Mountain Flight in Nepal – All You need to Know

The aerial perspective of the Himalayas of Nepal is something different and mesmerizing. Fly close to the Himalayas to awe at the incredible views of the mountains stretched endlessly. That's a mountain flight in Nepal.

Nowhere else can you see the eight of the world's highest mountains and snap insane pictures of the Himalayan landscape. With mountain flight, you can enjoy amazing views of the snow-capped mountains, including Everest, also called Sagarmatha in the Nepali language.

The domestic airlines in Nepal offer mountain flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara. In just about an hour, you can experience a close look at some of the highest peaks in the world. Isn't it amazing? Do you want to know more about mountain flights in Nepal? Say no more; we have prepared this blog for you.

What Is A Mountain Flight In Nepal?

Mountain flight is a way to indulge in awe-inspiring views of the towering peaks from the comfort of a small aircraft window seat. Flying above the Himalayas has always been a dream of mountain-lovers, and mountain flight in Nepal is a dream-come-true or, say, fantasy turned reality.

Mountain flight in Nepal is an undeniable opportunity to catch a glimpse of Everest and the sheer beauty of Nepal Himalaya. In a 1-hour window, you can fly high, high above the mountains, to embrace the marvelous view of majestic mountains. If your question is, "can I see Mount Everest from a flight?" let us talk about it in the next topic.

Everest Mountain Flight

Ever hopped on a plane to fly above 25000 ft. and immerse in the closest view of Mount Everest? That's Everest Mountain Flight. The views of Everest are breathtaking. So the answer to your question is YES. You can see Mount Everest from the flight.

If you aren't into week-long trekking or arduous mountain climbing but want to catch a glimpse of Everest, the Everest Mountain Flight is the answer. As a matter of fact, Everest mountain flight is the easy option for the quick glance of Everest through scenic flight.

It can cost you $190 approximately for a 1-hour scenic-and-epic mountain flight. However, please keep in mind that the price depends on the season and ranges between $150 and $200 per person.

The flight takes off at around 6 am early in the morning from Tribhuvan International Airport. Make sure to check-in for your Everest flight on time, probably 30-minutes earlier; that way, you won't miss the flight.

Regarding seats, you need not worry; you will be guaranteed a window seat. 

The hostesses will tell you the name of the mountains and even point to Everest for you. You can step into the cockpit to enjoy the views of the mountain and Himalayan landscape.

Disclaimer: the plane may not take off in time. Prepare for waiting hour.

Annapurna Mountain Flight

Just like Everest Mountain Flight, Annapurna Mountain Flight is an opportunity to enjoy the stupendous sight of Annapurna ranges, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu. If you are in Pokhara, short on time and want to skip the hiking part, go for the Annapurna mountain flight. Arguably, the Annapurna Mountain flight is the best deal for mountain lovers who are time-constrained.

The flight is scheduled for 6-8 am every day, and for about 30 minutes, you will soak up the sublime beauty of the Annapurna region. A few minutes into the journey, the Himalayas tease you, slowly unveiling the grandeur of the snow-capped mountains.

No doubt, the Annapurna Mountain flight could be your best escapade as you embrace everything from verdant hills to bijou cityscape to jagged peaks. Gaze awe-inspiringly at the sight of some of the highest mountains in the world and capture great shots to reminiscence for a lifetime.

Get ready to enjoy the unobstructed and surreal scenery of the mountains from the cockpit when the stewardess calls you to walk in. The best thing about Everest or Annapurna flight is that you (everyone) will be guaranteed a window seat. The cost of an Annapurna Mountain flight can range from $120 to $200.

To get a good idea about the Everest Mountain flight and Annapurna Mountain flight, we've listed a few details.

Below are short details of the Everest Mountain Flight:

1. The flight starts at 6 am from Tribhuvan International Airport.
2. Stunning views of Everest and many other surrounding peaks (more than 20 peaks)
3. Guaranteed window seat
4. View of Kathmandu city, Boudhanath Stupa, rolling hills, glaciers, and lakes
5. personalized Everest Experience certificate
6. 50 minutes flight duration

Below are the short details of the Annapurna Mountain Flight

1. The flight operates from Pokhara, from 6 am to 8 am in the morning
2. The flight time is around 30 minutes
3. Stunning views of Fishtail, Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri range, and surrounding peaks.
4. Guaranteed window seat
5. Mesmerizing view of Pokhara city, Phewa Lake, and glaciers

The Major Attraction Of Mountain Flight

Trekking to Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp is a great way to admire the stunning view of Everest, Annapurna, and other peaks. But there's a way around: Mountain Flight, the quickest and easiest way to catch a glimpse of Everest or other peaks.

So why should you do the mountain flight-seeing tour? What are the major attractions of mountain flight? Well, let me explain below:

Guaranteed Window Seat

We know that you know about the window seat (we've already mentioned it earlier). Now imagine you're not guaranteed the window seat when you book a mountain flight ticket. Imagine trying to shuffle the window seat with your co-passenger. Considering this ordeal, we guess a guaranteed window seat is a major attraction.

