Kothe to Lukla Helicopter Flight

Kothe to Lukla helicopter flight — overview

The Kothe to Lukla helicopter flight is a short hop of about 20 min from Kothe (around 3,600 m) down to Lukla (around 2,860 m). It saves you the descent on foot — typically hours to days depending on where you start — and puts you at Lukla in time for your onward flight.

A shared seat costs from $300 per person and a private charter from $900 per aircraft. For a group of 4 or more the private charter works out cheaper per person than shared seats (assuming up to 5 passengers per helicopter).

Route at a glance

What to expect on the Kothe to Lukla helicopter flight

You lift off from Kothe and follow the valley down towards Lukla, passing the Hinku valley and its forested side valleys. Listed departures are 7:30 AM. Baggage allowance is 15 kg per passenger.

Many travellers connect straight to an onward flight from Lukla — to Kathmandu by helicopter or by scheduled airline. Keep a buffer day in case weather delays your connection.

About Kothe

A trailhead settlement in the Hinku valley on the way to Mera Peak (about 3,600 m).

About Lukla

Home of Tenzing-Hillary Airport and the traditional start and end point of Everest region treks (about 2,860 m).

Kothe to Lukla helicopter price: shared seat vs private charter

Helicopters are priced per aircraft, not per person — the aircraft cost is divided between the passengers on board. That is why we offer two ways to fly the Kothe to Lukla route:

• Shared seat — from $300 per person. The lowest-cost option, best for solo travellers and couples. You fly on the listed departure (7:30 AM) with other passengers.
• Private charter — from $900 per aircraft. The whole helicopter for your group, with more control over timing.

As a guide, with 4 passengers the private charter works out at about $225 each — cheaper than a shared seat. With 5 passengers it is about $180 each. This assumes up to 5 passengers per helicopter; the operator confirms the real capacity, which depends on aircraft, altitude and weight.

All prices are starting fares and can vary with season (peak seasons are March–May and September–November), availability and demand. A fare includes a CAAN-licensed operator, a high-altitude pilot, fuel, official taxes and landing fees, and ground handling. We confirm the final fare before you pay — see our price transparency policy or use the price calculator.

Departure times and schedule

The Kothe to Lukla helicopter flight departs at 7:30 AM. Helicopters fly in the morning flying window under visual flight rules (VFR), when mountain weather is usually most stable. Exact departure time depends on weather, passenger numbers and operator confirmation, and is confirmed when you book. We recommend booking 3–5 days ahead, and earlier in the March–May and September–November peak seasons.

Check other routes on our helicopter schedule page, and read the best time to fly guide and weather delays guide to plan buffer days.

Who is this flight for?

• Trekkers who want to skip the descent from Kothe
• Travellers with a tight connection to Kathmandu
• Anyone with sore knees, blisters or altitude symptoms
• Groups who want to share a private helicopter down to Lukla

Altitude, safety and acclimatisation

Kothe is at about 3,600 m and Lukla at 2,860 m, so you descend roughly 740 m in minutes. If you have altitude symptoms, a faster descent helps. Flights run under visual flight rules only, and landings at high helipads depend on weather and wind.

Read our safety and operations guide and the private vs shared flights guide before you book.

How to book the Kothe to Lukla helicopter flight

1. Choose shared seat or private charter and note your preferred date and group size.
2. Send a request using the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp.
3. Confirm the fare — we check availability with our operators and confirm the final price.
4. Pay by bank transfer, card or cash on arrival (payment options).
5. Fly — we send helipad and timing details; arrive when told and carry no more than 15 kg each.

What is included

• Flight with a CAAN licensed helicopter operator and high-altitude pilot
• Fuel, official aviation taxes and standard landing fees
• Baggage allowance of 15 kg per passenger
• Booking coordination, basic ground handling and helipad guidance
• Weather monitoring and rescheduling to the next safe departure
• 24/7 support on WhatsApp, phone and email

Kothe to Lukla helicopter flight — frequently asked questions

Estimate your total