Safety
Experienced High-Altitude Pilots
Mountain Helicopters Nepal
Fly close to Everest, then land at the legendary Base Camp itself
Experienced High-Altitude Pilots
3.5 to 4 hours
Approximately 5,364 metres / 17,598 feet (Everest Base Camp)
Spring (March - May), Autumn (September - November)
Up to 5 passengers per tour
400 kg (passenger weight + baggage weight per helicopter)
About This Flight
The Everest Mountain Overfly with Everest Base Camp Landing from Kathmandu flies you into the heart of the Everest region and sets you down on the ground at Everest Base Camp itself, the starting point for climbing expeditions. The journey runs from Kathmandu through Lukla and Pheriche, past Namche Bazaar and the Tengboche ridge, with the surrounding peaks filling the windows throughout. The whole experience is completed in a single day.
The route follows the same operational pattern used across our Everest helicopter tours. The aircraft first flies from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway airstrip of the Khumbu, then continues on to Pheriche at around 4,240 metres. Here the flight changes shape. Passengers go up in small numbers, because of the weight the thin air allows, and each group flies the sequence in turn: a close overfly of the Everest region, then a landing at Everest Base Camp. From the ground the Khumbu Icefall runs off to one side, the glacier below is close enough to see the texture of the ice, and the expedition tents sit a few hundred metres away at the foot of the route that every summit push begins on. No other tour in our range puts you on this spot.
Once everyone has completed the overfly and the Base Camp landing, the group reunites at Pheriche and the helicopter flies direct back to Kathmandu, with a brief refuelling stop at Lukla on the way. There is no landing at Kalapatthar and no breakfast stop at Hotel Everest View on this itinerary. This tour is for anyone who wants to stand where climbing expeditions begin, rather than at a viewpoint looking at the same mountain from a kilometre away.

Tour Feels Like
The tour begins gently, with a scenic hop from Kathmandu to Lukla that already offers sweeping views of Nepal's mid-hills and river valleys. After a short refueling stop, the flight continues deeper into the mountains, passing over Namche Bazaar and Tengboche before reaching Pheriche, where the terrain opens into the wide, high-altitude Khumbu Valley.
The real highlight comes next. In pairs, passengers fly a close overfly of the Everest region before descending toward Base Camp itself, the helicopter settling onto the rocky moraine beside the Khumbu Icefall. Stepping out at Base Camp, even briefly, puts passengers in the same spot where climbing teams spend weeks acclimatizing before their summit push, an experience with a different weight to it than a viewpoint landing. The helicopter then returns to Pheriche to collect the next pair, and the process repeats until every passenger has completed the experience. While one pair is at Base Camp, the rest of the group waits at Pheriche, where the thin air and dramatic surroundings are already memorable in their own right.
Once every passenger has completed the landing, the group reunites, and the helicopter heads directly back toward Kathmandu, stopping briefly at Lukla to refuel before continuing home. Light turbulence over ridgelines and near the high-altitude landing zone is normal, and every leg of the flight is flown only when conditions are judged safe.
Who should choose
Know Your Destination
Share your preferred travel date, the number of passengers, exact passenger weights, and baggage details with Mountain Helicopters Nepal. Our operations team will verify helicopter availability, weather conditions, airport status, and total payload to ensure the flight can be operated safely. Once everything is confirmed, you will receive your final itinerary, reporting time, meeting point, and baggage allowance, so you can prepare for a smooth and hassle-free journey.
Before boarding, the crew briefs passengers on seating, restraint belts, communication signals, and in-flight procedures. If the total weight exceeds the allowed limit, some baggage will need to be stored or sent separately in the next helicopter flight but will charge an extra cost in this case.
The helicopter flies east across hills, farmland, and river valleys to Lukla, where a brief stop is made for refueling.
From Lukla, the helicopter continues over Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery to Pheriche, at around 4,240 meters
Each pair flies the close overfly of the Everest region, then lands at Everest Base Camp for several minutes beside the Khumbu Icefall before returning to Pheriche.
Once all passengers have completed the sequence, the group reunites at Pheriche, and the helicopter heads directly back toward Kathmandu, with a brief refueling stop at Lukla along the way
The airport tax is payable at the airport before departure. National park and local permit fees are paid either after arriving in the Everest region or before takeoff, depending on the flight's operating arrangements and the instructions provided by the crew.
| Countries | Airport Tax of Kathmandu | National Park Fee | Local Area Fee | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAARC | 500 | 3500 | 500 | 4500 |
| Other Foreign Countries | 500 | 6000 | 500 | 7000 |
| Nepal | 500 | 100 | 500 | 1100 |
Fares & Cost
Shared by the seat, or the cabin to yourselves. Both fly to the same standard.
Starting fares only, subject to change. Final price confirmed at booking.
Best Season
Months
March-May
Completion
92%
Visibility
Excellent
Months
September-November
Completion
95%
Visibility
Excellent
Months
December-February
Completion
68%
Visibility
Medium
Months
June-August
Completion
34%
Visibility
Low
Health, Safety & Altitude Guidelines
At Lukla, the atmospheric pressure is approximately 70% of sea level. This means that with every breath, your lungs receive roughly half the oxygen compared to what you breathe at sea level. Most healthy people tolerate this without serious issues. However, your body does notice the difference.
Consult the doctor for any of these if you:
Why Mountain Helicopters Nepal?
Questions
Still have questions? Our team is available 7 days a week.
ASK US DIRECTLY→This tour lands at Everest Base Camp itself, the staging ground used by climbing expeditions, rather than at Kalapatthar, which is a viewpoint above the Base Camp area. If you'd prefer the Kalapatthar viewpoint instead, ask us about our Kalapatthar Landing tours.
Each pair typically gets several minutes at Base Camp, enough time for photos and to take in the surrounding Khumbu Icefall and glacier, before the helicopter returns to Pheriche for the next group.
Landing conditions at base camp depend on weather, snow cover, and terrain and can vary by season. Our pilots make the final call on safety before every landing, and the flight may be adjusted if conditions aren't suitable on the day.
Flying and landing close to 5,364 metres requires strict weight limits for safe helicopter performance. For larger groups, the aircraft shuttles from Pheriche in rotations,for five passengers, this means three separate trips, so every passenger gets their own landing at Base Camp.
Yes. The short duration at altitude, combined with pilot discretion over weather and weight limits, is specifically designed to manage altitude risk. Passengers with underlying heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before booking.
No. This tour returns directly from Pheriche to Kathmandu without a stop at Hotel Everest View. If you'd like a breakfast stop included, ask us about our tours with Breakfast at HEV.
Let our experienced team create your unforgettable Himalayan journey.