Overview
The Everest Helicopter Tour is a thrilling and scenic adventure that allows you to experience the majestic Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayan range from the air. It offers a unique perspective on the world’s highest peak and is a popular alternative for those who cannot undertake a full-fledged trek to the Everest Base Camp.
On this tour, you will typically fly from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, to Lukla, a small town in the Everest region. From Lukla, the helicopter will take you on a scenic flight over the stunning landscapes of the Khumbu Valley, passing through beautiful Sherpa villages, lush green forests, and glacier-fed rivers.
You can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Kathmandu valley, Mt. Ganesh, Mt. Langtang, Mt. Dorjelakpa, Mt. Langsisa, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt Everest, Mt. Pumori and many more. When you will return from Everest base camp and KalaPatthar landing you will stop for breakfast in Shyanboche, where you will have a unique experience of viewing the changing colors of the Himalayas as the day goes on.
NOTE: It is important to note that weather conditions play a significant role in the feasibility of helicopter tours in the Everest region. The flight may be subject to cancellation or rescheduling if the weather is unfavorable or unsafe.
Trip Highlights
- Stunning Aerial view of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam
- Close-up views of the grand Mount Everest
- Scenic flight over the Khumbu Valley
- Stops at high-altitude viewpoints like Kalapathhar and Everest Base Camp to enjoy panaromic views of the Himalayas
- Efficient tour of the beautiful Himalayas just within a few hours
- Professional guidance by pilots and guides throughout the tour
- Flexible and Safe trips as helicopters are less dependent on weather conditions and physical endurance
Detail itinerary of Helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp
5:30 – 6:30 AM: Hotel pick up and drop to the domestic terminal of International Airport, Kathmandu.Your Everest helicopter tour will start from International Airport,Kathmandu. Early in the morning, we will pick you from the hotel and drive to the airport’s domestic terminal.6:30 – 7:00 AM: Preparation and processing to take your scheduled helicopter flight to EBC with a landing.Your guide will assist you with the check-in process and luggage. Make sure to carry your passport and tickets. After checking in, an airport officer will check your documents and ticket, and you will be ready to fly to Lukla.
7:00 – 8:00 AM: Fly to Lukla (2,845 meters) Once you complete your airport formalities, you will proceed to fly Lukla. As you begin to fly, you will be welcomed by the fantastic vistas of green hills, and passing through Dolakha village reaches Jiri village. Heli ride continues over the Lamjura-La Pass (3,550 m) covered in thick rhododendron forests.After 45 minutes, you will land at Lukla with magnificent views of the chains of the Himalayas. Lukla lies at 2,820 meters above sea level. Lukla is famous for Lukla airport, which has a small runway in the world.8: 00 – 8:15 AM: Flight Refueling at Lukla Airport
Once you land at Lukla, you will start witnessing the local Sherpa culture and lifestyle. At the airport, you will see many Sherpa guides and porters waiting for their clients. It will take around 15 minutes to refuel the flight. 8:15 – 8:30 AM: Fly to Kala Patthar (5,450 meters)After refueling at Lukla airport, you will fly to Kala Patthar. The inflight commentary will tell you exactly where you are, whether it’s the legendary Everest Base Camp or the mighty Khumbu glacier. In the second half of the flight, you will get great views of the mountains such as Everest, Pumori, and Lhotse summit when flying over the Kala Patthar.
8:30 – 8:45 AM: Land and Explore around Kala Patthar (5,450 meters)This helicopter tour is more than just a flight where you can gawp at the breathtaking landscapes before you. The 3-4 hours Everest Helicopter tour lets you land in the Kalapatthar, where you will indulge in the view of the mighty, majestic peaks of the Khumbu region of Nepal. Fifteen minutes on the ground may not sound like a lot, but it’s far enough to find out splendid views of the scenic mountain beauty.
8:45 – 9:00 AM: Fly to Syangboche (Everest View Hotel) (3,950 meters)
Throughout this mountain flight, you will be accompanied by a guide who will tell you all you need to know about the sites you have a bird’s eye view of as the vibrant colors of a sunrise in paradise merge into one. This short flight is bound to arouse your appetite for another helicopter tour.
After enjoying the magical moments at Kala Patthar, you will fly to the world’s highest situated hotel, Everest View Hotel, for a hearty breakfast. The flight offers marvelous views of Khumbu Glacier, Gorak Shep, monasteries, Chortens, and snow-clad peaks of the Everest region.
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Breakfast Time at Everest View Hotel
Syangboche is well-known for Everest View hotel, famous for getting Mt. Everest’s view from every corner. It is an ideal place to get the mesmerizing scene of snow-capped peaks in luxury. You will have a hearty filling breakfast at Everest view hotel with splendid Everest view.
9:30 – 10:00 AM: Fly to Lukla and Refuel
After having an excellent breakfast in the hotel, you will fly back to the Lukla with the astonishing views of the Himalayas. There is nothing more exciting than a clear bird’s eye view of the Himalayas up close. Once again, the flight will land at Lukla for 15 minutes for refueling and fly back to Kathmandu.
