19 Sep 2025 Nabin Baniya
Everest is the highest mountain in Kathmandu, Nepal, with an elevation of 8848 meters. Getting to Everest Base Camp or the top is a dream for many people. Now, the introduction of the Everest Helicopter tour, which includes a landing at Kalapathar, makes it easier for travelers who wish to reach either base camp or the popular viewpoint known as Kalapathar. Most organizers sell an adventure package called the Everest helicopter tour with Kalapathar landing, but the authentic experience is actually a flyover tour to both Base Camp and Kalapathar.
With 10 years of experience in helicopter tour organizations, our team gets to know the clients’ needs and expectations. This is the reason why Magic Himalaya Treks introduces the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour with Kalapathar landing. Now, people can feel as though they have stepped foot on both the base camp and the popular viewpoint of Kalapathar without undergoing the lengthy 16-day trek to Everest Base Camp.
The Everest helicopter tour with Kalapathar landings is mostly done privately, but Magic Himalaya Treks also provides the experience of joining if there are any other groups on matched dates. Starting from a Kathmandu hotel, the Everest helicopter tour includes pickup and drop-off at Kathmandu airport. The Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu opens early morning. Our team will help you get the boarding pass, and the helicopter will fly towards Lukla and then do a flyover of base camp. Thereafter, the helicopter landed at Kalapathar for a wonderful and close view of Everest. The helicopter landed in the middle of Kalapathar Hill. We can see many mountains close to us from this viewpoint. The top of Kalapathar is standing at 5550 meters above sea level, but the helicopter lands around 5300 meters above sea level. We can see Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, Amadablam, Choletse, Loubecha Peak, and many more. You can also see the famous Khumbu icefall and the Khumbu glaciers. Experience the awe-inspiring feeling of standing on the Kalapather.
Highlights of the helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar Landing
The Kalapathar landing is the main highlight of the Everest helicopter tour. The landing at Kalapathar offers numerous highlights, which we will discuss below:
360-Degree Mountain view
Kalapathar is a black hill standing at an elevation of 5550 meters above sea level, and we can have a 360-degree mountain view all around us when we are standing on it. We can see Everest very close to our eye. While facing Everest, we can see Pumori behind us. On the side of Everest, we can see Khumbutse on the left and Nuptse on the right. We can see Amadablam, Loubecha, and numerous other mountains, as well as the Khumbu glaciers, base camp, and Khumbu icefall. Kalapathar View is the closest viewpoint to Everest unless you go for an Everest expedition.
Luxury Breakfast At Luxury Hotel
After the successful helicopter landing trip to Kalapathar and the EBC flyover, the helicopter returns to the landing pad at Everest View Hotel, passing by Tengboche Monastery. Upon your arrival at the hotel, we will walk for two minutes to the restaurants where we can order the five-star breakfast at this luxury hotel. We can enjoy the luxury food with a spectacular view of Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, and many other snow-capped giants. Drinking coffee and having luxury food items at a five-star hotel with a sunbath makes you feel worthy of spending money and doing the helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp and the Kalapathar landing.
An aerial view along the Journey
Starting from Kathmandu until landing back at Kathmandu airport, we can see the aerial view of many towns, hills, mountains, and snow-capped peaks. We will be flying over thousands of high hills and popular towns along the way. Besides Everest, we can see Khangtega, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaroo, and Kongda Himal in the upper part of the journey. On the lower part of the journey, we will see many towns, including Junbensi, Jiri, Bhandara, and Nagarkot, as well as some parts of the Mahalangur Himalayan ranges. We can also see the Langtang Himalayan ranges from a distance.
You can either get a close view of the base camp or step foot on it.
If the weather is favorable to land at base camp, people can step foot on the base of the world’s highest mountain. But if the weather does not allow us to land, we will fly over base camp. We fly so close to base camp it’s just like touching the base camp. The helicopter flight takes a route of Khumbu glaciers so we can see the Khumbu icefall and glaciers also very close.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS INFO |
| Landing Point | The landing point at Kalapathar is situated at an elevation of 5400 meters above sea level. |
| Region | Everest region, Solukhumbu district. |
| Operator | Magic Himalaya Treks |
| Helicopters | Prabhu Heli, Dynasty Heli, Simrik Heli |
| Nearby landing | The Gorekshap helipad and the Everest base camp landing area are nearby. |
What makes Magic Himalaya Treks the best choice for the Everest helicopter tour that includes a landing at Kalapathar?