With two seats on either side of the plane, every passenger is guaranteed a window seat. What about an aisle seat? You don't have to worry about it; there will be no one, or there will be no aisle seat at all. This means everyone shall enjoy the enthralling experience of flying over the mountains. Everyone will embrace the view either on the flight out or flight back.

Incredible 360-view of views of Mountains

Who said you have to trek for days to catch the sight of Mount Everest or other mountains? You want to see Everest but can't think of trekking all the way there? Hop on a plane early in the morning and enjoy breathtaking views of Everest and Annapurna.

Mountain flight in Nepal offers panoramic views of the Himalayas from the comfort of a plane. Mountain flights are cheaper and quicker than trekking to the base camp and, of course, affordable as well. It is estimated that you can see at least 10 peaks from the plane.

In less than 10 minutes, the towering peaks await you leaving the urban landscape. One thing is for sure: you'll stand in awe watching the endless row of mountains. In just about an hour, you will be rewarded with close views of mountains. One solid reason to go for a mountain flight over trek is the price, which brings us to the next point.

Affordable

Mountain flight is affordable and for a good reason. If you ask us, we will choose trek over mountain flight. We simply want to explore the trail, connect with local people and enjoy the camaraderie of travelers. But for those who care for mountains but are time-constrained and despise hiking through the rough trail for days, the mountain flight is the best option.

For less than $200, you can revel in magical moments with the mountains. It saves your days and money. Like we said earlier, in just about an hour, you're done and back with wonderful memories. You will have something to cherish for a lifetime. One of the retentive memories will be the view from the cockpit.

Step into the cockpit

Just as the Himalayas slowly rise above the cloud, in no time, you'll be called to walk in the cockpit to check out the unaltered view of the mountains. The pilot will point at the major mountains for you (Everest if you are in for Everest Mountain flight, and Dhaulagiri and Annapurna if Annapurna flight).

We are not sure about the exact time, but you'll be allowed to stay in for 3 minutes. The view from the tiny cockpit is out-of-this-world; you will run out of words to explain the view. If you are a photographer, this very spot could grant you an opportunity to capture that rare shot of the Himalayas you have always ruminated about.

Certificate

After the completion of the flight and incredible journey, you will be handed a souvenir certificate with your name on it. The certificate is proof that you have drifted above the cloud and reveled in the transcendental experience of seeing mountains up close. Oh yes, you unlocked a new level of adventure!

Nepal Mountain Flight Operator

Yeti Airlines

Yeti Airlines started its first commercial flight in 1998 with two DHC-6/300 Series' Twin Otter' aircraft flying to far-flung mountains areas of Nepal. And since then, it has been serving the nation to become one of the premier airlines in Nepal. With subsidiary Tara Air, it is the largest domestic carrier in Nepal.

Yeti Airlines operates from Tribhuvan International Airport, Pokhara Airport, Gautam Buddha Airport, and Biratnagar Airport, flying to 10 domestic destinations. It received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to conduct international flights to South-Asian countries.

Yeti Airlines offer Annapurna Express and Everest Experience to mountain lovers. On a daily basis, Yeti Airline operates mountain flights early in the morning from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Buddha Air

Founded in 1996, Buddha Air is the leading domestic airline of Nepal. Currently, Buddha Air operates flights to 15 domestic and international destinations. It mainly conducts international services within Nepal and India. Buddha Air has its main base in Tribhuvan International Airport.

In 2020, it was honored as the largest domestic carrier in terms of passengers carried. The same year the airline announced its plans to enter the rural aviation market in Nepal. One remarkable achievement of this airline is that it became the first international airline to operate charters to Paro Airport in Bhutan. It is also the first airline in Nepal to have built a hanger for the storage and maintenance of the aircraft.

Regular mountain flights are conducted from the international airport in Kathmandu and Pokhara Airport. Buddha Air operates Everest Mountain flight dubbed Everest Experience, Annapurna Mountain flight called Annapurna Experience, and Pokhara Mountain Flight.

Shree Airlines

Shree Airlines is yet another airline in Nepal established in 1999. It is the largest operator of helicopters in Nepal, conducting charter and non-charter flights to remote parts of Nepal. Shree Airlines is the third-largest domestic carrier in Nepal, after Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines.

Shree Airlines operates from 8 airports in the major parts of Nepal, including Tribhuvan International Airport. It also holds the record of being the largest operator of Mi-17 helicopters in south-east Asia.

Shree Airlines operates an Everest Mountain flight named Experience Everest. I don't think they conduct Annapurna Mountain flights. I couldn't find about it anywhere on their official website as well.

How Much Does Mountain Flight Cost In Nepal?

Now that we've known a little more about the mountain flight, how about we know about its cost?

We've categorized the price into 3; for Nepalese, Indian, and other nationality

• For Nepalese: NPR 11300 Per person
• For Indian Nationality: INR 7063.00 Per Person
• Other Nationality: US$ 194.00 Per Person

How To Book Mountain Flight?

You can book directly online via their official website, or we can do it for you. We will arrange the flight in advance upon your request.

Why Book With Us?

