| Trip code | HH- EV-HELI-TR |
| Package name | Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour |
| Duration | 1 |
| Max. elevation | 5545 m |
| Level | EASY |
| Transportation | <p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span>All ground transportation and flight as per itinerary. </p> |
| Accomodation | None |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | Kathmandu-Lukla-EBC/Kalapatthar-Lukla-Kathmandu |
| Cost | USD 1,275 per person |
"Celebrate Astonishing Ariel Views of Mt. Everest and Step at Kalapattar(5545m) and Everest Base Camp (5364m)"
"Imagine of flying to Everest and landing at Everest Base Camp (5364m) or Kalapattar(5545m) and make it happen within 2 hours of Time"
"Witness Mt. Everest , top of the world from the closest viewpoint, Kalapattar and capture the moments"
The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is required to enter the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the Everest region. The permit aims to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the area and funds various conservation and development projects. It is issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and allows trekkers to explore the stunning landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and the unique Sherpa culture of the region. It costs $30 per person.
To obtain this permit, traveler can either apply individually or through a registered trekking agency in Nepal. The permits can be obtained in Kathmandu or in Lukla, the starting point of the Everest Base Camp trek but it is not possible to collect as your are flying by helicopter directly. It is important to carry this permit throughout the tour and present them at various checkpoints along the route.
All the required permits are included in the cost you pay for your Everest Helicopter Tour. No extra cost will be charged for EBC Helicopter Tour.
Rest of the permits like TIMS Card and Khumbu Local Area Entry Permit are not required for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour like in Everest Base Camp Trek.
Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp Helicopter Price is categorized in two different types: Private Helicopter Price and Sharing Helicopter Price.
The Sharing Helicopter Price is USD 1385 and private helicopter ride price is USD 4500.
If you have got a few people like 4-5, you can go with private helicopter sharing the total cost USD 4500 but if you are willing to join with group of 4 or 5 people in the helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu, then, you will just pay USD 1385.
In sharing helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu, the helicopter may require doing shuttle flight from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and back. Be ready to wait at Lukla till other people return from Everest Base Camp/Kalapattar. This will take place due to weight limit in the helicopter at high elevation. Actually, helicopter can carry maximum 450-500 kg at higher elevation above 4000m.
The price you pay will include your flight to Everest Base Camp and back to Kathmandu via Hotel Everest View and Lukla airport with required entry permit. But you meals and snacks are not included.
Actually, this helicopter tour is as popular as the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour but sometimes it should be named as Kalapatthar Helicopter Tour because, mostly, people love landing at Kalapatthar to Everest Base Camp since Kalapatthar offers more marvelous views of mountain summits including Mt. Everest. Also, it is believed that stopping/ landing at Kalapatthar is better than landing at Everest Base Camp.
Everest Heli Tour Video
06:00 AM: Transfer from hotel to Kathmandu Airport/ Helipad
06:15 AM: Check-in at Helicopter counter (please bring a passport copy)
06:30 AM: Flight to Lukla airport by Heli (20 minutes flight)
07:30 AM: Defuel at Lukla( 10-15 minutes)
07:50 AM: Flight towards Khumbu and Everest Base Camp( 15 minutes)
08:25 AM: Overfly the Everest Base Camp & Land at Kalapatthar 5400m for photos and video ( maximum 20 minutes)
08:55 AM: Flight to Shyangboche hill view-point - Mt. Everest View Hotel & have the optional breakfast. ( half an hour)
09:35 AM: Ride back to Kathmandu/ may stop at Lukla for fuel ( 15 minutes)
11:00 AM: Arrival Kathmandu and Transfer to hotel( 20 minutes drive)
The total time is about five hours, with a 10 to maximum 30 minutes landing at Kalapatthar for photos and videos and a 30-minute stop at Shyangboche for optional breakfast at Everest View Hotel. The tour route includes take off from Kathmandu to Lukla, where the helicopter will refuel once. From Lukla, you will overfly the Everest Base Camp and land at Kalapatthar, from where you can see the view of Mt. Everest up close. Finally, you will return to Kathmandu.
The helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp is an incredible adventure and exciting helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu, offering breathtaking views of the worlds highest peaks including Mt. Everest (8848.86) without the need for extensive duration. You can witness the most majestic views of Pumori, Nupse, Loa Tse, Makalu, Amadablam, Thamserkhu and the most stunning Everest.
The helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu Take off begins from the Kathmandu airport after you are dropped off from the hotel you stay. Actually, the driver will go to receive you at the hotel you stay and transfer to the Kathmandu airport, domestic terminal for your Everest Base Camp Helicopter Flight. After you go the Kathmandu airport, the flight will take off in few minutes.
