9 of the Best Everest Helicopter Tours 2024
Have you been wondering helicopter tours to Everest? I’ve got you covered!
Nepal is a land of incredible beauty and adventure, and there’s no better way to experience it than with a helicopter tour of Mount Everest.
I recently spent some time in Nepal and decided that climbing the mountain was not something I was up for, but I still wanted to get an incredible view of the peak from above.
After doing some research, I found that there are several Everest Helicopter Tours available, all offering stunning views and experiences. Many travellers who are considering a tour have doubts about the safety, authority and trustworthiness of each tour company.
After speaking with other tourists who had already taken one of these tours, I was assured that they were safe, trustworthy and reliable. There’s no better way to get a truly breathtaking perspective on the highest mountain in the world than through one of these tours!
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My Top 3 Picks: Best Everest Helicopter Tours
9 of the Best Everest Helicopter Tours 2024
1. Landing Everest Base Camp By Helicopter Day Tour From Katmandu
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 4 to 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
Have you ever imagined reaching the Everest Base Camp without climbing in the cold? In this Mount Everest Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu, you will soar across the highest mountain and the Himalayas.
During the helicopter tour, you will enjoy aerial views of glaciers, camps, and the mountaineering routes of Mount Everest. Aside from this, you will also be stopping at Lukla to get a glimpse of the mountain town. This is where trekkers usually set out for Mount Everest.
“What a lovely experience! Kalapatthar weather was perfect for a clear view of Mt. Everest. Couldn’t go to the cafe for safety reason as the weather became cloudy soon after. Took a short trip to Lukla village instead.” -Debjani_P
This tour starts from Kathmandu airport, where you will ride the helicopter to Everest base camp. Once you set off, you will stop at Kula to drop fuel. This stop is where trekkers land and start their trek by going to the Everest base camp.
The tour’s next stop is at Pheriche – Dughlha Road, where you will split into two teams. If you fly with three or more tour joiners, the first two people will fly first, and the rest will follow. This is planned to ensure all passengers enjoy the window seat and get a great view of the Himalayas.
From there, you will fly over Mount Everest and enjoy the aerial view of the spectacular landscape. If you are on a budget and still want to enjoy Heli tour to Everest base camp, this tour is a great option.
You will join a group sharing 5 to 6 passengers with a private pilot during the tour, and there will even be an optional breakfast at a hotel offering spectacular mountain vistas.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 6:15 AM at chosen hotel pick-up in Kathmandu
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Includes: Everest helicopter flight in Joining GROUP sharing 5-6 passengers and a pilot, Hotel pickup and drop-off – please give us the hotel name and address, then we give pick-up time, Fuel surcharge, Multiple Landing points, Beautiful Views of landscapes, send us message all your possible dates to join this flight, we fly you on a nice day
2. Everest Scenic Helicopter Flight With Multiple Landing
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
Enjoy the Himalayas and Everest without going on long treks for days and having altitude sickness if you join this scenic Everest helicopter tour. The itinerary for this helicopter tour includes multiple landings to different spots, from Kathmandu to the Himalayas.
With a total of 4 hours, you will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and then stop for a few minutes there. From Lukla, you will again fly to Pheriche and land for 25 minutes. The most extended landing for this Everest helicopter flight will be at the Everest View Hotel.
However, do note that, like other helicopter tours, your safety is a priority, so if the weather is not favourable, you can get a refund or just reschedule for another day.
“I am a solo traveller and always go for business and leisure trip. I never expected a great Christmas time in NEPAL and HSJ made it all happen. It was a dream come true for me and greatest experience of my entire life. Amrit was very proactive and kind to accommodate my request and really find a way to make my helicopter tour to Mt Everest happened on the next day. The helicopter pilot was also very good as we have smooth take off and landing and very professional as well. The guide from hotel to airport and onboarding was very smooth and professional too.” – Tripadvisor Reviewer
From Kathmandu, you will be making your first landing in Lukla for at least 20 minutes. From there, you will head to Pheriche and land for 25 minutes. This is where your helicopter tour gets exciting as you head to Kala Pattar, where you will get a close view of all the mountains of the Everest range.
