Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam above the trail to Everest Base Camp
Snow-capped mountain peak with a clear blue sky
Snow-capped mountain peak with a clear blue sky
Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam above the trail to Everest Base Camp
A stupa on a Khumbu trail with Ama Dablam behind, Nepal
Namche Bazaar at dusk, with Khumbu peaks above the town, Nepal
Snow-capped mountain peaks under a blue sky with scattered clouds
Krishna Mandir and a ritual bell pavilion in Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

13 DaysChallenging

Everest Private by Air

From $27,875 per person, based on two travelers sharing

  • A private journey, planned around you.
Duration
13 Days
Best season
Spring & Autumn
Max altitude
5,550 m (18,209 ft), Kala Patthar by helicopter
Difficulty
Challenging

Challenging: 5 to 8 hours of walking a day for two weeks or more, with nights up to about 5,200 m (17,000 ft) and a pass or viewpoint above 5,000 m (16,400 ft). Read your trip's walking demands, highest daytime and sleeping altitudes, terrain, technical requirements and gear list before booking.

Ask about this journeySee the itinerary

We reply within one business day. Nothing is paid on this page.
Sherpa guides
Written proposal and contract
Your party only, on your dates
Planned with the family

The climb to Everest Base Camp

A private helicopter to Lukla at 2,840 m where the rules allow, then on foot to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m, with rest days on the way up. The helicopter flies you out, stopping on Kala Patthar at 5,550 m (18,209 ft) when conditions allow; a short drive then takes you to Dhulikhel.

  • On foot
  • By helicopter
Ask about this trip

Our most private Everest journey: helicopters in and out of the Khumbu, two Sherpa guides and the walk to base camp.

This is a sample private itinerary, not a fixed departure. Sam and Gyalgin plan the route, pace and stays around you before you book. Walking times are estimates. Weather can change the plan and mountain views are not guaranteed.

A private helicopter takes you from Kathmandu to Lukla, where the rules allow, instead of the scheduled flight. You walk the standard route to Everest Base Camp with a senior Sherpa guide and an assistant guide, with rest days at Namche and Dingboche. A private helicopter brings you out from Gorak Shep, stopping on Kala Patthar when conditions allow, and you finish with two quiet nights at Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel.

Kathmandu nights are planned in a heritage suite at Dwarika's Hotel, with VIP service at the airport on arrival and departure. A remote doctor line is available to you and your guide on the trek. On the trail you stay with Yeti Mountain Home or Mountain Lodges of Nepal where the route has their lodges, and in the best room we can hold in each higher village, where lodges are simpler. Gorak Shep rooms are basic.

This is a Challenging trek, not a helicopter tour. Most days have 5-7 hours of walking with steep climbs. You sleep as high as 5,140 m at Gorak Shep and reach 5,364 m at base camp on foot. Phakding to Namche raises sleeping altitude by about 830 m, above the usual 500 m-per-night guidance over 3,000 m, and the Namche rest day follows it. The helicopter then takes you to Kala Patthar at 5,550 m before descending. We discuss your experience and ascent plan before booking; seek advice from a clinician familiar with altitude travel.

This journey is quoted on request. Named hotels and lodges are the ones we plan to hold for you. If one is full on your dates we offer a comparable stay, and your written proposal names every stay before you pay anything. Nothing is paid on this page.

High-altitude travel can cause serious illness, even in fit travelers. Acclimatization reduces risk but cannot eliminate it. Tell your guide promptly about symptoms. Your guide may stop an ascent, change the route or arrange descent. Rescue and medical treatment depend on location, weather, access and available resources and cannot be guaranteed.

SherpaHolidays Terms and Conditions SH-TC-2026-10-14. Your accepted booking version and mandatory rights remain in effect.

Prices are in US dollars. Prices are per person, based on two travelers sharing a room. Private sample itineraries and from prices are not confirmed reservations; we agree the final plan and price with you in a written proposal before booking. International flights are excluded unless your written itinerary expressly includes them.

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of every booking. Your policy must cover emergency medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, and repatriation. Confirm with your insurer that it covers your itinerary's activities and maximum altitude, including helicopter evacuation.

