Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

Trip Overview

Trip Itinerary

Dates & Price

Cost Inclusion

Cost Exclusion

Essential Information

How difficult is Everest base camp heli trek?

Everest base camp heli trek is considered challenging due to the high altitudes. The trail is relatively easier following good paths and yak trails but due to the increasing altitude, it's graded challenging. Please be prepared to walk for 6-7 hrs every day on average carrying your backpack, which will consist of your valuable items, water, extra fleece, snacks etc. Longer treks reaching up to an elevation of 5500m where some of the famous mountaineering Base Camps are located and you need to sleep at an elevation of 5000m+ for 1 night at Gorekshep. No previous trekking experience is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions.

For the return leg, we board a helicopter from Pheriche avoiding the downhill walk. 

Do I need previous experience to take part?

No previous experience of trekking is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions. Having a previous experience is definitely beneficial but it is not must to participate for this trip. All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. We strongly advise you to prepare yourself for the trip at least 3 months prior to your trip date by doing regular exercises, going on hiking, running or gym. The fitter you are, the more enjoyable you will find the experience of trekking. All our trip itinerary has been devised keeping every aspect in mind and allows ample time for acclimatization

Are meals included on the trek?

All meals are included during the trekking period (Day 02 to Day 11). We will provide three meals a day (B, L, D) during the trek. The menus in the teahouses are varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat, Momo (Dumpling) to pizza and apple pie. Despite the fact that meat is available in the teahouses, we prompt against eating it on the trek. The meat has frequently been conveyed in the warmth from lower elevations for a few days before arriving at the teahouses and can cause stomach upsets or disease. During the trek, Breakfast and Dinner will be served at the teahouse/lodge where you stay and Lunch will be along the way.

If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance and we will be sure to pass your message to your guide. For a gluten-free diet, we highly recommend you to bring extra foods especially for breakfast as your options for the breakfast will be limited. Meals worth USD 450-500 are included on this trip. In Kathmandu, only breakfast will be provided to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where what and with whom to eat for lunch and dinner.

Will drinking water be provided?

Yes, we provide unlimited boiled water for the drinking purpose on all our treks and climbs. During meals time, you can ask the boys to fill the hot water for you. We recommend you to bring at least 2 hot water bottles to make sure you have enough water during the walk. 

We strongly discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles such as mineral water on all our trips. 

What are the safety measures?

Considering your safety our utmost priority, all our Everest Base Camp Heli Trek groups are backed up by supplementary oxygen system, oximeter and medical kit. We also have devised a better itinerary ensuring proper rest and acclimatization. Besides, we also provide high staff to client ratio. 

When is the best season?

The best seasons to trek to the Everest region are Autumn (latter half of September till December), Spring (latter half of March until mid-May). On both seasons, Mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up in the afternoon and disappearing at night. The given temperature may raise or lower with the change in weather factors: (Sunny, Snow, Rain etc.)

Autumn/Fall:
Slightly colder than Spring but presents clear views of the mountains. The mornings are clear providing best mountain views, days are warmer and night time will get cold and frosty. The temperature during Autumn varies from lowest -10 degree Celsius at Gorekshep to warmest 25 degree Celsius at Lukla/Phakding.

Spring:
Another weather window for trekking in Nepal comes during the month of the latter March to May. The temperature will be relatively warmer during this period of time but still, nights will be cold and frosty at a higher elevation. Temperatures will drop considerably as you ascend higher every day. During the spring season, the base camp will be full of tents as Apr-May are preferred time to climb Mt. Everest.

Winter:
Everest base camp heli trek can be done during the winter season (Dec to Feb). Weather will still remain clear offering views of mountains, trails will be less busy, a perfect time for photographers with fresh snow on the hills but the only significant downside is the cold temperature. Daytime temperatures can range between 5 - 9 ºC and evenings can drop to sub-zero temperatures.

Monsoon/Summer:
Trekking during the monsoon/summer season has its own benefits (Less crowd, greenery and lush vegetation etc) but for high altitude trek like Everest base camp, we do not recommend this season. Due to the frequent rainfall, it makes the walk uncomfortable. The clouds develop most of the time blocking your views and the main problem will be the flight cancellation at these time of year. 

