Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Helicopter Trek

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and then transferred to your designated hotel. Once at the hotel, you are greeted with welcome drinks. We will then have a quick pre-trip meeting, where you are briefed on the trekking itineraries and some formalities that ought to be pursued. Depending on the time remaining, you can either rest or stroll around the vicinity of your hotel to get the feel of this busy, colorful and energetic capital of Nepal. Overnight at Luxury hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 02: Kathmandu City Sightseeing (1400m)

Let’s savor the succulent breakfast and get ready for a guided tour to the historic, religious and cultural sites of Kathmandu. Hop in to our transport vehicle with an experienced city guide and drive through the hullabaloo of Kathmandu. Our guide will be taking you to visit the renowned sites listed in the UNESCO world’s heritage list- the Pasupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Boudhanath (the Maha Stupa) and Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. After this interesting and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. You can now head for shopping the trekking goodies. Most of the items are available on rent. Your guide can be helpful in identifying the best rental outlet. Overnight at Luxury hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2860m/40 min) & trek to Monjo (2845m/3-4 hrs)

A morning flight will take you to Lukla, a small town in Nepal's Khumbu region. Since it provides amazing views of the Himalayan ranges, especially Mount Everest, the trip itself is an experience. You will meet the trekking crew, which consists of the guide and porters, when you arrive in Lukla.

The trek starts out with a gradual descent through Lukla before turning toward the Dudh Koshi River. Following the river upstream, you will pass through various little towns and suspension bridges. You will pass through the park entry at Monjo as the track gradually ascends towards the Sagarmatha National Park. Numerous types of plants and animals, including the elusive snow leopard, can be found in the area.

After a short amount of more hiking, you will arrive in the settlement of Monjo, where you will spend the night. Monjo, a little community with a number of lodges and tea rooms, provides breathtaking views of the mountains nearby. Overnight at Luxury Lodge in Monjo (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Note: Flights from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa may be rerouted to Manthali during the peak trekking seasons of March, April, May, September, October, and November due to increased air traffic congestion. Manthali is 5 hours drive from Kathmandu and we need to start at 12.30am for  Kathmandu/Manthali drive to catch the flight to Lukla from Manthali. During December, January, February, June, July, or August, you will experience a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa.

Day 04: Trek from Monjo (2845m) to Namche Bazaar (3440 m/5-6 hrs)

The trek starts out with a slow ascent through deep rhododendron and magnolia tree forests. Along the trip, you will travel over a number of suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and through a number of small villages. You will get your first glimpse of Mount Everest in the distance as you ascend, and the views of the Himalayan ranges get even more stunning.

You will eventually arrive in Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital, after a number of hours of hiking. The village offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including AmaDablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku, as it is situated in a natural amphitheater.

The bustling town of Namche Bazaar is home to a number of hotels, eateries, and shops that offer everything from hiking supplies to regional handicrafts. You will have some time to look around the town and stop by the weekly Saturday market. Overnight at Luxury Lodge in Namche (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 05: Explore Namche Bazaar & Hike to Hotel Everest View (3880m/2 hrs)

You can go to the Sherpa Museum in the morning to learn more about the Sherpa people's history and culture. You will then hike to the 3,880-meter-high Everest View Hotel, which offers breathtaking views of Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks.

It takes around two hours to hike to the Everest View Hotel, which is a gentle elevation through rhododendron trees and yak pastures. AmaDablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku are just a some of the mountains that can be seen from the hotel's summit location.

You'll stay at the hotel for a while before making the trek back to Namche Bazaar for lunch. You can explore the town and go to the neighborhood markets in the afternoon to buy souvenirs and regional handicrafts. Overnight at Luxury Lodge in Namche (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 06: Heli tour of Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Gokyo Lakes (4,790m) & Kala Patthar (5,550m) 45 minutes to 1 hours Helicopter flight & fly to Lukla (2860m)

You will depart from Namche in a chopper after an early breakfast. At a height of 4,700 meters, the chain of six glacial lakes known as the Gokyo Lakes will be reached by helicopter. You will arrive close to the lakes, where you may spend some time exploring and admiring the breathtaking views of the mountains in the distance.

The helicopter will land at Gokyo Lakes for a while before heading to Everest Base Camp, which is 5,364 meters above sea level. You will be able to see the base camp from above as well as the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous sections of the Everest ascent.

