EVEREST BASE CAMP HELICOPTER TOUR
Experience an exhilarating journey with the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, a five-hour adventure that begins at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. This tour, operated by Altitude Air Nepal, combines professionalism and personalized service to ensure a safe and memorable trip to Everest Base Camp and its surroundings.
Tour Overview
- Duration: Approximately 5 hours
- Highest Altitude: 19,000 feet
- Passenger Capacity: 1 to 5 passengers
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Age Range: Suitable for ages 5 to 80
- Transportation: By helicopter
- Best Seasons: Autumn, Winter, and Spring (October to May)
- Flight Route: Starts and ends at Kathmandu Airport with landings at Lukla Airport, Pheriche, Hotel Everest View, and a flyover of Everest Base Camp.
Highlights
Witness breathtaking aerial views of iconic peaks including Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Nuptse (7,861m), Pumori (7,161m), and Ama Dablam (6,812m). Enjoy breakfast at the renowned Hotel Everest View while surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.Experience the rich culture of the Sherpa people during your journey.
Tour Itinerary
06:15 AM: Helicopter Check-in (Don’t forget a valid ID)
Upon arriving at the airport, you'll go through security. At the Altitude air helicopter desk, you’ll be asked for a copy of your passport and to step on the scale. This weight check is essential for ensuring safe helicopter operations, especially when landing near the world’s highest peak. Afterward, you’ll receive your boarding pass and move on to security checks before entering the main waiting hall.
Once you're in the waiting area, you may have a brief wait until the airline announces the flight time. When it’s time, head to the helipad, where you’ll wait for the weather to be confirmed as safe for flying. The captain will also need final clearance from the Air traffic controller (ATC)before departure.
Prior to takeoff, you’ll be given a safety briefing, which will include instructions on how to safely enter and exit the helicopter—always use the front doors and avoid going near the tail. When the helicopter stops at high altitudes, the engines will remain running. Seating arrangements may be adjusted to give everyone the chance to enjoy the best views. If you feel you need extra oxygen, don’t hesitate to ask the ground crew.
6:40 AM: Helicopter Flight to Lukla Airport
Elevation: 2,800 meters (9,000 feet) The helicopter takes off towards the east, with departure times varying by season. Clearance for takeoff depends on air traffic control and favorable weather conditions. On a clear day, passengers are treated to breathtaking aerial views of Mt. Manaslu to the west, alongside Mt. Ganesh Himal, Langtang, and Dorje Lakpa. As the flight progresses, the Himalayas unfold in a stunning panorama, with Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks dominating the horizon. Rolling green hills, ancient terraced farms—over 3,000 years old—dense forests of rhododendrons, pines, and fir trees, and scattered mountain villages create a mesmerizing landscape. About 15 minutes into the flight, the helicopter reaches Mt. Gaurishankar and Melung-Tse range, marking the Nepal-Tibet border. Mt. Gaurishankar is revered as a sacred peak, and this region uniquely follows Nepal Standard Time, aligned with the Greenwich Meridian. This distinct time zone reflects Nepal’s uniqueness, much like its triangular national flag, symbolizing the jagged Himalayan peaks.As the flight crosses the Lamjura-La Pass (3,500 meters / 11,000 feet), passengers can catch a fleeting yet awe-inspiring first glimpse of Mt. Everest and Lhotse, heralding the adventure ahead.
07:40 AM: Helicopter defueling at lukla airport 10-12 minutes.
While the pilot and ground staff unload the fuel, you will have a brief time for refreshment and to use the restroom. Most hotels and lodges or public restrooms have small rooms for toilets, and please carry toilet paper with you. Can have an opportunity to witness the smaller planes landing and taking off, which will be impressive to catch with your cameras and take videos. You may switch seats, we recommend that you wear a warmer dress not that we have a quick ascend, but from here onward the temperature gets much colder.
07:50 AM: Helicopter Flight towards Khumbu and Everest Base camp via the river Dudh-Kosi.
