Everest Base Camp Heli Tour
Overview
The Everest Base Camp Heli Tour is an exhilarating and awe-inspiring journey that offers a unique perspective of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. This thrilling adventure also allows you to experience the grandeur of the Himalayas in a short span of time, making it an ideal option for those with limited time or physical constraints.
The trip begins with a scenic helicopter flight from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, towards the Everest region. As you soar through the skies, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of lush valleys, terraced fields, and picturesque Sherpa villages nestled amidst the mountains. The helicopter will also make a stop at Lukla, a famous gateway to the Everest region, where you’ll have a chance to soak in the ambiance and prepare for the adventure ahead.
From Lukla, the helicopter will continue its ascent, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, including Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and of course, the mighty Everest itself. The helicopter will touch down at Everest Base Camp, situated at an altitude of approximately 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the base camp, interact with mountaineers, and marvel at the awe-inspiring Khumbu Icefall.
After spending some time at Everest Base Camp, the helicopter will also take you to the iconic viewpoint of Kalapatthar. Located at an elevation of 5,550 meters (18,209 feet), Kalapatthar offers unparalleled panoramic views of Mount Everest, as well as other towering peaks in the region. This is a truly magical moment, as you witness the sunrise casting its golden glow upon the majestic Himalayas.
Conclusion and Summary
The Everest Base Camp Heli Tour is also an extraordinary adventure that allows you to witness the grandeur of the Himalayas, stand at the foot of Mount Everest, and experience the unique Sherpa culture—all in a single day. It is a perfect choice for those seeking an unforgettable and time-efficient journey to the roof of the world.
Itinerary
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Day 01: Kathmandu (TIA) – Fly over Nagarkot – Jiri – Land at Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla – Refueling – Fly over Syangboche – Tengboche – Pheriche – Gorak Shep – Land at EBC/Kala Patthar – Take off after 15 mins – Arrive at Hotel Everest View – Fly to Lukla – Refueling – Return flight to Kathmandu.
Kathmandu (TIA) – Fly over Nagarkot – Jiri – Land at Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla – Refueling – Fly over Syangboche – Tengboche – Pheriche – Gorak Shep – Land at EBC/Kala Patthar – Take off after 15 mins – Arrive at Hotel Everest View – Fly to Lukla – Refueling – Return flight to Kathmandu.
Although the journey is only of 3 to 4 hours, the flight to the foothills of the highest peak in the world at Everest Base Camp will definitely provide you with a once in a lifetime experience. Our Everest Base Camp Helicopter Flight Landing Tour lets you enjoy yourself for a full 15 minutes at the base camp or Kala Patthar in addition to the amazing flight experience.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour takes off from Kathmandu and heads east towards Bhaktapur. The flight first takes you over the hills of Nagarkot and Jiri before eventually reaching the first stop at Lukla. The brief refueling session is followed by the flight over Namche Bazaar, Syangboche, Tengboche, Pheriche and Gorak Shep to the Everest Base Camp. The landing location may be either Everest Base Camp or Kala Patter depending on the condition of landing spot and weather.
The return flight route consists of a stop for breakfast at the Everest View Hotel in Syangboche. After this, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour continues as you fly over Namche Bazaar and finally land at Lukla for refueling. Another half hour of scenic heli flight over the Himalayas takes you back to Kathmandu and the EBC Heli Tour comes to an end.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour gives an excellent addition to the entire tour package of individuals in Nepal. This heli tour begins from the capital city of Nepal i.e. Kathmandu and later on, you have to fly eastward towards the beautiful village consisting of Sherpa people and gateway to the Mount Everest in Lukla. The helicopter flight from Lukla thus moves ahead to Syangboche, Dingboche, Gorakshep and Khumbu mountain glacier to reach at the top of Kalapathar from where you can see the Mt Everest very close.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Itinerary
06:00am Pickup from hotel or designated meeting point
06:15am Transfer to Kathmandu airport
06:45am Check-in to helicopter counter
07:00am Takeoff, Kathmandu to Lukla
07:30am Landing, Refueling stop at Lukla
07:45am Takeoff, Lukla to Everest Base Camp
08:00am Landing at Everest Base Camp / Kala Patthar
08:15am Takeoff, Everest Base Camp to Syangboche
08:30am Landing, Breakfast at Everest View Hotel, Syangboche
09:30am Takeoff, Syangboche to Lukla
09:45am Landing, Refueling stop at Lukla
10:00am Takeoff, Return flight to Kathmandu
10:30am Landing, Arrival at Kathmandu and successful completion of Everest Base Camp Heli Tour
11:00am Transfer to hotel
Note: The exact timing may vary depending on weather, air traffic and other factors.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Flight Tour with landing takes you from Kathmandu to Lukla in just 30 minutes and then the Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar in 15 minutes. You are provided with almost 15 minutes of ground time at the base camp of the highest peak in the world, followed by the scenic flight back to Kathmandu. The total time for completing the trip is just 4-5 hours.