Typically, the duration of a helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp ranges from 4 to 5 hours, depending on various factors such as weather conditions and the specific itinerary. Generally speaking , the duration of Everest Helicopter is 3-4 hours including the time of landing at Kalapatthar(5545m), half an hour time for capturing marvelous views of Mt. Everest and other mountain summits, landing and having breakfast or some light snacks at Everest View Hotel (3880m), take off time from Kathmandu and landing and refueling at Lukla (2900m). Among these various breaks during the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu, you will absolutely celebrate two moments: Landing at Kalapatthar and capturing the most stunning views of Mt. Everest and Kahumbu Glacier and enjoy having snacks at Everest View Hotel which is the hotel located at the highest elevation of the world.
Initially, the helicopter will head towards the north of Kathmandu Valley which is Langtang mountain range and within few minutes, the helicopter switches its flight towards Everest region passing through Dolakah and Ramechhap districts and land at Lukla for refueling and may be for shuttle flights if the weight limits exceeds than 450kg and you may have to wait there for 15-20 minutes for refueling and then another hour for the shuttle flight. Actually, refueling is compulsory and you are going to halt there for 15-20 minutes at Lukla airport and the shuttle flight is not mandatory if you are 3 or less than that.
Lukla is the first direction and location we land at and spend 15-20 minutes there and if you have 5 people in the helicopter, you may have to wait another hour there at Lukla for the shuttle flight.
Then, you will head towards Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar through Sagarmatha Natonal Park flying over Nmache and Lobuche. The helicopter, finally, lands at Kalapatthar where there is a helipad. You will enjoy the marvelous views directly facing towards Mt. Everest and Khumbu Glacier.
After you spend around 30 minutes there at Kalapattar, you will fly towards south to land at Syangboche airport or Lukla airport to have some light snacks and refueling and ultimately you will fly towards southwest from Lukla and land at Kathmandu airport and transferred to Hotel.
You will have 2-3 halts in your during your Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing from Kathmandu. These halts are: at Lukla for refueling (twice) and shuttle flight, Syangboche/Everest View Hotel for the snacks. During these halts, you can explore the Lukla city and the Lukla airport spending 20-30 minutes before you fly to Everest Base Camp/Kalapatthar. If you need to wait for the shuttle flight from Lukla to Everest Base Camp/Kalapatthar, you can take more time like about an hour to explore Lukla city and Lukla airport with some favorite items of food and spend some time getting some souvenirs. Mostly, people do get the souvenirs, walk through the Lukla city and Lukla Airport and have tea, coffee, light snacks or breakfast. Make beautiful photographs and enjoy talking to local people at Lukla.
When you have chance to land at Everest View Hotel, you will definitely have breakfast or light snacks with beautiful coffee/tea facing to Everest. Actually, you are going to have very exciting halt at the hotel located at the highest elevation of the world which was begun by a Japanese man. Enjoy your favorite snack type from the menu of Everest View Hotel and create history in your life.
Enjoy stunning aerial views of the Himalayas, including Langtang Mountain range, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Thamserkhu, Ama Dablam, local towns like Ramechhap, Dolakha, Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, Periche, Dingboche, Gorekhshep, Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the national park located at the highest elevation of the world and more. Actually, the combination of clouds, blue sky and the mountain views will be mesmerizing to see during the flight.
Experience the thrill of landing at Kalapathar (5545m/18,192 ft.) not at Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598 ft.) because helicopters for Ebc tour cannot land at Everest Base Camp as it is not allowed. Only the helicopters that are going and doing Everest Expeditions are allowed to land at Everest Base Camp. Actually, Everest Base Camp is very fragile to land too many helicopters as the base of the Everest Base Camp is formed by Khumbu Glacier which may not be able to hold numerous helicopter flights. But, Landing at Kalapatthar is far better than landing at Everest Base Camp. It is because Kalapatthar is better viewpoint to see Everest and other mountain summits including Khumbu glacier. Therefore, you are landing at Kalapatthar where we have a solid, compact and safe helipad. You will capture marvelous mountain summits from Kalapatthar.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Landing from Kathmandu will be for maximum 30 minutes. This timing is offered to you for the exploration and photos. You will come out of helicopter and walk down at the helipad of Kalapatthar. The weather will be very windy and chilling cold. However, you will relish this short walk to the top of the Kalapatthar or you can capture marvelous views from the helipad as well. In this 30 minutes time, you will be able to witness Mt. Everest and all surrounding mountain summits. Even, you can capture marvelous mountain views into your cameras as photos or videos. The photos or videos you capture from Kalapatthar will be iconic and legendary for lifetime.
If we spend longer hours like 1-2 hours or more than 30 minutes, there will be high possibility of getting altitude sickness as we land at Kalapattahr 5545m directly from Kathmandu 1300m. So, it is not good to spend longer hours there at Kalapattar while landing for the altitude related issue.
