Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour - 1 day

1296 Reviews in TripAdvisor
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Destination
Everest Base Camp / Kala Patthar
Grade
Easy
Start / End Point
Kathmandu - Everest Base Camp - Kathmandu
Accommodation
0
Best Season
Spring (March - May), Autumn (Sept - Nov)
Meals Included
None
Activity
Everest Treks
Max. Altitude
5,555m at Kala Patthar

For those who do not want to trek to the Everest Base Camp for days to enjoy the views of Everest, Discovery World Trekking conducts Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour that lasts about five hours. This Everest helicopter tour is equally appealing to physically challenged persons who want to see Mt. Everest.

Highlights of Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

  • Aerial views of lush forests, deep valleys, traditional villages, calm turquoise lakes, stunning glaciers, and raging rivers
  • Fly over the famous Sagarmatha National park, a UNESCO world heritage site.
  • Experience the spectacular views of majestic mountains and picturesque scenery in the Khumbu (Everest) region.
  • Spend time at the Kala Patthar (5,555m). Savor the beauty of mt. Everest up close
  • Spectacular views of awe-inspiring mountains like Island Peak, Pumori, Lobuche, Kangtega, Kusum, Thameserkhu, Kangaru, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Tawache, Cholatse, Mera Peak
  • Delicious breakfast at Everest View Hotel (self-pay)

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Overview

Experience an unforgettable five-hour helicopter tour that brings you right up to the foot of the world’s highest peak—all in a single, luxurious day. Your day begins at 6:00 am with a hotel pickup and a quick transfer to Kathmandu airport. By 7:00 am, you’re airborne, leaving the bustling city behind as you fly toward Lukla. At 7:30 am, the helicopter lands briefly at Lukla for refueling.

At 8:00 am, you touch down at Kala Patthar (5,545 m), where a 360° panorama unfolds before your eyes—Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other Himalayan giants dominate the skyline. At 8:15 am, you’re back in the air, arriving at Syangboche by 8:30 am. Here, you’ll stop for breakfast at the Everest View Hotel, enjoying spectacular views along with a delicious meal.

After your well-deserved break, the journey continues with a flight from Syangboche back to Lukla (with another quick refuel at 9:45 am), and finally, you’ll return to Kathmandu by 10:30 am. You’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 11:00 am, with memories of a day that showcased Everest’s magnificence without the physical demands of trekking.

This tour is perfect if you have limited time or want to experience the exclusive aerial route over the Khumbu Valley. As you fly over key geographical wonders—including valleys, glaciers, the Khumbu Icefall, and the Western Cwm—your experienced pilot provides fascinating insights into the region. The itinerary promises an efficient, exhilarating, and luxurious way to witness one of the most iconic mountain views on Earth.

Note

We advise all our valuable guests to arrive at Kathmandu before 3 pm, a day before the heli-tour day, to participate in the tour briefing. During this briefing, we will provide you with vital information about the tour and ensure that you have everything you need for a successful one-day Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.

Planning Your Trek Schedule
Select Departure Date

Select the start and end dates for your trek. Keep in mind that your travel arrangements, including arrival and departure, should align with your complete itinerary and schedule.

Trip Duration1 days
Trip Start and End PointKathmandu - Everest Base Camp - Kathmandu
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Sold out dates

Group-Size Discounts will be applied in next step.

Continue Booking

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Video

Reaching Everest Base Camp
Trek to the Himalayas with DWT
A Visual Overview of the path to EBC

What is included in this trek package?

Transportation

  • Free airport transfer during arrival and departure

Helicopter Flight

  • Helicopter flight over Everest Base Camp/Kala Patthar and back to Kathmandu

Insurance

  • Passenger helicopter insurance

Permits and Expenses

  • Necessary Sagarmatha National Park permits and entrance fees
  • Domestic airport tax

What is excluded in this trek package?

Visa

  • Nepal entry visa fee during arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

Accommodation

  • Accommodation in Kathmandu

Food

  • Breakfast at Everest View Hotel

Expenses

  • Personal expenses
  • All things not in "Included in Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing" are counted as excludes

Route Map

Itinerary details

1. Pick up from your hotel, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), and flight briefing

We will take you to TIA early in the morning for your helicopter flight to Lukla. Before departure, a flight instructor will brief you on safety measures and important flight guidelines. You’ll then meet your pilot.

2. Take off from Kathmandu to Lukla

As your helicopter heads east of Kathmandu Valley, you’ll enjoy glorious views of snow-capped mountains including Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Gaurishankar. You'll also pass over scenic valleys, traditional villages, tranquil lakes, and rushing rivers. After flying over Jiri, your helicopter will land at Lukla.

3. Refueling at Lukla

Welcome to the Everest region! Lukla is home to the famous Tenzing Hillary Airport, where your helicopter will refuel—a process that takes about 10 to 15 minutes. During this break, you can enjoy the Himalayan terrain—unlike anything you’ve ever seen or experienced.

