Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Easy
  • Trip Style: Tour
  • Transport: Helicopter
  • Group Size: 5 Person (Weight Limit 430kg)
  • Max Elevation: Muktinath (3800m)

Highlights

  • Visit the holy shrine of Muktinath via Kathmandu/Pokhara in a thrilling helicopter flight.
  • Magnificent bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Valley, Begnas Lake, Fewa Lake, and the Pokhara valley.
  • Exquisite views of the desolate landscapes of Mustang.
  • Impressive aerial views of the Kali Gandaki river, Jomsom, Kagbeni and Muktinath Valley.
  • 360-degree panoramic views of the gigantic snow-covered peaks, namely Manaslu Annapurna, Tukuche, Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchre and Nilgiri. 
  • Opportunity to take a dip at the well-famed 108 holy showers of Muktinath.
     

Description

Muktinath is one of the most well-famed locations in the western part of Nepal. Home to the holy deity, Vishnu, it is popular amongst Hindu and Buddhist devotees who flock each year to worship and offer their prayers.

Muktinath is derived from two words, “Mukti”, which means salvation and “Nath”, which means “God”. The temple is a religious symbol for both Buddhists and Hindus. It is also one of the main highlights of the Annapurna circuit as it sits at an altitude of 3800m with an incredible backdrop of the snow-capped Annapurna mountain range.

Locals believe that a visit to Muktinath purifies your soul and purges you of all your wrongdoing. Thus devotees around the world try their best to visit Muktinath once in their lifetime. The temple also features the well-famed 108 showers, which people believe bathing in them helps achieve nirvana. 

With the extension of gravel roads, a black pitched road is available all the way to the top from which the temple is a 30-minute moderate walk. However, the journey is longer if you commence from Kathmandu or Pokhara as you have to pass through winding gravel roads of Beni, Jomsom, and Kagbeni eventually into Muktinath.

That’s when this Muktinath Helicopter Tour can prove beneficial to you! The 3-hour chopper flight commences early morning and concludes by noon saving you a load of valuable time and hassle of a long journey.

The helicopter trip provides you with breathtaking aerial views of Kathmandu and Pokhara valley as you pass through verdant landscapes and lush vegetation. As you near Jomsom, the snow-capped mountains, the ever-flowing Kali Gandaki river, and the deserted steep moraines welcome you!

So, sign up for this Muktinath Helicopter Tour to witness incredible jaw-dropping sceneries as you offer your prayers and devotion to the holy deity of Muktinath, all in absolute comfort and luxury!

Muktinath Helicopter Tour From Kathmandu

The trip commences from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu where you will be boarding an early morning chopper flight to Muktinath. Be sure to bring your passport for check-in. After waiting for some time in the terminal, you board the chopper as the pilot takes-off.

The flight takes an approximate time of one hour and fifteen minutes with magnificent sceneries contrasting between lush green landscapes and deserted mountains with the icy peaks lingering in the backdrop consistently throughout the journey.

The chopper then lands on Ranipauwa from where you will need to take 30 mins to walk up to the temple. You can also opt to take a horseback ride from the base to the top if you do not desire to walk. 

There is a two hour grounded time for you to explore the Muktinath temple, Jwala Mai Temple, and the magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes.

The journey successfully concludes with a flight back to the capital as the icy peaks, and the bleak landscapers slowly start fading away.

Muktinath Helicopter Tour Cost From Kathmandu 

No. of PeoplePrice (Per Person)
1USD 4550
2USD 2300
3USD 1500
4USD 1150
5USD 999

Kathmandu to Muktinath Helicopter Tour Itinerary

6: 00 AM: Pickup from Hotel and Transfer to Tribhuvan Domestic Airport
6: 30 AM: Check-in at Airport and Transfer to Helipad
7: 00 AM: Fly to Jomsom. Enjoy the view of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Langtang Ranges
8: 00 AM: Land at Jomsom for refueling
8: 10 AM: Fly to Muktinath. Take Bath and Do Ritual Puja.
9: 00 AM: Fly back to Jomsom
9: 30 AM: Fly to Kathmandu
10:30 AM: Transfer to Hotel

Muktinath Helicopter Tour From Pokhara

Unlike the Kathmandu route, Pokhara’s course is a much shorter and cheaper option. So for budget-tight travelers, this route can be a perfect choice. The total time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, including grounding time.

