Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Helicopter Trek - 8 days

Our airport representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After a brief rest attend a pre-trek briefing. Meet your trek leader and other people who will be trekking with you. Your trek leader will apprise you about the condition of the trail, how each day of the trek is going to be like and the basic dos and don’ts. If you have any questions you can ask your trek leader. Check your gear for the final time.  If you have forgotten any item, you can buy or hire it from any of the shops selling trekking gear. You won’t have to go far as you will find such stores lining the streets of Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Take a guided tour of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city. After breakfast you get on a private vehicle with your guide and head to Boudhanath. Located towards the north-eastern part  of the city, Boudhanth is an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the biggest stupa in Nepal and according to local legend the remains of Kasyapa Buddha (an incarnation of Lord Buddha) lies beneath the stupa. Boudhanath consists of a huge white dome placed on a representation of a giant mandala. On the top is a gilded square topped by a tapering tower. The four sides of the square ,painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, looks out in the four cardinal directions.

Also visit Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest and the most important Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in Nepal. The Hindu cremation site of Arya Ghat lies next to the temple, on the banks of the Bagmati River. From the eastern side of the river one can see the last rites being performed by the relatives of the dead as the corpses are lit on the funeral pyres. One can’t help but ponder on the transitory nature of human existence while watching such scenes.

Your last stop is Patan. A medieval kingdom of the Malla kings Patan is also known as Lalitpur or the ‘City of Artisans’. Make your way to Patan Dubar Square and discover exquisite creations crafted on stone, wood and metal by the medieval artisans. Explore Krishna Temple, Patan Palace Museum, Kumbeshwar Temple, Golden Temple (Hiranyavarna Mahavihar), Mahabouddha Temple etc. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Catch an early flight to Lukla and fly east. From the window of your plane get a glimpse of undulating chain of mountains stretching as far as the eyes can see. As the plane approaches Lukla you get to see the real giants, the eight thousanders. Brace yourself for an exciting touch down at the narrow runway. After landing at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport meet other members of the crew. Sort and pack your belongings and get going. Make your way through the bustling Lukla Bazaar and head down a trail that leads to the Dudh Koshi River Valley.

Walk carefully as you share the trail with mule trains and porters carrying heavy loads. Walk past mani stones inscribed with sacred mantras, chortens (Buddhist shrines) and colourful prayer flags. Mountain folks believe that these protect the travelers from harm. Cross a metal suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River to arrive at Phakding. This is a charming settlement filled with traditional cottages and teahouses. Head to a teahouse and after a brief rest explore the village. Down the village, the milky white river of Dudh Koshi flows downstream. Surrounded by green hills and forests this is a scenic spot, an ideal place to take pictures. Afterwards get back to the teahouse, have dinner and retire for the night. Overnight in Phakding.

From Phakding trek to Namche Bazaar. Head up on an easy trail, past forests of pine and rhododendron. Make your way across pristine glacial rivers via metal suspension bridges swaying gently as people walk to and fro. The walk past the Hillary  bridge, the highest suspension bridge in Everest Region,  is an expereince to remember. You make your way through the ecologically rich Sagarmatha National Park.  A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site the park is home to Himalayan flora and fauna and some of the world’s highest peaks. The final leg of today’s trek takes you on a steep ascent all the way to Namche Bazaar. Get the first view of Mount Everest before entering Namche.  The sight of the snowy Himalayas soaring so close makes you forget your aching limbs. Namche, the largest Sherpa settlement in Khumbu Region is cut deep on the mountainside, like a bowl. The town offers a range of accommodation choices, from high end chalets to budget teahouses. Make your way to a teahouse where your guide has booked a room for you and get refreshed. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Spend an extra day at Namche Bazaar.  Coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, internet cafes, ATM booths  and souvenir shops line the lively bazaar.  You can hike up to Hotel Everest View, a popular Everest viewpoint that lies just above Namche. To reach the viewpoint you need to walk past Shyangboche, which has one of the highest airfields in the world at 3780m. From the vantage point you get close up views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Nuptse.  You can also take a walk to the Sherpa villages of Kunde and Khumjung. The settlements of Khumjung and Kunde are two of the oldest Sherpa settlements in Khumbu Himal. While Khumjung has a monastery that houses the scalp of a Yeti (the abominable snowman), Kunde’s popular landmark is the hospital established by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first mountaineer to scale Mount Everest.  After the excursion, head down to Namche again. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Pack your things and get ready. After breakfast you will be embarking on one of the most unforgettable adventures of your life. The helicopter takes off as soon as you are comfortably seated. The experienced pilot flies the chopper close to the mountains allowing you to view 7000 and 8000 metre peaks from a close range. If your trip falls during the climbing season you will see climbers scaling the snowy cliffs looking like ants. At Everest Base Camp, the frozen landscape will be filled with colourful tents. From the comfort of your helicopter watch the spectacular Khumbu glacier and Icefall. Enjoy a brief stopover at Kala Patthar(5550m) and Gokyo. The time will be enough for you to soak in the views and take pictures. Before heading to Lukla, the helicopter flies over the Gokyo Valley. The stunning Gokyo Lakes and glaciers flanked by an undulating line of the highest peaks in the world are a feast for your eyes. Enjoy this heavenly spectacle before the chopper heads down to Lukla. Prior to the final landing enjoy aerial views of Sherpa settlements and the Sagarmatha National Park. Overnight in Lukla.

Leave Lukla behind and fly to Kathmandu. From the aircraft’s window bid goodbye to the mountains under whose shadows you had walked the past few days. On reaching Kathmandu, check in to your hotel and take rest. No activities have been planned for the day. If you want to explore more of the city you can do it on your own or book a guided tour at an extra cost. Go souvenir shopping at Ason Bazaar or Thamel or visit some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a guide. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Our staff will drop you at the international airport three hours before your flight departs. Let us know if you want to extend your trip and visit more places. We run tours all over the Himalayas- Bhutan, Tibet  and India