Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, also known as Everest helicopter tour in Nepal, takes you to see Mt.Everest and gives you a quick look at the Everest region. This Helicopter tour lands on Everest Base Camp (EBC) or Kalapathar, and it is so far the best aerial tour in the world.

Everest helicopter tour with landing depends on body weight that has a seating of 5 passengers,1 captain is maximum (500kg weight). We have to run two shuttle flights from Pheriche or Everest view hotel by spitting bodyweight 250kg on average if there is a group of 4-5pax.

Everest helicopter tour in Nepal is the most exciting and thrilling lifetime experience of the helicopter tour in Nepal. With the front face of Mount Everest and the other Himalayas from Kalapatthar top, you will get the best cost guaranteed and a chance to enjoy the Everest base camp helicopter landing tour.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is an exciting tour to the entire individuals visiting Nepal. This helicopter tour begins from the capital city of Nepal and flies eastward towards the beautiful village consisting of Sherpa people and gateway to Mount Everest in Lukla. The helicopter flight from Lukla ascends to Syangboche, Dingboche, Gorakshep, and Khumbu mountain glacier to reach the top of Kalapathar.

You can get the magnificent Everest view and pool of opportunities to view iconic landmarks in Nepal during the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. The tour gives a few of the best sights and sceneries of the Himalayan Mountains. Because of the high altitude, you will get a maximum of 25 minutes associated with landing time at the Kalapathar.

At Syangboche, travellers will get 20 to 30 minute time to have breakfast and tea/coffee. You can get the panoramic views of Mount Everest and its entire range while you are in Syangboche. As the tour ends, you will fly back to Kathmandu with a thrilling experience and lifetime memories.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Highlights

Thrilling helicopter tour to Everest Base camp with a close view of Everest.

Warm coffee and breakfast in the lap of Mt. Everest

Landing in Kalapatthar to explore the beauty of other high mountains

Amazing views of famous peaks such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and so on.

You are experiencing the stunning landscapes, Icefalls, and glaciers.

You will have an interaction with the local people of the beautiful villages.

Outline Itinerary

Starting from Kathmandu to Lukla

Fly in Helicopter from Lukla to Everest Base Camp/Kala Patthar

Fly from Everest Base Camp/Kala Patthar to Syangboche

Fly from Syangboche and land in Lukla

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary

A private car will come to pick you up at your hotel early in the morning and transfer you to the airport in Kathmandu. The helicopter leaves for Lukla shortly after the departure formalities at the airport. The place Lukla is also known as the gateway to the Everest Base Camp. The helicopters head towards the Everest Base Camp after refilling the fuel at Lukla.

Depending upon the weather condition, the helicopter will either land at the Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar. The helicopter will only stop for 20-25 minutes at the base camp/Kala Patthar. After enjoying the quick majestic view and taking pictures with other snow-capped peaks, the helicopter will now head to Syangboche for breakfast.

The helicopter will land in Syangboche for 35 to 40 min, and the breakfast will be served in the lap of the incredible Mt. Everest in Everest View Hotel. You will once again get a chance to enjoy the beautiful Mt. Everest with its range along with breakfast.

We will fly back to Lukla after the warm breakfast on Everest View Hotel to refill the fuel required to get back to Kathmandu. We will now fly back to the airport in Kathmandu after refilling the fuel at Lukla. You will be transferred to your hotel in a private car once you reach Kathmandu.

How much does Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost?

Everest Base Camp helicopter tour packages cost start at USD 1050 per person. You can get special discounts if you book for groups larger than four people.

Your Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour cost diminishes if you do not want to hire a guide for this trip. It depends on you whether you employ them or not. They will explain and narrate to you about the mountains you see during the flight, so our recommendation is to hire one. They will also help you communicate with the Sherpa people while on land.

Note: This trip cost detail is given as the sharing phase. It will be added extra cost for your trip if you want a private Helicopter for a tour. The company will deduct airport drop and pick-up costs from your refundable price. ($40) if your trip gets cancelled due to adverse climate or any other reason

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

During any months of Spring and autumn is the best time for Everest Base Camp helicopter tour with a landing.

As Spring offers nature at its best with warm and pleasant weather, you will enjoy the enticing views of the colourful rhododendron forests on the backdrop of the chain of Himalayas.

Major festivals of Nepal, greenery, and unobstructed views fall upon autumn.

The next best season for the day tour to Everest Base Camp by helicopter is September to May. These months have clear skies, less rainfall, and calm weather, and the average day-time temperature in these months range between 15 to 20-degree Celsius. The temperature at night may fall below zero and the nights depending on altitude.

The Everest Base Camp helicopter tour is not recommended from June to August. There will be massive rainfalls and frequent changes in the weather during these months. Helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp is possible, but the weather must be clear for long enough to complete the round trip. On a particular day, it depends on luck and weather conditions.

