Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour costs USD 1,300 per person on a group-shared basis. This price may vary depending on the group size.

If you prefer a more exclusive and flexible experience, private helicopter tours are also available. Please contact us for the private charter price and arrangements.

Helicopter flights to the Everest region are highly dependent on weather and flying conditions. If the flight is cancelled from Kathmandu before departure, the airport transfer cost will be deducted, while the remaining unused tour amount will be refunded.

If the helicopter departs Kathmandu but the flight is cancelled or forced to return from Lukla or another point in the Everest region, the costs incurred up to that point, including the applicable helicopter/flight and other services already used, will be deducted. The remaining unused amount will then be refunded.

Refunds are calculated based on the actual services used and the costs incurred up to the point of cancellation.

Though food items are not included in this package, we make arrangements for a stop at the Everest View Hotel. The Everest View Hotel offers a variety of delicious food items specially prepared for, catering to the tastes and preferences of travelers. While the menu can vary, here are some typical food items you might find at the Everest View Hotel:

• Nepali Cuisine:

Enjoy authentic Nepali dishes such as dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), momo (dumplings), and gundruk (fermented leafy greens). These traditional dishes offer a taste of the local culture.

• International Cuisine:

The hotel often serves a range of international dishes, including pasta, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches, to accommodate diverse palates.

• Himalayan Specialties:

Savor regional specialties like yak steak or yak cheese, providing a unique Himalayan culinary experience.

• Breakfast Options:

Begin your day with hearty breakfast options such as eggs, toast, pancakes, and fresh fruit. A hot cup of coffee or tea complements the mountain mornings.

• Drinks:

The Everest View Hotel serves a selection of drinks, including herbal teas, regional alcoholic beverages, and cool soft drinks. Don’t pass up the chance to sample classic butter tea.

• Bakery Products:

Indulge in some freshly baked bread, pastries, and cakes, which are ideal for a sweet treat or a quick snack.

• Vegetarian choices:

The hotel often offers vegetarian and vegan alternatives to satisfy guests’ dietary preferences and requirements.

The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is operated using high-altitude-capable helicopters, commonly including the Airbus H125 (formerly AS350 B3) and other aircraft approved for operations in Nepal. The exact helicopter may vary depending on availability, passenger numbers, weather conditions, and the operating airline. Rather than focusing only on the helicopter model, it is more useful for travelers to understand its capacity, high-altitude capability, and safety features.

Passenger Capacity

The Airbus H125 (AS350 B3), commonly used for high-altitude helicopter operations, can accommodate up to 5 passengers plus 1 pilot under standard operating conditions. However, for Everest-region flights, the actual number of passengers carried may be lower depending on passenger weight, baggage, fuel requirements, weather, and altitude. 

 If the group exceeds the helicopter’s permitted capacity, passengers may be shuttled through Pheriche in multiple flights before continuing toward Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.

Safety is our top priority throughout the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. Flights to the Everest region are operated only when weather, visibility, and flying conditions are considered suitable. Experienced helicopter pilots familiar with the challenging Himalayan terrain handle the flight, while the itinerary is adjusted when necessary due to weather or operational conditions.

Because the tour reaches high altitudes of around 5,545 m at Kala Patthar, passengers are advised to follow the pilot and crew’s instructions. If weather conditions deteriorate or the flight cannot be operated safely, the flight may be delayed, shortened, or cancelled. We also recommend informing the crew about any health concerns before departure and staying well hydrated throughout the tour.

We guarantee that our Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour will be a safe trip. Furthermore, this trip is ideal for anyone who is disabled or has an illness that prevents them from trekking to Everest Base Camp.

Safety Guidelines

• When you board your helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp, buckle up.
• It is not recommended to switch seats or get up during a trip.
• During your flight, smoking is not permitted.
• When you are in flight, you have to do as the pilot says.
• Follow the weight restrictions given by the operator and refrain from carrying luggage.
• Always be aware of the helicopter’s rotor blades when getting in or out of the aircraft. Wait for the pilot’s signal before approaching or leaving the helicopter.
• If you tend to experience altitude sickness or have any existing health issues, it’s advisable to seek advice from a healthcare provider before joining the tour.

There are several flexible ways to combine trekking and a helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar. These options are especially useful for trekkers who have already gained significant altitude but feel too tired to continue walking, have limited time, or simply want to avoid the most demanding sections of the trek.

1. Tengboche to Everest Base Camp by Helicopter

After trekking to Tengboche, you can take a helicopter toward Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar instead of continuing the entire trek on foot. This is a great option for those who want to experience the Everest region but prefer to reduce the number of high-altitude walking days. After enjoying the views of Everest, Khumbu Glacier, and surrounding peaks, you can fly back to Kathmandu.

2. Namche Bazaar to Everest Base Camp by Helicopter

Trekkers who have traveled to Namche Bazaar from Lukla have the option of shortening their journey. You can save time and energy by skipping 3 to 4 days of walking by taking a helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp or the base of Kalapathar. This allows you to combine the experience of trekking through the famous Everest region with an aerial journey to the route’s highest highlights. After sightseeing, you can return by helicopter to Kathmandu or, depending on the flight arrangement, to Lukla.

3. Dingboche to Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar by Helicopter

For trekkers who have reached Dingboche and are beginning to feel exhausted from walking at high altitude, this can be one of the most convenient options. From Dingboche, you can take a helicopter toward Everest Base Camp or the Kala Patthar area to enjoy spectacular close-up views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. After sightseeing, you can fly back to Kathmandu or Lukla.

