Home
Blog
Nepal Travel Guide & Expert Trekking Tips
Gosaikunda Helicopter Day Tour from Kathmandu: When It Runs and What It Costs (2027)

Gosaikunda Helicopter Day Tour from Kathmandu: When It Runs and What It Costs (2027)

Updated on 16 October 2026Third-generation Himalayan guide · CEO, The Everest Holiday · TAAN Member #1586

Gosaikunda lake by private helicopter from Kathmandu: the months it runs, how the day works, permits, altitude and the cost per person.

Last updated 16 October 2026.

Short answer: Our Gosaikunda Helicopter Day Tour from Kathmandu flies your group in a private helicopter from Kathmandu to the sacred lake of Gosaikunda at 4,380 m in the Langtang National Park, with a landing of up to about 30 minutes, and back the same day. It runs only in December, January and February, and in June and July. On Budget it costs USD 805 per person for four guests, USD 1,050 for three, USD 1,550 for two and USD 3,020 for one. It suits pilgrims and visitors in Kathmandu who want to see the lake in a day instead of five days on foot.

I am Shreejan. Gosaikunda is holy to Hindus and Buddhists, and the walk up takes most people several days. The helicopter puts it within one morning of your Kathmandu hotel. The one thing to know first is the season, so I will start there.

When does the tour run?

Months	Can you book?	What to expect
December to February	Yes	Clear and very cold mornings; the lake can be frozen
March to May	No	We suggest another tour
June and July	Yes	Monsoon months: cloud can cancel a flight
August to November	No	We suggest another tour

We cannot sell this flight outside those five months. If your dates fall in spring or autumn, tell me and I will suggest something else, such as the 5-day Gosaikunda trek. Pilgrims who want the Janai Purnima festival at the lake should read our festival guide before choosing.

How does the day run?

Step	What happens
Morning	Pick-up from your Kathmandu hotel and transfer to the helicopter base
Flight	North to the lake at 4,380 m
On the ground	A landing at the lake with up to about 30 minutes, depending on the weather
Return	Flight back to Kathmandu and the transfer to your hotel

The pilot makes the final call on the day, and if the weather stops a landing we tell you before you fly. More about the lake is in our Gosaikunda guide.

What does it cost?

Guests	Budget	Standard	Luxury
1	USD 3,020	USD 3,075	USD 3,140
2	USD 1,550 each	USD 1,575 each	USD 1,625 each
3	USD 1,050 each	USD 1,070 each	USD 1,120 each
4	USD 805 each	USD 820 each	USD 870 each

Prices are per person, read from our booking system on 16 October 2026. The full price list is on the trip page.

Budget gives you the helicopter, the landing, the hotel transfers by vehicle, the permits and the taxes. Standard adds a private vehicle for the transfers and an English-speaking escort guide for the day. The guide looks after your transfers, permits and briefing, and stays on the ground while you fly. Luxury adds an SUV-class vehicle and lunch. The helicopter itself is the same on every option: it is chartered for your group alone, up to four guests, so you never share with strangers.

Included on every option: the private helicopter, the landing, hotel transfers in Kathmandu, the Langtang National Park entry permit and TIMS card, airport tax and government taxes. Not included: your Kathmandu hotel, meals except Luxury lunch, insurance, the visa, tips, any extra landing time or change to the flight plan, and any day outside the months the flight runs.

Which permits are in the price?

Permit	Foreign visitor	SAARC visitor
Langtang National Park	NPR 3,000	NPR 1,500
TIMS card	NPR 2,000	NPR 1,000

Both are in the price on every option.

Is the altitude a problem?

Gosaikunda is about 3,000 m higher than Kathmandu, and a day flight gives your body no time to acclimatise. Walk slowly at the lake, and tell us about any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition before you book. In winter it is very cold, so bring a down jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. Read our altitude guide.

What insurance do you need?

Your policy should cover helicopter flights and altitude up to 4,500 m, because the lake is at 4,380 m. Buy it at home before you travel. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.

Questions people ask

How much is a Gosaikunda helicopter tour? On Budget, USD 805 per person for four guests, rising to USD 3,020 for one.

Can I fly to Gosaikunda in October? No. This tour runs only in December to February and June to July.

Do we share the helicopter? No. It is chartered for your group alone, up to four guests.

Is the lake frozen in winter? It can be, and the mornings are very cold.

What if the flight cannot go? We move you to another day at no charge.

Can I walk instead? Yes. Our 5-day Gosaikunda trek or the 13-day Langtang and Gosainkunda trek take you there on foot.

What are the booking terms?

Group size is 1 to 4, and solo travellers are welcome; a solo price covers the whole cost for one person, so it is higher per person. The deposit is 10 per cent. It is non-refundable and there is no refund if you cancel, but you can move your trip free of charge to any date within one year with at least 72 hours notice. If we cannot run the trip ourselves, we refund what you paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent, such as permits and flights. The balance is paid when you arrive, in US dollars or euros, cash or card. Card carries a 3.5 per cent bank charge and cash carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign guests.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates and how many of you there are. I will check the dates and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.