Similarly, in the Winter season, the view will be clear, but the temperature will be colder than other seasons. The day time temperature will be 10°C to 15°C and at night it will be cold and fall into -15°C to -10°C.

What Kind Of Clothes Do We Need On The Tour?

Everest is cold, but at the same time, it's sunny and very windy. You will need warm clothes with hot clothes inside during the winter months, September February. Make sure you have a jacket that blocks wind, Gloves, Sun Glasses, Neck muffs, Nice comfortable, warm shoes, are other important things.

You might want to put cold cream in your face before leaving the hotel. Warm clothes with wind stoppers and beautiful shoes can work during the summer months, March-August. Sunglasses and face cream should not be forgotten. Ask the weather and climate updates to your agency before you leave your home country.

Helicopter Model

There are different types of helicopters presently operating in the private sector; AS350b3e / series of helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter, France are famous all over the world and Beli Helicopter from the USA.

Model: AS 350 B3 E Airbus

Made By: Eurocopter, France

Mfg Date: January 2015

Seat Capacity: On Low Land 6 people, on Highland 5 people (Excluding Pilot)

Weight Capacity: 2250 kg

Internal Weight: 900 kg

Empty weight: 1285 kg

Operating Elevation: 23,000 FT

Engine Type: Ariel 2D

Model: BELL- Jet Ranger 206B III-9N-ALL

Made By: Bell Helicopter, USA

Seat Capacity: On Low L5 people and, on Highland 3 people (Excluding Pilot)

Weight Capacity: 1451 kg

Empty weight: 730 kg

Operating Elevation: 23,000 FT

Engine Type: 206B-3

Model: H125

Engine type: Arriel 2D

Capacity: 6+1 Pax

Height Limit: 7010.4 m

Weight Limit: 2250 KG

Weight Limit of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

In total, the weight limit will be 500 KG for the Everest base camp helicopter tour. Helicopter tour capacity is decided by the weight of a person on your trip, and the max is five people.

Every helicopter has a weight limit, the helicopter flight maximum number of 5 pax from Kathmandu, and if there is a single, double, up to 3 pax, the helicopter will be direct flying to Everest base camp. If there will be more than three pax helicopter flight will land at Pheriche and then one more shuttle for Everest base camp flight tour with landing Kalapatthar.

5 pax: 500 kg (one helicopter)

4 pax: 350kg

3 pax: 250kg

2 pax: 150kg

1pax: 80kg per one person

Private Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

You can take up to 5 of you to Everest Base Camp, depending on your weight, with the powerful B3e series helicopter. To maintain the pressure inside the helicopter only limited people are needed to keep inside for that shuttle.

Everest Helicopter tour with landing

You will land at the highest point of the Everest Base Camp trek, Kala Patthar, which is at an altitude of 5545m. The best and closest point for you to view Mt. Everest is Kala Patthar. You will get 20-25 minutes there to take pictures or videos after landing.

Are 20-25 minutes enough?

Yes, because when people challenge the trek, it takes days to reach to the higher altitude. They slowly adapt to the higher altitude, but some people still fail to adjust and should descend due to altitude sickness.

But your body will not be accustomed to the altitude as you ascend to high altitude in just minutes. It increases the risk of altitude sickness if you stay longer, so 20-25 minutes during landing at Kala Patthar will be enough.

Special add-on on private Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Hire a professional photographer

You might want to capture the once in a lifetime memory as it is a considerable achievement to be nearest to the highest peak in the world. You can hire a professional photographer to take photos of you with this particular add-on facility. You will have amazing images for your beautiful memory in the Everest.

Hire a guide

The opportunity to hire a guide is another particular add-on facility. You can get a little more knowledge of your surroundings. You pass through the different mountains, glaciers, and landmarks. Your guide will explain all the essential things to you and will also answer all the questions you have while you are on your journey.

Other Places to Start Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Luka to Everest Base Camp

One can join in for helicopter ride from Lukla to reach and land at Everest base camp and can also drop at Kathmandu or Lukla airport while returning.

One can take options for a Helicopter flight from Lukla and back or head straight to Kathmandu as it is suitable according to your holiday schedule to save time but also to get a glimpse of Everest at a close distance.

Phakding to Everest Base Camp

To catch close views of towering Mt. Everest after walking from Lukla to Phakding village, Trekkers can fly on helicopter straight to Everest Base Camp.

You can save your valuable time in Nepal taking great flight on the helicopter to reach base camp or near about and continue Heli flight back to land at Kathmandu.

Some trekkers who could not do the climb to high Namche Bazaar and beyond, or for people with mild altitude sickness who had to come down to recover can also fly from Phakding.

