West Nepal is a relatively new and pristine region for travelers. Overlooked until recently, west Nepal is increasingly popular because of low airfares to big cities and good air connectivity to rural areas.
Even helicopter tours to stunning destinations like Rara Lake, Phoksundo Lake, and Khaptad National Park have become more popular.
Helicopter tour to Khaptad National Park
Khaptad Baba Ashram and Khaptad National Park are the most important travel destinations in far-west Nepal. While more people visit these areas either by driving or walking, visiting these attractions using a helicopter is also possible.
If you take a helicopter, it is also possible to visit the Badimalika Temple. It is also possible to have the helicopter drop you at Khaptad to explore the area at your leisure.
Currently, helicopters operate out of Dhangadhi or Nepalgunj airports.
Trip Highlights:
- The rolling grasslands and forest of Khaptad make for some fantastic adventure and exploration opportunities.
- You can see Khaptad Lake and a spectacular view of Mount Api and the Saipal Himal range.
- Khaptad offers you the great chance to observe the Triveni river ( the holy river) for Hindu pilgrimages.
- Over 224 different species of mountain flowers and medicinal herbs are found in Khaptad National Park.
Itinerary
| DAY | FROM BAJHANG | FROM DHANGADHI |
| DAY 1 | ~ Flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi. ~ Connecting flight to Bajhang (40 min). ~ Overnight stay at Bajhang. |
~ Flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi (1 hour). ~ Heli tour to Khaptad with 40 min touchdown ~ Overnight at Dhangadhi |
| DAY 2 | ~ Heli tour to Khaptad with 40 min touchdown ~ Drop back to Bajhang ~ Fly back to Dhangadhi |
~ Fly to Kathmandu |
| DAY 3 | ~ Fly back to Kathmandu |
Quick facts:
- Max Altitude: 3,276 meters
- Start point: Dhangadhi/Bajhang
- Best Season: March–June, Sept-Dec
- Permits
- For Nepali: National Park Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nationals: National Park Permit (NPR 500)
- For all others: National Park Permit (NPR 1,500)
Helicopter tour to Khaptad and Badimalika
To get the most out of your helicopter tour, you should visit both Khaptad National Park and Badhimalika Temple in a single tour. Even though Badimalika Temple is only 35 kilometers from Khaptad as the crow flies, it takes at least two extra days if you go there by road.
Trip Highlights:
- You can see Khaptad Lake and a spectacular view of Mount Api and the Saipal Himal range.
- Visit the holy site of Badimalika Temple and make a wish that will eventually come true if the legends are true.
- The grasslands and forest of Khaptad make for some fantastic adventure and exploration opportunities.
Itinerary
| DAY | FROM BAJHANG | FROM DHANGADHI |
| DAY 1 | ~ Flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi. ~ Connecting flight to Bajhang (40 min). ~ Overnight stay at Bajhang. |
~ Flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi (1 hour). ~ Heli tour to Badimalika (10 min ground time) and Khaptad (40 min ground time) ~ Overnight at Dhangadhi. |
| DAY 2 | ~ Heli tour to Badimalika (10 min ground time) and Khaptad (40 min ground time) ~ Drop back to Bajhang ~ Fly back to Dhangadhi |
~ Fly to Kathmandu |
| DAY 3 | ~ Fly back to Kathmandu |
Quick facts:
- Max Altitude: 4,200 meters
- Start point: Dhangadhi/Bajhang
- Best Season: March–June, Sept-Dec
- Permits
- For Nepali: National Park Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nationals: National Park Permit (NPR 500)
- For all others: National Park Permit (NPR 1,500)
Helicopter Tour to Phoksundo Lake
Situated at 3,660 meters, Phoksundo Lake is the largest lake in Dolpo. While trekking for 6-8 days is the most popular way to experience Phoksumdo Lake, skipping the walking and taking a helicopter from Juphal or Nepalgunj is possible.
However, we recommend that you stay at least two nights at the lake to appreciate how beautiful the place truly is. Then, at the end of your stay, you can walk down to Juphal in two days.
Trip Highlights:
- Take a once in a lifetime scenic heli ride to Phoksundo Lake.
- Visit ancient monasteries of the Bonpo religion.
- Take iconic pictures with the Kanjiroba mountains and, of course, the Phoksundo Lake in the background.
- Get to see Blue Sheep, Musk Deer, and Tibetan Argali. Get seen by a Snow Leopard!
Itinerary
| DAY 1 | ~ Flight from Kathmandu to Juphal (1 hour) ~ Hike to Tripurasundari Temple ~ Overnight at Juphal. |
| DAY 2 | ~ Heli tour to Phoksundo Lake ~ Explore around Phoksundo lake ~ Overnight at Phoksundo. |
| DAY 3 | ~ Walk around Phoksundo Lake ~ Overnight at Phoksundo. |
| DAY 4 | ~ Hike down and Overnight at Chepka (4-5 hours) |
| DAY 5 | ~ Hike to Juphal (6-7 hours) ~ Overnight at Juphal |
| DAY 6 | ~ Fly back to Kathmandu. |
Quick facts:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Max Altitude: 3,630 meters
- Start point: Juphal
- Best Season: March to June and September to November
- Permit
- Nepalis: National Park Permit (NPR 100)
- Indians and SAARC Nationals: National Park Permit (NPR 1,500) / Restricted Area Permit (USD 20 per person per week. +USD 5 per person per extra day)
- For all others: National Park Permit (NPR 3,000) / Restricted Area Permit (USD 20 per person per week. +USD 5 per person per extra day)
Helicopter Tour to Rara Lake
Rara is the largest lake in Nepal, and the lake’s location at the top of a hill is just absolutely stunning. To visit this beauty in comfort, you can take a helicopter from Nepalgunj or Surkhet (Birendranagar).
Trip Highlights:
- Enjoy the stunning birds-eye view of Rara Lake.
- Relax by the side of Rara Lake.
Itinerary
| ACTIVITY | DURATION |
| Heli flight from Nepalgunj/Surkhet to Rara | 1 hour |
| Explore Rara Lake | 2 hours |
| Return to Nepagunj/Surkhet | 1 hour |
Quick facts:
- Max Altitude: 2,900 meters
- Start point: Dhangadhi/Bajhang
- Best Season: March–June, Sept-Dec
- Permits
- For Nepali: National Park Permit (NPR 100)
- For Indians and SAARC Nationals: National Park Permit (NPR 1,500)
- For all others: National Park Permit (NPR 3,000)
