Mustang combines a unique landscape with quite a few beautiful hotels. Add to this hidden gems like Damodar Kunda, Luri Cave Monastery, and Ghar Gompa. It isn’t too difficult to realize that this place is uniquely suited for helicopter tours. Even the world’s highest lake Tilicho becomes very accessible when you take a helicopter from Jomsom!
You can take a helicopter to the beautiful places of Mustang either from Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Jomsom. However, when helicopters are available from Jomsom, you can have immersive multi-day heli tours that are more budget-friendly.
This way of exploring Mustang suddenly becomes more attractive when you consider that direct flights between Kathmandu and Jomsom are available now.
Some of the popular helicopter tours in Mustang are:
Upper Mustang Helicopter Tour
If you have seen the surreal landscape of Upper Mustang from the ground, imagine what it must look like from the air! If that hasn’t sent you packing your bags already, consider the fact that you will get a full hour in the walled city of Lomanthang in this heli tour. Also, if you take a helicopter from Jomsom, the price becomes a lot more reasonable!
It is also possible to add a detour to Damodar Kunda during an Upper Mustang Tour.
Attractions
- Bird-eye view of Kaligandaki river and surreal landscape of Upper Mustang.
- The spectacular cave-like settlements around Lo Manthang.
- Close view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range
- Learn the lifestyle and culture of the people of Upper Mustang.
- Visit some of the ancient monasteries of Lo Manthang.
Itinerary
| DAY | FROM JOMSOM | FROM POKHARA |
| DAY 1 | -Flight from Kathmandu- Jomsom (45 min) -Heli flight from Jomsom to Lo Manthang (30 min) -Touchdown at Lo Manthang (Ground time 1 hour) -Overnight at Jomsom |
-Heli flight from Pokhara to Lo Manthang -Touchdown at Lo-Manthang (Ground time 1 hour) -Fly to Jomsom for refueling -Fly back to Pokhara |
| DAY 2 | -Drive to Muktinath temple -Explore Kagbeni and Marpha. -Overnight at Jomsom |
|
| DAY 3 | -Flight back to Kathmandu |
Quick facts:
- Max Altitude: 3,840 meters
- Start point: Kathmandu/Pokhara/Jomsom
- Best Season: May to November
- Required Permits
- For Nepalis: ACAP Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nations: ACAP Permit (NPR 1,000) / Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 per person)
- For all others: ACAP Permit (NPR 3,000) / Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 per person)
Damodar Kunda Helicopter Tour
Damodar Kunda is a holy lake located in Upper Mustang. People believe that if you visit this holy lake and take a bath there, you will be free from all sins. Damodar Kunda is also one of the best places to find Shaligrams and the place to find the best Shaligrams!
Unlike Muktinath, however, there is no direct road connecting Damodar Kunda. And it isn’t exactly close to Jomsom. So you have to either trek for twenty days or take a helicopter.
It is also possible to combine a heli tour to Damodar Kunda with stopovers at Lo Manthang and Muktinath Temple.
Attractions
- Bird-eye view of the Annapurna Range, Damodar Himal, Muktinath Himal and Bhrikuti Peak
- Darshan and worship at Damodar Kunda and get freed from all sins.
- Find a Shaligram on the shores of the ancient lake.
Itinerary
| DAY | FROM JOMSOM | FROM POKHARA |
| DAY 1 | -Flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom -Heli flight to Damodar Kunda (Ground time 1 hour) -Fly back to Jomsom -Overnight at Jomsom |
-Heli flight from Pokhara to Damodar Kunda (1 hour) -Touchdown at Damodar Kunda (Ground time 1 hour) -Fly back to Pokhara |
| DAY 2 | -Drive to Muktinath temple -Explore Kagbeni and Marpha. -Overnight at Jomsom |
|
| DAY 3 | -Flight back to Kathmandu |
Quick facts
- Max Altitude: 4,890 meters
- Start point: Kathmandu/Pokhara/Jomsom
- Best Season: May to November
- Required Permits
- For Nepalis: ACAP Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nations: ACAP Permit (NPR 1,000) / Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 per person)
- For all others: ACAP Permit (NPR 3,000) / Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 per person)
Tilicho Lake Helicopter Tour
Tilicho lake, at 4,919 meters above sea level, is the highest placed lake in the world. Measuring around 4 kilometers across, it is a relatively large lake. Add to it the beautiful color and the stunning setting of the lake, and you have a place that you must go to at least once in your life.
Most people visit this beautiful lake by either walking from the Manang side or taking a helicopter from Kathmandu or Pokhara. However, if a helicopter is available at Jomsom, it takes less than fifteen minutes to get to the lake!
It is also possible to arrange for the helicopter to drop you off at Muktinath after the Tilicho Tour.
Attractions
- Land at the banks of the beautiful turquoise Tilicho Lake.
- Bird’s eye view of Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri.
- Explore Jomsom, Muktinath, and, if time willing, Marpha.
Itinerary
| DAY | FROM JOMSOM | FROM POKHARA |
| DAY 1 | -Flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom -Heli flight from Jomsom to Tilicho lake -Touchdown at Tilicho Lake (Ground time 10 minutes) -Overnight at Jomsom |
-Heli flight from Pokhara to Tilicho Lake -Touchdown at Tilicho Lake (Ground time 10 minutes) -Fly back to Pokhara |
| DAY 2 | -Drive to Muktinath temple -Explore Kagbeni and Marpha. -Overnight at Jomsom |
|
| DAY 3 | -Flight back to Kathmandu |
Quick facts
- Max Altitude: 4,919 meters
- Start point: Kathmandu/Pokhara/Jomsom
- Best Season: March – December
- Required Permits
- For Nepalis: ACAP Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nations: ACAP Permit (NPR 1,000)
- For all others: ACAP Permit (NPR 3,000)
Muktinath Helicopter Tour
Muktinath is a Vishnu temple located at Muktinath valley on the lap of Throng La mountain pass. While most people drive/fly to Jomsom and then take a jeep/bus to Muktinath, it is also possible to take a helicopter from Kathmandu or Pokhara. The prices for the tour from Pokhara are more reasonable.
You also include Damodar Kunda in this and worship at both places in a single tour.
Attractions:
- Bird-eye view Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri.
- Aerial view of Kagbeni, Jomsom, and Muktinath Valley.
- View of the semi-desert of Nepal, Mustang district.
- Worship and darshan at one of the world’s highest temples, Muktinath Temple.
- Take a holy bath under the 108 spring water at Muktinath.
Itinerary
| FROM POKHARA | FROM KATHMANDU |
| -Heli flight from Pokhara to Muktinath (45 min.) | – Heli Flight from Kathmandu to Muktinath |
| -Touchdown at Muktinath(Ground time 1 hour) | -Touchdown at Muktinath(Ground time 1 hour) |
| -Fly back to Pokhara | – Fly back to Kathmandu |
Quick facts:
- Max Altitude: 3,800 meters
- Start point: Kathmandu/Pokhara/Jomsom
- Best Season: March – December
- Required Permits
- For Nepalis: ACAP Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nations: ACAP Permit (NPR 1,000)
- For all others: ACAP Permit (NPR 3,000)
