Kathmandu to Samagaun Helicopter Flight

The Manaslu helicopter tour from Kathmandu is a scenic same-day flight to the heart of one of Nepal's wildest and least crowded Himalayan regions, landing at the village of Samagaun below the great peak of Manaslu. The helicopter takes off from Tribhuvan International Airport, climbs north through the Budhi Gandaki valley, and sets down at Samagaun, 3,530 metres above sea level, in roughly an hour. You have time to walk through the traditional Nubri village, see the fluttering prayer flags and flat-roofed stone houses, and take in views of Manaslu itself before the return flight, with the entire tour finishing in about four to five hours. As every flight is influenced by the weather, the exact duration may vary depending on visibility, wind, air traffic, and the flight route assigned on the day of departure.

The Kathmandu to Samagaun helicopter flight is treasured for a simple reason: the Manaslu region is extraordinarily remote. Reaching Samagaun on foot takes seven to nine days of trekking from Kathmandu, through the long road drive to the trailhead and the steep trail up the Budhi Gandaki valley. Because Samagaun lies inside a restricted area, travel there is limited and the region has stayed gloriously unspoiled. A helicopter removes the entire walk: same-day round trip from the capital, no days of dust, no teahouse treks, and the biggest single reward the region offers, the sight of the eighth-highest mountain in the world rising directly above the village.

We operate the Manaslu helicopter tour from Kathmandu with the same care and safety standards as every Mountain Helicopters Nepal flight, from the pre-flight briefing to the final landing. The ride itself follows the deep Budhi Gandaki valley through remote Gurung and Nubri settlements, ending beneath the 8,163-metre wall of Manaslu. It is especially popular with trekkers and expedition climbers who use the helicopter to reach Samagaun in a single morning, as well as with travellers short on time, photographers, and anyone who wants to experience the unspoiled Manaslu region without a long trek.