Everest Trek with Pangboche, Ama Dablam BC and Heli Tour - 9 days

Transfer to hotel after arrival in Kathmandu. Our driver and guide will drop you at your hotel and help you check-in. Once you have rested, meet for a trip briefing at Third Rock Adventures' office or your hotel. If other trekkers are joining this trip, you will meet them. You will also meet your trekking guide, who will brief you about the trek.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Flights to Lukla leave in the morning. So you head to the domestic airport quite early. You board a tiny Twin Otter or Jetstream plane, which will fly you to the Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. Enjoy views of some of the highest peaks in the world and a thrilling landing.

Start your trek after reaching Lukla. Today's walk is short and easy over an up and down trail. You get to the village of Phakding after crossing the Dudh Koshi or Milky River. Head to a teahouse and have a good rest.

Overnight in Phakding.

Beyond Phakding, the trail goes up and down through pine forests, villages, and prayer flags. Soon you arrive at the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo, where you have to show your passport and the entrance ticket to the park's official.

The scenery is gorgeous at this point as lush forest, waterfalls flowing down the cliffs, prayer flags, and mani stones with Buddhist mantras and paintings surround the trail. The Dudh Koshi River roars below.

You cross the famous Hillary suspension bridge before arriving at the Sherpa town of Namche. Before entering the settlement, you get your first view of Mount Everest.

Overnight in Namche.

You spend this day exploring Namche Bazaar and hiking to Hotel Everest View, a popular viewpoint.

Make your way out of Namche and climb a stone staircase leading to Shyangboche. Hotel Everest View lies a little further from Shyangboche. The hotel, one of the highest hotels in the world, offers jaw-dropping views of Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Thamserku, and the Imja valley. 

You return to Namche via the same path. Namche Bazaar is a trading center for the Sherpas living in the Khumbu Region. You can find almost anything you want to buy in the mountains, from shops selling trekking gear to cafes and bakeries with a delectable array of pies and pastries. There's a small museum showcasing traditional Sherpa culture and lifestyle, which you will visit.

Overnight in Namche.

Leaving Namche, you walk on the classic EBC trail. The views continue to amaze and inspire. After walking for a couple of hours, you leave the popular EBC trail and take the path leading to Tashinga. The sleepy village has a few old deserted stone houses and new teahouses.

Overnight in Tashinga.

You make your way to Pangboche via Tengboche. You make a quick descent to Phunki Tenga and take an upward trail. The trail leading up is covered by a dense forest of pine, birch, and rhododendron.

Explore the beautiful settlement of Tengboche before proceeding to Pangboche. Tengboche is named after the Tengboche Gompa, a landmark of the Sherpa settlement. It is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Khumbu.

You can enter the monastery and send a prayer to the mountain gods. Later follow the trail to Pangboche, the highest permanent settlement in Khumbu. Unlike the villagers living in the higher elevations who migrate to the lower reaches during the winter season, most inhabitants of Pangboche choose to live in their village the whole year-round.

Overnight in Pangboche.

Today you can either explore the village or opt for a hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp. The views from the base camp are gorgeous and jaw-dropping. You can enjoy close-up views of Ama Dablam and visit the camp of expedition groups who are on a quest to climb the mountain (only if it's climbing season!).

You start early and head out of the village, crossing the Imja Drangka River. The trail is pretty straightforward – some easy inclines and flat ground. It's a gradual climb with an elevation gain of about six to seven hundred meters.

 En route, you can view Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and the trail you took the previous day. Thamserku, Kongde Ri, Numbur Himal, Nuptse, Lhotse, and the mighty Everest look alluring. It takes about 3 hours or less to reach the base camp.  You return to Pangboche via the same route.

Overnight in Pangboche.

After breakfast, you board a helicopter and leave Pangboche. You fly over Everest Base Camp savoring stunning views of the Khumbu Icefall, Khumbu Glacier, Western Cwm, and Everest Base Camp. The pilot lands the aircraft at Kala Patthar, the most popular viewpoint in Everest Region. During the brief landing, you take in the 360-degree panorama of Mount Everest, Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and other mountains.

After taking pictures, you board the helicopter and proceed towards Lukla. After refueling, the aircraft takes off for Kathmandu. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience as the chopper flies over the mountainous landscape. Enjoy the aerial view of Kathmandu city before the helicopter finally lands at TIA domestic airport.

Our driver will drive you to your hotel. Take a rest or explore the market on your own and shop for souvenirs.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Bid farewell to Kathmandu and head to the airport on time to catch your flight. If you want to stay longer and indulge in more adventure activities, let us know. You can discuss with the consultants at Third Rock Adventures and create a perfect itinerary.