Skip to content
Charter Nepal

Helicopter tour · Kathmandu – Pokhara – Jomsom – Lo Manthang

Upper Mustang Helicopter Tour to Lo Manthang

Fly up the Kali Gandaki gorge, with Dhaulagiri on one side and Annapurna on the other, to the high desert of Lo, once a kingdom of its own. You'll land at the walled city of Lo Manthang (3,840 m), home to monasteries from the 15th century.

Highest point
3,840 m
Length
Most of a day
Group
Up to 5
Price
On request
Upper Mustang Helicopter Tour to Lo Manthang

Upper Mustang lies north of the main Himalaya, in its rain shadow, and looks more like Tibet than Nepal: red and ochre cliffs, cave dwellings, and whitewashed villages around barley fields. It was closed to outsiders until 1992 and you still need a special permit to visit.

The flight follows one of the world's great mountain routes. From Pokhara, the helicopter enters the Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest on earth, between Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m). It refuels at Jomsom, passes the fortress village of Kagbeni and carries on up the bare valley to Lo Manthang.

Once you've landed, you'll walk into the walled city, past the royal palace, to the monasteries of Jampa and Thubchen and their 15th-century wall paintings. On the way back, the pilot can stop at Muktinath, a temple sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike.

Facts

Duration
Most of a day
Flight time
About 4 to 5 hours from Kathmandu
Highest landing
Lo Manthang, 3,840 m
Passengers
1 to 5 per helicopter
Permits
Upper Mustang special permit, arranged by us
Best months
March to November (it is in the rain shadow)

Highlights

  • Dhaulagiri and Annapurna on either side of the Kali Gandaki gorge
  • Lo Manthang's walled city, 3,840 m
  • The Jampa and Thubchen monasteries
  • An optional stop at Muktinath temple

Flight route and altitude

Highest point 3,840 m

  1. 1Kathmandu 1,338 mDomestic terminal, Tribhuvan Airport
  2. 2Pokhara 822 mStop
  3. 3Jomsom 2,720 mRefuelling stop
  4. 4Lo Manthang 3,840 mLanding, about 1 hour
  5. 5Muktinath 3,710 mOptional stop
  6. 6Jomsom 2,720 mRefuelling stop
  7. 7Kathmandu 1,338 mDomestic terminal, Tribhuvan Airport

How the day goes

  1. Kathmandu to Jomsom

    • An early pickup and take-off, then about 35 minutes to Pokhara.
    • Squeeze between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna up the Kali Gandaki gorge, then refuel at Jomsom.

  2. Lo Manthang

    • Head north past Kagbeni and the cliffs of Upper Mustang.
    • Spend about an hour in Lo Manthang, with its city walls, palace and monasteries.
    • An optional stop at Muktinath on the way back.
    • Return via Jomsom and Pokhara to Kathmandu.
  • The pagoda-roofed temple at Muktinath
    The pagoda-roofed temple at Muktinath

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
  • The Upper Mustang special permit (US$500 per person at the time of writing)
  • Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit

Not included

  • Your Nepal visa
  • Your own travel insurance (do check that it covers helicopter flights)
  • Tips
  • Meals
  • Donations at the monasteries

Good to know

Pickup
At your hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
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.
  • For the Upper Mustang permit, we need a scan of each passenger's passport and visa at least 5 working days before the flight.
  • 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.
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

Why is there no fixed price?

It depends on whether you start in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and on the permit for your group size. Send us your date and we'll reply with a price. Starting from Pokhara is noticeably cheaper.

Do I need the special permit for a day visit?

Yes. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so you need the permit even for a short visit. Don't worry, though: we apply for it on your behalf. We just need your passport details in advance.

Other flights you might like

  • About 3 to 4 hours▲ 3,870 m

    Kathmandu – Kyanjin Gompa – Kathmandu

    Langtang Valley Helicopter Tour to Kyanjin Gompa

    The big mountains closest to Kathmandu, less than an hour away. Fly up the Langtang valley to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m), wander round the old monastery and the cheese factory, and be back in the city by lunch.

    from US$3,300per helicopter

  • About 1½ to 2 hours▲ 4,130 m

    Pokhara – Annapurna Base Camp

    Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Pokhara

    Just twenty minutes from Pokhara's lakeside to the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre stand all around the landing at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m), and breakfast is waiting when you get back.

    from US$2,400per helicopter

  • About 4 to 5 hours▲ 5,545 m

    Kathmandu – Kala Patthar – Syangboche

    Shared Everest Helicopter Tour: Join a Flight

    Travelling alone or as a couple? Rather than book the whole helicopter, take a seat on a shared Everest flight. It's the same route, the same Kala Patthar landing and the same breakfast at Hotel Everest View, paid per person.

    from US$1,250per person

Price on request

Get a price