Everest base camp is truly a heaven for anyone who loves both nature and adventure. But it is not always necessary that your visit to Everest base camp should take your energy and time. Travelers always have options to either trek or simply fly to the base camp. This makes it possible for people of almost all age groups as well as physical condition to make it to the 5,364 meters (17,598 ft) elevation. Anyone who wants to indulge in a rather physically challenging activity can trek from Lukla to Everest base camp or even Kala Patthar with their fellow trekker friends.
Your journey to the Everest base camp will be filled with aspects like green valleys, lush rhododendron forests, faunas at the Sagarmatha National Park, 360 degree Himalayas view, legendary monasteries, unique lifestyle and culture, as well as storytelling Mani walls. Choosing either trekking or opting for helicopter tours is not going to make a difference when it comes to attaining the most out of your trip because you get the best in both the options.
Make sure to read till the end of this article to know about exploring Everest base camp and what the deal really is with trekking vs. helicopter tours to the destination!
What do you need to know about trekking vs. flying to the Everest base camp?
Trekking and flying to the Everest base camp is definitely not the same. In fact, these two are completely different activities but carry almost the same motive for the travelers. Whatsoever, the motive behind trekking and flying may vary from person to person. If a person is too indulged in physical activities and is into adventure sports, he might want to go on a trekking trip instead of flying from a helicopter. But, if a person wants to experience more in less time and with fewer efforts, then he can go for a helicopter ride.
The costs of both trekking and helicopter ride is going to be a bit heavy on your pocket. You may even experience that, though more time consuming, trekking is somewhat cheaper than a helicopter ride. Likewise, if you are planning to go to the Everest base camp with a group of people, then it should be kept in mind that a single helicopter holds only 500 kgs which also tones down to 250 kgs as you go from Lukla to Kala Patthar.
As for trekkers, you can take a bunch of other trekkers with you on your tour. There is no limit as to how many trekkers go to the Everest base camp, especially during the peak months. This is also a reason why there are so many trekkers and the traffic on the trails is always high during those months.
While you get a splendid view of the mountains from atop with a helicopter tour, you will get the chance to get a closer look at different attractions when you trek. Therefore, there are benefits to both trekking and helicopter tours.
Everest base camp: Trekking routes vs. Helicopter tour routes
While you will be taken through almost the same places, the routes of both trekking and helicopter tours vary from one another. Trekkers will start your journey from Kathmandu to Lukla either by an airplane or by a jeep ride. From Lukla, you will start your trek heading towards Jiri, then to Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Dingboche, Lobuche, and finally to the Everest base camp, respectively.
On the other hand, helicopter passengers will start their journey either from Pokhara or Kathmandu, moving towards Lukla and directly to Kala Patthar and finally heading down to the base camp while ending up for lunch in Syangboche’s Everest View Hotel. You will then return to Kathmandu by around 4-5 hours from the beginning time of your helicopter tour.
Trekking to the Everest base camp is likely to take around two weeks in total, depending on the skills and speed of the trekker. Helicopter rides end in no less than a few hours of a single day. You require some level of expertise and an ideally fit body to go through the trekking routes of the Everest base camp. But you don’t quite require the same for a helicopter ride.
Altitude sickness during the exploration of Everest base camp: Trekking vs. Helicopter rides
Altitude sickness is common among people, whether they fly through a helicopter or trek to the base camp. The root cause of altitude sickness is change in altitude. The altitude or height that most people’s body is habituated with is not the same as that in the base camp area. Issues like respiratory problems and nausea may bother not only trekkers but even those flying from a helicopter.
For trekkers, if there is one benefit over those who fly by helicopter, it is that they get more time to acclimatize. Acclimatization means getting some time to rest and familiarize one’s body condition with the changing environment. Altitude sickness is very common among trekkers and mountaineers. Since the Everest base camp is above the height of 5000 meters from the sea level, trekkers will see symptoms of altitude sickness, more or less, during their trekking journey. The more time one takes to rest and acclimatize, the lesser is his chance to suffer from altitude sickness.
