10 Things to Know BEFORE Your Kathmandu Everest Flight

Guide to booking and going on a Kathmandu Everest Flight over the Himalayas from the capital city of Nepal + 10 useful tips from my experience.

Kathmandu is the gateway to the Nepalese Himalayas, home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. When visiting Kathmandu, one of the best and most popular morning trips is the incredible Himalayan scenic flight from Kathmandu Airport, sold as the “Everest mountain flight tour” in Thamel.

This one-hour flight is the most convenient way to see some of the world’s tallest mountains up close, including Mount Everest (8,849 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Mount Makalu (8,481 m), and Shishapangma (8,027 m).

However, some things surprised me after booking the Kathmandu tour with limited prior knowledge of what to expect. That’s why, in this guide, I will share 10 things I wish I had known before the flight, including helpful tips for booking the best mountain flight, and a personal account of my experience.

3. Flights Get Delayed or Cancelled in Bad Weather Conditions

On that note, perhaps one of the most important things to know about the Kathmandu mountain flights is that in poor weather, flights will be canceled.

Actually, adverse weather conditions including dense cloud cover can be a common occurrence in the high Himalayan region.

So, if you can, try to check the forecast before booking your flight. Again, this is a good reason to book with GetYourGuide. Cancellation will result in an immediate refund with them (with an option to postpone).

4. Several Airlines Operate Scenic Mountain Flights But...

You'll find that that mountain flights vary in terms of pricing and availability. That's because many airlines in Nepal, including Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, and Buddha Airlines operate similar scenic flights.

However, as you might have heard, Nepalese airlines do not have the best track record for safety or compliance. Shree Airlines is the best one of the lot, which is the airline I flew with on the GYG tour.

5. The Plane is a Small Jet

The aircraft used for the flight are small and usually accommodate between 16-20 passengers. However, they are larger than the Lukla flight planes and are actually small jets rather than the propeller planes you usually see flying in the Himalayas– at least the Shree Airlines flight was.

6. The Best Time to Fly is April - May and September - October

During these months, the weather in the Himalayan region is typically more stable, with clear skies and good visibility, providing ideal conditions for the Mount Everest flight tour.

However, Everest scenic flights do operate out of Kathmandu outside of these months. If you want my advice, try to nail the forecast.

Consequently, this is also the best time for Himalayan trekking. This including the popular Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit, and Three Passes trek.

7. The Flight Time is 60 Minutes

The duration of Kathmandu Everest flights typically ranges between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the airline and flight path.

The tour that I booked lasted nearly exactly an hour, which in my opinion was enough time to take in the sights. Any shorter would feel rushed.

8. You get Guaranteed Window Seats

This is probably the most important thing to know! These scenic mountain flights only sell window seats, this is the best way to ensure all passengers get a personal, close-up view of the Himalayan peaks.

While there are some old review reports claiming they were able to enjoy the views from the pilot's cockpit, this was not the case on my flight.

9. Both Sides of the Plane Get Himalayan Views

However, this also means that you will only get the best mountain views for half of the journey. The plane's flight path flies in a way that the left side of the plane gets the views first, then the plane turns around, offering views of the snowy peaks to the right side on the way back.

10. You'll Want to Book in Advance

Kathmandu Everest flights are one of the most popular experiences in Kathmandu. Therefore, you can expect reliable airlines to sell out.

I recommend booking roughly 4-5 days in advance if you can. This way, you'll be able to check the weather reliably, while also leaving enough time to secure a seat.

On the other hand, if you've got limited time in Kathmandu, then I'd suggest booking as soon as you can, since you get free alterations and cancellations in bad weather anyway on the GetYourGuide tour.

My Experience on the Kathmandu Everest Scenic Flight

After seeing many of these peaks from Kala Patthar and from Mera Peak on previous trips to Nepal, I was eager for yet another opportunity to take in the sheer grandeur of the Himalayas from the sky.

Below is a quick rundown of my experience on the flight from Kathmandu.

Hotel Pickup Service

Setting my alarm bright and early, my driver met me at the Aloft hotel lobby in a large, comfortable Tata 4x4. In less than half an hour, we were at the airport.

The traffic at this hour is much calmer than what you experienced in Kathmandu during the daytime. After we arrived, our driver showed us the way to check in and told us that he'd wait outside for us to return.

Checking in at Kathmandu Domestic Airport

Kathmandu Domestic Terminal can get a little chaotic in the early morning. That's because many trekkers heading to the Khumbu region for the EBC trek or climbing expeditions fly from here to the village of Lukla.

However, since we were on a mountain flight, we were ushered along through the security and we didn't need to wait too long at the check-in desk, since there were far fewer people on this flight.

Upon checking in, we received our ticket, as well as a small brochure outlining the peaks we were about to see firsthand.

Taking a Bus to the Plane

Luckily for us, the weather conditions were ideal for a mountain flight, and our takeoff time was right on cue. However, after our flight number got called, we had to get onto a small bus, which took us to the opposite side of the airport.

I figured that this might be the area where they keep the small jets for mountain flights. Immediately upon arriving, the flight attendants ushered us onto the plane, and were shown to our seats.

The Scenic Mountain Flight Experience

The takeoff was very smooth, and felt much like a regular domestic flight, only in a smaller jet. Immediately after breaking through the hazy skies of Kathmandu Valley, I laid my eyes on the first Himalayan peaks.

The plane's flight path starts in a northern direction towards the Langtang Range. The first 8,000-meter peak is Shishapangma, located on the Tibetan side of the Himalayas. The pyramid-shaped Dorje Lhakpa was next in the Jugal Himal.

Next, we took a southeast turn and followed close to the Nepalese and Tibetan border. Soon, I spotted the triple peaks of the Gauri Sankar massif in the Rolwaling Himal.

The following notable peaks included Phurbi Chyachu and Gauri Shankar, before making our way deep over Sagarmatha National Park (Everest Region). Here, we spotted Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Baruntse, Makalu, Mount Lhotse, and of course, Mount Everest– the world's highest mountain.

Looking into the distance, I also caught a glimpse of the mighty Kanchenjunga on the border with Sikkim, close to where I completed my mountaineering course a few months prior.

Tip: Even if you are unfamiliar with the different peaks of the Himalayan ranges, the flight attendant and cabin crew will help by calling out their names.

Returning to Kathmandu

As I was sitting on the left side of the plane, I got to experience the scenic views first. On the way back, I enjoyed the views of the rolling foothills leading into the hazy distance towards India.

Soon, after an epic 60-minute flight, we landed back in Kathmandu airport, where our driver was waiting for us. After a truly epic morning, I returned back to Aloft Hotel in time for their buffet breakfast!

I hope that this quick guide to taking a Kathmandu Everest flight in Nepal has been useful and inspired you to take this once in a lifetime experience. While you're here, check out some of my other guides, from trekking to higlights in Kathmandu Valley.

• Best Places to Visit in Kathmandu - discover 21+ unmissable highlights in Nepal's capital.
• Kathmandu Itinerary - how to spend 3 days in Nepal's capital.
• Everest Three Passes Trek - my guide to the ultimate Everest trekking experience!
• Manaslu Circuit Trek - get off the beaten path and discover the Himalayan region of Manaslu.
• Climbing Island Peak - guide to my favorite 6,000 m+ trekking peak in Nepal.
• Climbing Mera Peak - my experience climbing Mera Peak (6,476 m).
• Hotels in Kathmandu - read my helpful guide to where to stay in Kathmandu city.