Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the best experience to enjoy the exciting Himalayan landscapes. During airborne overlooking 360° panorama of the Himalayan giant peaks with views of majestic Mt. Everest at close distances.
Nepal is renowned for its natural beauty, with the world’s famous highest peaks of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu. Including arrays of snow peaks with 8,000-meter mountain ranges across the country’s northern region. Interested people with dreams, being close to the world’s highest peaks and yet with limited times for trekking. The walk takes more than 11 to 12 days to reach the Everest base camp. The best option, and the only opportunity, is to join the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
This Helicopter flight to enchantment, flying close amidst an unparalleled Himalayan range of snow peaks along with a dramatic diversity of landscape views. Compared to the cost of trekking for a week and then flying in a chopper for a few hours. In reality, it comes to the same price, as you enjoy the magnificent scenery in the comfort of a helicopter.
Everest base camp Helicopter Tour leads you to the fascinating picturesque highlands of Khumbu within Everest.
The views of snow-capped mountains remain constant throughout the tour from the start to the end. As the flight heads northeast towards Everest base camp, the pilot makes a swift round. So that the passengers can catch closer looks at the base camp filled with remorseless fields of ice and glaciers. Includes the view of massif Khumbu Ice Falls, and then with a soft, safe landing beneath the rocky hill of Kalapathar.
Landing at the base of Kalapathar, enjoy the spectacular views of towering staggering peaks encircle you. As well as facing Mt. Everest within a close distance from the Helipad beneath Kalapathar high ridge. After enjoying the time of your life amidst the world’s highest peaks of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and adjoining Mt. Pumori. Return journey heading back on the same route to land at Kathmandu airport. After, a glorious refreshing morning on the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
The Best Seasons for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour:
The best seasons for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour are spring and autumn/fall. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant flights and scenic views.
Most days are fine and clear, with enough sunshine hours from 6 a.m. onward until the Helicopter tour completes. It can get overcast in the late morning sometimes, with chances of light snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold mornings. Depending upon the altitude, with stops at a certain height. Spring is the best time when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. Around, the hills far below from Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar.
The next best season is autumn/fall, when most mornings are bright, with sunny days for clear views. Autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for outdoor activities.
The morning is fine, with a crystal clear blue sky, and morning times are cold, and chances of light snowfall sometimes. The helicopter tour, can also be enjoyed during the winter times of Christmas and New Year Holidays. Mornings with bright and sunny days for clear views, but with cold temperatures in the morning, along with wind chill factor.
Itinerary
Starting 5:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Maximum of 4-5 hours flights with stops: Morning skipping breakfast for later after the Helicopter Tour, our staff and airport representative receives you at the hotel. A short drive of less than half hour to reach Kathmandu domestic airport terminal. After checking at the airlines counter receiving the boarding pass, then proceed through security.
As the flight time is announced, then head for the Helipad, where the Captain and airlines staff of the Helicopter. Welcomes you, and getting introduced to the pilot and other passengers, then get on board. The seats are comfortable with enough space to stretch your legs on the back of Pilot seats.
As the Helicopter lifts off from the ground enjoy the grand vista of Kathmandu city and the valley. Surrounded by green tiers of rolling hills, dotted with farm terraces and villages, as the chopper heads higher. Overlooking views of the snow-capped peaks of the Central and Mid-East Himalayan range, as far as Manaslu with Ganesh Himal.
The Helicopter, then heads north-east over the valley, rolling hills and above the villages of Solu areas. Then following the north direction above the forest and rivers to land at Lukla for a short while. Enjoy the spectacular views of the towering snow-capped peaks. As time permits enjoy refreshing hot drinks, and snacks at nearby restaurants.
After half hour as given time by the pilot, then get on board for short flight.
From Lukla the Helicopter takes off, after storing the fuel for the return journey, and then flying above Dudh Koshi. Along the River Valley with lovely Sherpa traditional villages down below and heading higher past the famous Namche Bazaar. As the chopper head north over the picturesque Tengboche Monastery, located amidst green forest, which is also the best viewpoints.
