Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing is all about a thrilling helicopter ride to the world’s tallest mountain along with a breathtaking landing experience at Kala Patthar(5550m). Most travelers wish to experience Everest once in their lifetime but Everest Base Camp Trek usually takes weeks if not months. So, for time-bound travelers, Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing is by far the most favorable option for Royal Vacation.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing offers remarkable cinematics of the snow-capped Himalayan range. Ideally, it is designed for travelers who do not have the luxury of trekking long hours for days. Likewise, people with physical disabilities and the elderly can enjoy 4-5 hours of a helicopter ride to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. During the trip, one can observe marvelous peaks such as Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and some of the astonishing landscapes of the Everest region. Besides that, the helicopter trip is an incredible opportunity to learn about the culture and religion of the Himalayan people.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour departs from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. It circles the valley, then heads to Lukla, offering aerial views of landscapes and mountains. The helicopter lands at Lukla Airport for refueling. After a break, it flies over Everest and lands at Kala Patthar (5450m), providing 360-degree views of peaks, glaciers, and Khumbu Ice Falls. On the return, it stops at Hotel Everest View in Syangboche for breakfast, then flies back to Lukla for refueling, and finally to Kathmandu.
Note: The maximum weight per charter for landing at Syangboche is 450 kg including passengers (5 pax at max) and their belongings. However, the maximum landing weight at Pheriche is 420 kg and Kala Patthar is 220 kg due to high altitude restrictions. Therefore, for landing at Kalapatthar with more than 220kg, we have to do an extra shuttle from Pheriche. Also, note that 4-5 people cannot land simultaneously. In this case, a single charter only carries 420 kg right from Kathmandu Valley itself.
A helicopter flight to the Everest Base Camp is one hell of an adventure. The type of lifestyle that serves you breakfast with champagne (upon request) at the highest-placed hotel in the world i.e. Hotel Everest View. Feeling excited? Let’s dig into some details here.
Important: The flight usually takes place early morning between 6:30 am to 7 am. Flight timing may vary or be delayed depending on the weather conditions. The pilots will thoroughly inspect requirements before taking off.
The flight instructor will run you through some important guidelines and safety measures during the flight. Then we will meet up with the captain and board the helicopter. During the meetup, we encourage you to clear all the questions regarding the flight so that you can cooperate and contribute to a smooth flight.
The helicopter takes off from the airport and towards the Hillary Tenzing Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, on the east side of Nepal. The Lukla Airport is fairly small and lies at an altitude of 2,860m. On the way, you will find yourself eyeing the stunning mountain range, beautifully covered with snow. And of course, we can not miss the aerial view of Sherpa settlements, various monasteries, and stupas.
Some of the mountains that you get to observe include Langtang Lirung (7,234m), Ganesh Himal (7,429m), Gauri Shankar Himal (7,134m), Ganesh Himal (7,429m), Shishapangma (8,013m), Gyachung Kang (7,952m), Pumori (7,161m), Nuptse (7,855m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Ama Dablam (6,812m).
From here, we will continue our flight to Lukla after a refuel which takes around 15 minutes.
Altitude: 5,545m (Lukla)
After the refueling, we fly to Kala Patthar from Lukla Airport. The flight duration is approximately 15 minutes. At this point, we will be flying above 5,500m. By aviation rules, if the group consists of 4-5 people, it will be divided into two. However, we will fly over the infamous Namche Bazaar exploring all the hidden rivers and beautiful flora and fauna of Sagarmatha National Park.
Important: Since lading at Kala Patthar above 220kg is prohibited, a shuttle flight to Pheriche is required if the weight exceeds 220kg.
Upon reaching Kala Patthar, we will stop for a brief 10 minutes if requested. This is because our bodies can not adapt to the sudden transition from 1,400m at Kathmandu to over 5,500m in only a few hours. Nevertheless, it is more than enough to admire a close-up view of Everest and take some memorable pictures.
Important: Landing at Kala Patthar cannot exceed 10 minutes and the helicopter engine will not be turned off due to the windy environment and high altitude.
