Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

5:45 AM: Pick up from your hotel and drive to TIA (1350 m)

Get ready for an early start to your Mt Everest base camp helicopter tour. At 5:45 am, our tour guide will be in your hotel lobby to take all the participants of the tour to the domestic gate of TIA. The drive through the silent street of Kathmandu can take around 20 to 30 minutes.

Before leaving, please make sure you have kept your passport in your bag safely. Also, we suggest you wear warm clothing to be safe from the cool breezing air through Everest. It would not hurt if you also carry gloves, some dry foods, sunglasses, and a water bottle.

6:15 AM: Proceed to the Helicopter counter at TIA for check-in

After we reach TIA, our first step will be to complete all the essential formalities before we head to Lukla. The authorities at TIA will review our documents, and our passports, and also weigh our luggage. These formalities may take around half an hour to complete.

Please note that the helicopter has a maximum weight limit for its passengers, and it will be the determining factor to decide how many can board the flight.

After finishing the procedures, the officials will then hand us our boarding pass, after which we will wait for our departure in the waiting room.

In the meantime, the flight technicians at TIA will conduct the safety inspections of our shuttle. They will also monitor the weather conditions of both Kathmandu and Lukla.

After they ensure the optimal flying conditions, they will give the green signal for our departure and announce our departure time. As our boarding time approaches, we will head to the helipad of TIA, where the lead pilot of our chopper will welcome us.

He will then briefly explain all the safety protocols, such as how to enter and exit the shuttle, how to operate the door handles, and how to enjoy the flight safely.

These safety instructions may seem very unimportant and time-consuming to you, but please understand they are vital, so please give your full attention. After the briefing, we will now climb aboard and get set to fly over the Mother Mountain of the planet.

Note:

We understand each one of us likes to have the best window seat for the invaluable mountain and landscape views. However, every group member should have a fair chance to enjoy and savor these views. Therefore, we have arranged a rotating seating system at regular intervals for equal opportunity for all the participants.

06:40 AM: Helicopter Ride to Lukla (2820 m), 45 minutes

Buckle up for the thrilling 45-minute flight to land at one of the notoriously renowned airports of the world- the famous Tenzing Hilary Airport of Lukla.

From TIA, our pilot will fly us east, and within just ten minutes into our sky journey, we can see the heavenly mountain tips slowly appearing before our eyes, piercing the fluffy blanket of white clouds.

At first, the stunning Ganesh, Dorje Lakpa, Langtang, Kanchenjunga, and Manaslu will be seen. Then, as we ascend over the Lamjura La Pass (3550 m), the iconic silhouette of Everest will slowly start to emerge. And just behind it, its younger brother Lhotse will quietly reveal himself.

We will now turn north, where the iconic Lukla airstrip is positioned. Mount Kongde Ri will be standing by to greet us with its impressive altitude of 6187 m.

07:40 AM: Refueling stop at Lukla, brief Sightseeing, 10 to 12 minutes.

Our pilot will stop the helicopter at Lukla for about ten to twelve minutes to refuel before we set off again. Meanwhile, we can get into any one of the delightful lodges of Lukla and immerse ourselves in its beautiful setting, sipping a hot cup of coffee.

07:50 AM: Resume the flight to Khumbu through Pheriche (4200 m)

Now, our ascent into the sky will deliver us not only the amazing mountain panoramas but also the extraordinarily unique view of the entire landscape of the Khumbu Valley.

During the flight, our captain will also keep us engaged with stories and events of the villages we will pass by. He will also inform us about the EBC tracks and the related fun facts about the landmarks we will fly over. Thus, our flight will be all the while entertaining and informative.

After our chopper is refueled, it will now soar us over the astonishingly attractive villages of the amazing Sherpas. Below us, we can see the milky waters of Dudh Koshi making their way through these villages, and we may also see many hikers proceeding beside this river toward their onward destination for the night.

From high above, we can also see the Sherpa community going about their daily lives, with children joyfully playing nearby. The lush greenery of rhododendrons, fir, and pine trees provides cool shade to the villages below.

Before long, the blue-tiled roofs of numerous homes located on a small hill will come into view. This is Namche Bazaar, where we can even see its lively market bustling with activity.

