Everest Base Camp helicopter tour

The Everest helicopter tour is for travel freaks who live for adventure and thrills. 

It is ideal for tourists who don’t have the time or inclination to make the trek to the Base Camp high up in the Himalayan range and yet want to enjoy its beauty. 

This tour brings you close to the Himalayas and several other snowy peaks and glaciers.

This article shares everything you should know before booking an Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour.

Everest Scenic PLANE Tour without landing

If you are on a budget holiday, opting for the Everest plane flight without landing is better. 

On this once-in-a-lifetime 3-hour flight from Kathmandu, you will fly over the Eastern Himalayas, getting a bird’s eye panorama of the world’s tallest mountain chain.

Tourists love this because it helps them enjoy the world-famous summit’s magic without struggling to get to the top.

Besides, it is almost the same price as the cost of a trek. 

Hotel transfer facility available.

Tour inclusions:

• Airport/Departure Tax
• All activities as per itinerary
• English speaking driver
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Airlines flight ticket

Cost of the tour

For Indian Passport holders: US$210 (NPR 28,270) per person
For General Passport holders: US$305 (NPR 41,059) per person
For Nepali Citizen (Non-Window Seat): US$96 (NPR 12,923) per person

Helicopter ride to Base Camp + Landing + Breakfast

Fly thousands of feet in the air above the Himalayas on this helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Mount Everest Base Camp.

Get aerial views of numerous valleys, mountains, forests, villages, rivers, glaciers, camps, etc., and explore everything within a day. 

Touch down for an optional breakfast at a hotel with spectacular mountain vistas.

You will also stop to refuel at Lukla, which offers a glimpse of the mountain town where trekkers set out for Mount Everest.

Multiple landings mean views from both air and ground level.

A convenient pickup and drop-off facility is available for this 4- to 5-hour tour.

Itinerary:

Here’s the chronological itinerary of this tour:

6 am: Transfer from the hotel to Kathmandu Airport

The tour operators will coordinate the 6 am pick-up with you.

You will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off at Kathmandu Airport. Then, you head to the check-in counter. 

Remember to bring your passport. You need not carry your original passport. Even a Xerox copy or picture on the phone would work.

6.30 am: Flight to Lukla 

After completing the helicopter tour formalities at the airport, you are ready to fly to Lukla.

On your flight, you will see the Dolakha village, Jiri village, and Lamjura-La Pass, covered in thick rhododendron forests.

7.30 am: Refuel at Lukla 

Almost after an hour’s journey, the helicopter will make a 10-minute landing at Lukla Airport to refuel.

7.50 am: Flight towards Everest Base camp

After refueling at Lukla Airport, you’ll soar across Everest Base Camp.

The pilots will help you spot the Everest base camp, Khumbu Glacier, Pumori, etc.

8.25 am: Fly over the EBC & Land at Kala Patthar 

Make a swift landing at Kala Patthar, 5400 meters above sea level.

Here, you can enjoy mesmerizing views of valleys, mountains, and sky. 

You’ll get ample time to take photos and videos for your Instagram and Facebook posts.

8.55 am: Flight to Syangboche, Everest View Hotel & have Breakfast

After exploring Kala Patthar, you will fly to Syangboche for breakfast.

On your flight, you will again witness colorful and comforting views that will leave you spellbound. 

9.35 am: Fly back to Kathmandu

After breakfast, you’ll head back to Kathmandu and immerse yourself in amazing views of the landscapes.  

If needed, the helicopter may stop again at Lukla for refuel.

12.50 pm: Arrive at Kathmandu domestic airport 

You will fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu domestic airport and again get exposed to sights and views that sweep you off your feet. 

1.15 pm: Drive to hotel

On arrival at the Kathmandu domestic airport, the tour operators will drive you back to your hotel and drop you off safely. 

The timings mentioned above could change due to weather and air traffic.

Tour inclusions:

• Everest helicopter flight in group
• Expert pilot
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Fuel surcharge
• Multiple landings

Cost of the tour: US$1600 (NPR2,15,389) per person

Everest base camp helicopter tour from Kathmandu

Action-packed and high on adventure, this Everest camp helicopter tour keeps you excited throughout the journey.

The 4-hour tour is worth every penny, offering an experience of a lifetime. 

Get mind-boggling aerial views of the Himalayan mountains.

You will have a bird’s eye view of the chain of mountains like Everest, Kanchenjunga, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Thamserku, Makalu, Lhotse, etc.

Witness stunning landscapes, green and white hills, Sherpa villages, forests, and glaciers.

Make a landing at Everest Base Camp or Khumbu region

Learn about the fascinating Sherpa culture, tradition, and monasteries.

Private pickup (from Kumari Boutique Hotel) and drop-off facilities are available.

Tour inclusions:

• Airport/ Hotel Pickup and Drop off
• Flight over to Everest base camp
• Landing at Hotel Everest view
• 1-hour breakfast time in Hotel Everest View

Cost of the tour: US$1,700 (NPR 2,28,851) per person

Everest Experience with an overnight stay

The Mt Everest tour is an exhilarating experience in itself. 

