Lukla to Makalu High Camp Helicopter Flight

The Lukla to Makalu High Camp helicopter flight is the fastest approach to the upper reaches of the Barun valley, carrying climbers, film crews and essential logistics from the Everest gateway at Lukla to the expedition high camp beneath Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain. The helicopter lifts off from Tenzing-Hillary Airport at 2,860 metres, climbs east over the high watershed that divides the Khumbu from the Barun, and descends the full length of the upper Barun valley to the glacial landing plateau at roughly 5,700 metres, where mountaineers converge ahead of a Makalu ascent. Because every stage depends on weather, wind, aircraft performance at altitude and total payload, the exact route, refuelling plan and landing window are confirmed on the day of departure.

The Lukla to Makalu High Camp helicopter flight exists because the true high camp of Makalu is one of the most extreme landing points served by civilian helicopters in Nepal. Expedition teams increasingly use it to skip the grinding approach through Num, Shipton La and the Barun trailhead, reaching the advanced base camp directly from the functioning airport of Lukla, then operating onward toward summit efforts from a flow of supplies or a short trek already begun. On foot the same transfer would mean crossing the great link passes of Mera La, Sherpani Col and their neighbours, and then entering the Barun valley for a week or more of rough, high walking.

We operate the Lukla to Makalu High Camp helicopter flight with the strictest standards of any product we fly, from the briefing at Lukla and the fuel and payload plan to the disciplined, short stay at 5,700 metres. The route leaves the Dudh Koshi valley, crosses the crest of the Hinku and Hongu basins below Mera Peak, enters the upper Barun valley past Chamlang and Baruntse, and sets down on the grey plateau above the Makalu glacier where the great dark pyramid fills the sky. It is a flight for climbers, experts and properly equipped travellers, and one of the most extreme landings Nepal offers from the Everest side.