(If we are flying more than 3 persons or more than 250 kg we have to split the group from Pheriche and shuttle back and forth on the same helicopter.) Elevation 4, 200 meters/13, 00 feet.
Once taking off, follow the Dudh-Kosi River, which flows from the glaciers near Everest base camp, called Khumbu Glacier. Along the flight views of villages with many lodges and tea houses where trekkers and climbers follow the route within rhododendron and pine-forested trails. After a short time view of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, and Phortse on the left side, from here onwards approaching the view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam in front.
On the left side views Mt. Cho-Oyu, the 6th world’s highest peak, as Heli flies above famous and the largest, as well the highest Monastery of Tengboche.
A colorful religious festival is held called Mani-Rimdu, the celebration takes place in late October or in early November as per the Tibetan Buddhist Lunar calendar. The flight passes above Pangboche to reach Pheriche, a reasonable size settlement with many nice hotels and lodges at the height of 4, 200 meters (13000 feet).
The captain might land here to split the group of 2 people and 3 people dividing the weight of 250 kg or less. As the group can wait at Pheriche and enjoy taking photos and videos, the first group continues to Everest base camp by Helicopter. Whereas the same helicopter does the shuttle ferrying passengers back and forth.
08:25 AM: Helicopter Overfly the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patter 5, 250 meters/ 17, 225 feet for photos and video of a lifetime experience.
The chopper proceeds above Thukla, with views of Cho-La pass on the left, Lobuche peak, and Lobuche small settlement with some lodges around. Views of the lofty peak of Mt. Pumori appear, and the flying over Khumbu glacier, and at Gorakshep the last settlement on route base camp. The helicopter tours above the Everest base camp where the Mountaineering Expedition set their tented camps.
During the high season of Expedition observe the climbers preparing their climbing and rest for acclimatization at the base camp, April and May are the busy time for expeditions. At the Everest base camp, there is no helipad due to the movement and activeness of the glacier. Where the pilot will make a nice flyover only as per the new rule of the government. At approx. 17, 225 feet, from this scenic area, enjoy majestic views of Mount Everest at a mere distance. Facing surrounding giant peaks of Nuptse, Khumbutse, Ama Dablam, and Pumori with an array of peaks. Enjoy taking photos and videos, the main highlight of the Everest base camp Helicopter over the fly tour. Mesmerizing views of a lifetime experience can ask another passenger to take photos. As well as each other, enjoy the moment for about 3 minutes, then the helicopter flyers back to Pheriche to join with other co-passengers.
08:45 AM: Flight toEverest View Hotel with options for Breakfast and refreshments. Elevation 3,880 meters/ 12, 000 feet.
On completing the Helicopter shuttles, the flight continues heading towards Hotel Everest View for an hour to relax and enjoy Breakfast or other warm refreshments. Famous and popularly called Everest for Breakfast. Enjoy the lifetime experience of having breakfast in the shade of the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam and Mt. Everest. The Hotel has facilities for free WiFi at present. Most trekkers and Helicopter passengers enjoy breakfast on the terrace facing a marvelous view of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Tawache, and Thamserku.
09:45 AM: Ride back to Kathmandu/ may stop at Lukla for re- fuel.
After an hour of free leisure and relaxing stop, then fly back to Lukla to refuel the helicopter and continue the joy ride back to Katmandu.
11:45 AM: Arrival at Kathmandu domestic airport.
Once reaching the airport, drive to the arrival section of the domestic terminal.
Important Notes
*The tour includes safety briefings and weight checks prior to boarding. A full refund is available if the flight is canceled due to weather or other circumstances.
*Exclusions airport tax (NPR 900 each), Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Permit (NPR 3,000), Sagarmatha National *Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000), and breakfast at the hotel (USD 32-35).
*Cost inclusive 13% of government tax
*The timing of Helicopter flights might change due to weather conditions and Air traffic.
