Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

By taking a helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp, you get to see all the iconic sights as you fly through the Khumbu (what the Sherpa community calls the Everest Region). Landing at Kala Patthar, known as the viewpoint for Everest, is truly breathtaking. You also get to stop and have breakfast at the famous Hotel Everest View. At nearly 4,000m / 13,000 ft, the views from your al fresco breakfast table are astounding! You feel as if you are in the heart of the mountains, which you are!

*Please note timings once you leave Kathmandu may vary slightly depending on weather conditions and how busy the airport at Lukla is.

What to Expect on Your Everest Helicopter Flight

You will get up very early in the morning. If you feel hungry in the mornings, maybe it’s good to have some snacks ready or ask your Kathmandu hotel to pack a light breakfast for you the night before (sandwich or similar).

Our staff will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport, where he/she will help you with the necessary formalities and introduce you to the pilot. The heli operator assistance will give you a safety briefing, and of course, the pilots will do a safety check of the helicopter.

Once on your way, you will be flying over lush valleys, farm land and into the mountains.

There will be a refuelling stop at the high altitude airport at Lukla. This airport is named after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first men to conquer Everest. The Hillary-Norgay Airport. Breathe in that mountain air! Now you will find out whether you have wrapped up enough or not!

Flying over iconic villages and monasteries, the Khumbu Glacier and Ice Falls will leave you speechless. Seeing Everest Base Camp is a thrill that not everyone gets to experience – certainly not from a helicopter! Landing at Kala Patthar (5,555 m / 18,225 ft), a high ridge with undoubtedly the best views of the mountains, is a highlight of this trip.

Just when you think it can’t get much better, you will land at Hotel Everest View, where breakfast awaits. Sip hot coffee or tea while staring at the mountains. You can almost reach out and touch Everest! Kindly note that breakfast is not included in the package price. Please bring Nepali Rupees 5,000 – 7,000 (USD 35 to 50) for your breakfast, payable directly to the hotel.

Then back on the helicopter for the ride toward home. Back in your Kathmandu hotel for lunch – can it be you were at Everest Base Camp only that morning?

Flight Logistics

As helicopters cannot fly with more than 3 people at high altitude, if there are 4 on your tour, then when you stop for refuelling at Lukla, two will head off for the tour around Everest Base Camp and the short (10-15 minutes) landing at Kala Patthar. The helicopter will then drop them at Hotel Everest View for breakfast and return to Lukla for the next two adventurers who will make the journey to Base Camp, Kala Patthar and Hotel Everest View.

Everyone will get the opportunity to land at Kala Patthar for the stunning views and then have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast.

Delays and Cancellations

If there is bad weather on the scheduled date, we will refund you or reschedule for the following days. It is possible only to fly on days of good weather, which are best for viewing Everest.

**Seats are in rotating order; all passengers must keep rotating on their own mutual understanding while landing.

The same is true if you have already checked into the airport at Kathmandu and the flight is cancelled. We will reschedule your trip, but if you cannot make that day, we will refund you.

Health and Safety

While anyone can enjoy this trip, if you have underlying health issues – particularly respiratory or heart problems, please check with your own doctor before booking. Pregnant women should also not undertake this tour. Additionally, we do not recommend this tour for children under the age of 5 years as the seat belts and seating on helicopters are not made for small bodies.

It is unlikely anyone will get altitude sickness on this short, half-day tour. However, the helicopter does carry oxygen just in case. We would request that you monitor your body while on this tour, looking out for any unusual feelings and symptoms. Such as headache, dizziness, feeling nauseous and/or vomiting. If you feel any of these, please communicate this to your guide (if you have one on this tour) or the pilot.

Will There be a Guide on this Tour?

Since high altitude helicopters can only carry 2 passengers, a guide does not normally accompany clients on this tour. Your pilot will be able to point out landmarks. He is your guide for the day!

Should you wish to have a guide with you, there is an additional charge for this. Please discuss this with us.

What Should I Wear on the Everest Base Camp Heli Tour?

Unlike aeroplanes, small helicopters are not equipped with heating. Therefore, you should dress as if you are trekking in this region. For example, we recommend the following:-

Please ensure your clothes are tight-fitting. No long loose scarves, for example.

Additional Information:

Bring a warm jacket (winter is -10 degrees Celsius for winter-only, summertime 0 degrees Celsius only) and trousers for the flight day. Informal shoes are fine.

We request you to bring Gloves and sunglasses for more safety.

In addition, water in your own water bottle (no disposable plastic, please), camera, phone, sunscreen, lip salve, sunglasses, and any medicines you need to take daily.

Can Anyone go on This Tour?

If you are reasonably fit and mobile, you can make this tour.

A question we are often asked is how you board the helicopter. For those unable to board from the helicopter’s landing skids, there will be a small set of steps to help you. It is best if you tell us beforehand if you think you need this.

It is not recommended for very young children as the seat configuration and seatbelts are not suitable.

I cannot Walk Well. Is this Tour Right for me?

For those with mobility issues, we can certainly help you in and out of the helicopter.

However, please note there is a steep and long stairway up from the landing site to the entrance to the Hotel Everest View. It is not possible to have breakfast brought down to you. Should you be unable to walk up the stone stairs, please get in touch with us before booking.

If you are travelling with a friend/ family member, it would be possible for them to bring coffee from the hotel down to the landing site for you. In which case, bringing your own snacks is a good idea.

Will it Be Very Cold on this Tour?

It will be cold! You will be in the high mountains. How cold depends on the season.

These figures are averages only (it can fall below freezing in the early mornings) and apply to the area you will have breakfast in.

The helicopter itself will be flying higher and will be colder. Wrap up well in clothes which are not going to hamper you getting in and out of the helicopter.

How Safe is the Helicopter Tour?

Your safety is of the highest priority of Swotah Travels and Adventure, and of our trusted helicopter partners. All safety measures and protocols are strictly followed. Before the flight, you’ll receive a detailed safety briefing to ensure you are comfortable and well-prepared for the journey.

Permits

Although you are not actually trekking in this region, you are still required to pay the entry permit fees for entry to the Everest Region.

At the airport in Kathmandu, you will be required to pay Nrs 7,000 (approx. USD50), which covers the airport tax, Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit and a local government tax.

Required documents: passport

What is Included in the Price

What is Not Included in the Price

Exclusion (Extra cost):

NPR 3000 per person National Park fees need to be paid locally in the mountains.

NPR 3000 Local government tax.

Airport Tax NPR 500 per person to be paid at the Kathmandu Airport.

Airport Tax NPR 400 per person to be paid at the Lukla Airport, Optional

Breakfast USD 31 each

Why Book with Swotah Travel?

Our expertise, combined with safety and love of adventure have made us one of the leading travel companies in Nepal. With over 15 years of experience, our founders and staff share not only a passion for adventure, but a love of being able to introduce Nepal to our clients. And we continue to grow and develop through our connections and commitment to local communities. The aim being to work with local communities through cultural exchange and tourism which is not just sustainable for them, but for the environment as well. We offer innovative and flexible tours and treks to suit every client. We specialise in small groups led by experienced and well-trained staff from the tour leader, guides and porters to the office staff who handle enquires and bookings. Customer care is high on our agenda. Whether it is the swift handling of enquires and booking, or safety on the trail, our customers come first. In addition, from the communities we work with or trek through, to the preservation of the environment, right through to the welfare of our porters and guides, we take our social responsibility very seriously.