Location
The trek is located in the Khumbu region of Nepal. You will start your journey in a small town called Lukla which can be reached by a short flight from Kathmandu. From Lukla, you will pass through green forests, cross rivers, and come to small villages where Sherpa people live. The mountains that surround you are towering and covered with snow. The rivers look like silver in the sun, and the forests seem fresh and quiet. The helicopter ride can take you from the small airstrip near Everest Base Camp or from Gorakshep to view mountains, villages, and valleys from a bird’s-eye perspective.
Duration
The trek will take 9 days to complete. Every day has been scheduled in such a way that you can walk, rest, and soak in nature. There are days when you will walk long distances and days when you will only be walking for a short time, as well as days that will be dedicated to resting in order to accustom your body to the lack of oxygen in the air. The trek will be undertaken at a fast but still safe pace as the last day will be dedicated to a helicopter return. This will not only save time for the return journey but will also allow you to take in the beauty of the mountains without being exhausted. Although it is a short trek, you have the opportunity to visit all the major places such as Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Everest Base Camp.
Day-by-Day Experience
Your journey of Everest Base Camp Trek starts in Lukla. The air is fresh and you are excited to start your adventure. On the first day, you will walk to Phakding, which is a small village located by a river. The road is easy and pleasant as there are green trees, birds and little bridges over the rivers which are sparkling. On the second day, you will be heading to Namche Bazaar which is a mountain town full of colors. You will stay here for a day as a rest day and to help your body get accustomed to the altitude. Namche has small shops, houses, and friendly people, and the streets are lively and warm.
From Namche, the path leads you to Tengboche, a village that has a large monastery. The monks pray quietly and the sound of their chanting can calm your heart and it makes you feel happy. Next, you trek to Dingboche where the peaks are even taller and the valleys wider. You regain your strength in this village. Upon reaching Lobuche, you find the terrain to be rocky and cold. After that, you make your way to Gorakshep which is a very small settlement near Mount Everest. From Gorakshep you can trek to the Everest Base Camp, the place where the climbers make their adventure to the highest mountain in the world. Being at Base Camp and seeing Mount Everest up close is definitely a proud and magical moment and also feeling the beauty of the Himalayas.
After spending time at Everest Base Camp, the following morning you will ascend Kala Patthar which is a small mountain located near Base Camp. You can view Mount Everest, Lhotse, and other giant peaks that are illuminated by the morning sun from here. After soaking in the view, you decide to take a helicopter ride to Lukla rather than walking all the way back. The helicopter journey is over the mountains, glaciers, and valleys. It is like a giant picture view that the helicopter shows you. You either land in Lukla or directly in Kathmandu, safe, and feeling amazed and happy.
Route
The first place you will be at Lukla and from there you will travel to Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar. Your trip is completed by helicopter who takes you over forests, rivers, and mountains. While on the road, you also get to walk through the forests, cross the rivers on the long swinging bridges, and pass by the small villages. When you climb higher, the trees are not there anymore, and the land is rocky and snowy. The helicopter gives you a look at the mountains, rivers, and villages from above which is even more awesome for the journey that you had already shown you the terrain and areas of the mountain from the ground.
Natural Environment
The nature surrounding the trek is breathtaking. At the beginning, the forests are green and are full of birds and flowers. The rivers are shining brightly in the light of the sun, and the wind is going gently over your face. As you go higher the trees are no longer there and the mountains are covered with white snow. The sun is shining on the peaks and the sky looks very blue. The clouds are slowly moving around the mountains, sometimes hiding them and sometimes giving them a magical look. The air is smelling fresh and clean. During the night, the sky is covered with stars which twinkle like very small lamps. Seeing the mountains from the helicopter is like traveling in a world of magic where the rivers, glaciers, and snowy peaks are beneath you.
Culture
The Sherpa people dwell in the villages which are situated along the trek route. They are extremely nice and hospitable. You will see bright prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Each of the flags carries prayers for peace, love, and happiness. You will visit the monasteries where the monks pray silently and the soft chanting of their prayers gives a sense of calmness to the listener. You will see the stone houses and mani walls which have prayers carved on them. The culture of the mountains teaches virtues such as patience, kindness, and calmness. The encounter with the Sherpa people and getting to know their simple, peaceful way of life is one of the most beautiful parts of the trek.
Difficulty Level
This trek is of moderate difficulty as it involves walking to areas of high altitude, however, with the helicopter return, it is made easier. To be able to walk to the Everest Base Camp you need to have enough strength, patience, and you have to take rest breaks. The paths are rocky in some sections and in others, they are gentle. At a higher altitude, the air is thin and therefore the breathing is slow but if one walks slowly and takes breaks this helps a lot. Because of the helicopter, you do not have to walk all the way back and therefore the trek becomes comfortable and less tiring. People of different age groups will be able to do this trek safely.
Accommodation
You will be staying in comfortable tea houses or lodges during the trek. The rooms are equipped with soft beds, blankets, and sometimes there are hot showers. The dining rooms are warm and comfortable and the food that is prepared for the trekkers is delicious. You can take hot tea, soup, or chocolate while looking at the mountains through the window. The lodges make the trek comfortable and safe as if you are in a little home in the middle of the mountains.
Food
The food served during the trek is hot and tasty. You will be provided with rice, noodles, dal bhat, soups, bread, eggs, and vegetables to eat. Hot tea, chocolate, and lemon water are good for keeping one warm. Dal bhat is an energy-giving food which is very important for long walks. Taking food in the mountains is far better than anywhere else as the air is fresh and the mountains are surrounding you.
Weather
The weather varies with the altitude. The weather is cool and nice at the lower areas. However, as you go higher it becomes cold, sometimes there will be strong winds and sometimes there will be snow. The nights are cold, and in the mornings, it is bright and sunny. Clouds take their time going around the mountains, sometimes covering the peaks and sometimes giving them a fairy-like appearance. The months when weather is at its best are those turning days with clear and calm skies thus making the trek safe, comfortable, and beautiful.
Best Time to Trek
The best time for such a 9-day trek with a helicopter return is felt in either spring or autumn. During these two months, one could enjoy clear skies and a gentle weather as well as the mountains turning bright and sparkling. The air will be calm, the paths will be safe and one will have breathtaking views of the peaks, valleys, and villages. It is spring and autumn that make the trek fantastic, joyful, and peaceful.
Safety
On this trek, safety plays a major role. The good thing about walking is that it should be done slowly, one should rest when tired, keep drinking water, eat warm foods, and dress warmly. The guide is there to assist you on the difficult parts of the trail and monitor your health. In the event of tiredness, a stop for rest should be arranged. In case of thin air, one should breathe slowly. Employing a helicopter for the return will render this safety measure even more secure as it helps avoid the long descending walk which is generally tiring and risky.
Conclusion
The 9-day trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp with a return by helicopter is a magical adventure you will never forget. It involves a walk through forests, crossing of rivers, visiting villages, looking at snow-capped mountains, and meeting the Sherpa people who are nice. It is a matter of going to the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar and realizing a feeling of pride and happiness. The helicopter ride at the completion of the stint offers an awe-inspiring view of the mountains, valleys, and rivers. The trek imbues an individual with the virtues of patience, strength, and calmness. Once done, your heart is filled with the memories of sparkling peaks, warm tea houses, cozy rooms, and the magic of the Himalayas. It is a journey that stays with you forever, like a bright and happy dream.