Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is a one-day trip that takes you from Kathmandu to the base camp of the highest mountain, Mt. Everest. For most, it is a lifetime highlight with stunning mountain views and a brief, memorable escape to the Everest region, Nepal's wonderland.
Starting your morning from the bustling city of Kathmandu, you will embark on a memory-of-a-lifetime helicopter ride to Everest. The helicopter will provide breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and other iconic summits. Expect to be blown away by the stunning view from Kala Patthar, where the epic scenery rivals Base Camp.
But the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is more than just a visual feast. It's an immersion into the culture of the Himalayas, a chance to understand the people who call these formidable heights their home.
From the aerial vantage point, you'll see the intricate patterns of terraced fields, evidence of the harmonious relationship between humanity and the land. Sherpa villages dot the landscape, vibrant and resilient, their traditions intertwining with the natural rhythms of the mountains.
After a memorable scenery around you in all directions, we fly down to Everest View Hotel, where breakfast is ready to be served. Breakfast in the mountains is yet another royalty only a few get to experience. As you sip your coffee and absorb nature's artistry, it suddenly feels like home, like you were meant to be here.
The Helicopter tour to Everest base camp is famous because it eliminates the need to trek to Everest Base Camp. While some like to leave their footprints on the entire trail, some choose to directly reach the destination.
If, like them, you are also short of time or simply want to do it your way, the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is for you.
Unlike the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Helicopter Tour to Everest Base Camp comes with little to no restrictions. Anyone above age 6 is considered fit for the trip. This trip is also popular among travelers who are on a visit to Nepal and want to add a 1-day plan to their bucket list. After all, who wouldn't want to visit Everest when they're in the country that hosts it?
Highlights: Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
- Intimate views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Nuptse, etc. from air and ground
- Safe and luxurious journey to the Everest region
- Scenic helicopter flight with a clear aerial view of the Himalayan ranges
- Bird's-eye view of unique hamlets like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, etc
- Land at high-altitude Lukla Airport, an experience in itself
- Get close-up views of EBC and Kala Patthar, the best vantage point of Everest and neighboring peaks
- Breakfast at the highest-altitude hotel in the world
- Observe pristine lakes, Khumbu Glacier, lush forests, wide valleys, rivers, and more in comfort and safety
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Flight Route and Map
- Helicopter ride from Tribhuvan International Airport domestic terminal (Kathmandu, 4,344 ft/ 1,324 m) to Lukla Airport (9,334 ft/ 2,845 m).
- Refuel at Lukla, flight to Pheriche
- Regrouping at Pheriche and flight to Everest Base Camp.
- Descent to Everest View Hotel (13,000 ft/ 3,962 m) for breakfast.
- Fly back to Lukla, refuel, and back to Kathmandu.
Sharing vs. Private Helicopter Tour to Everest Base Camp
On the Everest Base Camp Helicopter ride tour, you can either take a shared or private booking option.
Shared Helicopter Tour to Everest
In the shared plan, you simply share the helicopter with other enthusiasts like you who want to get to the Everest region. The group of 5 people will stay the same throughout the trip. This way, you can form a bond in the same group even if you are strangers at first!
These are the features of a shared helicopter tour:
Cost-Effective: Shared tours are generally more budget-friendly as the cost is divided among multiple participants. You pay a lot less for a shared trip than for a private charter to Everest.
Group Experience: You'll be sharing the helicopter with other travelers. This is a great way to meet new people and share the excitement and beauty of the Everest region.
Fixed Itinerary: Shared tours follow a set itinerary with predetermined flight routes, landing spots, and timings. This keeps you informed on what to expect during the trip and prepares you accordingly.
Limited Flexibility: Due to the fixed itinerary, there is limited flexibility to customize the tour to your preferences.
Private Helicopter Tour to Everest
The private Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour offers an unparalleled journey into the heart of the Himalayas, combining exclusivity, customization, and the luxury of having the entire experience tailored to your preferences.
Here's a closer look at what the private tour entails:
Exclusivity and Privacy: You get an intimate and private setting, allowing you to immerse yourselves fully in the experience without the presence of other participants.
Customization: You have the flexibility to shape the itinerary according to your interests and preferences. Whether you want to spend more time at specific viewpoints, have extra landings, or alter the flight route, a private tour allows you to curate the adventure to suit your vision.
Flexible Itinerary: You can discuss the exact timing of takeoff from Kathmandu, for example. Furthermore, the trip can be modified to some extent - your group can choose to visit the fabled Gokyo lakes and other vicinities.
Personalized Experience: The crew's undivided attention is focused solely on your comfort and enjoyment. Whether it's sharing insights about the landmarks, assisting with photography, or answering questions about the region, the crew's attentiveness enhances your experience.
Ideal for Special Occasions: Private Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tours are often chosen for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or proposals.
Unobstructed Views and Photography: With fewer passengers on board, you have unobstructed views from every angle, allowing for exceptional photography opportunities.
Safety and Comfort:
Private tours prioritize your safety and comfort. While safety is guaranteed in the shared plan too, you can also take breaks or enjoy refreshments more relaxedly on a private trip.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost
The minimum cost of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is 1100 USD and goes up to 1500 USD. Meanwhile, the private charter flight will cost from 5000 to 5500 USD.
In either of the cases, the exact price you'll pay will depend on your group size, i.e. how many travelers book the trip. Apart from this, the price also fluctuates with season, specific customization, and other inclusions. Because of high demand and less availability of choppers, you might pay more in the spring season.
The bigger your group is, the lower the trip will cost for each individual in the shared plan. Please see the table below for how Sublime Trails allocates costs for different helicopter tours.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Group Cost Table
Group Size | Trip Cost | Cost Valid Date | Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|
1 pax | 1500 USD | 2023- 2024 | |
2 pax | 1400 USD | 2023- 2024 | |
3 pax | 1300 USD | 2023- 2024 | |
4 pax | 1200 USD | 2023- 2024 | |
5 pax | 1100 USD | 2023- 2024 |
Note: Group Price is not applicable during October and November. (Contact us for any clarification needed)
Meanwhile, booking a private trip gives you more flexibility and allows you to enjoy the journey with your closed ones. The cost of a private charter for a single helicopter trip is 4500 USD for a group of 1-3 individuals. Meanwhile, if your group has 3 to 5 members, the private trip will cost you 5000 USD. Hence, if you plan to book a private helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp, the cost per individual varies depending on the size of your group.
Note that there is a different pricing dynamics when it comes to private booking. When we take a private trip of 3 individuals or less, we don't have to divide the group in Pheriche for weight limitations. This lets the pilot avoid shuttling each subgroup to and from Pherice. In other words, the helicopter will take you directly from Lukla to EBC and Kala Patthar. Meanwhile, in a group of 4-5 individuals, the to and fro shuttling is needed, resulting in added costs.
You can book a private charter helicopter tour during booking from the add-ons section. Fill out this simple inquiry form and our representative will reach out to help you plan and customize your special trip to Everest!
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