Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
5/5 based on 05 reviews
Trip Duration
5 Hours Days
Group Sizes
5 people
Transportation
By Helicopter
Destination
Lukla,Pheriche,Kala Patthar,Fly to Syangboche Hill view-Point
Max. Altitude
5644m
Nature of Trip
Exploring the Himalayan wilderness from an aerial perspective.
Best Season
January to June and August to December
Difficulty
Moderate
Meals
Start & End Point
Kathmandu-KathmanduWhile we understand that walking to the foot of Everest is not feasible for everyone, but the desire to watch the grandeur of Everest is everybody’s dream. This is why we bring to you the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour that will allow you to marvel at the splendor of the Goddess of the Mountain without the need for long strenuous treks.
The 4 to 5-hour Everest Base Camp helicopter tour has therefore emerged as a popular option to explore the Everest region literally from the sky. You will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla over the base camp of the highest peak on earth beholding the majestic Himalayas from a unique perspective for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
From the large windows of the helicopter, you will see the great ice walls of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Changtse, Lobuche, Gaurishankar, Kanchenjunga, Ganesh, Manaslu, Langtang, Khumbutse, Pumori, and many other sparkling silhouettes. You will also see the thousand-year-old Khumbu Icefall and glacier standing tall just in front of the legendary 5364 m high base camp.
Taking you deeper into the heart of Himalayan ridges, you will land on top of Kala Patthar (5644 m) where you can almost reach out and touch the mighty mountains. Next, you will land at the Everest View Hotel at 3880 m built in the world-class location of Syangboche Hill. Here, you will be surrounded by the long necklace of the snowy peaks from Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse to many more. We promise you the ever-changing scenery will burn into your eyes.
Additionally, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour isn’t just about aerial views of mountains. But it is also about the chance to wonder at the stunning landscape, verdant forests, lively rivers, and ancient Gompas, and observe the Sherpa people as they go about their daily routines.
Doable all year round and achievable by anyone, the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour is waiting for you to sign up today. No matter how old you are, how fit you are, or how much time you have, the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour will welcome you all with open arms.
Our Everest Base Camp helicopter tour commences from the internal terminal of TIA in Kathmandu. After completing the official procedure, we will take off to Lukla Airstrip during which we will gain a bird eye view of the magnanimous mountains.
The helicopter will land at Lukla for a short time for fueling. We on the other hand will enjoy the views of the Himalayan range in Lukla. The next stage of our tour will fly us above Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Pangboche. At Pheriche, we may land for a while to break our group into two if needed.
Then we will fly over the base camp of Everest and land at Kala Patthar where we can see some of the tallest mountains of the world. After ten minutes, we will fly to Everest View Hotel where we will enjoy the breathtaking scenery while eating a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we will fly back to Kathmandu via Lukla enjoying the beautiful villages and valley views.
Your lavish Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour with landing starts today from the early morning. At 5:50 am, our tour guide will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby to take you to TIA domestic terminal which may take around 20 to 30 minutes.
We suggest you dress warmly and carry sunglasses and gloves. It would be better if you also carry your own water bottle and some dry food or snacks. And most importantly do not forget to bring your passport and its copy.
As soon as we arrive at the airport, we will proceed to complete the formalities needed to follow before we fly to Lukla. The official procedures may take around 20 to 30 minutes during which the officials at TIA will examine our passports, documents, and also weight.
We need to measure the weight because the helicopter has a weight limit for carrying passengers. The number of people allowed on board is determined by the total weight of the helicopter.
After completing the formalities and paying the Sagarmatha/Everest National Park entry fee, we will receive our boarding pass. Then, we will advance to the waiting room of the TIA.
While we wait, the officials will conduct safety checks on the helicopter, ensure it is operating correctly, and assess the weather conditions. Once they confirm everything is okay, they will authorize our flight and announce our departure time.
When it is time to leave, we will head to the helipad where the main pilot will greet us. He will go over the safety procedures, like how to get in and out of the helicopter and how to handle the door handles. It may seem trivial, but it is really important, so make sure to pay attention to his instructions.
After that, we will hop in the helicopter and prepare for our magical flight over Everest. We will be traveling in groups and each member may want to take the window seat for the better mountain views. So we have carefully arranged the seat plans that will keep on rotating so each of us will get the equal opportunity to enjoy the magnanimous views of the Himalayas.
