Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Trek

For all heli tours that we operate, we use choppers belonging to companies like Air dynasty, Heli Everest, Summit Helicopters, Mountain Helicopters, and Manang Air. The fleet of aircraft is mostly manufactured by a worldwide leader in civil and military helicopter production, Eurocopter of France. These Airbus helicopters from the Ecureuli family namely AS-350 B2, AS-350 B3E (H125), AS-350 B3+, EC-130 B4, and a Jet Ranger series Bell 206BB III are supported by Turbomeca 2D1 engines designed especially for high altitude performance – they are certified to fly up to 23000 ft.

The pilots who will be flying helicopters during the heli tours possess extensive flying hours and vast experience in the high mountain regions. They will provide our guests with the best touring moments by their excellent narration skills and deep knowledge of the flying locations. These pilots receive regular proficiency training that is in conformity to the requirements and standards of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Professional instructors from abroad are annually invited to evaluate and train the Nepali pilots with the latest techniques and procedures of operation.

Heli-trekking means an adventure trip which comprises of both trekking as well as helicopter ride simultaneously. These heli treks are gaining rapid popularity among travelers who have lesser time but are ready to spend extra bucks to complete their tour in a shorter period of time. Heli treks could mean initially trekking to a certain point of place and then traveling back on a helicopter. It could also mean flying to a certain point, then trekking to another point of a place, and then flying back. On the other hand, heli-tour is a complete aerial sightseeing tour to discover the scenic brilliance of mountainous Nepal; it does not include walking at all. These tours are perfect for those who have no time to trek in the exotic destinations in remote areas and would require many days to reach through land transportation. The heli tours to any destination in Nepal are normally completed within a single day.

Helicopters in Nepal can accommodate 5 to 6 passengers excluding the pilot, depending on the destination of the flight. For example, a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla accommodates 6 persons at one go, but if you were to fly from Syangboche airstrip to Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar, then pilots refuse to carry more than 5 persons. For more than 5 persons, the pilot would suggest making two trips rather than taking risk against any untoward incidents. The weight and balance of the chopper demand an appropriate seating arrangement. Generally, there is one seat adjacent to the pilot’s seat, and 4 to 5 seats directly behind him. Each of the passenger seats provides excellent aerial views.

With more than decades of experience leading visitors from various nationalities and explaining the marvels of the Himalayan region, all our guides including the pilots are connoisseurs in their jobs. They are highly knowledgeable about the local tradition and culture, indigenous flora and fauna, responsible and sustainable tourism practices, and the traditional village lifestyles. Additionally, the guides are proficiently trained with medical awareness so that they can cope with any emergencies or critical situations that may arise during the tour.

Yes, it is possible for you to charter a private helicopter tour to any of the several wonderful destinations in Nepal. However, it is not possible to spend time as long as you wish at some places situated at higher altitudes where the air is thin and one could be hit by Acute Mountain Sickness. So, at higher altitudes, our team will allocate a limited time period for you to spend. Make sure not to stay longer than the assigned time as even the healthiest person could be a victim of AMS.

Unless you charter a flight, this heli tour is normally a group-joining trip for all solo travelers. We will be happy to arrange your heli tour with another group of travelers on your preferred flight date and your preferred location provided that you book your tour with us well ahead of time.

Yes, we do organize pilgrimage tours for our clients to various destinations in Nepal as per their requirement. Some of our popular helicopter pilgrimage tours include Gosaikunda Helicopter Tour, Muktinath Helicopter Tour, Pathivara Helicopter Tour, Halesi Mahadev Helicopter Tour, Damodar Kunda Helicopter Tour, and Lumbini Helicopter Tour. Besides, we also organize heli-trek to Mansarovar & Mt. Kailash across the Tibetan border.

The main tourist season in Nepal falls during the months of March through May, and from mid-September to November. These are the months when the sky is blue and visitors get clear views of the mountains and the neighborhood environment. Although we operate heli tours during all months except the rainy seasons, the peak season would probably be during the months when the inflow of tourists in Nepal is in maximum.

No, there are no age restrictions for touring in helicopters, unless specified by a qualified medical practitioner. Since the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is a high altitude trip, we recommend not taking children below the age of 10 years along with you. For other tours that do not require the chopper to land at higher altitudes, children of all ages may accompany you. Children above 2 years old will be charged full price and they need to sit in their own seat. Those below 2 years of age will not be charged and must sit on the lap of an adult.

The booking process for the Everest Base Camp Heli Tour is easy and can be booked from anywhere in the world. Online booking through our website is the best way to book your heli tour in the Himalayas. Tours can also be booked through phone calls, email inquiries or via our social platforms. We will require the trip name, the exact date for the trip, a photocopy of your passport (with expiry date), and 25% charge as an advance trip payment. Only on receiving your passport copy, trip details and the advance payment will your trip be confirmed.