We return to Syangboche and head to the Hotel Everest View for breakfast. Syangboche is one of the major highlights of the tour. It allows some brilliant scenery with the Mt. Everest backdrop. The people here are welcoming and do not hesitate to have some interesting conversations.
Ground Time: 30min
As a celebration of the completion of a dream trip, we enjoy a delightful breakfast at the Hotel Everest View. You might have heard it by now but it is indeed the highest-placed hotel in the world and has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The champagne breakfast is very famous at Hotel Everest View followed by some delicate cuisines.
For some flight procedures, we stop at Lukla while on our way to Kathmandu. Meanwhile, the helicopter is refueled. We will stop at Lukla for approximately 15 minutes before finally taking off to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Swirling above the verdant hills and along the Himalayas, we fly towards Kathmandu. The return flight takes you over the Khumbu Glacier and the splendidly crafted Tengboche Monastery. As we bid our goodbyes to the majestic Mt. Everest, we leave with a feeling of fulfillment and pleasure. Finally, our pilots will safely drop you at the domestic airport in Kathmandu.
You have now successfully experienced what millions of people crave and dream for i.e. to experience Everest from up close. The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Royal Vacation team is now over and after all the activities and a tiring day, you can now take a peaceful nap.
As you would expect, the Everest region is cold throughout the year. It is particularly important to pack the proper clothing for Everest Base Camp Heli Tour. Due to high-intensity UV rays at high altitudes, it is necessary to pack accordingly. Here we have prepared a packing list including all the relevant/recommended gear for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour:
Note: The above gears will suffice since over-carrying might increase the weight. We encourage carrying only obligatory articles of clothing.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing is considered the best helicopter tour so far which can be completed within a couple of hours. It takes around 3 to 3½ hours to reach the base camp from Kathmandu. The tour starts and ends in Kathmandu. However, there are several checkpoints to perform flight procedures. Since we start early in the morning, our breakfast will be at the Everest View Hotel which is the highest hotel in the world at an altitude of 3,880m. Moreover, the flight proceeds to Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar to experience the surreal mountain range up close.
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is completed in 4 phases and as follows:
The flight to Everest Base Camp starts from Kathmandu and takes you over the valley and towards Lukla Airport. During the flight, we will fly over some of the exquisite locations such as Nagarkot hill which is famous for the golden sunrise amongst the locals as well as tourists, above the alpine forest at Jiri, and finally land at Lukla Airport to refuel and some flight procedures.
After the refuel, we fly over the infamous Namche Bazaar towards Kala Patthar. On the way, we will get to experience the aerial view of Tengboche settlements along with the Buddhist monastery, the Khumbu Glacier, Pheriche, and finally, land at Kala Patthar viewpoint which is just above the base camp with incredible panoramic cinematic of the massive. However, landing at Kala Patthar is an incredible experience filled with adrenaline.
Once we take off from Kala Patthar or the Everest Base Camp, we stop at Syangboche for breakfast or lunch at the Everest View Hotel. The hotel is famous for being at the highest altitude in the world. Visitors from all over the world crave the delicious Nepali cuisine that is made at the Everest View Hotel.
From Syangboche, we make our way towards Kathmandu. Before finally flying to Kathmandu, the helicopter lands at Lukla Airport for a quick refuel. By the time we landed at Kathmandu airport, we would have completed our EBC Heli tour and collected a bunch of memories either captured in our phones or vividly in our memory. You will finally get to apprehend that, it is indeed a lifetime experience.
Everest Region lies at a high altitude and weather changes are very frequent in this region. But since our trip requires only a few hours of flight time, this should not hold us back from experiencing the wonders of the Himalayas in Nepal. However, it is simply not possible to execute the flight when it’s foggy or raining. There is no point in flying if we can not vividly scope out the mountain range and unique aerial scenery of distinct topography.
If we had to pick seasons, then the spring and autumn would suffice for an incredible flight to the Everest region. During these seasons, the weather is clear and sunny most of the time. There is less probability of rain and humidity is relatively low. In the winter season, the layer of snow thickens intensifying the beauty of mountains. So, winter might be the alternative if you can not make it in the spring. However, the summer is not favorable for helicopter flights. It rains heavily and the weather is least predictable since it keeps fluctuating. Let’s look at the weather conditions of the seasons in detail.
