Where does my Everest base camp trek and helicopter return trip start and end at?

Your Everest Base Camp trek and helicopter return trip starts from Kathmandu valley as we take off from the domestic terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport. It ends similarly as it had started off in Kathmandu.

How difficult is to Trek to the Everest base camp?

The trek is not as difficult at all as you expect but better have some kind of hiking experience. You do not require any kind of technical expertise or mountaineering skills to trek to the Everest Base Camp. There are also no high passes to cross. The only thing you need to be aware of is the altitude. If you do acclimatize properly, eat the right food, and drinks and rest enough, and trek with an experienced guide and porter then you need not worry.

Why can't take a helicopter to the top of Everest?

It is practically impossible to take the helicopter to the top of Everest. The air is just too thin for most helicopters to produce enough power to lift and remain airborne. Besides that, the type of weather is strong enough to bring down any helicopter. Any kind of intentional landing in those conditions is strongly not recommended. There are several factors that limit a pilot's ability to fly to the top of Mount Everest. For much of the year, the mountain is covered in hurricane-force winds and sub-freezing temperatures.

How high do I fly during my Rapid Everest base camp trek and helicopter tour?

On the Rapid Everest base camp trek, the helicopter flies at an altitude ranging from 4,000 m to 5,500 meters high or above in some areas (18000 feet). Flying above 5,000m allows you to get close views of the mountains of the region and beyond other peaks of the Himalayas.

Are the guides and the pilots well trained and experienced for Rapid Everest Base camp trek?

All our guides and pilots are expert and highly trained professionals in this field. They have decades of experience leading worldwide customers and have taken them to the Himalayas with great skill and safety. The guides have complete knowledge about the flora-fauna, local culture, history, and traditional life of the villagers up there in the mountains. Besides that our pilots are well-trained and flying experts. They have in-depth knowledge and you will be in good hands even at times of emergencies if it arises.

What types of foods are available during the Everest Base Camp Trek?

You can choose the food you want from the Lodge/Tea house menu and the test of food depends on the place and the altitude. You can also choose local dishes and continental dishes. However, food is cooked by the basic local trainers so the taste may not be the same as you have at your house.

What are the main challenges of the trek to Everest Base Camp?

There are a few practical challenges that may or may not occur. It ranges from Lukla Flight Cancellation, getting altitude sickness on occasion, Khumbu cough, poor Wi-Fi signals, and getting hot showers.

How do you prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Preparing before trekking to the Everest Base Camp is always a wise decision. You should include and improve your cardio endurance, build stamina, and be comfortable carrying a daypack uphill for long periods at a time. Ideally, you should prepare on a regular basis for at least a couple of weeks before your trek. Try and begin hiking or taking long walks at least 1 day per week. All your focus should be on duration rather than distance.

What are the arrangements for safe drinking water on this trip?

It is always advisable to carry safe drinking water with you wherever you travel/trek. However, you can buy a bottle of mineral water along the way from Lodge. Our guide also brings a water purification tablet, if you need you can ask and take it from the guide.

How cold will be during the Everest base camp trek?

It all depends upon the area and the season. In the months of April to May, it is warmer during day time with a cold wind blowing in the mornings and late afternoons. Generally, the temperature drops down in the evening time. In the months of September to November, it is warmer during the daytime with the cold wind blowing in the mornings and late afternoons. The temperature drops down from -5*C to -8*C in the evening. However, we will suggest you carry the necessary warm gear to stay away from cold

Do you carry oxygen cylinders in case of emergency situations?

Yes, we always have oxygen cylinders ready with us. It is very helpful in times of unexpected health issues or in case of unforeseen emergencies as well.

How many passengers do you carry? Will there be other passengers on my flight?

The number of passengers carried largely depends upon the maximum carrying capacity of the particular helicopter that is hired. It depends on how you wish to travel, it will either be a group flight or it can be a private tour. The passengers on your flight are according to your booking preferences and confirmed orders

Will I get to charge my camera batteries and mobile phone during the trek?