The Helicopter Flight Tour to the Everest Base Camp begins early in the morning (6:00 AM) as we pick you up from your hotel or designated meeting point and drive to the Kathmandu airport. After the seating arrangement, we will take off to the east of Kathmandu valley where we are already able to witness the range of snowcapped peaks from Langtang range and Ganesh Himal to Manaslu and Gaurishankar peaks. Soon after flying past the green hills around Jiri in Dolakha, we will have our
first stop at Lukla for a 10 – 15 minute refueling break.
Lukla (2,820m) and the Tenzing Hillary Airport serve as entry point for most treks, tours and expeditions in the Everest region. After a bit, the Everest Helicopter Flight continues as we fly over the Dudh Koshi River valley towards Namche Bazaar. Namche is largest town in the region and essentially the economic hub as well since most travelers have to pass through here. Flying over this famous Sherpa settlement, we can already enjoy views of Kwangde, Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku and Ama Dablam peaks. The flight continues over notable villages like Syangboche, Tengboche (home to the Tengboche Monastery), Pheriche and Gorak Shep (final settlement going forward) to the Everest Base Camp.
Landing at the Everest Base Camp (5,380m) is a once in a lifetime experience that countless people dream to complete. The camp is located below the dreaded Khumbu icefall and surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world including Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Lobuche and more. In case the landing isn’t possible at Everest Base Camp due to bad weather, excessive snowfall or any other issue, we will attempt for landing at Kala Patthar instead. Kala Patthar is an even better location in terms of scenery as it is one of the best viewpoints in the Khumbu region. Unlike the base camp where the view of Everest is mostly blocked by the Lhotse Nuptse wall, Kala Patthar offers a 360 degree panorama of Everest as well as most of the region and its various stunning peaks.
Regardless of the location, you will have around 15 minutes time to enjoy the glorious scenery and magnificence surrounding you. Make sure to capture these moments with a memorable photograph. We will need to leave soon as staying at such high altitude (5,380m) can be dangerous due to possibility of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). After around 15 minutes, we will take off from the Everest Base Camp.
After the glorious experience with landing at Everest Base Camp, we will head to the Everest View Hotel at Syangboche for breakfast. This famous hotel offers you a superb close up view of Everest, along with some delicious food too of course! We’ll take our sweet time enjoying breakfast at almost 4,000 meters while gazing upon the world’s highest peak, Everest. After an hour or so, we will say goodbye to the Everest region as we take off once more.
We will take off from Syangboche and fly over Namche once again before landing shortly after at Lukla. Following the routine refueling stop of 15 minutes, we will take off for the final Helicopter flight to Kathmandu. Enjoy the stunning aerial views of the Himalayas and the breathtaking landscape for another 30 minutes. After reaching Kathmandu, make sure to follow proper protocol and safely get off the Heli as instructed. We will have a vehicle ready to drop you off to your hotel. Congratulations on successfully completing the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour!
Include / Exclude
Cost Includes:
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- Airport transfer as per itinerary (Pickup and drop facility)
- Life Insurance for all crews members and their salary
- Passenger Insurance
- Helicopter flight over Everest Base Camp/Kalapatthar for 4.5 hours
- Domestic airport departure tax
- Service charge
- Tea/coffee and breakfast (Only on Private Charter)
- Necessary permits and entrance fee (Only on Private Charter)
Cost Excludes:
- Nepal entrance visa fee
- Personal nature expenses
- Accommodation at Kathmandu
Price per person
Usefull Information
EBC Helicopter Tour Weather Information and Best Season
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour can be performed at any time of the year but the best season depends on your preference. The climate and weather at the Everest Base Camp, and the Khumbu region in general changes according to the season. The visibility and good weather during the flight day is what’s more important for this tour as the EBC Heli Tour is only a single day flight tour.