You can make your payment through the basic payment methods such as bank transfers, online payment or credit cards. We accept Visa/Master Card or any other widely used credit cards with an extra 4% bank surcharge. If partial payment was made during the booking process, the remaining amount must be paid before the actual tour in our office either in cash or through credit card.

It is recommended that you carry a few bottles of safe drinking water during your heli tour. If you require more water during the trip, then it can be purchased at the place where the chopper lands either for breakfast or lunch.

The maximum baggage allowance during your helicopter tour in the Himalayas is 10 kg per person. Since the heli tour will comprise of a single day, it is highly advised to carry just the necessary items sufficient for the day.

Emergency medical evacuation, also known as medivac, is the timely needed resourceful operation to provide medical attention. Evacuation is done by transferring an injured or critically sick traveler requiring urgent care from the remote areas to the rural hospital equipped with prerequisite facilities using helicopters. In our case, we lift the injured clients to one of the best hospitals in the country like Norvic hospital, Grande hospital, Swacon hospital or the Vayodha hospital that are well furnished to endow with the best medical consideration to our clients.

Weather conditions obviously will affect your helicopter tour. All helicopter flights in Nepal function in VFR conditions i.e. Visual Flying Rules and it is required to have good weather with clear visibility before the chopper soars up in the sky. During the monsoon season, the weather is not clear owing to the heavy fog and misty atmosphere. In such cases, the tours may not take place at the scheduled time. However, early morning mountain flights still may be possible that offers great views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks. If there is light rain that does not affect visibility, there are chances to be able to fly and complete the tour. But in case of heavy showers or thick fog, the flights may have to be canceled; the weather in the mountains is unpredictable and change quickly.

In case your trip is canceled due to deteriorating weather conditions, we will try to reschedule it for a later time the same day or the next morning. However, if you can’t make it on the next day due to your flight back home, we will refund your flight cost in accordance with the booking term and conditions.

Each of Royal Holidays heli tour draws attention to particular areas of interest. It is our dedicated effort to make each trip the best experience for our clients. Some of our repeat clients choose different trip each time they book with us to feel the difference at various destinations. As such, we cannot mark a particular heli tour as the best amongst all as it totally depends on the experience of the clients that make the trip worthwhile and memorable.

Normally, we do not have a fixed schedule as tours are established based on the request from the clients for a particular destination. Normally morning time is the best time for any helicopter tour in Nepal provided the weather and operational conditions are favorable; however, we do fly at any time on the request of our guests.

Depending on the weather conditions, the helicopter will land at Everest Base Camp. Sometimes, it is not possible to land at the base camp due to the high wind speed or due to landslides sweeping away the landing spots. But normally, we also stop at the magnificent viewpoint of Kala Patthar for 15 minutes which offers astounding 360-degree views of the Mt. Everest and other Himalayan ranges.

We suggest you wear something comfortable and casual especially dark colored shirts or tops for superb photography sessions. Bright colored clothes, on the other hand, are not encouraged as they reflect back an intense dazzling glare on the windows which may refract in the photos. Depending on the season, you are also advised to wear clothes that help you keep warm enough at the mountain heights.

Our tour description is written with precise information from our guides and the pilots. We will make sure to cover every site mentioned on the tour overview on our dossier or as per your customized itinerary. Sometimes the pilots need to adjust their flight paths for gusty wind and the bad weather due to which you may not be able to see certain parts of the area. But you need to understand that your safety and comfort are our prime concern during your heli tour in Nepal.

Yes, it is possible to reschedule your heli tour provided that you inform us at least 72 hours before the flight time. However, if you wish to reschedule your tour 6 hours before, then we will charge you with a nominal fee to reschedule your flight; flights cannot be rescheduled within six hours of the actual flight time. If you need to cancel your heli tour, you need to email us at least 72 hours in advance; canceling your tour within 24 hours is non-refundable.

Yes, of course, we will be glad to communicate with your insurance company back home and arrange rescue and evacuation or air ambulance and charter services from any mountainous region of Nepal.

Clients’ safety is our prime concern. We are cautious at all times regarding your well being and health. The helicopters used during our tours are in fact, very powerful and the pilots are highly skilled and professional with ample flying hours in their collars. One thing to consider while landing at Kala Patthar, the highest point on this tour, is altitude sickness. If you feel dizzy or an ache in your head or any sorts of uneasiness, you are advised to inform it to the guide immediately. It is very obvious that you can’t stay for a long time at Kala Patthar, so we will not stop for more than 15 minutes here.

There are no constraints for pregnant women from embarking on a remarkable heli tour as such, but it is advisable to undergo a thorough check-up for any issues of complications a few days before the actual tour. It is always wise to consult with your gynecologist before undertaking any activities that involve rather harsh conditions.