TRIP INFOMATION
Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli return from Gorakshep is a thrilling experience of the snow-capped peaks and the Himalayan terrain of the Khumbu region, which is ornamented with the settlements of ethnic Sherpa people. The Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli return from Gorakshep presents that very option for trekkers who are looking for an adventure that combines both the trekking and a grand helicopter ride back that offers adventurers a bird’s eye view of the high Himalayas and the Himalayan terrain.
The 11 days trek starts with a short flight to Lukla and a trek through the Dudh Koshi River valley towards the Sagarmatha National Park. Enjoy the magnificent views of the various peaks of Khumbu along with the famous tourist hub of Namche Bazaar and the large and attractive Tengboche Monastery. The journey to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain peak is an unforgettable feat. Everest Base Camp in itself is a marvel as you can relish the beauty of the might Everest (8848m) while standing at its very foot. Moreover, enjoy one of the best highlights of the Khumbu at Kala Patthar, from where the entire view of the Mount Everest (8848m) massif is seen in a ravishingly gorgeous manner. The Khumbu’s trans-Himalayan terrain presents some of the best topographical features for trekking. From the deep river valleys surrounded by verdant green hills to miles of long stretches of terrace farms brimming with barley plants and rolling rice stalks, wide-open pasturelands, and snowy expanses of boulder-strewn fields accompanied by the gushing Himalayan rivers to rich Sherpa settlements and bustling mountain towns, the Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli return from Gorakshep presents a hauntingly beautiful adventure that is made even more exciting with a helicopter ride back over the region.
Join Himalayan Recreation for this memorable adventure to the foot of the mighty Everest. With us, you are always in the care of professionals who have been involved in the travel field for more than a decade. The trekking package is also made with the absolute best care keeping the satisfaction of our customers in mind, blending the best features of Khumbu to present our customers with an experience that will forever be embedded in their memories. This is one trekking journey that definitely should not be missed.
On your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of the company’s staff will pick you and escort you to the hotel. You can have some rest after such a long journey, and in the evening, you will meet your guide. He will briefly explain to you about the upcoming trek. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Early morning you will have a 30-minute scenic flight to Lukla over the lush green hills and snow-capped mountains. Upon landing in Lukla, you will be walking past the stone paved streets of the village and trekking along winding trails to arrive in Phakding. Along the journey, you can catch your first glimpses of Kusum Khangkaru (6367m) and Kongde Ri (6168m). Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Phakding.
Today you will be walking along the side of Dudh Koshi River passing many small villages. You will reach Monjo, which is the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park, and our guide will take care of the permits. Then crossing a suspension bridge and walking a bit ahead, you will arrive in Namche Bazaar. You can enjoy the bustling town’s rich Sherpa ambiance as the town’s streets are lined with small Chortens and prayer wheels. Stay overnight in the hotel.
The town of Namche is a great destination for an overnight stop for acclimatization. The town is one of the most famous towns of the Khumbu region and used to be a rendezvous point for many Nepali and Tibetan traders in ancient times. The town is also amazing for experiencing the Sherpa culture of the Himalayas, and you can also visit the Everest Photo Gallery and the Sherpa Culture Museum here. Stay overnight at the hotel.
From Namche Bazaar, the trekking trail continues further towards the Dudh Koshi River Valley, reaching Phunke Tenga—a small settlement that offers an excellent view of Ama Dablam (6856m). Trekking along the alpine forest, you will finally reach Tengboche, the spiritual center of Khumbu. You can visit the famous and large Tengboche Monastery here. The monastery is surrounded by rhododendron-covered forests that are home to the colorful Himalayan monal and mountain eagles. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Tengboche.
From Tengboche, you will trek along a well-trodden track that crosses the suspension bridge over Imja River and passes through the village of Pangboche to reach Dingboche–a famous “summer valley” of the Khumbu region. The village of Dingboche is a quaint mountain settlement that is surrounded by tall hills and towering peaks along with Mani walls and colorful prayer flag-laden monasteries and Chortens. Overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Today you will be walking along the steep trails passing through small villages en route to Lobuche. You will pass by the memorial stone Chortens that were specially made for the people who lost their lives while heading towards the summit of Everest. Then you will ascend along the large Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche. Overnight in hotel.
From Lobuche, you will make your way alongside the Khumbu Glacier towards Gorakshep—a sparsely occupied settlement and one of the last stops before the Everest Base Camp. From here, the trail finally reaches the base camp of Mount Everest. Upon your arrival at the base camp, you can witness great sights of the Khumbu Icefall and the various peaks of Mahalangur Himal Range, including Everest (8848m). After spending some time at the base camp, return to Gorakshep for the overnight stay.
