EVEREST HELI TREK

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Everest Base Camp
Heli Trek

12 Days 5400 ex Kathmandu

Accommodation

2 Nights Hotel Stay
9 Nights Tea House

Transportation

Mostly on foot
Transfers and flights included
1 Porter 1 Trekker Policy

Included Meals

11 Breakfasts
9 Lunches
9 Dinners
All Open Menu Your Choice

Trip Grade

Category 3
High Heart Rate Holiday

Charity

Ok we get it, you just don’t have all the time in the world to hike through the Himalayas. Or you want to pack as much as you can into your life, seeing as much as possible.

That’s where our Everest Base Camp Heli Trek comes in. No compromise on safety, you still have to walk to Everest Base Camp and take a couple of acclimatisation days along the way, just so you reach it safely.

But once you have arrived, you want to get back asap. So we will pick you up from Periche (just down from Base Camp) and whisk you off to Kathmandu all in a matter of hours, rather than days.

On the 14th of May 2005, French helicopter pilot, Didier Delsalle landed his AS350 B5 helicopter on the summit of Mt Everest for 3 minutes 50 seconds. Delsalle said “When you reach the summit you reach the updraft point, and of course, the updraft winds have enough force to throw you away as soon as you put the collective down. I had to stick my skids on the summit and push into the mountain to stay on the summit.”

Known as “Valley inside the Clouds”, Khumjung is a three-hour walk from Namche. This village is home to a yak farm, the monastery with the famous yeti scalp, and Sir Edmund Hillary’s school.

Squeezed between the Asian and Indian tectonic plates, rise the mightiest mountain range on the planet, the Himalayas. This enormous network of summits and valleys is the backdrop of our adventure to the base camp of the highest summit of them all, Mt Everest. This is a place where legends are made, explorers such as Norgay and Hillary, stand atop of the pantheon of great adventurers.

The Everest Base Camp trek deserves the hype it has garnered over the years, trails meander up lush valleys until we hit the higher altitudes, where shrubs give way to snow and glaciers. We will be trekking through small trading villages and past ancient monasteries as we journey towards the Khumbu Glacier. When we reach Everest Base Camp we will also include a trek to Kala Patthar (5643m) with its legendary views of Everest itself.

Afterwards, we will board our helicopter and head down the Khumbu on what is surely one of the most scenic helicopter rides on the planet. If you are short on time but still need the adventure of reaching Everest Base Camp, then our Heli Trek is perfect for you.

Prayer flags on way to everest base camp

The Journey

Your group leader will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax, meet your teammates and take a stroll through Kathmandu’s bustling streets. We’ll enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner together and watch a cultural performance before getting much needed rest. (D)

The short, steep Lukla airport is one for the books. After landing, we’ll make our way through farming communities and Sherpa villages before seeing our first views of the Dudh Koshi River. Since today’s walk will be an easy one, you can comfortably take in the landscape and valley views. Over dinner at our Phakding teahouse, your guide will prepare you for tomorrow’s journey. (B,L,D)

Namche is what postcards are made of! To get there, we’ll cross suspension bridges passing over rushing rivers and framing snow-capped peaks. Your trekking team will be sure to wake you with ample time to enjoy the day. We’ll pass several mountain villages before we enjoy a hot lunch in Jorsale. Our bellies will be full as we continue to adjust to the altitude of Sagarmatha National Park to witness our first views of Mount Everest. (B,L,D)

Wake early to see golden mountain peaks and sip tea before we stroll to a local Tibetan-Buddhist center. Today our focus is rest and acclimatizing in preparation for climbing at higher altitude. We may even do a hike up to one of the nearby ridges, which will afford us amazing views of the mountains and improve our acclimatisation. (B,L,D)

Thyangboche is home to the most famous Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu. This monastery was recently re-built after it was destroyed by fire in 1989. We will have spectacular views of the Everest massif and the stunning Ama Dablam. As this area is a devout Buddhist region, the wild life is unharmed so there is a possibility that we may see some wild animals such as musk deer, mountain goat and pheasants etc. We will have a chance to look around and understand the importance of Buddhism in this part of Nepal. (B,L,D)

This is considered one of the most beautiful sections of the entire trail. We will head to Dingboche, which is at the foot of Ama Dablam, one of the region’s iconic peaks. After lunch at Somare village we continue up the valley, reaching our lodge at around 4pm. (B,L,D)

This is a very important acclimatisation day, getting us ready for the higher days ahead. We will walk to an amazing 360 degree viewing point of Island Peak and Makalu, the world’s 5th highest peak. (B,L,D)

Gradually we will make the ascent above the tree line and reach a wide meadow. Cholatse, Lobuche and Pumari mountains contrast this new landscape. “Sherpa’s Graveyard,” the area in which memorials have been built to honor those lives lost in this region is a sobering moment. We will rest at this landmark before continuing onto Louche, a settlement built at the foot of Lobuche Mountain.