Magic Himalaya Treks has been engaged in and operating helicopter tours in Nepal since 10 June 2014; this is the time when the company was established. The Magic team is currently
performing many amazing feats in the Himalayan mountains and providing excellent services. Here are several reasons to choose Magic Himalaya Treks for the Everest helicopter tour with Kalapathar landings:
Safety with Service the First priority
Magic Himalaya Treks is well known for service with safety while organizing any treks and adventure activities in Nepal. When operating the helicopter tour, we prioritize safety first and then strive to provide the best possible service. All our staff will first make sure the weather is suitable to play, and then we will start our journey to the Everest Base Camp landing tour. We will only land at Kalapahar if everything is with us. Here I am talking about the weather conditions, temperature, air pressure, and weight. Always remember us as a safe and the best service provider in Nepal.
Trustworthy collaboration with a helicopter company.
Magic Himalaya Treks has been collaborating with many well-known helicopter companies in Nepal for a long time to ensure smooth operations. We can efficiently manage a large number of helicopter operations. Trust us and let us design any heli tour and trek in Nepal for you.
Trustworthy payment system
Magic Himalaya Treks prefers bank transfers for a trustworthy payment method. Magic Himalaya Treks requires advance payments via bank transfers, according to the following payment details:
Bank Name: Nepal Investment Mega Bank LTD
Account name: Magic Himalaya Treks and Expeditions Pvt. Ltd.
Account No: 13201050029551
Address: Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Swift code: NIBLNPKT
Our company also accepts card payments and any remaining payments in Kathmandu. We accept all kinds of cards, from credit cards to Visa cards. For our ease, we are introducing a new payment system soon.
Fair price guarantee
The Magic Himalaya team can offer a fair price for the EBC Heli tour due to their strong collaboration with the helicopter company. You can do the internet surfing and find out the different prices for a helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp. We believe we are providing the fair price with the best services for our valued clients.
Online booking and refund policy
Magic Himalaya Treks’ online booking and refund policy is user-friendly, thanks to the booking form. If there is a cancellation, we refund the full payment for a cancellation done before 2 weeks’ time. We will deduct a certain amount if the cancellation occurs the week before the trip begins. You need to cancel at least two weeks before the trip starts to save your money.
Fixed guaranteed departure date
You can examine our fixed departure and find out the best suitable options for your adventure. If you can’t find a suitable departure date, then we can make one for you. Magic Himalaya Team will be very comfortable customizing the itinerary as well as making the most suitable departure dates for anyone interested.
A team member possesses the necessary knowledge and skills.
We are a team of members with knowledge and skills in every trekking area in Nepal. The team specializes in the Annapurna, Langtang, and Everest regions. We have the specialist guide for climbing as well as the treks in off-the-beaten-path areas. We also make permit documents in restricted areas of Nepal and help you get an exploration opportunity. From field to office, we are a team of pros. Remember us and get all the help you are looking for.
A customized itinerary and plan
We have designed our itinerary in the best way possible. We will gladly make any changes you want and plan your trip well. Our company has an experienced team that has completed these trips multiple times, allowing us to create the most suitable itinerary and plan for our guests. Once a week, we meet with office staff and field staff to find out clients’ needs and expectations on mountain trails, which makes it easy and clear for our office staff to design the best itinerary plan.
24/7 customer service.
Magic Himalaya Treks’ phone, email, and WhatsApp are available 24/7 for customer easiness and quick service. People can contact us through email at nkbaniya@gmail.com and info@magichimalayatreks at any time you want. You can also call us or send a message on social networking sites at any time suitable for you. When you visit our website, you can send messages through a chat box, and our team will respond as soon as possible. Please add an email address and phone number with a country code so we can contact you. Our physical location is in Shukra Bhawan, Thamel, where you can visit from 9 am to 6 pm any time.
High Success rate.
The Magic Himalaya team has 12 years of experience in operating treks and various adventures in Nepal, demonstrating our high level of success. We have a very high success rate in operations. We have consistently provided the best experience. Traveling with Magic Himalaya Treks means you have a 100 percent successful trip in Nepal.
