Everest Base Camp Helicopter trek

Included

• Airport transfers
• Accommodation
• Food during the trek
• Guides
• Porters
• Everest National Park permits and TIMS permit for trekking.
• All domestic flights 
• Shared helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Lukla.
• Duffel bag and sun hat.
• Farewell dinner
• All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
• Official expenses.

Excluded

• Food in Kathmandu
• Travel insurance 
• International flights
• Nepal entry visa
• Tips 

Kathmandu: Twin sharing in a 3-star hotel. There will be intermittent wifi and showers. 

Trekking: Tea houses which generally provide a quilt or blanket. However, you'll need to take a sleeping bag. The tea houses usually have dormitory-style rooms, but on occasion (particularly at lower altitudes) there may be a single or double room available. 

In Kathmandu, USD 45 Per Room per Night would be added as a single supplement fee. The single supplements are always guaranteed in Kathmandu but not in the mountain especially during the peak time.

Start: Your guide will collect you anytime from Kathmandu airport on day 1 of your itinerary. You have a trip briefing at 4 pm today, so please aim to arrive before then.

End: Your guide will drop you back at the airport after breakfast at 10 am on the last day of your itinerary.

This trip is aimed at beginners, with a moderate level of fitness. You'll need to be able to carry your day bag (5kg - 7kg) for up to 8 hours at altitude. You'll have plenty of rest stops along the way.

Most teahouses on the trails cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian food. You can expect pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal Bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. 

Yes absolutely - just let us know your requirements before you depart. 

Bottled water is easily available at the lodges and tea houses. You can buy bottled water at the cost of USD 2 at lower elevations to USD 4 to higher elevation per littler. You can also drink the normal tap or spring water if you bring the purifying aid with you.

Firstly, it's beautiful! You'll fly down, following the trail you have just hiked up. 

The helicopter flight from Gorakshep to Lukla is on a sharing basis. You will share it with other members of your own group or with other trekkers. The helicopter can carry 5 passengers but it can’t take off with more than 3 passengers above 4,500 meters. So, if there are more than 3 passengers, the helicopter will take 3 people in the first shuttle and drop them off at Pheriche. Then, the helicopter will transfer the remaining passengers from Gorakshep, stop at Pheriche and take all the passengers to Lukla.

While the itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation whilst on this trek. Please be aware that your guide may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time, and arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude.

When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. When you are at altitude, you enter a lower oxygen environment. All relevant itineraries are designed to ensure that this process is met.

So, what does this mean? This may mean that you may need to follow a longer route during the ascent phase to achieve the end goal. In this case, reaching Everest Base Camp. It may also mean that you must rest for a day or so at certain altitudes to ensure that our bodies
acclimatise properly to the change in environment. This will allow you to ascend safely and have a much more enjoyable experience.

High altitude sickness can happen to anybody – old or young, in a good shape or not. Being in hurry in the mountains of Nepal can be deadly. Your body can adjust to this altitude, but only if given enough time. If you find symptoms of altitude sickness, then you must descend at any cost. The symptoms are totally different from one person to other. Sometimes you might feel headache, you may feel you need to throw up, your fingers may go slightly numb or you may start breathing heavy. If you have these kinds of symptoms you should stop at this height. Drinking lots of water can help you out.  

You are advised to move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather.  

The primary modes of air transport in the mountain region are plane or helicopter. Sometimes, due to bad weather conditions or other technical issues, flights may get cancelled or delayed to and from Lukla. In this case, the guide can rebook your flight for the next day. We highly recommend you to prepare ahead for unforeseen circumstances (flight delay, bad weather) and schedule a couple of extra days at the end of your trek.

Another possible option is to charter a private full-reserved helicopter. The helicopter takes 5 passengers at a time, and the cost of trekking guide should be shared by trekkers respectively. The helicopters can often charge $2,500 for all 5 spaces ($500 each). We recommend speaking to your insurance company about this before your trip. 

Most of the tea houses do have western-style flushing toilet. However, at higher altitudes, you could find the squat style toilets.

The Himalayas can change rapidly and the guides may be forced to change the trip itinerary accordingly. Travellers need to be prepared for all weather conditions. For more information please read the kit list provided.