Of course, the tour’s highlight is getting an aerial view of the Himalayas and landing at the Everest View Point. Here, you can also enjoy a light breakfast while enjoying the magnificent view of the surrounding mountains.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 6:15 AM at the chosen hotel in Kathmandu
- Duration: 4 hours
- Includes: Heli-tour to Everest Base Camp, All government taxes, VAT and office service charge, Your insurance, Air-conditioned vehicle
3. Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour With Sharing Flight
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 4 hours| ✅ Book it!
Compared to other Everest base camp helicopter tours, this tour, in particular, will take you sightseeing around not just the Himalayas Range but also all of Verdant Hills, Magical Glaciers and lakes.
Getting on a heli tour is one of the most adventurous ways to enjoy Everest, especially if you are not a hiker. You will skip the part of preparing and training to climb the mountain for days, and you will even get to enjoy an aerial view of the Khumbu region.
“What an amazing trip! The Helicopter Flight has been on my To-Do list of the best thing to do in Nepal, and finally, I did it! Himalaya is beautiful but from the sky, it left me breathless! The entire team has been very professional and the pilot very experienced and entertaining. Will recommend it to everyone coming to Nepal to use Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition service!” – Tripadvisor Reviewer
There are plenty of helicopter tours going to Everest from Kathmandu, but this one, in particular, is on a shared flight. This is a great option for solo travellers on a budget and an excellent opportunity to get along with fellow travellers.
You can enjoy the flight and see aerial views of the peak, nearby landscapes and glaciers. They also offer an optional Breakfast meal for an additional 30 USD.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 5:45 AM at chosen pick up in Kathmandu
- Duration: 4 hours
- Includes: A Sharing Heli service with Insurance coverage, Hotel Pick up and drop , or any city Kathmandu Valley, All the governmental and local taxes, Fuel surcharge, Everest helicopter flight service
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4. Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 3 to 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
In this Everest base camp helicopter tour, you can see Mount Everest up close without trekking for weeks. Aside from seeing the Everest base camp, this tour includes three more stops.
You will make your first stop at Lukla Airport, where the helicopter will refuel. The next tour stop will be at the Everest View Hotel, where you can have drinks and snacks while enjoying a relaxing view of the mountains.
The third will be at Gorekshep Hill, near the Everest base camp. Here, you will be able to see the Everest base camp and the peak of Mount Everest already.
“Thank you Mr. Ram for offering this wonderful trip for me at best rate. I am more than happy to share my helicopter experience. I lived the best day of my life. It was exactly the trip I wanted for long. The thrilling and fantastic experience of flying above the mountains were good. I’m still in awe with the beauty of Everest. Thank you Mr Ram so much. I wish to visit You and your company soon next year and go for a trekking. Till then, god bless!!” – Tripadvisor Reviewer
Before boarding your helicopter at TIA, you will be picked up at your chosen hotel and head to the airport. From there, you will be flying to Lukla, the first stop of this tour. Enjoy a refreshing break here and adjust to the chilly air before reaching the Himalayas.
The next stop will be at the Pheriche, where you must split into groups to adjust to the weight limit at higher altitudes. While the first group will be shuttled to Kala Pathhar, the remaining group can explore the beautiful surroundings.
The highlight of this tour will be the flight from Pheriche to Kala Patthar. This is where you’ll pass through glaciers, snow-capped massifs, and the infamous Everest Base Camp. Upon landing, you can enjoy the best view of Everest and the surrounding peaks.
After flying around the Himalayas, you can enjoy a breakfast meal at the Hotel Everest View, considered the hotel with the highest altitude in the world.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Time to be confirmed at the chosen pick-up point in Kathmandu
- Duration: 3 to 5 hours
- Includes: Private transportation, Helicopter ride from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp and Return
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
5. Mount Everest Scenic Helicopter Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 4 hours 18 minutes | ✅ Book it!
If you have Mount Everest to visit on your bucket list but don’t have the time and energy to hike the rough terrains of the world’s highest mountain, then this one’s for you. You get to see the peak up close and fly over the Himalayas as you enjoy a scenic passenger seat when you join this helicopter tour.
This tour features your private helicopter, which guarantees an exclusive time in the air and when you land at some stops.
You’ll also be catered for all the logistics you’ll be needing for the flight, so you won’t have to prepare anything on the day of the tour. This includes airport and hotel pick-up and drop-off, breakfast, necessary permits, taxes and fees.
