The Bad and The Great: Is a Nepal Helicopter Tour right for you?

Physical condition, money budget, motion sickness, time management, bucket list and fear of heights are factors that can help you decide whether Nepal helicopter tour is right for you.

Before I think and believing that Nepal  Helicopters were a tourist trap in Nepal and waste lots of money.

Different from mountain flight (fixed-wing aircraft), Nepal helicopter tour make us experiencing 360 panoramic view of green forest and Himalayan peaks in 2-4 hours.

The Heli flight Includes helicopter landing in the Himalayas.

This possible because helicopters can take off and land vertically. Helicopters can rotate 360 degrees, hover in one place and fly at very low speeds.

Here the list of points to help you decide whether Nepal helicopter tour is right for you.

1.  Do you have any physical illness?

Pulmonary Disease

If you have pulmonary disease such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) that cause breathe problems, you must not take Nepal helicopter tour.

The air pressure can make you are more hard to breathe because the air is less oxygen saturation.

The hotspot of Nepal helicopter tour is Himalayan Mountain.

It is high altitude. Helicopter have small cabin size and fly in height altitudes, it make the air pressure vary.

Even though, Helicopter in Nepal include oxygen and you have insurance travel. I advise you to check with your doctor, if you want to take a helicopter tour.

Strokes

If you have suffered from a stroke or mini-stroke, it better to not take Nepal helicopter tour.

Flying and air travel can increase risk of developing DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). This is a condition when a clump of blood turned to a solid state, in a deep vein, in the legs.

This condition is serious because blood clots can loosen and block an artery in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

An infectious disease

If you suffered from an infectious disease such as Influenza. I advise to wait until your condition better.

It is not about your health consent only. In your helicopter tour, you will sharing the tour with other peoples.

Always check to your helicopter operator as they may refuse to travel.

2. Do you already saving up and prepare your Budget?

Helicopter tour is expensive. Nepal helicopter tour cost USD400$ to USD4000$ for 2-4 Hours fly.

The price includes Airport taxes, all government and local taxes, Services charges, Oxygen bottle and first aid kit in the helicopter for an emergency.

Even though, you still need to spare your budget for insurance and National park permit fees around USD$25. You need permission before entering or fly over Himalayan conservation area.

Did you know?

One of the reason Nepal Helicopter tour is expensive. It is because Helicopter is a very complex aircraft. That’s why the production rate of helicopter is low compare to fixed-wing aircrafts and airplane, which keeps the price of Nepal helicopter ride expensive.

 

You can also experience Himalayan mountain range scenery with hiking or trekking to base camp, with similar cost, but need a longer time. 3-14 days trekking.

 Trying to manage your traveling budget for Nepal helicopter ride can be difficult, but Nepal helicopter tour worth saving up for.

Do this to save the cost:

• Go with group (joining basic maximum 5), instead of private charter or couples, to saving the cost.
• Look for coupons and deals before-hand. Book in advance, so the agencies can reserve group helicopter ride for you.
• Compare the prices of the Nepal helicopter tour agencies before leaving home.

Here I compare the Nepal Helicopter Tour price (joining a group) from Mountain Hike Nepal’s website, with different popular Location in Nepal.

Anyway, the price can vary depend on the location (Langtang region, Annapurna region, Muktinath, or Everest region) and the number of the peoples that join in one flight. 

* Some tour agencies in Nepal put the higher price.

Langtang Heli Tour

Cost :USD$650

Duration:2 Hours

What you can see?

• Flight over Gosaikunda lake. Sacred Lake to Hindus.
• Visit Kyajin monasteries, spiritual site of Buddhist.
• Landing 30 minute, mesmerizing the beautiful Himalayan range of Langtang, Yeti’s backyard.

Everest Heli Tour

Cost: USD$999

Duration:4 to 5 hours

What you can see?

