everest base camp helicopter tour
At a Glance
  • Duration4 Hours
  • DestinationNepal
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Max. Altitude5550 M
  • Group Size5
  • Trip StyleBy heli
  • StartsKathmandu
  • EndsKathmandu
  • Best TimeAll the year
Highlights
  • Enjoy a spectacular helicopter tour of the great Himalaya range and the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest.
  • Stop at the Everest Base Camp or at Kala Patthar to get a closer look at the tallest mountain in the world.
  • Savor a wonderful breakfast at yet another popular establishment—the Everest View Hotel—the world’s highest located hotel with windows to the mighty Mount Everest.
  • Take a few hours to cover the entire journey, which is suitable for those who have a short time to spend but would love to feel the touch of Everest.
  • Take stunning aerial photographs of the Khumbu Glacier, Gokyo Lakes, and other Himalayan geographical features.
  • Enjoy the trip in a comfortable, modern helicopter provided with oxygen cylinders and experienced pilots.

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the best option for those who want to see the untouched beauty of the Himalayas and the great Mount Everest without digging into their time and energy for the trekking. The never-seen-before cinematic experience starts with a helicopter ride from Kathmandu over green valleys, new-age rice terrains, and the white Himalayas. When the helicopter is en route to the Everest region, there are marvelous views of other attractions, including the Khumbu Glacier, Gokyo Lakes, and other rugged features of this incredible range.

The trip gets to the final destination as the helicopter takes you to either the base camp of the Everest or to the Kala Patthar, where one gets to get an eye-full view of the world's largest mountain. This time is beyond a dream, as you are at the base of the world’s tallest mountain, with the peaks around and the quietness of the Everest zone of Khumbu. With the Mount Everest Base Camp helicopter tour, you will be able to see the unlatched beauty that is Everest up close and thus have memories that are priceless for any lifetime.

The last destination of this fascinating tour is the helicopter, and, taking it, you will have a hearty breakfast at the Everest View Hotel, surrounded by magnificent peaks of the mountain range, including Mount Everest. This one is designed more for tourists who do not want to spend much time on the trails or who cannot physically do it; nevertheless, this is an incredibly luxurious trek to the base camp of the highest peak on the planet. The whole trip takes only a few hours and allows to bring back to Kathmandu unforgettable impressions and spectacular pictures of the planet’s top.

Exploring the areas covered during the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Alternatively, with the sight seeing helicopter, travelers enjoy a thrilling helicopter flight that takes them right into Everest Base Camp, hovering over the terraced slopes and valleys of the Himalayas, starting from Kathmandu. Higher still, the country looks like a gigantic terrace of mountains with snowy crests and tremendous rifts of valleys. The route you follow flies over the Dudh Koshi River and through some of the Sherpa tribal communities in the Khumbu area. As you are approaching either the Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar, some of the famous peaks such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse come into view. Here the grandeur of Mount Everest is at its best, with the Khumbu Glacier clearly showing the base of the mountain and the great surrounding peaks.

When returning back from Mount Everest Base Camp in the helicopter tour, there is the ‘Everest View Hotel’ where you get warmed breakfast with the spectacular view of the world’s tallest mountain. As a result, it is a strictly limited time trip, and it still is the best way to see the Everest in its full glory without having to trek all the way through to the Base Camp. The only air disaster that transports people to the Everest Base Camp in such style, comfort, and ease is the ‘Helicopter Tour,’ and that is why; the adventure is open to all on this video—to experience the roof of the world.

What to expect from Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the heavenly sightseeing that a traveler can dream of, where a helicopter will take you straight to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain and back. As soon as you step into the helicopter in Kathmandu, there are beautiful, lush valleys, the green terraced fields, and the final climax—the great Himalayas. It flies you over the Khumbu Valley, where the remarkable aspects are the Dudh Koshi River, the villages inhabited by the Sherpas, and the peaks of Ama Dablam and Lhotse, etc. After which the helicopter drops at the Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar, where you can get out of the helicopter and take a picture with the backdrop of Mount Everest.

However, apart from the awesome helicopter views, the helicopter tour to the EBC also allows a stop by at the famous Everest View Hotel. Here you will take breakfast leisurely with the panoramic view and the highest peak of the world, the Mount Everest. It is completely luxurious, yet completely convenient—the entire thing takes only a few hours, which makes it perfect not only for tourists with little time to spend but also for people unable to hike. Mount Everest base camp helicopter service is now more than just an idea; it’s a perfect mixture of both adrenalin rush and luxury. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the place while coming back with memoirs and photographs that will mesmerize everyone you know back home.

Dates & Availability

Our team comprises highly experienced guides and pilots, well-versed in local culture, history, and eco-tourism. They are trained in medical emergency response and equipped for emergency evacuations.
In case of weather problems or landing space unavailability at Everest Base Camp, the helicopter will land at Gorakshep en route to Kalapathar. This can occur due to seasonal glacier movement and rock falls. The helicopter will circle the base camp swiftly.

We offer alternative tour options for a unique Everest region experience. We can pick you up from Lukla airport, continue to Everest Base Camp, land at Kalapathar, have breakfast at Hotel Everest View, and return to Lukla and Kathmandu. If you are trekking in Namche, Tengboche, Pheriche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, or Everest Base Camp, we can pick you up from any helipad location, then drop you in Lukla or fly you to Kathmandu.

We provide a small aircraft flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, followed by a helicopter tour. We can arrange for an overnight stay in Lukla before the helicopter tour if desired. You can also join us from intermediate points of the traditional trek route like Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, or even from Everest Base Camp after completing a one-way trek, and then be flown back to Kathmandu.

