Everest REGION
NAMCHE HELI TREK - 5 DAYS
Created by
HoneyGuide
The Namche Heli Trek is a 5-day easy trek in the Everest region of Nepal reaching 5,644 m. Best seasons: March To June. September To December.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Max altitude
- 5,644 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best season
- March To June. September To December
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Highlights
- The soulful moment at Gokyo Lakes, the exhilarating thrill of Cho La, and the gram-worthy frame at EBC: all in one single trek!
- Take selfies with the giants—Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu—from two legendary viewpoints: Gokyo Ri and Kala Patthar.
- Live simply and breathe deeply as you walk past quiet pine-rhododendron forests, turquoise rivers, and rugged alpine meadows.
- Get a chance to spot the majestic Himalayan Tahr, the iridescent Himalayan Monal, and the shy Musk Deer.
- Share a laugh with the Sherpas as you trade tall tales from the mountains-you'll have one of your own once you complete this adventure.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty Level
- Easy
- Total Length
- 27 Km
- Highest Altitude
- 5,644 Meters
- Start location
- Lukla
- Finish location
- Lukla
- Permits
- Sagarmatha NP Permit, Heli Tax and Khumbu Rural Municipality (Only For Non-Nepalis)
- Best Season
- March To June. September To December.
The word 'Everest' evokes images of extreme adventure, and hence a lot of people automatically think that a trek in the Everest region is beyond their physical capacity. Namche Heli Trek is different.
This trek combines an easy hike with a helicopter tour to make the Everest Region accessible to those who wish to avoid extreme altitude, but still want a taste of hiking.
You'll pass through local villages, coniferous forests, thrilling suspension bridges, and ancient Buddhist monasteries during the two days of trekking from Lukla to Namche Bazaar.
From Namche, you will explore the beautiful villages of Khumjung/Khunde and also visit the iconic Hotel Everest View. The best part of the tour? On the last day, you will take a helicopter from Namche to the upper reaches of Everest Region. There will be touchdown at Kala Patthar and you will of course get to take a picture with Mount Everest.
Long story short, this is the perfect trip for families looking for an immersive getaway that isn't too strenuous.
WHY HONEYGUIDE?
~ Specialized in Everest - From dropping cyclists at Kala Patthar to classy New Year events, we have done some exciting things in Everest. ~ Travelers’ Choice Award 2022 by Tripadvisor - Also, we only use hotels that are highly rated on Tripadvisor. ~ Understand Everest inside out - Extensive online resources and deep community involvement. ~ Only Online Travel Agency in Nepal- Option to book Treks & Heli Tours / Flights / Hotels / Trekking Guides directly. ~ Love the Mountains and are fun to talk to.
If you have any questions, feel free to Call / WhatsApp / Email OR Fill out an Enquiry Form.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: KATHMANDU/RAMECHAAP - LUKLA - PHAKDING (3-4 hrs)
~ Flight from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla (2,870 meters) (12 min)
~ After breakfast, walk for around 3 hours through villages, forests, and some long-ass bridges to reach Phakding (2,620 meters) for lunch.
~ Overnight at Phakding.
Accommodation: Sherpa Guide lodge, Phakding or similar
DAY 2: PHAKDING - NAMCHE BAZAAR (5-6 hrs)
~ Walk 3 hours to reach Monjo (2,820 meters).
~ Get your Sagarmatha National Park permits and lunch at Jorsalle.
~ Walk uphill for around two to three hours to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters).
~ Stroll around Namche and enjoy the sunset from the National Park Viewpoint.
~ Overnight at Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters).
Accommodation: Khumbu Lodge / Hotel Namche, Namche Bazaar, or similar.
DAY 3: NAMCHE - HOTEL EVEREST VIEW - KHUMJUNG - NAMCHE (2 hrs)
~ After breakfast at Namche, hike to Hotel Everest View to enjoy amazingly stunning mountain views.
~ Explore the twin Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde (2 hours).
~ Return overnight to Namche.
Accommodation: Khumbu Lodge / Hotel Namche, Namche Bazaar, or similar.
DAY 4: NAMCHE - EBC - KALA PATTHAR - LUKLA ( 30 min)
~ Heli Tour from Namche to see Everest Base Camp and Khumbu Glacier up close.
