A Flight to Mount Everest + World’s Most Dangerous Airport - Lukla
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Published 2022-11-12
Lukla is the gateway to Mount Everest. There is no road so no car can get there. A flight to Lukla is 25 minutes on a fixed-wing airplane or 40 mins by helicopter. We arrived there at 7am.
We took off again after refueling and headed to Mt Everest, on the way we passed Namche Bazar, Syangboche airstrip, Khumbu Icefall…
Mount Everest is the one with the sharp peak with snow blowing at the top. We were almost at 20,000 ft but Mt Everest stood really tall from where our helicopter was. We were trying to get up to Camp 2 of Mt Everest which is the absolute limit of the helicopter.
We eventually landed at Kala Patthar. I was so frantically taking photos and videos and started to use the oxygen supply from the helicopter. Our next stop is the pristine Gokyo Lake. On the way, we saw the world’s highest glacier, Khumbu Glacier. It really amazes me how close we fly to those mountain terrains. After a brief stop on the lake, we headed towards the world’s highest hotel, hotel Everest view for breakfast.
The whole trip took about 5 hours. The cost of doing it is about $1200 per person sharing on the helicopter. Helicopters don’t just bring tourists, they also bring cargo and bring down sick and fatigue trekkers from the mountain down on a daily basis.
Way Point of our helicopter flight:
1. Kathmandu (4,390 ft / 1,338m)
2. Lukla (9,380 ft / 2,860m)
3. Namche Bazar (11,290 ft / 3,440m)
4. Syangboche (12,402 ft / 3,780m)
5. Khumbu Icefall (17,999 ft / 5,486m)
6. Mt Everest (29,031 ft / 8,849m)
7. Kala Patthar (18,519 ft / 5,644m)
8. Cho La Pass (17,782 ft / 5,420 m)
9. Gokyo Ri (17,575 ft / 5,357m)
11. Hotel Everest View (12,729ft / 3,880m)
13. Lukla (9,380 ft / 2,860m)
14. Kathmandu (4,390 ft / 1,338m)
All Comments (21)
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Finally saw sam's video about helicopters, it's great. I am a Chinese helicopter pilot, I studied helicopter flying in the US, and have both Chinese and American pilot licenses, but in China, the helicopter industry is in frozen, and I had to give up my flying job. I wonder if Nepal will recruit young foreign helicopter pilots with low hours? I am very willing to come to work.
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Nepal is a beautiful country …can’t wai t to go back nepal …people are very friendly and helpful❤lots of love from amsterdam netherlands❤
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Hey Sam, just wanted to say that there´s a certain type of people that really enjoy and deserve the good things in life and you are one of them, you really do take us with you with great humility and you appreciate the beautiful things in life, treating everyone with a smile and respect from a 747 captain to everyone else. I hope great things keep coming your way.
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As a helicopter pilot myself this was my absolute favorite video you have ever posted here. Thank you so much Sam
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Nepal is amazingly beautiful country 🏔️ I can’t wait to go back again- from Tokyo
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Salute to Vijay lama and Sam sir for Promoting tourism in Nepal.
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Great footage Sam. I went to Everest base camp in 1983 and flew out of Lukla then - no tarmac on the runway then and you’d watch the cattle get cleared before takeoff. One of the great experiences of my life. Thanks for bringing my memories flooding back.
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By putting a spotlight in Nepal's glory , you will have managed to bring in enthusiasts, travelers, hikers, mountaineers & more to Nepal. This the best post-covid promotion for tourism in our country. Thanks mate !
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People often consider dubai,maldives for luxury exotic tourism but if you have money nepal is dream country for luxury tourism and no doubt a bagpacker favourite destination it has always been.
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Wow, That first landing was smooth as butter in the one of the most dangerous airport in the world, hats off to those pilots👏
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Those mountains do deserve our reverence as they are beyond incredible. It would be so great to see them in person. Thank you for posting!
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Thank you Sam! Not one opinion have you expressed on the few hours of what I have viewed. You allow the people, scenery and last, but not least, your exceptional recording and editing skills, to speak for themselves. If only there were more Sam's on youtube. Once again, thank you Sam!
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I've seen Lukla Airport many times on TV, but this is the first time I've heard of such a hotel. Soooooooo AWESOME!!!!!
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"I just want to be silent and appreciate the beauty" very well said Sam. Wow!! thanks for the tour 👍
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Been there more than 10 years ago. It's so cool to see all these spots from above. Thank you so much!
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Ama Dablam is such a beautiful peak, especially from the vantage point of the Everest Hotel. Stunning.
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Of all your aviation adventures I'd say this is the most visually...breathtaking.
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What a great video Sam! I can't imagine $1200 buying a better adventure than that. I know flying in that environment is dangerous even in seemingly perfect conditions like you had, but man, what a great job that pilot has. Thanks for sharing and great work!
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1.1 million views as of today- that‘s well deserved: What a video, what a flight! Certainly one of your best!
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Thank you for exploring the himalayan country a beauty of nature and mountains.
