Everest Helicopter & Lake Escape: 5 Days Luxury Kathmandu, Everest & Pokhara Tour

Transport: Private luxury car · Sightseeing: about 3 hours

Your day follows your flight time, and the plan below suits a midday arrival. Because tomorrow starts very early for the Everest flight, we keep today gentle and finish sightseeing by early evening.

On arrival: Your guide meets you outside Tribhuvan International Airport with a flower garland and a warm welcome. Your driver looks after your luggage and takes you to Kathmandu in your private, air-conditioned luxury car, about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.

2:00 PM: Check in at Dwarika's with a welcome drink in the brick courtyard. Freshen up and enjoy the quiet, carved-wood surroundings for a while before you head out.

3:30 PM: Drive to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world. Walk clockwise around its base with your guide, past prayer wheels, small shrines and monks in maroon robes. A cup of tea from a rooftop cafe overlooking the stupa is a fine way to take it all in (own cost).

5:15 PM: Continue to Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River, Nepal's holiest Hindu site, only about 10 minutes from your hotel. Your guide explains the rituals along the ghats. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple but can see it clearly from the far bank, and you may catch the evening prayers as the light fades.

6:45 PM: Return to Dwarika's. Dinner is at leisure and at your own cost, and our team is happy to reserve a table. Your guide confirms your early pick-up for tomorrow, so an early night is a good idea.

Meals: Champagne Breakfast at the Everest View Hotel · Transport: Private helicopter and private luxury car · Flight: about 4 to 5 hours in total

Today is the highlight of the tour. Your private helicopter leaves early, when the air is calm and the sky is clearest. The pilot and your guide confirm the final route on the morning, based on the weather, the wind and the rules of the aviation and national park authorities.

5:30 AM: Your driver collects you from Dwarika's with a flask of hot tea and takes you to the helicopter base at Tribhuvan Airport. You have a short safety briefing and meet your pilot. Wear warm layers, sunglasses and comfortable shoes.

6:30 AM: Take off from Kathmandu and fly east over green hills, terraced fields and river valleys, with the first snow peaks appearing on the horizon. The first leg takes about 40 to 50 minutes, followed by a short stop at Lukla to refuel.

7:45 AM: Fly north up the Dudh Kosi valley, past Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital, and the monastery at Tengboche. Ama Dablam, with its hanging glacier, rises beside you, then Lhotse, Nuptse and Mount Everest come into view. At a staging stop such as Pheriche the pilot may carry guests on in smaller groups because the air is thin.

8:30 AM — High landing, if allowed. If the weather, wind and regulations allow, the helicopter makes a short landing at a high viewpoint near Kala Patthar (about 5,545 m). You step out for a few minutes with Everest, Lhotse and the Khumbu Icefall in front of you. Move slowly and breathe calmly, and emergency oxygen is on board. If a landing is not possible, the pilot flies close to the same views instead, over the Khumbu Glacier and Everest Base Camp.

9:30 AM: Fly down to the Everest View Hotel at Syangboche (about 3,880 m), one of the highest hotels in the world. A champagne breakfast is served on the terrace, with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam in front of you. Non-alcoholic sparkling drinks, tea and coffee are also available. Stay about an hour and take your time.

10:45 AM: Fly back down the valley, stopping briefly at Lukla, and land in Kathmandu around 11:30 AM to 12:00 noon.

12:30 PM: Return to Dwarika's for a rest. Lunch is at leisure (own cost).

3:30 PM: If you feel fresh, join your guide for a sunset visit to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, for wide views of the valley (or rest at the hotel and enjoy the spa, own cost). Dinner is at leisure (own cost).

Weather back-up: mountain flying depends on clear skies. If the helicopter cannot fly on Day 2, we try again early on the morning of Day 3 and move your Pokhara flight to the afternoon. Please keep this in mind when planning your dates.

Transport: Private luxury car and domestic flight · Flight: about 25 minutes

A gentle morning in one of the valley's oldest royal cities, then a scenic flight to the lake.

8:00 AM: Enjoy a Luxury Breakfast at Dwarika's at an easy pace. If you are on your back-up flight day, your Everest flight takes the morning and we move Patan to another time or skip it.

9:00 AM: Drive to Patan Durbar Square, once the seat of the Malla kings. Visit the Patan Museum, the stone Krishna Mandir and the Golden Temple, and walk the lanes where metalworkers still cast statues by hand.

11:30 AM: Return to Dwarika's and check out. Lunch is at leisure, in Patan or at the hotel (own cost).

1:00 PM: Drive to the domestic airport for your 25-minute flight to Pokhara. Ask for a window seat for views of the Himalayan range. The exact flight time depends on the airline's schedule and is confirmed before you travel.

3:00 PM: Your driver meets you at Pokhara Airport with your name held up and takes you to Temple Tree Resort & Spa. Enjoy a welcome drink and settle into your room.

5:15 PM: Take an unhurried sunset walk along the shore of Phewa Lake, a few minutes from the resort. Dinner is at leisure (own cost).

Transport: Private luxury car · Sightseeing: about 4 hours

A slow, calm day on the water and in the hills above the lake, with plenty of free time to enjoy the resort.

8:30 AM: Enjoy a Luxury Breakfast at Temple Tree with no early start today. If you would like to see the Annapurna sunrise from Sarangkot, tell your guide and we will arrange an early drive and a late breakfast.

10:00 AM: Board your own private boat on Phewa Lake and cross to the island temple of Tal Barahi, one of Pokhara's most sacred sites. The calm water often mirrors the hills and, on clear days, the Annapurna range.

11:45 AM: Your luxury car meets you on the far shore and drives you up to the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), a white monument built by Japanese Buddhist monks. From the top you see Phewa Lake, the city and the Annapurna range together.

1:15 PM: Lunch at a lakeside cafe with views over the water (own cost).

3:00 PM: Free afternoon to swim, book a spa treatment (own cost) or explore. After your Everest flight, the International Mountain Museum is a fine stop, and your guide can also take you to Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Cave or the Old Bazaar.

6:00 PM: Enjoy the sunset over the lake, then a farewell dinner at a restaurant of your choice (own cost). Our team can reserve a table for you.

Transport: Private luxury car and domestic flight · Flight: about 25 minutes

A last relaxed morning by the lake before you fly back to Kathmandu for your onward journey.

7:30 AM: Enjoy a Luxury Breakfast at Temple Tree, then take a last walk in the gardens or a swim.

11:00 AM: Check out and drive to Pokhara Airport for your 25-minute flight to Kathmandu. The exact flight time depends on the airline's schedule and is confirmed before your trip.

1:00 PM: Your driver meets you in Kathmandu and takes you to your onward flight. We recommend booking your international flight for 5:00 PM or later so there is a comfortable buffer.

Want more time, or a buffer for the Everest weather? Ask us to add a night in Kathmandu or Pokhara.