Nepal Helicopter Service | Kathmandu, Nepal
Most helicopter tours in Nepal head for Everest, and for good reason. But Nepal has eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains, and some of its most memorable flights go to places that see only a handful of visitors a year.
These routes are longer, need more planning and cost more than Everest. In return you get empty landing sites, remote cultures and mountains most travellers only know from maps. Here are the four we are asked about most, plus one bonus lake.
Table of Contents
At a glance
| Destination | Landing altitude | Fuel stop | Special permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang) | About 3,840 m | Pokhara / Jomsom | Yes, restricted area |
| Manaslu (Samagaun) | 3,530 m | Usually none | Yes, restricted area |
| Makalu Base Camp | About 4,870 m | Tumlingtar | National park permit |
| Kanchenjunga Base Camp | About 4,730–5,143 m | Taplejung | Yes, restricted area |
Upper Mustang: the old Kingdom of Lo
North of the Annapurna range, Upper Mustang looks nothing like the rest of Nepal. It is a high desert of red and ochre cliffs, cave dwellings and whitewashed villages, with the walled town of Lo Manthang at its heart. Because it sits in the rain shadow, it is one of the few Himalayan areas you can often visit during the monsoon.
The helicopter usually refuels in Pokhara and follows the Kali Gandaki valley north past Jomsom. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so every passenger who lands needs a special permit arranged through an agency, and it takes some days to process. See our Upper Mustang helicopter tour.
Manaslu: the eighth-highest mountain
Manaslu (8,163 metres) is the highest peak that lies entirely inside Nepal. The Manaslu Circuit trek has become popular, but the upper valley is still far quieter than Everest.
The flight from Kathmandu takes about an hour and lands near Samagaun, a Tibetan-influenced village at 3,530 metres, right below the mountain’s glaciers. On clear days the pilot can add a loop towards Manaslu Base Camp. Samagaun is in a restricted area, so permits are needed here too. Details are on our Manaslu helicopter tour page.
Makalu Base Camp: the fifth-highest mountain
Makalu (8,485 metres) is a sharp, four-sided pyramid just east of Everest. Its base camp, at about 4,870 metres in the Barun valley, is so remote that trekkers spend around two weeks getting there and back.
By helicopter you fly east to Tumlingtar in the Arun valley to refuel, then up through Makalu Barun National Park to land beneath Makalu’s south face. It is one of the most dramatic flights in Nepal and one of the least crowded. A national park permit is needed. See our Makalu Base Camp helicopter tour.
Kanchenjunga: the third-highest mountain
Kanchenjunga (8,586 metres) stands on Nepal’s far eastern border with Sikkim. The full trek takes around three weeks, which puts it out of reach for most visitors.
The helicopter refuels at Suketar airport in Taplejung, then lands at Pangpema, the north base camp at about 5,143 metres, or at Oktang below the south face, depending on the weather. Many travellers add a stop at the hilltop Pathibhara Devi Temple on the way back. The base camps are in a restricted area. Read more on our Kanchenjunga Base Camp helicopter tour page.
Bonus: Shey Phoksundo Lake in Dolpo
If you are drawn to lakes rather than peaks, Shey Phoksundo in Dolpo is extraordinary. It is Nepal’s deepest lake, a vivid turquoise bowl at about 3,611 metres beside the village of Ringmo. Flights start from Nepalgunj, so plan an extra night. See our Shey Phoksundo helicopter tour.
Planning a remote helicopter flight
- Start early. Restricted-area permits need passport copies and a few working days, so don’t leave booking to the last minute.
- Expect a longer day. With fuel stops, most of these tours take four to five hours.
- Be flexible with dates. Weather must be good at the fuel stop and the landing site. Keep a spare day.
- Share the helicopter. These flights are priced per helicopter, so the cost per person falls when more of your group flies together.
- Respect the altitude. Makalu and Kanchenjunga landings are close to 5,000 metres. Stops are short, and fewer passengers may land together.
- Pick the right season. October and November are usually the clearest, followed by March to May. Upper Mustang can also work in the monsoon.
Quick answers
Which remote helicopter tour in Nepal is best?
It depends on what you want. Upper Mustang for culture and desert landscapes, Manaslu for a shorter flight to a huge mountain, and Makalu or Kanchenjunga for the most remote high base camps.
Do you need permits for helicopter tours to restricted areas?
Yes. Upper Mustang, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga are restricted areas, so every passenger who lands needs a special permit arranged through a registered agency.
How long do remote helicopter tours in Nepal take?
Manaslu takes around three to four hours from Kathmandu. Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Upper Mustang usually take four to five hours because of fuel stops.
Ready to go further than Everest? Tell us which region interests you and your dates, and we will send routes, permit requirements and a price. WhatsApp +977 9818392976.
Permit rules and fees for Nepal’s restricted areas change from time to time. We confirm the current requirements when you book.