• Who don’t know Everest? No wonder 360^o panoramic view of Himalayan ranges like Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Gauri Shankar are Mesmerizing
• Gokyo Valley & Gokyo Lakes
• Outstanding Himalayan glacier
• Short Landing in Kalapattar to see Everest and other high mountains and feel elevation

Annapurna Heli Tour (from Pokhara)

Cost: USD$350

Duration:2-3 hours

What you can see?

• Panoramic view of Mount Annapurna (8^th highest mountain in Nepal) The Goddess of the Harvest

Muktinath Heli Tour

Cost: USD$500

Duration:2 Hours

What you can see?

• Muktinath Temple, a place of worship for Hindus and Buddhists
• Views to the Annapurna, Fishtail, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri ranges
• Breathtaking views of deep valley and waterfall
• Views of the Wonderful Desert of the Mustang District

3. Are you prone to Motion Sickness?

If you are prone to motion sickness, you still can go with take motion sickness medication in preparation.

Ask your doctor before-hand to prescribe some stronger motion sickness medicine.

Helicopter fly up, down in every direction range of motion. Unlike a boat, car, or plane, that have a specific direction.

I hear wear Relief band helping to prevent and treat of nausea and vomiting because of motion.

Fumes from helicopter fuel sometimes can make you feel dizzy. Try to stay upwind of the helicopter so you don’t smell the fuel or wearing a mask.

If possible, book in advance and when you book your Nepal helicopter flight, ask for a forward-facing seat. If that impossible, ask to sit in front near the pilot.

Seating assignments base on weight for proper balancing. Now was not the time to be dishonest.

Inform the pilot if you are prone to motion sickness before the ride. The Pilot can reduce the number of sudden turns and changes in altitude.

Read what I do to avoid motion sickness here, if you wish.

4. Time Management: Are you only have a quick vacation time?

The powerful point that become my reason to experience Nepal helicopter tour is because it only take a few hours to see all Himalayan range mountain without trek.

Sacred Himalayan Lake, Monasteries, Pilgrim sites, green forest, waterfall, desert in one time.

If you are also only have a quick vacation but want to see it all, Nepal helicopter ride can save the day.

5. Do you Fear of Heights?

I am super afraid of heights, but still I travel using airplane and do activities that place me in a higher place like Parasailing.

If you have a serious fear of heights, please think twice before you booking a Nepal helicopter tour. If you have a panic attack when you’re in the ride, it can’t come back down to the ground.

Learn what the helicopter flight look like, just query in google, is it safe to ride helicopter in Nepal? The helicopter company do routine maintenance and have experienced Pilot, either local or international Pilot.

It make me feel safer to have enough knowledge about it. You need to manage your anxiety by practicing deep breathing to calm your nerves. Try to relax.

Choose a quick helicopter ride, if possible.

You are not alone, manage your anxiety, you can overcome your fear and may even learn to enjoy.

Focus to enjoy the scenery and be busy taking pleasant picture using your camera.

6.Is “ride helicopter to see Himalayan peeks” on your travel bucket list?

A Nepal helicopter tour can be on your travel bucket list. A Nepal helicopter tour is one adventure that you and I will never ever forget.

Did you know?

Nepal Helicopter Tour best to do in summer and autumn. Winter and Monsoon is risky because of safety and weather.

My last thought

Sometimes, we need a change in perspective, and it can be incredible.

Tall towers buildings like Burj Khalifa of Dubai, tallest skyscraper in the world, are so popular with tourists. Peoples do skydiving and Jump from a plane. Flying over forests, canyons, and mountains.

Do you ever wonder? That all change perspective that provides a different, beautiful view of landscapes that people are want to capture that picture in memory.

What if you could go higher?

Together, making you feel super tiny as human. How great is our God.

Fly over Himalaya, it is not a tourist trap. It is worth the life experience.

You get what you pay for. I wish this can help you to decide the best choices whether a Nepal helicopter tour flying over Himalayan is right for you too.

Have you experienced Nepal helicopter before? Or do you have helicopter ride at other place before? What place would you like to see from above?

I would love to hear from you girls. Let me know in the comments below.

 

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