Altitude never bothers me. I’m a Colorado girl, after all. So, when I decided to book a helicopter tour to Mount Everest Base Camp while I was in Nepal (checking one more thing off my ever-expanding bucket list), I gave it about as much thought as I did my footwear. (I wore flip-flops, by the way. Again – Colorado girl. We’re not afraid of a little cold).

So, imagine my surprise when the dizzying effects of 17,800 feet hit me after only a few minutes into marveling at the world’s tallest mountain (which towers above the surrounding landscape at an impressive 29,032 feet!)

But, more on that in a minute.

Getting To Mount Everest Base Camp

First, let’s talk about what it takes to go to Everest Base Camp (or EBC, as the cool kids call it). There are two ways to get there – you can either trek to it over 8 days (with an additional 4 days to hike back), or you can take a helicopter. Given my lack of time during this particular trip, I opted for the latter.

The 45-minute flight was absolutely mesmerizing as we passed over small mountain villages with terraced gardens and temples adorned with prayer flags. Many only reachable on foot. As we got closer, we briefly landed at Lukla Airport to leave jugs of fuel on the tarmac in order to lighten our load. But, the helicopter still needed to dump more weight. So, what else could be left behind? Passengers.

Our small group of five was split in two, with the first group flying to the viewpoint while the others waited next to a riverbed. Then, upon the helicopter’s return a few minutes later, we switched.

Fun Fact: You actually can’t see Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp since other mountains block your line of sight. So, helicopter tours actually take passengers to an adjacent mountainside roughly 200 feet above the base camp for a better view.

The Effects of High Altitude

After waiting our turn, the moment was finally upon us – we were headed to see Mount Everest! Because the high altitude hits you in a hurry, you’re only able to stay at the Everest Base Camp viewpoint for about 2-5 minutes before descending to a safer elevation. Something our pilot told us multiple times, including when we landed. And, you’re not allowed to venture more than a few feet away from the aircraft either.

Enter, my arrogance.

We’d only been taking photos for a couple of minutes when we were already being told we needed to leave. “What?! But we just got here!” I thought to myself. “And, come on. I feel totally fine! I’m used to high altitudes from living near the mountains nearly my entire life. It doesn’t affect me!”

It was just about then during my internal monologue that I abruptly felt it. My heart started pounding like a freight train. My vision began slowing to a crawl. And, my head felt like a balloon whose string had slipped the hand that held it.

Suddenly, I understood why visitors aren’t allowed to stay there for more than a few minutes. Why you’re not allowed to wander off for photos (no doubt pilots have had to drag unconscious tourists back to the helicopter one too many times). Just like that, it all made sense and my arrogance quietly slinked away. Ego firmly in check.

Breakfast With A View

After our awe-inspiring experience, we made our way to the next pinch-me moment: breakfast at the Everest View Hotel. Because we were delayed in Kathmandu for four hours due to fog, we arrived for our meal closer to noon. Which, as it turns out, was kind of perfect since it meant we could relish in the warmer temperatures at our table on the deck.

Then, there was the food. To be honest, I expected it to be marginal at best. After all, people come here for the view and not the cuisine. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was pretty fantastic (and plentiful!) We enjoyed hot tea and orange juice, omelets with an incredibly delicious sauce, slices of bread with butter, and waffles with honey.

It was the perfect way to end a very bucket list-worthy adventure.

Tips for Visiting Everest Base Camp

To make the most of your time at Everest Base Camp, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Have Something in Your Stomach

Before your helicopter flight, make sure you eat. And, nothing too spicy or exciting. Think basic carbs and granola bars so you have a full belly to avoid both motion and altitude sickness.

Stay Hydrated

To stave off the effects of altitude sickness, stay hydrated! But, bear in mind there isn’t a restroom between the airport in Kathmandu and your breakfast at the Everest View Hotel (if your tour includes that). So, make sure to go before you fly out.

Consider A Motion Sickness Remedy

If you’re prone to motion sickness, I suggest taking a non-drowsy Dramamine just before your flight. Or, use a non-medicinal approach like a Relief Band (which is what I used when crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica and it worked like a charm!)

Wear Black

Besides the super cool appearance of looking like a group of highly trained operatives getting ready to go on a heist, wearing black has a practical purpose as well. Mainly, getting great photos during your flight. If you wear colors (especially white), you’ll be battling some pretty aggressive reflections in the helicopter windows. So, to avoid them, make sure you dress accordingly.

Visiting Mount Everest Base Camp was, without a doubt, one of my favorite bucket list adventures to date. You really can’t put into words just how dramatic and remarkable it is to be surrounded by the world’s tallest peaks. It truly leaves you speechless and in complete awe of just how impressive Mother Nature really is.

Have you been to Everest Base Camp before? Comment below, I’d love to hear about your experience!

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