Many of our climbers say that one of the best experiences of their entire expedition is taking a helicopter flight back down the Khumbu Valley and getting an aerial view of the trek, the peaks they’ve been climbing and the mighty Himalayan range. It is, without doubt, one of the most scenic, adventurous mountain flights in the world.
Further, while people initially think they will want to undertake the 3 day, 40 mile trek back down the valley, we’ve found that after a long expedition in mountains, the draw of civilisation, getting back to family and friends & enjoying that well-deserved beer can be irresistible.
We have a number of options available for you:
Round-Trip Helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla
$1,500 USD
Due to ongoing flight restrictions at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), almost all flights from Kathmandu to Lukla now operate out of Ramechhap, a smaller airstrip located approximately 4–5 hours by road from Kathmandu. The airport in Ramechhap is dedicated to mountain flights and allows earlier-morning departures when mountain weather is more stable; however, it requires a long, bumpy pre-dawn transfer, often departing Kathmandu before 3am. And since there are no suitable accommodation options in Ramechhap, if flights are delayed by mountain weather, you may face an uncomfortable wait, or even have to make the full 9–10 hour round trip back to Kathmandu and repeat it the following day.
For those who prefer to avoid this hassle, a direct helicopter transfer from Kathmandu to Lukla is the most seamless solution. It saves valuable time, maximizes comfort and recovery, eliminates the uncertainty of the road transfer, and ensures the smoothest possible start (and finish) to your Himalayan adventure—all with the added bonus of a spectacular scenic flight.
One Way Helicopter from Island Peak Base Camp to Lukla
$3,495 USD
A helicopter flight from Island Peak Base Camp (Chukung) to Lukla, avoiding the three-day walk back down the valley. From Lukla, you will catch a regularly scheduled fixed-wing plane back to Kathmandu either that day or the following.
One Way Helicopter from Island Peak Base Camp to Kathmandu
$5,495 USD
For those who aren’t as price-sensitive and want to return to Kathmandu and head homeward as quickly as possible at the end of the expedition, we can arrange a helicopter for you directly from Island Peak Base Camp (Chukung area) to Kathmandu.
