Trip Overview
Everest Helicopter Tour – Nepal: A Simple Guide
Few places on Earth are as amazing as the Everest area. The Everest Helicopter Tour is a special trip. It takes you up in the sky to see the big Himalayas. You will see the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters). In a few hours, you fly over deep valleys, snowy points, hidden monasteries, and rivers from glaciers. The ride is smooth and exciting in a helicopter.
This trip starts at sunrise in Kathmandu. The city wakes up as you take off. You leave the busy town behind. You fly east toward the mountains. Hills go down below you. The first white peaks show up. You see Langtang, Gaurishankar, Melungtse, and then Everest. It looks like a pyramid in the distance. Your heart beats fast. The helicopter lands at Kala Patthar (5,545 meters). This is one of the highest places you can visit without climbing. You stand on the top of the world. Peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam are around you. The air is thin and cool. You hear prayer flags moving in the wind. This moment feels like magic. After taking pictures, the tour goes to the Everest View Hotel in Syangboche (3,880 meters). You eat breakfast there. The view is amazing. You see snow-covered mountains. Trekkers look small far below. This might be the best meal you ever have.
This trip is good if you don’t have much time. It is also good if you can’t walk long distances. Or if you just want to see the Himalayas easily. It is perfect for adventurers, couples, photographers, or dreamers. You see Everest close without weeks of hiking or getting sick from high places. Safety is important. They know the land and weather well. Oxygen is on the helicopter if you need it. Weather is checked to keep you safe.
You also get a meal during the tour. Safe drinking water is provided. Snow Bank Adventure takes care of everything. They arrange transport, pilots, and gear. You don’t need to worry.
Scenic Route Overview
- Kathmandu to Lukla (Refuel Stop)
- You fly east from Kathmandu over green hills and tree-covered ridges.
- You land at Lukla (2,860 meters) for a short break to add fuel.
- Lukla has the world’s most famous high-up airstrip.
- Lukla to Kala Patthar
- You fly over Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, and Everest Base Camp.
- You land at Kala Patthar (5,545 meters) to see big views of Everest and other peaks.
- You stay on the ground for 5 to 10 minutes because of the high place.
- Kala Patthar to Everest View Hotel
- You fly down to Syangboche for breakfast at the hotel.
- You take your time to eat and enjoy the views.
- Return to Kathmandu
- You fly back over valleys and ridges in Solukhumbu.
- You arrive in Kathmandu late morning or around noon.
Details Itinerary
Cost Details
Package Highlights
- You get a round-trip helicopter ride from Kathmandu to the Everest area.
- Everyone gets a window seat to see outside.
- You land at Kala Patthar (5,545 meters). It is the closest view of Mount Everest without climbing.
- You eat breakfast at Everest View Hotel (3,880 meters) with amazing mountain views.
- You fly over special places like Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Khumbu Glacier, and Base Camp.
- Oxygen is on the helicopter. Experienced pilots keep you safe and comfortable.
- You get picked up and dropped off at your hotel in Kathmandu.
- You can choose a group trip, a private trip, or a honeymoon flight.
- The trip takes 4 to 5 hours. It starts early in the morning and ends by midday
FAQ
The country Nepal spread east to west. It lies between Chain and India. The land area of Nepal is 1,47,512km2. It is the second biggest country in water sources. The current population of Nepal is 2,90,00,000. Among them 34% < 15yrs, 61% from 15-64yrs, 5% > 64yrs & 1,800 births/day. More than 125 languages and local dialects are spoken but Nepali is the most speaking language in Nepal. English is understood in tourist and trekking areas. Many trekking and tour guides can speak other western and eastern languages. Religions: Hindus are 81%, Buddhists are 9%(especially living in high Northern regions), Muslims are 4.5%, and Christians are1.4%. Land area:-1,47,181km2 Low Terai 20.1%, Middle Hills 56.2%, High Himalaya 23.7%, Arable land 16.8%, Forest 25.4% Time Zone: Nepal is 5’45” ahead from GMT and 15 minutes faster than Indian Time.
There are two main trekking seasons in Nepal. Spring (From 3rd week of February to 1st week of May) and autumn(From 3rd week of September to 1st week of December ). These seasons are common to all trekking routes. The Everest and Annapurna regions are very crowded during march-April and mid-October to the end of November. The weather is warm with flowers in rain shadow areas during the monsoon seasons. But the flooding and landslide can be damaged to the mountain road which can make major delay in time schedule. Leeches also found in lower trails during the monsoon that can make uncomfortable while walking. The trekkers can explore all year round in Mustang but are cold from December to the beginning of March. Likewise, Dolpo can be visited from mid of August to the first week of October. Poon Hill and Helambu like short treks can do during the winter( December to February) but it is cold at night. It is also possible for Annapurna, Manaslu, and Everest Base camp treks but the weather is very cold which makes the treks to tough. The biggest season of tourist from October to December which is the best time to capture mountain views. There is also good temperature and clear sky after the monsoon. The Middle Hills and Terai region ( Chitwan National Park and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha) is the best time to explore in winter.
