Trip Overview
Highlights
- Best of Everest in a single trek
- Two of the best viewpoints (Gokyo Ri and Kalapathar)
- Helicopter flight back to Kathmandu
- Rest and Acclimatization at Namche and Machermo
Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Heli Trek covers the main attractions of Everest base camp and Gokyo Lakes in a single trek and is a thrilling alternate trek to the Everest Base Camp Trek. This trek includes marvellous scenery of the highest mountains in the world and provides a look into traditional Sherpa culture with a spectacular helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
The highlight of our journey will be Gokyo Ri [5,357m/17,575ft], Cho La Pass [5,420m/17,783ft], Everest Base Camp[5,364m/17,559ft] and Kalapathar [5,545m/18,193ft]. The trek offers an awe-inspiring panorama of Everest and nearby peaks, the beautiful Gokyo lakes alongside Ngozumpa Glacier and at last a scenic helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
Our journey includes two of the greatest viewpoints Gokyo Ri and Kalapathar and a trek across the Cho La Pass [5,420m/17,783ft], the exciting high pass that connects the Gokyo and Everest Valley. The mountain views along the Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Heli Trek include unforgettable peaks of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, Pumori, Thamserku and many more. This extraordinary trek visits the Sherpa homeland and their stately monasteries with a chance to witness the surrounding flora and fauna.
Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Heli Trek begins with a scenic morning flight to Lukla, from where our trek begins. We then enter the Khumbu region through Namche Bazaar, a lively market town as we follow up the pristine Gokyo Valley surrounded by constant views of peaks and Gokyo lake. Our itinerary includes 2 rest and acclimatization days at Namche [3,450m/11,319ft] and Machermo [4,470m/14,665ft] before moving up to Cho La Pass and EBC. After the pass, we connect to the main trail of Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar. After visiting EBC and Kalapathar we retrace our way to Dingboche eventually to board a chartered helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
What makes this trip unique?
Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Heli Trek is one spectacular trip that will blow your mind for sure. Trek to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and two major viewpoints in the Everest region (Gokyo Ri and Kalapathar) with a helicopter flight all the way back to Kathmandu instead of returning back to Lukla to board a plane.
In 15 days, trek to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain, visit Gokyo Lakes, witness panoramic views from Gokyo Ri and Kalapathar and fly back home. We also have kept two rest and acclimatization days at Namche and Machermo.
Why trek with Highland Expeditions?
At, Highland Expeditions it is our aim to provide a wonderful holiday in our part of the world and ensure that our clients enjoy the holiday as much as possible with minimized risks and the worry-free trip should it be monetary, physical or emotional. All the logistical arrangements required for the trip will be done before your arrival providing you with a hassle-free trip and on the trek.
Your trek will be led by an experienced and medical trained guide/leader with a high staff ratio. Considering the safety of our utmost priority, all our Everest Base Camp trek groups are equipped with a Supplementary oxygen system, oximeter and medical kit be it a group of 1 participant or 15 participants.
On the trek, all meals and accommodation are included too and we provide you with an option of OPEN/CHOICE menu meaning you can choose your meal straight from the menu.
Our itineraries are also devised keeping every aspect in mind such as acclimatization, good campsites, real-life experiences etc. We also provide a sleeping bag, down jacket and waterproof duffel bag to each participant.
Lastly, Highland Expeditions has been awarded as a trekking company of the year 2018/19 in Nepal by Travel and Hospitality Awards, USA.
Is this trek for you?
Everest base camp Gokyo lakes heli trek reaches up to an elevation of 5545m and some of the famous mountaineering Base Camps are located and you need to sleep at an elevation of 5000m for a few days. Physically challenging, involving daily trekking of 6–8 hours on average. No previous trekking experience is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and be adaptable to high altitude conditions.
Important Note: Your safety is of imperative concern while travelling with Highland Expeditions. Please take care to note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to your safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The trek leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
Trip Itinerary
Dates & Price
Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private group basis.
If you are looking for a group to join this trip please click the Fixed Departures tab for more information on departure dates, availability and price. All our fixed departures are guaranteed to run. Or, if you would like to do this trip alone, or with your friends, families & colleagues in a private group style, please fill out the contact form in Private Group tab and send us your message. We will organize a private trip for you at your preferred dates catering any request you may have.
Cost Inclusion
- All meals (B,L,D) on OPEN/CHOICE Menu whilst on trek with tea & coffee.
- Twin sharing accommodation at Kathmandu guest house or similar category for 2 nights with breakfast
- All required permits for trek (TIMS Card and Everest National Park )
- Accommodation at clean and cozy teahouses/lodges on trek
- Internal flights (KTM-LUA)
- Dingboche to Kathmandu chartered helicopter service
- Experienced local trek leader with 1:4 assistant guide to client ratio
- Full support crew with 1 porter for every 2 trekkers
- Kathmandu airport transfers and escorts
- Comprehensive first aid kit with high altitude medicines and supplementary oxygen system
- Satellite phone for emergency purpose and nominal charge for personal use
- Duffel bag, Sleeping bag with liner and Down Jacket (Sleeping bag and down jacket must be returned after completion of trek)
- Staff insurances and allowances
- Trek completion certificate (Upon request)
- Group welcome dinner at typical Nepalese restaurant
Cost Exclusion
- International airfare, Visa and travel insurance
- Meals at Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu or on trek for any reason (Early arrival or delay, Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for staff
Essential Information
Reviews

All around great experience with Highland Expeditions. They took everything very seriously from the start. I did a solo trip and they arranged a bit of a custom journey for me. Guide (Ang) was very knowledgeable and very engaging. An extra plus is he is a great photographer as well. Would strongly recommend it.

This was a spectacular trip, led by a very caring and supportive team of Guides. Expectations were superbly managed and everything was taken care of. The helicopter ride itself was spectacular and a real buzz. Thank you Passang and your team at Highland Expeditions for a wonderful trip. I have nothing but praise for Highland Expeditions and staff.