Everest Heli Trek

Best Time for Everest Heli Trek

In the Everest region of Nepal, the most suitable time for the Everest Heli Trek is often during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons.

The trek combines trekking to the base camp with a thrilling helicopter flight back, making for an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Here’s a more extensive explanation of why these seasons are ideal for the trek:

Spring Season (March to May)

The Everest Heli Trek is best done in the spring. It usually begins in March and lasts through May. The weather is consistent during this period, with clear skies, warm temperatures, and very little rainfall, making it perfect for trekking and helicopter flights.

The rhododendron forests offers vibrant panoramas along the trekking trail. Because visibility is excellent, you can enjoy amazing views of the Everest region, including Mount Everest itself.

Autumn Season (September to November)

Autumn is a good time for the Everest Heli Trek because it is Nepal’s post-monsoon season. The weather is mostly clear and dry, with little rain. This enables comfortable walking and dependable helicopter flights.

The vistas are spectacular, and the skies are frequently blue, providing excellent photographic opportunity. The mild temperatures make it a great time for trekking without being too cold.

Safety Note for EBC Heli Trek

• Fasten your seat belt while onboard.
• Smoking and drinking are prohibited during the flight.
• Switching seats during the flight should be avoided.
• Throwing anything out of the helicopter during the flight is risky.
• Follow the guidelines given by the operator.
• Be patient while getting in and out of the helicopter.

Important Details

Why Undertake the Everest Heli Trek?

On traditional treks, participants had to walk down and repeat their route once they reached their destination. You can choose to forego the traditional route and take a quick, picturesque helicopter journey by choosing the Everest Heli Trek. 

Likewise, this trek is convenient for people who do not have much time in hand and want to complete the journey in a short period. The view of Mount Everest and many of its neighbouring and surrounding peaks make the Everest Heli Trek a truly amazing experience.

Some of the many other reasons include:

• Magnificent vistas of the Himalayas like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Mount Everest.
• A combination of trekking and flying over the highest Himalayan peak.
• You get to explore the hospitality and culture of the Sherpas in the Everest region.
• Discover well-known locations like Everest Base Camp, the Everest View Hotel, and Namche Bazaar.
• A unique perspective of the Himalayas which spans from the peaceful Gokyo Lakes to the twisting Dudh Koshi River.
• Spectate the thick forests of Sagarmatha National Park to the enormous glaciers from the bird’s eye perspective. 

Food During Everest Heli Trek

Long walks including both uphill and downhill terrain drain your body’s energy reserves. A satisfying meal is therefore necessary for the trek.

Snacks

You should pack foods high in energy, such as granola bars, jerky, almonds, and protein bars. They are the most useful snacks when you are feeling low and hungry. These snacks can be bought at a reasonable price in a city area like Kathmandu. As you head towards the mountain, it starts getting costly. 

Local Cuisine

You should try out local foods during your journey. These are not only authentic but also provide you with high energy and are delicious. Some of the local foods may be momos (dumplings), tsampa (roasted barley flour), and dal bhat tarkari (lentil soup, rice, and veggies).

Other foods

Apart from local foods, you can also find foods like noodles, pasta, pancakes, pizza, burgers, and omelettes. The quality of the dishes may vary and might not taste like what you have expected. But they are tasty enough to kill your hunger and give you energy during your trekking. 

Is the meal freshly prepared? 

The owners of the teahouse try their best to deliver freshly made meals that are as close to locally sourced as possible. They understand how important it is to serve wholesome and hygienic cuisine to the trekkers.

Because supplies are more easily accessed and delivery happens more frequently in lower altitude regions, the ingredients are more likely to be fresh. The availability of new supplies decreases as you ascend higher.

Going vegetarian is sometimes advised, especially at higher altitudes, since vegetables and grains are typically more readily available and fresh than meat products.

Accommodations during the Everest Heli Trek

Tea Houses and Lodges

Most of the tea houses in the Everest region are family-run. These tea houses are simple and represent the authentic living of Sherpas in the Himalayas. You may need to share your bathroom and other facilities but the warm welcome and hospitality of the locals will melt your heart. 

Likewise, you can also find lodges during your trip. They have better rooms and provide you with more facilities and private bathrooms. However, as you ascend higher, finding these lodges might be difficult. 

Teahouse lodging normally ranges from $10 to $30 per night, depending on the area and amenities provided. You can get simple lodging for $5 to $10 per night in lower altitude places. The price may go up to $20 to $30 each night as you go higher. Additionally, some teahouses could charge more for extras like Wi-Fi, hot showers, and charging. 

Trek Difficulty during the Everest Heli Trek

The Everest Base Camp Heli Trek may be difficult for people who have never hiked before, especially in the Himalayas. There are multiple ascents and descents on challenging, mountainous terrain. It is essential to be in good physical and mental condition for this adventure. Some of the factors that make your trek difficult are:

Weather

The weather at high altitudes can be harsh and quickly fluctuating. Rain, snow, and strong winds can come at any time. There is high variation in day and night time temperature. Similarly, the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celsius at night time.

Altitude

During the trek, you will reach a maximum elevation of 5,545 meters. Oxygen concentrations are much lower at this altitude. You will be gasping for oxygen as you ascend higher. Although it can happen anywhere, altitude sickness is more common above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). Altitude sickness symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and trouble falling asleep.

