To experience the beauty of Nepal’s Himalayas, you don’t really have to walk a long distance in high-altitude locations, like the Everest Region. Everyone has a dream of seeing Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) from a close distance, so do you. If you’ve got limited time, yet can afford luxury travel, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the best option for you.
You can enjoy the magnificent view of not only Everest but the entire Mahalangur Range in just a matter of hours. If you go on a trek, you’ll need to walk or ascend for several days to witness the same peaks and range that you would on a luxury heli tour.
Without having physical strain or pressuring yourself, you can fulfil your dream at any time you want. This tour is currently trending and is one of the best options for families with elderly relatives and luxury travellers. It’s a blend of safety, comfort, and memorable scenery all in one trip.
In this blog, you’ll learn about this tour in detail, such as its cost, itinerary, and the best time, below. Let’s read it till the end patiently and discover together.
Highlights Of The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
- Picturesque helicopter ride over the Khumbu Region.
- Nearby and aerial views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam.
- Fly over Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Khumbu Glacier.
- Landing in Kala Patthar for a close-up view of Mt. Everest.
- Breakfast at Hotel Everest View, the world’s highest hotel.
- Ideal for luxury travellers, limited timers, and non-adventurers.
What Is The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
The Everest Base Camp heli tour is a short and sweet flight that carries you near the highest peak in the world. You don’t need to hike for several days.
It’s best for those who have a tight schedule but still desire to see Mt. Everest once in a lifetime with maximum comfort. The trip generally begins from the capital city, Kathmandu (1,400 m/4,593 ft), and flies over well-known places, such as Lukla (2,800 m/9,184 ft), Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,286 ft), Tengboche (3,860 m/12,664 ft), and EBC (5,364 m/17,598 ft) in the Khumbu Region.
The helicopter first landed in Kala Patthar (5,545 m/18,192 ft). It’s the highest point of the trek from where you’ll have a closer look at Everest (8,848 m/29,029 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m / 27,940 ft), Nuptse (7,861 m/25,791 ft), and Ama Dablam (6,812 m/22,349 ft).
After spending a moment in Kala Patthar, you’ll fly to the Everest View Hotel, the highest placed hotel in the world. The hotel is well-known for offering panoramic views of these mountains. You can enjoy the view while having breakfast here.
This tour is suitable for people of all age groups. It doesn’t require any fitness or hiking experience at high elevations. Within a span of an hour, you can have one of your dreams come true.
Private Charter & Group Sharing
There are two options available for this heli tour. One is a private charter, and the other is a group sharing flight. If you’ve your own group of family or friends, you can have a private helicopter ride.
However, if you’re all alone, you may join the other group. By doing this, you can enjoy the Everest tour at a low price.
Booking a helicopter for a single passenger costs the same as a private tour, which is expensive for a person. Thus, we’ve introduced the option of group sharing for those travelling to Nepal alone, especially to experience the beauty of the world's highest peak in a short duration.
Heli Ambulance
It’s a service of rescuing someone who’s stranded, injured, or suffering from altitude sickness, anywhere along the EBC trail during trekking or mountaineering. In such unfortunate circumstances, you may contact us. Our helicopter with a dedicated medical team will arrive at your location in less than an hour.
Everest Helicopter Tour Itinerary
5:30–6:00: Departure from the Hotel to the Airport
6:00–6:30: Complete Airport Formalities and Board Helicopter
6:30–7:15: Helicopter Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
7:15–7:30: Refuelling Break at Lukla Airport
7:30–7:50: Helicopter Flight from Lukla to Kala Patthar
7:50–8:00: Helicopter Lands, Explore Kala Patthar Area
8:00–8:15: Depart from Kala Patthar, fly to Hotel Everest View
8:15–9:00: Enjoy Breakfast at Hotel Everest View
9:00–9:50: Helicopter Flight from Everest View Hotel to Kathmandu
9:50–11:00: Transfer from Airport to Hotel via Ground Transportation
Best Time For EBC Helicopter Tour
The best time for the Everest helicopter tour is during the spring and autumn. Both seasons consist of three months. Spring possesses March, April, and May, while autumn has September, November, and December.
Refer to the table below to know why these two seasons are appropriate for the EBC heli tour:
| Spring | Autumn |
|
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A heli tour in winter is somehow possible, but the temperatures are frigid at high elevations. Whereas, in the monsoon, the weather is mostly unstable, the skies are cloudy, and rainfall is certain, resulting in flight delays.
How Much Does It Cost To Go To Everest Base Camp By Helicopter
Regarding the cost for the EBC Heli Tour, it varies depending on the service you choose: private charter, group-sharing flight, or heli ambulance.
- Private Charter: In private charter service, there’s a seat for a maximum of three people, excluding the pilot. It costs around USD 5,000.
- Group-Sharing Flight: For a group-sharing flight, it costs USD 1,500 per person.
- Heli Ambulance: It costs USD 5,500 per trip.
The price includes breakfast at Hotel Everest View (only for the Everest Heli Tour), airport taxes, and pilot and fuel costs.
Is The Everest Helicopter Tour Safe
The helicopter flights are operated by experienced and licensed pilots. They’re all specially trained for high-elevation flight in the Himalayas. Hence, the Everest Base Camp Heli Tour is safe.
To guarantee your safety on the helicopter tour, some important safety measures are followed:
- Weight limits are strictly implemented.
- The weather is always checked before taking off.
- The landing period at Kala Patthar is limited to only 10 to 15 minutes to avoid altitude sickness, freezing temperatures, and other potential issues.
- The helicopters used are modern and equipped with oxygen support.
Who Is This Tour Best For
The EBC Helicopter Tour is ideal for those who want to enjoy the scenic view of Mount Everest without hiking to the base camp for days. With this tour, you can experience the real beauty of the Himalayas comfortably and safely.
Not everyone’s interested in a nature hike, yet many still desire to witness the world’s highest peak up close with their family, which includes elders and kids. Some may have very limited time for travel, a low fitness level, or no experience with trekking, but can afford a luxury Everest tour.
For such a group of people, this tour can fulfil their wish in a very short time. It’s a blend of adventure, safety, and comfort that offers a premium way to see the dream mountain of people around the world.
Important Tips Before Booking The Helicopter Tour
Below are some essential Everest Helicopter Tour tips you need to know before booking it to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience:
- Book your flight for either spring or autumn because these seasons offer clear skies, stable weather, and excellent visibility.
- Check the weather forecast for the dates of your flight. Also, check it on your flight day, as the weather in the Himalaya Region is unpredictable even during spring and autumn.
- Choose a trustworthy and licensed helicopter service provider, and also, check their safety record, fleet condition, and pilot’s experience.
- Choose an appropriate flight time; early morning flights are highly recommended.
What To Bring For The Helicopter Tour
Although the EBC Heli Tour is short and sweet, you’ll still need to bring the following things:
- Warm clothes are required, as the weather is cold at high altitude locations, like Hotel Everest View and Kala Patthar.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (minimum SPF 50+) to protect your eyes and facial skin, respectively, from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- A camera or a phone to capture the peaks for the memories.
- Comfortable shoes with warm socks.
- Passport.
Conclusion
The Everest Base Camp Heli Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to view Everest and other surrounding peaks from near in comfort and premium style in a short duration. No need to walk into nature for days to observe the scenic beauty of the Himalayas.
If you have a tight schedule, aren’t interested in trekking, or have elders and kids in your family, this tour is the best option available for you. Book a flight for spring or autumn, contact a reliable company, and see yourself flying over the snowy giants.
