5 Best Helicopter Tours in Nepal

Ever dreamed of soaring high over the mighty Himalayas, adjacent to the world’s highest mountains, in utmost comfort? If yes, come to Nepal. From Everest to Annapurna and Langtang, you’ll fly close to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. Moreover, the helicopter tours in Nepal one of a kind. They take you to the proximity of some of the world’s highest mountains. In this blog, we’ll discuss the 5 best helicopter tours in Nepal that are worth embarking on for an aerial adventure in the Himalayas.

The elegant highest mountains and vibrant high-altitude landscapes in Nepal aren’t just for trekking. It’s also for the adventurers who dream of witnessing this sheer Himalayan beauty without embarking on strenuous journeys. Physically disabled, time-bound, and those who prefer a luxurious adventure, helicopter tour over the mighty Himalayas is nothing short of a jaw-dropping experience. You’ll fly like a bird and most likely, the front seat view of the most inspiring landscape of the planet. Thus, should it be flying close to Mt. Everest or gliding through the elegant Annapurnas, here are the five best helicopter tours in Nepal and things to expect on each tour.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour: Best Helicopter Tours in Nepal

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the most popular helicopter tour in Nepal. It’s special because you’ll fly in the proximity of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) and offers a bird’s eye view of the spectacular mountains of the Everest region.

More than mountain sighting, the breakfast at Hotel Everest View, at 3,880 meters, is another mesmerizing experience of this tour. Also known as the Everest Breakfast Tour, you’ll be eating your favourite breakfast at this hotel’s courtyard whilst viewing the Everest panorama.

Duration

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour lasts for 4 hours. In 4 hours, you’ll fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, Lukla to Pheriche, Pheriche to Gorak Shep and over Everest Base Camp, and return to Pheriche. From Pheriche, the helicopter takes you to Hotel Everest View for breakfast. The breakfast will be 30-45 minutes.

After breakfast, the helicopter takes off to Lukla, refuels if needed, and returns to Kathmandu.

What to expect?

Here’s a list of things you can expect during the four-hour Everest Helicopter Tour.

• 40 minutes scenic flight to Lukla
• Helicopter circling Everest Base Camp and close to the mountains, possibly Everest Camp II as well.
• Bird’s eye view of Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Tawoche, and Kondge Ri.
• Stop at Hotel Everest View for breakfast
• Flight on a clear weather day to ensure that you’ll get the sight of the entire mountain panorama.
• Fly over Namche, Tengboche Monastery, and Khumbu Glacier

Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Pokhara

Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour is an affordable and most exciting helicopter tour in Nepal. Thus, due to affordability, many Nepali and foreign travellers prefer this tour. Unlike 4 hours, this tour is 1.5-2 hours long.

Helicopter tour to Annapurna Base Camp is exciting because of the unique mountain sights. Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, and Annapurna South are a striking mountain panorama you’ll see on this tour.

Duration of Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour

If you consider an Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour, it’s more affordable from Pokhara than from Kathmandu. Hence, the tour duration depends on where you start the tour.

If you start this tour from Kathmandu, it takes at least two more hours to complete the tour.

Usually, this tour is 1.5 hours long from Pokhara. You’ll stop at the base camp for sightseeing and visit the tea house for breakfast.

What to expect?

Here’s a list of what you can expect during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Helicopter Tour:

• Airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfer on a private vehicle
• Complete sightseeing tour for 1.5 hours
• 30 minutes sightseeing stop at Annapurna Base Camp
• Breakfast at the tea house
• No hidden charges

Gosaikunda Helicopter Tour- More than a helicopter tour!

Gosaikunda Lake is a holy abode and a pilgrimage site for Hindus. Hindu pilgrims believe that Lord Shiva meditates in this lake. Thus, more than 30,000 pilgrims embark on the four-day Gosaikunda Lake Trek each year.

However, for physically immobile senior citizens and time-bound pilgrims, trekking can be challenging and unmanageable. Thus, for them, a three-hour Gosaikunda Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu is ideal. Moreover, it’s very affordable, which makes it popular and the best helicopter tours in Nepal, particularly for Nepali pilgrims.

The significant Janai Purnima festival is when more than 10 thousand trekkers visit Gosaikunda Lake on foot. And with limited tea houses, the accommodation becomes chaotic. Thus, to avoid the chaotic and crowded trek, it’s best to fly on a helicopter to Gosaikunda, perform the pooja rituals, and fly back to Kathmandu.

Duration

Gosaikunda Lake sits 45 kilometers North of Kathmandu Valley, in Langtang National Park. A helicopter from Kathmandu takes 30-40 minutes to reach the lake.