Early in the morning, you will trek to Kala Patthar—one of the best viewpoints in the Khumbu region. Kala Patthar offers panoramic views of the entire Everest massif. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful sunrise view over the mesmerizing snowy peaks of the Mahalangur Himalayan Range. After enjoying the sunrise at Kala Patthar, you will make your way back to Gorakshep, from where you will take a helicopter ride back to Lukla. The helicopter ride presents the amazing perspective of the magnificent mountains, and you can also see the dramatic change in the terrain as you fly over the region. The towering peaks are quite brilliant to witness in such a fashion. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Lukla.
An early morning start to Kalapatthar from Gorakshep is one of the best parts of the trip. Kalapatthar is a well-known vantage point common for providing panoramic views of Mount Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Pumori (7165m), Lhotse (8414m), and many other peaks. A tough ascend to Kalapatthar rewards you with the mesmerizing sunrise over the snowy peaks. The sun rays touch the tip of the mountains and change the Colour of the peaks from silver to gold. After spending some time in Kalapatthar, you hike down to Gorakshep and then trek all the way down to Pheriche. Overnight stay at the guesthouse.
One of our staff members will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport to connect you with your flight back home.
TERM
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Proof of travel insurance is mandatory before starting the trek. Standard policies often only cover medical evacuation to 4000m so make sure the policy you get covers trekking as an activity up to 6000m. You only need to be covered on the policy for the days you will actually be trekking. We have some suggestions on finding an insurance company on our Terms of Service Page
EXTRA COSTS AND EXCLUSIONS
Our trekking packages are pretty much all inclusive when you arrive in Nepal. Here are additional expenses that you can plan on while trekking:
- For visas please click here.
- Sleeping Bag Rental $20 and Down Jacket $15 if needed.
- All the meals are included on the trek but we only include breakfast while you are in Kathmandu.
- We suggest a tip for the guide and porter after the trek – Plan on around 10% of the cost of your trek.
- We don’t include drinking water on the trek which you can buy a number of places for between $1 and $3 a bottle (it gets more expensive towards base camp). A better solution is to buy water tablets in Kathmandu for around $2 and treat the water (your guide can help you find the good places to fill your water bottle).
- The other things not included on the trek are like Wifi, charging batteries and hot showers. Wifi is available in some tea houses for $3 to $5 an hour. Hot Showers are also available in a few of the tea houses for between $4 and $6. Charging electronic devices is possible in the tea houses and charging costs between $1 and $3 an hour.
- Unforeseen cost due to flight cancellation, weather conditions etc. You are responsible for extra hotel nights ($40/night) and meals in Kathmandu or Lukla for any extra days in Nepal due to flight delays.
SOLO TRAVELERS
We generally don’t charge solo travelers any extra fees. Solo travelers can expect their own hotel room in Kathmandu but will need to share a room with other group members during the trek. If availability allows we will arrange private rooms on the trek as well upon request.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
We understand things happen and plans change and will refund your deposit minus a $150 cancellation fee. If your travel dates change we can generally reschedule you at no extra charge, but please provide at least 7 days advance notice.
EQUIPEMENT
The following are what we advise you obtain in the way of equipment and gear before trekking in Nepal, and are meant to keep you mobile and comfortable in a range of expected weather conditions. Trekking gear can be rented or purchased in Kathmandu at cheaper prices, remember Nepal is the home of Mount Everest, there is plenty of choice and our staff can assist you with the necessary arrangements. Except for your day pack, all luggage will be carried by porters. There is an allowance of 33lbs/15kg per person. Additional personal items not needed for the trekking portion of the trip can be checked in the hotel’s storage room for no extra cost.
HEAD
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses
- Head torch
UPPER BODY
- Cotton T-shirts or Thermals
- Fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Down jacket
LOWER BODY
- Lightweight cotton pants (long)
- Waterproof Pants
FEET
- Thin inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Comfortable Hiking boots
HANDS
ACCESSORIES
- Sleeping bag rated to – 20°C
- Trekking bags/duffel bag
- Large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag)
- Trekking poles (optional, recommended)
- Water bottle or camel bag
- Toiletries
FAQs
THE BASICS
Trekking is an adventure, a long arduous journey the combination of hiking & walking around the remote villages & unknown trail where the terrain is usually hilly & you're likely to encounter snow in higher altitude.
The best season for tekking in nepal is known be to after fall & after winter, the following month mid of September to mid of December consider ever best season of trekking in Himalayas. During this period of months, the weather is pleasant, not so cold & not so hot.
Trekking is for everyone who is physically fit & loves the outdoors & adventures.
If you're confident then you can guyide yourself but we suggest you to travel with guide not only for the safety but also to make your trip more enjoyable. Our guides are trained, well-knowledged & aware about all the trails of remote villages which will make your trek to any part of the country a lot more easier. Even if you're well- knowledged & confident, we recommend you to travel with guide which will surely help you enhance your experience.
WHO CAN GO?
