast, drive to the Domestic Airport for the flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region – south of Everest. Meet your local porters and begin the discovery by trekking into the Dudh Koshi Valley: to Cheplung (2 700m) and Ghat (2 530m). Another hour’s walk takes you to Phakding. Overnight in Phakding
Walk through pine forests along the Dudh Koshi, crossing tributaries, to the Sherpa villages of Benkar (2 710m), Chumoa (2 820m), Monjo (2 840m) and Jorsale (2 830m). This is the gateway and permit checkpoint to the Sagarmatha National Park. Thamserku (6 618m) glistens east of the village. Follow the river to its confluence with the Bhote Koshi at Larja Dobhan (2 740m): the major rivers draining the Khumbu District. Climb steadily, crossing the high Tenzing-Hilary Bridge, to the first glimpses of Everest and the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge. A further three-hour forested climb leads to the Sagarmatha national park’s administrative and trade centre at Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
This is the first scheduled acclimatization day. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) experts recommend at least a 24hr rest period. Keep active: climb high and sleep low is the acclimatisation advice. Only Namche offers ATMs, cyber cafés, restaurants and bakeries, plus a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday morning. The Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park Visitor’s Centre has informative displays on Sherpa culture, local flora and fauna. A walk to the village of Khumjung (3 780m) will present a more traditional view of Sherpa life than Namche. Spend a morning walking up to the village. A circular trail is possible. At very least; walk to the closer Everest View Hotel (3 880m) for superb views of the Everest cluster. A more adventurous five-hour return trek west to Thame (3 820m): below the impressive Kongde Ri Ridge (6 187m), offers panoramic Himalayan landscapes not visible from the Gokyo or Everest trails.
From the top of Namche, the trail contours around a hill to Sanasa (3 600m); and a trail fork: NW to Gokyo, NE to Everest. Look for Himalayan tahrs on high ground, shy spotted deer, and birds – including the colourful (male) national bird: the Damphe pheasant. Descend to water driven prayer wheels at Phunki Thenga (3 250m, the lowest point north of Namche). Cross the Dudh Koshi near its confluence with the Imja Khola and climb steeply for 2 hrs up the Imja Khola Valley through rhododendron and dwarf conifers to the hilltop village of Tengboche – and lunch. The village is home to an important regional monastery that is well worth visiting. At October’s full moon the monks present the colourful Mani Rimdu festival, with Tibetan Opera and masked dancing. Good, closer, views from the village include the Everest group. The overnight stop is at the nearby village of Debuche; home to a nunnery linked to Tengboche and set in Rhododendron and Juniper forests. Overnight in Deboche
After breakfast, we descend to cross the Imja Khola to the north before gradually ascending to Pangboche (3 860m) with rear views of towering Ama Dablam (6 856m). The trail follows the river to its confluence with the Lobuche Khola and continues to Dingboche: the last year-round settlement in the region. Walled terraced fields protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from icy winds and marauding animals during the short growing season at this altitude. Overnight in Dingboche.
To acclimatise; head north to the Nangartshang Gompa ridge (4 800m) for views of the Nuptse Glacier, Chhukhung Ri (4 230m, which masks Lhotse’s glaciers) and Imja Tse (6 189m). Further east, along the Mahalangur Himal Ridge, is Makalu (8 463m). Towards the south, Amphu Lapcha’s fluted ridge (5 845m) and the unusual view of Ama Dablam’s north face and glaciers dominate the view. Return to the lodge
Ascend slowly to a ridge and the hamlet of Duse (4 500m) with western views of Taboche and Cholatse. Continue through kharkas (high pastures) to Duglha (4 620m). Then ascend the Khumbu Glacier’s huge stony terminal moraine (~1 hr). Landmark balanced-stone memorials to lost climbers have been placed along its rim. To the north, border peaks along the Mahalangur Himal include Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori. Everest is hidden by the imposing Nuptse-Lhotse wall. Continue to and overnight in Lobuche at the Overnight in Lobouche.
A desolate trail along the moraine heads for the last, seasonal, village of Gorak Shep below Pumori; and the Everest Inn. After an early lunch, trek to cold EBC: positioned on the Khumbu Glacier opposite the dreaded icefall – the most nerve-wracking section of an Everest ascent. During the April-May ascent season, porters and yaks scurry in and out with supplies like an army of ants and the site is a riot of colourful tents perched on the dirty ice. Out of season it is bleak and silent, bar birds wind and avalanches. Everest and the Cwm are hidden behind the West Ridge. Walk back to the Everest Inn.
From the village, a pre-dawn climb (2-3 hrs) up Kala Patthar, offers sunrise over Everest (8 848m/29 028ft), Lhotse (8 516m), Nuptse (7 861m) and Changtse (7 550m, north of the Rongbuk Glacier). Then Pumori (7 145m), Lingtren (6 697m) and Khumbutse (6 623m) amidst countless other peaks that crowd your horizon. Cho Oyo (8 201m) can be seen further to the west. Return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast: A helicopter will fly you back to Lukla, where it will refuel, before flying you back to the domestic airport in Kathmandu. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Rest of day free.
A free day to enjoy the city at your leisure. [Or counter any weather delays that may have delayed your arrival.]
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination. NB: Cloud and turbulent weather along the mountain ranges is common and can lead to internal mountain flight delays or cancellations. We suggest you allow at least one extra day and night after your trek before flying out of Nepal.
