Our Everest Base Camp Heli trip will take us on an 11-day adventure starting in Kathmandu and ending at the base camp of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. We will also stop at Kala Patthar en route, which is a very popular Everest region location. We will fly to Lukla the day after we arrive in Kathmandu, where our journey will begin. We are going to rent a helicopter from Gorak Shep to Kathmandu to wrap up our tour. A thrilling helicopter ride above the gorgeous Gokyo Lake, a well-known stop for hikers visiting the Everest region, will also be included in our itinerary.
After meeting us at Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), a representative from Mission Nepal will take us to the hotel of our choice. Once checked in, we could visit Kantipur Holidays or just relax. At a typical Nepalese restaurant in the evening, there will be a welcome supper featuring real Nepali food and a brief cultural display.
Today, We will fly to Lukla, the base of operations for your Everest excursion. You’ll catch an early flight to Lukla after being dropped off at the domestic airport. We get beautiful views of the tops of the mountains during the short trip. Lukla is the starting point for your journey to Phakding, a charming town on the edge of the Dudh Koshi River Valley in Khumbu. Along the way, you will be able to witness the Kusum Kanguru Peak and other scary mountains in breathtaking detail.
While hiking up the Benkar valley to the north, we pass through beautiful pine-filled woods. Monjo, the entry point to Everest National Park, is the destination we get at after traversing the Dudh Koshi River and proceeding beyond Chumoa. Afterwards, we stroll beside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers after crossing a suspension bridge and the village of Jorsale. Namche Bazaar, the main centre of the Sherpa culture, is reached after a difficult ascent. A clear day might let us to see both Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse before reaching Namche Bazaar.
The purpose of this day is to acclimate. The commercial hub of Khumbu is Namche Bazaar. Namche offers breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongdi RI, and several other nearby Himalayan peaks in addition to Everest. This is where the Everest Photo Gallery and the Sherpa Culture Museum are located. Similarly, you can ascend to the top of the settlement, to the Syangboche Airstrip. Syangboche enjoys good views of the Himalayan peaks encircling the town in the distance, as well as Namche below. An analogous experience can be had by going to the Everest View Hotel, which features views of the Everest peaks from every window.
This section of the walk will take us down to the famed Dudh-Koshi River, and from there, we’ll climb up through stunning rhododendron woods to Tengboche. Some of the most well-known mountain peaks in the world, such as Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and many more, will be breathtakingly visible to us along the route. We will see the biggest monastery in the area when we get to Tengboche and enjoy the breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and other peaks.
We will spend the night at Tengboche.
Trekking through stunning forests with a variety of species, including birch, conifers, and rhododendrons, is what we will do. Beautiful vistas of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Mount Everest will be available to us while traveling. We will descend via Devuche and cross the Imja River to arrive in Pangboche. We will now proceed in the direction of the Imja Valley and the Lobuche River before making our way up to Dingboche. Dingboche has stunning fields encircled by stone walls that shield crops from animals and chilly winds, including potatoes, barley, and buckwheat. A stunning view of the Himalayas and the Pangboche Monastery may be had from the top Pangboche routes.
Today is set aside for getting used to the new environment. You will hike up Nagarjun Hill, which is located close to Dingboche, today. The steep trek is well worth the effort because of the expansive views of the Imja valley that one may enjoy from the summit. Among many other Himalayan peaks, you may take in breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest. You will hike back down after enjoying some time at the viewpoint point.
In order to prevent altitude sickness, it’s crucial to go slowly and steadily up the steep and difficult ascent from Duglha to Chupki Lhara. Reminiscent of the dangers and sacrifices necessary to reach the top of the world’s tallest mountain, the tributes honoring Scott Fischer and Babu Chiri Sherpa are moving. Follow the Khumbu Glacier moraine for more amazing views of the surrounding peaks, including Pumori, sometimes called “Everest’s daughter” because of its proximity to the tallest mountain in the world. At last, we will reach Lobuche, a tiny settlement that is a well-liked base camp for climbers going up Everest and other surrounding peaks. Lobuche has a variety of facilities for hikers, including restaurants, guesthouses, and shops that sell souvenirs and trekking gear, despite its isolated position.
We will hike across the once-large Gorak Shep Lake to reach Everest Base Camp. We shall pass monuments honoring the mountaineers of the Indian army along the route. It is imperative that we follow our lead Sherpa because the path can be difficult to navigate. The walk will be difficult due to the high altitude; before arriving at Everest Base Camp, we will cross streams, moraines, and rocky dunes. From there, the vibrant tents of the mountaineers will stand out against the drab surroundings. Beautiful vistas of Pumori, Khumbuste, and Nuptse will be visible to us. We’ll spend the night back in Gorak Shep after that.
While it’s best to visit Kala Patthar at sunset, when the sun is setting and the snow-capped mountains are at their most stunning, those who choose to visit Kala Patthar that day should let their guide know and they will make the required preparations.
We get ready to head out early in the morning, even though it’s gloomy and cold outside (-10 to -14 C) with potentially chilly winds. As we head east, we can see Everest gradually coming into sight, along with other well-known mountain peaks like Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. But we don’t get a whole 360-degree view of the imposing Everest until we get to Kalapatthar (5,545m/18,192ft). We enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape and take pictures before heading back to Gorak Shep for a well-earned nap.
In order to accommodate a longer climb than the one at Kalapatthar, breakfast will be provided early for those visiting Everest Base Camp today. Once we return to Gorak Shep, we will fly to Lukla by helicopter, flying over the calm Gokyo Lake, which is very important to the Nepalese people. We shall continue our helicopter ride to Lukla after taking in the lake’s splendor. We pause for a little while to refuel before making our way back to Kathmandu and saying goodbye to the breathtaking mountain range.
Today marks the end of your adventure in Nepal! You can spend your time exchanging email addresses with your travel companions and sorting through your photos. A representative from Mission Nepal will accompany you to the airport about 3 hours before your scheduled flight. As you travel back home, you’ll have ample time to plan your next exciting trip to Nepal.
