Everest Base Camp Heli Trek

Inclusions

• Trekking with all accommodation in lodges
• Meals where included, during the trekking period.
• Tea/coffee with breakfast (where included)
• Welcome and Farewell Dinner
• All National Park entrance fees and trekking permits
• All ground based transportation
• Airport picks ups/drops
• First Aid kit carried by Sherpa leader
• All government taxes and official charges
• Two night's hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast in a basic 2-3 star hotel
• Experienced and Government-licensed Guide and Porter
• Food, salary and insurance for Nepalese staff
• Hire of personal equipment such as down sleeping bag / down jacket / hiking pole
• Farewell dinner last night in Kathmandu

Exclusions

• International Flights
• Extra night's hotel stay in Kathmandu if extended stay is required
• Laundry service / battery charge
• Rescue / emergency and Travel insurance
• Additional Beverages and alcoholic drinks
• All meals on the trek (approx. US$ 300 pp)
• Nepal entry visa fee
• Personal equipment and personal expenses
• Sunscreen & Sun Glasses
• Tips for guide and porter (approx. US $5 pp per day)

Arrival in Kathmandu

After arriving in Kathmandu miss you late at night after your long flight from Australia, you will need to complete the Visa on Arrival process USD 25 or AUD 40 (YES you can pay in Australian Dollars). Next, go downstairs and pick up your luggage before heading out into the night and throng of Touts asking you for everything from Taxi and Phonecard to tours and even business cards for emergency evacuation insurance. Look out for our representative holding the Asian Vistas display board. We will be across the road from the exit crossing with all the other drivers with name boards. You will be then transferred to your hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Overnight in Kathmandu
Included meals: None

Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek preparation:

After breakfast, you will be escorted on a guided tour of some of the most historical sites in Kathmandu whilst we finalize trekking permits. Your tour includes the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the open-air crematorium ghats of Pashupatinath, the famous “Monkey Temple” of Swayambhunath, and the Bouddhanath Stupa where we will stop for a rooftop lunch where you will have photogenic views of the temple. After the tour, we will meet in the office for a tour summary and safety presentation where we ensure you are fully prepared for the journey. After the meeting, you can make last-minute purchases of personal items if needed as you will be flying to the Himalayas early tomorrow morning.
Tonight we will be treated to a Nepalese dinner and cultural show courtesy as our welcome to Nepal.

Overnight in Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Kathmandu to Lukla (flight) then trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

3 to 4 hour trek (Distance 14.3 km, approximately 20,000 steps)

This morning you will be escorted to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning plane flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), the gateway destination where our trek begins. After an adventurous 40 minute flight above the breathtaking Himalaya, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in an exciting landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountain peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, you will be met by a representative from Asian Vistas and we will have breakfast before meeting our guide. We start our trek from the prosperous village of Lukla along imposing green valleys crossing multiple streams with water rushing ever downward from the snowcapped mountains above until we reach the village of Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if you are interested in additional activities you can take a side trip to a nearby Thaktul monastery.

Overnight in Phakding.
Included meals: Breakfast

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,280 ft)

5 to 6 hour trek (Distance 11.3 km, approximately 15,500 steps)

Walking through a beautiful pine forest, the track leads us along the Dudh Koshi River over many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, we catch wonderful views of the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6618m). Through the settlements of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, we come to the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through forests and over bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours, we get our first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Upon this juncture, we stop at Chautara to admire the view. We still need to hike for about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading center of this region.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Included meals: Breakfast

Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization Day

2 to 3 hour trek (Distance 6.2 km, approximately 8,500 steps)

This is the first of the two days set aside for “acclimatization”. Health experts recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest to give our bodies the best chance of acclimatizing correctly. We either spend the day taking a day’s hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazaar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. We have the opportunity to go to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can see displays related to the first Everest ascent, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plants and animals of the Everest region.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Included meals: Breakfast,

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft):

5 to 6 hour trek (Distance 10.4 km, approximately 14,000 steps)

After breakfast we set out towards Tengboche, enjoying superb views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and close up views of Thamserku. Our trek follows a more or less smooth trail with a few ups and downs that should not bother us as the magnificent view of the Himalayas keeps us company all through the day. Along the way, we can spot many species of native wildlife such as: musk deer, Himalayan Thar and multicolored pheasants. The trail goes gradually down to Kayangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sansa, which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The track continues through the pine forests and after we cross a prayer flag festooned bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch at Phunki Thenga, we gear up for a slightly tougher climb through the pine forests before we reach Tengboche. You may start to feel the effects of lower oxygen levels today so pace yourself, or as the locals say bistari, bistari. (Steady, Steady). Tengboche is a great place for close up views of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Nuptse, and Mt Everest, and it has the biggest Buddhist Monastery of the Khumbu region. We pay a visit to the monastery the same day at around 3 pm to witness a ceremony in the principal and popular monastery of Everest region.

