Can You Fly to the Top of Mount Everest? Truth and Top 3 Alternatives You Should Know

Flying straight to the top of Mount Everest has been a dream for adventurous travelers for years. So, can you fly to the top of Mount Everest today? While the idea is thrilling, technically, it is still impossible.

In this travel guide, we will explore why one can’t fly directly to the top of Mount Everest and share the 3 best alternatives for most travelers to get as close as possible to experience the magic and stunning views of Mount Everest, plus practical travel tips.

Can You Fly to the Top of Mount Everest? No, Here Is Why

Flying to the top of Mount Everest sounds daring and exciting, but in reality, it’s not possible, largely due to the technical limits and the extreme weather and terrain at the Mt. Everest’s summit. And here is why:

Mount Everest’s peak rises incredibly high at 8,848.86 meters. Up there, the air is only about one-third of what it is at sea level. The extreme thin air makes it difficult for engines in planes or helicopters to work properly to keep the aircraft flying.

Besides, the harsh and unpredictable weather on top of Mount Everest is another challenge. It can change in the blink of an eye, calm one moment, fierce storms (over 200 miles per hour) or sudden cloud the next. Flying through this kind of weather is extremely dangerous, even for the most skilled pilots.

On top of that, Mount Everest’s summit is a small, icy, and uneven ridge. There is no flat spot for a helicopter or plane to land safely. Even if a helicopter could hover for a moment, the extreme cold and lack of oxygen would make it very hard for passengers to survive without using special gear like oxygen tanks and masks. This extra equipment adds extra weight and makes flying at such heights even riskier.

And because of all these dangers, no normal aircraft is built for this kind of mission, and no pilot can promise a 100% safe trip to the very top.

The jet stream over the summit of the Mount Everest.

Can Helicopters Land on the Summit of Mount Everest? Too Risky for Travelers

Flying a helicopter to the very top of Mount Everest is one of the most dangerous challenges for any pilot. In aviation history, only one pilot has ever successfully landed on Everest’s summit.

On May 14, 2005, the legendary French pilot Didier Delsalle flew a helicopter from Lukla Airport in Nepal to the top of Mount Everest. The helicopter landed there for 3 minutes and 50 seconds before safely taking off and returning to the airport. This incredible flight set the world record for the highest helicopter landing and takeoff.

However, what is worth mentioning is that Didier Delsalle used a specially designed helicopter (the AS350 B3 Squirrel) and flew to Mount Everest’s summit during perfect weather. Throughout the flight, he wore his oxygen mask. When he landed on Everest’s peak, he kept the engine running and never stepped out of the helicopter. It was more like a stunt under ideal conditions, with no passengers on board.

So, while it is a remarkable achievement by an expert pilot under near-perfect conditions, it is definitely not a safe or a practical option for most travelers hoping to fly to the top of Mount Everest as a regular Mt. Everest tour.

Are There Helicopter Tours that Fly Close to Mount Everest? Yes, Fly to Nepal EBC

While flying to the very top of Mount Everest is unavailable for most travelers, a much safer alternative is signing up for the Mount Everest helicopter tour in Kathmandu, Nepal.

For travelers with a decent budget, you can enjoy a half-day Nepal Mount Everest helicopter tour to enjoy an amazing bird’s-eye view of the majestic Mt. Everest, plus a brief stay at Nepal Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and some of the best photo spots to capture the surrounding Himalayan peaks while enjoying a hearty breakfast.

The classic Mount Everest Helicopter tour costs around USD 1,880 (Mar to Apr) to USD 2,000 (Sep to Nov) per person, depending on different travel seasons.

Your half-day Mount Everest Helicopter tour begins in the early morning around 06:00 in Kathmandu. Our local Nepali guide will pick you up from your hotel and offer you a smooth ride to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport for a 45-minute flight to Lukla (2,845m), the famous gateway to Nepal EBC.