A 4-hour heli or even a one-day tour is insufficient to quench your thirst to discover the valleys and snow-capped mountains. 

If you want to extend your adventure on an Everest base camp (EBC) helicopter tour, you can book one with an overnight stay at Hotel Everest View. 

Imagine you wake up to beautiful scenery from your room window, sip hot coffee or tea on the top of the hill, and hike uphill with your co-travelers. Nothing can be more comforting and thrilling than this.

This Everest Experience tour offers you a hotel transfer facility, heli tour, a hiking experience, and first-class accommodation for an overnight stay.

Tour inclusions:

• Lunch
• Dinner
• All fees and taxes
• Both way helicopter flight from Kathmandu to EBC and back
• Accommodation costs
• All pickup and drop from Hotel – Airport – Hotel
• Breakfast (2)

Cost of the tour: US$4000 (NPR 5,38,472) per person

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Cost factors of Everest heli tour

The cheapest helicopter ride over Everest Base Camp will cost approximately US$197 per person.

At the higher end is the Everest Experience with an overnight stay, the tickets of which can go up to US$4000 per person.

The most popular aerial tour over Everest Base Camp is priced at US$1600 per person.

Helicopter rides can be a costly affair.

The cost of the Everest helicopter rides depends on the following factors:

– The tour operator you are booking your tour with

– Number of passengers, their ages, and whether they are a couple or a group

– Length of the tour

– Whether you want a tour with or without landing on the ground

– Time of the year (tickets are costly during the spring and autumn seasons)

– Inclusions, such as breakfast, drinks, etc. 

It is important to know the tour costs in advance to plan your trip and factor it in with other considerations.

But there is no doubt that an Everest Base Camp heli tour will be an unforgettable activity in your life.

Departure point

All Everest Base Camp air tours offer a hotel pickup facility.

Pickup for all the tours are done from the hotel lobby of the traveler’s hotel at the scheduled time of a tour.

Mountain Everest Scenic Flight also allows you to head directly to the meeting point.

Address: Himalayan Suite Hotel, Kumari Club, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal. Get directions

The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Timings of the tours

The Everest base camp helicopter tour from Kathmandu takes off from 7.15 am to 11.45 pm, Monday to Friday.

On Saturday, the tour starts at 7.15 am and ends at 10.15 pm.

On Sundays, the tour begins at 7.15 am and ends at 11.45 pm.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Stop at Everest View Hotel departs at 6.15 am.

Mountain Everest Scenic Flight takes off at 5.30 am.

Everest Experience with Overnight Stay at Hotel Everest View starts at 6.15 am.

Exclusions of the air tours

Food and drinks are not included in the Everest Base Camp heli ride unless stated otherwise.

Personal expenses, tips, and personal winter gear are also excluded from the ticket price of these tours.

The Helicopter ride to Base Camp + Landing + Breakfast does not include the breakfast cost (USS$31) and the compulsory National park fee (US$ 26), Airport tax (US$8), and Khumbu village development fee (US$16).

Restrictions strictly followed

Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides over Mount Everest.

A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.

Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.

Wear warm clothing and suitable footwear due to cold temperatures.

Everest Base heli tours are not wheelchair accessible.

These tours are not recommended for guests with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

A valid photo ID is required.

No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.

Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.

Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.

Why take a helicopter to Everest base camp

Mt Everest is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, approximately 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft) from sea level. 

If you want to see this mighty mountain, a tour of the Everest base camp is a must.

There are two ways by which you can explore the EBC: trekking or helicopter tour. 

Trekking can be less costly and adventurous than a helicopter tour, but not all are comfortable with going on a long and tiring trek.

This is where a helicopter tour comes in.

The following are the reasons why you should take a helicopter to Everest base camp.

Fascinating views

A helicopter tour to Everest base camp throws before your eyes an astonishing yet beautiful sight of large valleys, rhododendrons and pine forests, tall mountains, fearless rivers, and quiet glaciers. 

High-altitude adventure

A helicopter ride to the Everest base camp promises a High land adventure in Nepal. 

On the air tour, you can spot famous mountains like Mt. Everest, Makalu, Nuptse, Kang Tega, Aamadabla, Cho Oyu Island Peak, Lobuche, Lhotse, Pumori, Kusum Kangaro, and Thamserku.

Suitable for all

Unlike trekking, which has age restrictions and fitness requirements, a helicopter tour to Everest is suitable for all age groups. 

Many chopper tours allow even infants and senior citizens over 60 years. 

Time saved

Trekking to the Everest base camp takes several days. 

However, an Everest helicopter tour can help you create lasting memories in just a day. 

Safer option

Trekking is dangerous and unsafe due to frequent avalanches and weather changes at high altitudes like the Himalayas. 

However, a helicopter tour is safer, and pilots are well-trained to ensure a safe trip.

Avoid the crowd

Mount Everest’s Base Camp is very popular among mountaineers or trekkers and remains crowded as everyone follows the same mountain trail to reach the top. 

But you can escape crowds if you explore EBC via a helicopter tour.

So what are you waiting for?

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date. 

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.

No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.

Helicopter tours require good weather. 

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.

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