Terrain

Stable footing and physical endurance are necessary because of the rugged and uneven terrain. You will see a range of landscapes during the trek, including rocky scree, glaciers, and woods. 

Certain parts of the trail are exposed to heights, and it can be slick and uneven. If you are not careful, you might sprain or twist your ankle. So, you should wear trekking boots while trekking.

Distance

You have to hike for at least five to six hours per day to complete this journey. The journey is roughly 130 kilometres (81 miles) in length. Walking such a large distance full of rugged terrain and at a high altitude is quite a challenge. 

Despite all these difficulties, you do not need to retrace your steps back which is more challenging and exhausting. You can just fly back to Kathmandu in the helicopter enjoying the serene beauty of the Himalayas. 

Preparing Yourself for the Everest Heli Trek

It’s not an easy undertaking to walk uphills and downhills for several straight days. It takes a lot of passion and willingness to do this. Preparing yourself entails thorough planning, study, and appropriate preparation.

Mental Preparation

There is more to preparing for high-altitude trekking than just physical conditioning. Mental preparation is just as important. You can speak with others who have attempted the trek to the base camp and take in their experiences.

You’ll be better mentally prepared to face obstacles and promote positivity in this way. This walk takes you through areas that are distinct from your normal surroundings, including frigid climates, isolated settlements, hills, and valleys. Thus, you should remember that signing up entails more than just enjoying stunning scenery and the local dishes. 

Physical Fitness

To set out on this journey, you must be in good physical shape. On average, you should be able to walk for five to six hours each day. Your body needs to be ready for extended periods of walking. It’s critical to pay attention to your body’s signals and refrain from overexerting yourself when exercising.

Cardiovascular Training

It’s crucial to assist your body in adapting to lower oxygen levels to get ready for high-altitude trekking. This is essential if you want to stay focused and breathe at high altitudes. If you incorporate regular exercise and workouts into your daily schedule, your journey to base camp becomes much easier. 

Acclimatization

Acclimatization is the process of adjusting yourself to a high altitude. To prevent altitude sickness, you should properly acclimate yourself. Acclimatization Day simply includes dwelling around the villages and giving plenty of rest to your body. 

We strongly advise you to stop at Namche Bazaar, as many travellers have suffered from altitude sickness when rushing through this halt. You should take your time acclimating and refrain from rushing to the summit.

Packing and apparels

You won’t be able to enjoy your trek to the fullest without the right gear, no matter how much you’ve prepared or trained. Begin by doing research on everything from appropriate headgear to appropriate footwear. You should know what necessities to bring on any trek. 

The items you must bring on the trip are the majority of what you need to prepare for. It’s a good idea to invest in high-quality equipment, like a sleeping bag, down jacket, and warm clothes.

Altitude Sickness in the Everest Heli Trek

Before taking the Everest Heli Trek, one of the main concerns that people have is their ability to adjust to the altitude. When the body cannot adjust to the high air pressure and low oxygen levels, altitude sickness occurs. 

The most serious but uncommon kind of altitude sickness is acute cerebral edema at high altitudes or HACE. It typically affects tourists at high altitudes when they reach 6000 meters or above. HACE may occur if the early warning signals of AMS and HAPE are ignored and mishandled. 

Symptoms of acute mountain sickness include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and difficulty falling asleep. The following measures can be taken to prevent altitude sickness:

• Eat nutritious food throughout the entire journey. 
• The best medication for altitude sickness is Diamox, which is something you should pack for the climb. 
• You need to either stop right away or descend if your body exhibits any signs of altitude sickness. 
• While trekking, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol as it dehydrates the body. 
• Acclimate properly before trekking beyond 3,000 meters in elevation. 

Travel Insurance

Dealing with the extreme weather is part of trekking at Everest Base Camp.There may be instances in which you hurt yourself. The injuries could result from falling, spraining an arm, or experiencing altitude sickness.

It’s crucial to have an insurance that covers everything, from medical crises to trip cancellations, when it comes to a strenuous expedition like the Everest Base Camp. The travel insurance offers coverage for unforeseen circumstances or mishaps that could happen while trekking.

Some of the needs of insurance for the Everest Heli Trek are:

• Accidents
• Baggage
• Medical Emergency
• Altitude Sickness
• Helicopter Evacuation
• Trip Cancellation or Interuption
• Accidental death oor disability

Safety Guidelines

Safety is your partner on this high-altitude journey and not just a top priority. Passengers are in the best hands because our seasoned pilots and crew members have the knowledge and expertise to handle uncertain difficulties. 

• It will become colder as you move higher into the sky. It is essential to wear appropriate clothing. Wear layers for maximum protection, and don’t forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a thick hat.
• The air gets thinner as you ascend, which makes breathing harder for your body. Recognize the signs of altitude sickness, stay hydrated, and pay attention to your body.
• You should always get medical advice before doing any high-altitude tours. Preventive drugs like acetazolamide (Diamox) are chosen by some tourists in order to aid with acclimatization. 
• The weather in the Himalayas is notoriously unpredictable, so keeping an eye on it is essential. Keep in mind that safety comes first at all times and allow extra time for weather-related delays. 
• The crew may issue instructions about seat belt usage, personal item management, and seating arrangements during the flight. These guidelines are essential to guaranteeing everyone’s security.