Here’s what you need to know about an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, but before that here’s our story. Getting to Everest Base Camp is no joke. Trekkers take on average 11 days because you have to do it very slowly so that you are able to acclimate as you go up the ending elevation of 17,598 feet (5,364 meters).
When my husband and I did this hike he struggled a lot with the high altitude. Once we got past 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) he was vomiting and was very weak. We were able to finish the hike to Base Camp and it was one of the best experiences of our lives.
However, after we reached the top my husband told me he was too weak to make it back down. He hadn’t eaten anything but toast for the last 5 days and was not doing well. So we were forced to hire a helicopter for $500 each ($1,000 total) to get back down the mountain and he says this was one of the best decisions he’s ever made.
So, if you either can’t do the hike or don’t want to or are afraid you will get altitude sickness or anything like that then maybe consider an Everest Base Camp helicopter tour. Here are the 10 best Everest Base Camp helicopter tours.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
There are lots of tours to choose from when it comes to picking an Everest Base Camp helicopter tour so I’ve compiled 10 of the best ones for you to choose from. Make sure you choose one that fits your needs and trip plans!
1. Group Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing From Kathmandu
Price: $1,320 per person
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5 (130+ reviews)
Includes:
- Everest helicopter flight
- beautiful view along the route
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Airport/Departure Tax
- Fuel surcharge
- 10 minutes Kala Pattha (Base Camp) to see Everest
- 1 hour at the Hotel Everest View for breakfast
2. Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
Price: $1,420 per person
Duration: ~4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5 (20+ reviews)
Includes:
- Airport Drop and Pick Up by private transports
- Helicopter Ride
- 20-minute landing at Everest Base Camp
- Insurance for travelers
3. Landing EBC by Helicopter
Price: $1,333 per person
Duration: ~4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5 (20+ reviews)
Includes:
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel drop-off
- 10 minute stop at Kala Patthar (Base Camp) for view of Everest
- Breakfast at Hotel Everest View 30 minutes
4. Everest Base Camp Highest Mountains Helicopter Tour
Price: $1,150 per passenger
Duration: ~4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5 (10+ reviews)
Includes:
- Breakfast
- Landing and facility fees
- Airport/Departure Tax
- Private transportation
5. Private Everest Base Camp Helicopter Flight with Landing From Kathmandu Day Tour
Price: $2,200 per person
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5 (20+ reviews)
Includes:
- Round-trip shuttle pickup from Hotel and drop off to the hotel after flight by car
- Helicopter with an expert pilot
- 1-hour breakfast at Hotel Everest View Point
- A 10-minute stop at Kala Patthar (Base Camp) for a view of Everest
6. Mt Everest Base Camp Landing Helicopter Tour
Price: $1,300 per person
Duration: ~4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5
Includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 20 minutes at Everest View Hotel for breakfast
- 10 minutes at Kala Patthar (Base Camp) for Everest viewing
7. Kathmandu: Everest Heli Tour
Price: $1,312 per person
Duration: 4.5 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5
Includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- One chartered helicopter flight
- Company charges
- Oxygen tanks inside the aircraft (in case of emergencies)
- 45 minutes at Everest View Hotel for breakfast
- 10 minutes at Kala Patthar (Base Camp) for Everest viewing
8. Everest Base Camp Heli Tour – Group Joining
Price: $1,270 per person
Duration: 4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5
Includes:
- All arrival and departure transportation
- Helicopter flight tour to Everest Base Camp on sharing base up to 5 pax.
- Landing 10 min at the famous viewpoint of Kala Patthar (Base Camp) to take a picture and see the mountain
- Landing 50 to 60 min breakfast break on Everest view hotel with a closeup view of Mount Everest
- First Aid kit box and oxygen cylinder for an Emergency case
- Domestic airport departure taxes/fees.
- Entry/Admission – Mount Everest
9. Everest Helicopter Tour From Kathmandu Domestic Airport
Price: $1,250 per person
Duration: ~4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5
Includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- We will stop at Kala Patthar (Base Camp) for a few minutes
- We will stop at Hotel Everest View for 30 minutes at the Hotel Everest view for the breakfast
10. Everest Base Camp Helicopter Flight Landing Tour for Two with Landing & Breakfast
Price: $2,199 per person
Duration: ~3-4 Hours
Departs From: Kathmandu Airport
Rating: 5/5 (10+ reviews)
Itinerary Includes:
- Live commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Fuel surcharge
- 1 hour at Everest View Hotel for breakfast
- 30 minutes at Kala Patthar (Base Camp) for Everest viewing
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour: A Once in a Lifetime Experience
An Everest Base Camp helicopter tour is one of the most popular tourist helicopter tours in Nepal. The tours take you to the lap of the world’s highest peak- Mt. Everest and lets you enjoy the views of some of the other highest peaks and towns like Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, Tengboche, Kalapathar (Kalapatthar), Lobuche, Namche Bazaar, Ama Dablam, etc.
The tour starts from Kathmandu and takes you to Lukla- the gateway to the Everest region. From the Lukla airport, you will be flown to Everest Base Camp where you will land right in front of Khumbu Glacier. After spending some time at EBC, you will be flown back to Lukla and then to Kathmandu.
