Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the best-loved helicopter tour in Nepal. And why wouldn't it be when the tour takes you to the base of the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest. And it lands you there! This has to be the ultimate aerial sightseeing tour in the Everest region, if not the country. A once-in-a-lifetime thrill of flying close to Everest and other high Himalayan peaks.
With this trip you reach the breathtaking Everest Base Camp (5,364m) in comfort and ease. Normally people only reach base camp by doing the Everest Base Camp Trek, which entails trekking for more than 10 days. Hiking on steep, demanding and tiring trails for an average of 5 to 6 hours a day. Which, although maybe exhilarating for some, for others it means they reach Everest too exhausted to really appreciate its beauty.
But not so with this Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour! In a matter of hours and with no walking involved, you reach one of the most glorious places on earth.
The journey starts with an early morning helicopter flight to Lukla. Here we enter the Everest Region and land at Lukla Airport for refueling. Quickly we are off again and soaring over the region’s landscapes of vegetation, villages, monasteries and mountains. Then we reach Mt Everest.
We fly above Everest Base Camp to land at Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar is also known as the viewpoint for Everest. This ridge, whose name translates to black rock, overlooks the mountain and is the closest you can get to Everest without scaling the world’s highest mountain! It provides panoramic views of Everest and its sister mountains. We land here for around 10 minutes - which seems short but the high altitude makes it impossible to stay longer - but it is long enough to take stunning photographs and obtain never-forgotten memories. Then it's off to one of the world’s highest hotels, aptly named Everest View Hotel. Here we enjoy a delicious breakfast with an even more delicious view! Thirty minutes later we head off back to Lukla and onwards to Kathmandu.
In a nutshell, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package is one of the best adventure trips in Nepal. We believe doing the tour with the expert team of SublimeTrails, the best Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour company you could ask for in Nepal, is something everyone longs to do.
How cool would it be to fly on a helicopter close to Everest Base Camp?
The captivating vista of Everest and other mountains is the major attraction of Everest helicopter tours. The alpine landscape looks spectacular when viewed from this bird's eye angle.
Standing in front of Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha (Goddess of Sky), at Kala Patthar makes your adrenaline pump. What’s more, you'll fly near not just to Everest, but Lhotse and Nuptse - among others. And if that is not enough to excite folks back home, you can tell them of your breakfast at Everest View Hotel, surrounded by mountains, and lush forests. That would surely make you the coolest person at your family and friends' gatherings!
What makes the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour the best?
I used to ask my clients how they felt when they experienced the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. Most of them described the tour in a single word, SUBLIME. Some also mention, "Mr Ram, I can't express how I felt being close to Everest on a helicopter and landing at Kala Patthar.” To you, the reader, I would say you will only find the answer to this question when you go yourself.
You might be wondering what makes the Everest helicopter tour package stand above the rest of the tours in Nepal. Like Mt Everest itself, many things contribute to making this the peak of tour experiences.
First of all, this is a luxurious way to explore the Himalayas. In utmost comfort, you can enjoy the 360 panoramic views of Mount Everest and its neighboring mountains. The helicopter's wide and large windows make the Everest viewing experience unmatched.
Taking off from Kathmandu travelers feel their excitement and anticipation rising - a fusion of thrills, fear, excitement, and joy. Yes, this is the ultimate sublime experience.
Let the pilot be your guide
Your Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing at Kala Patthar will be guided by the pilot himself. Through headphones, the pilot will give you tips of where to look for the best possible experience. This also builds a rapport between the pilot and the passenger. As the helicopter flies lower you get to experience every detail of the Khumbu (Everest) Region more clearly, safe in his experienced hands.
Safety is the number one priority on our Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
This four-hour helicopter tour is the safest Everest region excursion. While trekkers have to consider altitude sickness on their many days trek, this is highly unlikely when flying by helicopter. Of course, nothing is 100% guaranteed and for anyone who may need some support, the helicopter carries an oxygen supply with it.
As a bonus, no need for you to carry trekking gear! Just take your camera and a warm jacket. Make sure your camera is well charged because there is plenty to shoot, from the multi-colored rhododendron forests to the snow-capped peaks.
What exactly is involved on the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
An early morning helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla will give you a taste of what is to come. Lukla is one of the highest airports in the world and the surrounding scenery is stunning. Here we have entered the Everest Region and soon we will be flying over Sagarmatha National Park. After refueling we head across the Khumbu Valley with its villages, monasteries, and beautiful landscapes. The landscape then becomes rugged and we cross Everest Base Camp and head towards Kala Patthar.