~ After a close flyover on the Everest Base Camp, we will land at Kala Patthar for 10 minutes.
~ After the helicopter tour, we land at Lukla.
~ Overnight at Lukla.
Accommodation: Khumbu Resort / Himalaya Lodge or similar.
DAY 5: FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU/RAMECHHAP.
~ Early morning flight back to Kathmandu/Ramechhap. (12 minutes)
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to Call / WhatsApp / Email OR Fill an Enquiry Form.
We will happily tweak this tour to your liking. Some possible changes are: ~ Travel by helicopter between Kathmandu and Lukla - approx. USD 400 per person one way | USD 2,400 per flight. ~ Book rooms with attached bathrooms where possible - approx. USD 10 per night per person. ~ Add hotel and/or city tour in Kathmandu - approx. USD 100 per person. ~ Include meals and hot water - approx. USD 35 per day for three meals + hot water.
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Includes
~ Kathmandu/Ramechap to Lukla flights (both ways) ~ Heli service throughout as mentioned in the itinerary. ~ Professional Certified Trekking Guide ~ Baggage handling service at Lukla and Namche. (Included for non-Nepali only) ~ Accommodation in rooms with attached bathrooms on a twin-sharing basis. ~ 5 Breakfasts. ~ All Government and Local Permits ~Porter (not included for Nepali groups)
Excludes
~ Lunch and Dinner. ~ Airport Tax for Heli Tour NPR 200 ~ Tips for guides and porters (15% of wages is considered fair) ~ Drinks, Travel Insurance, and anything else not mentioned in inclusions
EVEREST PLANNING RESOURCES
SAFETY FIRST Nepal Visa and Safety Update / Pre-existing Conditions / Altitude Illnesses / Water Safety / Heli Safety Briefing / Insurance / Detailed Health and Safety Post
FIND YOUR PERFECT TOUR Short Treks / Heli Tours / Heli Treks / Ways to See Everest / All Tours
BEST TIME TO GO Best time for EBC | EBC in Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / Jun / Jul / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec
PLANNING ESSENTIALS Expectation vs Reality / Cost in USD, INR & NPR / Difficulty / Training / Packing List / Maps / Permits / Side Trips / Solo Treks / Independent Treks / For Women
FLIGHTS TO LUKLA Online Flight Booking / Getting to Lukla / Lukla Weather and Flights / Survival Guide / Alternatives / Lukla Airport / Getting to Ramechhap / Ramechhap Flights
HOTELS IN EVEREST Online Hotel Booking / Overview / Hotels in Lukla / Namche / Dingboche / Lobuche / Gorakshep / Gokyo
TREKKING GUIDES FOR EVEREST Trekking Guides from Lukla / from Kathmandu / How to hire a guide?
WHAT TO EXPECT Hotels in Everest / WiFi, Mobile Network, Electricity / Food and Drinks / Sherpa Food / For Vegans
CULTURE Epic Photo ops / Sherpa Names / Khumbila / 5 Secrets / Festivals / Tengboche Monastery /
NATURE Mount Everest / Everest Base Camp / Everest Viewpoints / Kala Patthar / Ama Dablam / Mount Mera / Mountains / Birds / Wildlife / Flowers / Lakes /
VILLAGE DETAILS Lukla / Phakding / Monjo / Namche / Tengboche / Deboche / Pangboche / Dingboche / Pheriche / Thukla / Lobuche / Gorakshep / Dzongla / Gokyo / Thame / All Villages
IMPORTANT NOTE ~Any flight in the high mountains is weather dependent and the captain of your helicopter has the last word on what is safe and what is not, regardless of what is mentioned in the tour outline. Any additional cost incurred due to weather disruptions will be the responsibility of the traveler. ~ In case of flight cancellation, the extra cost of accommodation and food will be the responsibility of the trekker. ~ Hotels are tentatively fixed. In case of any changes, we will inform you before the trip. ~ Both NTC and NCell 4G network work till Hotel Everest View, though NCell is better.
FAQS
Traveling to the mountains poses some inherent risks. As such, the best strategy is to prepare for the worst and then hope for the best.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
The first thing to keep in mind is to see if you have pre-existing conditions that could cause complications at high altitudes. Specifically, suppose you have sickle cell disease, pulmonary hypertension, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, or congenital heart problems. In that case, we highly recommend you consult with a qualified physician before planning a trip to the mountains.