“It was a very wonderful experience The organizers are wonderful I’ve been among 28 climbers The hostel was fabulous but after the village of Namchi Bazaar the bathrooms of the hostel became unclean” – Tripadvisor Reviewer
This helicopter tour to Mount Everest is customisable depending on your group size, time preference and other requests you will need throughout the term. You can enjoy this tour alone, with a friend or family, and everything will be prepared accordingly.
You will depart from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Lukla as early as 7 AM. This will be your first stop, where most trekkers land before the hike to Mount Everest. After Lukla, you will proceed to Syangbiche and stop at Everest View Hotel for a well-prepared breakfast.
This is where the adventure starts – your next stop will be towards the famous Everest Base Camp and Glacier.
During the flight, you can enjoy scenic views of mountains, lakes, glaciers and the mountain routes that trekkers usually take. Other landmarks to see are teh Khumbu Ice Fall, Lhotse, South Col and the highest mountain peak.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Time varies at the chosen hotel pick-up point (Kathmandu)
- Duration: 4 hours 18 minutes
- Includes: All airports pick up and drop, Private Helicopter, Pilot and Fuel Breakfast at Everest View Hotel (the World’s best luxury viewpoint for Mt. Everest and more), All necessary permits and all applicable Taxes, VAT, Fuel surcharge Landing and facility fees
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6. From Kathmandu: Morning Helicopter Tour To Everest Base Camp
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 4 to 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
One of the best things you can do when travelling to Kathmandu is to go on a Helicopter tour to the Everest Base Camp. Not everyone can enjoy and see Mount Everest’s peak up close, so if you don’t plan to hike for weeks, you can enjoy this thrilling half-day helicopter tour instead.
From Kathmandu, you’ll first land in Lukla, where your heli and pilot will refuel. From there, you will continue deeper into the mountains. This is the chance to enjoy an aerial view of the Everest region with a small group, which even hikers cannot enjoy in their trek.
“We had a great trip to Everest base camp by helicopter. The weather was fantastic, and the pilot have a great experience with the flights in the mountain. The view was amazing. If you want to see Everest, just book with this company, and go!” -Tripadvisor Reviewer
This Everest base camp helicopter tour with landing is something you can consider as a day tour when staying in Kathmandu. It starts with a pick-up at your hotel, going to the airport where your pilot will be waiting for you.
As soon as you hop aboard your helicopter, you will head over to your first stop, Lukla and continue the tour after a few minutes of landing. The highlight of this tour is flying over the Himalayas and landing at the base camp of Mount Everest.
Aside from these, this tour also includes a helicopter land at the Everest View Hotel, where you will enjoy breakfast.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 6:00 AM at chosen hotel pick-up point (Kathmandu)
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Includes: Helicopter flight tour to Everest Base Camp on sharing base up to 5 pax, Landing at the famous viewpoint of Kala Patthar to take a picture and see the mountain, Landing 50 to 60 min breakfast break on Everest view hotel with a closeup view of Mount Everest, First Aid kit box and oxygen cylinder for an Emergency case, Airport transfers
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
7. Everest Helicopter Tour – Day Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 4 to 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
Discover the beauty of Everest on a Helicopter Day Tour for just 4 or 5 hours, perfect for those short on time. Climbing Mount Everest takes a long preparation, but with this Everest helicopter tour, you can enjoy a ride around it and nearby natural landscapes in just half a day.
You will fly around Mount Everest, see Kalapathar Views and learn more about these geographical views while your pilot lets you in with live commentaries. Also included in the tour is a pick-up and drop-off to your Kathmandu hotel and all official taxes you will need to pay.
“This helicopter experience is a must do if traveling to Kathmandu. Everything was scheduled and executed perfectly. The helicopter pilot was very professional and the views from the helicopter, from base camp, and from the hotel during breakfast were amazing!! We felt very well taken care of by the company and safe throughout our whole adventure.” -Tripadvisor Reviewer
Riding a helicopter is the easiest way to visit Mount Everest and see its surroundings. So, on this tour, you will start with a stop at Lukla. On your way to Lukla, you can enjoy mesmerising views of concrete jungles, Kathmandu Valley and the lush hills of Nepal.
The next stop will be Kala Patthar, which takes around 20 minutes of flight from Lukla. This is a famous vantage point of the Khumbu region, located at 5,500 metres. On your way to the peak of Kala Patthar, you can enjoy the aerial views of the Everest trail.
Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Sagaramatha National Park. This is also where most trekkers climbing Mount Everest also flock to this area to get a different perspective of the region.
Coming from Kala Patthar, you will enjoy a 12-minute flight to the Everest View Hotel, which is the highest place hotel in the world. Breakfast will also be served here before you go back to Lukla.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Time to be confirmed at chosen pick-up point in Kathmandu
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Includes: All land transportation by private car, van, or hiace, Life insurance for all support crews and their daily wages, Almost 4.5-hours helicopter flight, Depending on weather, All official taxes and service charges
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
8. Everest Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return From Gorakshep To Lukla
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 12 days | ✅ Book it!
Are you heading to the lap of the highest mountain and the world and adding it to your bucket list of achievements? While only some are made to conquer the height of Mount Everest, this trek with a helicopter return tour is something you can consider if you want to challenge yourself.
The trail will go through lush green forests, glacial lakes and snowy trails. You will also cross suspension bridges until you reach the Himalayan Giants. This tour differs because you can enjoy a 20-minute helicopter ride from Gorkashep back to Lukla.
All these will be done within 12 days, and you will already be provided with porters, food, accommodation, and a professional guide.
“Amazing trip! Everything was super well organized, from airport pick-up to farewell, and the guides (Raj and Sher) took great care of us throughout the hike. The helicopter return I recommend if you’re short on time and make sure to take the heli from Lukla to Kathmandu as well since cancelled flights happen often. I cannot thank Ace enough for making this a great trip!” -Tripadvisor Reviewer
This tour starts at Kathmandu, where one of the admins or guides will pick you up directly att the Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to the hotel in a private vehicle.
Day two is officially the start of the Everest trek, where you will fly to Kulka. Here, you will be joined by porters and begin your hike up to Phakding for at least 3 hours.
You will hike to Namche Bazaar for at least 6 hours the next day. During this trek, you will cross rivers on suspension bridges and climb steep trails to enjoy breathtaking views.
More than that, Namche is the most significant Sherpa settlement along the Everest trail, so you can find many restaurants, hotels, lodges and shops here. You will also spend your fourth day here to acclimatise and adjust to the thinning of the air.
On Day Five, you will continue a trek to Tengboche and pass by rushing glacial waters. The sixth day of this tour continues to Dingboche, where you will get exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak and Ama Dablam.
Day 7 of the tour is again scheduled for acclimatisation and a short hike to Nangkartshang Peak. From there, you will continue your walk on the 8th day going to Lobuche.
On day 9, you will get closer to the top, the most challenging trekking day. You will get as close to Mount Everest and climb to the Everest Base Camp.
Lastly, for Day 10, which will alos be the last day of the hike, you will spend your morning climbing the Kala Patthar, and upon reaching the highest point, you get to enjoy magnificent mountain panorama.
Before the sunset, you will enjoy a 20-minute ride back to Lukla. The last two days will be spent in Lukla, returning to Kathmandu or Manthali, where you can also use it to enjoy your days in Nepal.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 8:00 AM at the chosen pick-up point in any Kathmandu Hotel
- Duration: 12 days
- Includes: Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private tourist vehicle Twin sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu; Breakfast included (2 nights) Twin-sharing guesthouse accommodation in the trek with attached toilets in Lukla, Phakding & Namche First-aid trained, local Ace the Himalaya licensed English-speaking trekking guide Porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests) Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff Everest National Park permits and TIMS permit for trekking Airfare from Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu Shared helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Lukla Free Ace the Himalaya duffel/kit bag, trekking map and sun hat (yours to keep). All standard meals during trek (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner). Farewell dinner on the last night. Comprehensive first-aid kit with Oxymeter to measure your Oxygen saturation level. All administrative expenses and government taxes Filtered water in the trails using Katadyn Pocket Water Filter Seasonal fruits throughout the trek Dinner (10) Lunch (9) Breakfast (11)
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9. Everest Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return – 10 Days
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 10 days | ✅ Book it!
Trek the world’s highest peak in Nepal, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu & Cho Oyu in 10 days. This also includes a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu and Kalapatar. What’s great about this trekking tour is that everything will already be pre-arranged for you, and you can rest assured you will be secured for ten days.
