My Majestic Helicopter Tour Of Mt. Everest

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I fulfilled a bucket list item of seeing Mt. Everest up close via helicopter while in Kathmandu, Nepal. What a majestic sight!

Must Do: Mt. Everest Helicopter Tour

One of my primary reasons for visiting Nepal was to take a helicopter ride up to Everest Base Camp. We chose Kailash Helicopter Services for the tour, based upon the recommendation of a pilot who flew with us on the Nepal Airlines Bangkok – Kathmandu flight. I wrote about this earlier, but have added more details and video.

You can share a helicopter for about $1,200/seat if you book in advance. You’ll share the cabin with 2-3 others, but it’s a more economical way. We chartered a helicopter for $5,000 less than 24 hours before the journey. I suspect we could have saved a little bit had we arranged this weeks in advance.

On a rather smoky morning, we departed early from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). We showed up to the domestic terminal, walked past the check-in desks for commercial carriers, then checked in for our Kailash “flight,” even paying an extra 500 NPR (~4 USD) departure tax.

The domestic terminal even had a nice coffee shop.

We were next driven out to an area of the airport in which helicopters were parked and sat there for about 20 minute waiting for takeoff clearance.

We took off and the first leg of our journey, to Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUA) in Lukla, was about 40 minutes away. It was very smoky as we traveled through the Kathmandu Valley, but Mount Everest finally came into view and was breathtaking.

The majestic mountain range finally came into view as we approached Lukla

First, we stopped at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla to refuel. This airport is commonly labeled “the most dangerous airport in the world” because of the short runway and steep slope.

There, we had to pay a couple of taxes 3000 NPR (about 22 USD) and 2000 NPR (about 15 USD) and also had some tea and were provided instructions on how to use the oxygen onboard, if necessary.

Here, we changed helicopters and continued our journey upwards.

The highlight of the entire journey was Kala Patthar (18,192 feet/5,545 meters), with clear views of Mt. Everest and other peaks.

I have not gained weight…just a lot of layers on. It was below freezing.

A further note on oxygen. No, we did not need it. I can only surmise that Sam Chui used it for dramatic effect, not actual need, when he did a similar trip…

Our journey continued with more beauty that even the videos below cannot fully capture.

We stopped at Gokyo Lake (15,583 feet / 4,750 meters), which is like a mirage amongst the rocks and snow.

Next, we flew to Hotel Everest View (12,730 feet / 3,880 meters) for brunch.

It was nippy, but we sat outdoors and enjoyed a cup of coffee and omelet.

Our Swiss pilots were named Philipp and Laurenz and absolutely phenomenal…professional and impeccably skilled in operating the helicopter.

We then returned to Lukla and switched helicopters again before returning to Kathmandu.

I cannot help but smile in looking at these pictures and videos. This is truly an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was not cheap, but it was worthwhile: there is a certain indescribable majesty in seeing this mountain range and the peak of Mt. Everest up close. Having a helicopter to yourself makes it even more special.

I saw many things in Kathmandu, but nothing like this…what a joy.