Safety
Experienced High-Altitude Pilots
Mountain Helicopters Nepal
Fly close to Everest, land beside the turquoise waters of Gokyo Lake, then breakfast at the top of the world
Experienced High-Altitude Pilots
4 to 4.5 hours (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Approximately 5,500 metres / 18,045 feet (over Kalapatthar and Everest Base Camp)
Spring (March - May), Autumn (September - November)
Up to 5 passengers per tour
400 kg (passenger weight + baggage weight per helicopter)
About This Flight
The Everest Mountain Overfly with Gokyo Lake Landing and Breakfast at Hotel Everest View from Kathmandu combines a close aerial view of the Everest region with a landing beside the turquoise waters of Gokyo Lake and breakfast at the highest hotel in the world. The flight carries passengers from Kathmandu to Lukla, on to Pheriche, and from there over the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar area to Gokyo, before finishing with breakfast at Hotel Everest View and the return to Kathmandu. All of it inside a single day.
The helicopter flies from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region, and on to Pheriche at around 4,240 metres. Here the flight changes shape. Passengers go up in small numbers, because of the weight the thin air allows, and each group flies the sequence in turn: a close pass over the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar area with no landing, then on to the Gokyo valley to set down on the ground beside the water for five to ten minutes. From there the Cho Oyu massif rises on one side of the valley and the lakes run out below in shades of blue and turquoise, with the high Khumbu ridges closing the horizon.
After everyone has completed the Gokyo Lake landing, the group reunites at Pheriche and flies together to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche, where breakfast is served with views of Everest, Ama Dablam and the surrounding peaks. The helicopter then returns through Lukla and back to Kathmandu.

Tour Feels Like
The tour begins gently, with a scenic hop from Kathmandu to Lukla that already offers sweeping views of Nepal's mid-hills and river valleys. After a short refueling stop, the flight continues deeper into the mountains, passing over Namche Bazaar and Tengboche before reaching Pheriche, where the terrain opens into the wide, high-altitude Khumbu Valley.
From Pheriche, passengers fly in pairs on a close aerial overfly toward Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar, without landing, before continuing on to Gokyo Lake, where the helicopter touches down for five to ten minutes beside the still, turquoise water, a striking contrast after the rock and ice of the Everest skyline. The helicopter then returns to Pheriche to collect the next pair, and the process repeats until every passenger has completed both the overfly and the landing. While one pair is in the air, the rest of the group waits at Pheriche, where the thin air and dramatic mountain backdrop are already memorable in their own right.
Once every passenger has completed the experience, the whole group flies on together to Hotel Everest View, where a relaxed 15- to 20-minute breakfast is served with panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku, a well-earned pause after the overfly and landing. From there, the helicopter retraces its route through Lukla and back to Kathmandu. Light turbulence over ridgelines and near the high-altitude landing zone is normal, and every leg of the flight is flown only when conditions are judged safe.
Who should choose
Know Your Destination
Share your preferred travel date, the number of passengers, exact passenger weights, and baggage details with Mountain Helicopters Nepal. Our operations team will verify helicopter availability, weather conditions, airport status, and total payload to ensure the flight can be operated safely. Once everything is confirmed, you will receive your final itinerary, reporting time, meeting point, and baggage allowance, so you can prepare for a smooth and hassle-free journey.
Fares & Cost
Shared by the seat, or the cabin to yourselves. Both fly to the same standard.
Starting fares only, subject to change. Final price confirmed at booking.
Best Season
Months
March-May
Completion
92%
Visibility
Excellent
Health, Safety & Altitude Guidelines
Gokyo Lake sits at high altitude, and passengers also pass within 5,500 meters during the Everest overfly, where the air contains roughly half the oxygen available at sea level. Because passengers ascend rapidly by helicopter without the days of gradual acclimatization a trek would allow, some may notice mild light-headedness, breathlessness, or a headache during the time on the ground at Gokyo Lake. Symptoms are usually short-lived, given the brief exposure.
Consult the doctor for any of these if you:
Why Mountain Helicopters Nepal?
Questions
Still have questions? Our team is available 7 days a week.
ASK US DIRECTLY→Each pair typically gets five to ten minutes at Gokyo Lake, enough time for photos and to take in the turquoise water and surrounding peaks before the helicopter returns to Pheriche for the next group.
Flying close to 5,500 metres and landing at the high-altitude Gokyo Lake both require strict weight limits for safe helicopter performance. For larger groups, the aircraft shuttles from Pheriche in rotations for five passengers, this means three separate trips so every passenger gets their own close flying time near Everest and their own landing at Gokyo Lake.
Yes. The short duration at altitude, combined with pilot discretion over weather and weight limits, is specifically designed to manage altitude risk. Passengers with underlying heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before booking.
You'll typically need to provide your travel and backup dates, full legal names, passport details, nationalities, and exact body weight, since weight distribution is critical for the high-altitude shuttle flights. Let us know whether you prefer a group-joining seat or a private charter.
Let our experienced team create your unforgettable Himalayan journey.
Before boarding, the crew briefs passengers on seating, restraint belts, communication signals, and in-flight procedures.
From Lukla, the helicopter continues over Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery to Pheriche, at around 4,240 meters.
Each pair enjoys a close overfly of the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar area, lands at Gokyo Lake for 5–10 minutes beside the water, and returns to Pheriche.
Once all passengers have completed the sequence, the group reunites at Pheriche and flies together to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche. Passengers are seated for a relaxed 15 to 20 minute breakfast with panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku before reboarding for the return flight.
After breakfast, the helicopter retraces its route through Lukla for refueling before returning to Kathmandu
The airport tax is payable at the airport before departure. National park and local permit fees are paid either after arriving in the Everest region or before takeoff, depending on the flight's operating arrangements and the instructions provided by the crew.
| Countries | Airport Tax of Kathmandu | National Park Fee | Local Area Fee | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAARC | 500 | 3500 | 500 | 4500 |
| Other Foreign Countries | 500 | 6000 | 500 | 7000 |
| Nepal | 500 | 100 | 500 | 1100 |
Months
September-November
Completion
95%
Visibility
Excellent
Months
December-February
Completion
68%
Visibility
Medium
Months
June-August
Completion
34%
Visibility
Low