Thing to do
Thamel
Kathmandu's traveller quarter, a maze of narrow lanes packed with trekking shops, guesthouses, restaurants and live music bars just north of the old city.
Buddha Air Everest Experience Mountain Flight
An hour-long early morning sightseeing flight from Kathmandu along the Himalaya to Everest and back, with a guaranteed window seat for every passenger.
At a glance
- Type
- Scenic mountain flight
- Area
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Official site
- buddhaair.com
Good to know
- Window seat for every passenger
- Certificate
- Morning departures
Why we recommend it
Buddha Air's Everest Experience is the simplest way to see the highest mountains on earth without trekking. The airline runs the flight daily from the domestic terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, with departures from 6:15am onwards. The round trip takes around 50 minutes to an hour, flying east along the Himalaya and then turning back so that passengers on both sides of the cabin get the views.
The route passes Langtang Lirung, the big peak closest to Kathmandu, before reaching the Everest region and Chamlang. Along the way the crew hand out a map of the Himalayan peaks and point out the mountains as they come into view; Buddha Air names Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Everest and Lhotse among the 8,000-metre summits on the route. The airline says the aircraft fly at close to 25,000 feet and that Everest is about 20 miles from the window at the closest point. Every passenger is given a window seat, and a Buddha Air blog post describes passengers being invited into the cockpit in turn for a short look forward. Each passenger also receives a certificate.
The flights use Buddha Air's ATR 72 and ATR 42 turboprops. Mornings give the best chance of clear skies, and the airline recommends the September to April season, when visibility is usually better than in the monsoon. If the weather is not suitable the flight is cancelled and passengers are offered a refund or a new date, so it is wise to book early in your stay and leave room to rebook.
The blog advises arriving at the Mountain Flight counter in the domestic terminal about 35 minutes before departure with your printed ticket and identity document. Several mountain flights leave within minutes of each other, so check the counter signs carefully. Security has separate lines for men and women.
The flight suits anyone short on time or unable to trek at altitude, including families and older travellers. Tickets can be booked directly on the Buddha Air website. Buddha Holidays, the airline's tour arm, can add the flight to an itinerary with transport between your hotel and the airport.
Buddha Air Everest Experience Mountain Flight FAQs
How long is the Everest flight?
About 50 minutes to one hour, there and back.
What time does it leave?
Daily from 6:15am onwards, from the domestic terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Will I get a window seat?
Yes. Buddha Air guarantees every passenger a window seat.
Which mountains will I see?
Langtang Lirung, Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma and Chamlang, among others.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The flight is cancelled and passengers are offered a refund or a new date.
When is the best season?
September to April, when the peaks are usually clearest.
When should I check in?
The airline's blog suggests arriving at the Mountain Flight counter about 35 minutes before departure with your ticket and ID.
How do I book?
Online on the Buddha Air website, or through its tour arm, Buddha Holidays.