The exciting flight towards one of the most infamous airports in the world will take us around 45 minutes. The pilot will direct the helicopter towards the east. After flying for about 10 minutes, the snowy mountains begin to appear in the distance.
We can admire the astounding views of Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Langtang Himal range. We will then fly over the 3550 m high Lamjura La Pass and the first view of Everest will open up in front of our eyes. Besides Everest, we can also see the grand Lhotse Himal peeking through the white clouds.
Heading towards the north, we will then shortly land at the historical Tenzing Hilary Airstrip where we can witness the magical beauty of Mount Kongde Ri.
The helicopter will rest here for about 10 to 12 minutes to refuel for our return trip. Meanwhile, we can enjoy the beautiful Lukla town and its surrounding Himalayas. There are numerous lodges around the airstrip where we can stop for some refreshments.
Please put on your warmer clothing as from here on, the temperature drops remarkably.
What makes this trip unique and special is we will not have only the opportunity to witness the stunning mountain views but also to observe the charming Sherpa villages from above. We will even be given the chance to land in a village like Pheriche, where we can experience the unique Sherpa culture firsthand.
After refueling, the helicopter is now ready to fly us over the famous Khumbu region. We can see the milky white waters of Dudh Koshi roaring through the breathtaking landscapes. We may even see numerous hikers walking along the river towards their destination.
Seeing the terraced lands, the lush forests, the landscape painted pink, and the locals going about with their daily life is truly enchanting. Soon enough, we will fly over the famous market of Namche where we can see numerous blue topped houses built on the ridges.
We will be soon over the astonishingly beautiful Khumbu and Phortse village. The most beautiful mountain of Ama Dablam emerges between the clouds and Lhotse and Everest are also not far behind. Now, we will fly over the highly acknowledged Tengboche Gompa, the color and the art are still visible to us.
Next, we pass by Pangboche and arrive at Pheriche where our pilot may decide to land depending on the number of passengers.
Attention
Landing at Pheriche may happen when our group member exceeds three. In that case, our pilot will divide our group into two smaller groups to make sure the weight is evenly distributed. Up until Lukla, the helicopter can carry up to 500 kg, but after Lukla, the weight limit is reduced to 250 kg.
Once we split into two groups, the pilot will take one group to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and then to Everest View Hotel. While that group stays at the Hotel, the pilot will bring the other group, who will be waiting there, back to Pheriche.
When we wait for our turn at Pheriche, we can explore the beautiful landscape of the village, have a delightful meal at its lodge, and capture some amazing pictures. We can also talk to the local people, and share some tales and their life.
During the flight, our pilot will keep on informing us about the villages we pass, the trail to the Everest Base Camp, and some facts and trivia to make our air travel fun, and informative.
Continuing with our flight, we will now see the quaint settlements of Dughla/Thukla and Lobuche. In between, we can also see the famous memorial site known as Thukla Pass where the sea of colorful prayer flags will not escape our sight. We can also pray for the deceased soul from above.
The famed mountains of Pumori, Lobuche Himal, and Cho La Pass will emerge from the side of the villages. Further, we will pass over the wide Khumbu Glacier which has filled so many tales of the daring climbers. Beside the glacier, we can also get a sight of the peaceful desert of Gorakshep indicating the Everest Base Camp is not far behind.
Shortly within a few minutes, the Everest Base Camp will be in sight where we can see numerous colorful tents dotting its landscape. It has been the site for many years where the daring climbers seek shelter till they summit the Mother of all the Himalayas.
We will not land at Everest Base Camp though as it has been restrained by the government of Nepal due to the risk of avalanche. We can still enjoy the sparkling peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Khumbutse, Pumori, and Khumbu Icefall.
In about ten minutes, the massive rock of Kala Patthar will be on the horizon where we will land and spend the most precious ten minutes of our lives at an altitude of 5644 m. We will not stay for long at such an elevation, the altitude sickness can quickly affect us.
Don’t worry as the ten minutes will be more than enough to contemplate the surrounding mountains in our memory forever. The silver silhouettes of Everest, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Nuptse, Lingtren, Lhotse, Changtse, Khumbutse, Lobuche, and many other Peaks will make our short stay worthwhile.
The helicopter engine will be running constantly to provide oxygen support if any of us show signs of altitude sickness.
After exploring Kala Patthar, we will fly to Nepal’s Highest Altitude Hotel, Everest View Hotel at Syangboche Hill. This hotel holds the Guinness World Record for the Highest Hotel in the world in 2004. This hotel is a popular destination for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour and Everest Trek as it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy authentic food.