Difficulties with Kalapathar Landing
Helicopter tours to Everest base camp and the Everest region provide charming views of Himalayan vistas. It These tours offer the chance to experience the tranquility of the Himalayan massif without undertaking long and strenuous treks. It offers an alternative way to see Everest and other snowcapped mountains up close without the need for long treks. The helicopter ride offers an opportunity to enjoy the rocky landscapes of the Everest region. People participating in a helicopter tour can enjoy a unique perspective, similar to a bird’s-eye view.
The helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp is well known for the best photography opportunities in different places as well as from the helicopter during the ride. During the Everest helicopter tour with Kalapather landings, we can see many aerial sights of Everest, Toubecha, Thamserku, Pumori, and many other giants’ snow-capped peaks. Besides Kalapathar landing, the tour also lands and allows you to take pictures in Lukla, Feriche, and the Everest View Hotel at Syangboche. Now, landing at Kalapther has been prohibited due to safety, environmental, and regulatory concerns. The environmental concern is the major one behind the ban.
Even after the Kalapather landing ban, we are allowed to do flyovers through Kalapather and base camp. Search and rescue efforts are unaffected by the Kalapather’s ban. It takes place as usual. There are different positive and negative thoughts and reactions among the tour operators and the conservationists, but everyone agrees to protest wildlife and safety in the delicate Himalayan environment. The concerned authorities have been seeking some other alternative to balance the tourism development and ensure all visitors’ safety.
Reasons behind Kalapathar’s landing Restrictions
As we all know, there are many things that play a role in changing the systems. Similarly, several factors affect the Kalapathar landing tour and lead to restrictions on landing there. Here we have mentions of 4 important and vital things that play an important role in the ban.
Human and Helicopter Safety Concerns
Safety concerns are one of the main restrictions to landing in Kalapather. Here we are talking about both human safety and helicopter safety. We know that Kalapather is quite high with an elevation of 5550 meters above sea level, and the landing point is at 5300 meters. We have very thin air on those elevations, which affects the efficiency capacity of the engine. The landing and takeoff process will encounter numerous complications. Those complications stem from the unpredictable weather and the remote locations. Safe landing and takeoff are only possible with experienced pilots. Rescue operations will be difficult in remote locations if there is a mechanical failure or an accident.
The high elevations, like Kalapather, have rapid weather fluctuations, like sudden cloud cover or strong winds, that can block the vision, resulting in chances of miscalculations. Any miscalculations will hurt the passengers as well as the helicopter itself. The reason behind many cancellations or delays is the unpredictable weather conditions. Visibility is another thing we need to verify before going on such elevations. Flying directly at such enormous elevations makes passengers develop altitude sickness easily. An Everest helicopter tour with a Kalapather landing is not possible due to these challenges. The reason behind the ban is also due to thinner air, unpredictable weather, and limited visibility.
Environmental Impact by Kalpathar landing
Environmental degradation in the pristine Khumbu area is another concern due to the increase of Kalapathar landings. We all know how noisy helicopters are, and they contribute to noise pollution in the Everest region. Those noises may disrupt wildlife and interfere with the natural habitats of native wild animals in the Everest region. The unwanted noise may result in the migration of wildlife and have a direct effect on the ecosystem of the Himalayas.
The emissions produced by the helicopter also contribute to pollution, which will negatively impact the pristine environment around Kalapathar. Those discharges or emissions by helicopter may cause glacier melting in this region and disrupt the ecosystem. We all know Everest and its surroundings are well known for their pristine nature, but the frequent helicopter movements release carbon emissions around the Khumbu atmosphere. Such activities could tarnish the pristine image of Everest, prompting government authorities to ban helicopter landings at Kalapathar.
Altitude and Air pressure.
Kalapather is located at high elevations, which pose challenges for helicopters due to the thin air. Think air pressure has a direct impact on engine performance and rotor efficiency. It will be very tough for the helicopter to produce enough lift. We have to face reduced air density and unstable winds, which results in greater air turbulence. That turbulence makes conditions unstable and increases the chances of losing control, which might bring disastrous consequences. Due to these problems, the authorities banned Kalapathar landing.
Traffic Management and overcrowding.
