April 22, 2009

#5 Coolest Place - Helicopter Trip to Mount Everest



The Nepali Air Force will fly you up to 17,000 feet, the maximum for most helicopters. It's very difficult to fly that high because the air is so thin that the helicopter blades can not grip. Our pilot had to drop extra fuel and extra weight at the bizarre Namche Bazaar at 11,300 feet, in order to fly that high.

Namche Bazaar has a real "Star Wars bar" other worldly feel to it with all of the mountain climbers from around the world trekking through, and so many different Nepali groups including the famed Sherpas. There are over 1,000 people per year now attempting the climb which starts at base camp 1 near the Khumbu Icefall at 18,000 feet.

Once you get to maximum altitude, the views are some of the best natural scenery in in the world - dozens of very high snow-capped mountains and of course, Mount Everest at 29,028 feet. On the way down, we stopped for tea and more incredible views at the highest Buddhist monastery in the world, Tengboche. Both Tengboche and the helicopter view of Mount Everest are not to be missed for any serious traveler. The trip originates out of the military area of the Kathmandu airport.

The best time to go is April through October if you want to also see the climbers going to base camp. May is the main climbing month on Everest as the weather is most conducive.

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