We are often told there are no shortcuts or easy ways in life. While that might be true for many things, in other areas, there is no need to take the hard road when there is an easier alternative.
Take Mount Everest, for example. While those who trek to the base camp of this, the highest mountain in the world, over a 12 or 14-day period no doubt feel they have accomplished a great personal goal, others may look and them and wonder if all the hard work, blisters, and cold were worth it.
Thankfully, there is room for those who want to experience the hard road and for easier alternatives. The Everest base camp helicopter tour offers an alternative to the physically demanding trek, allowing individuals to see Mount Everest without needing a long and challenging journey in a helicopter.
Early Climbers and Trekkers
Since Mount Everest was first conquered in 1953 by climbers Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, it has attracted serious climbers in their bid to summit its 8,848 meters. As time went on and news of the beauty of the area spread, more people were attracted to the region, not just for climbing but for trekking.
It is hard to imagine what it would have been like for those early trekkers pushing ahead to Everest Base Camp through Namche Bazaar and in the footsteps of climbing expeditions. Thanks to Sir Edmund, an airport was built in Lukla in 1964, paved in 2001, and renamed the Tenzing Hillary Airport in 2008.
Today this airport reduces the time climbing expeditions, and trekking groups take to reach Mount Everest, and it has enabled the locals to create good facilities for tourists. There are now some very comfortable lodges on the trekking route, and with the ability to bring in a wide range of goods, the menus are good and even include imported spirits. The airport has also allowed access to the Everest Region to fixed-wing planes and helicopters.
Choose the Easier Route – by Helicopter
First mainly used for emergency airlifts, helicopters are now utilized for tourists to enable people of all abilities to see Mount Everest up close. For those unable or unwilling to trek for two weeks, it is possible to see the magnificent mountain and its neighbors in one day.
There is also the option of combining a helicopter ride and trekking, which gives the best of both worlds: the thrill of traveling by helicopter and reducing the number of days on the trek, and the adventure of hiking through iconic landscapes staying in Sherpa settlements.
One-Day Helicopter Tour to Mount Everest
Leaving Kathmandu in the early morning, the helicopter lands at Lukla to refuel. Fixed-wing planes can be seen bringing in trekkers and climbers whose gear will then be sorted and sent on ahead with the cheery Sherpa staff. Taking off from Lukla, the helicopter heads over the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, giving a great view of forests, rivers, and settlements below and mountains ahead and above.
There are two more thrilling stops to make. This trip is often called ‘breakfast on Everest’ as it includes breakfast with the most amazing view! Mount Everest and other mountains are presented as if just for travelers to enjoy as they indulge in a high-altitude breakfast outdoors on the terrace of the Everest View Point Hotel or the Kongde Resort.
The other stop is on top of Kalapattar, which at 5,545m, is a stunning black rock ridge overlooking Everest and from where the best views of Everest are found. The panoramic view has to be one of the best in the world and is certainly something to record on the camera and in memory.
Flying over Everest Base Camp, glaciers, ice, and snow, the helicopter heads back to Kathmandu by the early afternoon.
Trekking and Helicopter Access to Everest
For those who want to experience the adventure of trekking but have less time or who want to combine that with the thrill of a helicopter ride, it is possible to fly Kathmandu to Lukla by helicopter, then trek for 10 days to Gorakshep, which is the closest settlement to Everest Base Camp, make a trip to Base Camp and back to Gorakshep where the helicopter is waiting to transport visitors back to Kathmandu.
Trek: the Hard Way, the Less Difficult Way, or Not at All
With these options, anyone of any age and ability can easily enjoy the splendor of being in the mountains and visiting Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal without trekking the hard way. Well worth thinking about!