From Lukla, you will board the Everest helicopter to fly to Kala Patthar (5,545m), the best viewpoint to admire the entire south face of Mt. Everest. Along the way, you will fly over the enchanting National Park, famous Sherpa villages, and enjoy amazing lush forests, mountain views, and river valleys. At Kala Patthar, you will spend 15 minutes capturing stunning Himalayan peaks in the Everest region.

Your journey soars to its peak as the helicopter glides over Nepal Everest Base Camp (5,364m), where climbers prepare themselves to summit Mount Everest from its south col. Then, a short flight takes you to the magical Gokyo Valley, a hidden Himalayan gem where turquoise lakes sparkle beneath towering peaks. You will enjoy a brief stay here to enjoy its otherworldly beauty.

Finally, the helicopter glides down to the Everest View Hotel at 3,800 meters, famous for its hearty breakfast with the world’s most incredible backdrop. You have nearly an hour to enjoy a hearty meal, wander the terrace, and breathe in the crisp mountain air while gazing at Mt. Everest. By late morning, you lift off for the flight back to Kathmandu, watching the mighty peaks fade into the distance.

Guests enjoy a hearty breakfast at Everest View Hotel with stunning Mt. Everest view in the distance.

Enjoy the classic half-day Mount Everest helicopter tour to Nepal EBC from Kathmandu.

For Most Travelers, the Lhasa to Tibet EBC Overland Tour Is the Best Alternative

If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a helicopter ride or trek for days to get close to Mount Everest, the best alternative is enjoying the scenic overland journey from Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan Plateau. Here, you can admire the imposing north face of Mt. Everest and the towering Himalayan peaks on the Roof of the World, a trip best-suited for travelers of all ages and budgets.

In addition, in terms of Mt. Everest views, from the Tibet side, you can enjoy sweeping, unobstructed views of Mount Everest’s majestic north face in all its glory, with four other Himalayan giants standing beside its perfect pyramid summit. In contrast, from Nepal EBC, Everest is often hidden behind other towering mountains, so you rarely see its full summit, making the view far less striking.

The most classic Lhasa to Tibet EBC small group tour takes 8 days and offers you a scenic and comfy bus ride from the spiritual heart of Tibet, Lhasa (3,650m), through turquoise Yamdrok Lake and Shigatse (3,850m), Tibet’s second-largest city, before reaching Tibet Everest Base Camp (5,010m) to fulfill your travel bucket list.

Explore the sacred Lhasa city and enjoy the scenic bus ride from Lhasa to the Tibet Everest Base Camp.

Your adventure begins in Lhasa, where you will spend 3 days to adapt to the high altitude in Tibet while covering Tibet’s most iconic attractions. From Lhasa, prepare for an epic overland journey that carries you deeper into the Himalayas. You will pass through winding roads, enchanting Tibetan villages, and feast your eyes on the shimmering Yamdrok Lake, be the guest and dine in a local Tibetan family, take selfies with amazing glaciers, and meet welcoming local Tibetans and learn more about their life on the towering Tibetan Plateau.

After entering the Qomolangma (Mount Everest in Tibetan) National Nature Preserve, the scenery shifts constantly, with the mighty Himalayas drawing ever closer and more imposing with each passing mile. Through the 108 hairpin bends to the famous Gawula Pass, you will be rewarded with a jaw-dropping panorama of the world’s five highest peaks, proudly standing along the rolling Himalayan range, with Mount Everest in the front row.

Upon arriving at the Tibet EBC, if you come at the right time, you can enjoy a warm and glowing sunset, transforming the summit of the north face of Mt. Everest into a golden hue, a surreal experience that defies any speech.

Another highlight is spending an amazing night at the Tibet Everest Base Camp. You can enjoy the mind-blowing Milky Way stretched across the sky behind Everest and watch the sunrise slowly illuminate the world’s highest peak the next morning, and explore the world’s highest monastery nearby. And finally enjoy another scenic route back to Lhasa. It will definitely be your once-in-a-lifetime experience to cherish for the rest of your life.

• Learn more about the accommodation at Tibet EBC

Our guests took photos with Mt. Everest at the Tibet EBC.

