Safety
Experienced High-Altitude Pilots
Mountain Helicopters Nepal
Already at Lukla? Land at Everest's doorstep, fly past the lakes of Gokyo, then breakfast at the top of the world
Experienced High-Altitude Pilots
2.5 to 3 hours
5,545 metres / 18,192 feet (Kalapatthar)
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 Overfly, Kalapatthar Landing and Breakfast at HEV from Lukla pairs a high-altitude landing at Kalapatthar with a close aerial pass over the Gokyo Lakes, one of the Khumbu's other great landmarks, all in a single day for travellers already in the Khumbu. Starting directly from Lukla, the helicopter carries passengers to Pheriche and from there into a sequence that lands at Kalapatthar before sweeping past the turquoise waters of Gokyo from the air, finishing with breakfast at Hotel Everest View and the return to Lukla.
The route follows the same safety-driven pattern used on the Kathmandu-departure version of this tour, without the Kathmandu legs. From Lukla the aircraft flies over Namche Bazaar and past Tengboche Monastery into 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. First Kalapatthar, and a landing on bare rock for five to ten minutes with Mount Everest and its neighbouring peaks filling the view. Then on to the Gokyo valley for the overfly, where the aircraft holds its line along the length of the lakes and the water shifts from a hard mineral blue to something closer to turquoise as the light changes, with the Cho Oyu massif rising behind it. There is no landing here. The ground stays far below and the aircraft simply follows the water out and back.
Once everyone has completed the sequence, the group reunites at Pheriche and flies together to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche, where a breakfast of 15 to 20 minutes is served with sweeping views of Everest, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. From there the helicopter heads straight back to Lukla. This itinerary suits anyone who wants the Kalapatthar landing as the centrepiece and a close look at the Gokyo Lakes from the air, while keeping the day slightly shorter than our full double-landing tour.

Tour Feels Like
The flight begins right at Lukla, climbing quickly over the ridgelines above town before passing Namche Bazaar and Tengboche on the way to Pheriche, where the terrain opens into the wide, high-altitude Khumbu valley.
The heart of the tour comes next. In pairs, passengers fly to Kalapatthar and land at 5,545 metres for five to ten minutes, enough time to step out and take in a completely unobstructed view of Mount Everest and its neighbouring giants. From there, the same pair continues on for a close aerial pass over the Gokyo Lakes, the helicopter banking low enough to give a clear view of the turquoise water and glacial terrain below, without landing. The aircraft then returns to Pheriche to collect the next pair, and the process repeats until every passenger has completed both the landing and the overfly. While one pair is in the air, the rest of the group waits at Pheriche, where the thin air and dramatic surroundings 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. From there, the helicopter heads straight back to Lukla. 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.
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.
Before boarding, the crew briefs passengers on seating, restraint belts, communication signals, and in-flight procedures. If the total weight exceeds the allowed limit, some baggage will need to be stored or sent separately in the next helicopter flight but will charge an extra cost in this case.
Please arrive at the Lukla helipad with your passport and dress warmly, since temperatures at Kalapatthar can be well below freezing even in clear weather. If the total weight exceeds the allowed limit, some baggage will need to be stored or sent separately in the next helicopter flight but will charge an extra cost in this case.
The helicopter flies east across hills, farmland, and river valleys to Lukla, where a brief stop is made for refueling.
Before boarding, the crew briefs passengers on seating, restraint belts, communication signals, and in-flight procedures. If the total weight exceeds the allowed limit, some baggage will need to be stored or sent separately in the next helicopter flight but will charge an extra cost in this case.
Each pair enjoys a close overfly of the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar area, followed by an aerial view of Gokyo Lake before returning to Pheriche.
The helicopter flies over Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery to Pheriche, at around 4,240 meters, where the group lands at Kalapatthar for 5–10 minutes, then enjoys a close aerial overfly of Gokyo Lakes before returning to Pheriche.
Once all passengers have completed both overflights, the group reunites at Pheriche, and the helicopter heads directly back toward Kathmandu, with a brief refueling stop at Lukla along the way.
After completing their landing and overfly, the group reunites at Pheriche and flies together to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche 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 flies directly back to Lukla, where onward transfers or connecting flights can be arranged.
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 | Airport Tax of Lukla | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAARC | 500 | 3500 | 500 | 4500 |
| Other Foreign Countries | 500 | 6000 | 500 | 7000 |
| Nepal | 500 | 100 | 500 | 1100 |
Fares & Cost
Shared Seat & Private Charter
Starting fares only, subject to change. Final price confirmed at booking.
Best Season
Months
March-May
Completion
92%
Visibility
Excellent
Months
September-November
Completion
95%
Visibility
Excellent
Months
December-February
Completion
68%
Visibility
Medium
Months
June-August
Completion
34%
Visibility
Low
Health, Safety & Altitude Guidelines
Kalapatthar sits at 5,545 metres, where the air holds roughly half the oxygen available at sea level. Because passengers ascend rapidly by helicopter without the days of gradual acclimatisation a trek would allow, some may notice mild light-headedness, breathlessness, or a headache during the brief time on the ground. Symptoms are usually short-lived given the short duration of exposure, and the descent to Hotel Everest View afterward brings noticeably easier breathing.
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→This tour includes a Landing at Kalapatthar, but the Gokyo Lakes are experienced as a close aerial overfly rather than a ground landing. If you'd like to land at both Kalapatthar and Gokyo Lake, ask us about our double-landing tour instead
Each pair typically gets five to ten minutes at Kalapatthar, enough time for photos and to take in the view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam before the helicopter continues on to the Gokyo overfly.
Yes. This version of the tour departs and returns directly from Lukla, making it a convenient add-on for trekkers already in the Khumbu, whether just arrived or about to head home.
Breakfast is a relaxed 15- to 20-minute stop, giving passengers enough time to eat and enjoy the panoramic Himalayan views before reboarding for the return flight to Lukla.
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.