13 Days to Everest Base Camp by Air

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu with VIP airport service

Day 2: A private heritage day in Kathmandu and trek preparation

Day 3: Private helicopter to Lukla and walk to Phakding

Day 4: Climb to Namche

Day 5: Namche rest day

Day 6: Walk to Tyangboche

Day 7: Walk to Dingboche

Day 8: Dingboche rest day

Day 9: Walk to Lobuche

Day 10: Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp

Day 11: Private helicopter out, with a Kala Patthar stop when conditions allow, then Dhulikhel

Day 12: A free day in Dhulikhel

Day 13: Departure with VIP airport service

Day by Day

This is a sample private itinerary, not a fixed departure. Sam and Gyalgin plan the route, pace and stays around you before you book. Walking times are estimates. Weather can change the plan and mountain views are not guaranteed.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

VIP service at the airport and a private transfer to your heritage suite at Dwarika's Hotel. Walking: 0-0.5 hour. Sleep: about 1,400 m.

Day 2: Kathmandu and trek preparation

A private guide and car for a heritage day in Kathmandu and Patan. A briefing on gear, insurance, walking and ascent with your Sherpa guide. Walking: 2-3 hours. Sleep: about 1,400 m.

Day 3: To Lukla and Phakding

A private helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla at 2,840 m, where the rules allow; weather decides the time of the flight. Walk down the river valley to Phakding. Walking: 3-4 hours. Sleep: about 2,610 m. Day high: 2,840 m. Meals at the lodge.

Day 4: The climb to Namche

Cross the suspension bridges of the Dudh Kosi, pass the park entrance at Monjo and climb steeply to Namche. Walking: 6-7 hours, possibly longer at your pace. Sleep: 3,440 m. The roughly 830 m rise in sleeping altitude from Phakding is a large step, not made risk-free by private pacing; the rest day follows it. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 5: Rest in Namche

A rest day. If you feel well, walk up toward Khumjung or the Everest View viewpoint at 3,880 m and come back down to sleep. Walking: 2-4 hours. Sleep: 3,440 m. Meals at the lodge.

Day 6: Namche to Tyangboche

Drop to the river and climb through forest to the saddle at Tyangboche and its monastery, with Ama Dablam above. Walking: 5-6 hours. Sleep: about 3,860 m. Meals at the lodge.

Day 7: Tyangboche to Dingboche

Above the tree line into the Imja valley. Walking: 5-6 hours. Sleep: 4,410 m. Meals at the lodge.

Day 8: Rest in Dingboche

A second rest day. If you feel well, walk higher toward Chukhung (4,730 m) and come back down. Walking: 2-4 hours. Sleep: 4,410 m. Meals at the lodge.

Day 9: Dingboche to Lobuche

Along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche. Walking: 5-6 hours. Sleep: about 4,930 m. Meals at the lodge.

Day 10: Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp

Walk to Gorak Shep at 5,140 m, then on to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m at the foot of the icefall, and back to Gorak Shep for the night. Walking: 7-8 hours. Sleep: 5,140 m, the highest night of the journey, in a basic room. Skip the base camp walk with symptoms or unsuitable conditions.

Day 11: Helicopter out, then Dhulikhel

Early in the morning, a private helicopter from Gorak Shep. When conditions allow it stops on Kala Patthar (5,550 m) for the view of Everest, then flies you down. If weather holds the helicopter, the weather reserve pays for extra nights or a standby. A short drive to Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel on the valley rim. Walking: 0-0.5 hour. Sleep: about 1,550 m.

Day 12: Dhulikhel

A free day to rest. On clear mornings the Himalaya is in view from the ridge. If the helicopter was delayed, this day absorbs it. Sleep: about 1,550 m.

Day 13: Departure

A private transfer to the airport, about 1.5 hours, with VIP service on departure. No overnight stay.

From $27,875 per person. Based on two travelers sharing a room. International flights are not included. This journey is quoted on request; the final price is set in your written proposal.

Planned inclusions

  • Two Kathmandu nights in a heritage suite at Dwarika's Hotel with breakfast, and VIP service at the airport on arrival and departure.
  • A private guide and car for a heritage day in Kathmandu.
  • A private helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla, where the rules allow.
  • Eight trail-lodge nights with all meals: Yeti Mountain Home or Mountain Lodges of Nepal where the route has them, and the best room we can hold in each higher village.
  • A senior Sherpa guide and an assistant Sherpa guide for your party, with porters for your luggage.
  • A private helicopter from Gorak Shep, with a Kala Patthar stop when conditions allow.
  • Two nights at Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel with all meals.
  • Supplemental oxygen, a pulse oximeter and a satellite messenger carried by your guide.
  • A remote doctor line for you and your guide on the trek.
  • An evacuation membership for each traveler.
  • A weather reserve for extra nights or a helicopter on standby if weather holds you.
  • Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permits.

