The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is a luxurious way to explore the Everest region. Although many trekkers want to explore the area from a bird’s eye, only a few know how safe is Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. Everest Base Camp Tour via Helicopter is a one-day tour program that takes you to Mount Everest’s base via helicopter. On this tour, you will see majestic, breathtaking views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho-Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse and others.
In this helicopter tour, the tourists will pass through various attractions in the Khumbu region, such as Namche Bazaar, Kala Patthar, Khumbu Glacier, Hotel Everest View, and Everest Base Camp. This EBC helicopter tour takes about 1-2 hours to complete but will provide you with memories that will last for a long time. So, if you are interested in the EBC helicopter tour but are unaware of its safety, we will discuss it in this blog. We will also mention the threats, challenges, and preventive measures. So let’s get into it.
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Do You Know How Safe Is Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is generally safe. However, it doesn’t mean there are not some risks. The tourists, the helicopter company, and the Nepal Tourism Board have to consider a few safety measures that will guarantee the safety of the tourists even more. Here are some points that can make the EBC helicopter tour even safer.
Tour in Ideal Weather Conditions
One of the safest ways to enjoy the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is by booking your trek package in the ideal season with ideal weather conditions. Nepal has two seasons with perfect weather conditions: Spring and Autumn. However, in Nepal, there are two seasons with less-than-ideal weather conditions: monsoon and winter. If the tourists want to avoid any danger during their EBC helicopter tour, then it is wise to avoid these two seasons. Engaging in helicopter tours in Spring and Autumn has more than a 98% success rate, so booking the package at those seasons is better.
Hire with a Reputable Company
Hiring Everest Base Camp Helicopter Packages with a reputable company also ensures some credibility and assurance for the tourists. The reputable company with the best ratings and best safety rate is the path to choose to provide your trek even more. Reputable companies have credibility, which they are not willing to lose, so they do proper research and carry frequent maintenance so that the helicopter remains in proper condition throughout your trek. When choosing a company, prioritize safety. Look for a company with a proven track record and a comprehensive safety program. These companies follow strict guidelines set by aviation authorities.
Search for Experienced Pilot
The safety of the helicopter tour or trek also depends on the skill and experience of pilots. It is best to choose a pilot with multiple years of experience who is familiar with flying in different weather conditions and changing terrains. Skilled pilots undergo extensive training and accumulate experience before getting a valid pilot license. Although choosing an experienced pilot with a reputable company might be expensive, it is also safer.
Condition of Helicopter
Helicopter Flight to the EBC region is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience but also hazardous. The safety of your tour is also dependent on the condition of the aircraft or, in this case, the helicopter. Before boarding the helicopter, research the model you are flying in and learn about its conditions. It is also better to board a new helicopter insetead of the old one. You can ask the helicopter company if you can’t find the helicopter’s model and condition.
Proper Landing Zone
One danger of the EBC trek with a helicopter tour is during the helicopter landing phase. The landing space affects the landing in its entirety and in the remote area of the EBC trek, where there are limited places to land. Since there are plenty of ridges, snowy glacial peaks, and crowded camps, there are restricted areas for landing. For safety, you can consider booking your helicopter flight mid-afternoon, when there is less chance of colliding with another helicopter. You can also book your helicopter landing in advance on the helipad of Hotel Everest View. However, it might cost extra, and the overall cost is expensive.
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History of Helicopter Crash at Everest Base Camp Trek
One of the significant histories of the Everest Base Camp helicopter crash is the Manang Helicopter Tour crash that took place on 7/11/2023. During a tour of the Everest base camp on 7/10/2023, a Manang Air Helicopter crashed, resulting in the deaths of six people. The passengers included five individuals from Mexico and one Nepali pilot.
The group was on a helicopter tour to view Mount Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, Amadablam, and other Himalayan mountains. The previous day, the passengers had stayed in Lukla due to poor weather conditions. They took the Everest flight and departed from Solukhambu district at 10:05 a.m.. After completing the tour, the helicopter was heading back to Kathmandu when it lost contact less than 10 minutes after takeoff, around 10:13 a.m. According to authorities, the crash occurred in Likhu Pike, located within Solukhumbu Rural Municipality.
Threats to Consider for the Mount Everest Helicopter Tour
A Private Helicopter Tour is one of the fun, thrilling, and most accessible ways to explore the Everest Base Camp. Compared to other modes of transportation or multiple treks, this Helicopter Tour is less complicated, and you can enjoy it without much struggle. However, there are specific threats that you have to consider for the Mount Everest Helicopter Tour. So, let’s get to know some of the threats you might face during the EBC Helicopter Tour.
Dynamic Weather
The high-altitude tour of the Khumbu Valley is fantastic, but there is a massive risk of dynamic weather. If you are touring in the wrong season, like Monsoon and Winter, the dynamic weather threat becomes even more real. In high altitudes, weather like rainfall, snow, winds, and storms are typical, derailing the Everest Base Camp Trek helicopter tour.
