Everest Helicopter Tour
Everest in a morning, by private helicopter
- Half a day
- No trekking
- From $3,400
- Duration
- Half a day
- Style
- No trekking
- Highest point
- 5,545 m
- Best months
- Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
- Starts and ends
- Kathmandu
For travellers who want to see Everest in a single morning.
- Fly to the foot of Everest at dawn
- Breakfast facing Everest at Hotel Everest View
- Back in Kathmandu by noon
- Your own helicopter, never shared
For travellers with little time, or who would rather not trek, a private helicopter can take you to Everest and back in a morning.
You fly at dawn, when the air is clearest, up the Khumbu to the foot of the mountain, landing briefly where the rules allow. Then you come down to breakfast at Hotel Everest View with Everest in front of you, and you are back in Kathmandu by noon.
The helicopter is private, so you choose the day and nobody else’s plans change yours. Time at high altitude is kept to a few minutes, and we carry oxygen and a pulse oximeter on board. Children from ten are welcome; anyone with heart or lung conditions should check with their doctor first.
Mountain weather sets the timetable. If cloud stops the flight, we fly the next clear morning, so we suggest leaving one morning free after your planned date. The flight can be added to any of our journeys, or booked on its own with a night or two in Kathmandu.
Everest Helicopter Tour: the route
4 places · starts and ends in Kathmandu
Way upWay backPositions are approximate; peaks are shown for orientation.
Everest Helicopter Tour, day by day
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Day 1 Everest by air Private helicopter, about 4 h 1,400 m
Your host collects you from your hotel before dawn for the short drive to the domestic terminal. The helicopter is yours alone. It flies east along the Himalaya, then up the Khumbu past Lukla, Namche and Tengboche to the head of the valley, landing briefly near Kala Patthar or Gorak Shep where the rules allow, with Everest, Nuptse and Pumori close above you. Time at 5,000 metres is kept short. On the way down you stop at Hotel Everest View for breakfast on the terrace facing Everest and Ama Dablam, and you are back at your hotel in Kathmandu by about noon. If cloud stops the flight, we fly the next clear morning.
- Getting there
- Private helicopter, about 4 h
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,400 m
- Meals
- Breakfast
Walking times are typical at an unhurried pace and include rests; your guide adjusts each day to the group and the weather.
Is this journey for you?
- Walking
- No walking beyond a few steps at the landing site and the hotel terrace; time at altitude is kept short.
- Who it suits
- Anyone in good health, aged ten or over. Time at high altitude is kept short; if you have a heart or lung condition, check with your doctor first.
The practical details
Best time for the Everest Helicopter Tour
- JanJanuary: Good. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- FebFebruary: Good. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- MarMarch: Best. Spring begins: clear mornings, rhododendrons in bloom lower down.
- AprApril: Best. Peak spring season: warm days, flowers, busier trails.
- MayMay: Good. Warmer and hazier, with afternoon cloud as the monsoon nears.
- JunJune: Not recommended. Monsoon: rain most afternoons, leeches low down, mountains often hidden.
- JulJuly: Not recommended. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- AugAugust: Not recommended. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- SepSeptember: Good. Monsoon clears late in the month; lush valleys, some cloud.
- OctOctober: Best. Peak autumn season: clear views, festivals, busier trails.
- NovNovember: Best. Clear, stable and cooler; quieter after mid-month.
- DecDecember: Good. Cold, clear and quiet; short days at altitude.
Seasons for this journey: Spring, Autumn, Winter. Choose a month for what to expect.
Included
- Himkora Host and a private guide on the day
- The private helicopter, its pilot and landing fees
- Private transfers to and from the airport
- Breakfast at Hotel Everest View
- Permits: Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu fees
- Bottled oxygen and a pulse oximeter on board
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu as described
- The Himkora Care Standard, in full
Not included
5 items
- Hotel nights (we can book them for you)
- International flights
- Nepal visa (US$50 on arrival for 30 days)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities and drinks
Before you go
Permits we arrange for you
- Sagarmatha National Park entry and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee
We need a scan of your passport photo page and one passport photo about six weeks before travel. Permit fees are included in your price.
Visa and insurance
- Most nationalities get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or online in advance. Check the Department of Immigration before you travel.