The next destination for the helicopter will be Kala Patthar, a well-known lookout point that is situated at a height of 5,550 meters. You can see the entire Himalayan range, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori, from Kala Patthar. You will spend a while at Kala Patthar before the helicopter returns to Lukla, where you will spend the night. Overnight at Luxury Lodge in Lukla (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 07: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1,400m/40 min)

Fly to Kathmandu and leave Lukla behind. Bid adieu to the mountains whose shadows you had traversed the previous few days from the window of the airplane. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, check into your accommodation and relax. Overnight at Luxury Hotel in Kathmandu (Breakfast)

Day 08: Final Departure

A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the airport for your final departure. Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again.

You can always extend your trip to try out some of our other adventurous packages like Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

EQUIPMENT CHECK-LIST

 

 

1. How long does the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Helicopter Trek take?

The trek usually takes around 5 days to complete besides days in Kathmandu.

2. What is the best time to embark on this trek?

The best time to go on the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Helicopter Trek is during the spring (April-May) or autumn (September-November) seasons when the weather is clear and stable.

3. Is previous trekking experience required for this adventure?

Previous trekking experience is not mandatory, but it is recommended to have a moderate level of fitness and some prior hiking experience to make the journey more enjoyable and manageable.

4. Are there any altitude-related risks during the trek?

Yes, altitude sickness is a real concern during this trek due to the high elevation. It is crucial to properly acclimatize, hydrate, and follow the guidance of experienced guides to minimize the risk.

5. What are the highlights of the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Helicopter Trek?

The trek offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest and several other towering peaks, as well as the opportunity to explore unique landscapes, visit ancient monasteries, and experience the Sherpa culture firsthand.

6. Can I join a group for this trek or is it only private?

Both options are available. You can either join a pre-arranged group trek or opt for a private trek, customized to your preferences and dates.

7. What are the maximum altitudes reached during this trek?

The maximum altitude reached is 5,644 meters at Kalapather where the helicopter lands for panoramic Himalayan views.

Accommodation
While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar.

 

During the trek, you will be accommodated in a Tea House/ Lodge or Trekking Inn. Most of these lodges and teahouses cater good services and are equipped with modern amenities. We will endeavor to provide you the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.

 

Meals
We never compromise with the quality of food and the health of the trekkers as well as the crew members. Generally, we opt for the fresh and nutritional local community food available in the Everest Region. You could make your delicious pick from an array of traditional food like Sweet Potato, Buck Wheat Barley etc. . This way, you could not only get the real sense of the local culture and life patterns but also contribute to promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Besides, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads, Masala Curry etc. are also available in the restaurants for your retreat.

Porter and Staff Care
When it comes to high altitude trekking, porters and staff members make up a pivot. Marron Treks ensures that all the porters and staff members going to high altitude conditions, are provided with adequate clothing and equipments.

 

Any Experience Required?
There is nothing hard and fast rule about trekking experience. Any adventure enthusiast, with a generic physical aptitude can definitely relish the thrill of this trek.

 

Difficulties
Difficulty here is actually synonymous to ‘high altitude’. As this trek involves some seriously high altitude climbing above 5000 meters, one is likely to experience some problem in breathing owing to the deteriorating oxygen level. But as this is something which is anticipated, we do have enough precautionary measures to tackle it.

 

Our Guides
Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you could actually connect with the nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides, who are fairly literate, multilingual speakers and are very well versed to the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the Everest region. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining, but also equally informative.

 

Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical as well as evacuation costs. Having a travel insurance with you, makes your trip secure and hassle free.

The provided trip plan by Marron Treks is customizable but subject to unpredictable factors like weather, political unrest, and flight disruptions in Nepal. Delays or changes might occur due to various reasons, and Marron Treks will prioritize client safety. However, they are not liable for resulting consequences, striving to maintain the essence of the original trip plan. 

Cost Inclusion

• Airport pick-up and drop services.
• Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu with breakfast.
• Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.
• Monument entrance fees during Kathmandu sightseeing.
• Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu airfare.
• All trekking accommodations with Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner at local lodges.
• Four seasonal sleeping bags (to be returned after trip completion) & Marron duffel bags.
• A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).
• Experienced Government licensed English Speaking Guide & Porter (1 porter for two people) including their food, accommodation, salary & insurance.
• Chartered helicopter tour as per the itinerary
• Permits for Everest National Park, & TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System).
• Farewell Dinner at Nepali Authentic Restaurant with cultural program.
• All government and local taxes. 

Cost Exclusion

• International airfares.
• Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (USD30 for 15 days)
• Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
• Excess baggage charges (luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 15 kgs.)
• Expenses of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, hot shower etc.)
• Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the itinerary due to bad weather, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies.
• Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
• Tips to guide & porters (Tipping is expected).