We can have breakfast outdoors while enjoying the majestic views and scenery of Thamserku, Everest, Taboche, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Cholatse, and Nuptse. The helicopter lands for an hour for breakfast or lunch.
Leaving behind the enchanting Himalayas, we will now make our way back to the capital. On the way, we may stop at Lukla Airport to refuel the chopper.
After we land at the Kathmandu Airport and complete some formalities, we will exit the terminal. We will then drive you back to your hotel where you can now rest and rejoice about the extraordinary you have just completed.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour can be done in any season, but this tour is all about the exclusive mountain views and visuals of green landscapes and forests. Therefore, the best time for this tour is during autumn from September to November. The clear skies, dry weather, and stunning landscape views make it the perfect time for this exclusive experience.
Another favorable time to witness the exclusive mountain views is during the spring season from March to May, as the days gradually lengthen. During the two seasons of spring and autumn, you won’t have to worry about flight cancellations or delays.
In June, July, and August, despite the possibility of rain, you can still go on the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour because not every day during these three months is rainy. However, the only drawback is that we have to wait for the perfect weather window to ensure our flight departs on time and we can fully enjoy the magical mountain views.
On the other hand, the winter months of December, January, and February are also favorable times. The mornings can be foggy but the rest of the day will be clear, bright, sunny, and dry.
The Everest Base Camp helicopter tour lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours and takes us to the highest point of 5644 m at Kala Patthar. Here, we will have a brief 10-minute stop to explore the area. We will fly over Everest Base Camp at 5364 m. The second landing spot is Everest View Hotel at 3880 m. Our journey commences from Lukla Airport at an altitude of 2800 m, located 137 km from Kathmandu by air.
If we engage in a private tour, then the weight of the chopper will be very light thus allowing it to fly over 6300 m altitude.
Our Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is the most convenient and luxurious way to soak yourself in the natural beauty of the Everest region. This extraordinary journey starts and ends at Kathmandu taking you to the highest altitude of Kala Patthar pyramid within 4 hours.
Without the need for long day hikes, this tour is therefore accessible to any individual aged 5 to 80, so age is no barrier for this tour. If you have any physical limitations, time constraints, or health concerns, still this tour is for you through which you can almost touch the roof of the world.
As for safety, we want to assure you that our pilots are not only skilled, well-trained, and experienced but also government-authorized captains who have flown to Lukla and Everest multiple times.
Additionally, the helicopters we use for the tour are specifically designed to withstand high-speed winds and unfavorable weather conditions. Plus, before departing, officials at TIA will thoroughly check the helicopter ensuring it works smoothly.
Unlike the trekking trips in Everest, our Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour eliminates the risk of altitude sickness. Although we will quickly transition to greater Himalayan heights within a few hours, there will be no long trekking journey and overnight rests.
Additionally, our time at Kala Patthar will be only ten minutes where some members may feel slight difficulty in breathing. This is why our pilot will continuously run the helicopter engine during your exploration of Kala Patthar so the oxygen can be supplied quickly in such conditions.
If you have undertaken the Everest Base Camp and suddenly feel you can no longer engage in longer hikes, but you don’t want to give up on your dream of seeing Everest as well. If so, we offer you several options including the pickup service by helicopter from any village that facilitates the landing of the helicopter.
The villages where we can pick you up include Namche Bazaar, Pheriche, Tengboche, Lobuche, and Gorakhsep.
The other option we offer is the combination of a trek and helicopter ride. You can join our Everest Base Camp trek with Heli return in which you will follow the traditional hiking trail up to the base camp. Then after ascending the stony pyramid of Kala Patthar, you will walk back to Gorakshep from where our helicopter will ride you back to Kathmandu.
You can also begin your Everest Base Camp helicopter tour directly from Lukla instead of Kathmandu. The rest of the itinerary will be the same with landing at Everest View Hotel.
Yes, we are flying and not trekking but still, we will need the same two permits that are obtained during the Everest Base Camp trek. Since we will be landing at Kala Patthar, and at Everest View Hotel, we need to secure the Sagarmatha National Park Permit, and its cost will be paid at TIA. And the next permit is the local area permit of Khumbu Rural Municipality which will be obtained in Everest View Hotel.