Altitude Sickness
Another major threat to the EBC Helicopter Tour is the high altitude sickness. Altitude sickness occurs when the trekkers reach an altitude of over 3500m, and during this tour, you’ll be flying over an elevation of 5000m. Hence, there is a real chance that tourists will suffer from altitude sickness. Make sure you take plenty of rest and also keep yourself hydrated all the time throughout the high-altitude trek.
Error from Pilot
Another major threat that tourists can encounter is pilot error. If the pilot is inexperienced or prone to errors, it can cause a terrific accident. Pilots must also be fearless, not nervous if minor difficulty arises, and must fly calmly under pressure. So before boarding your helicopter, ensure your pilot has tons of experience and is conditioned to fly in different weathers and conditions.
Helicopter Mechanical’s Issue
Mechanical issues of the Helicopter are another threat you can face during the EBC helicopter tour. Mechanical errors during the middle of a flight can impact the safety of the tourists, so it is essential to check all the parts of the helicopter. If the plane is old and has broken down, it is better to replace it entirely and board a new one, which is less prone to breaking down.
Difficult Terrain
The terrain in the Everest region is quite uneven, from barren fields to jungles to rocky valleys, glacial moraines, and snowy mountains. Due to the bumpy and challenging terrain, the landing spot with your helicopter will be difficult for the pilot. Furthermore, if your tour package is in Spring or Autumn, the trails, hotels, and camps are overcrowded, creating problems in landing safely. So that experienced pilots can scan the area and notice the available spots for safe landing.
Safety Measures for Trekkers or Passengers
The EBC helicopter tour is a fun and challenging adventure, but the priority should always be the safety measures for trekkers and passengers. The EBC Helicopter Tour safety measures do not only limit the helicopter tour but also the surrounding terrains, high altitude, remote location, and rugged trails.
- Before booking the tour package, you research and plan for the EBC helicopter tour.
- During your journey, stay informed of the conditions and weather in the current region.
- Ensure you are touring in the ideal season, like Spring and Autumn, which have favorable conditions.
Benefits of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour With Landing
The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing is one of Nepal’s new and fantastic tour packages. This tour package is unique as there are many benefits and advantages as they differ from the strenuous treks. Here are some benefits of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landings.
Time-Saving
One of the major benefits of booking the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is time-saving. Trekking the Everest Base Camp trek for at least two weeks is very time-consuming, so if you want to save time and also tour the EBC trek in luxury, then the helicopter tour is the right package to choose,
Easy Accessibility
Another benefit of choosing the EBC Helicopter Tour is the easy accessibility of the Khumbu region. If you choose the EBC trek, you must pass through different landscapes, jungles, rocky peaks, glacial moraines, and snowy mountains. The trek is very hard and will require you to improve your physical fitness, which makes accessing the area extremely hard.
Bird’s Eyes Views
Another major benefit of choosing the Everest Base Camp Tour with Helicopter landing is the chance to see majestic views of the mountains. On this tour, you can see the breathtaking aerial view of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho-Oyou, Nuptse, and Lhotse. You will see the sky views of these mountains and the entire Khumbu region, which you can click on to see some stunning pictures as well.
Conclusion
Hence, the Everest Base Camp Heli tour is among the most common tour packages in Nepal. However, many tourists or trekkers first want to know how safe the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is. Overall, this tour is one of the safest tours in Nepal. However, there are specific considerations that you have to pay attention to.
Tourists must ensure they book their helicopter trip in the ideal weather conditions. This means you can book your tour in the appropriate seasons, like Autumn and Spring. Also, follow all safety protocols during your helicopter flight, such as seatbelts and helmets. You can also research about the helicopter you will be boarding and also make sure your pilot is experienced with many years of skilled piloting.
FAQs
Can a helicopter reach Everest Base Camp?
Yes, a Helicopter can reach and even land at Everest Base Camp; however, it is unsafe to land there as the weather conditions will be dynamic with relentless winds, and the space for landing is also minimal. Hence, it is safer to land in Kala Patthar and trek to EBC.
What licenses can the pilot issue in Nepal?
In Nepal, you can issue three types of licenses: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Private Pilot License (PPL), and Commercial Pilot License (CPL). You must be above 16 for the student pilot license and over 17 years old to issue the private pilot license.
What personal safety gear can you carry during your EBC helicopter tour?
During your EBC helicopter tour, you must be safe by carrying safety gear such as a Seatbelt, Headset, and Warm Clothing. These gears will keep you safe from different conditions like turbulence, headaches, and warm clothing as you tour in the high-altitude cold climate.
What is the average cost of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?
The average cost of the EBC Helicopter Tour ranges from $1240 to $1350 per person. This helicopter tour is reasonably expensive compared to other trekking packages since it falls under the luxury category. If you want to decrease the price of this tour, then you can tour with a group.
Which permits do you need for the helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp?
For the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Ride Tour, you need to issue two permits, which are Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality permit and also the Sagarmatha National Park Permit. You must pay certain fees to issue the EBC tour permit and present some documents to issue those permits.