Low Season (End Nov - March) 

Daytime temperatures will be cooler, and the nights will be very cold. The days can bring winter storms, with regular snowfall above 2500m. Domestic flights are difficult at this time of year.  

Monsoon (Jun – Mid Sep) 

Temperatures are hot, with heavy rainfall almost every day. Trails can be very muddy, with frequent thunderstorms and high winds. 

Trekking season (End Mar-May & Mid Sep – End Nov) 

The most popular time to trek with mild – warm days and cold nights. The mornings tend to be clear, with some short rainfall in the late afternoons. In the higher altitudes, the temperatures often drop below freezing in the evening. At Everest Base Camp, the temperatures can drop as low as -15°C.  

It is customary in Nepal to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. You can give any tips to your lead guide at the end of your trip. This will then be shared amongst the whole team. 

For full transparency, the lead guide will distribute the tips to the guides and porters in your presence.  

A good rule of thumb is around $150 as a tip, although the amount you give is entirely your choice.  

When traveling in countries such as Nepal, it's important to maintain vigilance with hygiene and food safety. Bring plenty of hand sanitiser. 

Water

Whilst on the trek you have a few options for water. You can buy bottled water from the tea houses or you can fill up from the tap. If filling up from the tap, be sure to use purification tablets. You can buy these from any good outdoor store. Bottled water can be quite expensive to buy.

Food

It may be a good idea to consider going vegetarian when you are trekking to Everest Base Camp. It is not uncommon for meat to be carried up to the Tea Houses for a few days in the hot sun by the porters.  

Many different ethnic groups coexist in Nepal, and as a foreigner, you may be an object of curiosity. You may find that in certain places, the locals will want to talk to you or take pictures with you.

You will almost certainly be subject to a bit of hustle and hassle in Nepal, getting a dose of it immediately when you arrive in the airport. Nepal live in a haggling society where almost every monetary transaction (outside of hotels and restaurants etc) involves haggling.
It is likely that you will see beggars in Kathmandu. This can include children. Please be vigilant with your valuables when in this busy city.  

Currently, all foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu's Airport. If getting the visa at the airport be prepared for long queues. You will also need to provide one passport photo and the $50 USD fee if staying for less than 30 days. 

The currency used in Nepal is Nepalese Rupees (NPR). You are unable to get NPR outside of Nepal and therefore you will need to exchange money in Kathmandu. The easiest currency to exchange are USD and Euro’s. You can also withdraw NPR from the ATM, but check with your bank about the relevant charges to do this.

Please Note: If using your card in Nepal, then you will be charged a 4% service charge. Many places outside of Kathmandu and in the mountains will not accept card.  

Day 1: Not included

Day 2: Breakfast

Day 3 - Day 12: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Breakfast

Day 14: Breakfast

The hotel in Kathmandu does provide the free storage services. So you can leave all your items that are not required for the trekking at your hotel.

Documents

• Passport

• Travel insurance details

• Boarding passes for flights

• 2 passport photos

• Driver’s license (if needed)

• Cash USD

• Credit/Debit Card (Ensure you have $500 on your card incase an emergency helicopter evacuation is needed)

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag (Comfort rating -15 Celsius recommended)

• Sleeping bag liner (Optional)

Footwear

• Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight

• City footwear: Sandals

• Shoes for the plane and tea houses (Optional)

Clothing

Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.

• Base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)

• Fleece/Windproof jacket

• Waterproof jacket

• Down jacket for warmth

• Travel clothes and City Wear

• Underwear

• Base-layer trousers (optional)

• Waterproof trousers

• Trekking trousers

• Trekking shorts (Optional)

• Thick wool mountaineering socks

• Lightweight and breathable trekking socks

• Gloves and wool hat

Other

• A daysack: 35 litres

• A duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back (Max 8kg of weight for porters to carry)

• Dry Liner or Dry Bag

• Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best.

• Sunglasses

• Suncream

• Personal medication – Inhaler, Blister pads etc

• General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)

• Towel

• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger

• Lipsil

• Book

• MP3/Music and headphones

• Travel wash

• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes

The porters will carry up to 8kg for you, in accordance with recommended safe loads.