Namche to Everest Base Camp

Taking a helicopter ride from Namche to Everest Base Camp is a perfect choice for people who have a short duration and yet wish to see Mt. Everest.

In a short time of 15 min, you can cover almost 3-4 trekking days distance and can catch Mt. Everest at a stone throw distance along with other high mountains.

Tengboche to Everest Base Camp

After an enjoyable stay at beautiful Tengboche and its incredible monastery, it is a great idea to take a flight where people with a desire to reach further but with the short time limit. They can take the opportunity with a Helicopter flight from Tengboche to get the closest views of Mt. Everest.

The ride takes you within a quarter of an hour to land near Everest base camp area or at the base of Kalapathar hill from Tengboche. You can also enjoy the best panorama of mighty surrounding high mountains with the closest views of Mt. Everest.

One can drop at Lukla or continue Helicopter flight to reach back at Kathmandu in the comfort of a helicopter after enjoying the fantastic scenery of peaks with the panorama of the Himalayan range.

Pangboche to Everest Base Camp

People can take the opportunity in the comfort of the helicopter after walking to Pangboche village at the height of 3,900 m to cover a few days to reach Everest Base Camp within 10 to 15 minutes.

Some might be interested to carry on higher up to reach the dream destinations at Everest Base Camp or near about but couldn't trek due to high altitude sickness known as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

It is a great relief where one can get close views of Mt. Everest after taking a ride in a chopper from Pangboche and surrounding high peaks.

Lobuche/ Thukla to Everest Base Camp

Interested trekkers with a time limit or not feeling well can continue their journey either from Thukla or Lobuche can take this opportunity to fly to Everest base camp within a short period.

People who have made it to Lobuche at the height of 4,900 m and in need of a relaxing break, can contact for the Helicopter ride to cover your final destination to see Mt. Everest at close distance.

Taking less than ten minutes from Thukla or Lobuche will certainly relieve you from tough high altitude walk. You can also enjoy views either from Everest base camp or near the top of Kalapathar looking at Mt. Everest and surrounding peaks at its closest.

After a beautiful ride to Everest Base Camp and exploring all the highest peaks, you can return to Lukla or directly to Kathmandu from the same flight. You can also take regular flight from Lukla to Kathmandu if you wish to explore more of Lukla after returning from Everest to Lukla in the same helicopter.

Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp

After a week of trekking to Gorak Shep and reaching a height of 5180 meters, one can feel tired and might also face some altitude sickness. In that case, you can fly from Gorak Shep to the base camp to save your time and energy.

If it does not land due to available landing space, a helicopter makes a swift around the base camp and lands near Kalapatthar. It is also a beautiful spot to catch Everest at the close with other giant peaks surrounded by a lovely viewpoint.

Other Possible Helicopter Services in Everest Region

The Helicopter services are available not only to Everest Base Camp but to many other places. Some possible helicopter services available in the Everest region are given below.

Kathmandu to Lukla

One of the best alternative ways to reach Lukla from Kathmandu airport besides regular flights is taking a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla. If you have limited time and want to reach Lukla on time, then Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter flight is preferable. Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter flight will be the best option for your trekking, peak climbing, or exploring Everest region to avoid the thrilling Lukla airport flight.

Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter flights takes almost 45 minutes to reach Lukla. All private helicopter companies operate charter helicopter flights to Lukla, but the weather can be a significant factor for the cancellation of regular airline flights frequently. The helicopter flight will be the best option to reach Lukla in case of proper weather.

Similarly, you can also hire a helicopter from Lukla to reach Kathmandu after your trek in the Everest region.

Lukla to Namche Bazaar

A short and comfortable helicopter ride to experience the mountain views and helicopter flight at once flying from Lukla to Namche Bazaar or vice versa.

If you need to catch your flight from Kathmandu and don't have enough time to trek or drive, then Namche to Lukla Heli flight is the wisest idea for you.

Namche Bazaar is well known as the gateway of Mount Everest and is famous as a Sherpa capital. It takes one full day to reach Lukla from Namche and two days to reach Namche from Lukla. The ups and downs during the trekking is a difficult task, so this idea of flying by helicopter ride is an alternative option for you.

Kathmandu to Gorakshep

The trekkers who wish to have helicopter flight after having a long day trek and are not willing to trek back the same route, Gorakshep to Kathmandu Helicopter flight is the best option for you. You can go for that option if you want to add extra fun and adventure to the trip. You can get some spectacular view from this region as Gorakshep is the final trekkers stop before you reach Everest base camp.

Gorak Shep is 16,948ft above sea level; most of the travellers reach Gorak Shep and hike ahead towards Everest base camp and Kalapathar. They can also enjoy the photogenic views, traditional culture, Himalayan flora/ fauna, and the unique lifestyle of a sherpa in this place. You can have two options to get back after exploring Everest Base Camp / Kalapathar, one you can follow the same route, hike down to Lukla, or you can have an exciting chopper return to Kathmandu or Lukla helicopter flight.