You are given 20-30 minutes time for the photography and exploration Kalapatthar where you land for Everest and other mountain views. You can utilize this time fully with capturing magnificent photos and videos and more importantly, you can capture the most stunning views by your inward mind that is your mind and soul and that is the most important moment for you during this landing. It means, you can enjoy making as many photographs and videos you like while landing. But, drone is not allowed during this landing. Capture unforgettable moments against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
Weather plays a vital role in helicopter tours to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu. Flights are subject to weather conditions, and delays or cancellations may occur for safety reasons. If the weather condition is poor, you may have to wait the right and fair weather to change. It may be like 1-2 hours delay to wait for the good weather in Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar.
Actually, the riders/travelers should consider one very important thing in their mind that is: the weather condition in Everest region and Lukla keeps constantly changing in every half an hour or even in 15 minutes. Therefore, they should prepare accordingly. It is not safe to fly to Everest Base Camp , Kalapatthar or Lukla from Kathmandu if the weather is not favorable. So, do not panic if you have booked your helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu in case it gets delayed or even it get cancelled if the weather condition gets worse day by day and you will get the refund. Please, do not blame the crew members for the delays and cancellation; it is for your safety. You yourself need to be very watchful about the weather condition of Kathmandu, Lukla and Everest Base Camp before you fly there.
It’s recommended to book your helicopter tour in advance, at least a day prior, to secure your spot. Before you book your helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu, check the weather condition for the next day. It is suggested to find the weather forecast of Kathmandu, Lukla and Everest Base Camp of the day when you are flying to EBC.
Dress in layers to prepare for fluctuating temperatures. Bring warm clothing, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to protect you from the sun's glare and cold weather. Also, carry warm water because you need it while landing at Kalapatthar as it chilling cold. Bring a pair of warm gloves, selfie stick, and camera lens if you want and also can carry light snacks to bite on in case you are hungry while landing at Kalapatthar. Most importantly, you have to protect your body and your gadgets while landing at Kalapatthar. Make sure that you have planned for them properly.
Consider potential altitude-related health risks, especially if you're prone to altitude sickness and be aware of symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. Actually, you are flying to Everest Base Camp(5364m) and landing at Kalapatthar(5545m) via Lukla ( 2900m) from Kathmandu (1300m). So, you are directly switching to Everest Base Camp and Lukla from Kathmandu which means a huge elevation gain for your body and there is possibility of high altitude sickness while landing at Kalapatthar. Moreover, if you have got serious cardiac issues, Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu is not recommended. In case you get the altitude sickness and any other sudden incidents that may occur while landing at Kalapatthar, you have to bear all loss by yourself. Therefore, make sure that your health condition is good enough to fly to Everest Base Camp and land at Kalapatthar from Kathmandu switching the elevations like 1300m-2900m-5364m-5545m.
Safety is paramount during helicopter tours. Ensure that the operator follows strict safety protocols and employs experienced pilots with extensive knowledge of the region. Also, you should be careful about your own safety with all required trekking equipment and very reliable trekking gears. Do not run haphazardly here and there without the permission and instruction of the crew members. Please, do not get too much excited to walk and run with your own whims and emotions while landing at Kalapatthar. Be patient, be calm, be cool and get mesmerized with astonishing mountain panoramas with Everest and Khumbu glacier. Capture them with your inward eyes and the cameras, be careful about the altitude sickness related problems and issues. If you have doubts that you have some issues like dizziness, vomiting, headache and some other symptoms similar like this, you have to report it immediately to your crew members. You may need rescue from the landing place, Kalapatthar.
Environmental Considerations
Respect the environment and follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Avoid littering and adhere to guidelines provided by your tour operator to minimize your impact on the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas. We give our homage to nature as god and we try our best to protect and make it better in your every trip package in both cities and mountains. We humbly request you all not to leave any trash, even a tiny piece of paper and even a piece of nail from your fingertips. However, you can enjoy the views and the landscapes without spoiling the nature. While landing at Kalapatthar, you will see some trash scattered here and there at Kalapatthar and you can collect the garbage and trash while landing there for half an hour. So, if you can protect the nature there at Kalapatthar, do it, otherwise, do not dare to litter there.
After you have snacks and tea/coffee at Everest View Hotel (3880m), you will fly back to Kathmandu. Before you fly to Kathmandu, there, may be a tiny stop at Lukla to collect the people who are waiting for your shuttle flight or refueling for 10-15 minutes. Ultimately, you will fly to Kathmandu airport through alluring mountain landscapes.
You land at Kathmandu airport and you will be transferred to the hotel where you stay. If you are staying in Thamel, it takes only 20-30 minutes to get it. Check in the hotel and get refreshed and proceed ahead for other activities.