There aren’t any certain age limits for Himalayan trekking since we've had families with kids of 8 years & our eldest trekkers have been in their late 70's. As long as the trekker is physicaly fit & willing to trek, there is no age limits for adventure.
People of all type of shape can go for this trekking as long as he/she is physically fit & healthy. Some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking is recommended before you embark on your journey. We suggest you to go for short treks & hikes before your departure inorder, to feel comfortable during your trekking.
Generally, anyone who have a good stamina will be able to cope with higher altitude & lower oxygen density. But we do suggest one to have short treking or hiking experience at any part of the world for maximum enjoyment of you Himalayan trek.
PREPARATION
Things that you will need to bring for your trek to Everest Base camp or any other place are listed below; • Clothing -Base layer -Insulation layer -Third layer • General Trekking gear -Trekking trousers & shirts -Trekking shorts -Waterproof shell jacket & trousers -Underwear • Headwear -Hat -Beanie -Neck gaiter • Handwear & Footwear -Inner Gloves -Outer isulated gloves -Hiking boots -Trekking shoes/sandals -Hiking socks -Warm thermal socks -Gaiters • Bag & backpackers -Duffel bag -Backpack -Dayback -Raincover -Dry bag • Sleeping gear -Sleeping bag -Liner -Ear plugs • Poles & Headgear -Trekking poles -Sunglasses -Headlight • Important accessories -Water bottle/Hydration bladder -Towel -Pee funnel -Lock -Waterproof bag • Extra accessories -Camera -Portable charger -Books -Cards -Passport,Money • Medications & Toiletries Water purifiction tablet, Isotonic powder, Diamox, Common Medications, First aid kit, Sunscreen, Baby wipes, Toilteries, Plasters, Oximeter, Hand sanitizer.
Travel insurance is compulsory & it is the responsibility of traveler to do so before beginning their journey. Register your insurance with our company name & be sure to give us the copy of the Insurance Certificate and point out the Emergency Telephone numbers.
It depends on your specific trek. For some trekking, it requires special permit & for some you’ll just have to get a simple pass to enter conservation areas & national parks. Most require a Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card. We handle all permits for you, so you wouldn’t need to worry about this.
Yes, please bring a copy of your travel insurance, a copy of your passport and 3 photos (passport size) with you for your trip to Nepal. You would need photos for permits.
ABOUT THE TREK
The number of your trekking days usually depends according to your trekking but mostly Himalayan treking lasts for 2-4 weeks.
Trekking hours might differ according to the place you're trekking to but generally, trekkers walk for 4-6 hours each day.
If you're trekking to Everest base camp, one of the most unpredictable thing is weather & temperature. So, the best option is to always be prepared for any conditions. The weather & temperature tend to be somewhat predictable based on the months & seasons. for eg; • Spring-March, April, May, June Spring happens to be one of the best times of the year to visit the Everest region, although because of this, it can become somewhat crowded. During springtime, the average temperature is 20 degrees C (68 Degrees F), with a maximum of 25 degrees C (77 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -15 degrees C (5 Degrees F), in the morning and at night for areas above 4000 meters. • Monsoon season-July/August through mid-September This season is not really recommended to travel as it rains in the lower altitudes, below 3500 meters. Duringthis time, the average temperature is 22 degrees C (71.6 Degrees F), with a maximum of 30 degrees C (86 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -5 degrees C (23 Degrees F), in the morning and at night for areas above 4000 meters. • Autumn-End of September, October, November This is also one of the best season to trek in Everest region. The average temperature during the fall is 17 degrees C (62.6 Degrees F), with a maximum temp of 20 degrees C (68 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -15 degrees C (5 Degrees F), in the morning and at night, for areas above 4000 meters altitude. • Winter-December, January, Feburary The average temperature during the winter is 10 degrees C (50 Degrees F), with a maximum temp of 17 degrees C (62.6 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -20 degrees C (-4 Degrees F), in the morning and at night, for areas above 4000 meters altitude.
You can find telephones in some villages on your way to Everest region from which you can make international calls. Except that all our guides carry local sim cards of both Nepal Telecom and Ncell in order to update whereabouts and situation of our every client.
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD & TRANSPORTATION
In Kathmandu, We use standard rooms at three star hotels with breakfast & meals included. Duriong trekking, Unless you signed up for a camping trip specifically, most treks include lodge or guest house accommodation. Incase if there are not any guesthouse or lodges, you'll be sleeping in tents.
We eat our meals most of the time in guesthouse, lodges & teahouses where Continental menus are generally available, along with soups and dishes of noodles or rice. On most of the remote routes, only traditional dal, bhat, curry & noodles will be available.
We provide all the meals during the trek, butit won't be piossible for us to provide water. The tea houses will give you good quality free water and you can also get along the trail but you will need to treat it. The best option is to treat the local water either with chlorine/iodine tablets or to use a steri pen. On most treks you can buy mineral water along the trail. A liter of mineral water at lower elevation tea houses costs around $1 USD but at higher elevations can cost up to $4 so the cost can add up.