As we continue with our flight, we will fly by Phortse Village, and soon the colorful man-made structure of Tengboche Monastery will draw our attention. However, the true highlight here will be the stunning outline of Ama Dablam, regarded as the most stunning mountain on the planet.

The snowy crowns of Nuptse, Everest, and Lhotse can also be seen on the horizon. Now, the ancient Pangboche monastery will come into our view, and soon, the deserted rocky land of the Pheriche, surrounded by gigantic mountains, will be reached.

Attention:

Kindly understand that at this point, our pilot may decide to land us at Pheriche if our group size exceeds more than two. Only 2 people are allowed at once time to land at Kalapatthar. In that case, he will split our group into two smaller groups so an even weight can be maintained in the chopper.

This action is necessary because the helicopter can carry a maximum of 500 kg until we reach Lukla, but the limit is reduced to 250 kg due to the high altitude after that point.

After the split, one group will be taken to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and then to the Everest View Hotel. While that group is at the hotel, the pilot will bring the other group back to Pheriche.

The waiting group in Pheriche can have personal encounters with the modest Sherpa people and watch their magnetic culture and way of life. You may never know what you will uncover- may be the magic spell to find joy in every circumstance, just like they do.

08:25 AM: Flight over EBC (5364 m), landing at Kala Patthar (5644 m) for 5-7 minutes

As we resume our helicopter adventure from Pheriche, we will fly over the picturesque hamlet of Dughla, and adjacent to it, we can see the 4830 m high Thukla Pass covered by the cascade of colorful prayer flags.

This sacred site honors the memory of climbers and mountaineers who disappeared into the mountains. They definitely deserve our thoughts and prayers. Look beneath you as the terrain suddenly takes the form of rugged, barren wilderness.

Lobuche is here and so is Khumbu Glacier, along with Pumori (7161 m), Cho La Pass (5420 m), and Lobuche Peaks (6119 m). Soon, the deserted rocky land of Gorak Shep (5140 m) will appear before us, which prides itself on being the highest settlement in this breathtaking region.

We are minutes away from the grand EBC (Everest Base Camp). This iconic camp in the spring period often turns into a beautiful, colorful town of tents where adventurers prepare to tackle the mighty Everest.

While they may not be there but the ever-standing enormous Khumbu Icefall will be right before us, along with the enchanting peaks of Nuptse, Pumori, Khumbutse, and Lhotse.

Now, after flying for around five to seven minutes, we will catch sight of the striking black stone of Kala Patthar, our landing spot, where we will spend about five to seven minutes in this stunning environment.

Please understand that we won’t be able to linger here for too long, as altitude sickness can quickly set in at such a high elevation. However, every second of our short ten minutes will be more than sufficient to absorb the majestic vibes of Pumori, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Khumbutse, Everest, Changtse, Lobuche, Nuptse, Lingtren, and many others.

Our pilot will keep the helicopter engine running to ensure immediate evacuation for anyone who may show signs of altitude sickness.

08:45 AM: Fly and Land at Everest View Hotel (3880 m) for breakfast, 1 hour

Moving away from Kala Patthar will be difficult, but we must move on and continue with our journey and ascend to the planet’s highest elevated hotel, known as Everest View, perched on the hill of Syangboche.

This extraordinary Japanese-built red-colored hotel was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2004 as the Highest Hotel in the world.

However, it is known for providing the ideal setting to watch the kaleidoscope of mountains (Taboche, Cholatse, Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku) while relaxing and indulging in tasty breakfast and drinks.

We will have a full hour to immerse ourselves in the beauty of this magnificent amphitheater.

09:45 AM: Kathmandu Flight Back/ Possible stop for refueling at Lukla

We will now depart from the enthralling mountains, villages, and people and journey back to Kathmandu. There might be a quick stop at Lukla Airport for a helicopter refueling.

11:45 AM: Arrival at TIA and transfer to your hotel

After we land at TIA, we will once again proceed to complete the necessary formalities. We will now accompany you to your lodging; rejoice in what you achieve in your adventure, and share the thrill of finishing the private Everest base camp helicopter tour with landing at Kala Patthar.

Note: Time may change due to weather and air traffic.

Note: Kathmandu to Lukla and Kathmandu sharing a Helicopter; for Kalapatthar, there is only a 2-person charter flight.