Kathmandu- Lukla- Kathmandu Flight Delay Info:
The weather in mountain areas can be unpredictable, affecting flights to and from Lukla. When the weather is good, the Twin Otter planes are reliable. However, flights may be delayed or canceled due to bad weather or technical issues. We can arrange a helicopter to ensure you stay on schedule in case of flight cancellations or long delays. Helicopters can fly in lower visibility than Twin Otters, meeting the Nepal Civil Aviation rules. You can pay for the helicopter flight in US dollars, credit cards, or traveler’s cheques at our Kathmandu office. We provide a receipt for reimbursement from your travel insurance company. The cost for the helicopter flight is $500 per person, or you can opt for a Helicopter Charter at a rate of $3000. We recommend arriving in Kathmandu one day before the trek to allow time for purchasing trekking gear and adjusting to the time difference. Additionally, allocating extra days after the tour will help minimize the risk of missing your international flight in case of any trekking difficulties or flight cancellations caused by severe weather conditions in Lukla.
Acclimatization And High-Altitude Sickness
The acclimatization planned during the trip helps trekkers adapt to the environment with less oxygen. Our body needs time to adjust to higher altitudes. Rushing to the higher elevation without acclimatization may result in acute mountain sickness (AMS), which could be fatal. The trekkers may suffer from AMS above 2,400m/7,875ft as the amount of oxygen becomes less and less with the increase in elevation.
We can categorize AMS into three categories with its symptoms. The trekker suffering from normal AMS feels giddy, gets headaches, has Nausea, is out of breath, and is suggested not to worry as it disappears after the body gets used to less oxygen. Likewise, trekkers suffering from mild AMS show symptoms of dizziness, muscular pain, insomnia, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Mild AMS can be treated with anti-headache medicines.
A person suffering from serious AMS shows heightened symptoms, including shortness of breath, even while resting. The trekker with serious symptoms can barely walk, and fluids may start building up in the lungs. The trekker having serious AMS has to be taken to a lower altitude immediately.
Advanced Cases Of AMS
If AMS is not treated in time, it can be life-threatening and lead to edema, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the body's tissues. Following are the two serious altitude sicknesses caused at high altitudes.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
In HACE, the brain gets swollen, which can lead to coma and even death. Its symptoms are paralysis on one side of the body, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, bowel dysfunction, loss of coordination, and confusion. Descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible to prevent the worsening of the condition.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
Fluid accumulates in the lungs, which also increases the capillary pressure. Its symptoms include severe shortness of breath at rest, dry cough that later leads to producing frothy pink sputum, and fatigue. Important Note: Severe cases of AMS are rare. All our Adventure Club Trek guides know the symptoms of AMS and can handle it with care. We prioritize acclimatization, talk about the use of Diamox beforehand, and counsel all our trekkers on the risk and preventive factors before and during the trip. Your safety is our main concern.
First-Aid Kit
Our guides and porters are equipped with a basic first-aid kit during regular treks. A comprehensive first-aid kit is compulsory for expeditions that take on isolated and off-the-beaten trekking paths; the same goes for climbing expeditions.
- A bandage in case of sprains
- Plasters/ Band-aids and antiseptic ointments for simple cuts
- Iodine or water filter (optional) instead of buying bottled mineral water
- Moleskin/Second skin in case of blisters.
- Aspirin/Paracetamol -painkiller.
- Oral rehydration salts-Nava Jeevan or Jeevan Jal (orange-flavored ORS)
- The broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin).
- Anti-diarrhea medication (antibiotic).
- Diarrheal stopper (Imodium - optional).
- Diamox 250/500mg (for altitude sickness).
- Gel hand cleaner/sanitizer.
Note: We can add medical supplies per the trekkers' unique needs to the first-aid kit given above.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek Packing List
We recommend that you bring the items to the list below. If your trek is longer or shorter than that can make appropriate adjustments to reflect the specific requirements, season, and length of the trip. The items are marked with an asterisk (Adventure Club Trek will provide *) at no additional cost. You are welcome to use your articles if you already have them and prefer your own. You can buy many trekking items cheaply in the Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu; quality will vary, with the imported items from China often being of higher quality. There are also several high-end shops in Kathmandu which carry well-known brands. Since our porters will carry your pack, please remember the weight limit is 20kg (40 lbs since there is nothing there but some prayer flags. Also, please note that you still need to send me a gear list.
* The Adventure Club Trek will lend each trekker a set of down Jackets, sleeping bags, and duffle bags.
* Our main guide, trained in wilderness first aid, will carry a comprehensive medical kit.
Important Documents And Items
- Valid passport, two extra passport-size photos, and airline tickets.
- Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepali visa at Kathmandu airport, paying for restaurants and hotels, gratuities, and snacks, and purchasing your drinks and gifts.
- Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc
HEAD
- A bandana or headscarf is also useful in dusty conditions
- Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
- Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Prescription sunglasses (if required)
- UPPER BODY
- Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and two long sleeves)
- Light and expedition-weight thermal tops
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and jacket *
- Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
LOWER BODY
- Non-cotton underwear briefs
- One pair of Hiking shorts
- One pair of hiking trousers
- One pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
- One pair of fleece or woolen trousers
- One pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
FEET
- Two pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
- Two pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
- One pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, "broken-in")
- One pair of trainers or running shoes and sandals
- Cotton socks (optional)
- Gaiters (winter only), optional, "low" ankle high version
HANDS
- One pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
- One pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
- One pair of mittens, consisting of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)
TOILETRIES
- One medium-sized quick-drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Female hygiene products
- Small mirror
- Personal Hygiene
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue /toilet roll
- Anti-bacterial handwash
SLEEPING
- One sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
- Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
- Rucksack and Travel Bags
- One medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
- One large duffel bag *
- A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding.
- Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
- Two large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
MEDICAL
- Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
- Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
- Anti-diarrhea pills
- Anti-headache pills
- Cough and cold medicine
- Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylpolyamine
- Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, Etc. Do not bring sleeping pills, as they are respiratory depressants.
- Water purification tablets or the water filter
- Extra pair of prescription glasses and contact lens supplies.
- Extras/Luxuries
- Reading book
- Trail map/guidebook
- Journal and pen
- Binoculars (optional)
- Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
- Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
Our Leader And Staff
It needs experienced, highly skilled, courteous, and helpful team members to make any trip successful. Our guides are experienced and licensed professionals chosen based on their knowledge, skills, and expertise in leading in the Himalayan region. All our guides can speak English fluently, while some have informal learning in additional foreign languages. Our team includes some supporting members, especially local Sherpas who have adequate knowledge about their cultural diversity, ecosystem, history, geography, and regional flora and fauna.
Experience Required
Everest Base Camp Trek is a moderate trek suitable for passionate walkers who can walk at least 5-6 hours a day with a light rucksack. We may need to walk for 7 to 8 hours on some days. Walking at higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking at lower altitudes; however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, a positive attitude, and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek. Exercising and jogging regularly is a good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset, but no technical skill is required for this trip. Before booking the trek, participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Adventure Club Trek. We also recommend you consult your doctor(s) before the trip.
Best Time To Travel
Autumn (Sept -Nov) and Spring (March- May) are the best seasons for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The weather is sunny and warm, with outstanding views. Trekking in Summer or Monsoon (June to Aug) will be affected by rain, but a summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist.
Visa And Entry Procedures
Everyone needs a visa to enter Nepal except Indian nationals. Citizens of the SAARC nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan do not require a visa for 30 days. Fortunately, getting a Nepal visa is an easy process. Tourist visas are issued on arrival at the international airport and official overland entry points. However, travelers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia are not issued visas on arrival. After arriving at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will find electronic kiosks to assist with your visa processing. After taking the completed form and paying the visa fee, you must stay in the long immigration queue for your visa on arrival.
Visitors can now apply for the online visa within 15 days of their arrival date in Nepal. For this, you will need your Nepal hotel address and a digital passport-sized photo to be uploaded to the online application. After submitting the form online, you need to print out the confirmation page, which has to be furnished at the immigration section in Kathmandu airport, along with your passport and the required visa fee.
Tourists can also apply for a Nepali visa at the local Nepali Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries. Or, they can even mail their visa application to the office near their location, but well ahead of time to allow sufficient processing time. Nepal visa information for all categories of travelers and their correspondence cost is convenient so for more information and contact details of the Nepali Embassies and Consulate worldwide.
Whichever way you enter Nepal, you will be given a 15/30/90-day visa per your requirement. The general Nepal tourist visa fee on arrival for multiple entries is:
15 days – US$30, 30 days – US$50, and 90days – US$125
Tourist visas can be extended for 150 days a year, and these extensions are granted only at the Department of Immigration offices in Pokhara and Kathmandu. For more information on Nepal visas, visit our visa information page.
Travel Insurance
To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialist travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers helicopter evacuation, trip cancellation, injury, death, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment, and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities you will undertake during your stay in Nepal, such as trekking and climbing. If you are injured and unable to travel, you can ask for a rescue helicopter from a remote area only if you have definite proof that you can pay for it. Adventure Club Trek has an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. They pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect your money once you have been rescued. Be sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism, or you may need help to settle a claim.
Electricity, WIFI, And Battery Recharge
During your trek on the Everest region, electricity is available to recharge your phones, laptops, and iPads from micro-hydropower and solar panels on a paying basis. As for Wi-Fi, there are no hotspots along the trekking trail after Namche. Starbucks Coffee in Lukla and Everest Bakery in Namche are the only two places offering free Wi-Fi. At other places upwards, you need to pay for internet services, which increases gradually with the altitude.
Communication On Trek
On the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Trekking for 11 Days in Nepal, the internet service will be available at lodges with some extra service charge. You can contact your family and friends from the guesthouses, but as we reach high altitude, the communication will be through the phone for safety purposes. We communicate with all our valuable clients through the team leader at least once daily to ensure you are fine and enjoying the trip. The Adventure Club Trek office in Kathmandu will constantly contact you for help you may need during the trek. Depending on the network you use, there could be a poor signal to the network before the high altitude. Upon your request, we can provide you with a separate local SIM card for a better network. Many places have WIFI service available at an extra cost.
Group Size And Team Composition
We always form a small group of like-minded people to give them a wonderful and perceptive travel experience. It provides opportunities to interact and share in a fun-filled environment when out in the wilderness. Generally, our travel group comprises a maximum of 16 members. We need at least two participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, the number of group members does not apply. We always strive to form a team, ensuring members are comfortable with one another.
Tipping
Tipping is optional in Nepal as most services include a service charge. However, if you want to express gratitude, you are free to tip drivers and hotel staff. People usually welcome such generosity. When tipping your porters or trekking leaders, use your discretion as per the quality of the services. Tip money does not form a part of our employees' wages. However, you can use tipping to show appreciation for excellent service at the end of the trip.