The pilot then nooses the helicopter straight towards Everest Base Camp, with close views of beautiful Ama Dablam Peak. Soon the chopper flies above Pheriche, Lobuche and Gorakshep, a settlement with number of good lodges.
Then sit tight as the Helicopter makes a swift above and around the Everest base camp. Enjoy the dramatic landscapes filled with moraine of ice, snow and glaciers with great look of massif Khumbu Ice Fall. During mountaineering seasons of March to May the base camp is flooded with tented camping of the climbers.
After a quick glimpse of Everest Base Camp, the Helicopter lands beneath the high rocky ridge of Kalapathar. The Helipad situated on a lovely wide and hard ground carpeted with moss and smaller grasses. From this scenic Helipad stand close in front of majestic Mt. Everest and adjoining giant snow peaks. The pilot will allow you some time to enjoy the spectacular scenery of surrounding mountain views.
The Helipad at Kalapathar upper base is at 5,250 m or 17,192 feet high, above the small settlement of Gorakshep. After an exciting moments return journey to Kathmandu, as well as stopping on a scenic spot for refreshment. A short landing on the premises of Everest View Hotel, at 3,900 m or 12,796 feet. The Everest View Hotel. is listed in Guinness Book of World Record, as the highest luxury hotels on this planet. Options for breakfast, snacks and hot refreshment a lovely place to relax facing views of Mt. Everest. As well enjoying a warm cup of tea and coffee or breakfast at the scenic Everest view point hotel.
Spending less than an hour of leisure and relaxing moments with views of Everest, and then board in a chopper. The flight fly above on the same route to Lukla for short stop to refuel the engine. From Lukla on return journey to Kathmandu with grand panoramic views of the Himalayan range of peaks. As the Helicopter makes a smooth landing at Kathmandu airport Helipad. Bidding farewell and with gratitude to the expert pilot for the wonderful and safe exciting flights.
Then walk towards the parking lot, after receiving the certificate of appreciation for the enjoyable Everest Helicopter Flight. A short drive brings you to your hotels, after a marvelous experience and refreshing morning on Everest base camp helicopter tour.
FAQs
01: Why the Helicopter does not land at Everest Base Camp?
For several good and best reasons, as this is a commercial and joy flight, where all
sectors in tourism. It is important, and should follow the norms and being aware
of Eco or Responsible Tourism. The Everest Base Camp and it surroundings are in
the brink of rapid change, melting of its massif glaciers and snows.
Due to climate change and Green House affect, if the helicopter lands at Everest
base camp. It can effect the fragile environment with the sound of Helicopter
engine and from fast breeze that the Helicopter creates. Especially on landing and
take-off, the other reasons the Helipad is not safe. Due to the movement of
glaciers, rock falls and the ground is not flat or level for safe landing.
02: How long do we have time at each stops?
Depending upon on the weather and as time permits, not longer than an hour. To enjoy the views of the Himalayan series of giant peaks, as well as to catch glimpse of local cultures.
03: Is the cost fully refundable, in case if the Helicopter flight get canceled?
Certainly, depending upon the company’s rules and policy, but a small charge will
be deducted. For the transportation to and from the hotel-airport vice-versa.
04: Is it possible to join with a group on this Helicopter Tour?
Certainly yes, interested travelers, can join in a group on this wonderful scenic joy ride. The maximum seat capacity is for 4-5 passengers.
05: How much the breakfast cost at Everest View Hotel?
Everest View Hotel is a deluxe and luxury place, the cost for breakfast is approx. US$ 30 to US$ 40 per person. The breakfast of wide selection served in a buffet, where clients can choose as per their liking and taste.
06: Is oxygen cylinder available in Helicopter if needed?
Yes, a light and portable oxygen cylinder is available on this Helicopter flights
in case of emergency situation. Like HAS (High Altitude Sickness) or AMS
which is Acute Mountain Sickness.