Everest Base Camp Luxury trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Everest RegionModerate

Everest Base CampLuxury trek

Reach Everest Base Camp at 5,364m with private lodge rooms, hot showers, and gourmet meals throughout. Helicopter return from Gorak Shep saves two days. Kala Patthar sunrise, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery. 13 days, from USD 2,575.

View Itinerary
13
DaysTotal trek duration
5545m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Sep–Jun
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$2,575
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

The luxury version of the Everest Base Camp trek follows the identical trail through the Khumbu but removes the discomfort that comes with shared dormitories at high altitude. At each stop from Phakding to Lobuche, you sleep in private rooms at the best lodge in the village. Above Namche, where options thin out, Mountain Hawk pre-books the top-tier rooms months in advance.

The helicopter return from Gorak Shep is the biggest differentiator. Instead of retracing two days of downhill trail on tired knees, you fly 25 minutes over the Dudh Koshi gorge with Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde Peak outside your window. This shortens the itinerary to 13 days and means you finish the trek on a high note rather than grinding out a descent you have already walked.

The difficulty is rated Moderate rather than Strenuous because the helicopter return eliminates two full trekking days and 2,300 meters of knee-punishing descent. You still climb to 5,545m at Kala Patthar and walk 5 to 7 hours a day on the ascent, but the overall physical load is lighter than the standard 15-day package.

Trip Overview

A closer look

The Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek covers the same 65-kilometer trail from Lukla to base camp as the standard route, but replaces shared teahouse dormitories with private rooms at the best lodges available at each stop. Hot showers, heated dining rooms, charging stations, and Western-style toilets are standard from Phakding to Gorak Shep. The return leg from Gorak Shep to Lukla is by helicopter, cutting the itinerary from 15 days to 13.

The route climbs through Sagarmatha National Park from Lukla (2,840m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), Tengboche (3,860m), Dingboche (4,410m), Lobuche (4,940m), and Gorak Shep (5,164m). Two acclimatization days are built in: one at Namche with a hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m), and one at Dingboche with views of Island Peak and Ama Dablam. Group sizes are capped at 8 trekkers with 2 guides.

At Gorak Shep you walk two hours across glacial moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364m), then climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) the next morning for sunrise over the Everest massif. The helicopter return offers aerial views of the Khumbu Icefall, Ama Dablam, and the Dudh Koshi valley before landing in Lukla for your flight back to Kathmandu.

Two permits are required: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (NPR 3,000). Both are included in your trek price along with the helicopter charter, all lodge accommodation, full board meals, guide and porter service, and the Kathmandu to Lukla return flight.

For a budget-friendly alternative on the same route, the Everest Base Camp Trek Standard Package covers the full trail in 15 days from USD 1,675 with shared teahouse accommodation. For a shorter, easier option in the Khumbu, the Everest View Trek reaches 3,880m in 9 days. Experienced trekkers looking for more challenge can extend to the Everest Three Passes Trek, a 22-day circuit crossing Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
5,555m4,503m3,450m2,398m1,345mKathmanduPhakdingNamcheTengboche MonasteryDingbocheChhukung ValleyLobucheEBCKalapattarKathmandu5,555m
Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

13 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day02

Pre-trip Meeting & Kathmandu Sightseeing

Kathmandu

Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day03

Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding

Phakding

Fly to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,795 m) from Kathmandu, then trek to Phakding (2,610 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,610m3h trekGuesthouse1,265m
Day04

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480m5h trekGuesthouse870m
Day05

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar, including a hike to the Everest View Hotel. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480mGuesthouse
Day06

Trek to Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche

Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3,860 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,860m5h trekGuesthouse380m
Day07

Trek to Dingboche

Dingboche

Trek to Dingboche (4,350 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,350m6h trekGuesthouse490m
Day08

Day Trip to Chhukung Valley

Dingboche

Day trip to Chhukung Valley (4,710 m) and trek back to Dingboche, approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,350m4h trekGuesthouse
Day09

Trek to Lobuche

Lobuche

Trek to Lobuche (4,920 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,920m5h trekGuesthouse570m
Day10

Trek to Everest Base Camp & Gorak Shep

Gorak Shep

Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300 m) and return to Gorak Shep, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

5,180m8h trekGuesthouse260m
Day11

Kala Patthar & Helicopter to Lukla

Lukla

Early-morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,555 m), then a 20-minute helicopter flight back to Lukla. Overnight at hotel.

2,795mHotel2,385m
Day12

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel1,450m
Day13

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Per Person
USD 2,575
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

12

Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.

Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a five-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights), breakfast included.

Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.

Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek.

A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters, and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.

Sagarmatha National Park Permit and all other necessary permits.

Helicopter cost from Gorak Shep to Lukla.

Flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu, including airport departure taxes at Kathmandu and Lukla.

Surface transfer from Kathmandu.

Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).

All applicable government taxes.

Tourist service charge and VAT.

Not Included

9

Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.

Travel insurance (compulsory).

International airfare and airport departure tax.

Nepal entry visa fee.

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.

Personal trekking equipment.

Tips for trekking staff and driver.

Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$160per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$90per person / night · breakfast included

Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$160 per person per night for a single room and US$90 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

Private rooms with hot showers at every stop. No shared dormitories, no waiting for cold trickle showers after a long trekking day.

Thrill

Helicopter return from Gorak Shep saves two days and gives you aerial views of the Khumbu Icefall, Ama Dablam, and the Dudh Koshi valley that no trekking trail can match.

Connection

Small groups of 8 or fewer with 2 guides. More personal attention, flexible pace, and no waiting for 20 people to gear up each morning.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

You want the Everest Base Camp experience but value comfort at the end of each trekking day. Private rooms and hot showers make a measurable difference above 4,000m.

You can walk 5 to 7 hours on uneven terrain for 10 consecutive trekking days. The helicopter return reduces total effort, but the ascent is the same as the standard route.

You prefer a shorter itinerary. At 13 days this is 2 days shorter than the standard EBC trek, with no compromise on the highlights.

The highest sleep altitude is 5,164m at Gorak Shep. Altitude sickness risk is managed through two acclimatization days, but prior high-altitude experience helps.

Budget is USD 2,575 or higher per person. The premium covers lodge upgrades, helicopter charter, and smaller group size.

Gear Up

What to pack

The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.

Equipment

Packing checklist

32 items

Duffel or Rucksack bag (This should be nice with good zipper

Daypack

Down Jacket (Company also nice and clean down jacket provide)

Sleeping bag 4 season ( also provide )

Hiking pants

Waterproof jacket

Full, sleeves shirt

Jumper or pile jacket

T, shirts

Trekking boots (Water proof)

Camp shoes/Sandal

Polypropylene/wool socks

Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)

Woollen socks to wear with boots

Sun hat

Beanie

Gloves

Sun block for lips

Sun lotion

Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare)

Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)

Insulated pants

Nylon windbreaker

Nylon wind pants

Water bottle

Sewing kit

Medical & first aid kit

Flash light ( with spare batteries)

Walking stick. (company also provide or you can buy in Kathmandu)

Camera ( don’t forget to buy the spare film and batteries to go with it before you leave.)

Personal stereo/radio

Book ( buy them before you leave or in Kathmandu)

Notepad (writing a diary in the evening by the fireside is a favorite past time of trekkers) Multipurpose knife or Swiss army knife Personal towel Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please. Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
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