Not included

  • International flights, the Nepal visa, required travel insurance, tips, alcohol, personal trekking clothes and boots, and single-room supplements.
  • Named stays are planned until your written proposal confirms them; a comparable stay is offered if one is full on your dates.

Five Highlights

Helicopters Both Ways

A private helicopter to Lukla and another out of Gorak Shep.

Everest Base Camp on Foot

Base camp at 5,364 m with your own Sherpa guides.

Two Sherpa Guides for Your Party

A senior Sherpa guide and an assistant guide for the whole trek.

Heritage Suites and Dhulikhel

A heritage suite at Dwarika's in Kathmandu and two nights in Dhulikhel after the mountains.

A Remote Doctor Line

Telephone access to a doctor for you and your guide while you trek.

A private journey, planned by people

Sherpa Signature journeys are sold by a call and a written proposal, not a cart. Nothing is paid on this page.

  • A planning call: About 30 minutes with Sam or Gyalgin about who is traveling, when, and how much walking feels right.
  • A written proposal: Your day-by-day plan, the stays we can hold and the full price, in writing.
  • A contract: You read the plan and our Terms and Conditions before you commit to anything.
  • A payment schedule: Your contract sets out what is paid and when.

Named stays

Named hotels and lodges are the ones we plan to hold for you, or comparable ones if they are full on your dates. Your proposal confirms every stay, flight and price. Hotel and lodge photos are not shown here; ask us and we will send them.

Weather and helicopters

Weather and the operator's rules decide when a helicopter flies and where it can land. Flights can be delayed, rerouted or shortened. The weather reserve pays for extra nights or a helicopter on standby, and we suggest an international ticket you can change.

Plan with our family

Sam and Gyalgin Sherpa, son and father, run SherpaHolidays. Sam is based in the US. You speak with the family about the journey, not a call center.

Gyalgin worked on Everest. His father, San Tsopel Sherpa, helped Hillary's school-building work.

Sam's grandfather, Gyalgin's father, San Tsopel Sherpa: Cooked for Sir Edmund Hillary and his team throughout their work building schools for the Sherpa community.

Call first

Talk to Sam or Gyalgin

A Signature journey starts with a conversation. Call us, or send a short note through our inquiry form and we will call you back.

See all Sherpa Signature journeys

+1 (855) 743-7725 info@sherpaholidays.com
Call us Send an inquiry

We reply within one business day. Nothing is paid on this page.

Things guests ask before booking

Straight answers about walking, altitude, helicopters and how a Signature journey is planned.

  • On the two Everest journeys, yes. They walk the standard route to Everest Base Camp with steep climbs and several hours on foot most days, and sleep up to 5,140 m at Gorak Shep. The helicopter replaces the walk back, not the walk up.

  • No. High-altitude travel can cause serious illness, even in fit travelers, and a helicopter takes you high very quickly. Acclimatization reduces risk but cannot eliminate it. We go over the ascent plan and landing times with you before you book; talk to a clinician familiar with altitude travel.

  • Weather and the operator's rules decide when a helicopter flies and where it can land. Flights can be delayed, rerouted or shortened, and a landing stop happens only when conditions allow. The weather reserve pays for extra nights or a helicopter on standby. Keep your international ticket changeable.

  • They are the ones we plan to hold for you. If one is full on your dates we offer a comparable stay, and your written proposal names every stay before you pay anything.

  • The from price is per person for two traveling together. Dates, room choices and party size change it. Your proposal states the full price, what is included and what is not.

  • International flights, the Nepal visa, travel insurance, tips, alcohol and a single-room supplement. Travel insurance is a condition of every booking and must cover emergency medical treatment and evacuation, including by helicopter, at the journey's highest altitude.

  • Call us on +1 (855) 743-7725, or send a short note through our inquiry form and we will call you back. We reply within one business day.