Here are a couple of strong reasons for you to book with us.

Transportation:

One of the problems for mountain flights is transportation. It could be an exhausting task to find a vehicle early in the morning, and on top of that, they might try to overcharge you. Boom, you are scammed. Haggling over the price is something not everyone wants to do.

So, to get over this problem, we will arrange a tourist vehicle for you and make sure you reach the airport about 30 minutes before the scheduled flight. You can't miss the flight, can you?

Reschedule / Refund

Mountain flights are subject to cancellation due to unpredictable weather. You might have to wait for another day for the flight. In that case, we will handle the rescheduling of the ticket and refund you upon your request.

Discount

Discount. The word is so good to hear. Right? Regarding Everest or Annapurna mountain flight, we will offer a good discount if you have more than 3 people in a group.

Best Months For Mountain Flight In Nepal

Mountain flights are doable throughout the year, but there are some months that prove to be the best time to get the best out of it. So which month are the best months for mountain flights in Nepal?

March to May and October to December are the best months to embark on an enthralling journey of mountain flight.

Mountain Flight Itinerary And Cancellation

Since mountain flight can be completed in 30 minutes (Annapurna mountain flight) or 1 hour (Everest mountain flight), the itinerary is simple. Early in the morning, one of the company staff will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the domestic airport. 

You'll check into your mountain flight and confirm your booking by heading to the airline counter. You'll receive a boarding pass and pass through the security check to board a bus shuttle to the plane. Embark on an epic journey, enjoy incredible mountain scenery and get back to hotel. That's it.

If your flight gets canceled due to bad weather or any other reasons, you will be refunded 100%. 

Mountain Flight By Helicopter (Optional Activity)

If you are looking for an optional activity and for a mountain flight, we have got at least 5 luxury options, Mountain flight by Helicopter. Let's look at them.

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour lets you fly above Mount Everest and other 8000m peaks. This tour offers an incredible aerial perspective of Everest. EBC Heli tour also takes you to Kala Patthar, the vantage viewpoint in the Everest region.

The tour begins from Kathmandu and in a matter of hours, from the comfort of a helicopter, you will soak up the view of Everest and surrounding peaks. A brief and exciting landing at Lukla Airport is another highlight of this tour. Although this tour is a bit more expensive than a regular mountain flight, it is worth it.

Langtang Helicopter Tour

Langtang Helicopter Tour is an exhilarating helicopter ride to Langtang Valley. Get spellbound by the close views of Kathmandu cityscape, Langtang Valley, and Gosaikunda Lake. This unique experience gives mesmerizing views of 6000m and 7000 peaks as well.

Hop on a helicopter in Kathmandu and fly directly to Langtang Valley, stop briefly at Kyanjin Gompa. The flight takes approximately 90 minutes for a round trip to-and-from Kathmandu. For those who are short on time but want to visit Langtang Valley and explore Kyanjin Gompa, Langtang Heli Tour is the best tour.

Gosaikunda Helicopter Tour

Popular among Nepalese travelers, Gosaikunda Helicopter Tour is arguably the most popular helicopter tour in Nepal. Gosaikunda Heli Tour takes you to the pristine Gosaikunda Lake, believed to be an abode of Lord Shiva and his consort. With a flight duration of just 40 minutes, it is one of the shortest Heli tours in Nepal.

The helicopter takes off from Tribhuvan international airport, and in less than 20 minutes, you will be exploring the sacred lake at 4380m. Adding to this, you will also get the magnificent views of Langtang Lirung and Dorje Lakpa, and the tallest Lord Shiva Statue at Sanga.

Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour

The quickest possible way to reach Annapurna Base Camp is by doing the popular Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour. This short ABC Heli tour will take you to the base camp of the 10th highest peak in the world. On this 1-day ABC heli tour, you will admire magnificent views of Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna massif.

The tour begins in Kathmandu or Pokhara, flying to the northern Himalayan range over the Annapurna range. With a 40-minute flight time and 20 minute ground time, Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour is the perfect escapade to enjoy the views of mountains in the Annapurna region in the shortest possible time.

Muktinath Helicopter Tour

Last but not least, we have Muktinath Heli Tour. Now, let us be honest, very few people do this heli tour. It is a pilgrimage heli tour to the sacred Muktinath Temple. In that sense, mostly religious people choose to do this heli tour. Fly over deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge, and land in Ranipauwa. Walk for about 30 minutes to reach Muktinath Temple.

Starting from the domestic airport in Kathmandu or Pokhara, Muktinath Heli Tour can be completed in a few hours. Specially designed for physically disabled people, this heli tour also lets you admire some of the best views of 8000m peaks. Once you reach the temple, you will have ample time to pay reverence to the temple, bath in 108 waterspouts, and two sacred ponds.

Conclusion

In our final words, we would like to say that you must do an Everest Mountain flight at least once in your lifetime. When you are in Nepal for any reason, make sure to hop on a plane to embrace the breathtaking views of Everest and the other highest peaks. You will be back home with beautiful memories. If you are stuck or have any problem booking a mountain flight, a travel expert at Third Rock Adventures will help you.