1 Day Everest Helicopter Tour

Best Season for the EBC Helicopter Tour

The EBC Helicopter tour from Kathmandu to the Everest Base Camp is doable in all seasons. However, Spring and Autumn are considered the best seasons for touring the Everest region. These seasons offer the best conditions for the Mt Everest tour. The skies get clearer during the Spring months, allowing you to witness the perfect aerial views of the Himalayas. The temperature is favorable during the spring months as the temperature ranges between 10-15 degrees Celsius during the daytime—moreover, the Rhododendron blooms during the spring months. You can witness the colorful forest while you fly to Everest Base Camp by helicopter.

The months of autumn offer conditions similar to those of spring. The sky gets clear during this month, allowing you to witness the best aerial view of the Himalayas in the Everest region. The temperature is ideal as the temperature ranges between 10-20 degrees Celsius during this period.

The months of Summer and Winter are not much preferred for touring the Everest Base Camp. The weather during these months is unpredictable as it rains during Summer and receives snowfall during the winter. The weather becomes chilly in no time, making it challenging to fly to Everest Base Camp during these seasons.

Best View from the Everest Tour

The Everest helicopter tour offers breathtaking views of some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. You’ll see the majestic Mount Everest, towering at 29,032 feet, surrounded by snow-capped peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. The Khumbu Glacier and Icefall create a dramatic, icy landscape, while the Gokyo Lakes shine in vibrant blue.

The lush greenery of Sagarmatha National Park contrasts beautifully with the rugged mountain terrain. As you fly over traditional Sherpa villages, you get a glimpse of the rich local culture and the iconic Tengboche Monastery, all making for an unforgettable tour.

Weight Limitation

The helicopters flying in the Everest Base Camp Tour can accommodate up to six people, including the pilot. There are specific weight restrictions for helicopters flying at higher altitudes. The weight limit for a helicopter flying up to 4000 meters is 500 kg. Similarly, the weight limit for a helicopter flying above 4000 meters is 250 kg. The weight limit according to number of passengers is given below:

Best Features Of An Everest Helicopter Tour In Nepal

Breathtaking Aerial Views: Enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of Mount Everest and other majestic peaks like Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku.

Scenic Flight to Lukla: Begin your adventure with a scenic domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a charming Sherpa village and gateway to the Everest region.

Gokyo Valley and Lakes: Witness the stunning Gokyo Valley, its serene lakes, and the impressive Khumbu Glacier.

Breakfast at Syangboche: Savor breakfast at one of the highest hotels in Syangboche, surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas.

Close-Up of Langtang and Jugal Himal: Enjoy close-up aerial views of the Langtang and Jugal Himal ranges on your return flight.

A Typical Day in Tour

Your day begins very early, around 4 AM. You will wake up and prepare for your Everest Base Camp Helicopter flight. Our representative will be there at your hotel at 5:30 AM. So, you must freshen up and get all set by 5:30 AM. You will take a ride towards the Helipad at Bhaktapur. This ride generally takes 30 minutes, depending on the place of your stay. You will receive all the permits and necessary documents before you check in.  Once you check in, you will have a short briefing session with the pilots about the tour.

You will now take a helicopter ride towards Mt Everest from the Bhaktapur airport around 7 AM. Your EBC helicopter flight will allow you to witness the Hills and Himalayas of Nepal from a bird’s eye view. After a short flight from Kathmandu, your helicopter will land at the Lukla airport to refuel. Following refueling, we land at Phakding to divide the passengers into two groups, and the flyover will be done one group at a time.

Now, you’ll finally fly over Everest. This Everest helicopter flight from Lukla will allow you to witness the beauty of the Everest region. The Helicopter takes around 1 hour to reach the Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu.

After you fly over Mount Everest and Kalapatthar, we will fly to Syangboche for our much-savored breakfast. You will have your breakfast in the Everest View Hotel and enjoy the majestic view of Everest while having your breakfast.

After spending an hour at Syangboche, you will fly back to Kathmandu. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and drop you at your hotel. Your Everest Base Camp Heli Tour completes around noon. You can enjoy the rest of your day at your hotel, cherishing the moments you had on the Everest Heli tour.

Required Permit For Everest Helicopter Tour

The Permits required for the Everest Base Camp Trek and Mount Everest Helicopter Tour are the same. They both require the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Pasang Lhamu Sherpa local area permit. These permits are not included in your tour package, and you will have to acquire it separately.

Altitude Sickness and Remedies

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), occurs when you ascend to high altitudes too quickly, typically above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). The risk increases significantly at elevations above 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). You may experience symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath in the higher altitudes.

These are the symptoms of Altitude sickness. You should stay hydrated, eat a high-carb diet, and avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise. If symptoms occur, rest, descend to a lower altitude, and consider medications like acetazolamide. In severe cases, you should look for immediate medical attention.

Weather and Climate

A one-day helicopter tour of Everest offers a unique experience to witness the world’s highest peak. The weather is often unpredictable. At higher altitudes, temperatures can be freezing. At lower levels, conditions are milder. Clear mornings are ordinary, providing stunning views, but clouds and winds can develop quickly in the Himalayas. The weather during the Spring and Autumn seasons is pretty stable compared to other seasons.

Climate considerations are crucial for safety and visibility. The best months for such tours are typically from March to May and September to November when weather conditions are relatively stable and favorable. The temperatures during these months range between 5-20 degrees Celsius during daytime.

Equipment and Gear

• Base layer clothes (ex: thermals)
• Insulating layer clothes ( lightweight jackets)
• Outer shell ( windproof/waterproof jackets)
• Comfortable Hiking boots
• Thick moisture-wicking socks
• Gloves
• sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat and Mufflers
• Camera
• Travel documents
• Personal medications
• Water and light snacks