Read more about the best time: https://highlandexpeditions.com/best-time-to-visit-nepal/

What are the accommodation arrangements?

Hotel: 2 Nights, Teahouse/Lodge: 9 Nights

Kathmandu:
In Kathmandu, we stay at Kathmandu Guest House, a well-known hotel where many famous celebrities like Beatles, Ricky Martin, Jeremy Irons and others have stayed. Centrally located in Thamel, the hotel also boasts of a beautiful garden where you can relax and enjoy the greenery.  Breakfast will be provided in the hotel and your accommodation will be on twin sharing basis.
Regardless of whether you're coming back from the mountains or touching base from the airport, come and unwind at the hotel beautiful garden, request some fine Italian espresso or a chilled Beer, and escape in the memorable surroundings of Kathmandu's most adored guesthouse. 

On Trek (Teahouse/Lodge Trek):
Your accommodation on the trek will be on a simple mountain lodges run by the local people with basic and shared facilities. Trekking in the (Everest area) does not need tremendous logistics in accommodation as there are many clean and friendly Lodges along the trail. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets but with a wonderful view from your window.  All the teahouses/lodges have a spacious warm dining room-lounge. The rooms are fairly basic. Blankets are generally provided by the teahouse but we will provide a warm sleeping bag to everyone. Bathrooms are mostly shared and toilets are squat type in most places. We will arrange for you and your group to stay in local lodges daily. Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary.

Single supplement:
Single supplement will be charged if someone wishes to have their own room for the trip. Especially when travelling in a group, we will always pair you with someone of same-sex and similar age to share the room with. If in case of a single by default, then clients don’t have to pay for the single supplement.

Will I need travel Insurance?

It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips in Nepal. We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency helicopter evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision. Carry proof of your insurance with you on the holiday and leave a copy next to your kin. You must ensure that your insurance provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved.

More information: Travel Insurance

Will I have to carry my own stuff?

You will only carry your day pack carrying the essential items (Water, Cameras, Extra Fleece, Rain jacket, Sunscreen, Snacks, Valuable Items etc.) that you may need during the walk. Rest of your stuff will be carried by the porter. We provide 1 porter to every 2 participants and we also provide a duffel bag to put your trekking gears. 

What is the group size?

Our emphasis is always on maintaining the small group so that it will be easy to coordinate and cooperate with each other. Our group size is small and we only take up to 12 pax in one group. If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of the group varies, minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 2 the maximum is 12 people.

How do I train for the trek?

Everest Base Camp Trek is a premier trek that most ardent backpackers, hikers, and lovers of wild places aspire to. The trek is graded challenging and training yourself well ahead will definitely improve your performance during the trek. Answering this question can be a challenge because everyone is starting from a different base of fitness, age, lifestyle, and diet (what you eat on a daily basis). 

Always consult with your doctor first to establish if you are healthy enough for the challenges of all-day trekking at high elevation for over a week. Once cleared for takeoff, so to speak, consulting with a qualified trainer, and a nutritionist may also prove beneficial, though many do not.

Read this to find out more about how to train for Everest base camp trek. This is an outline prepared to offer some guidance and tips as to how to begin training for Everest base camp trek.

Who will be my guide and what is the staff to client ratio?

We possess a deep passion for alpine adventure & the outdoors, and with the small professional group we have on board, we’ve notched up experience that spans almost 3 decades on some of the most isolated trails and highest peaks. We take great pride in calling ourselves a ‘high-altitude adventure specialist’ and all this is due to our diverse and qualified team of guides. Most of our guides were born in these parts & have relatives living in other parts of the regions where they were born in.

Your trip will be led by a qualified guide with 1 porter for every 2 participants and 1 assistant guide for every 4 participants. 

Route to Everest base camp

Our Everest base camp heli trek follows a careful approach with ample time for acclimatization and breathtaking sceneries along the way. Two major rest and acclimatization days have been scheduled in the itinerary. With over 30 years of experience in trekking and climbing in the Himalayas, we have carefully tailored each of our itineraries. We put a lot of care into all the details when it comes to executing any of your ventures. Safety is always a priority while travelling with Highland Expeditions and we have applied this strictly on our approach.