Here at Kala Patthar, we land to unimagined beauty. The sight of Mount Everest, sitting proud among the other peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and more, simply takes your breath away. The photographs you take and memories you store away will last a lifetime.
Those few precious minutes at Kala Patthar go quickly but once we land at the Everest View Hotel we again come face to face with the beauty of Everest and other peaks. Here we spend 30 minutes over breakfast in the courtyard and again marvel at the glorious mountain panorama.
Then we board our helicopter for the flight back to Kathmandu via Lukla. What a journey! What a sublime experience!
Major Highlights of The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package
- Start the flight from the historic city of Kathmandu.
- Fly across Nepal; a beautiful mountainous country.
- Spot the diverse landscapes of Nepal.
- Experience the easiest way to reach Everest Base Camp.
- Land in the Everest Region, home of Sherpas and several eight-thousander mountains.
- Fly over hamlets and terraced fields on a helicopter to Everest Base Camp.
- Enjoy being in the foothills of Mt Everest.
- Touch down on Kala Patthar, the best viewpoint for Mt Everest and the adjoining peaks.
- Observe the majestic peaks of Mt Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Nuptse, and many more.
- View pristine lakes, glaciers, lush forests, broad valleys, winding rivers and more in comfort and safety.
- Witness the ancient monasteries of the region, such as Tengboche Monastery, from above.
- Breakfast at Everest View Hotel, one of the highest hotels in the world, and which offers breathtaking mountain vistas.
- Celebrate your achievement.
Why Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
To gain a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Landing in the front yard of the world’s tallest peak is a unique experience. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Definitely not something you do every day! This unique experience will stay in your memory forever.
The quickest way to reach Everest Base Camp
Via helicopter is the quickest way to reach Everest Base Camp. Yes, there is no speedier option than this. If you are short of time, this is the perfect itinerary to choose. In a matter of hours, you will savior some of the highest peaks in the world while saving two weeks and a lot of leg power.
Breathtaking vistas of the world’s highest mountains
When you take a helicopter to the mountains in Nepal, you get jaw-dropping peaks to watch. But in the Everest Region, it is more awe-inspiring. We are talking about the region which houses four of the world’s eight-thousanders and many other spectacular peaks. On the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, you will witness the mountains from a different angle and perspective. Everything else seems small and insignificant. This tour is a must if you want to see the most breathtaking vistas in the world.
Explore the Everest Region in a luxurious way
If you love luxury, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing is for you! This is the most luxurious way to go. Without walking, you will reach Kala Patthar to view the high Himalayas. And breakfasting at one of the world’s highest hotels surrounded by mountains is definitely a luxury not many have had. All of these make the tour a lavish one.
Flexible groups
Everest Helicopter Tour is a flexible tour option. You have the choice of a private tour should you wish. If you want to have a private helicopter tour, it is possible to take up to 4 other friends. If you go for a regular tour, you will join four other people. Because of the altitude, the helicopter can only take 5 passengers, along with the crew member.
Avoid strenuous trails and possible altitude sickness
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the best option to avoid the trekking routes which can often be tricky and challenging. In place of 2 weeks of trekking, one can directly fly into the mountains - saving days of walking and avoiding the chances of altitude sickness. It is, therefore, suitable for all age groups.
Escape the crowded Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Region is very popular, particularly the Everest Base Camp Trek. So the helicopter tour is an excellent way to avoid crowds. Fly over the heads of the trekkers and mountaineers below to reach Kala Patthar, no need to put up with the crowded routes.
Detailed Itinerary of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
The Everest Helicopter Tour is 4 to 5 hours long. The best 4 to 5 hours you will ever spend!
Below you will find the full itinerary.
Phase 01: Meet up at the Domestic Terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport
After a light breakfast (or carry a packed breakfast - handy for any delays), we will escort you from the hotel to the domestic terminal of the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Our representative will brief you about the trip - the necessary guidelines and codes of conduct of the helicopter tour. You will also get to meet the captain of the helicopter. By the end of this phase, you will have all the information regarding the helicopter tour. Lets board and go!