4. Fly from Lukla to Kala Patthar (5,555m)

After refueling, your helicopter will fly over the Dudh Koshi River valley and head to Namche Bazaar, the economic hub of the Everest region. You’ll witness breathtaking views of towering peaks such as Ganesh Himal (7,429m), Gyachung Kang (7,952m), Pumori (7,161m), Lhotse (8,516m), Gauri Shankar (7,134m), Shishapangma (8,013m), Nuptse (7,855m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, and Kwangde.

Your helicopter route includes aerial views of Syangboche, Tengboche, Pheriche, Gorak Shep, the Everest Base Camp, and the Khumbu Glacier. You'll see the Everest Base Camp surrounded by giant peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, and Lobuche, just beneath the Khumbu Icefall.

5. Stop at Kala Patthar (5,555m)

After flying over the Everest Base Camp and Khumbu Glacier, your helicopter will land at Kala Patthar. If weather conditions suddenly worsen, the helicopter may not land for safety reasons—though this is rare.

Kala Patthar offers a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of Everest, along with Nuptse, Changtse, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Khumbutse, Pumori, and Lhotse. As you’ll only have about 15 minutes here due to the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), we recommend taking plenty of photos to capture the moment.

6. From Kala Patthar to Everest View Hotel (Syangboche) for breakfast

After the Kala Patthar experience, the helicopter will fly you to Syangboche for breakfast at the Everest View Hotel (self-pay). This hotel—one of the highest in the world—offers stunning views of Mount Everest alongside your meal.

7. Flight from Syangboche to Lukla (refueling), then return to Kathmandu

The helicopter will land at Lukla one last time for a 15-minute refueling stop before making its final journey back to Kathmandu. The return flight will be equally scenic and relaxing. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, we will drop you off at your hotel.

We hope your Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour was both entertaining and rejuvenating.

Clothing, gear, and equipment

Since you will land at Kala Patthar (5,555m) and spend some time there, you must plan your clothing. Since the sunlight and UV rays are very strong at Kala Patthar, you need proper sunscreen and sun protection. The winds will be active in the afternoon, so prepare yourself with layers of clothing, including windproof jackets. You should also bring a down jacket, gloves, and a hat to face the high-altitude cold in case the weather turns cloudy.

  • A bottle of water
  • Toilet paper and other necessities
  • Mobiles and cameras
  • Windproof down jacket
  • Warm trousers
  • Sunhat and woolen cap
  • Scarf
  • Sunglasses/Goggles
  • Sunscreen (preferably of SPF30+)
  • Passport or passport copy

Trip Reviews

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5
Based on the opinion of at least 2022 people.
5 out of 5 reviews in
TripAdvisor
M
Maria Written Feb 13, 2023

The helicopter ride to Everest was an exhilarating and thrilling adventure. It stands out as one of the most remarkable and enjoyable trips I've had in my career thus far. The helicopter pilot and the other individuals on the f...

M
Maggy Written Apr 10, 2023

The Mount Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Discovery World Trekking was an incredible experience in my life. Witnessing Everest and other majestic mountains right in front of me filled me with excitement. Throughout the t...

Discovery World Trekking
5
Based on at least 758 Google reviews as a travel agency in Kathmandu.
E
Elijah Nov 28, 2023

Taking off on the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Discovery World Trekking was one of the best decisions I made in my life. The excitement bubbled within me as we lifted off, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of antic...

J
Jemma Jan 16, 2024

We went on the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Discovery World Trekking. Honestly speaking, it was an absolute marvel from start to finish. The journey was nothing short of spectacular, with every moment filled with awe ...

100%
100% users recommend (427 Reviews) us.
100% out of 100% reviews from
facebook
M
Maddy
5
Dec 21, 2022

Until I discovered that the helicopter tour to Everest is considered the finest one-day excursion in Nepal, I had never entertained the idea of such an adventure. Without hesitation, I promptly secured a seat through Discovery ...

A
Alex
5
Oct 10, 2022

Exploring the skies has always been a passion of mine. However, this time I went on a journey that surpassed all others. I had the opportunity to fly to Everest in a helicopter, and now I can confidently say that I have experie...

4.9
Based on the opinion of at least 206 people in the Travel & Vacation Category.
4.9 out of 5 reviews from
Trustpilot
N
NatalieUS Mar 6, 2023

The Mount Everest helicopter tour had always been a lifelong dream of mine. Finally, in April, I turned that dream into a reality. And let me tell you, it was an experience that made me feel like I had lived the absolute best t...

A
AlfredUS Jan 23, 2023

Experiencing a helicopter flight over the magnificent Everest, the world's highest peak was undeniably one of the most memorable moments of my life. Opting for this adventure turned out to be one of the greatest choices I have ...

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