Visit Everest Base Camp, two of most sacred Tibetan lakes, and Tibet’s two largest cities, all in one unforgettable trip!

As an award-winning Everest Base Camp tour operator in Lhasa, we offer you a one-stop service to get all the travel documents needed, and offer you the extensive and best local hotels to select from. Whether you travel from Lhasa to Tibet EBC or further onward to Kathmandu across the Himalayas or travel in reverse from Kathmandu to Lhasa, we promise you a hassle-free and immersive travel experience, with our local experts by your side every step of the way.

Experience the epic Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour across the mighty Himalayas in a week.

For Adventurous Travelers, Don’t Miss Out on the Classic EBC Trek in Nepal

If you have enough time, stamina, and a passion for high-altitude trekking, the classic 14-day Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal is your ultimate way to experience the magic of Himalayan adventure on foot.

Unlike the effortless drive to Tibet Everest Base Camp, the Nepal EBC trek allows you to follow in the footsteps of legendary climbers who summited Mt. Everest. You will walk through vibrant Sherpa villages, cross swaying suspension bridges over roaring rivers, stay in cozy teahouse lodges, and wake up to crisp mountain air with stunning views of Everest’s south face, towering Himalayan peaks, and peaceful alpine valleys to explore.

• Learn more differences between Tibet EBC and Nepal EBC

To enjoy the classic Nepal Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll need to get your trekking permit (TIMS card, around 15USD) and entry permit (around 25USD) for Sagarmatha (Everest in Nepali) National Park from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. Besides, hiring a local guide is now required by the Nepali government. Here’s what you can expect on this classic Nepal EBC trek.

Embark on the classic 14-day Everest Base Camp trek from Kathmandu to Nepal EBC.

Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar Sherpa Village ( Days 1 to 4)

Firstly, get your trekking gear ready and hotels booked. Fly from Kathmand or Ramechhap to Luka, the trailhead of the Nepal EBC trek. From here, you start trekking through beautiful Rhododendron forests in spring and along rushing rivers. You will cross suspension bridges and visit traditional Sherpa villages like Phakding.

The highlight of this stage is reaching Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa village on the classic Everest Base Camp trek route, where you can enjoy local markets and stunning views of towering peaks.

• Discover the best time to enjoy the Nepal EBC trek

Acclimatization Days and Trekking Higher (Days 5 to 9)

In Namche Bazaar, the bustling Sherpa town, you will spend two days acclimatizing and enjoy short hikes to viewpoints like the Everest View Hotel and the park visitor center. From here, the trail leads to Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual heart of the region, set against the pyramid-shaped Himalayan peak (Ama Dablam).

From Namche, you continue to trek upward through the high-altitude Sherpa villages of Dingboche and Lobuche, where the landscape becomes more dramatic and alpine. Along the way, you will pass memorials dedicated to climbers and enjoy closer views of majestic Himalayan peaks.

Make it to Nepal Everest Base Camp and Return (Day 10 to 14)

The final push takes you to the legendary Nepal Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters, where you can stand at the foot of the world’s highest mountain. Nearby Kala Patthar (a famous landmark spot to view Mt. Everest) offers an unforgettable sunrise view of Everest and the surrounding giants.

After enjoying the breathtaking Himalayan scenery and the feeling of achievement, you begin your descent back to Lukla, passing through the same Sherpa villages and forests. The trek concludes with a flight back to Kathmandu, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Travelers follow the classic trekking route leading to Nepal EBC.

Conclusion

While flying straight to the top of Mount Everest remains out of reach for most travelers, there are plenty of ways for you to get close to the world’s highest peak. Whether you enjoy a short Mount Everest helicopter tour, trek to Nepal EBC, or take the effortless overland journey from Lhasa to Tibet EBC, each offers you unique Mount Everest views and unforgettable moments.

As a local Tibet travel agency with offices in Lhasa and Kathmandu, no matter how you want to explore the Mt. Everest, we are here to provide you with the best local services and an authentic Himalayan experience to enjoy. If you have more questions regarding to Mount Everest tour, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Tashi Delek!