Everest Base Camp is a wonderland for sure. It is a sanctuary of several beautiful sceneries, landscapes, diverse and vibrant environments, and climate conditions. It sits on the lap of Mount Everest at 5,364 meters above sea level, and it's the starting point of the Everest Expedition. So if you are an adventure seeker or enthusiast, you should probably reach Everest Base Camp once in your lifetime. However, this does not mean that reaching Everest Base Camp is easy - there are several hurdles and challenges to complete to reach the destination. Even if you are an active trekker, the EBC trail will put your strength to the test for sure. But if you are looking forward to avoiding trekking, it might be easy for you to delve into the natural and cultural richness this region brings. So how do you get to Everest Base Camp without trekking? We will provide some insights about it. Stay tuned until the end of this blog!
How do you get to EBC without trekking?
Everest Base Camp Trekking has many viable methods. And if you are considering reaching here without trekking, there is only one option, Helicopter Flight. You might have gone through the helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp, and yes, it is the same option that leads you to this destination without trekking.
The helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp starts from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It takes you through the Everest region, finally taking you to the base camp. As you onboard the helicopter flight, it flies towards the northeast of Kathmandu Valley for around 45 to 50 minutes. First, passengers arrive at Lukla Airport, Tenzing Norgay Airport, 2,860 meters above sea level.
During the flight, we will fly above the picturesque valleys, green hills, and a diverse range of traditional and modern villages and towns. You can also have stunning views of the Himalayas, including Langtang Lirung, Sishapangma, Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Makalu Himal, and many more. Once we reach Lukla Airport, we will have around 15 to 25 minutes of spare time as the helicopter gets busy refueling. During our spare time, we can rest, have lunch, and discover the sceneries around Lukla.
As we embark on Everest Base Camp via Helicopter, we will rise above in the air, which allows us to have near views of the peaks from the Mahalangur Mountain Range. Famous peaks like Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and many others can be seen just like looking in the mirror. The flight from Lukla directly takes us to Everest Base Camp, as we cross the remote villages of Tengboche, Dingboche, Pangboche, and Gorakshep. The deep gorges created by the Himalayan rivers, green valleys, lush forests, glaciers, crevasses from the mountain, and others are exciting attractions of this journey. While we avoid trekking to reach Everest Base Camp, the helicopter will land at Everest Base Camp, after which we can get engaged in sightseeing and other activities. Some packages also have the provision of landing at Namche Bazaar and staying in the local guest houses or hiking to Everest View Hotel. The scenes are even amazing from the highest hotel in the world.
Besides, the helicopter also takes the visitors to Kala Patthar, the world’s highest webcam, Mount Everest Webcam. As the name cites the specialty, Kala Patthar is a beautiful viewpoint with 360 views of the surroundings. The major attractions are the views of the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, Khumbu Glacier, diverse landscapes, and others.
How Much Does It Cost?
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Reaching Everest Base Camp without trekking is much more expensive than the standard trekking package. Since this is one of the luxurious tours in Nepal, travelers might need to allocate more than 1000 USD per person. If you are traveling in a group, your cost of reaching Everest Base Camp without trekking will be relatively low. But if you opt for a luxurious tour with a private chartered flight, the price tag will be relatively high.
On average, the lowest price for going to Everest Base Camp by Helicopter [without trekking] is around 950 dollars. The more passengers you have in a group, the less price you will pay. But remember, one flight only carries 5 passengers. If you are looking forward to flying solo on a chartered flight, your price tag will be around $3000 to $4500 per person.
Other Means Of Reaching Everest Base Camp
Reaching Everest Base Camp is the dream of many trekkers. But if not trekking, what option can we choose to reach the spot? We have already covered the content for reaching Everest Base Camp via Helicopter, but there are several optional means to reach the Everest region. Though these options might not lead you to Everest Base Camp, it somehow brings you to the trails of EBC and its region. Here are the options:
By Bus [Kathmandu to Phaplu | Trek to Namche]
This is one of the best means to avoid trekking from Lukla to Namche. Trekkers can book a jeep or travel on a public bus from Kathmandu to Phaplu in Solukhumbu District. Phaplu is approximately 275 km from the capital city, and the total time to reach there from Kathmandu is around 9 to 10 hours.
After reaching Phaplu, trekkers must walk for two days to reach Namche Bazaar. Hiking through this trail is often labeled challenging with the risk of wild bears in the forests. Similarly, the rugged and rocky trails make your journey more physically demanding.
By Bus [Kathmandu to Salleri And Thandanda]
It is the second option to reach the trails of Everest Base Camp. Trekkers must know that they cannot directly reach Everest Base Camp with this option.
Trekkers must embark on an 8-hour long drive from Kathmandu to reach Salleri. You can opt for a jeep or a public bus to reach Salleri. Upon arriving at Salleri, you must embark on the next drive to Thandanda. Remember, the trail is fully remote and rugged, which might bring hassles while traveling. Nevertheless, the diverse vegetation, views of the Himalayas, and a touch of streams and rivers will soothe the journey.
You may also like:
- Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
- Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek
- Short Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Trek
Conclusion
You can get to Everest Base Camp without trekking using air flights. Since there is no possibility of reaching there by plane, helicopter tours are only an option. But remember that there are several formalities you need to go through to book helicopter tours. You must have a valid passport, a valid visa, copies of your legal documents, and other essentials. And if you are looking forward to reaching Everest Base Camp without trekking, contact us - we can provide you with the best services. Choosing reliable operators, negotiating fees, and guide services are all on us. Just book with us, and we will be at your service to provide the best experience in Everest Base Camp via Eco Holidays Nepal.