Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu

Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu is the most popular day tour package available from the capital city of Nepal. Moreover, it mainly focuses on witnessing the majestic view of Mt. Everest. For those unaware, it is the highest peak in the world at 8848 m. The ride thus takes you to experience the central Himalayas with a considerable ground time at Hotel Everest View.

Helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla

The tour begins with an early morning pick up from your hotel in Kathmandu. You will then board a 50 minute helicopter flight from Domestic Terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport to Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla. Besides, Lukla in itself is the most thrilling and challenging airport in the world. It can also be considered as the gateway to the Everest region.

Flight to Pheriche

After a short break and refueling at Lukla Airport, the helicopter will then take a short 15 minute flight towards Pheriche. Pheriche is a small village with Teahouses. With recent change in safety regulations from the Government of Nepal, only a Pax of three or four including the pilot himself are allowed for the flyby flight. So one of the group waits at Pheriche for their turn until the other group returns.

The flyby flights are then shuttled to fly over Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Pumori, Kala Patthar, Everest Base Camp, Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Khumbu Icefall and the famous Khumbu Glacier.

Flight to Hotel Everest View

After a successful completion of both the shuttle flights over Mt. Everest, all travelers are carried onboard the helicopter for their next stop at Hotel Everest View. Moreover, here the travelers can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains including Mt. Everest itself. Additionally, the travelers here also have an option to enjoy their morning breakfast at the only luxurious 5 Star Hotel located above 3800 m.

Additionally, the breakfast break here has a considerable amount of ground time (nearly an hour) as well. It thus allows the travelers to enjoy a 360 degree view of the Himalayas with numerous opportunities to take photos for a memory of their lifetime.

The return flight to Kathmandu

The flight then returns back (10 minutes) to Lukla for refueling. After a short 15 min break the travelers then fly (50 minutes) back to Kathmandu Airport. Moreover, our airport representative will then escort all the travelers back to their hotels in Kathmandu.

Helicopter landing at Kala Patthar

Recently, there has been a change in the safety regulations from the Government of Nepal for helicopter flights. Besides, helicopters here onwards with full pax (Pax of 5) are no longer allowed to land at Kala Patthar. However, if one or two travelers combine for a charter flight, they are allowed to land at Kala Patthar.

Kala Patthar is a notable landmark located on the south ridge of Pumori in the Nepali Himalayas above Gorakshep. Although not a proper mountain, with a prominence of only 10 m (33 ft), the ascent of Kala Patthar is very popular with trekkers in the region of Mount Everest since it provides the most accessible closeup view of Mount Everest.

Flight Map

Everest Helicopter Tour

Additional information on Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu:

Availability of Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu:

Everest Helicopter Tour is available from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu all year long except for adverse weather conditions.

Best time of the year for the flight:

The best season for the flight is during January through June and then September through December. Moreover, the weather is generally clear with clear blue skies at the time. Besides, you may choose to avoid the monsoon seasons as the flight might often get canceled due to adverse weather conditions.

Note: You may choose to go for the flight just after your arrival in Kathmandu before or after your main trip, the choice is yours.

Flying Altitude:

The Everest Helicopter Flight from Kathmandu can reach up to 23000 feet for you to fully enjoy the aerial view of Mt. Everest and the surrounding ranges including very famous Khumbu Glacier.

Safety measures:

All of the helicopter flights to Everest region are well equipped with emergency oxygen masks and cylinders. Additionally, they are also equipped with first aid kits for AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) as well.

Passenger’s Insurance:

All passengers are insured for any unfortunate accidents or minor incidents from USD 5000 to USD 20000.

Things to bring along with you during the helicopter flight:

You are highly recommended to bring along your camera / mobile phone to capture the pictures for beautiful memories. Also, please do not forget to carry your valid passport for your identification. However, please avoid carrying along any heavy luggages or bags. Additionally, warm clothes are highly recommended.

Duration of Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu:

The flight usually lasts for 50 minutes after the takeoff from Kathmandu and landing at the Lukla Airport. Besides, the total time for the tour might be 4-5 hours including one hour ground time at Hotel Everest View & a return flight back to Kathmandu. Please be advised, the flight might get delayed or canceled on days of adverse weather conditions. So plan for having extra hours to be on the safe side.

Complimentary pick up and drop off service:

The travelers will receive a complimentary pick up and drop off service from Kathmandu. Moreover, the travelers will be picked up from their respective hotel / apartment in Kathmandu at around 06:00 am in the morning and be dropped back to their hotel after the flight. The airport transfer (one-way) will be nearly 15-20 minutes approximately.

Fly-by flight to Mount Everest:

The first thing you should know about Mount Everest is that it lies on the border between Nepal and China. So we cannot go around or over Everest for obvious reasons. The flight is therefore a flyby on the southern side of Mt. Everest and over Khumbu Icefall.

Refund / Reschedule in case of flight cancellation:

There are three cases where your flight might get canceled. One if the weather gets too bad, insufficient number of passengers (5 Pax) or if you yourself decline to fly. If the flight is canceled due weather conditions or insufficient number of travelers, you will be fully refunded. But there is always an option to reschedule your flight for any other suitable day. However if you cancel the flight with no appropriate reason you will no longer be valid for any refunds.

Everest Helicopter Flight Operators:

a. Air Dynasty (Aircraft: AS350B3e)
b. Simrik Air (Aircraft: Airbus Eurocopter AS350 B3E)
c. Heli Everest (Aircraft: AS 350 B3E (H125))
d. Prabhu Air (Aircraft: Airbus H125/B3e)
e. Altitude Air (Aircraft: AS 350 (H125) B3E)

Note: You will be appended to a respective flight as per the seat availability

Price for Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu:

The current flight ticket option per person as of January 2024 is USD 1265 for all travelers. However there is an option to go for a private chartered flight for one or two travelers onboard. Additionally, this option also includes an exclusive landing at Kala Patthar. It will cost USD 5655.

More details on Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu:

1. Duration: 4-5 Hour round trip

2. Places you will see: Mahalangur range including Mount Everest & Hotel Everest View

3. Possible group size: Min 1 to Max 5 per tour

4. Flight takes off early in the morning with first boarding at 06:30 AM (approximately)

5. Mt. Everest will be 1-2 miles from your window

6. View fantastic Himalayan peaks, lakes and glaciers

7. Hotel pick up and drop service included in your pay