Spring season is highly recommended for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour with landing. The weather is favorable and clear around the Everest Region. You can enjoy some beautiful landscapes and Rhododendron blooming throughout the forest. Temperature is mild during the daytime but can get to minus 10°C at night. However, since many people choose the spring season for the heli tour, you might have to stay in the queue. Talk to our representative for booking dates and he should guide you through.
Starting from September to November, Autumn is the best time for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour in Nepal. The temperature during autumn is neither too hot nor too cold. The average temperature is approximately 20 °C during the day whereas it could go up to minus 10°C at night. The scenery is at its best. You will be able to scope out stunning mountain ranges along with verdant hills blooming with flowers. Again, there might be a queue during the season, so the sooner you book, the better it is.
Monsoon starts in June and lasts till early September. The time in between is not recommended for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing. During this season, the Everest region is mostly cloudy making it hard to navigate. Flight delays and cancellations are mostly likely to occur during monsoon.
December to February is the winter season with extremely cold weather around the Everest Base Camp. The temperature during the day averages 15°C during the day and up to minus 17°C at night. Despite the freezing temperature, the views are fantastic. Plus the traffic is less which is why many people choose winter for the heli tour. It is completely up to you. However, be prepared for flight delays because you never know. Consult with our experts at the Royal Vacation before booking to have a clear picture of what to expect.
Below are some safety rules and travel tips before your flight to the Everest Base Camp which should be followed with discipline at all costs. Please note that mocking pilots and making unnecessary movements in the helicopter could lead to serious consequences. Read on very carefully for the safety rules below:
Located on the south elevation of Pumori in the Himalayas, Kala Patthar (5,644m) is quite famous amongst the Everest Base Camp trekkers. This is the highest altitude that most people can reach without a climbing permit. Kala Patthar is mostly known for the sensational close-up views of Everest, Nuptse, Changtse, and surrounding peaks.
Kala Patthar is an alternative to the Everest Base Camp. It is very much preferred by travel experts since the hill offers a glimpse of the Everest peak which is not possible from the base camp.
Awarded as a Guinness Book of World Records in 2004, Hotel Everest View is the highest-placed hotel at an altitude of 13,000ft. The hotel was envisioned by Takasi Miyahara in 1968 when he realized how brilliant the sight of Everest from the Syangboche ridge was.
Syangboche is a graceful hill that lies at the lap of Khumbila. It contains the highest altitude airport in the world from where helicopter shuttle and Porter light services operate regularly. The rich landscape, especially from the Hotel Everest View at Syangboche in Nepal serves you a rich natural landscape and an extremely relaxing environment. The EBC Helicopter Tour with landing in Nepal is the way to go if you are driven by nature, want to experience the massive Himalayas from up close or well, to have a delightful breakfast at the highest-placed hotel in the world.
Khumbu Glacier is the world’s highest glacier with elevations of 4,900m at its end to 7,600m at its source. Located between Mount Everest and Lhotse-Nuptse Ridge, Khumbu Glacier is also the largest glacier in Nepal. Trekkers encounter it on the final trail to the base camp. The glacier has a huge icefall which is called the Khumbu Icefall. Furthermore, it is one of the riskiest challenges for those who are on their way to the Everest summit. From above, however, the giant glacier looks stunning along with a breathtaking aerial view of the Himalayan range around it. Therefore the EBC Helicopter tour is practical to observe the icefall without getting too risky along the way.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour in Nepal is not just about Everest as most people think. It is a lifestyle and culture that you get introduced to. Most people trek for a living while others do it for the kick. Maybe you have dreamt of experiencing Everest once in your lifetime. Whatever the reason might be, it has surely brought thousands if not millions of people together sharing one common goal, adventure. Make no mistake, it is a hell of an adventure.
