The Everest helicopter tour is for travel freaks who rush 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.
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Everest base camp helicopter tour from Kathmandu
Action-packed and high on adventure, the Everest camp helicopter tour keeps you excited throughout the journey.
The tour is worth every penny, offering an experience for a lifetime.
Major highlights of the heli ride
– Private pickup and drop off facility from your hotel
– Mind-boggling aerial views of the Himalayan mountains
– 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
– Landing at Everest Base Camp or Khumbu region
– Learn about Sherpa culture ad tradition and monasteries
Guests will get picked up from Kumari Boutique Hotel.
Address: Chhusya Galli, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal. Get Directions
Tickets for helicopter tour
You can book tickets for up to 15 passengers.
This helicopter tour requires a minimum number of travelers.
If it’s canceled because the minimum passenger limit isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Cost: US$1,350 (NPR 1,77,041) per person
Ticket inclusions
– Private pick up and drop off from the hotel.
Ticket exclusions
– Personal expense
– Personal gear and down jacket
– Drinks and beverages
– Breakfast
– All Fees and Taxes
Helicopter ride to Base Camp + Landing + Breakfast
Peek into the Himalayan region on the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour, which includes a sumptuous breakfast with exciting views.
You will fly over numerous valleys, mountains, forests, villages, rivers, glaciers, etc., and explore everything within a day.
Heli ride’s 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-minutes landing at Lukla Airport for refueling fuel.
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.
Tickets for helicopter tour
You can book helicopter tour tickets for up to five passengers.
This helicopter ride requires a minimum number of travelers.
If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
The tour costs US$1300 for all passengers aged five to 90 years.
Ticket inclusions
– Everest helicopter flight in a group sharing five passengers and a pilot
– Hotel pickup and drop-off
– Fuel surcharge
Ticket exclusions
– Optional Breakfast US$31 (NPR 4,065) at Hotel Everest
– National park, Airport tax & Municipality entry fees US$46 (NPR 6,033) per person
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 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.
This plane tour is NOT wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps.
Cost:
| For Indian Passport holders | US$200 (NPR 26,228) per person |
| For General Passport holders | US$300 (NPR 39,343) 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 tour offers you a heli tour, a hiking experience, and first-class accommodation for an overnight stay.
This two-day tour starts at 6 am on Day 1.
Cost: US$3400 (NPR 4,45,883) per person
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 tiring trek. That’s why a helicopter tour is the best option.
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, rhododendron 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?
Cost factors of Everest heli tour
The cost of the Everest helicopter ride 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.