Yes, you can charge your batteries and mobile phones in every place by paying some extra amount. The price of charging may vary in different places. It is wise to bring your power bank which you can charge in Kathmandu and use it in the higher area as charging batteries in the higher area is quite costly.

Do I need travel insurance to trek in the Everest Base Camp Region?

Trekking up into the mountains is unpredictable and there might be health emergency situations. If such thing happens than you will need a quick helicopter ride back to Kathmandu for treatment. Hence, adequate insurance is an essential requirement. You need to make sure that the insurance that you have covers helicopter rescue & medical evacuation expenses at high altitudes.

How safe is Everest Base Camp trekking?

Trekking Planner guarantees the safety, security, and satisfaction of its clients. Our reliable team members always carry all the necessary gear, and first aid kits to face any situation. If a trekker falls sick, the guide has the authority to decide whether to continue the hike forward or descend down immediately. In emergencies, we position and inform a helicopter to bring you back to safety. Trekking Planner also uses an oximeter to monitor the oxygen level of trekkers at high altitudes.

Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter Return -12 Days

An Advantage Of Booking a Trip with Trekking Planner Nepal.

All airports pick up drop by private vehicle (for both international and domestic flights).

First aid kit box.

Trekking Planner’s sleeping bag, down jackets, T-shirt, cap, and duffle bags for porter, city, and trekking route maps – if necessary.

Arrangement of emergency evacuation service (should have insurance for emergency evacuation and will be paid by your travel insurance company).

We use an oximeter to check your pulse, oxygen saturation, and heart rate, and we provide oxygen.

Sim cards are provided by our company for travelers, so there won’t be any networking issues.

Important Notice

1) Trekking Planner Nepal offers NCELL Physical SIM to all our clients for free. However, we charge a certain amount for the data packages or internet facilities. However, for those who require an eSIM, please note that the conversion of eSIM will need at least 24 to 48 hours for activation. We recommend ensuring additional time for SIM setup, especially for tight trekking dates. Our team here will help you acquire the eSIM, but it will be comparatively more straightforward for users to obtain a physical SIM upon arrival. However, for those who only have the option of an eSIM, please allow 24 to 48 hours for processing and activation.

2) The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has implemented new rules for helicopter landing at Kalapatthar. In a shared helicopter, there are either 5 passengers or 2 passengers, and the cost is split, and in the case of 5 passengers, the helicopter doesn't land. The cost must be split among two passengers for landing at Kalapatthar.

In a private helicopter, if there are 2 passengers, the helicopter lands, and in the case of 5, it doesn't land. There must be either a single passenger or two passengers for the landing at Kalapatthar.

In both sharing and private helicopters the helicopter lands at the Everest View Hotel for breakfast.

Introduction: Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek (Heli return to Lukla from Gorakshep) 2024/2025

Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the best combo trekking journeys filled with high-flying thrills and an overland adventure. It is an ideal mix of exciting treks that take you on foot to Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Pattar, followed by a leisurely helicopter flight from Gorek Shep to Lukla.

This extraordinary trek is best suited for trekkers who have limited time but want to explore the Everest Region and its surrounding area. Similarly, trekkers looking to experience Everest from both land and air can fulfill their long-awaited dreams.

From Gorak Shep, we take a short helicopter ride back to Lukla. This is one of the most scenic helicopter flights that passes through Kala Pattar and Mt Everest Base Camp. Trekking back from Gorek Shep to Lukla will take you about 3 days, but the scenic short flight will take about 10 minutes to reach Lukla.

Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter return to Lukla is a journey. You have a few acclimatization days to give your body time to adjust to the altitude. You will be acclimatized to the Sherpa village called Namche Bazar and Dingboche. On these days, you hike up to a couple of hundred meters and back, which will rely on help to adjust to the altitude.