It will take us three hours to reach Gorak Shep from Lobuche. It’s a rocky, snowy terrain, and we’ll stop for lunch before setting out for Everest Base Camp. At Base Camp, we see the icy-blue Khumbu Ice Fall and prayer flags and tents from current and past excursions. This is a moment you’ll remember for life. (B,L,D)

After our rest, we will ascend the slopes of Kalapathar, a small, rocky peak on the south west ridge of Pumori. A slow and steady pace once again takes us to a vantage point to savour the sensational Himalayan vistas all around. The climb is not easy but the view from the top surpasses your wildest imagination. We will hear huge glaciers creaking as they move under pressure and be awe-struck at the sheer size and majesty of the surrounding peaks including Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Tawache, Kantega and Everest – the highest mountain in the world. About 3 kilometers to the east and some 200 meter below, the famed Everest base camp is seen in a bowl at the bottom of the notorious Khumbu Ice Fall. For many trekkers, reaching Kala Pathar is a very emotional experience and we have allowed plenty of time on Kala Pathar to enjoy the experience. We return to Gorak Shep and then onto Periche. Overnight Periche (B,L, D)

What an incredible flight this will be, flying through the valley of the giants all the way back to Kathmandu (approximately 2 hours). We will then pick you up at the airport and transport you back to your room in Kathmandu.

Say goodbye or “Pheri Betaula” to new friends and get ready to edit many photos on your departure flight. Your leader will be there to wish you well on your journey home. (B)

Includes

  • Arrival and Departure transfers on both domestic and international flights.
  • Helicopter from Periche to Kathmandu.
  • 2 nights accommodation at Harati Manor Hotel Delux Room twin share
  • OPEN and CHOICE of Full board meals while on expedition.
  • One Trekker: One Porter Policy
  • Accommodation at clean and comfortable tea houses or lodges.
  • Welcome dinner with the cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
  • All Domestic flights and airport tax.
  • Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable.
  • Free use of quality trekking gear – sleeping bag, fleece liner, down jacket, rain poncho.
  • Professional local trek leader with Wilderness First Aid.
  • Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) / Gamow Bag (A life-saving device in case of Acute Mountain Sickness) along with a comprehensive First Aid Kit.
  • Assistant trekking guides and other support staff for Everest base camp trek.
  • Trekking map.
  • Personal Sherpa Porters to carry all personal gear.
  • Insurance of all staff including Porters.
  • Warm clothing and required trekking gear for Porters like Gortex jacket /trousers, trekking shoes, woollen hat, woollen gloves, woollen shocks, sunglasses etc.
  • Complimentary souvenir T-shirt.
  • TIMS Trekking permit

Excludes

  • International flights
  • Insurance
  • Tips and beverages

Journey Extensions and Upgrades

Check out our Journey Extensions for those that want to stay a little longer or try something different along the way.

Nepali Ghar Room

In the heart of Thamel, is the Nepali Ghar Hotel. The Nepali Ghar punctuates the new trend of modern hotels and breezes an ode to Nepalese traditional styles. These traditions afford a warm and homely environment for all adventurers. The hotels Delux rooms are luxurious and open with excellent facilities. The hotel has a restaurant that serves great food as well as a fitness centre.

If you would like to stay at the Nepali Ghar Hotel as part of your package of 2 nights before and 1 night after an expedition the extra price will be $600 (for all 3 nights).

For twin rooms where you share the room, the price is $350 per person twin share.

Nepali Ghar Room

In the heart of Thamel, is the Nepali Ghar Hotel. The Nepali Ghar punctuates the new trend of modern hotels and breezes an ode to Nepalese traditional styles. These traditions afford a warm and homely environment for all adventurers. The hotel’s Delux rooms are luxurious and open with excellent facilities. The hotel has a restaurant that serves great food as well as a fitness centre.

If you would like to stay at the Nepali Ghar Hotel as part of your package of 2 nights before and 1 night after an expedition the extra price will be $350 per person twin share (for all 3 nights).

For single rooms for these nights the extra price is $600.

If you would like to have your own room in Kathmandu we can organise this. The Single Supplement for all Everest Trips is $300 per person. Single rooms are not available outside of Kathmandu.