- Travel insurance is required. It must cover trekking to the altitudes on your route and helicopter evacuation; we check your policy before departure.
Mountain flights
- Your itinerary ends with a night in Kathmandu. If delays run on, we can arrange a helicopter (at cost).
- Domestic baggage is usually limited to about 15 kg including your cabin bag; extra can stay at your Kathmandu hotel.
Weather
- Days are usually bright and mild in season; nights are cool in the hills.
- Afternoon cloud is normal; mornings bring the clearest views.
We provide
- A Himkora duffel for your porter to carry (up to 12 kg per guest)
- Water purification, first-aid and the Care Standard kit
You bring
- Comfortable walking shoes and light layers
- Modest clothing for temples (shoulders and knees covered)
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; insect repellent for Chitwan
A full packing list comes with your proposal.
Money
- Your journey is paid in advance, so you only need cash for drinks, souvenirs and tips.
- Nepali rupees are best on the trail; there are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara.
Connectivity and tipping
- Most lodges have Wi-Fi, often slow and sometimes paid; mobile data works in many villages. Your guide carries a satellite messenger.
- Gratuities are not included and are always your choice. We send guidance for guides, porters and drivers with your pre-departure notes.
Combine it with
All journeys
Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour
A private helicopter from Pokhara up the Modi Khola gorge to Annapurna Base Camp, with time on the ground inside the Sanctuary. Back for a late breakfast.
Kathmandu Valley in Three Days
Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath with a local historian, two nights in a heritage hotel and dinner at a family table.
Chitwan Safari in Three Days
A short flight to Chitwan, two nights at a safari lodge, jeep and canoe safaris for rhino, deer and birds, and a Tharu village evening.
Questions guests ask
More answers on our questions page, or write to hello@himkora.com.
How much does the Everest Helicopter Tour cost?
From $3,400 per person, for two travelling privately, $3,350 per person for four and $6,550 if you travel alone. The price includes guiding, porters, accommodation, meals and permits as listed. Your proposal gives one clear price for your dates.
How long is the Everest Helicopter Tour?
Half a day, door to door from your hotel. Because it is private, you choose the day, and we can add nights before or after.
How high does the Everest Helicopter Tour go?
The highest point is 5,545 m (by helicopter, where landing is permitted); you are back the same day.
When is the best time for the Everest Helicopter Tour?
The best months are March, April, October and November. See the month-by-month guide above for the rest of the year.
Which permits do I need for the Everest Helicopter Tour?
You will need: Sagarmatha National Park entry and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee. We arrange all of them for you and include the fees in your price.
Is every journey private?
Yes. You travel only with the people you choose, on your dates. Your guide, porters and vehicles are yours alone, and the route can be adjusted before or during the journey.
What is included in the price?
Your Himkora Host and senior guide, porters, every hotel and lodge named in the itinerary, meals as listed, domestic flights, permits, park fees and private transfers. International flights, your Nepal visa, travel insurance, drinks and gratuities are not included.
How do deposits and payment work?
A 30% deposit confirms your journey, and the balance is due 90 days before travel. Your proposal sets out the full price and the cancellation terms before you pay anything. Our full booking terms are on the Booking terms page.
How fit do I need to be?
Each journey has a walking grade, explained on its page. Before you book, we send a short health questionnaire and talk through your walking history. If a route isn't right, we will say so and suggest one that is.
How do you manage altitude?
Above 3,000 metres our itineraries raise sleeping altitude by about 500 metres a night, never more than 700 metres and then only next to a rest day, with acclimatisation days built in. Guides check blood oxygen and pulse twice a day, carry bottled oxygen on high routes, and always have the authority to turn back.
Do I need special travel insurance?
Yes. Your policy must cover trekking to the highest altitude on your route (up to 6,000 metres on our high journeys), emergency medical treatment, helicopter rescue and repatriation. We check it before you travel.
What if flights to Lukla are delayed?
Mountain flights depend on the weather, and in busy months they may leave from Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu. Every Everest itinerary keeps a spare day in Kathmandu after the Lukla flight, so a weather delay doesn't cost you any of the trek. If delays run on longer, a helicopter can be arranged at cost.