They said there will be quiet guilt, when your boot never touch the trail and reach to place where trekkers spend 12 to 14 days walking in order to reach base camp of world highest mountain of the world. Is this cheating ?
However when you reach the Everest base camp 5345m above the guilt disappear and the question too as the base never ask you how you came in the first place. Reaching Kalapattar (5550m) it only cares that you arrive with your eyes open. When you see the Everest and surrounding mountains like Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Pumori from above, and land close to Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar and be surrounded by mountains with amazing views.
This is the story of a Everest base camp helicopter tour told not as a luxury escape, but as a deeply human one.
Why people choose Helicopter tour?
Let’s start honestly not everyone can trek a 130 km round trip in the Himalayas through high altitude terrain with suspension bridge and thin oxygen. And in this big world there are people who want to witness one of extraordinary landscape of the earth but simply cannot do it on foot.
Elderly people, or people with chronic illness, parents with small children, and the professional with short annual leave and a lifelong dream. Somebody’s bucket list, solo traveler, etc. the helicopter tour to Everest base camp or Everest overnight experience are some experience that takes peoples breath away.
The helicopter don’t diminish the mountain. It opens more to the people of different walk of life. And if you think about it, is a beautiful thing.
The flight experiences
The helicopter lifts from Kathmandu in the early morning. As you take off somewhere in between 6-8 am in the morning the city beneath you dissolves quickly. Within 45 minutes you will reach at one of the famous airstrip in the earth, Lukla.
Often described as one of the most dangerous airport in the world, tilted tarmac carved into cliff. This is where the trekkers begins their 12-14 day trekking journey. You stop there for fueling of the helicopter. However from air it looks impossibly small and the planes landing are impossibly brave.
Moving forward on helicopter then you will see the peaks the first one is Ama Dablam, sharp and tilted top rising at 6812m then comes Lhotse, Nuptse and many other surrounding peaks. Finally calm, enormous occupying the horizon you see Everest. Sagarmatha in Nepali language and Chomolungma in Tibetan.
From the air from the land the view is completely different. The helicopter lands at Kalapattar and you step out closely and admire the view. Be careful as the altitude is real. No screen time, description or photograph will make you prepare for this.
However you must always remember the mountain belongs to the Sherpa people long before it belonged to the tourist economy. Carry that awareness with you.
Planning Your Trip: Things to consider
Best time to fly: March to May and October to November because of the clear visibility.
Flight duration: 4-5 hours in total with multiple landing and breakfast at Hotel Everest view.
Altitude precaution: despite of being short trip, the altitude is real. Save your energy, walk slowly in walking place, stay hydrated and be careful about the symptoms of altitude.
Permits required: Sagarmatha National park entry permit and Khumbu Passang Lhamu community fee. Make sure these are arranged.
What to wear: Layered, windproof clothing. Temperatures at altitude can be −10°C to −20°C even in clear weather. Don’t forget to carry power bank.
A Final Word
There is no wrong way to explore Everest. Either its 12-14 days of trekking or 4-5 hours helicopter flight. The only thing that matter is you arrive with curiosity, leave with lots of memories. The mountains has always been there and will outlast us. All we can be little responsible and thoughtful. Lastly thoughtful tourism is not a slogan, it is decision to that is made before, after and during your journey.
