Sightseeing by Helicopter in the Himalaya’s

Flying in a helicopter is not something we think about very often. But, these majestic mechanical birds that hover above the earth are an unbelievable way to do sightseeing, as they nimbly get where a plane can’t and can take you into the heart of the Himalaya in Nepal, without the sweat and tears.

Heli – sightseeing and Heli-trekking are two new activities on Nepal’s ever growing agenda of things to do. Tours kick off from Kathmandu airport and you get your own privately charted helicopter thrown in to the deal. The helicopters can seat four to five people and you will need that many to make the trip cost effective, put frankly, a helicopter flight does not come cheaply. But alas your bucks are well spent, imagine flying into the heart of the Khumbhu, touching down, drinking a beer with a local Sherpa, taking your trophy photo of Mount Everest then flying back to your five star hotel in Kathmandu. Phew what more could you want and you didn’t even have to break out in a sweat getting there!

Heli-tours give you a bird’s eye view of Kathmandu’s dramatic architecture and world heritage listed sights as well as the lush farming lands surrounding the city, the rolling landscapes of the Chepang hills right down to the flat Teri and Chitwan National Park. From Kathmandu you can book the following Heli-tours

• Kathmandu Heli-sightseeing – a half an hour tour that flies you over the city and to the scenic hill station of Nagarkot where you touch down at the exclusive Club Himalaya for morning tea and stunning views of the Himalaya.
• Chitwan Jungle Flight – a one hour flight takes you over the Chepang Hills and down to the flat lands that house Chitwan National Park. Land at the park and visit the elephant breeding centre, before flying back to Kathmandu along the Trishuli river and into the foothills of the Himalaya.

Heli-trekking allows you to experience the vivid scenery and beauty of the Himalaya and meet the culturally rich people that live there without actually trekking days on end. Within an hour of Kathmandu you can easily be in the heart of the Himalaya. Try one of these beauties –

• Everest Heli-trekking – a breathtaking four hours of flying time takes you right into the heart of the Khumbhu near to Mount Everest. Fly over glaciers and ice falls and stare face to face with the tallest mountain in the world! Spend some ground time to snap photos and interact with the local Sherpa People.
• Annapurna Base Camp – An effortless flight passes up the narrow valley that leads to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). Snap amazing photos on the Annapurna Himalaya and the holy Machapuchhre (Fish Tail Mountain). Fly further to Poon Hill, one of the most famous viewing platforms for the Annapurna and Dhulagri Himalaya. Touchdown and spend an hour revelling in the majesty of the Himalaya before flying back to Kathmandu.
• Langtang Heli-trekking- Not so far from Kathmandu, Langtang Himalaya is one of the least touristic treks in Nepal, making it a rare gem. Fly over the auspicious Gosikunda Lake before touching down in the heart of Langtang Valley. Get to know the Tamang people that live there and enjoy views of Ganesh Himal, Sishapangma, Langtang Luguri and Langtang Himal.

Have we wet your appetite for heli-sightseeing and heli-trekking yet? Not sure about the safety of the birds? Rest assured, Fishtail Air is one of the most reputed helicopter services in Asia. They charter the Bell 206 B II which has one of the best safety records in its class. The chopper can fly up to elevations of 16,000 feet and is often used in emergency high altitude rescues. They also charter the newer AS 350 BZ which can soar to the heady heights of 20,000 feet without a problem!

So there you have it, Heli-tours are new and exciting, so next time you are in Nepal spend some time checking them out, Find further or booking information at http://www.dtoursoriginal.com