ALTITUDE-ILLNESS
Given the low amount of oxygen at high altitudes, a sensible ascent is essential to give your body the time to acclimate to the thin air. Failure to do so can lead to your lungs or brain filling up with water leading to death in some cases. The key is not to climb more than 500 meters in one day once you pass the 2,500 meters mark.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Given the extreme weather in the high mountains, proper gear and regimen must have a safe and comfortable tour. The three most important things that you have to prepare for are cold, snow, and radiation. As such, invest in the right sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, and clothing.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend everyone get travel insurance covering high altitude evacuation before leaving on a trek to the high mountains. Global Rescue and World Nomads are both highly recommended. For Nepali travelers, please note that insurance that covers helicopter rescue is not available as of now. As such, please be careful while planning your tour and only work with companies that can provide timely evacuation service if needed.
RESCUE AND EMERGENCY
As health facilities are limited in the mountains, a helicopter's evacuation is usually the only option during an emergency. As such, the right insurance provider is essential. If you are not buying insurance for some reason, please ensure that there is someone in Kathmandu who can coordinate payments for a helicopter rescue. If you still have questions, please feel free to call or email us.
HOW DO I MAKE A PAYMENT?
To confirm your tour, you will have to make complete payment either through one of your integrated payment gateways or transfer the funds to our bank accounts.
For Nepali citizens:
Account Name: HoneyGuide Pvt. Ltd.
Beneficiary Bank: Himalayan Bank, Patan Branch
Account Number: 00606903770018
For USD transfers:
Account Name: HoneyGuide Apps, Inc.
Bank Name: Silicon Valley Bank
Account Number: 3302225311
Swift Code: SVBKUS6S
ABA Routing Number: 121140399
BOOKING A TOUR
- Deposit Required for Reservation: 50 percent of total tour cost
- Deadline for Full Payment: 2 weeks before the tour begins
CHANGING A TOUR
- Two weeks before tour date: No extra charge
- 1 to 2 weeks before tour date: 10% additional charge
- Two days to 1 week between tour date: 20% additional charge
- Within two days of tour date: Above 30% (variable)
CANCELLING A TOUR
- Two weeks before tour date: No charge (transaction charges may apply)
- One to two weeks before tour date: 20% Cancellation Charge
- Two days to one week between tour date: 50% Cancellation Charge
- Within two days of tour date: No Refund
DELAYS AND CHANGES DURING THE TOUR
In case of flight delays/cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, HoneyGuide will change the dates at no additional costs. However, any extra cost incurred, including but not limited to accommodation and food, will be the responsibility of the traveler.
In case of changes due to the trekker's health issues, HoneyGuide will make all the changes without any additional cost. However, any extra charge because of the changes will be the responsibility of the traveler.
While Nepal's mountains see six seasons, the best period to go to the mountains is from March-May and September-December. However, every season has its quirk, just like people.
January/February (Winter)
Good time for trekkers willing to brave the cold and snow for empty trails, fantastic mountain views, and wildlife sightings.
March/April (Spring)
Offers a little bit of everything: mountain views, warm weather, flowers, a bit of crowd, and a whole lot of fun.
May/June (Summer)
Best time for those into nature. Flowers are blooming and bird activity is fantastic. Mornings are still clear before monsoon starts.
July/August (Monsoon)
Only for hardcore trekkers willing to put up with the elements for an authentic cultural experience and high altitude flowers.
September/October (Fall)
Everyone's darling. The mountain views are something to write home about, and the temperature is just perfect.
November/December (Pre-Winter)
Driest two months in the calendar. It gets a bit nippy during mornings and evenings, but manageable with lots of sunshine.
The difficult thing with gear is to make sure you have enough without carrying too much. Whether you are walking or taking the helicopter, the most important thing is to layer up. As such inner thermals, shirts, fleece, a down jacket, and trousers are essential. A warm hat and a buff are beneficial. As for shoes, feel free to make your pick depending on the weather and altitude. Given the amount of UV up there, good sunscreen and sunglasses are also essential.