(Note: The flight to Lukla typically starts early in the morning, between 6:30 am to 7 am. However, the timing of the flight may be altered or delayed as per the weather condition. The crew member will do a thorough check of the weather before flying. Please don’t be disappointed if there is any delay or cancellation due to the bad weather. We will reschedule. Safety is the first priority.)
Phase 02: Flight to Lukla (2,860m) and Refueling| Landing Time: 15 minutes
Flying over Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas there are many sights to enjoy on the way. We fly over picturesque settlements, lush hills and mountains. But most notable are the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Langtang Lirung, Gauri Shankar, Ganesh Himal, Shishapangma, and Ama Dablam.
Our helicopter will reach Lukla in 30 to 40 minutes. Lukla Airport is actually called the Hillary Tenzing Airport after those who first summited Everest, and is the entrance to the Everest Region. The airport is the refueling station for our Everest Helicopter Tour. We will stop for around 15 minutes, giving you time to take in the atmosphere and location of the vicinity. And get a few more photographs.
Phase 03: Flight to Kala Patthar | Flight Time: 15 minutes
The next stop is Kala Patthar, the ultimate landmark on this tour. Flying above 5,500m the views are steadily getting better and better!
We see not only mountain peaks but more villages and beautiful landscapes. We fly over the famous hamlets you may have heard of, such as Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, etc. We are in the heart of Sagarmatha National Park and the lower altitude vegetation is as lush as the mountains are high.
Kala Patthar sits at 5,644.5m, where our helicopter makes a smooth landing. Kala Patthar is the major highlight of this Helicopter Ride to Mount Everest as it is the best viewpoint for observing Everest. Not even at Everest Base Camp itself are the views so spectacular.
Phase 04: Photo opportunity at Kala Patthar | Landing Time: 15 minutes
Now we understand Kala Patthar’s legendary fame. The panorama of mountains is unbeatable! Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse, Pumori, Chumbu, Kangtega, Taboche, Lobuche, and of course Mt Everest are right there in front of us. This is what we have been waiting for!
With only 10 minutes to enjoy the heavenly view, it’s important to make the most of it. If the weather is perfect and the crew is confident of the conditions, you may be able to extend the time on the ground for a few minutes more. Let’s hope for that! The reasons for the short landing time are weather conditions and the fact that we are now standing at 5,500m. Without the acclimatization we would have gained walking slowly into the mountains for days on end, to stay here longer may pose the possibility of altitude sickness.
But this is definitely enough time to take in the panorama and snap some amazing photographs.
Phase 05: Flight to Syangboche and Breakfast at Hotel Everest View| Flight Time: 10 minutes, Landing Time: 30 minutes
After enjoying Kala Patthar, it is time to fly to Syangboche for breakfast - another Everest Helicopter Tour highlight! How could we have imagined having breakfast with such stunning views? We fly to the aptly named Hotel Everest View - one of the highest hotels in the world.
After landing, we'll climb the stairs to the hotel for the most picturesque breakfast ever. The glorious mountains, including Mt Everest and Ama Dablam, are spread out around us. As we sip our coffee, we can hardly believe our eyes. In total, we spend 30 minutes here before heading back to Lukla.
Phase 06: Flight to Lukla for Refueling and back to Kathmandu| Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Again we fly to Lukla for refueling. Following the same picturesque route, we spend 15 minutes at Lukla.
Once the helicopter is good to go, we’ll join the craft for yet more spectacular air time. The helicopter will fly over the stunning landscapes and Himalayas again. In around 50 minutes, we fly through the airspace at Kathmandu to make a landing at Tribhuvan International Airport’s domestic terminal. Wow! Did we really make that wonderful trip?
Best Time for a Helicopter Ride to Mount Everest
Although joining a helicopter tour is an exciting thing to do, picking the right time to do it is important.
In the case of the Everest Helicopter Tour, autumn and spring are the best times. But below we will explain the four seasons in detail.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing in Autumn
Running from September till November, autumn is the unbeatable season to visit Everest Base Camp. Whether by walking or flying, the season is great for adventures in the mountains. Why the autumn? The temperature is mild and warm throughout these months: the daytime temperature is around 15-20 degrees celsius. However, the temperature is cold during the night and early morning hours.
Moreover, autumn sees sunny days with excellent visibility. There are crystal clear mountain views all day and less change of changeable weather. Cloud, fog, and bad weather are not what autumn is famous for. Instead, it is known for clear and unobstructed mountain views. In this way, we recommend this as the best time for a helicopter ride to Mount Everest.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing in Spring
If there is any season that comes close to Autumn for traveling in Nepal, it is spring. The season lasts through March, April, and May, and is popular among visitors from around the globe. In fact, after autumn it is the peak season for traveling to Nepal.