10:00 – 11:00 AM: Fly back to Kathmandu
Finally, before heading back to Kathmandu, you will see the full range of the Everest region landscapes’ diversity as you look down on the Namche Bazaar, Lukla, and Phakding. After this exhilarating flight, you will be taken back to your hotel in comfortable, private transport.
Helicopter tour to Mt Everest US$ 5000 for 4 pax
Services Included:
- Chartered Helicopter
- Government Tax
- Sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Passenger Insurance
Services Excluded:
- National park Entry Permit (NRS. 3,000 per person)
- Pasang Lhamu Local government tax (NRS. 2,000 per person)
- Airport Tax (NRS. 500 per person)
- Breakfast - $31 per person (Optional)
Additional Information
Why Everest Heli-Tour With Trekinhimalaya?
1. We promise the best rates
We provide you with the best rates available for the trek. We have in-house travel specialists to ensure that booking with us provides you with the best value, anywhere around the world! We regularly update the website so that you can see how much your trip is going to cost.
2. Get the best experience out of this trip
Our main goal is to give you the best possible experience of the Himalayas for your money. We don’t charge any service fees or booking fees for tour packages. We have been providing professional helicopter services for 20+ years, so you will definitely get the best value for your trip with us.
3. Safety is our Top Priority
At TrekInHimalaya, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority. During the trip, we assure you that we are continuously monitoring our surroundings for any unprecedented events. Our staff are proficient in handling emergency situations, and we follow necessary health and safety procedures throughout the trip. Do not hesitate to ask your accompanying guide if you feel any sort of uneasiness during the trip.
4. Easy Payment Options
We have several payment options for ease of payment, including online credit card payments and bank-to-bank transfers.
5. 24/7 Service
We respond quickly to your inquiries. We reply to any of your queries in the shortest possible time- either immediately or within a few hours.
6. Save Your Time and Effort
Many people like to spend hours searching on the internet about trips, often becoming overwhelmed by loads of information. Save time and effort by choosing us. We have detailed itineraries to map what happens on each step of the trip, and if you still have queries, you can always contact us. Choose us to accompany you in accomplishing your dream vacation.
7. Customized Trips
From the beginning, you can count on our tour specialist to customize your trip according to your liking. If you don’t see a trip plan you want to book, or if you want to change your plan and do something different, simply call or contact us and we can manage your trip accordingly.
8. First Hand Experience
We want you to have an exclusive and immersive experience, taking you to the hidden gems of Nepal. We will add those extra touches to make things feel all the special to you. Let us do the hard work as you enjoy the mesmerizing mountains with your helicopter tour.
9. High Standards
Our properties are always of high standards. With our first-class fleet of helicopters and equipment, we make sure that our customers’ expectations in the trip are met.
Best time to do the EBC Helicopter Tour
Climate and weather conditions play an essential role in helicopter tours to Everest Base Camp. The weather around the base camp area is always changing and unpredictable, so different seasons will offer you different experiences. However, a helicopter tour to the base camp and KalaPatthar is doable at any time of the year. But as all trips do, there are seasons where the helicopter trip can be fully appreciated.
Helicopter flight in the Spring Season
In Nepal, Spring falls in March, April, and May. It is an ideal time for a helicopter tour around the EBC area. The weather around the base camp is moderate and favorable. The daytime temperature is warm at around 15°C whereas morning and night are chills with -10°C temperatures. The mountain views are quite visible.
However, at the end of the season, the temperatures start to increase, and the weather patterns change. During this season, the view is utterly beautiful; and the lower hills look amazing with the blooming rhododendron flower.
Helicopter Flight in the Summer/Monsoon Season
In Nepal, the monsoon lasts from June till early September. In general, it is not considered an excellent time to go for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour because of unstable weather conditions. During this time, Mt. Everest is usually hidden behind the clouds.
During monsoon season, the mornings offer clear visuals, so the tour is still possible with extra precaution and safety. During this time, the average temperature ranges from 17°C to 5°C. It is important to note that there is a high chance of flight cancellation due to the poor weather conditions compared to other seasons.
Everest Helicopter Flight in Autumn Season
The Autumn season is another suitable season for the Everest helicopter tour in Nepal. This season is another dry season in Nepal. From September to November, the weather conditions are favorable, neither too cold at higher elevations nor too hot at lower elevations. The temperature is moderate, and the average daytime temperature ranges from 20°C to -10°C during nighttime. During this season, there is no chance of rainfall. There will be no cloud or fog, so the high Himalayan views will be extraordinary.
Everest Helicopter Flight in Winter Season
The Winter season starts from December to February, and the weather is cold around the base camp area. But it is still possible for a helicopter flight. The hills and mountains are fully covered by snow, which makes the views like a winter Disneyland.
The Himalayas’ crystal-clear views are incredible, but the freezing temperature, the chill wind, and heavy snowfall are some challenges you might have to face during this season. Despite these challenges, the views of the higher snow-capped mountains will take your breath away! So. flight cancellations and delays are quite normal due to the bad weather condition so prepare yourself mentally.