This option is particularly attractive because you have already trekked deep into the Everest region and experienced the high-altitude landscape on foot. Instead of pushing yourself through several more demanding trekking days, you can complete the final section by helicopter while still experiencing the iconic sights of Everest.

The Gorakshep is one of the highest points on the Everest trail at 5,140 meters. After completing the ascent to Everest Base Camp, you might want to skip the descent journey for a comfortable and luxurious helicopter ride because once you reach the base camp, you will already have a sense of accomplishment from reaching there on foot.

So, instead of returning along the same route, you might want to make your return journey more interesting by choosing a different route via a helicopter ride. The helicopter ride is 151 kilometers away from the capital city. It will take about an hour to reach Kathmandu, whereas it will only take 15-20 minutes to reach Lukla.

We offer a separate package for this particular flight arrangement where we take care of the trekking journey until you reach the Everest Base Camp. After that, we bring you back to Lukla or Kathmandu via helicopter, i.e Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter return

The advantage of these options is that you don’t have to choose between a traditional trek and a helicopter tour. You can experience both. You can trek through villages such as Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, or Lobuche, experience the Himalayan culture and landscapes, and then use a helicopter for the final high-altitude section.

It can be a practical choice when:

• You are feeling physically tired after several days of trekking.
• You want to avoid additional strenuous walking at high altitude.
• You have limited time.
• You want to see Everest Base Camp and/or Kala Patthar without completing the entire route on foot.
• You have already experienced the Everest trekking trail and want to finish the journey more comfortably.

Note: Helicopter landing and sightseeing locations can depend on weather, visibility, aviation restrictions, and operational conditions. In some arrangements, the helicopter may not land directly at Everest Base Camp and may instead use the Kala Patthar area or another suitable location.

Along with our standard Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, we offer several flight options designed to suit different interests and itineraries. Whether you want to land at Kala Patthar for the closest panoramic views of Mt. Everest or combine the Everest experience with the turquoise waters of Gokyo Lake, you can choose the package that best matches your travel plans.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Kala Patthar Landing: Enjoy a scenic flight over the Everest region with a landing at Kala Patthar, one of the best viewpoints for spectacular close-up views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Pumori, and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Gokyo Landing: Combine the Everest experience with a visit to the beautiful Gokyo Valley. Fly over the dramatic Himalayan landscape and land near Gokyo to enjoy views of the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, Ngozumpa Glacier, and surrounding peaks before continuing your flight.

Luxury Everest View Trek with Helicopter Tour: Trek into the Everest region and enjoy the Himalayan scenery on foot before taking a helicopter flight to experience the spectacular Everest Base Camp area from the air. This is a great option for travelers who want to combine a short trek with a helicopter experience.

BoldHimalaya offers an exciting range of Everest helicopter tour services that provide a unique and unforgettable experience of the Everest region.

We arrange accommodations and transportation to create itineraries that showcase the natural beauty and cultural richness of the area upon request. Our dedicated team of travel experts works closely with clients to understand their preferences and customize tour packages that suit their needs.

We take care of all the details to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. With a strong network of trusted tour operators and guides, we prioritize safety and professionalism. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and our passion for creating extraordinary travel experiences set us apart as a leading travel operator in the Everest region.

You might wonder what are the distinct experiences we get by joining the helicopter from Kathmandu and Lukla. Starting the journey from Kathmandu enables a scenic flight that encompasses the gradual transition from the lowland areas to the towering peaks of the Himalayas. This route provides a diverse visual experience, showcasing terraced fields, the Kathmandu Valley, and the majestic mountains. However, it entails a longer flight duration and reduced acclimatization time as travelers are swiftly transported to higher altitudes, potentially increasing the risk of altitude-related issues.

In contrast, beginning the tour from Lukla provides immediate immersion into the breathtaking Himalayan landscape. The flight from Lukla is notably shorter, ensuring quicker access to the iconic peaks. Moreover, this route allows for a more gradual ascent, enabling travelers to acclimatize better to the high-altitude environment, which is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience in the Everest region.

Although helicopter tours from Lukla are generally more cost-effective due to the reduced flight distance, availability can be limited during peak trekking seasons. The choice between the two starting points ultimately hinges on individual preferences, budget considerations, and the importance of acclimatization for each traveler.

Interested in helicopter tours beyond Everest? We also offer helicopter tour packages in other spectacular Himalayan destinations of Nepal, including the Annapurna and Langtang regions. We can arrange a suitable helicopter experience based on your time and preferences. We offer:

• Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour
• Gosaikunda Lake Helicopter Tour

Returning to Kathmandu, visitors may dive further into the city’s cultural riches. They may immerse themselves in Nepal’s architectural heritage by visiting historic landmarks such as Durbar Square. The calm surroundings of Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, are packed with panoramic vistas and spiritual tranquillity.

Thamel’s bustling streets are home to a wide variety of local delights, ranging from crafts to gastronomic excursions. Savoring the varied flavors of local foods becomes a vital experience while sampling true Nepali cuisine.

A visit to the famed Pashupatinath Temple reveals the rich fabric of Hindu traditions, while periods of quiet in the Garden of Dreams provide an ideal location for introspection. These contacts construct a distinct post-tour narrative, adding to the tapestry of their Nepalese journey.