Spring is the time when the landscapes of Nepal are full of colorful flowers and the temperature is also quite warm. The average temperature of the Everest Region in spring is around 15°C during the day, with a lower temperature at night and in the early morning.
The chances of rainfall and bad weather are similarly low like in autumn. That means we shouldn’t face any weather problems during our Everest Helicopter Tour in the spring. Instead, we’ll observe the undisturbed views of Mt Everest and other peaks.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing in Summer
Unlike spring and autumn, summer is not the right time for an Everest Helicopter Trip. This is the time for heavy rainfall in all parts of the country. Most of the regions receive heavy rainfall and remain wet throughout the season. Summer runs from June, and July, to the end of August and these are the wettest months in Nepal.
Due to continuous rainfall, the trekking trails of Nepal are wet during the monsoon season. Although the trails are less crowded during this season, the weather can be quite tricky. Clouds obstruct views, and rainfall, snowfall, and high wind can also occur. As a result, helicopter tours cannot operate freely during the summer monsoon period. There are more chances of delays than usual and chances are Mt Everest will remain under cloud cover.
But there are some fine days in summer too and on those, we will run the helicopter tour. If you are keen to come at that time we will do our best to find the right day for you.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing in Winter
December, January, and February are the three winter months in Nepal. If you travel to Nepal during these months, you will experience cold weather. Winter is about freezing weather and snowfall around the higher parts of Nepal. The temperature in the lower parts of the Everest Region remains around 5 to 10 degrees celsius.
People often feel winter as the wrong time for travelling in Nepal. But if you can handle the cold weather and the possibility of cloud, December and January can be good for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
This is the time of the year when Mt Everest remains white with newly fallen snow, making the views from Kala Patthar outstanding. Plus you can celebrate Christmas, New Year, and even Valentine's Day in the foothills of the world's most renowned mountain. That would be quite a memory!
So, what is the best time for the Everest Helicopter Tour?
As mentioned above, the Everest Helicopter Tour is doable throughout the year. All it takes is one good sunny, and clear day.
However, if you want fewer uncertainties regarding the weather, autumn and spring are the best times for the tour. The chances of delays and cancellations are quite low due to the favourable weather conditions. Everything is just perfect during these two seasons for a helicopter tour.
On the other hand, if you have time and don’t mind possible delays, winter and summer give you a very different flavour from autumn and summer and are also recommended. Why not come more than once?
Overall, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is doable throughout the year. Just one fine day is all we need for your once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Travel Tips and Safety Measures for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
Before Flight
- Pack all the essential belongings that you may require on tour.
- Do not carry heavy luggage.
- Listen carefully to your crew and do accordingly.
- Enter the aircraft by crouching.
- Grab onto your caps and other loose items.
- Do not run to catch the blown items by air.
- If dazed by dust, do crouch and stop assistance while getting off.
- Carry your bags below the waist.
During the Flight
- Be seated on your seat throughout the airtime.
- Keep your body hydrated.
- Wear warm and comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Follow the code of conduct thoroughly.
- Do not smoke inside the craft.
- Keep your seat belts tight.
- Do not change the seats.
- Ask your captain for permission to do things inside the helicopter.
Some Important Information to know about Helicopter Flight to Everest Base Camp
- The flight might get delayed, altered, and changed as per the weather conditions.
- The weather in the Everest Region frequently changes.
- The helicopter does not land unless the situation is favourable.
- The helicopter does not land for more than 10 minutes in high-elevation places like Kala Patthar.
- Captain keeps the engine of helicopter on throughout the landing period.
- The helicopters have emergency oxygen backup.
- The captain may allow you some extra minutes to enjoy views as per the situation.
- The captain entertains when and where to land in case of emergencies.
Other Helicopter Tour Services in Everest Region
Have a day left in Kathmandu and want to go to see Everest? Or already trekked to Lukla, Namche, or Gokyo and want to go for a fantastic Everest helicopter flight? If so, Sublime Trails offer these flight services on your demand. The flexible helicopter flight to Everest base camp from any point to Kala Patthar is available for you.
Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour
The safety and luxury of the Everest base camp helicopter tour package make it a traveler's favorite outing in 2022-2023.
The entire Everest helicopter tour with landing at Kala Patthar is a four-hour long day tour when you start from Kathmandu. We at Submile Trails offer you this tour service to make your Everest visit elevated.
Throughout the scenic flight, you'll witness a gradual change in landscape and vegetation. The lush forests near Lukla disappear as you reach Pheriche and Kala Patthar. You'll get an aerial view of all the peaks standing close to Everest.
The chopper from Kathmandu usually carries five passengers. You have to share the flight with others. This round trip also includes a luxury breakfast at Everest View Hotel.
Lukla to Everest base camp Helicopter tour
Felt tired in Lukla before reaching Everest? If so, Sublime Trails offers an Everest helicopter tour from Lukla with a landing at Kala Patthar to keep your Everest sightseeing dream alive.
Travelers initially take flights to Lukla and a helicopter fly-out to Everest base camp. In this way, they save the helicopter flight cost from Kathmandu. But before even reaching Lukla, they get tired. Soaring altitude & the rugged Everest trekking trail are difficult for many. People often get vertigo when trekking to Namche and Pheriche from Lukla.
Moreover, altitude sickness and fatigue are also likely to occur as you start to trek past Namche, even getting acclimatized. For such issues, one best ways of getting glimpses of Everest is a helicopter tour.
Four hour Everest helicopter tour from Lukla to Kala Patthar satisfies your Everest sightseeing craving. The flight time from Lukla to Kala Patthar is 15 minutes. Throughout, you'll get a bird's eye view of Namche, Pheriche, Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, and several prominent peaks of the Khumbu region.
A 15-minute sightseeing window at Kala Patthar becomes a life-enduring memory. In retrospect, you'll enjoy the joy of this outing for years.
Namche to Everest base camp Helicopter tour
Are you planning an Everest Base Camp helicopter tour while acclimating at Namche Bazar? If so, we at Sublime Trails provide a fantastic Everest base camp helicopter tour and sightseeing at your request anytime.
Alluring mountains, suspension bridges, and the Dudh Koshi river throughout the trail to Namche Bazar are joyous. Also, you'll have some good days of trekking experience till you reach Namche. Fatigue and altitude sickness with a continuous walk past Namche could be the issue. So, in this situation, an Everest helicopter flight to Kala Patthar stands as the best choice for you.
The group-sharing Everest helicopter tour from Namche is affordable and is for 15 minutes. You'll observe a striking Tobuche peak standing tall opposite Namche Bazar.
Everest View Hotel to Everest base camp helicopter tour
Everest View Hotel sitting at 3,880 meters, offers minor glimpses of Everest, Ama Dablam, and several peaks.
Don't you want the bird's eye glimpses of Everest after being this close? It will be a blunder if you please yourself only with the minor glimpses of mountains from the hotel's courtyard.
Travelers take routine flights from Kathmandu-Lukla & hike to Everest View Hotel. Most people fly back to Kathmandu after spending a day or two here. To make the Everest region tour the best, one day Mount Everest Base Camp helicopter tour is ideal.
Several things make the Everest base camp flight from Everest View Hotel a sublime tour experience. You'll get a bird's-eye view of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Cho Oyu as you soar past Everest View Hotel. The cost of an Everest helicopter tour from the Everest View Hotel to Kala Patthar is less than from Kathmandu.
Gokyo to Everest base camp helicopter tour
Don't you want a scenic Everest base camp helicopter tour for sightseeing of the Khumbu region and Everest after coming this far to Gokyo? Flying to Everest Base Camp for sightseeing is the icing on the cake of your Himalayas sightseeing trip.
At 4,750 meters, Gokyo, a jewel of Khumbu, is the perfect Everest region trekking locale. It's a wonder of Sagarmatha National Park that lures thousands of visitors every year.
Gokyo Ri at Gokyo Valley is a place for viewing Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and several prominent peaks. But, you won't get the desired view of these peaks as you imagine them. Thus, Kala Patthar is a prime location for the best view of these mountains.
Reaching Gokyo by trekking makes you tired. You can continue the walk to Kala Patthar from Gokyo, but it will be strenuous. To make a one-day Everest base camp viewing tour easy, you can opt for a helicopter service from Gokyo valley. For you, Sublime Trails provides a helicopter tour service from Gokyo to Everest base camp at affordable rates.
