Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour allows you to land on Kalapathar which is the highest and best viewpoint of Mt Everest, situated 5545 m from sea level. It also lets you enjoy the thrilling mountainous view of Mt Everest and its surrounding peaks. It saves your time avoiding 11 days’ long Everest Base Camp Trek and makes you enjoy the ariel view of the mountain range.
Although the title of the tour is Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, the helicopter does not land on Everest base camp 5364 m. But why? The one and the only reason is that there is no helicopter stand or the plain surface to build the stand. As a result, helicopters can not take land in EBC. Moreover, the government even does not allow you to stay overnight there in Everest Base Camp if you don’t have an Everest Climbing permit. It literally means only Everest climbers have the right to stay there in Everest Base Camp. Instead, the helicopter lands on Kalapathar of Everest which is elevated at 5545m.
Alternatively, you can even do the Everest helicopter trek. In this sort of package, you will trek initially to reach Everest base camp and finally come back to Lukla or Kathmandu by helicopter.
| Duration: | 4/5 hours |
| Ground Time: | About 10 minutes |
| Starting Point: | Kathmandu Airport |
| Ending Point: | Kathmandu Airport |
| Stop Points: | Lukla (for refueling the helicopter), Pheriche, Kalapathar, Everest View Hotel |
| Highest Altitude: | 5545 m (Kalapathar) |
| Trip Grade: | 1 Day Luxury Helicopter Tour |
| Group Size: | 1 – 5 pax (maximum 5 passengers in one helicopter) |
You will first head to TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) and begin your Everest Helicopter Tour from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. Flying above the sky of Kathmandu valley, you move to Lukla and land there where you get to see the first glimpse of Sherpa culture and inhabitants. At Lukla, the helicopter will be refueled and then hover toward Kalapathar flying above Everest Base Camp and Gorakshep having an awe-spring view of Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, and many other mountain peaks.
After spending 10 – 15 minutes in Kalapathar and capturing some best scenery of high mountain peaks, you just follow backward and land at Everest View Hotel to enjoy the food and natural beauty of the Mahalangur Sub Himalayan Range. Then you come back to Kathmandu following the same way with the same flight.
You can charter or book a helicopter privately for your private tour for a certain time. Comparatively, it costs higher than group sharing as you will have the right whether to take other members or not.
Unlike the chartered tour, you need to join a group to enjoy this tour. But you will get an affordable price quote. There will be a maximum of 5 members in a helicopter. However, there may be only 3 members in the higher altitude above Namche Bazaar as there is low air pressure.
Can a helicopter land at Everest Base Camp?
It can be taken at Kalapathar which is near Kalapathar but situated 5545 m above sea level. It is even higher than Everest Base Camp.
Can a helicopter be taken to the summit of Mt Everest?
Maybe it can be. But it is too risky. In 2005, a French man named Didier Delsalle had become the first person who landed the helicopter on the top of Mt Everest. Since then no one has taken helicopters to the summit of the peak because now nobody is allowed to take helicopters on the top of Everest due to the criticism from many people.
How long time does a helicopter stay on Kalapathar top?
It only stays around 15 minutes. Because there is a risk of high altitude sickness as you will reach directly above 5500m without having proper hiking and trekking experience and acclimatization.
Is Everest Helicopter Tour safe?
Definitely, Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is safe because the helicopter used for this tour is like AS 350B3e and the experienced pilots fly the helicopter. Indeed, most helicopter agencies do not carry more than 3 passengers in a helicopter in order to ensure safe helicopter take-off and landing.
What is the best time to do Everest Helicopter Tour?
January to May and September to December are the best months for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. However, normally it can be done all the time.
What are the packing lists for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
Although it is a short tour, you need to bring some sort of gear like a Down Jacket, a Camera (to capture a picturesque of the mountain range), a Sunhat, a bottle of water, toilet paper, a passport and a copy of passport, etc to go for Everest Helicopter Tour.
Can I extend the trip for an additional 1 day?
Definitely, you can request your trip for 1 extra day with additional costs to cover the hotel, guide, and transportation. Your helicopter agency will arrange all these services for you.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
It is necessary more than mandatory as you reach up to 5545m. And in this condition, Acute Mountain Sickness can occur unexpectedly. So, your travel and medical insurance will be able to cover all your investments.
For more detail, you can contact us.
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