During your trekking journey, you will be greeted by splendid snow-covered mountains. This trek's natural beauty is amazing, as it comprises the world-famous Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu Glacier.

Besides that, the Khumbu Valley has diverse topography, exotic terrains, and an ever-changing climate. On Everest's trekking trail, you will also meet people from different ethnic groups. Their warmth and generosity, filled with kindness, will make you feel at home away from home.

The Everest Base Camp trekking trail goes past dense forest and a Sherpa village to the base camp. It is a quick trek, whereas others take a couple of days more.

This exciting whirlwind of an adventure takes you to the quaint atmosphere far off from the city sound here alongside spectacular views.

This is a wonderful package to have a faceoff with the Himalayas added with a helicopter ride back can join this trip. We guarantee you that, this will be one of the best experiences that you ever had while making it to the Everest Base Camp ever.

What does a rapid Everest base camp trek with heli return mean?

Rapid Everest Base Camp doesn't mean trekking to Everest rapidly; it means hiking to the Everest base camp shortly. Trekkers will reach Everest's base camp in 8 days. On the ninth day, early morning, trekkers will take a helicopter ride back to Lukla from Gorakhsep. This way, trekkers can complete the trek in nine days and finish the trip quickly without walking around on the same trail. The other benefit is that trekkers can spend the remaining days in Kathmandu in luxury the way they want to and get a bird's eye aerial view from the helicopter flight.

everest-ama-dablam

Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek (Heli flight back to lukla) Altitude and Distance Coverage

Day	Activity	Altitude (m/ft)	Distance (km/miles)	Duration (hours)	Elevation Gain (m/ft)
1	On arrival at Kathmandu airport , transfer to the hotel.	1,350 m / 4,430 ft	-	20-25 min drive	-
2	Fly to Lukla , 35 min flight, and trek to Phakding .	2,860 m / 9,383 ft 2,610 m / 8,562 ft	8 km / 5 miles	3-4 hrs	-250 m / -820 ft
3	Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar .	3,440 m / 11,286 ft	10-12 km / 6-7.5 miles	5-6 hrs	+830 m / +2,723 ft
4	Acclimatization day at Namche with a short hike to the Everest View Hotel or surrounding viewpoints.	3,880 m / 12,730 ft	3-4 km / 2-2.5 miles	3-4 hrs (optional)	+440 m / +1,444 ft
5	Trek from Namche to Tengboche .	3,860 m / 12,665 ft	9 km / 5.6 miles	5 hrs	+427 m / +1,401 ft
6	Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche .	4,410 m / 14,470 ft	11-12 km / 7.5 miles	5 hrs	+543 m / +1,781 ft
7	Rest day at Dingboche with an optional hike to Nangkartshang .	5,083 m / 16,677 ft	3-5 km / 2-3 miles	3-4 hrs	+673 m / +2,208 ft
8	Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (.	4,910 m / 16,109 ft	11 km / 7 miles	4-5 hrs	+500 m / +1,640 ft
9	Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep , then to Everest Base Camp .	5,180 m / 16,995 ft 5,364 m / 17,598 ft	15 km / 9.3 miles	6-7 hrs total	+454 m / +1,489 ft
10	Climb Kala Patthar , descend to Gorakshep for breakfast, then take a heli flight to Lukla.	5,545 m / 18,193 ft	3 km / 1.8 miles (hike)	2-3 hrs (hike)	+365 m / +1,197 ft
11	Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu , afternoon free at leisure.	2,860 m / 9,383 ft	-	35 min flight	-1,510 m / -4,954 ft
12	Final international departure from Nepal.	1,350 m / 4,430 ft	-	-	-

Where Does Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek Begin and End?

The Everest Base Camp, Short Rapid Trek, begins from Kathmandu. A scenic flight takes you to the small Himalayan town of Lukla. Once you are here, you will start your trek to the village of Phakding.

