Helicopter Trek means both trekking and helicopters tour in one journey this type of trek have gained a lot of popularity among tourists. This trek is more than just a traditional trekking. Helicopter trekking relieves trekkers by taking the burden of returning back by foot. Starting of the journey you will trek and descending back you will take helicopter return.
This relives physical execution and made trekking easy for trekkers but there is one question that comes in every individual is Helicopter Trek safe? Is there any advantage of doing Helicopter Trek? This blog answers all the questions that is running through your mind.
What is Helicopter Trek? Understanding Helicopter Trek
A helicopter trek is the combination between trek and air tour where trekkers trek up to Everest Base Camp and then after return back to Lukla or Kathmandu by air saving a lot of time of trekkers with air experience and beauty from the sky. This trek will offers you the snowcapped mountain views from the sky most advantage part of this trek is it minimizes the rusk of altitude sickness or any fatal problem related to altitude.
Safety of Helicopters in Nepal’s Mountainous Terrain
Helicopters in Nepal are well maintained most of the helicopter company uses models like AS350 and B3e which are modern in nature. Pilots are highly trained and educated. But weather conditions are the challenging factors as weather are unpredictable mostly on mountain region. So helicopters doesn’t work on the days that are foggy, windy and stormy, expect flight cancelation and flight delays. Terrains and weather are challenging in comparison.
Problems Related to Altitude on Helicopter Treks
If you think your altitude problem is solved if you do Helicopter trek then you are wrong. Helicopter flies above the landscape triggering altitude related problems in individual there is always a risk of altitude sickness even in the sky or in land. Altitude sickness can be severe in Helicopter Treks. Always hike carefully and slowly don’t rush even helicopter is involved in your trekking. Focus on hydrating yourself and performing proper acclimatization techniques. Follow your guide and listen to your body.
Emergency Sifting a Life Saver
Helicopter Trek has emergency evacuation techniques where severe and ill trekkers are air lifted to the hospitals in Kathmandu as timely as possible as this has saved a lot of lives of trekkers. It is the huge advantage of Helicopter trek. This types of services are covered by your trekking insurance. So before trekking do an insurance for your safety and peaceful trek.
Important Part of Trekking: Choosing the Right Helicopter Operator
Safety of your trek depends on how well experienced is your helicopter operator to book the best helicopter operator you must go with the renowned agency with good feedbacks. Not only that check the operator ratings choosing a cheap helicopter option will put disadvantage and risk to your trek. Even it cost more choose the best, at the end of the day your safety is what matters the most.
Unpredictable Weather a Disadvantage to Air Safety
Everest region offers an unpredictable weather conditions mostly the days are windy and sometimes it snows a lot especially at the high altitude. It’s challenging for operator to operate helicopter as it can be uncontrollable causing life threatening risk. Always put a buffering days in your plan so you don’t have to face sudden delays at merahtoto. Mornings are best to do Helicopter trek as it’s the clearer time in the whole day.
Safety and Cost for Helicopter Group Trekking Is It Safe to Do Group Helicopter Trek
Although group helicopter treks saves money this can affect your whole trekking budget with advantage of shared trek you will face some complications as there is a weight limit in Helicopter, crossing weight limit is strictly prohibited as it is very risky. If you have large number of people in your group you have to face last minute change in your trek that will cost your time and money.
Why is Insurance Necessary for Helicopter Trek?
Insurance covers your emergency evacuation cost. Saving your money and making your journey safe airlift to Kathmandu Hospital will cost you a lot more if you do traveling insurance then it can cover half of your bill. Always carry your insurance documents or a photocopy.
Necessity of Physical Training and Preparation
Although helicopter trek is considered to be a comfort trek you should know that you have to be physically prepared and trained as it includes hours of trekking too. Remember you will only get a ride to return back but to get into your destination you have to walk hours and hours. Your key focus should be on cardiovascular activities and mainly on legs and cores.
Common Misconception about Helicopter Treks
There is a misconception that only the injured, senior citizen or people with family should take helicopter trek but this fact is not true helicopter trek is widely famous trek accessible to all the individuals there is no certain boundaries.
Everest Helicopter return trek is comforting and easiest way to trek it’s the myth not the truth just so you know helicopter trek triggers your altitude related problem it’s not easy because it demands your physical and mental endurance as you have to walk through the routes by your foot. Route consist of twist and turn without basic physical training you can do Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek. Helicopter tour is only for the people who can spend money it’s a misconception as Helicopter trek can be done through group collaboration by saving money.
Regulation Regarding Flights and Government Oversights
Helicopters are operated through CAAN Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal issuing all the permits needed to do Helicopter trek. It also monitors the safety of helicopters as well as the paths of helicopters. Even though Nepal have the facility of Helicopter trek still helicopters are very limited rules and regulation keeps on changing tourist should be updated about new rules and regulations.
Safety Instruction and Pre Flight Briefing
Before taking a flight pilot or operators gives you a briefing about your flight and also some safety measure always listen to their instruction. Instructions includes your landing, weight distribution, usage of seat belts and emergency gears. Every instruction provided by the pilot is very important as this can play a huge role in saving your life. Helicopter is complex so don’t try to take selfie near the blades or do something that risk your and others life.
Difference between Helicopter Tour and Helicopter Trek
Helicopter tour and helicopter trek have vast difference sometimes people gets confused between these two. Helicopter tour involves minimal walk you can do back and forth from Base Camp through helicopter you will get exposed to high altitude with no acclimatization days costing you less time as well this tour is expensive as compared to trek. On the other hand Helicopter Trek involves days of walking through routes in this trek helicopter only have the option to return you back costing you more time than Helicopter tour with merahtoto. Helicopter trek is less expensive than Helicopter Tour.
What are the Important Things to Pack for Helicopter Trek?
Here are some of the things that are important for Helicopter trek. You need boots, gears, rainproof bag pack, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, layered clothes, jackets, gloves, medications and power charger. Don’t over pack because it might come as a disadvantage to you.
What Should You Do When Your Flight Gets Delayed or Cancelled?
Helicopter flights are delayed and cancelled often due to weather conditions. People become hyperactive, stressed and panicked when this type of uncertainty happens if this condition ever happens to you don’t panic think this delay as an opportunity to explore even more. You can even count flight delay as your relaxing days. Try to be flexible as your agency will rebook your flight.
Are Helicopter Trek Environment Friendly?
Helicopter trek is not environment friendly as it hampers environment. Helicopter uses fuels gas produced by helicopter disturbs environment and air. Noise pollution is one of the common disturbance caused by Helicopter. Altogether helicopter tour is not an environment friendly trek.
Locals Prospective About Helicopter Trek
As per locals helicopter causes unnecessary noise pollution hampering their quality time. Air pollution is frequent. Place is overly crowed with the noise pollution from helicopter people are suffering from human noises as well making locals suffer from damages.
Conclusion
Helicopter Trek have its own advantage and disadvantages. Helicopter Trek is one of the popular form of trekking accessible for both group and individual trekkers. Combination of trekking and helicopter return builds the adventure that is felt while walking and expensive feeling while on the air merahtoto.
You will get to experience both air view scenery and land scenery. With pure dedication and willingness to travel Everest Base Camp your journey will become achievable. Keep your bag lightly packed, get your documentation ready and book from trusted agency. Are you ready to walk on the land and fly on the sky at the same time?