This option allows you to enjoy both the trek and the flight to Everest Base Camp, offering close views of Mt. Everest. It’s an ideal choice if you start feeling unwell during the trek or have difficulty walking uphill to Namche Bazaar. The Everest Base Camp helicopter tour with landing lasts 45 minutes from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, including refueling.

Essential Information

Preparing for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour: Packing and Clothing?

When planning for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, it is very important to pack appropriately regarding the clothes and accessories for the high altitude regions and fluctuating weather conditions. But as the tour is short, it usually takes several hours. The conditions in the Himalayas are very severe; therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the choice of clothing and accessories.

Clothing: When it comes to dressing for the helicopter ride to the Everest Base Camp, then layers mean a lot. First, wear a moisture-deflecting underlayer to lock the sweat away from your skin, and second, a layer to insulate and trap heat in the form of a fleece jacket or a down jacket. The final layer,, or an additional layer, as some may prefer, must be an outer layer and should be a windproof, and most preferably a waterproof outfit, as the higher altitudes may be colder and windy with chances of snow. Because of the difference in temperatures that is likely to be encountered at the base in Kathmandu and at the Everest region, packing a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf is recommended. Further, carrying a pair of UV protected sunglasses becomes very important when skiing since the reflection of the sun off the snow is very sharp.

Packing Essentials: The helicopter tour does not call for a lot of paraphernalia, but there are a few things that should be carried along. Personal items such as smaller pockets, snacks, water bottle, camera, and identification are best stored in a small daypack. Due to the high altitude, water intake should be encouraged, hence the packing of an insulated bottle to avoid the water freezing. Also, lip balm and sunscreen of high SPF will guard your skin against the scorching sun at high altitude locations. Lastly, do not forget your camera or your smartphone to capture the many beautiful views; having a power bank for the devices is always very useful during the trip.

Weight limits during the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Lifting capacity of helicopters reduces at higher altitudes because of thin air; therefore, restrictions on the weight of passengers are important for helicopter tours like the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour. Usually helicopters are limited with the overall weight capacity; whereas, most of the common helicopters can take up to 250-300 kilograms maximum, including the passengers and their baggage. This limit helps to maintain the safety of the aircraft as well as its performance in demanding situations. Due to this, passengers might be required to step on a weighing scale before they are allowed to board the helicopter, while the seating of passengers aims at achieving an even weight distribution of the helicopter. Proper measures should however be taken to ensure that only those items that can be carried lightly without having to violate the set restrictions should be taken along.

Safety Precautions and Insurance

Before undertaking the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, certain precautions must be taken into account due to its high altitude and volatile climate. So before you get on the helicopter, pay attention to all the pre-flight instructions outlined by the tour operator and the helicopter crew on the day of the flight. Another important thing is the safety briefing, where certain emergency instructions and precautions, together with safety equipment, are explained. This type of helicopter also comes with oxygen and other necessary facilities in case the crew has to face altitude problems, and the pilots are always hired skilled ones who know very well how to fly at high altitudes. Proper dressing involving the wearing of appropriate clothing with consideration of putting on layers in addition to proper stowage of personal effects will enhance transport safety and comfort.

In furtherance of safety measures, having all-round travel insurance is very key when it comes to such elevated adventures. Make sure that all of your insurance policies uphold medical conditions such as sickness arising from altitude, evacuation, cancellations, and delays. Previous policies should have made reference to helicopter tours and high altitude travel. Ensure that the insurance will cover the activities you are to undertake, and check with your insurer to ensure you are well protected during your travel.

Everest Helicopter Flight Tour Safety Measures

Safety during the Everest Helicopter Flight Tour is the key motivator, and the flight time of the helicopters together with their brief landing stops is variable depending on the weather and the pilot. Charlie’s vision is also to hit as many highlight stops as possible so that you have the best experience. This means you will have enough time to explore different cultures and famous monasteries, observing the safety and comfort of the travelers throughout the trip.

Important Note

Our team comprises professional speaking guides and pilots who are well informed about the local culture, history, and ecological systems and are ready for medical emergency evacuations. If the surface is icy or slippery in case of some mechanical problems with the landing space at the EBW—because of glacier movement throughout the season or rock avalanching—the helicopters will be able to land at Gorakshep before the Kalapathar on the way to take a very brief aerial tour of the base camp.

We also provide additional tour options so you’ll have different experiences in the Everest region. For instance, we can directly use an aircraft to transport you from Lukla airport to the Everest Base Camp and land you at Kalapathar, where you can have your breakfast at the Hotel Everest View before we take you back to Lukla and then to Kathmandu. If you are trekking in Namche, Tengboche, Pheriche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, or at Everest Base Camp, we can pick you up from any helipad venue and either return you to Lukla or fly you back to Kathmandu directly.

Also, we have a package deal that entails an airplane ride from Kathmandu to Lukla, then fly by a helicopter. For those who wish to spend a night in Lukla before the helicopter tour, this can be arranged. You also have the option of joining us at half way points on the classic trek—Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche or even from base camp if you are doing a one way trek and will be flown back to your starting point in Kathmandu. This flexibility helps to enjoy both the trek and the breathtaking helicopter tour to the remote area of the close distance to the Mount Everest base camp over the Himalayan range. This option is also very useful if you begin to show signs of the flu when on the trek or if you have problems walking up to Namche Bazaar. The Everest Base Camp helicopter tour with landing usually takes 45 minutes from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, touching fueling time also.

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