These helicopter tours are ideal for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Sagarmatha National Park but don’t have enough time to trek. The tour can be done in just one day and it is also relatively cheaper than flying to the Everest region by a fixed-wing aircraft.
If you are looking for an exciting and adventure-filled vacation, then an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is perfect for you!
About Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp is the starting point for climbers who want to summit Mt. Everest- the tallest mountain in the world. It is located at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) and can be reached by a trek from Lukla- a small town in Nepal’s Khumbu region. The trek to EBC is one of the most popular treks in Nepal and takes about 10-12 days to complete.
The base camp is located in front of Khumbu Glacier- one of the largest glaciers in the world. From here, climbers can get a close-up view of some of the world’s tallest mountains like Lhotse (8,516 meters/27,940 feet), and Makalu (8,463 meters/27,766 feet), and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters/26,906 feet).
What to expect on an Everest Helicopter Flight Tour?
An Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is an exciting way to see some of the world’s tallest mountains. The tour starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla for refueling- the gateway to the Everest mountain ranges. The flight takes about 30 minutes and offers stunning aerial views of the Himalayas. From Lukla, you will be flown to your destination, Everest Base Camp, where you will land right in front of Khumbu Glacier. After spending some time at EBC, you will be flown back to Lukla and then to Kathmandu.
The entire tour can be done in just one day and it is an ideal way to see the Everest region if you don’t have enough time to trek. The tour is also relatively cheaper than flying to the Everest region by fixed-wing aircraft.
What are the disadvantages of an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
The main disadvantage of an Everest Base Camp helicopter tour is that you won’t be able to explore much when you get to EBC. If the tour does let you get out of the helicopter then it is only for a few minutes. The tour is also relatively more expensive than a trek to EBC.
How much does an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour cost?
The cost of an Everest Base Camp helicopter tour varies depending on the operator and the number of people in your group. A typical tour for one person costs around $1,500.
What are the things I need to bring on an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
There is no need to bring anything special for an Everest Base Camp helicopter tour. Just make sure to dress warmly as it can be cold at high altitudes. Also, don’t forget to bring your camera to take some amazing photos!
When is the best time to do an Everest Base Camp Peaks Helicopter Tour?
The best time to do an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the months of March, April, and May. Then September, October, and November are the second-best set of months. These are the months when the weather is good and there is less chance of flight delays or cancellations due to bad weather.
How long does an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Highlight Tour take?
An Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour takes about 8-10 hours from start to finish. This includes the flight time from Kathmandu to Lukla (30 minutes), the flight time from Lukla to EBC (45 minutes), and the flight time from EBC back to Kathmandu (1.5 hours).
What are the things I need to know before booking an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Package?
Here are a few things you need to know before booking an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour:
1. Make sure to book your tour with a reputable operator. There are many companies that offer Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tours but not all of them are reliable. Do some research and read reviews before booking your tour.
2. The cost of an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour varies depending on the operator and the number of people in your group. A typical tour for one person costs around $1,500.
3. The best time to do an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is from March to May and from September to November. These are the months when the weather is good and there is less chance of flight delays or cancellations due to bad weather.
4. An Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour takes about 8-10 hours from start to finish. This includes the flight time from Kathmandu to Lukla (30 minutes), the flight time from Lukla to EBC (45 minutes) and the flight time from EBC back to Kathmandu (1.5 hours).
5. There is no need to bring anything special for an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. Just make sure to dress warmly in a jacket as it can be cold at high altitudes. Also, don’t forget to bring your camera to take some amazing photos!
Trekking to EBC
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a whole different experience. The trek takes about two weeks to complete and it takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
The trail starts in Lukla, a small town in Nepal where you will take a domestic flight from Kathmandu. From Lukla, you will follow the Dudh Kosi River valley until you reach Namche Bazaar, the largest village in the Everest region.
You will spend a few days acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar before continuing your trek towards Tengboche, Pangboche, and Dingboche. These are all small villages located at high altitudes and they offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and beautiful monasteries.
After acclimatizing in Dingboche, you will make your way to Lobuche and then to Gorakshep, the last village before Everest Base Camp. Gorakshep is located at an altitude of 5,164 meters (16,942 feet) and it is from here that you will make your summit attempt.
The solo trek to Everest Base Camp is challenging but it is doable for anyone who is reasonably fit and has a good head for heights. The key to success on this trek is to take your time and not push yourself too hard.
If you are thinking about trekking to Everest Base Camp, then I recommend that you book your tour with a reputable company. There are many companies that offer Everest Base Camp trekking tours but not all of them are equal.
Do some research and read reviews before booking your tour. This will help you to find a good company that offers a quality service.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, then you need to add this to your bucket list. Going to see the tallest mountain in the world is something that you will never forget and never regret.
It might seem like a lot of money at first glance but in the end, it costs just as much if you were to hire a sherpa and do the full Everest Base Camp Trek. So if you have limited time in Nepal or a bad knee or anything that is stopping you from doing the trek then I would highly suggest that you do an Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour.
Dayna Brockbank is a travel and language-learning blogger who has lived around the world but has now settled in Nice, France. She speaks 3 languages at varying levels of fluency: Spanish, Italian, and French, and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Spanish Education. She and her husband focus on making travel part of life by living cheaply and traveling on a budget.