Helicopter Tours in Nepal

A helicopter tour in Nepal is, quite simply, a morning flight from Kathmandu or Pokhara into the high Himalaya, with one or two short landings, and you're back in time for lunch. It turns a walk of one or two weeks into a few hours, and it shows you the mountains from a height no trekker ever reaches.

Almost every tour follows the same pattern. You're picked up from your hotel around dawn and take off while the air is still and clear. There's a refuelling stop on the way, then a landing with the big view, and often breakfast at a mountain lodge. Clouds usually build by late morning, which is why flights leave so early (sorry, late sleepers).

The main routes compared

Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar

This is the best-known flight of them all. From Kathmandu you fly via Lukla and up the Khumbu valley, over Everest Base Camp, for a 5 to 10 minute landing on Kala Patthar (5,545 m) facing the summit, followed by breakfast at Hotel Everest View. It takes about 4 to 5 hours. See the private Everest tour, the shared-seat version, or the fly-over without the high landing.

Annapurna Base Camp

The shortest of the high flights: just 20 minutes from Pokhara into the Annapurna Sanctuary, landing at 4,130 m beneath Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre. It's good value, and if you're already in Pokhara, it's the obvious choice. Prices and dates are on the Annapurna Base Camp helicopter tour page.

Langtang valley

These are the closest big mountains to Kathmandu. It's 45 minutes to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m), where you have up to an hour to wander around the village. See the Langtang helicopter tour.

Gosaikunda

A sacred lake at 4,380 m on the ridge west of Langtang, and only 35 minutes from Kathmandu. See the Gosaikunda helicopter tour.

Upper Mustang and Muktinath

The longest scenic route, and quite a journey: you follow the deep Kali Gandaki gorge with Dhaulagiri on one side and Annapurna on the other, all the way to Lo Manthang, the old walled city. You'll need a special permit for this one. See the Upper Mustang helicopter tour.

Rara Lake

Nepal's largest lake, tucked away in the far west. It makes for a long day, flying via Nepalgunj. See the Rara Lake helicopter tour.

Private or shared?

A helicopter seats up to five passengers, and there are two ways to book it.

• **Private charter:** the helicopter is all yours. You pay one price for up to five people, and the day runs at your pace. It's the best option for families and groups of three or more.
• **Shared seat:** you pay per seat and fly with other travellers on the same morning. It's the best option for one or two people. We run shared flights on the Everest route.

What it costs

Prices depend on flying time, so the further the route, the more it costs. As a rough guide, a private Everest flight costs several thousand US dollars for the helicopter, a shared Everest seat around a quarter of that, and the short Annapurna flight from Pokhara less than half the Everest price. You'll find the current price on each tour page, and for more detail, read what an Everest helicopter tour costs.

Who can fly

There's no age limit. In fact, children, grandparents and people who could never walk to Base Camp fly with us often. If you have a heart or lung condition, or you're pregnant, choose a route that lands lower, such as the Everest fly-over, and let us know when you book. You can read more about altitude and safety.