Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing – 1 Day – Tour of Nepal
Duration: 5 Hours
Difficulty Level: Easy
Max. Altitude: 5545m
Group Size: 2+
Trip Starts: Kathmandu
Trip Ends: Kathmandu
Group Style: Group and Private
Activities: Helicopter Sightseeing Tour
Best Season: Throughout the Year
Highlights of the Tour
Experience the thrill of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing, where you’ll witness the awe-inspiring Himalayan range from an aerial perspective. From the towering peaks like Everest and Lhotse to the deep valleys and rugged landscapes, the tour provides an unforgettable experience. Some of the major highlights include:
– Aerial View of the Himalayas: Soar above the majestic Himalayas, taking in breathtaking views of towering snow-covered peaks, vast valleys, and remote villages.
– Landing at Lukla: The helicopter will make a brief stop at Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region, for refueling and to experience the exhilarating takeoffs and landings at Lukla’s famous short runway.
– Flying Through Sherpa Villages: Travel over picturesque Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche, and Tengboche, as well as past famous summits like Ama Dablam and Nuptse.
– Kalapatthar or Everest Base Camp Landing: The highlight of the trip is landing at Kalapatthar or nearby Everest Base Camp, offering close-up views of Everest and the surrounding peaks.
– Views of the Khumbu Icefall: During your flight, enjoy a spectacular aerial view of the Khumbu Icefall, the most treacherous section of the Everest ascent.
Starting and Ending Points of the Tour
This one-day helicopter tour begins and ends in Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll be greeted by a representative from Tour of Nepal, who will transfer you to the domestic terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport. The helicopter flight will then take you on an unforgettable journey from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp, with stops along the way for refueling and exploration.
Mountains You Will See During the Tour
Throughout the journey, you’ll encounter some of the world’s most iconic peaks. Prominent mountains include Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Thamserku, and many more. Depending on the weather, the route may vary, but rest assured, you’ll get unparalleled views of the Himalayan range from every angle.
Is the Helicopter Tour Safe?
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is conducted with strict safety standards, using experienced pilots familiar with the challenging terrain. While flying in the Himalayas has inherent risks, Tour of Nepal ensures the use of well-maintained helicopters and follows best practices to minimize any danger. It’s important to note that the high-altitude environment adds some complexity, but the safety protocols in place make this experience relatively safe.
Why Helicopters Don’t Land at Everest Base Camp
Several factors prevent helicopters from landing directly at Everest Base Camp, despite its allure.
- High Altitude and Thin Air: Everest Base Camp sits at an altitude of about 5,364 meters (17,598 feet), where the thinner air limits helicopter performance, particularly in generating enough lift.
- Limited Landing Space: The rugged terrain of Everest Base Camp makes it difficult for helicopters to land safely.
- Weather Conditions: The weather in the Everest region is unpredictable, with strong winds and freezing temperatures that make helicopter operations risky at times.
Landing Place During the Tour
While you won’t land directly at Everest Base Camp, you’ll be taken to Kalapatthar, a high-altitude viewpoint just a short distance from the base camp. This location offers panoramic views of the Everest region and is one of the highest points in the Everest trek that can be reached by helicopter. The landing time here typically lasts around 10–15 minutes.
Shared vs Private Helicopter Tour
The main difference between a shared and private helicopter tour is the level of exclusivity.
– Shared Helicopter: If you opt for a shared helicopter tour, the helicopter will accommodate up to 5 passengers. The cost is shared, but landing at Kalapatthar is only possible if there are 2 passengers. If there are 5 passengers, the helicopter will not land.
– Private Helicopter: With a private helicopter, you have more flexibility. A single passenger or 2 passengers can enjoy a landing at Kalapatthar. For 5 passengers, landing is not included, but you’ll still be able to enjoy a spectacular aerial view of the Everest region.
Duration of the Helicopter Ride
The helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp and back typically takes 3 to 4 hours. The total time includes several scenic stops for refueling, exploration, and photography. The flight time may vary depending on the route taken, weather conditions, and the number of passengers.
Day 1: Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Itinerary
Morning: 5:00–6:00 am: Start Your Day
The excitement begins early in the morning. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Kathmandu by a representative from Tour of Nepal and driven to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. Once you arrive, you’ll complete the necessary formalities, including the security check. The helicopter flight will be scheduled early in the morning to take full advantage of the favorable weather conditions and to experience the Himalayan sunrise during the flight.
Morning: 7:00–8:00 am: Flight to Lukla
After takeoff, the helicopter will fly over the rolling hills and villages of Nepal, eventually reaching the town of Lukla. Lukla is famous for its short runway and serves as the gateway to the Everest region. The flight to Lukla takes approximately 45 minutes, and once you arrive, the helicopter will stop for a 10–15 minute refueling break. This is a great opportunity to take in the view of the surrounding mountains and observe the bustling activity at the Lukla airport.
Morning: 8:00–9:00 am: Flight to Kalapatthar or Everest View Hotel
After the brief stop in Lukla, you’ll board the helicopter for the second leg of the journey. This flight takes you toward Everest Base Camp, with a 20-minute flight over stunning landscapes and Sherpa villages like Namche, Tengboche, and Phakding. During this flight, you’ll get close-up views of famous peaks like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse. The helicopter will not land at Everest Base Camp but will fly over it and continue to Kalapatthar, a viewpoint known for its spectacular vistas of Mount Everest. If you’re on a private tour, you’ll land here for 10–15 minutes to explore the area and enjoy the breathtaking views.
Late Morning: 9:00–10:00 am: Everest View Hotel
After your time at Kalapatthar, the next stop is the Everest View Hotel. This part of the journey involves a 10-minute flight to the hotel, where you can enjoy the stunning 360-degree views of the Khumbu region. Here, you’ll have about 1 hour to relax and have breakfast or lunch. The hotel offers a variety of dishes, and you can select from a menu while gazing at the magnificent mountain range.
Afternoon: 10:00 am–12:00 pm: Return Flight to Kathmandu
After a fulfilling break at the Everest View Hotel, it’s time to return to Kathmandu. You’ll board the helicopter for the final leg of the journey, which takes about 1 hour. The return flight follows a similar route, allowing you to savor the spectacular mountain views once more. Upon reaching Kathmandu, a representative from Tour of Nepal will pick you up from the airport and drive you back to your hotel.
Conclusion
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing is an incredible adventure that allows you to experience the magnificence of the Himalayas in a single day. With expert guides, professional pilots, and world-class service from Tour of Nepal, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories of Nepal’s towering peaks and beautiful landscapes.