The Everest Base Camp Short Trek Helicopter Return takes you on a journey via the world’s highest trekking terrain. EBC is the ideal destination for enthusiastic hikers and explorers, located at the base of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain.
You can explore Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the most renowned overlook in the Khumbu region, on this Everest Base Camp Short Trek with helicopter return. The short trek to Mount Everest Base Camp passes through rural Sherpa communities, old Buddhist monasteries, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sagarmatha National Park. Once you arrived at the charming Phakding village when you see stone-paved steps, prayer flags floating in the breeze, and the houses which are attractively adorned, Mani walls have also been built near the location. The Sherpa ethnic group, mountaineers who live in Nepal’s Himalayas, make up the majority of the village’s residents. Warm-up with a cup of butter tea at night.
Lukla and Helicopter Flights:
A fixed-wing carrier will transport you to and from Lukla. On Day 10, you board a helicopter from Gorak Shep and return to Lukla after completing your trek to EBC. From Lukla, you’ll take a regular (fixed-wing) aircraft back to Kathmandu, you’ll save time and energy by choosing a helicopter flight from Gorak Shep to Lukla. The flight above enormous mountains, glaciers, and Sherpa towns is an incredible aerial experience that you will never forget. The helicopter also allows you to avoid the exhausting return walk to Lukla through the same route.
Challenges:
Flying to Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport has its own set of challenges. Among all, the weather stands as the most crucial factor, considering that the airport rests on a cliff atop a small plateau, subject to strong gusts that complicate maneuvering the plane on the compact and narrow airstrip. The unpredictable weather in this area, circled by some of the planet’s tallest peaks, leads to regular changes. Flights receive authorization solely during periods of stable weather and favorable visibility.
It’s difficult to say whether or not your Lukla flight will be canceled. If this happens, your journey may be postponed by one or two days. So come prepared and add days to your itinerary to ensure you don’t miss your overseas flight.
We will reserve a spot for you on a helicopter flight if there is a considerable delay due to inclement weather.
Transportation and Flights
The helicopter is not included in the vacation fee and must be paid for separately. Flights to and from Lukla are currently operated from Manthali Airport near Ramechhap, due to heavy traffic at the Kathmandu airport during the busy season (spring and fall). Kathmandu is 132 kilometers (4 hours and 30 minutes) away from the airport. However, airlines fly directly from Kathmandu and Lukla on their first and last flights (KTM-LUKLA-KTM). If you book in advance, we may be able to get you a ticket on a direct flight to or from Lukla. Instead of undertaking the additional route to Ramechhap, it will be easier and more convenient to fly straight from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa.
Entry Permits & Requirements:
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek requires two permits:
1) Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and
2) Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit.
Unlike many Nepal Himalaya climbs, you won’t require a TIMS (Tourist Information Management System) card for this one.
The Nepal Tourism Board’s office in Kathmandu or the park’s entrance gate in Monjo can provide you with Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit for NRS 3000.
The fee for citizens of SAARC nations is NRS 1500.
You must complete the permit application and present your passport or a copy of your passport. You must be in Lukla to obtain the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit. The permission can obtain, costing NRS 2000, at the rural municipality counter located on the outskirts of the settlement. You won’t have to worry about waiting for permits since the company or our guides will take care of everything.
Travel Insurance:
All clients participating in any activity must have travel insurance. Personal injury, death, hospital expenditures, repatriation fees, helicopter rescue, and any other disease covered by the insurance plan will be given, we highly advise you to acquire a comprehensive insurance plan from a trustworthy insurance company.
Passport and Visa:
All participants must hold a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity, adhering to Nepalese regulations. You can fulfill this requirement through the Nepalese consulate in your home country or upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. This measure ensures compliance with entry and exit requirements for a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Equipment lists:
- Find the guidelines regarding essential trekking gears.
- Daypack above 40 liters. (Must be waterproof)
- Down jacket (rental available)
- Warm sleeping bag (rental available)
- Sun head, gulf cap, sunglasses, headlamp, and torchlight.
- Ear-muffs, sun Lotions/sun cream.
- One pair of liner gloves is thin wool and synthetic.
- Cotton t-shirts, Synthetic t-shirt.
- Two Long sleeve polyester or synthetic lightweight for sunny days.
- One Soft-shell jacket water & wind resist.
- One swimming dress.
- Inner clothes as your requirement.
- Liner socks, woolen socks.
- Proper trekking shoes.
- Imodium or Pepto Bismo capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Diamox for altitude sickness. The guide will help you to take it.
- One small personal-sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as moleskin, bands, anti-infection ointments, muscle relief ointments.
