Faqs 13 day Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter

Approx. 62 k.m. or 38.5 miles, walking distance from Lukla to Everest base camp one way. Not counting the extra hike to Kalapathar or excursion on rest day at Namche and Dingboche. 


For Lukla and all mountainous airport around Nepal Himalayas, only smaller aircraft operates. The models are Twin Otter which is 18 seated aircraft, but due to load and heavy baggage, allows 15 to 16 passengers. The other similar type is 
Dornier which is faster than Twin Otter with same seating order like in Twin Otter.

Sometimes, the airlines also operates Pilatus Porter, a small aircraft of maximum 6 seated with single pilot. All these STOL aircraft are meant for Short Landing and Take Off. The Helicopter that operates on mountainous region are is Euro copter AS 350 Squirrel. Including Ecureuil helicopters are certified to fly above 2,300 feet / 7,010 m high. AS Euro copter AS 350 and Ecureuil models are most efficient and reliable for mountainous region like in Nepal Himalayas. The helicopter normally accommodates a maximum number of 5 adult passengers only. Subjective to high altitude and temperature on the landing site.

On booking with Haven Holidays Nepal, where most expenses are included in the trek cost. Like hotels in Kathmandu on B/B, sightseeing tour, as well domestic flights both ways with services of guide and porters. Included all meals and accommodation throughout the treks. The only extra money required for own individual expenses for extra snacks, drinks, and tipping for the guide and porters as well buying souvenirs.

Trekkers needs to carry extra cash in local currency that is Nepali Rupees equivalent to US$ 300 to 500. For own personal expenses and tipping of the staff and porters at the end of trekking. People who enjoy drinking hard drinks or beer needs to carry extra US$ 100 to 200. As the drinks are expensive around Everest region, best to drink on the way down, drinking alcohol on the way up is not advisable can lead to serious circumstances. 

All lodges do have facilities of electricity either run by local hydro plant or with solar power. At present nearly all overnight places in lodges do have internet and Wi-Fi services, in some places can be quite slow and disturbing depending upon the areas and weather wise. Where all clients’ needs to pay extra for charging each electronic items. As for internet services it’s free in some places, and other lodge might charge extra, where you can learn from your guide about the cost.


Trekkers will be surprised with comprehensive food list on the menu, all foods are served healthy and hygienic. One can choose from La Carte to Set Menu which is mainly the common and popular Nepali Dal / Bhat (Rice and lentil soup served with mild veg / meat curry). Trekkers can enjoy continental, Chines, Korean, Italian, and Indian, Tibetan or Sherpa foods also. Some places provides fresh bakery products also. The lodges of various class, from budget, standard to luxury depending upon the trip cost. Most lodges are of simple tourist standard with common toilet and bathrooms. Where one needs to pay extra for using hot showers.

Normally our guide takes care of each clients and taking much precaution regarding the altitude and foods, drinks on treks. However, some might get mild sickness from high altitude or from spicy foods. In case of severe and bad situation the patient is brought down to safe altitude. For very sick people immediate evacuation by any means of fast transportation. The only quickest ways is taking a Helicopter Services to bring the victim back to Kathmandu for treatment in the best hospitals. For this types of incidence if occurs, where all trekkers are informed regarding the Travel and Medical Insurance to cover all the extra expenses incurred on this situation.   


Actually, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter flight takes off from Kalapattahr and lands at either Lukla or directly at Kathmandu airport. So, if you want to fly back to only to Lukla and then take another normal regular flight to Kathmandu, the helicopter flight duration will be only for 20 minutes, on if you are directly flying to Kathmandu from Kalapattahr with EBC helicopter, then, it will take around an hour. you can directly land at Kathmandu airport wihtout troubling your legs walking all the same way down to Lukla via Tengboche and Namche bazar spending all 4-5 days. 

If you really want, then, you even can fly to Everest Base Camp or Kalapattahr directly and fly back to Kathmandu via Lukla. This is called Everest Helicopter Tour or Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour or ebc Heli tour. 

You use local lodges and teahouses to sleep and stay overnight on Everest Base Camp Trek. A decade ago, there would be camping trekking trips and the trekkers and the trekking operators had to manage tents for overnight stay. But, nowadays, trekkers can get lodges and teahouse easily on the trail for overnight stay. They also get all the meals they want during their Everest Base Camp trek on the menu prepared by the local teahouse owners. They prepare all required meals for your including all kinds of drinks like tea, coffee, alcoholics and other cold drinks too at local lodges. 

 Your trekking leader or your trekking company will arrange accommodation for overnight stay and you have to go with it. The local lodges will offer you an ordinary and common twin sharing bedrooms with no toilet attached. You have to go outside of bedroom for the toilet and shower. The toilet and shower you are using will be common and sharing to all other people who are staying at the lodge. If you want to know more about facilities of toilet in Everest region, you can click: Toilets Facilities in Everest Base Camp Trek. 

The beds will be comfortable enough to spend a single or a couple of night at the local lodge on Everest Base Camp Trek. You also can get luxury and attached accommodations during the trek from Lukla to Dingboche, but from Lobuche to Gorekhshep is not possible. If you want a luxury accommodation from Lukla to Dingboche, you can ask your trekking company to provide you Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek and you should be ready to pay little more for it.