Our package does not cover the permit costs, but the fees are quite affordable. The local area permit costs $18 per individual and the National Park permit costs $30 per individual.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is a lavish style to see Everest up close. The main highlight of this tour is the sensational views of great mountains all along the flight from Gaurishankar, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Kanchenjunga, Kongde Ri, Taboche, Ama Dablam, Changtse, Nuptse, Lobuche, Lhotse and many more.
Trust us when we say that you won’t believe your eyes when you land at Kala Patthar, and observe the highest mountains surrounding you from all around. It seems suddenly you are in the playground of these great snowy pyramids where you will feel so tiny when standing next to these natural wonders.
Apart from the mesmerizing mountain views, you will also fly over the world-renowned Khumbu Glacier and Icefall, which we are sure you have heard countless tales about.
And that’s not all, you will eat breakfast or lunch at the Guinness world record-setter Everest View Hotel at 3880 m where you will once again be surrounded by the majestic peaks.
This tour also offers you a brief opportunity to engage with the friendly locals if you happen to land at Pheriche. From high above, you will witness the vibrant villages, monasteries, and the daily routines of the locals. You will also experience the exhilarating landing at Lukla Airport, about which you have probably watched countless videos.
If you want to truly indulge in the magnificence of Everest, then you should consider the private Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour. The cost may be expensive but you will have the liberty to select your landing spots.
Additionally, the private tour means a lighter helicopter that can ascend above 6300 m altitude providing you with breathtaking views of the Khumbu region. You will also have the best seat to see the best views and you won’t have to wait for your turn or wait for anybody anywhere. Private Everest Base Camp Helicopter tours usually cost between $ 5000 and $6500 per trip.
On the other hand, a group helicopter tour also offers its own advantages. One of the major advantages is its cost-effectiveness compared to a private tour, as the expenses are shared equally among all the members of the group.
However, to fully enjoy the mountain view, you may need to switch seats with fellow travelers. For a group tour consisting of five members, the price per person is $ 999. The cost per person may vary if the group size is less than five.
In addition, the cost of the group helicopter tour is also determined based on weight management. If the weight is within 500 kg, the helicopter can directly fly to Lukla. However, if the altitude exceeds 4000 m, the helicopter can only carry a maximum load of 250 kg.
As a result, the pilot needs to divide the group into two, with three and two people respectively. While one group stays at Pheriche, the pilot will take the other group to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and Everest View Hotel.
Then, the pilot will return to Pheriche to transport the waiting group to Kala Patthar. This continuous shuttle service may incur additional costs, which will be evenly distributed among all members.
If you have undertaken other trekking trips in Nepal, such as the Annapurna trek or the Mustang Jomsom trek, and at the end felt a sense of longing as you missed the opportunity to see Everest up close, there is a solution in the form of Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour.
This tour offers a unique experience, allowing you to reach Everest in just 4 to 5 hours. The time limitation will not stop you from seeing the grandeur of Everest. Throughout the tour, you will be in total comfort and luxury, eliminating the need for long hiking days or staying in basic accommodations within the villages.
With the tour commencing and ending in Kathmandu, you will experience everything that any trekker would have experienced through the Everest Base Camp trek.
On the other hand, the classic Everest Base Camp trek provides an authentic firsthand experience of Real Nepal. The incredible journey takes you through captivating rhododendron forests, alongside the wild Dudh Koshi River, with stops at villages to explore their unique chortens and Gompas. This experience is indescribable and you must visit it personally to feel it.
Additionally, you will be warmly welcomed by the Sherpa people and have the opportunity to taste their delicious ethnic delicacies. This trip will take you away from the digital world for a few days, allowing you to dive deeper into Mother Nature.
Starting from 1350 elevate Kathmandu, we will go to Lukla at 2800 m and fly over Everest Base Camp at 5364 m and Kala Patthar at 5664 m. After landing at Kala Patthar, we again fly to Everest View Hotel at 3880 m and fly back to Kathmandu.
Basically, the flight will last for 4-5 hours. You will have enough time to get out of the helicopter and look around the highest mountains of the Khumbu region.
Yes, you can join our group for this tour.
You can book a trip in advance with your family or friends to visit Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour very easily. You just need to inform us of the available dates and your personal information to proceed with booking the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
Yes, you can book the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with us even if you are booking as a single traveler. If you book a trip with us, we will join you with an available group according to your dates.
Yes, there will be oxygen tanks available in the Helicopter if needed in case of emergency. But for helicopter tours, normally you do not need oxygen to use.
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