There are different races of people inhabitant in Nepal. So that they are having different culture and also celebrating different festivals throughout the country. You can found differ in culture and festivals by their religion too. The Hindu celebrates Dashain and Tihar which is held in October and November. Likewise, Buddist celebrates Loshar at different times. Gurungs and Tamangs are enjoying January and Sherpas are celebrating the month of February. But you can found some common festivals like holly(color’s festival) celebrating in every religion which held at end of February and March. You can get a chance to observe some cultural festivals like Indrejatra and Janai Purnima in August and Shiva Ratri in February. So many other festivals are celebrating throughout the country.
A six-month valid passport with some blank pages for a stamping visa is required. Do not forget to check your passport where correctly stamped arrival, departure, passport number, and visa date to avoid the possibility of complications. VISA Nepal provides an arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. But you should complete the visa form with a recent passport size photo and pay the visa fee in foreign currency, preferably USD. Other major currencies are also acceptable. A single entry visa fee cost is 15 days USD 25.00 30 days USD 40.00 90 days USD 100.00 A foreigner can stay a maximum of 150 days in a calendar year. They can be extended visa from the Immigration Office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. A minimum extension is USD 30.00(to be paid in Nepalese rupees) for 15 days. Visa applications can be pre-registered online. Read the requirements and have a photo and all requested details available before starting the process. http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa Spare passport size photos and Document copies Better to bring 6-8 recent passport size photos and some copies of your passport for use on the visa application, visa extensions, and Trekking permits.
Our guides are trained in first aid, carry a comprehensive medical kit, and can deal with most of the problems encountered on treks. However, in the case of a serious accident outside help needs to be available. That’s why comprehensive insurance is essential. Trekking is not possible without full insurance cover, which you can purchase in your home country. You need to have full, personal, travel insurance that covers personal belongings, trip cancellation plus medical, rescue, and evacuation insurance(for air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). You must carry the company’s insurance policy certificate with you, it must include your name, address, policy number, contact numbers, and procedure for the company’s rescue department.
Trekking entry permits are required to each of Nepal’s National Parks and Conservation Areas. The entry permits cost range from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3000 per entry and additional permits are required for Restricted Region Treks. We can manage all types of permits. There are five Restricted Regions which are close to the Tibetan border were opened for outside in 1990. The treks only can do with a professional guide and minimum of two trekkers. Your original passport and extra photos are required to make permits for Upper Dolpo, Mustang, Nar-Phu, Tsum Valley, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga trekking. The fees are according high and range from USD 90.00 - USD 500.00 for a week or 10 days then stiff daily amounts.
Credit cards are only accepted in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. You have to make ready Nepalese Rupees to spend during the trek. That’s why you have to take a sufficient amount of Nepali Rupees on your trek. Your personal expenses should be only for hot showers, charging batteries, additional drinks, and snacks, the cost rising with altitude. You can make a ceremony with your trekking team at the end of the trek.
Regular walking or jogging activities for a few months before your trip will ensure high altitude trekking. People who trek so quickly and climb too high in a day may suffer Acute Mountain Sickness( AMS) so we call trekkers slow and steady walking. Stops for rests and do not carry more than 5 kg with you. Pre-fitness and stamina are required for trekking in Nepal. Spend at least two nights in the city before going to the trekking destination which gives time for acclimatization as well as easy to arrange necessary trekking permits.
We prefer the group size from 1-10 pax but more can be accommodated on request. There must be 2 persons accompanied by a registered guide in the Restrict Regions( Upper Dolpo, Mustang, Nar-Phu, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga). Anyone who is reasonably fit and can walk for 5-6 hours a day in a hilly country can trek in Nepal. We suggest children up to 15 years stay below 3500m and above 15 years can tackle the higher routes.
A delegate from Snow Bank Adventure will meet you outside the terminal building and pick you up and take you to your hotel. We use cars or minibusses as the means of transportation in cities. For trekking, we use flights, local buses, minibusses or jeeps depends on the distance, terrain, and size of the group. There is a limitation on luggage up to 15 kg per person on small planes.
Trip
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a ‘must-do’ trek for all trekkers. Walk on Nepal’s oldest trekking trail and arrive at the heart of Annapurna Region. Trek through a typical Nepalese mountain…