Important Note– If your flight is canceled due to bad weather conditions, either you can reschedule your flight or refund your payment.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost
Taking a helicopter tour in the Everest region is one of the most exciting things to do, as you experience scenic and dramatic landscapes that can only be done so in air. The tour costs USD 1100 per person if you take the group package. In a group, there will be a maximum of 5 people. You can also take the private Everest Base Camp tour, which will cost USD 5000 per person. You can choose between a private tour and the group tour based on your budget.
Group Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost:
If you are a solo traveler and would like to join the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, we have good news! We will find you the best group for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour for you. If you join a group for the Everest Base Camp Heli ride, the price will range from $1100-1200 per person. This cost will also be applicable if you have your groups paying together for the tour.
Private Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost
Another option is a private trip to the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour, which will cost around $ 5000per person. We are currently accepting bookings for private charters. If you are searching for safe options during the COVID-19 situation, this private helicopter tour can be a great pick. You can travel in absolute comfort and maintain social distancing at the same time.
If you join a group, you will be sharing a helicopter so that the costs will be lower than your private tour. But some people find sharing the aircraft with strangers quite awkward and boring. So, we will arrange a personal trip at your convenience. English speaking guide and experienced pilot will accompany on this helicopter tour to Everest.
It can be confusing deciding which options to choose that meet your desires and your budget. Need help deciding? Give us a call! Our local staff has experienced all of the Everest helicopter tours firsthand and are happy to help you choose the right trip for you.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Packing List
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour requires an appropriate dress depending on the season. You also need a down jacket and warm trousers during the warm season to keep yourself warm at the high altitude. Most of the time, the temperature is below the freezing level. Unlike Everest Base Camp trekking, this helicopter tour won’t need much packing. You just need some good quality clothes to keep you warm at a high altitude. You can refer to the below essential packing list:
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- Down jacket (Windproof and waterproof)
- Warm trekking boots
- Inner and outer layer gloves
- Water bottle
- 100% UV rays protected sunglasses
- Scarfs, shawl
- Warm hat or woolen hat
- Lip balm
- Water bottle and snacks
- Camera with memory card and spare batteries
- Toiletries
Frequently Asked Question for Everest Heli Tour
The helicopter capacity during Everest Base Camp Heli Tour is five passengers and one captain. The passenger weight limit from Kathmandu to Lukla is 500 kgs. At the same time, the weight limit from Lukla to Kala Patthar/ base camp is 250 kgs. So, we have to run two shuttle flights from Lukla by splitting the group with each group having a total of about 250 kgs.
The summit of Mt. Everest lies at 8,848 meters above sea level. Several factors limit the ability to fly the helicopter around Everest, such as sub-freezing temperatures, hurricane-force winds, and air pressure. Besides, the air is too thin at such a high altitude, so most helicopters cannot generate enough lift to remain airborne. So, during the trip, we will fly around 5,000 meters to 5,500 meters high. But please note that the flying height of the helicopter will depend on the engine ability.
The helicopter ride to the base camp will take 3 to 4 hours from Kathmandu. You will get enough time at Kala Patthar and the base camp to indulge in the beauty of the Himalayas and take pictures. While you are enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas, the helicopter engine will keep running, so you will have about 10 to 20 minutes.
Please note that there is a risk of staying at Kala Patthar for a long time because of the low oxygen level in that altitude, and there is a high chance of altitude sickness. Just to be safe, we will also carry an oxygen cylinder.
During the Kathmandu Everest Helicopter tour, it is impossible to take a chopper at an altitude of 8,848 meters. Actually, above Hillary’s step, the thin layer of air wouldn’t let the helicopter to push enough air to make the flight. The unstable weather conditions and the thin layer of air makes chopper flight near the summit impossible.
However, this tour is an excellent method to see the mighty Mt. Everest right in front of your eyes. And most importantly, this helicopter trip enables you to venture out to the base camp and return to Kathmandu in just a day.
There are no hidden charges during this helicopter trip. All payments are disclosed beforehand so that our customers won’t face any kind of difficulties.
Booking this tour with our company is a straightforward and easy process. Open our website and go to our booking page for the Everest Helicopter tour package where you will see the booking option. For booking, we require your credentials or a copy of your passport with your weight information. Since a helicopter tour depends on passengers’ total weight, weight details are mandatory.
Yes, you can join a group for this Heli tour. For this, you have to email us with your preferred date and time. After that, we will share the cost details of the heli tour to you.
Yes, the helicopter has an oxygen cylinder for in the case of any emergency.
Yes, of course, you can take your kids on this flight if you want to. Since we offer a luxurious and comfortable Heli tour, it is perfectly suitable for people of all ages.
All of our pilots are experts and professionals. Most of our pilots have decades worth of experience and have flown people from all over the world. They are proud to showcase the Himalayas’ wonder and are as skilled as one can be around the mountains. All our pilots are also well-versed in medical knowledge for emergencies, to be prepared for emergency evacuation situations.
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