Tengboche
3,867 m
Lukla
2,845 m
12 mins
8:00 AM
$350
per seat
$1,000
aircraft
CAAN licensed
Free weather reschedule
Rescue capable
Thame to Lukla helicopter flight
Thame
3,800 m
Lukla
2,845 m
- Flight time
- 12 mins
- Seats
- 5
- Baggage
- 15 kg
- From
- $300
Flight overview
Flying Thame to Lukla helicopter flight
| Route | Departs | Seats | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thame to Lukla helicopter flight | 8:00 AM | 5 | 12 mins |
Thame lies at 3,800 metres in the Bhote Koshi valley, west of Namche and away from the main trekking route. It is the home village of Tenzing Norgay and of a long line of Everest summiteers, and it has a monastery cut into the cliff above it.
The flight down to Lukla takes twelve minutes and is the cheapest seat we publish. It is used by trekkers finishing the Thame valley and Renjo La routes, and occasionally as a way out when the main valley is shut.
A separate weather system
Because the Bhote Koshi is a different valley, it does not always have the same weather as the Khumbu. On some mornings Thame is open when Namche is not. It is a small operational advantage, but when you are trying to make a flight home, small advantages count.
After the flood
A glacial lake outburst in August 2024 caused serious damage to the village. Rebuilding continues and the picture changes each season. Talk to us before planning an itinerary that relies on staying here.
- From
- Thame
- To
- Lukla
- Aircraft
- AS350 B3e / H125
- Passenger insurance
- Included
- Flight rules
- Visual, daylight only
Pilot advisory
Thame sits in the Bhote Koshi, a different valley from the main Khumbu trail, and is occasionally flyable when Namche and the upper Khumbu are closed in. It remains a morning operation.
Pricing
What this flight costs, and what it does not include
Both figures are the price we quote on WhatsApp. A shared seat puts you on a scheduled departure with other travellers. A private charter is the whole aircraft on your schedule.
Included
- Confirmed seat or aircraft on the stated departure
- All government taxes on the charter
- Passenger liability insurance
- Pilot and crew
- Free rescheduling if the flight is held for weather
Not included
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- Meals, accommodation and ground transport
- National park permits and TIMS cards
- Excess baggage above the stated allowance
- Anything arising from a delay outside our control
We publish how these prices are set and when they move. Read the price transparency policy.
Operators
CAAN licensed operators
We charter aircraft only from operators that hold a current air operator certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Each one below is reviewed by us before we put passengers on their aircraft.
Air Dynasty Heli Services
Manang Air
Simrik Air
Mountain Helicopters
Altitude Air
Heli Everest
Kailash Helicopter Services
Prabhu Helicopter
Upcoming departures
The next flights on this route
All departures are subject to visual flight rules and weather. Seat counts are confirmed with operators each morning.
Landing site
Where you land at Lukla
- Helipad
- Tenzing-Hillary Airport helipad
- Area
- Khumbu, Everest region
- Altitude
- 2,845 m
- Coordinates
- 27.68690, 86.72970
The airstrip is 527 metres long, slopes uphill at around twelve degrees, and ends in a rock face. Helicopters use the pad adjacent to the apron rather than the runway itself. Stay behind the marked line until the rotor has stopped and approach only from the front, where the crew can see you.
Safety
What you need to know before you board
A small village pad. Standard ground rules and a fifteen kilo allowance.
The village was badly damaged by a glacial lake outburst flood in August 2024 and the terrain, trail and lodge situation continue to change. Ask us for the current picture before planning a trip that depends on staying here.
The Bhote Koshi is quieter than the Khumbu and there is less traffic to match a shared seat onto. Give us notice.
Questions
What travellers ask about this route
In the Bhote Koshi valley, about three hours walk west of Namche, off the main Everest trekking route.
Short flight, low altitude and a straightforward descent. There is no complexity in it.
Partly, and the situation changes season to season. Contact us for the current state of the trail and the lodges before you commit.
Yes. The Thame festival falls in spring, and we run charters in for it each year. Dates move with the lunar calendar, so confirm with the monastery before you book the aircraft.
Less likely than in the main valley, because there is less traffic. Give us a day or two and we will either match you or quote the charter.
Hold a seat
Request this flight
No payment now. Tell us the date and the group, and we will come back with a confirmed aircraft, a confirmed price and a deposit link.
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