On your flight to the base camp, you will be treated to alpine green hills, some incredible landscapes, waterfalls, rivers, and forests covered with blooming rhododendrons. On top of that, the mountain range including Mt. Nuptse (7,864m), Mt. Pumori (7,156m), Mt. Lhotse (8,513m), and Mt. Cho Oyu (8,153m) which are some of the highest mountains of the world. Therefore, the Everest Base Camp Heli tour with landing is not just a medium to reach the base camp but an adventure of a lifetime that people tell stories about.
John F.K. International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, one of the Royal Vacation representatives will receive you at the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or explore on your own.
Overnight: Hotel Dwarika in Kathmandu
After having breakfast at the hotel we will then set off for a whole day sightseeing of the Kathmandu valley’s main attractions. They include the following:
Kathmandu Durbar Square:
First, Kathmandu Durbar Square, is an old royal area with temples and palaces. Some were hurt by an earthquake in 2015.
Swayambhunath:
Next, Swayambhunath, also called Monkey Temple. It’s a Buddhist place on a hill with a white dome, golden spire, and Buddha’s eyes. Monkeys live here. People pray by walking around and spinning wheels.
Boudhanath:
Then, Boudhanath, a big white Buddhist stupa with Buddha’s eyes. People walk around it to pray. It might have holy items inside.
Pashupatinath:
Last, Pashupatinath, Nepal’s top Hindu temple by a river. It’s for the god Shiva. Shops nearby sell prayer things.
Overnight: Hotel Dwarika in Kathmandu.
Meals included: Breakfast
Bhaktapur is an old city near Kathmandu. It has beautiful temples and squares. In 2015, an earthquake damaged some buildings, but many temples are still standing. Visitors pay a fee to see the city, which helps fix the temples. People in Bhaktapur make crafts and live traditional lives.
Patan is another old city, now part of Kathmandu. It’s famous for its Durbar Square, with many temples and palaces. The 2015 earthquake also hit Patan, but work to fix the temples is going on. Patan has nice shops and restaurants.
The main attraction is the old palace in Durbar Square. Part of it is now a museum with beautiful art. You need at least an hour to see it all. The museum shows how artists made these works.
Other places to see in Patan are the Golden Temple, Krishna Temple, and Maha Boudha Temple. After visiting both cities, you’ll go back to your hotel in Kathmandu for dinner.
A representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the domestic terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport. Before boarding the helicopter, the captains will run through important guidelines and a safety briefing, which must be strictly followed.
After the briefing, the helicopter takes off, providing an aerial view of the Kathmandu valley. It heads towards the Everest region via Lukla, with a brief stopover for refueling. On the way, you’ll get incredible views of the verdant hills and the majestic Himalayan range, including mountains like Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar Himal, Shishapangma, Gyachung Kang, Pumori, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
From Lukla Airport, the helicopter flies to Kala Patthar (above 5,500m), with a brief 10-minute stop to admire the close-up view of Everest and take memorable pictures. The group may be divided into two for this leg due to aviation rules.
Next, you’ll head to the Hotel Everest View in Syangboche for a delightful breakfast, taking in the brilliant scenery with the Mt. Everest backdrop. As the highest-placed hotel in the world, it’s famous for its champagne breakfast and delicate cuisine.
On the return flight to Kathmandu, there’s a stopover at Lukla for refueling. The helicopter flies over the Khumbu Glacier and the Tengboche Monastery, bidding farewell to the majestic Mt. Everest. Finally, the pilots will safely drop you at the domestic airport in Kathmandu, marking the end of your Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
Overnight: Hotel Dwarika in Kathmandu.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Approximately 3 hours before departure of your flight, you will be transferred to Kathmandu International Airport where we guide you to the check-in hall. From here we hope you had an amazing journey through our country, Nepal. And we hope to see you again.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Note: This itinerary is specially created for you. This itinerary can be adjusted in all aspects to meet your specific requirements. Please let us know what suits you best and we will be very pleased to provide you with a complete tailor-made holiday package.
Note: Please note: Tipping (guides/driver) is not included in the price. Guests can always decide if they would like to tip for good services to guides, porters, and drivers at the end of the trip. However, in Nepal, it is a custom of good faith to tip guides/drivers when they have provided a good service.
