On a helicopter-return trek you walk up to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar as usual, then fly back to Lukla or Kathmandu instead of walking down. You get the full climb and acclimatisation, and skip the descent.
What it saves
On our itinerary, the walk down from Kala Patthar to Lukla takes three days. A helicopter return turns those into a flight of well under an hour, which suits trekkers short on time.
What it costs
Helicopter prices depend on whether you share the flight, where you fly to (Lukla or Kathmandu) and the season.
Things to know
- Weather decides. Helicopters, like planes, wait for clear weather, so keep a spare day.
- It isn’t a rescue. A booked return flight is a planned trip. A medical evacuation is different and needs insurance cover.
- You still acclimatise on the way up. The helicopter only replaces the descent, so the rest days on the way up stay in the plan.
- Ask about commissions. We never take commissions from helicopter companies. See our promises.
