Talk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
Talk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
A helicopter tour to Everest base camp provides an opportunity to discover the wonders and wilderness of the Himalayas while the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek is a mix of trekking and helicopter flight back. When planning a trip to Everest base camp by helicopter, it can be a day excursion from Kathmandu. While the tour can be the main adventure, it can also be an additional activity to complement other trips in Nepal. In just a few hours, you will have the chance to explore and witness the grandeur of the mountains in the Everest region. This article talks about the difference between Everest Helicopter Tour and Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek.
By choosing to explore it by helicopter, you will embark on a mountain adventure in style. The majestic mountains will be within reach in just a few hours. The helicopter tour to Everest base camp will take you to the base camp of the highest mountain on earth. This adventure will also provide an opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring wilderness of the mountains.
Everest Helicopter Tour: A luxury experience that allows you to witness the beauty of Everest and its surroundings from the air. This tour typically lasts 4–5 hours and includes a scenic flight, a brief landing at Everest View Hotel or Kala Patthar, and sometimes a stop at Lukla or Pheriche for refueling.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek: A combination of trekking and helicopter return. You hike to Everest Base Camp (EBC) over several days and then take a helicopter back, avoiding the long descent. It offers an immersive trekking experience while still allowing for the comfort of an aerial return.
Everest Helicopter Tour: 4–5 hours (Kathmandu to Everest and back)
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek: 7–14 days (Trekking up, helicopter return)
Everest Helicopter Tour:
Ideal for those who want a breathtaking aerial view of Everest without physical exertion.
Less adventurous, but offers incredible photography opportunities.
Perfect for time-constrained travelers.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek:
Requires moderate to high fitness levels.
Offers a true trekking experience through Sherpa villages, forests, rivers, and glaciers.
Provides cultural immersion, local encounters, and stunning landscapes.
Everest Helicopter Tour:
Quick ascent with limited time at high altitude.
No need for acclimatization.
The risk of altitude sickness is minimal due to short exposure.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek:
Gradual altitude gain allows for acclimatization.
Higher risk of altitude sickness, but proper acclimatization can prevent issues.
Experience of spending nights in high-altitude lodges.
Everest Helicopter Tour:
Generally costs between $1590 – $1,990 per person for a group-sharing tour.
Private helicopter tours can be more expensive (around $4,990 – $7,590).
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek:
Costs range from $3,090 – $6,500 per person depending on itinerary, guide services, permits, and accommodations.
Helicopter return adds extra cost but saves trekking days.
| Feature | Everest Helicopter Tour | Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek |
|---|---|---|
| Time Required | 4–5 hours | 7–12 days |
| Fitness Level | No fitness required | Moderate to high fitness needed |
| Cost | $$ - Luxury experience | $$ - Trekking & helicopter return |
| Adventure Level | Low | High |
| Acclimatization Needed | No | Yes |
| Cultural Experience | Minimal | Extensive |
| Photography Opportunities | Aerial views, short landing | Multiple landscapes, cultural interactions |
This is the ideal choice if you are seeking a trip that offers a perfect blend of luxury and adventure.
Opting for a helicopter flight to the base camp of the highest mountain on earth is undeniably a splendid way to embark on a mountain adventure. Despite being a short trip of just a few hours, this adventure offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This helicopter flight to Everest base camp will take you to the Everest region, where you can immerse yourself in the wilderness of the mountains. It is an experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. You will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of the snow-capped mountains in the Everest region. This adventure allows you to explore the mountains in just a few hours, whereas it would take two weeks if you were to embark on a trekking adventure.
The ideal time to embark on this high-altitude adventure tour is during favorable weather conditions. Given the unpredictable nature of the weather in the high mountains, it is crucial to choose the timing wisely. For the best experience of exploring the Everest base camp by helicopter, it is recommended to plan the tour during the spring and autumn seasons. Specifically, the months from March to May and September to December offer optimal conditions.
On the other hand, the remaining months are not suitable for this adventure due to extreme weather conditions. The monsoon season brings rain and fog, while the winter season brings freezing-cold mountain temperatures. Therefore, it is advised to avoid scheduling a helicopter tour to Everest base camp from June to August, as well as January and February.
Now, let’s talk about Everest Base Camp Trek with a Helicopter Return trip.
Transform your ordinary adventure trip into an extraordinary experience with a simple modification and an exciting addition. While trekking to Everest is undoubtedly a remarkable adventure, it can be further enhanced with this modified version. The Everest helicopter trek offers you the same thrilling adventure but with the bonus of a helicopter flight back to Kathmandu.
Upon flying to Lukla to commence your trek, you will take a regular flight. However, the return journey will be a one-day trip from Gorakshep to Kathmandu via helicopter. Once you touch down in Lukla, you will embark on the trekking adventure like any other regular trekker in the region. However, what sets this adventure apart is the unforgettable helicopter trip back to Kathmandu.
Throughout the trekking adventure, you will be captivated by the breathtaking landscapes and enchanting destinations in the Everest region. As you make your way towards the Everest base camp, you will have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the magnificent sights and places that adorn the trail. To ensure your trip is comfortable, special, and distinct, this expedition incorporates a helicopter ride to transport you back from the mountains.
After reading about these two different trips to Everest, you must have now come to know the difference between the trips. Anyway, let’s point out the differences here just to see a clear picture.
First of all, the Helicopter Tour to Everest Base Camp is a day trip from Kathmandu which is just about four hours while the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return is a multi-day adventure.
Secondly, the Helicopter Tour to Everest Base Camp does not involve any trekking activity while Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return needs you to trek up to the base camp.
Another difference between the adventures is that the first adventure can be a perfect add-on to any other main trip while the latter is the main adventure in itself.
If you have multiple days available to enjoy the mountains, you can go for the Everest base camp trek with a helicopter return. And, if you have already completed another adventure but have a free day in Kathmandu and want to experience the helicopter tour adventure to Everest, you can go for the Helicopter Tour to Everest.
Either way, you will get to enjoy the magnificence of Everest and other mountains in the region. You can choose the one that ideally fits your situation.
Let us know if you have any more questions about the adventures. If you are an adventure lover and ready for hiking in the Everest Region. Then there is the list of recommendations for this region.
Add Your Comment
Your Name
Email Address
Comment