The latest Trend on Everest Base camp, Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit trek

published on: 03rd Sep, 2025

Whats the New Trend of Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return ?

Whats the new trend on Annapurna and Manaslu circuit trek ?

Nowadays, many travelers visiting Nepal don't opt for the full 12-day Everest Base Camp trek (which actually extends to 14 days including international arrival and departure). People are searching for a new trend in Trek because the 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp follows the same route for the return journey as it does for going to the base camp. To illustrate, let's examine the itinerary for the 12-day Everest Base Camp trek.

Itinerary of 12-Day Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding

You reach Lukla within 45 minutes from Kathmandu; you can either go by fixed-wing plane or helicopter (there will be a little bit of variation in cost). After you reach Lukla, we will be trekking to Phakding the same day because we will reach there early in the morning, so staying there the whole day is not sensible. For dinner, we can even stay in Lukla or in between; we can find enough hotels on the path.

Day 2: Trek from Phakding to Namche

After we reach Phakding, we head towards our first popular, renowned destination, Namche Bazaar: The Gateway to Everest Base Camp. Namche Bazaar is the main trading center and hub for the Khumbu (Everest) region. You can also find many luxury hotels here. The altitude of Namche is 3500 m.

Day 3: Acclimation at Namche

We stay here for acclimation because it will be completely unsafe to go to a higher altitude without preparation. Namche, being a market, you can also find the necessary equipment for trekking (but it will be more costly) and help you to understand the culture. You will find many tourists from around the world. We can say you are in a mini world between the mountains. You can also find porters there, but it will be very costly to hire them there. Today is a full day rest, so if you don’t want to stay in Namche, we also have the option to hike to Khunde or Hotel Everest View (one of the popular hotels in Syangboche).

Day 4: Trek from Namche to Tengboche

Next destination Tengboche , from Namche; it’s just a 5-6 hrs walk, from here tourist gets divided because tourist going for a Gokyo Lake will go the other way to Phortse; tourist going to complete high pass like renjo-la pass and cho –la will also go other way to Phortse and tourist going for a Everest base camp head straight. Tengboche is spiritually very popular. You can find many powerful monasteries there.

Day 5: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche

The next destination is either Dingboche or Pheriche. You can go anywhere you wish. It is again a two way route. Master Himalaya Treks and Expedition also owns a hotel at Dingboche named Family Guest House. From Dingboche you can also head towards Kongma-la pass via Chukkung and reach Lobuche (Need 2 Extra Days).

Day 6: Acclimation at Dingboche

Since we are climbing higher and higher, we must prioritize safety. So, another rest day at Dingboche or Pheriche. Either you can stay one night at Dingboche walk a little and stay another night at Pheriche or stay at Pheriche while returning. From Dingboche you can also head towards Kongma -la pass via Chukkung and reach Lobuche (It will take two extra days).

Day 7: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche.

The next popular destination is Lobuche (4928 m). Specifically, it is the name of a peak, Lobuche peak with an altitude of 6119 m. It is one of the popular 6000 m expeditions; you can see many climbers fulfilling their dream to Lobuche. There is also an old research center called Lobuche Pyramid. Master Himalaya Treks and Expedition owns a hotel at Lobuche.

Day 8: Trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep and Everest base camp, and trek back to Gorekshep

You are now heading toward the altitude of 5364 m, the Everest base camp crossing Gorekshep, but we cannot stay, and there are no permanent hotels at Everest base camp, so we keep our backpack at Gorekshep and hike to Everest base camp and again return to Gorekshep and stay one night at Gorekshep.

Day 9: Trek from Gorekshep to Pheriche

After we wake up early in the morning, we have one last view of the entire range of Everest. Since we cannot see a panoramic view from Gorekshep we hike to Kala Patthar, at an altitude higher than Everest base camp 5644 m to see the full range and get down to Pheriche. We are then moving down to low altitude at Pheriche in about 7-8 hours.

Note: A problem for many trekkers is returning via the same route, as they have already experienced the route, places, and culture. Travelers also stay an extra night in Namche and Dingboche/Pheriche, and they get very tired when they reach Everest Base Camp, making the return on the same route more tiring. So, there is now an option, and the new trending package called Everest Base camp trek with Helicopter return.

Day 10: Trek back from Pheriche to Namche.

Day 11: Trek back from Namche to Lukla.

Day 12: Return to Kathmandu by flight.

What's the New Trend of the Everest Base Camp Trek with a Helicopter Return?

The Everest base camp trek with helicopter return is one of the new trend that the trekkers choose. It is a budget luxury trek; that is, you can experience luxury at very minimum cost. Travelers can also save three days of returning time and above all, the helicopter experience at Everest is one of the lifetime experience.

Cost Comparison for the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return

The 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek generally costs between USD 1,100 and USD 3,200, depending on the level of luxury travelers choose for accommodation, food, equipment, transportation, and other services. In a luxury trek, you can enjoy 5-star accommodation in Kathmandu, unlimited meals and fruits, highly experienced guides, and high-end hotels during the trek, such as Yeti Mountain Lodge in Lukla/Phakding, Hotel Everest View in Namche/Syangboche, Everest Summit Lodge in Tengboche/Pangboche, Hotel Mountain Heritage in Dingboche, Hotel Pyramid in Lobuche, and Hotel Everest Inn in Gorakshep. You may also find electric blankets, Wi-Fi, attached bathrooms, hot showers, and other premium amenities.

The cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return starts from USD 1,850 and can go up to USD 5,000. If you do the standard trek and return by helicopter, it will cost around USD 2,000. In my personal view, I would not recommend choosing a luxury trek, as it causes travelers to miss the basic essence of trekking. Group discounts are usually available.

We as a Master Himalaya trekking agency also has a Helicopter company as a sister organization . We also own our own hotels in Dingboche and lobuche and could offer you the best price in Nepal.

What’s the New Trend on the Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Travelers or trekkers usually plan at least a month-long holiday in Nepal. Nepal is very popular for its trekking routes, and travelers especially come to trek in the Himalayas. One of the most popular treks is the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

In my personal view, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the heaven of all treks. During this trek, you make a complete circuit of the Annapurna range (not just a single mountain). The trek starts from Dharapani and ends at Muktinath, which is recognized as a powerful energy point in Hindu and Buddhist culture. There is a high pass called Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), which has an altitude higher than Everest Base Camp. In 2014, storms at Thorong La Pass resulted in the deaths of at least 43 people at once. It has a different story of its own.

View the full itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Nowadays, the number of tourists visiting Manaslu is rising because it has been one of the less-explored destinations in the Himalayas. The Manaslu Circuit has certain restricted areas for which you need special permits to enter. It is popular as a less crowded trekking destination in Nepal. The Manaslu Circuit Trek starts in Maccha Khola and ends at Dharapani, where the Annapurna Circuit Trek begins.

View the full itinerary of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

A new trend in the Annapurna and Manaslu circuits is that travelers now combine both treks into one journey. Travelers start the trek from Maccha Khola, cross the Larkya La Pass, descend to Dharapani, and then continue to the Thorong La Pass. By doing this, you explore one-third of the Central Himalayas in a single trek, and the overall cost also varies significantly.

View the full itinerary of the Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit Trek.

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