Exploring Nepal by Helicopter Tour
Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, Nepal boasts some of the prettiest landscapes, the highest peaks, colorful culture, and diverse geography. For many people trekking and mountaineering are the most familiar forms of exploring the country, helicopter tours have recently become a completely new and interesting way to explore the beauty of Nepal at one’s own pace.
It offers you a completely different bird’s view perspective of the country’s famous monuments, starting even from the world’s highest peak to the green valleys and terraced fields on that face of the country. For veteran travelers or greenhorn tourists, an experience in the form of a helicopter tour in Nepal will surely remain in unforgettable memory and leave one breathless.
Reasons why taking a helicopter tour in Nepal
Nepal has some of the tallest mountains in the world, and scaling these giant mountains is a tedious and time-taking affair. Going to the Everest base camp or Annapurna sanctuary takes weeks of walking efforts, and Mount Everest itself ascension requires years of training and the aid of technical support to reach the summit.
Helicopter tours, on the other hand, do offer a much faster and easier route of getting you to this stunning Himalayan range as well as to all those beautiful scenic spots. Helicoptor tours can even take you to places not normally reachable, such as small and secluded mountain villages, monasteries, and serene lakes within the mountains. Whether you want to witness the high peak of Mount Everest or just relax within the tranquility of the Gosaikunda Lakes, heli travel brings everything within a few hours. And of course, helicopter tours in Nepal can also afford travel in a much more comfortable and stylish way. You travel with a qualified pilot and hardly a few laid-back passengers and enjoy stunning sceneries without stressing yourself with tiring treks.
Most Preferred Helicopter Tours Packages in Nepal
There are various helicopter tour packages available in Nepal that cater to the taste and budget of different travelers. Every package is designed for a unique perspective into the mind-blowing scenery and rich cultural ethos of Nepal. Most preferred helicopter tour packages in Nepal are given below:
- Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
This is probably the most popular helicopter tour in Nepal, which drives very close to the tallest mountain in the world. The scenic flight journey starts from Kathmandu to Lukla which is known as the entrance of the Everest region. From Lukla, you can directly fly to Everest Base Camp, where you can see Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and many surrounding peaks.
The highlights of this tour include the landing at an extremely high-altitude point such as Kala Patthar, reputed to give one of the finest panoramas of Mount Everest. On the way along flying back to Kathmandu, you also catch a glimpse of the famous Tengboche Monastery, scenically situated among the mountains.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Price: $1000 – $1200 per person
2. Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour
The Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour is recommended for tourists who want to see the Annapurna region without trekking through the complex path. The tour flew over the lush forests, typical Gurung villages, and high mountain meadows that add on to the beauty of the Annapurna region. You could have aerial views of Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and other mountains of the Annapurna range.
The highlight of the tour is the flight directly to Annapurna Base Camp, which lets you look up at the looming south face of Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world. It offers an excellent opportunity to get incredibly up close and personal with one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on this planet.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Price: $900 – $1100 per person
3. Langtang Valley Helicopter Tour
A tad off the beaten path, the Langtang Valley Helicopter Tour is a good choice. North of Kathmandu, Langtang is a pristine and isolated area with awesome mountain views, rhododendron forests, and rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. This wonderful helicopter tour will fly above the forest cover and allow you to land at Kyanjin Gompa, a serene Tibetan Buddhist monastery lying at the base of the Langtang Lirung peak.
Hence for those interested in taking in the sights of the Langtang region without long treks, this is a good option. The above-sight of Langtang Lirung and other surrounding peaks is simply astonishing.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Prices: $750-$900 per person.
4. Gosaikunda Lake Helicopter Tour
Gosaikunda Lake is one of the most sacred and panoramic alpine lakes in Nepal. The lake, located in Langtang National Park, has the highest significance for Hindus and Buddhists. According to them, Gosaikunda was created by Lord Shiva himself, and thousands of pilgrims visit Gosaikunda during the year to carry out religious practices.
Therefore, the Gosaikunda Lake Helicopter Tour is a great chance to visit this sacred site without the long trek. The tour begins from Kathmandu and will directly fly you to Gosaikunda, enjoying the great views of the surrounding peaks and alpine meadows.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: $800-$1000 per person.
5. Mount Everest Helicopter Tour with Landing
An extension of the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, this tour lands at the famous Hotel Everest View which is located at 3,880 meters (12,730 feet) in the Everest region. Having breakfast or lunch here will give you an unforgettable view of Mount Everest and other famous peaks like Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The tour allows you to view Everest majesty without the Everest Base Camp trek. It is perfect for those who need to view the world’s highest peak but lack sufficient time.
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Price: 900-1200 per Person
Best Time for Helicopter Tours in Nepal
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are considered the best time to conduct helicopter tours in Nepal. During these months, the visibility is best with clear skies and good weather so that you can have a ball viewing stunning aerial views of the mountains and landscapes. The monsoon months (June-August) are very risky with the threat of clouds and fluctuating weather, and in the winter (December-February) it is chilly with possible snow cover at high altitude.
Conclusion
A helicopter tour to Nepal is an unmatched way to experience its beauty and culture from a totally new angle. Whether it’s the bird’s eye glimpse of towering Everest or a hasty escape to serene lakes and off-the-beaten-track villages, helicopter tourism has just the right mix of adventure, luxury, and convenience.
If a Himalayan lifetime experience intrigues your mind, book one helicopter tour package and get ready to be captivated by the unmatched beauty of Nepal.