The spring season which more or less lasts from March to May is regarded as the best season for the Heli Flight Tour to Everest. The lush green hills seem even more beautiful now as they are dotted with blooming rhododendrons and other wildflowers. Not just the hills but the view of the mountains is also spectacular during spring thanks to the clear skies. The temperature is also perfect during this time, clocking in at a moderate 15 to 20 degree Celsius during daytime, which drops down and hovers around 0 to 5 degree Celsius once the sun goes down.
September to December is the peak season for tourism and trekking in Nepal, and the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is no exception. This period is the autumn season which is known for the superb combination of pleasant weather, moderate temperature, clear skies and breathtaking scenery. Similar to spring, the autumn season is a fantastic time to visit the Everest Base Camp. The temperature generally hovers between 15 to 20 degree Celsius when the sun is up and stays around -5 to 5 degree Celsius during nighttime. The sunlight and its UV rays are much stronger than you may expect at the base camp, so don’t forget to use proper sunscreen and protection.
As it is considered the offseason for trekking in Nepal, and tourism in general, monsoon offers an offbeat experience. The temperature is generally moderate like the previous two seasons but the weather tends to be unpredictable thanks to the monsoon rain. To visit the Everest Base Camp in monsoon, especially with Everest Heli Flight Tour, you need to be patient to wait for the correct day with good weather. However, if you have enough time and patience to wait for the perfect day, then your experience will surely be unmatched. The rain washes away all the dust and pollution, so the skies are as clear as they can be. Aside from the amazing scenery, this is also the perfect time to travel for botanists or nature enthusiasts.
Winter season in Nepal typically falls from December to February and it is a unique time to visit the Everest Base Camp. The temperature drops very low around -10 to -15 degrees, especially at high altitudes. This, combined with the continual snowfall means that even lodging and accommodation can be hard to find during the winter. This is why Everest Base Camp Trek is tough to perform during the winter. In a sense, this makes winter an excellent time for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour however. You get to enjoy the breathtaking aerial view of the sparking peaks including Everest without any hassle while also experiencing the rich snowfall during your ground time at the Everest base camp. With clear blue skies, the mountain vistas are generally spectacular in winter as the beauty of sparkling peaks is further enhanced by the winter snow.
Clothing and Preparation for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour involves not just flying at high altitude but also landing at the Everest Base Camp which is at an altitude of 5,380m. Proper clothing and preparation is important for not just trekking but also the Helicopter Flight to Everest Base Camp. For starters, the sunlight and UV rays are much stronger than you may expect at such elevation, so proper sun protection and sunscreen is important. Very cold and chilly winds set in past the afternoon so layering your clothing with wind proof jackets on the outside is also necessary. Similarly, the temperature can drop quite low if the weather turns cloudy, so having a warm down jacket with gloves and hats is also useful. Below, we have listed most of the important clothing as well as other equipment and items for the EBC Helicopter Flight Tour.
- Windproof Down Jacket (preferably waterproof too)
- Warm Trousers
- Sunhat and woolen cap
- Scarf
- Sunglasses/Goggles
- Sunscreen (preferably of SPF30+ for full protection)
- A bottle of water
- Toilet paper and other necessities
- Mobiles and cameras
- Your passport or passport copy
Safety Notes for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
There are some important things to remember regarding safety and regulations as well as the trip in general for Everest Helicopter Flight Tour. For starters, the total amount of places we visit and our landing spots (Everest View Hotel for instance) may change depending on the weather and other condition. Safety is our utmost priority, both for the clients as well as our crew. So, the final decision to make will be in the hands of our experienced pilots as they are the ones best suited to make this decision.
On our Helicopter Flight to Everest Base Camp, we will try to include all the important locations and highlights and give you as much time as possible to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and culture of the region. Some other important points to remember during the heli tour are listed below:
- Always be in the line of sight of your pilot. Enter/exit the helicopter from the side or front.
- Make sure you are wearing your seat-belt properly.
- Don’t leave your anointed seat until the pilot has signaled it is safe to do so.
- Weight distribution is important in Helicopters, so we will try to arrange seating accordingly. Please try not to change your assigned seats.
- No smoking unless you have received permission from the captain.
Equipment List
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Best Seasons March to May, September to November
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Group Size 1-5
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Duration 01 DAY BOOKING OPEN FOR 2023
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Maximum Altitude 5550M
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Trek Difficulty Easy
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