Though passengers can reach the base camp and come back with great comfort through a helicopter ride, it is possible that they also suffer from altitude sickness due to the sudden and quick change in the altitude. Symptoms of altitude sickness are not at low when you are in a helicopter. There is definitely a great difference between the low altitude and a completely different air mass of Kathmandu valley and that of one of the highest base camps in the world. Staying prepared with the right medications and precautions can, however, help the travelers avoid a great deal of problems during both the flight and landing when it comes to altitude sickness.
What should you wear and carry during Everest base camp trek?
You should wear or carry the following when you are trekking to the Everest base camp:
- Solid yet broken down trekking boots
- Double coated gloves
- Warm hat
- Trekking poles
- Thermal tops and pants to wear from inside
- Heavy down jackets
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Medications
- Warm socks
- Sun glasses
- Raincoat
- Slippers
- Comfortable sleepwears
- Additional undergarments
- Toiletries
- Trekking boots
- Water bottle
- Water purifying tablets
- Snacks
What should you wear and carry during the Everest base camp helicopter tour?
You should wear or carry the following when you are on a helicopter tour to the Everest base camp:
- Sun hats
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Medications
- Water bottle
- Solid down jacket
- Proper trekking boots
- Thermal tops and pants
What are the pros of trekking to the Everest base camp?
The pros of trekking to the Everest base camp are:
- Flights to and from Kathmandu to Lukla are very cheap in comparison to a helicopter ride.
- Close interaction with people living under rural conditions, most precisely, the Sherpa people.
- Walking through trekking trails like Namche Bazaar, Lukla, Phakding, Pheriche, Gorakshep, Kala Patthar, Tengboche, Lobuche, Dingboche, and the Everest base camp.
- More coping time or acclimatization time for trekkers throughout the trekking time.
- Smaller treks to other locations within the main Everest base camp trek.
What are the cons of trekking to the Everest base camp?
The cons of trekking to the Everest base camp are:
- A flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is not considered the safest. And, you might have a hard time finding a flight seat during peak seasons.
- Unlike helicopter tours, you won’t be able to witness the beauty of the Khumbu region from the highest hotel in the region, Hotel Everest view, unless you book your visit separately.
- Helicopter tours offer a better view from atop while the view is blocked from inside the small airplane.
- Fluctuating weather conditions in the mountainous area always poses a threat to the trekkers.
What are the pros of taking a helicopter tour to the Everest base camp?
The pros of taking a helicopter tour to the Everest base camp are:
- Panoramic view of the mountains from atop.
- Less time consumption to reach the Everest base camp with tours of many other locations in between.
- End breakfast at Everest View Hotel, which is the highest hotel in the Khumbu region.
- Exploration of the Khumbu region within a single day.
- No requirement for physical expertise to trek to the base camp.
- 360 degree view of mountains like Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gauri Shankar, and Nuptse.
- Exploration of one of the world’s highest viewpoints, Kala Patthar.
- No crowd or traffic in the sky.
- Suitable for all age groups given they are in sound health and don’t possess any triggering phobias.
- Does not require a certain season for tour.
What are the cons of taking a helicopter tour to the Everest base camp?
The cons of taking a helicopter tour to the Everest base camp are:
- Limited exploration of the Everest region as passengers won’t be able to closely explore the beauty of the mountains, villages along the trail, the lifestyle of the people in the area, monasteries, suspension bridges, wildlife, and the water resources.
- No opportunity to devour the traditional meals that trekkers get to relish on during their trek.
- No chance to visit popular stops like Tengboche, Namche Bazaar, Phakding, and Dingboche.
- Hiring guides will add additional costs, unlike that in trekking tours where most agencies readily facilitate a guide to the trekkers without adding extra costs.
The Everest base camp is one of the most challenging trip destinations for even the most expert trekker or a traveler. While a helicopter ride may deduct a lot of issues and inconveniences for the traveler, there are just as many challenges that one needs to remember at all times. A little recklessness in both the trek and the helicopter ride may lead to major consequences. If you are taking your family, especially young children, on a helicopter trip, make sure that they are familiar with the height and changing altitude of the places.
Similarly, trekking is not appropriate for all. Trekking must be done by those who have prior experience and physical training only. There really is no such thing as a better choice when it comes to trekking or taking helicopter tours. It becomes crucial for the traveler to make the choice wisely, depending on his goal, budget, and other related circumstances.