“Hi No Roads, just a quick thank you for the amazing experience I’ve just had in Nepal on the Everest Base Camp trek. Everything was spot on, from the quality of the Kathmandu hotel, the trekking equipment provided to the top quality meals along the way in the tea houses.  But most importantly, I was very impressed with the expertise of the local guides (when you have a Sherpa who has successfully climbed Mt Everest twice, you know you’re in good hands), their care of the group and advice about high altitude, what to expect and little hints on how best to acclimatise assisted in getting our whole group to EBC in one piece.” 

Hadyn, Australia

Trek responsibly with trained porters and guides

Our team are committed to making sure your journey is a safe and memorable one. Each guest is paired with one porter (we have a 1 Porter 1 Trekker policy) to ensure a comfortable trek, and all of our guides receive medical and mountaineering training to make sure your experience is pleasant. We provide safety equipment and bring necessary medical supplies on each trip.

Enjoy local and cultural experiences with our knowledgeable team

While we use the main trail to get us to Everest Base Camp, we will still have access to some of the regions most important monasteries including the monastery at Thyanboche. We will be spending a night in this wonderful village, so we will have a chance to witness some of the Tibetan rituals that still take place there.

Prepare for an adventure of a lifetime

Before we begin our trek, our team will review our itinerary to Lukla and answer your questions about what to expect in the days leading to Everest Base Camp. The Dudh Koshi River has carved a natural trail for us to follow as we hike towards the picture-perfect village of Namche Bazaar. We’ll spend several nights adjusting to the altitude before making our way further up the valley toward Dingboche where we will spend another 2 nights acclimatising. We’ll stop in Gorak Shep to prepare for our final ascent to see the ice-blue Khumbu glacier. Your stamina will be tested as we wake before sunrise to climb Kalapathar, a peak resting at 5545 meters above sea level. Here, the first rays of the morning will paint mountaintops copper and gold, and we’ll bask in the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas. This is truly a moment you’ll never forget.

Hiking to everst base camp with ama dablam in background

We get asked a lot of questions about the Everest Base Camp Heli Trek. The following are certainly the most common however if you have another question please let us know or the answer may be found in our Trip Notes section.

How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek?

Although climbing to the summit of Everest is legendary, you will be surprised that hiking to Base Camp is not that difficult after all. The enemy on this trek is altitude. As such we need to take it slowly so our bodies acclimatise. There are no really difficult sections on the trail with the possible exception just before Namche Bazaar. We have 2 acclimatisation days on this trek where we spend the day hiking to a higher altitude, before heading back down for our bodies to recover. If you are a reasonably active person who puts in a bit more training for this trek, you should have no problems.

Do I have to carry my own gear?

You do not have to carry you own gear all the way to Everest Base Camp. Our 1 Porter 1 Trekker policy allows us to carry all your gear for you during the day. Your bag will be at the tea house ready for you to freshen up at the end of the day. All you need to carry is a day pack which will have some wet weather gear in it such as the supplied poncho, possibly warmer clothes, water and sunscreen and some money. Usually the pack will weigh around 5kgs.

What are the Tea Houses like on the Everest Base Camp trek?

Your accommodation along the way will be the iconic Nepali Tea Houses. These Tea Houses are one of the highlights of the trip. We have handpicked what we think are the best Tea Houses along the trail to Everest. Warm and inviting, each Tea House consists of a communal hall with tables and chairs scattered around the perimeter and central to the room is the heater, which as the sun falls below the horizon becomes a focal point. 

The Tea House serves up delicious food from Western staples such as fried potatoes to Nepali dal bhat. We have an open menu policy, so you can pick anything from the menu.

Bedrooms fan out from the main communal room either at the same level or upstairs. Bedrooms are usually basic and bathrooms are shared. 

Each Tea House has its own history and are incredible places to stay, to fill our bellies, warm our hands and to meet other hikers from all over the world. Put simply, we love Tea Houses.

What about the helicopters. Where do you get these and what if the weather is bad?

All helicopters used to extract you from Periche are from Kathmandu and are often used for rescue and sightseeing flights to the region. All pilots are specifically trained for high altitude flights.

If the weather is poor we will not fly. This can happen in the mountains. We will usually see what the next few days present and work out whether it is ok to stay at Periche or to hike further down the valley.

Pradip Nepal manager No Roads Expeditions

We do not compromise on your safety in our Everest Heli Trek. That is why we have included 2 acclimatisation days along the way so you arrive at Everest base camp safely. You will love the incredible scenery on the way from ground level and then from the sky on the way back. This is an incredible journey for those pressed for time.

Pradip
Nepal Ops Manager

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