Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Duration1 Day
We offer special group discounts, please contact us for the offers.
Trip Duration 1 Day
Group Size 2 to 25 People
Maximum Altitude 5545m
Difficulty Grade Moderate
Start & End Point Kathmandu
Best Seasons All Year

Trip Highlights of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

  • Take a scenic helicopter flight from Kathmandu to the Everest region.
  • Land at Kala Patthar for close views of Mount Everest.
  • Have breakfast in Hotel Everest View with mountainous Himalayan view.
  • Fly above Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep.
  • Enjoy the views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori and Khumbu Glacier.
  • Complete the Everest experience in a single day without trekking.
  • Enjoy a safe and well organized journey with Nepal Wanderlust Treks.

Overview of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is a one day journey that takes you into the heart of the Everest region without the need for days of trekking. Within a few hours, you will enjoy close views of Mount Everest, fly over glaciers including the Khumbu Glacier and Sherpa villages, land at Kala Patthar, have breakfast at Hotel Everest View, and return to Kathmandu on the same day. It is an excellent choice for travelers with limited time, families, senior visitors, and anyone who wants to experience the Himalayas in a comfortable and convenient way.

The adventure begins with an early morning helicopter flight from Kathmandu. The scene as you drive out of the city starts to transform into snow covered mountains and glaciers as you leave the green hills and river valley. This is a classic route on Everest, flying over Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep with a panoramic view of the Khumbu region on the flyover.

One of the most exciting moments of the tour is the landing at Kala Patthar, a famous viewpoint located at 5,545 meters. It provides nearest glimpse of the mountain Everest without having to do the Everest Base Camp trek. The helicopter will then continue to Hotel Everest View where it will have breakfast after taking time to view the landscape and take photographs. This is an area surrounded with Himalayas that makes you relax and have a panoramic view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse and many other Himalayan peaks.

At Nepal Wanderlust Treks, we consider all the details of your helicopter adventure in order to make it a pleasant and safe adventure. All arrangements are handled by our team, such as airport transfer, flight arrangements, professional support and experienced pilots so that you can simply have fun. All the flights are performed by the certified helicopter companies which follow the high standards of aviation safety.

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, visiting Nepal for a short holiday, or simply want to experience the Everest region from the air, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package provides an unforgettable experience. You can enjoy some of the world’s highest mountains and most beautiful scenery in a single day with a carefully designed Everest Base Camp Helicopter Ride, without the physical challenge of a long trek.

Itinerary of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

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Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Your Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour starts early in the morning, with a private transfer to domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. After completing the airport formalities and a short safety briefing, you will board the helicopter and begin your journey toward the Everest region.

The flight passes over beautiful hills, valleys, rivers, and Sherpa villages before reaching Lukla for a brief refueling stop. Beyond that, the helicopter will proceed to Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep, offering panoramic views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, and Khumbu Glacier.

The helicopter will land at Kala Patthar (5,545 m / 18,192 ft) weather permitting, and you will have approximately 10 to 15 minutes to enjoy one of the closest viewpoints of Mount Everest. Then, you will fly to Hotel Everest View for breakfast, enjoying the fantastic Himalayan views.

After breakfast the helicopter flies back to Kathmandu but with a brief refueling stop at Lukla. Our representative will pick you up and transferred to your hotel and that will be the ending of your memorable Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.

Walking 4 to 5 Hours
Altitude 5545m

Includes/Excludes

What's Included?
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers by private vehicle.
  • Private transfer between your hotel and the domestic airport.
  • Shared Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour as per the itinerary.
  • Landing at Kala Patthar (weather permitting).
  • Breakfast at Hotel Everest View.
  • Experienced and government licensed helicopter pilot.
  • All required airport taxes and helicopter fuel charges.
  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit.
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit.
  • Company service charges and government taxes.
  • Comprehensive first aid kit carried by the flight crew.
  • All necessary flight arrangements and operational support by Nepal Wanderlust Treks.
What's Excluded?
  • Nepal entry visa fees.
  • International airfare to and from Nepal.
  • Travel insurance, including high altitude and helicopter evacuation coverage.
  • Personal expenses (drinks, snacks, souvenirs, shopping).
  • Extra meals and drinks beyond the included breakfast.
  • Gratuities for the pilot and other support staff.
  • Extra lodging or transport due to flight delays or cancellations caused by weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • Any services not specifically listed in the Cost Includes section.

Essential Information - Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour can be enjoyed throughout the year, but spring from March to May and autumn from September to November are the most popular seasons. The weather is also generally predictable during these months and there is a clear sky with good visibility enabling you to have a panoramic view of the Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori and the Khumbu Glacier.

The scenery and the skies are also beautiful in winter during the period between December and February, but the temperatures are significantly lower. June to August is commonly the monsoon season, which will cause rain, clouds, and low visibility, which can impact flight schedules. To enjoy the experience, helicopter tours are typically early in the morning when the weather conditions are more favorable.

