Namche Luxury Heli Trek-7 Days

Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalayas, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

Overnight: Kathmandu

After breakfast, you'll fly to Lukla and land on a steep mountain runway, which brings you to the start of your trek. Try to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: The flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalayas on clear days.

You'll then trek a short distance today through local villages where you'll likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks with their tinkling bells. (Having an easy first day is intentional, allowing you time to get used to the higher elevation.)

Continue through the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and stay overnight in Phakding.

Flying time: 30 minutes
Trekking time: 3 hours (4.7 miles / 7.5 km)
Overnight: Phakding(Yeti Mountain Home )

After breakfast in Phakding, you'll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche Bazaar. This is a challenging day as you'll start to feel the altitude. The route also includes crossing a number of spectacular high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River.

Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was established to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Everest. After a steep 45-60 minute climb, you'll arrive at the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar.

Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If you're here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.

Close to your lodge is the internationally known Museum of Sherpa Culture and the traditional villages of Kunde and Khumjung are a highly recommended half-day excursion. The location of your lodge is superb, offering a bird's eye view over Namche and across the valley to the serrated ridges of the Kongde range, while the magnificent peak of Thamserku (21,729 feet / 6,623 m) rises as a backdrop. Just a short walk away is a classic view of Ama Dablam (an incredibly beautiful mountain), Lhotse, and Everest.

This is an ideal place to spend the day, acclimatizing to the new altitude. Tonight you can relax in your luxury accommodations and enjoy the creature comforts you'd miss out on if you were staying instead in a rustic teahouse.

Trekking time: 4-6 hours (4.6 miles / 7.4 km)
Overnight: Namche Bazaar ( Yeti Mountain Home)

After an early breakfast, you'll be picked up in Namche Bazaar for a private helicopter tour in the Himalayas. You'll get phenomenal aerial views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega, Lhotse, Nuptse, as well as Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Icefall.

In the afternoon, visit the Edmund Hillary School and Everest Museum before returning to your cozy accommodations in Namache Bazaar for the evening.

Overnight: Namche Bazaar ( Yeti Mountain Home)

Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river valley. It's a long day, but it won't be too difficult as it's downhill and you'll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking.

You'll make your way through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish.

With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafes—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on your experience.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours (11.1 miles / 17.9 km)
Overnight: Lukla

After breakfast in Lukla, you'll take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

Other ideas include rewarding your muscles after the trek with a massage service at Seeing Hands (services are offered by the visually impaired), or the more upscale Kinjalla Spa. You can also take an early evening yoga class at Pranamaya Yoga, with two locations (Thamel and Patan).

In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern dishes in Kathmandu.

Flight time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Kathmandu

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.