Overnight in Tengboche.
Included meals: Breakfast

Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m/14,300ft):

5 to 6 hour trek (Distance 14.5 km, approximately 20,000 steps)

With mountains as its backdrop, the monastery at Tengboche looks more spectacular in the morning, so there will be opportunities for photographs before we begin our trek. We choose the upper trail on leaving Tengboche to enjoy the magnificent views along the way to Pangboche village and pass through several Chortens, Mani walls and small villages. The place where we stop for lunch not only serves delicious food but also allows a fantastic close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. In the afternoon, we walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Mt Ama Dablam. From here the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley that gradually unfolds as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. We descend to the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche. On arrival at Dingboche, we will see a beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.

Overnight in Dingboche.
Included meals: Breakfast

Dingboche (4,360m/14,300ft

Acclimatization Day (Distance 8.1 km, approximately 10,500 steps)
We spend our second day of acclimatization at Dingboche. A refreshing breakfast while admiring a looming Ama Dablam (6856m/ 22493 ft) to the south really is fantastic. An ideal acclimatizing excursion is to climb the ridge on the north behind the village to get a better appreciation of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Lhotse and numerous other peaks visible from Dingboche. Upon reaching the ridge, we can see three of the world’s six highest peaks, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Cho Oyu. To the west, loom the towering peaks of Cholatse (6440m/21,126ft) and Taboche (6542m/21,463ft). As you look northwest, you see an array of peaks rising at the head of the Khumbu Khola valley. The Lobuche West and Lobuche East peaks are most dominant along with Lhotse which stands over 8500 meters (8501m/27,890ft). From our vantage point high on the ridge, we can scan the sweeping Imja Khola valley as well as the picturesque fields and pastures of Dingboche.

Overnight at Dingboche.
Included meals: Breakfast

Dingboche to Lobuche (4940 m/16,207ft):

2 to 4 hour trek (Distance 8.4 km, approximately 11,000 steps)
Beyond Duglha, we climb up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We pass through boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara, an eerie ridge top with dramatic mountain views. At the top of the ridge, we will find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 10 times Everest summitter Babu Chiri Sherpa (a Nepali mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Everest. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we find ourselves facing several great peaks – Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. We are now in the vicinity of Everest but the great mountain still remains elusive. Mt Nuptse towers to the right as the trail crosses the Khumbu Glacier. As we pass along a murmuring stream leaving the Khumbu Glacier behind, we start to enter the higher altitude, and may start to feel the effects.

Overnight at Lobuche.
Included meals: Breakfast

Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170m/16,961ft) to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,594ft) to Gorak Shep

8 to 9 hour trek (Distance 13.0 km, approximately 17,500 steps)
The trail to Gorak Shep goes ahead through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. As we pass through the pyramid sign post, ahead on the trail we see the crest of the north ridge of Mt. Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A small ascent would take us to Thangma Riju from where we have a 360 degree vista of snowy peaks. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri Glacier, we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar, a grey-green knoll beneath the Mt. Pumori. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will find snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world – Mt. Everest. After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. Only upon reaching the Everest Base Camp do we really appreciate the Everest climbers who brave the hazardous route through the Khumbu icefall. Mountaineers' tents stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings (especially in the Spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip.
Once the celebrations are complete and all the obligatory photos of base camp are taken we head back down to Gorak shep,

Overnight in Gorek Shep.
Included meals: Breakfast

Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5545m/18,192ft) then Helicopter flight to Kathmandu via Lukla

2 to 3 hour trek. (Distance 2.0 km, approximately 3,500 steps)
Today is the climax of our trip. We start early in the morning to catch the dramatic views from Kala Patthar and witness the first light of day caress the peaks of the mountains, particularly Mt. Everest. However, we need to be prepared for an early morning departure, amid predawn darkness and cold temperature (-10C to -14C) and there is always the potential for chilly winds Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, we can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding view points from where we can snap great pictures. After several hours of ascent, we reach Kala Patthar. From Kala Patthar, we scramble up to the top of a rocky outcrop marked by cairns and prayer flags. Mind-blowing Himalayan panoramas unfold before our eyes as they wander from one mighty massif to another. You can take as many pictures as you want with your camera, but don’t forget to imprint the vista into your mind’s eye so that it lasts a lifetime. From here we make our way to the Helicopter landing zone and await our ride.

Overnight at Kathmandu.
Included meals: Dinner

Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Today we visit the ancient cities of Patan and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. Along with Kathmandu Durbar Square these cities were once independently ruled by their respective Malla kings. Now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites these cities showcase Nepal’s rich past. We visit Patan, home to some of the finest sculptors and craftsman and view both the Durbar Square and the Patan museum. We then travel to Bhaktapur and experience a city little changed in hundreds of years with streets and architecture retaining their original charm. Both cities are full of temples, shrines, idols and sculptures that showcase both Nepal’s Hindu and Buddhist past and create beautiful sights over which to marvel.

Overnight at Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast

Farewell Friend

We are saying good-bye to the mountains as our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight a representative from Asian Vistas will take you to the airport. On your way home you’ll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Included meals: Breakfast