Mt Everest helicopter tour is the ideal opportunity to see Mount Everest and surrounding mountains up close and has breakfast with Mount Aba Dablam, Lhotse, Taboche, and Everest in the background. The Helicopter Tour is a 3-4 hour tour suitable for all levels of travelers. The Tour is a luxurious way to the Himalayas to collect mesmerizing views of stunning mountains like Mount Everest, Amadablam, Pumori, Cho Oyu, and more.
There are helicopter flights over Everest for all tastes: from those that last one hour and only include a route bordering the area to those that take 4 hours and land at various base camps on the mountain, including excursions through the mountain and visits to enclaves such as Lukla, Syangboche or Pokhara. The journey begins at Kathmandu Airport domestic terminal. Your experienced pilot will steer the helicopter east, flying parallel to the Himalayan mountain range while providing commentary on the snowy landscape along the way.
Your first landing is at Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest, where your scenic helicopter tour will truly begin. After a stop to refuel, climb into the mountains for an incredible scenic adventure and take in the magnificent views as you fly over the mighty Himalayas.
Next, you will land at Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and spend approximately 10 minutes on dry land, admiring the majestic mountain as the propellers continue to spin. From there, fly to Syangboche Airfield, an unpaved stretch that serves the village of Namche Bazar, located at an altitude of 3,750 meters.
On-site, enjoy a complimentary breakfast during your 30 to 45-minute time ashore. Marvel at the beautiful aerial views of Mount Everest and the Himalayas from Syangboche as you sip your hot coffee in the crisp mountain air. Finally, return to Lukla to refuel before returning to Kathmandu, where you will land at the airport before being dropped off at your hotel.
Best Time to Go
An Everest helicopter tour can be done all year. But for clear views and a good trip, the best times are in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to early December). During these months, the sky is clear and the weather is good.
You should try to avoid the monsoon season from June to August. It rains a lot, and the clouds often block the mountains. The winter season from late December to early February can also be a good time, but it is very cold and can have heavy snowfall.
Everest Heli Tour Cost
The price of this tour changes based on the number of people and the route.
- Group Tour: A group tour costs about $999 per person.
- Private Tour: A private tour costs about $3,650 per person.
This price includes the helicopter service, government taxes, and the permit fee for Sagarmatha National Park.
Itinerary for Everest Heli Tour
This is a 3-4 hour tour. It starts early in the morning and ends before noon.
- 6:00 AM: You will leave your hotel for the Kathmandu domestic airport.
- 6:30 AM: You will board the helicopter. The flight goes east, parallel to the Himalayas.
- 7:15 AM: You will land at Lukla to refuel. You have about 10 minutes to take photos and admire the green hills.
- 7:25 AM: The flight continues over the famous Khumbu Valley. You will fly close to Everest and other high peaks like Lhotse.
- 8:00 AM: You will land at Kala Patthar (5,545m). You get about 10 minutes here to see Everest and take photos. It is not safe to stay longer at this high altitude.
- 8:15 AM: You will fly to Syangboche.
- 8:30 AM: You will land at the airfield for a 30 to 45-minute breakfast at the Everest View Hotel. You get to drink coffee and eat with an amazing view of Everest.
- 9:30 AM: You will return to the helicopter and fly back to Lukla to refuel.
- 10:30 AM: You will fly back to Kathmandu.
- 11:15 AM: You land at the Kathmandu airport and are taken back to your hotel.