The Everest region is very popular for treks that go to the base of the world’s highest mountain. Several people undertake the trek to Everest base camp. During the peak season, the Everest trail resembles Ashon Chowk, teeming with crowds. Even after many helicopter tour flights, the crowd increases and noise pollution rises. People climbing Kalapathar early in the morning experienced significant disturbances from helicopters landing at the site. Due to those difficulties, the concerned people banned the Kalapthar landing. If there is any rescue or search flight, they can land at Kalapathar.
What are the chances of resuming helicopter landing at Kalapathar in the near future?
The main charm of the Everest helicopter tour with Kalapather landing is the landing at the Kalapather viewpoint, which is situated at 5300 meters. Now, the landing at Kalapathar is currently Currently, the landing at Kalapather is banned; however, the concerned authorities may reconsider this ban with new policies in the near future. The landing at Kalapather is currently banned due to safety and environmental concerns. Removing the ban is possible, though unlikely. Here are the things we need to do to resume helicopter landings at Kalapathar in the near future.
- We need stricter flight paths as well as proper operation procedures for safety measures.
- All the operators need to balance tourism growth with the aim to protect the breakable Himalayan environment.
- Determine the proper solutions by taking advice and feedback from environmentalists.
- They need to determine the best way to reduce noise pollution and environmental degradation.
- Helicopters also need to play an important role while supplying logistics.
Note: if the authorities can keep balance between the tourist access and environment, then the policy will soon shift in the near future for the traveler’s best experience.
Safety Measures to follow on Everest helicopter tour with kalapathar landing in Everest region
Here are some of the safety measures that need to be followed on the Everest helicopter tour when Kalapathar lands in the Everest region:
- The first thing is to select the best reputable operator to book your tour.
- We need to follow the pilot’s instructions while he does a briefing about safety rules.
- We also need to know about luggage restrictions and pack according to them.
- It’s not allowed to drink and smoke inside the helicopter.
- We need to keep our cell phone on airplane mode.
- We need to take care about fastening seat belts. We need to follow the pilot’s lead while entering or exiting the helicopter
- We also need to learn the process of acclimatization at higher elevations.
- In case of medical conditions, take sound advice from doctors and inform the operator.
Everest Helicopter tour with Kalapather landing General FAQS
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is the scenic flight from the capital city, Kathmandu, to Everest Base Camp, in Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal.
The Everest helicopter excursion is a day trip that lasts for 5 to 6 hours depending on the weather and view throughout the tour.
The landing depends on the weather and the aviation rules and regulations, which are occasionally changed for the safety of both humans and helicopters. Sometimes, landing at the base camp is permitted, while at other times it is prohibited. During the month, like in March, April, and May, there are high chances of landing.
Yes, children with their parents can join the exciting helicopter tour to base camp but need to carry oxygen to use if needed during the landing outside of the helicopter.
The helicopter to Everest Base Camp can carry six people, including two pilots, at lower elevations, but at higher elevations, we are only allowed to carry two besides the pilot.
Yes, breakfast is included in some packages, and some people prefer not to take it.
Everest Helicopter tour FAQs about Price and Costs
No, the Everest helicopter tour does not include breakfast, but if you want us to provide it, you need to pay us, and we can cover it.
The cost for a private landing Everest Base Camp helicopter tour ranges from USD 5000 to USD 6000. If you do the joining tour, the cost will be USD 1500 per person.
There will be a USD 100 additional cost besides the tour.
The cost is for airport tax, Khumbu municipality charges, Sagarmatha National Park permits, and breakfast at the Everest View Hotel.
Recent Update about Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing
Until September 2025, all Everest Base Camp helicopter tours landing on Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp are banned. At that time, people can do the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour and fly over Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp. The landing is only possible at the Everest View Hotel and Feriche. During that time, there is also a landing at Gokyo Lake. However, clients have a high demand for both the Everest base camp Kalapather landing and the Everest base camp landing. To fulfill the demand, the Kalapather landing is opened and runs successfully after September. Book with us to experience the closest landing to Mount Everest.
Conclusion:
The Everest helicopter tour with Kalapathar landing is going to open soon. If you book a private helicopter tour, we will help you do a landing. During the March, April, and May season, we will take a booking for a landing tour and provide the opportunity to land either in the Everest base camp or Kalapather. Make a booking and enjoy the opportunities.
