Muktinath darshan, in a morning.
Pokhara to the Muktinath temple with about an hour on the ground for darshan. The road through the Kali Gandaki gorge takes two hard days each way.
- Published base
- Pokhara · PKR
- Time
- ≈ 2.5 h
- Landing
- 3,710 m
- Max altitude
- 12,172 ft
Up the Kali Gandaki, an hour at the temple.
The published morning, from Pokhara. Muktinath is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
Pokhara, 827 m
Take-off from Pokhara airport (VNPK) early, ahead of the wind. Every passenger is weighed at check-in.
Jomsom, 2,736 m · the Kali Gandaki
North up the Kali Gandaki, the world's deepest gorge, by way of Jomsom. Jomsom winds pick up strongly from late morning, which is why the flight leaves early.
Muktinath, 3,710 m · the landing
About an hour on the ground. The temple is a short walk from the landing site: time for darshan and the 108 water spouts.
Back to Pokhara
The same way home. About two and a half hours after take-off, you are back in Pokhara.
© Anuja Sharma · CC BY-SA 4.0A guide fare, then your quote.
These are the lowest fares the airlines publish for this route, from Pokhara. The quote you accept is the final figure. Flying from Kathmandu instead? Choose it when you ask, and the quote covers the extra flying.
- Shared seat, from
- US$350per person, on a flight others are filling
- Whole aircraft, from
- US$1,700up to 5 people, your departure time
- On the ground
- 60 mintypical, across the morning
- Best season
- Year-round, best Sep–Novmornings are clearest
What decides your price
- Weight at altitude. A helicopter lifts less the higher it lands, so we ask for each traveller's weight. At 3,710 m it decides how many fly together.
- Season and date. October, November, March and April are the busiest weeks. Book two to four weeks ahead for a shared seat then, and longer for the whole helicopter on a set date.
- Your group. One or two people usually share. A larger group, or a set departure time, books the whole aircraft.
We compare every licensed operator that flies this route and book you the cheapest. The airline's price and our fee are separate lines on the quote, and nothing is payable until you accept it.
Before you fly.
Something else? The desk answers day and night on +977 98 6104 4994.
Can elderly pilgrims make this flight?
Elderly pilgrims manage this flight well, because the time at altitude is brief: about an hour on the ground at 3,710 m. Move slowly between the landing site and the temple, and tell the crew if you feel unwell.
How long does the whole thing take?
About two and a half hours from take-off in Pokhara to landing back there, including roughly an hour on the ground for darshan.
When is the best time to fly this route?
The flight runs year-round. September to November is the best of it.
Does my weight matter?
It matters more than almost anything else. A helicopter can lift much less as it climbs higher, so every operator sets a weight limit for each passenger. It is usually 75 kg including your day bag, and you will be weighed at check-in. If your group weighs more than you told us, the operator may fly you up in two trips or turn the flight down.
What if the weather closes in?
You are not charged for a flight that does not happen. The operator will offer you the next time that works, or give all your money back if you cannot wait.
How do I get a price, and when do I pay?
Send one enquiry: your date, your base, how many people and their weights. We compare every licensed operator that flies it and book you the cheapest, aiming to reply within four hours. You pay only once you accept a quote.
Three more landings.
Each one leaves at first light and is back the same morning, from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
© Kabiraaz · CC BY-SA 4.0Everest, Kala Patthar
Lands at 5,545 m. Kathmandu to Kala Patthar and back in a morning: a flight past Everest Base Camp, a landing at the 5,545 m viewpoint and breakfast at Hotel Everest View.
From US$499 a seat
© Sgroey · CC BY-SA 4.0Annapurna Base Camp
Lands at 4,130 m. Pokhara to the Annapurna Sanctuary and back in two hours, landing inside the amphitheatre of peaks.
From US$399 a seat
© Santosh Yonjan · CC BY-SA 4.0Langtang Valley
Lands at 3,870 m. The closest high valley to Kathmandu, landing at Kyanjin Gompa beneath Langtang Lirung.
From US$575 a seat
Name the morning. We do the comparing.
Send the tour, your base, your date and who is flying. We ask every licensed operator that flies it and come back with the cheapest, aiming within four hours.