Leaving Phakding behind, take the trail that reaches the Sherpa-inhibited village of the famous Namche Bazaar. This is an incredible village of Khumbu filled with excellent mountain views, culture, and historical wonders. You will acclimatize here for a day, take a rest, and explore if you feel like it.

The next day, the walk takes you ahead on a scenic trail to reach beautiful Tengboche, surrounded by green vegetation and snow-capped mountains, including Mt. Everest. As you walk, you will come across tall tree lines and an array of peaks with views of Mt. Everest and the magnificent Ama Dablam. Here, you will visit the all-important Tengboche Monastery, one of the biggest and most famous Buddhist monasteries in the Khumbu area.

Moving on from Tengboche Monastery will take you towards exciting tree lines, pure wilderness, and windy landscapes. Dingboche is the next destination. Due to its high altitude, the climate of Dingboche is always cool. The trail that you take is blessed with splendid views of the mountains in the backdrop, always giving you a feeling of having the mountain extremely close to you.

Further, as you go, you will reach Lobuche and then Gorakshep. The day you hike from Lobuche to Gorek Shep, you hike to Everest Base Camp (5364m) in the afternoon, the main target place on this journey. The next day, an early morning final climb from Gorak Shep will then reach you to the all-important Kala Patthar, known for its fantastic views of mountains.

Once you are on the top, you will be fascinated by the close views of the massive Khumbu Icefall and glaciers. Standing tall at 5,545 m and facing the breathtaking panorama of peaks with Mt. Everest and Mt. Pumori at a mere distance is a rewarding encounter.

After spending quality time around the scenic places of high Khumbu, you descend back to Gorakshep. From here, you board a Helicopter for a flight to reach back at Lukla, ending your high-flying adventure into the Everest Base Camp. From Lukla, you board a domestic flight that takes you to Kathmandu. It is a fantastic trekking journey with valuable moments, which will undoubtedly make this Short Everest Base Camp Trek with a helicopter return memorable.

Best season for a rapid Everest Trek with Heli Return to Lukla.

Generally, the months from March to May and September to November are the best times for this trek. Especially in March to May, wildflowers bloom in plenty, making it a very refreshing environment for trekking. Also, the morning stays clear with bright sunshine until the afternoon, and a bit overcast conditions tend to occur only late in the afternoons.

The months of October to early December are the second best time to be here for trekking, as the mountain views are clearer. However, the temperatures drop to minus degrees Celsius in the morning and night. Also, there is every chance of snowfall in some high areas en route to Everest Base Camp. Despite this, the temperatures during the daytime are still comfortable and are a good time for trekking on Everest.

What kind of food do trekkers get to eat during Everest Base Camp Trek?

During trekking in the Everest Base Camp area, you can choose various foods from the lodge/tea house menu. These include soups, steaks, sandwiches, Momo, macaroni dishes, and pizzas. The tea houses where you stay provide a food menu, and you can pick your choice and give the order to your guide. It is advisable to include light foods during lunchtime, as they make you feel lighter and more accessible while you walk.

For high altitudes, we always recommend garlic soup, a natural means of preventing altitude sickness, along with the Nepalese staple diet of Dal Bhat. Over the years, it has been one of the nourishing, light, and healthily trekking foods and continues to be.
Physical fitness level, medical, and health are required for trekking to Everest with helicopter return.

The Everest trail is not a strenuous trek. Trekkers will regularly hike for 4 to 6 hours on average. Trekkers and travelers with an average level of fitness can easily complete this trek. Previous trekking experience or regular exercise will be an added advantage, but it is not compulsory.

However, this trek is not recommended for individuals who are suffering from chronic ailments or have heart or lung diseases. If you suffer from health conditions, it is better to make the trip short by increasing the number of days required to reach Everest base camp by making the camps short.

What are the permits required for Rapid Everest Base Camp trekking?

