The day begins early. At 6:00 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kathmandu, which is 1,400 meters above sea level, and driven to the domestic airport, a 30-45 minute journey through the waking city.

By 6:45 AM, you will arrive at the airport, where check-in and security formalities await you. Make sure your passport and permits are ready, as you will soon meet your pilot and receive a safety briefing.

At 7:15 AM, the helicopter lifts off, leaving the city behind as you ascend into the sky. The 45-50 minute flight to Lukla is a visual feast. Below, terraced fields and lush valleys give way to rugged landscapes, while the distant snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas tower over the horizon. By 8:00 AM, you will touch down at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, which is perched at 2,845 meters. This iconic airstrip, which is carved into the mountainside, is just the beginning. Depending on the number of passengers, the helicopter may proceed to Pheriche for a brief landing at 4,371 meters, where the air is thinner, and the views of the mountains are even more dramatic. If not, the journey continues straight into the Everest region.

By 8:30 AM, the scenic mountain flight begins. For 15-20 minutes, you will soar above some of the most iconic natural landmarks on Earth. The helicopter glides over Everest Base Camp, the sprawling Khumbu Glacier and the towering peaks of Everest, Kalapathar, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. At a maximum altitude of 18,192 feet, the world below you will feel both vast and intimate. It is as if you are floating above a huge and super realistic postcard.

At 9:00 AM, the helicopter descends to Syangboche, landing at the renowned Hotel Everest View. Here, at 3,880 meters, a delicious breakfast awaits you at the world’s highest-placed hotel. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with large windows framing the Himalayas. You can take all the time you need to digest the moment, soaking in the grandeur of your surroundings.

By 10:00 AM, it’s time to return to Lukla. You get the last glimpse of the mountains right before you touch down from the short 10-15 minute flight. Depending on the weather, you may have some time to explore the charming streets of Lukla and visit its shops or nearby monasteries.

At 11:00 AM, the helicopter lifts off once more, carrying you back to Kathmandu. This is a 45-50 minute flight  and by noon, you will land in Kathmandu, where a driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

In just half a day, you have touched the sky and witnessed the overwhelming beauty of the Everest region. This experience will stay with you long after you have returned to the ground.