Typical day on trek

Daily wake up calls will be between 6.00 am to 7.00 am while on the trek. The wake-up time and breakfast time will be decided a night before during the briefing time. The time table for each day will entirely depend on your walking duration for that particular day.

After a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. Before breakfast, you are required to pack your duffel bag as it will be loaded by the porter while you are having your breakfast. After 3-4 hours of walk, we stop for lunch mid-day.  The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, to wash your clothes or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Do I need to join the group departures or can I schedule my own trip date?

Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private basis.

If you are looking for a group to join this trip please check our departures section for availability, dates and price.
If you would like to travel independently, or with your friends, families & colleagues you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient timeframe for any number of people.
If you want to do something that is not included in our trip list, we are ready to tailor a trip to suit your exact requirements.

In short, we will make every effort to get you on the trip you want, when you want.

What gears will I need?

The gear listed below is recommended for this kind of trips. We encourage you to get all equipment listed below for the trip and kindly ensure you check and try every equipment. You can also buy or hire the same in Kathmandu as they are available in the many trekking shops from branded to local manufacturers in Kathmandu.

Clothing and Footwear

- Long-sleeved shirts
- T-Shirts
- Trousers
- Warm Jackets/Sweater/Pullover
- Waterproof jackets and trousers
- Thermal
- Inner wears
- Undergarments
- Warm socks
- Warm Hat, Gloves and Bandana/Scarf
- Extra clothes to wear in Kathmandu when you come back from the trek.
- Trekking shoes
- Slippers/Flip flops to wear at camp
- Daypack 30-35 litres (To carry your sunblock, water, camera, waterproof jackets and others that you may require while trekking)

Documents

- Passport with visa and validity of 6 months after your trip completion
- 4 copies of passport size photos for permits and official formalities
- Travel Insurance (Please refer to the general information page for more detail about it)
- Flight tickets
- Credit cards in case of emergencies
- Driving ID or any other ID in case of loss of your passport.

(Please carry the photocopy of all the documents along with you and leave a copy to next of kin)

Others

- Headlamps with extra batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Camera with charger or spare batteries
- A pair of trekking poles
- Water bottle one (1) litre
- Laundry bag to keep the dirty clothes
- Large plastic bags to keep the clothes dry
- Padlock
- Binoculars
- Reading materials, notebooks and pens

Toiletries and hygiene

- Quick-drying towel
- Small face towel
- Toothbrush &Toothpaste
- Deodorants, Soap and Shampoo (Smaller bottle)
- Face and body moisturizer, Sunscreen and lip balm
- Hand sanitizer/Antiseptic wipes
- Hygiene products
- Basic first aid kit

The gears listed below will be provided by us for the trek. Down Jacket and Sleeping Bag must be returned after the completion of the trek.

- Down Jacket
- Sleeping bag 
- Duffel/Kit Bag

Read more about the equipment list for Everest base camp trek

Other Information

Other information such as (Insurance, Arrival Instructions, Visa and Passport etc) required for the trip will be provided after your trip confirmation.

Please feel free to get in touch with us if you require more information about the trip.

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Reviews

Amithra & Jeeva Nov 20, 2019

Very trustworthy of delivering the packaged deal. Had a fantastic team on making sure of your safety. Priority on making sure of your comfort. What more do you want…highly recommended!!!

Eunice Ng Nov 15, 2019

I would recommend this trip to anyone with a short time frame and want to avoid the downhill walk. The trek was wonderful with well placed itinerary and good guides. 3 of us in our mid-fifties managed to reach the base camp due to our guides care and attention to the details. The service provided by Highland Expeditions was second to none. We were worried about the helicopter fly out at the end of our trek due to poor weather. But Passang and his team managed to pull this off with great comfort and professionalism. The weather cleared for a while giving us just enough time to get off the mountain. The helicopter picked us up right in time and we were on our way to Kathmandu just like that. Many were still waiting and even at the last moment of our trek, we were reminded that we made the right decision to choose Highland Expeditions.