The Everest Base Camp lies in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The campsite is labeled as a protected area by the government of Nepal. So, to enter the protected region, various permits are required. The Everest Base Camp trek permit can be obtained from Trekking Planner Nepal for individuals or groups. Similarly, the licenses of Everest Base Camp are compulsory documents thoroughly checked along the Rapid Everest Base Camp route by the officials. If these documents are missed, entry inside the area is restricted. The following is the list of documents and permits that are essential for the Everest Base Camp trek, along with the cost of permits required to purchase these documents.

Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit

The Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit replaces the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card, which the Khumbu Municipality authorizes. The cost to obtain the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit is as follow:

For foreigners, including SAARC countries (for the first four weeks)	NRP 2,000 per person
Later than Four weeks	NRP 2,500 per person

People can obtain the permit at the check post counter in Monjo or Lukla (Khumbu Pasang Rural Municipality Office). In Kathmandu, there are no substitute offices available to obtain the permit. However, Trekking Planner Nepal's representative may assist with obtaining this permit for the trek to ensure a smooth process.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

The Everest Base Camp comes under the Sagarmatha National Park, a protected region labeled by the Government of Nepal. So, to enter the national park, a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is required at a specific cost. The entry fee for Sagarmatha National Park entry is given below:

For Foreigners: NPR 3,000 per person

For SAARC nationals: NPR 1,500 per person

For Nepalese: NPR 100 per person

Trekkers can obtain the permit from Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board Office. Similarly, the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can also be purchased from Monjo's Sagarmatha National Park Entry Gate. During the peak trekking season in Nepal, there can be difficulty in obtaining a permit as one has to wait in line for the process. So, after submitting the required paperwork, a Trekking Planner Nepal agent can assist them in obtaining the permit in Kathmandu. This will make it possible for them to easily buy the entry permit, giving individuals a hassle-free experience.

Outline Itinerary for Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return

Day 1: On arrival at Kathmandu airport, the staff will transfer you to the hotel at 1,320 m /4,355 ft.

Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla 2,820 m/9,300 ft, walk to Phakding village 2,645 m / 8,725 ft - 04 hrs. trek.

Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m / 11, 350 ft - 06 hrs.

Day 4: Acclimatization day at Namche and a short scenic hike to the viewpoint.

Day 5: Trek to Tengboche 3,867 m / 12,760 ft-05 hrs.

Day 6: Trek to Dingboche 4,340 m / 14,320 ft - 05 hrs.

Day 7: At Dingboche, another rest day for acclimatization with a short hike.

Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16109ft) 4-5 hrs walk,

Day 9: Trek to Gorakshep (5180m/16995ft), 3-4 hrs walk, and Everest Base Camp (5364m/17600ft), 2-3 hrs walk

Day 10: Climb Kalapathar 5,545 m / 18,297 ft and descend to Gorakshep for breakfast, then a short Heli flight to Lukla

Day 11: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu, with the afternoon free at leisure.

Day 12: International departure for homeward bound.

Departure Date		Trip Status
Departure DateDeparture DateDec 21, 2024 Jan 01, 2025	Trip StatusTrip StatusAvailable	PriceStarting fromUS$1999
Departure DateDeparture DateDec 22, 2024 Jan 02, 2025	Trip StatusTrip StatusAvailable	PriceStarting fromUS$1999
Departure DateDeparture DateDec 25, 2024 Jan 05, 2025	Trip StatusTrip StatusAvailable	PriceStarting fromUS$1999
Departure DateDeparture DateDec 28, 2024 Jan 08, 2025	Trip StatusTrip StatusAvailable	PriceStarting fromUS$1999
Departure DateDeparture DateDec 29, 2024 Jan 09, 2025	Trip StatusTrip StatusAvailable	PriceStarting fromUS$1999

Departure Date

Trip Status

Price

Departure DateDeparture DateDec 21, 2024 Jan 01, 2025