Tour Difficulty

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is suitable for travelers of all ages and fitness levels since the entire journey is completed by helicopter. Unlike the Everest Base Camp trek, there are no long days of walking or physically demanding climbs, making it an excellent option for families, senior travelers, and visitors with limited time.

You will leave the helicopter only during the brief landing at Kala Patthar and for breakfast at Hotel Everest View. Since the stay at Kala Patthar lasts only about 10 to 15 minutes, most visitors can comfortably enjoy the experience before returning to a lower elevation.

Altitude and Landing Information

The summit of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package is Kala Patthar with an elevation of 5,545 m (18,192 ft). This popular viewpoint offers one of the closest views of Mount Everest without walking to Everest Base Camp.

Because of the high altitude and lower oxygen levels, the landing is limited to approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Afterward, the helicopter flies to Hotel Everest View for breakfast at a lower elevation. This well-planned itinerary will give you the chance to experience the Himalayan landscape and spend the least time at high altitude.

Weather and Flight Information

Weather plays an important role in the operation of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Ride. Flights tend to leave in the early morning when the visibility is best and the mountain condition is usually more stable. In case of unfavorable weather, flights can be postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled to guarantee the safety of the passengers.

The weight of passengers and rules and regulations of air traffic and aviation may also require separate shuttle flights between Lukla and the higher stages of the tour. These are normal procedures in the helicopter operations in the Everest region and they are done for the safety of the flight.

Travel Insurance

While the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Ride does not involve trekking, a comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended. Your policy ought to include emergency treatment, helicopter evacuation in case of necessity, trip interruption or cancellation due to weather related delays.

Weather in the mountains is constantly changing and flight plans are sometimes required to be changed due to safety reasons. Before your tour, make sure your insurance coverage is sufficient for high altitude travel and all activities included in the itinerary. This will provide an added peace of mind during your Himalayan adventure.

Group Sharing and Weight Limit

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour has most of its flights on a shared basis, and may have up to 5 passengers depending on the weather conditions and the overall weight of the passengers. In order to ensure the safety of flying at the high altitude, the helicopter can have short stops at Lukla and proceed in smaller groups between Lukla and Kala Patthar.

This is a normal aviation procedure and should not be considered an inconvenience. There are also private charter flights that offer more flexible schedules and unique experience to the travelers. Our team will clarify the flight arrangement prior to departure and make the process smooth and well organized.

Landing at Kala Patthar

The landing at Kala Patthar is the highlight of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package. This is the closest viewpoint of Mount Everest with no trekking being involved at an elevation of 5,545 m (18,192 ft). Because oxygen levels are much lower at this altitude, the landing usually lasts around 10 to 15 minutes.

This will give time to appreciate the scenery and capture photographs prior to going back to the helicopter. The landing time is determined by weather conditions and flight regulations, and the safety of passengers is the primary concern.

Most Asked Questions by Travellers

No. Landing of the helicopter at the Everest Base Camp is not possible due to a lack of landing area and glacier environments. Instead, it lands at Kala Patthar, which offers one of the closest and best views of Mount Everest.

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour normally covers a period of 4-5 hours, which includes the time of flight, a landing in Kala Patthar, breakfast at Hotel Everest View, and the flight back to Kathmandu.

Kala Patthar landing takes about 10-15 minutes. The short stop assists to diminish the impact of the high altitude and also provide time to appreciate the view and capture photographs.

Yes. Hotel Everest View offers breakfast services where you can have your meal with a panoramic view of Mount Everest and the Himalayan mountains.

No. As there is no trekking involved, the tour is suitable for travelers of all ages and fitness levels. During the landing and breakfast stop you will walk only short distances.

Yes. Private charter flights are available for individuals, couples, families or groups that want a more flexible and exclusive experience.

Yes. The majority of flights briefly visit Lukla to refuel and then proceed to the Everest area. This is also the point where group arrangements can also be made depending on the weight of the passengers.

At high altitude, helicopter weight must be carefully managed for safe operations. The Lukla to Kala Patthar flight can be done in smaller groups depending on the overall weight of the passengers.

During the flight, you get an opportunity to see Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Thamserku, and many other Himalayan mountains.

Wear warm layered clothes, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, gloves and windproof jacket. Temperatures at Kala Patthar are much colder than in Kathmandu.

Yes. Children are allowed to be on the tour with their parents or guardians. It is a popular option for families who want to visit the Everest region without trekking.

Helicopter flights are weather based. In case it is not safe to fly, the tour can be postponed, rearranged, or canceled. The safety of passengers is always the first priority.

No age restriction. Most people will comfortably enjoy the helicopter tour as long as they are in good health to travel high altitudes.

Yes. The tour provides great chances to take pictures of the Himalayan mountains, glaciers, Sherpa villages, and the beautiful landscape both on helicopter and Kala Patthar.

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package will enable you to see the best of the Everest region within a day. It is suitable to travelers who have limited time or those who wish to experience mount Everest without being required to take the multi day trek.

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