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Private helicopter tour · Kathmandu – Gosaikunda – Kathmandu

Gosaikunda Lake Helicopter Tour

A sacred lake at 4,380 m, made (so Hindus believe) when Shiva struck the mountain with his trident to bring out water. You'll touch down by the water, call in at the shrine, and see the Langtang Himal rising beyond the ridge. Breakfast is included.

Highest point
4,380 m
Length
About 3 hours
Passengers
Up to 5
Price
US$3,500 per helicopter
Gosaikunda Lake Helicopter Tour

Gosaikunda is a chain of high lakes on the ridge between the Trishuli and Langtang valleys. The main lake, at 4,380 m, is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. The story goes that Shiva, burning from the poison he had swallowed to save the world, drove his trident into the mountain and drank the water that sprang out.

Every August, at the full moon of Janai Purnima, thousands of pilgrims walk here for days to bathe in the lake. By helicopter, it's about 35 minutes from Kathmandu.

You land by the shore and have about 30 minutes to walk to the shrine, look down over the smaller lakes of Bhairab Kunda and Saraswati Kunda, and gaze across to the Langtang and Ganesh ranges. From November to March, the lake is often frozen white.

Facts

Duration
About 3 hours
Flight time
About 35 minutes each way
Highest landing
Gosaikunda, 4,380 m
Passengers
1 to 5 per helicopter
Time on the ground
About 30 minutes
Best months
October to May; August for the festival

Highlights

  • Landing beside a sacred lake at 4,380 m
  • Langtang Himal and Ganesh Himal across the ridge
  • About 30 minutes on the lakeshore
  • Breakfast is included

Flight route and altitude

Highest point 4,380 m

  1. 1Kathmandu 1,338 mDomestic terminal, Tribhuvan Airport
  2. 2Gosaikunda 4,380 mLanding, about 30 minutes
  3. 3Kathmandu 1,338 mDomestic terminal, Tribhuvan Airport

How the day goes

  1. To the lake and back

    • We'll collect you at about 7:00 and check you in at the domestic terminal.
    • Fly north-west over Shivapuri and the Trishuli valley.
    • Land at Gosaikunda for about 30 minutes: time for the shrine, the lakeshore and breakfast.
    • Then fly back to Kathmandu.

What's included

  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Kathmandu
  • The helicopter, pilot and ground crew for the whole route
  • Fuel, landing fees and airport taxes
  • Passenger insurance, carried by the helicopter operator
  • Breakfast
  • Langtang National Park entry fee

Not included

  • Your Nepal visa
  • Your own travel insurance (do check that it covers helicopter flights)
  • Tips

Good to know

Pickup
At your hotel in Kathmandu.
Before you fly
  • In the Himalaya, helicopters fly on weight rather than seats. Please tell us everyone's weight when you book, and bring just one small bag each.
  • Flights leave early, while the mountain air is at its clearest. Safety is the pilot's call: if conditions aren't right, you'll fly on the next clear morning instead, or have your money back in full.
  • During the Janai Purnima festival in August, the lake gets crowded and flights book up early.
Weather and cancellation
If the weather grounds your flight, you can pick another day or take a full refund. Should you cancel with more than 10 days still to go, you'll get 50% back. Within 10 days of the flight, or once the trip has started, there's no refund. Booking terms

New to mountain flights? Read about altitude and safety and the best months to fly.

Questions

Can we bathe in the lake?

Pilgrims do, especially at Janai Purnima. The water is freezing, though, so most visitors just dip their hands and feet. Please don't use soap.

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