It offers you an impressive flight comfortably and reliably as you travel from Gorakshep to Kathmandu helicopter and Kathmandu to Gorakshep Helicopter. The flight duration is approximately one hour to reach Kathmandu from Gorakshep. With eagle-eye views from the chopper, this flight will help you to add extra time to explore the remaining parts of the Everest region. It's a wise decision to utilize your travel time most fully by taking a helicopter ride.

Gorakshep to Lukla

For those who want to escape the already trodden trekking trail from Gorak Shep to Lukla, Gorak Shep to Lukla Helicopter Tour is a unique tour on their way back from Everest base camp.

One can experience joyfulness with the Himalayas during the Everest base camp trek as it is the dream of thousands of keen trekkers from around the world. In the trek to the remote Himalayas, varying landscapes, and many others, this trek blesses the trekkers with amazing views of the mesmerizing Himalayas, impressive lifestyles.

This tour is helpful in case when one has to fly back to Lukla after getting injuries or some health issues at Gorak Shep. It is also an alternative to trekking back from Gorakshep to Lukla after completing the Everest base camp trek.

Conclusion

One of the highest Himalayan adventures the Everest region has to offer is the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. Everything on the trip is mesmerizing, from the breathtaking views of the Khumbu Valley to the Himalayan vistas. You can reach the Everest Base Camp either from Lukla, Dingboche, Pheriche, or Tengboche, depending on the time frame and the starting destination. The time-bounded people with a great dream of witnessing the Mount Everest once in a lifetime this can be a dream package for you.

FAQs

Can you reach the peak of Mount Everest in a helicopter?

Yes, you can reach the peak of Mount Everest in a helicopter, but it has some limitations.

How high do helicopters fly on Mt. Everest?

Mt. Everest summit is at 29,000 feet above sea level, and the air pressure is about 1/3 rd there in comparison to that of at sea level.

Helicopters with turbine engine can fly around 25,000 feet high, but Capacity and the flying height of helicopters depend on engine ability

Kind of Helicopter Is Used For The Tour?

AirBus 350 Series is the kind of helicopter used for the tour.

What Is The Weight Limit?

Kathmandu to Lukla's Passenger Weight limit is 450 Kg in total, but the weight limit to Everest Base Camp/Kalapathar is only 210kg.

What Time Does The Tour Start And How Long Does It takes to End?

The tour Starts at 07:00 AM and lasts for 3.5 – 4 Hours. You can confirm your tour timing a day before your tour date. Depending upon weather/political and various situations, tour time may vary.

Peak seasons for Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour?

The peak season in Nepal for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour could be mentioned to be March-May and October-Mid December.

There is no off-season as cargo-food, rescue operations, and medical evacuations, and other ops keep us engaged.

Is there enough time being in Everest Base Camp?

Yes, you will get 10-20 minutes, which is quite enough time for you to enjoy the beautiful sights and scenery of rugged mountains and glaciers. Because of the high altitude, a longer time is not recommended.

Is helicopter sky-diving available in Everest Region?

Yes, helicopter sky-diving is available and can be arranged according to your needs and desires.

What are the helicopter's charter rates based?

The helicopter charter rates depend on an hourly basis.

Can a solo traveller join a group for the Mount Everest helicopter tour?

Yes, you can send an email with your preferred flight date, which will help the company to join you in a group and share your cost of the EBC Heli Tour.

How experienced are the Pilots?

Nepali Heli-pilots are experienced for flying a helicopter around the high mountain terrain as they have been flying for a long time in the same arena.

They have excellent knowledge of the locations at the same time. They will also be able to deliver complete information related to mountain peaks. They are also concerned about your safety, so you don't have to worry too much.

Are oxygen tanks available in case of an emergency?

Yes, the helicopters have an oxygen cylinder for an emergency.

Is drinking water available during the helicopter tour?

Yes, on every tour, whether treks or in Helicopter flight, boiled and cooled drinking water is provided. The purification process does not work entirely on Himalayan hard water due to high minerals contained like iron and manganese-bi-carbonate.

Can kids take this Everest Base camp Helicopter tour?

Yes, they can easily take this flight without any problem as it is suitable for kids and older people too.

Travel Tips: It is recommended to pre-plan the tour and travel EBC Helicopter Tour in a private group before going for it to Nepal. You can use the phone call service to make your inquiries and clear all your dilemmas. Budget planning is dependent on the information that you have collected and the type of investigation you do. It's better to have one or more extra days, so that if the weather does not support one day, in the off-season. You can also continue the tour the next day i.e., and postponement service is also provided for you.