Once it lands near the lake, the pilgrims perform their rituals, pooja, and holy bath at the lake.

The helicopter stops for 45 minutes, allowing the pilgrims to enjoy their time at the lake. However, the stopping time also depends on the weather conditions on a given day.

The helicopter then returns to Kathmandu airport.

What to expect?

As a passenger on a helicopter tour to Gosaikunda Lake, here’s what you can expect:

• Airport pickup and drop-off
• Spectacular view of the Langtang mountains
• One complete circle over Gosaikunda Lake before landing
• 30-45 minutes stop for pooja and other rituals
• No additional cost included

Helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla

Flying on a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla isn’t a tour but an exciting journey to start the Everest Base Camp Trek. While the regular flights struggle to fly in less visibility and slight weather changes, a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla bridges that gap.

It won’t come cheap as the cost per person is between USD 650 and 700. However, the unique flight experience it offers is unmatched. You’ll see wholesome mountain ranges, including Langtang and Everest.

Moreover, Kathmandu to Lukla on a helicopter is ideal for those who are scared of flying in tiny twin-otters and landing at Lukla airstrip, among the scariest in the world. The swift helicopter landing at Lukla can be a nice touch to begin amazing adventures in the Everest region.

Duration

The helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is 40 minutes. You’ll take off from Kathmandu airport and land at the helipad at Lukla airport. There’s no layover at any place.

You’ll get a hotel-to-airport drop in Kathmandu should you book the helicopter flight to Lukla with us.

What to expect?

Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter flight is an exciting aerial adventure as the helicopter flies over the majestic hills, yak pastures, terraces, and valleys. Here’s what you can expect during your helicopter flight to Lukla.

• Hotel to airport drop in Kathmandu
• Private and group sharing helicopter flight
• 40 minutes scenic flight to Lukla
• Aerial view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Numbur, and more.
• Utmost safe and luxurious

Muktinath Temple Helicopter Tour- Pilgrimage Visit

Muktinath Temple sits at 3,762 meters in Mustang, a spectacular landscape in Nepal. Whether it’s the towering arid peaks, elegant Mt. Dhaulagiri, or the cinematic Kagbeni, Jomsom, and Kali Gandaki gorge, flying over it feels magical. Moreover, visiting the holy abode of Lord Vishnu, Muktinath, completes the pilgrimage journey excellently. These contribute to making the Muktinath Temple Helicopter Tour among the best helicopter tours in Nepal.

The elevation of Muktinath Temple often causes people to get altitude sickness. Moreover, to reach here, you must drive at least a day from Pokhara to Jomsom. Thus, to overcome the altitude sickness and avoid the tiring jeep ride, a helicopter tour to Muktinath from Pokhara is best. Furthermore, this trip is ideal for senior citizens, families with kids, and time-bound pilgrims. Plus, the utmost panoramic landscape and the valleys around make the aerial trip spectacular.

Duration

Muktinath Helicopter Tour is 3-4 hours long. You can start this tour from Kathmandu, too. However, for affordability and tour length, it’s better to start this trip from Pokhara.

What to expect?

As a pilgrim in Muktinath Helicopter Tour, here’s what you can expect!

• Hotel to Airport drop in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Layover at Pokhara airport for refueling
• Safe flight to Muktinath and back
• Picturesque glimpse of Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, etc.
• Fly over the panoramic landscape of Jomsom, Kagbeni, and Mustang

5 best helicopter tours in Nepal- Wrapping Up!

If you’re fond of aerial luxurious adventure over the spectacular landscapes of the planet, there’s nowhere but Nepal. Nepal boasts the world’s highest mountains, vibrant landscapes, pilgrimage sites, and more, making it a paradise for luxurious helicopter tours. Moreover, these tours are available in private and shared options, as well as with personal space, and are affordable.

Helicopter tours in Nepal are exciting, adventurous, and utterly safe. Almost every pilot who flies the helicopter during heli tours has more than 8000 hours of flying time. Moreover, the heli tours are convenient, short, and the best value.

Particularly, if you’re:

• Senior citizen with mobility issues
• A family with kids and the elderly
• Time-bound traveler
• Luxurious traveler,

The helicopter tours in Nepal are ideal for you.

Travellers Review

The reviews below are from our clients who did wholesome trekking and tours in Nepal with us. All the reviews here reflect how we run the trekking, treat our clients, and organize the trek and tours. Below listed reviews are from TripAdvisor, which is the most accurate and trusted review platform among travellers.

Have a read at what our clients say about us!!