Nepal Luxury Heli-Accessed Trekking Tour

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local trekking guide with extensive knowledge of the area, along with porters
    • Local tour guide for sightseeing in Kathmandu
    • 8-day luxury trekking tour in Nepal with helicopter flights to Lukla on Day 3, Everest Base Camp on Day 6, and back to Kathmandu on Day 6
    • Airport transfer upon your arrival in Kathmandu and other ground transfers
    • Accommodation in the luxury heritage hotel Dwarika in Kathmandu based on double occupancy — 4 nights
    • Accommodation in luxury Yeti mountain lodges in the Everest Region based on double occupancy — 3 nights
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • All transfers during the adventure
    • Entrance fees and trekking permits

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Kathmandu
    • Meals not indicated in the itinerary (lunches and dinners in Kathmandu, except for the farewell dinner, and lunches on trekking days)
    • Single rooms — available for an additional fee of $1,755 per person
    • Guide gratuities — customary
    • Travel and medical/rescue insurance
• How fit do I need to be?

  This luxury trekking adventure in Nepal with helicopter tours involves easy to moderate hikes suitable for most active people with a reasonable level of fitness. You should be comfortable hiking for several hours a day while carrying a backpack. No prior trekking experience is necessary, but being physically prepared will enhance your enjoyment of the trek.

  The trek involves several hours of walking each day on varied terrain, including steep uphill and downhill sections. You should be comfortable walking 3-4 hours on hiking days. The maximum altitude on this tour is at Everest Base Camp—5,364 meters (17,598 feet). While most trekkers do not experience severe altitude sickness due to several days of acclimatization beforehand, some may experience mild symptoms. It’s important to ascend gradually and stay hydrated.

  Engaging in cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, or swimming before your trip will help improve your stamina and endurance, making the trek more enjoyable. Incorporating strength training exercises like squats, lunges, and weightlifting will help build muscle strength, which is beneficial for the uphill and downhill sections of the trek. That said, keep in mind that you will always have a guide by your side to set the right pace, make regular breaks, offer encouragement, and make the entire experience enjoyable for everyone.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of personal equipment you need to bring:

  • • Backpack or duffle bag (50-70 L)
    • A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
    • Trekking poles — recommended
    • Valid passport & passport scanned photocopies
    • Visa (easy to obtain on arrival)
    • 2 passport-sized photos for your permits
    • Waterproof bag for your clothes
    • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
    • Sunglasses with UV protection
    • Sunscreen
    • Personal toiletries
    • Camera — optional
    • Power bank
    • Water bottle and thermos
    • Ear plugs
    • Small personal first-aid kit (simple and light) — first-aid tape, Band-Aids, alcohol-free wipes for cuts, personal medications, etc.
    • Toilet paper
    • Medium-sized quick drying towel

  Here’s a list of clothing you need to bring:

  • • Waterproof hiking boots with a sturdy sole
    • Waterproof jacket & pants (GoreTex recommended)
    • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
    • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
    • Lightweight thermal tops and bottoms
    • Fleece windbreaker jacket or pullover
    • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket and pants
    • Warm down jacket
    • Hiking pants (1-2)
    • Short sleeve t-shirts (3)
    • Long sleeve t-shirts (2)
    • Hiking shorts (1)
    • Non-cotton underwear briefs
    • Heavy polyester or wool socks
    • Trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
    • Lightweight wool or fleece gloves

  Please do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant. Your guide will contact you about any additional equipment at the time of contracting the trip and give you suggestions. Keep in mind that the exact packing list depends on the season, but that you will need to be prepared for different weather conditions.

• What will the accommodation and food be like?

  On your luxury trekking and Everest heli tour in Nepal, accommodation varies from city stays to mountain lodges, all offering a deluxe experience. In Kathmandu, you’ll stay at the luxurious Dwarika’s Heritage Hotel, where traditional Nepalese architecture meets opulent comfort, including a spa.

  During the trek, you will stay at Yeti Mountain Homes in Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft), Monjo (2,840 m/9,317 ft), and Namche (3,440 m/11,286 ft), each offering ensuite rooms and exceptional hospitality.

  Phakding lodge, a tranquil haven along the Dudh Koshi River, features a cozy sunroom and a warm fireplace. Monjo lodge is located on the edge of Sagarmatha National Park, providing a peaceful retreat with modern comforts. Namche lodge offers breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, with a Himalayan Healers spa for ultimate relaxation.

  Single rooms are available for an added fee of $1,755 per person during the booking process.

  As for the meals, in Kathmandu, breakfast is included with your stay, featuring a variety of continental options, along with a farewell dinner. On the trek, you’ll enjoy full board meals including traditional Nepali cuisine such as Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), porridge, Tibetan bread, pancakes, momos (dumplings), Thukpa (noodle soup), fried rice, noodles, vegetable curries, and chapati. A special highlight is the champagne breakfast at Everest View Hotel at Everest Base Camp.

• Will I experience altitude sickness?

  Every 1,000 m/3,200 ft you travel above sea level makes aerobic exercise 10% harder. On this Nepal luxury heli-accessed trekking tour, you will hike at elevations ranging from approximately 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) in Kathmandu to a maximum of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) at Everest Base Camp.

  As you can see, the elevations are quite high, which can cause some altitude sickness. However, before you get to Everest Base Camp, you will first go to Lukla (2,860 meters / 9,383 feet), Monjo (2,835 meters / 9,301 feet), and Namche Bazar (3,440 meters / 11,286 feet), giving you enough time to properly acclimatize. Here are a few tips on do’s and don’ts for adapting to high altitude and avoiding altitude sickness:

  Do not eat heavy food the day before traveling to Kathmandu. Make sure you drink between 6-8 glasses of water the days before your trip and during the hiking days, and make sure to avoid drinking alcohol or smoking. Once you arrive at your accommodation, lie down for a few minutes before going out to explore the area. When you are ready to go out and explore, try not to become agitated climbing stairs or walking fast.

  You should also try to include cardio and strength training in your schedule. Cardio means getting your heart rate up by doing things like running, cycling, skipping, and burpees. Strength training means using resistance, weights, or your body weight to grow your muscles. The fitter you are, the less oxygen your muscles need to move — something invaluable at higher elevations.

• Why should I go out with a guide?

  Apart from the fact that you’ll have a highly experienced and knowledgeable person by your side—who’ll also make sure you have the best time in the country—trekking in Nepal is no longer allowed without a guide. This decision has been made for the tourists’ benefit, as many tourists have gone missing over the past few years when they went trekking by themselves.

• Do I need a visa for this adventure?

  Yes, to visit Nepal, you must have a Nepalese visa. For this luxury heli trekking tour in Nepal, you will need a 30-day multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 6 months and costs $50. You can easily obtain it as soon as you arrive in the country, which is usually at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 4 participants.

  Heli-accessed luxury trekking in Nepal can be arranged for private and for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  Your heli-accessed luxury trekking adventure in Nepal starts in Kathmandu, the country’s capital. To get there, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport.

  Most people arrive in the morning or the afternoon on Day 1. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a representative and transferred to your deluxe accommodation in a private luxury vehicle for a welcome drink and dinner.

• Safety measures in Nepal

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

  With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.