Few treks can be compared to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek, worth each of the hundreds of kilometers a traveller has walking. This trek takes trekkers through the Great Himalayan Trail. It offers them a chance to learn about local culture, view beautiful scenery, and even interact with fellow trekkers eye to eye with Mount Everest itself.
The conventional method involves a round trip on foot, while the Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return involves the same trek but with helicopter transport all the way from Lukla. This option offers a mixture of fun and luxury, making it perfect for trekkers who want a faster result or a spectacular flight over the Himalayas.
Why Use a Helicopter Return?
The trek to the EBC typically lasts about 12 days, and the return leg from EBC to Lukla is very tiresome and prolonged. Sadly, after many days of covering rough terrains on uphill and treadmill-like hiking surfaces, many trekkers may find the downhill journey even more exhausting. One of the benefits associated with a helicopter return is that it can save time and effort, especially when choosing to hike down is an arduous task. The helicopter flight is a reverse way of giving you a bird’s eye view of some of the beautiful landscapes you hiked, and this part is memorable.
This is best for those with limited time, those who do not wish to hike down, or anyone who would love to be in a comfortable car after the day’s hike. It also offers the factor of adventure, which the treks should have provided in the first place: the view of Himachal’s majestic mountains from the sky.
The trekking route of Everest Base Camp
The Everest base camp trek begins with an adventurous journey from Kathmandu to Lukla, a tiny Sherpa village at 2830m. The trek continues from Lukla and passes through many Sherpa villages, such as Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche.
During the trekking up, trekkers spend time in some places to adjust to high altitudes, such as Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, to prevent altitude illness. The tour progresses through steep and altitude-sensitive grounds until finally reaching the landmark of the tour, the Everest Base Camp, at a height of 5,364 meters. Here, trekkers are paid with beautiful sceneries of high mountains such as Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori, among others.
Some of the most memorable part of the journey in Everest Base Camp Trek
Namche Bazaar: Usually referred to as the gateway to the Everest base camp, Namche Bazaar is a flourishing Sherpa town that consists of a colourful market, well-equipped lodges and, of course, beautiful mountain views.
Tengboche Monastery: Located at 3,867 meters, this monastery is religious and offers views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and more. The monastery’s calmness makes it appropriate for reflection.
Kala Patthar: Kala Patthar, situated at an altitude of 5,550 meters, is one of the best vantage points to view the mountains. This trek leads to a viewpoint where trekkers get an eye-to-eye view of Mount Everest.
Everest Base Camp: To me, the crowning achievement is getting to the EBC. Perched below the great Mt. Everest, the trekkers are enthralled by its majestic size and the visual grandeur of other mountains in the vicinity.
Helicopter Return From EBC
Whenever you are done accomplishing great treks at the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, instead of reversing the same trek route to Lukla, you can have a pleasant and quick helicopter ride back to Lukla. From Everest Base Camp, you take a helicopter ride to Lukla, which takes approximately 15 minutes of flight; this will offer you much-needed rest after several days of trekking. A feeling of excitement is usually the highlight of your trek as you fly over glaciers, rivers, or steep valleys. It also becomes exciting because as the helicopter rises, you enjoy a bird’s eye view of the whole Khumbu area.
Helicopter transfer is not only comfort—it is a mini-tour. It is very rare that one gets to photograph the Himalayas, let alone Everest, and you will get the chance to fly around the mountains. The visibility you get from the helicopter when in the air is incredible, and you get to see snowy mountain ranges, probably paths for skiers, and colourful valleys.
This may at first appear to be more costly, but the money spent on the helicopter ride reduces the days taken to trek back, hence reducing the energy used. Most hikers consider paying for the helicopter tour’s cost because of the comfort and convenience as well as the stunning and memorable aerial views.
When is the Everest Base Camp Trek Best to Do with a Helicopter Return?
The most favourable seasons for the Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return are spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November. Although there usually is perfect weather and clear skies during these winter months, it is also a good time for a beautiful helicopter flight. During these seasons, there is no cloud cover, so you get the best view of the mountains both when trekking and during the helicopter ride.