The tour already includes all tea house accommodation, flights to/from Lukla, meals, and airport transfers. This is also just a small group tour, so you can expect to get the maximum experience during the hike.
“This is the perfect trip if you are looking into trekking Everest. The best part is after you reach the base camp of Everest you will fly straight back to Kathmandu by helicopter which means no hike back the same route back to Lukla. We had a great time doing this trek with all things organized well. Trekking guide was Ramesh Sapkota who took very good care of us and so were the porters. The helicopter ride back to Kathmandu was simply spectacular where we saw more mountains like Cho-oyu, Tibetan plateau far behind and the region where we trekked to the base camp. Upon arrival in Kathmandu our office team was waiting at the airport and dropped us back at our hotel. Do this trek if you are planning a trek to Everest and taking back some unforgettable memories.” -Tripadvisor Reviewer
The trek starts at Day 2, where you will fly to Lukla and start hiking for 3 hours to Phakding. On Day 3, you will have a longer hike for 6 hours until you reach Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar is where you will acclimate and ensure you can adjust to the weather at high altitudes. So, this is where you will be staying till the morning of Day 4.
On the afternoon of day four, you will proceed to Everest View Hotel. The hike going there takes about 3 to 4 hours. After a visit here, you will make your final stop at Syangboche Marg.
Continue your journey to reach Mount Everest as you hike to Tengboche on Day 5. Meanwhile, for days 6 and 7, you will be making your way to visit Dingboche and Lobuche. These hikes let you enjoy glaciers, rivers and spectacular views from above.
Day 8 is when you will be hiking to the Everest Base Camp, while day nine will be the tour’s highlight. This is when you will reach Kalapathar, the highest peak of Mount Everest. Before sunset, you will enjoy a shared helicopter ride back to Kathmandu.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 6:15 AM
- Duration: 10 days
- Includes: Breakfast Airport pick up / drop off by private vehicle per the itinerary. Accommodation in Kathmandu, including breakfast, as per the itinerary. Flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla by plane & Gorekshep to Kathmandu by heli on group sharing basis Accommodation during the trek at guest houses/lodges. Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek. Experienced English speaking trekking guide and necessary porters (1 Porter for 2 trekkers) during the trek including their transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipment and insurance. Everest Trek permit and TIMS card Duffle bag, down jacket, sleeping bag and walking pole. Trekking map and trip achievement certificate. All government taxes, VAT and office service charge. Landing and facility fees
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FAQs About helicopter tour everest base camp
can helicopters fly to the top of mount everest
Helicopters have been used to fly to the summit of Mount Everest, but it is a dangerous and difficult journey.
The thin air at such high altitudes make it nearly impossible for helicopters to maintain lift, so most flights to the summit are limited in duration and payload.
Additionally, the strong winds near the top of Mt. Everest can be powerful enough to knock a helicopter out of flight. So while helicopters can technically fly to the top of Mount Everest, it’s not something that is done regularly or safely.
is everest helicopter tour worth it?
The answer is yes, an Everest Helicopter Tour is worth it! Not only will you get to experience the breathtaking views of some of the highest mountain peak in the world, but you’ll also get to see rare wildlife and explore uncharted terrain.
The cost of a tour can be expensive, but many people feel that the experience is well-worth it. You’ll also have access to experienced guides who will take you through the most incredible destinations on your journey.
How long is the flight for the Everest helicopter tour from Kathmandu
The flight from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp is about 2 hours. The return journey is slightly shorter, taking 1 hour and 45 minutes.
This helicopter tour provides the quickest way to reach the slopes of Mount Everest and gives you a bird’s eye view of the world’s highest mountain.
Final Thoughts: helicopter tour everest
Everest helicopter tours offer amazing views of the world’s highest peak and can take your breath away. But the experience doesn’t end there!
Whether you choose to journey solo or with a partner, Everest helicopter tours are known for their friendly tour guides and fantastic aerial photography opportunities.
What’s more, these once-in-a-lifetime experiences don’t cost an arm and a leg! So if you’re looking for an adventure that you won’t forget in a hurry, why not book one of these thrilling Everest helicopter tours today?
With a wide range of activities to keep all ages entertained, you can guarantee that everyone will come away with plenty of wonderful memories. Don’t wait any longer – book today and start experiencing life like never before!