Most of the tea houses do have western style flushing toilet however in higher elevation you could only find the squat toilets made of either a ceramic basin on the ground or few planks precariously positioned over a hole in the ground which is always outside of the room.
No, that is not a problem at all as most of the lodges in Everest region serve vegeterian meal & it is best to have vegeteraian meal to avoid food poisoning.
Yes, the food prepared in mountains are very safe to eat. All the foods are fresh & healthy. We suggest you to eat vegeterian meal during trek & follow the suggestions of your guide.
Mode of transportation during your trek may vary according to the places you're visiting & trails.The transportation to & from the destination varies from domestic flights to vehicular transportation. You'll be provided with our private vehicle most of the times. We'll be arranging all the transportation services for you to feel as comfortable as you can so you wouldn't have to worry about it.
You'll have to book you internation
HEALTH & SAFETY
Good overall fitness, flexibility, and healthy will ensure your trek safely and comfortably. Those with acute or chronic health conditions impacting their stamina, range of motion, coordination, or balance may have difficulty completing the trek. Foe those who havesome doubts about their fitness, the best option would be to try some hiking & short trek before your journey.
You'll have to book you international flight on your own since we are a local agent well handle evrything for you once you arrive Nepal.
There are high chances of getting altitude sicknes when you travel to higher elevation. As you climb higher, your body will start to show some symptoms as it is not used to the high altitude. To avoid altitude sickness, you can find acclimatization day in most of the trek when we take rest at certain place & go for short hikes around the area to adjust our body to the increasing altitude.
We take all the responsibility of your health & wellness during thetrek. If you get sick in Higher altitude, we immediately take you to lower altitude for recovery & if needed your guide will utilize your travel insurance information to call a rescue helicopter, and you will be flown to Kathmandu or Pokhara for medical attention.
Yes, it is very much safe for female & male both to travel solo in Nepal or himalayas. We take all the responsibilty of safest of our guest either it is female or male .So, we assure you that you wouldn't need to worry about safety while travelling with us.
EXTRA/PRACTICAL MATTERS
Yes, our representative from Himalayan Recreation Treks will be there to pick you up at the time of your arrival & drop you off at the time of your departure.
Yes, you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. A tourist Visa with multiple entry for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, a tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100.
It depends on your spending habits but generally, in Kathmandu US$15 to US$20 will be enough for dinner & lunch per day per person & US&10 to US$15 will be enough to to buy bottles of water, chocolates, pay for the hot shower and a few drinks during the trekking. You should note that the price gets higher as you go to higher elevation.
Although the possibility of flight getting delayed or cancelled is really rare but if it gets delayed due to certain weather condition then, in Kathmandu we will rebook your flight for the next day. We may also be able to provide an option for a privately chartered helicopter. If you choose to take the helicopter this can cost an additional $500 or more depending on availability and group size. Extra hotel nights ($40) and meals in Kathmandu are not included when flights are delayed although we will make arrangements for you. If your flight is delayed from Lukla you are responsible for extra accommodation and meals (approximately $30).
If you decide to travel solo & not join our group treks then, you'll be charged US$15 extra for porter as well as for addittional hotel charge.
Sometimes trekkers cannot complete the trek due to their schedule, health problem or any other personal reasons. In this case, we request to be understandable that we cannot offer you the refund for unused days on trek. Please understand that our costs are the same as we have an obligation to pay our guides and porters for the time they have committed.
The trip will be confirmed only when we receive the completed final booking form and 30% deposit payment. You can pay the rest of the balance when you arrive in Kathmandu by USD Cash, Credit cards (Master, Visa and American Express) any card payment requires 4% bank fee while doing the transaction, which is taken by bank itself.
Cancellation notice is required, minimum of 20 days before trip departure. If the reason is valid the Trip shall then be termed as cancelled and the cancellation charge of 30% of the trip amount would be deducted from the advance paid ampount. If you do not cancel your trip before 20 days, you must be aware that the trip you’ve already bought is completely non-refundable as per our terms and conditions.
Yes, all our guides have received 45 days training from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center in Nepal. The guides have also received high altitude first aid training from KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project).
All our guide are trained to use first aid kit incase of emergency & are 24 hours available for your service. They have knowledge to use Oximeter in order to track your oxygen level just to make sure you are fit enough to continue your high altitude walk. Guides also carry local sim cards both Nepal Telecom and Ncell in order to update whereabouts and situation of our every client. During the time of emergency our guides are alert and keeps updated to head office in Kathmandu that is available 24 /7 to arranging from horse to mules or helicopters in the must needed cases especially when client is seriously sick in the mountain and needed to be hospitalized.