Individuals can take a 6-hour long bus journey or a short domestic flight from the capital city to Pokhara from where they can begin this tour.

The tour commences from Pokhara Airport from where you will be boarding an early morning flight to Muktinath. The trips are usually conducted in the early mornings because fierce winds during the noon tend to pose barriers for aircraft.

The flight passes above the fantastic landscapes as it exits the verdant valley of Pokhara and follows the route of the hills to Muktinath. The flight path takes you through the lush green hills of Ghorepani, Tatopani, and Larjung eventually into Jomsom.

Upon reaching Jomsom, the sights of the beige-colored mountains and scattered stone house settlements with waving Buddhist prayer flags welcome you! The flight further continues through the desolate hills towards Muktinath.

The chopper lands on Ranipauwa from where Muktinath is a 30-minute uphill walk. The path is moderate and not too strenuous. However, you can also opt for a horseback ride if you want to avoid the hassle of the ascending walk. The total grounding time is about two hours where you can offer your prayers and explore Muktinath, and it’s surroundings.

The Muktinath Helicopter tour comes to an end as you board the flight back to Pokhara bidding the mountains farewell.

Muktinath Helicopter Tour Cost From Pokhara

No. of PeoplePrice (Per Person)
1USD 2500
2USD 1300
3USD 900
4USD 675
5USD 550

Pokhara to Muktinath Helicopter Tour Itinerary

6: 00 AM: Pickup from Hotel and Transfer to Pokhara Airport
6: 30 AM: Check-in at Airport and Transfer to Helipad
7: 00 AM: Fly to Jomsom and Enjoy the view of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri and other mountain ranges
8: 00 AM: Land at Jomsom for refueling
8: 10 AM: Fly to Muktinath. Take Bath and Do Ritual Puja.
9: 00 AM: Fly back to Jomsom
9: 30 AM: Fly to Pokhara
10:30 AM: Transfer to Hotel

What to Expect

Cost Includes

  • Ground Transportation by Private Vehicle 
  • Annapurna Conservation permits 
  • Round Trip Flight from Kathmandu to Muktinath
  • Ground Landing at Muktinath (One and half hour)

Cost Excludes

  • Meals in Muktinath
  • Private Expenses (Puja Samagri and others)
  • Horse Riding (Helipad to Muktinath or Muktinath to Helipad)
  • Other costs not mentioned in the "Cost Includes" section 

Useful Information

Necessary documents needed for Muktinath Tour by Helicopter

  • Original Passport or any Valid ID card

Horse Ride Cost to Muktinath Temple

Your private helicopter lands at 800m far from the Muktinath temple. If you can’t walk around 15 – 20 minutes, then there is an alternative option i.e Horse Ride to Muktinath Temple. The cost of the horse ride is around USD 5 one way. There are lots of horses that you can find a ride to Muktinath temple. 

Pokhara to Muktinath Helicopter Flight Time 

  • Pokhara to Muktinath: 45 minutes
  • Muktinath to Pokhara: 45 minutes
  • Helicopter Waiting (Puja or Ritual): 1 hour

Kathmandu to Muktinath Helicopter Flight Time 

  • Kathmandu to Muktinath: 1 hour
  • Muktinath to Kathmandu: 1 hour
  • Helicopter Waiting (Puja or Ritual): 1 hour

Where to buy Puja Samagri? 

You can buy Puja Samagri around Muktinath temple area. It will cost USD 2-5.