Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal
Krishna Mandir and a ritual bell pavilion in Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Krishna Mandir and a ritual bell pavilion in Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal
A prayer wheel at a red-brick shrine in Patan, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Everest and Lhotse seen through pine trees in the Khumbu, Nepal

9 DaysEasy

Kathmandu and Everest by Air

From $15,575 per person, based on two travelers sharing

  • A private journey, planned around you.
Duration
9 Days
Best season
Spring & Autumn
Max altitude
1,550 m (5,085 ft) sleeping; higher on the flight
Difficulty
Easy

Easy: sightseeing, short walks and gentle hill trails, or a first rafting trip. Nights below 3,000 m (10,000 ft).

Ask about this journeySee the itinerary

We reply within one business day. Nothing is paid on this page.
Sherpa guides
Written proposal and contract
Your party only, on your dates
Planned with the family

The flight toward Everest

No trekking: you sleep between about 150 m in Chitwan and about 1,550 m (5,085 ft) in Dhulikhel. On day 3 a helicopter flies you toward Everest in shared seats; where it lands and for how long depend on weather and the operator's rules.

  • By helicopter
  • By road
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Kathmandu's heritage, the valley rim, a Chitwan safari and a helicopter flight toward Everest, all private.

This is a sample private itinerary, not a fixed departure. Sam and Gyalgin plan the route, pace and stays around you before you book. Weather can change the plan and mountain views are not guaranteed.

Four nights in a heritage suite at Dwarika's Hotel in Kathmandu, two nights at Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel on the valley rim, and two nights at Meghauli Serai, a Taj Safaris lodge at Chitwan National Park. A private car and guide stay with you throughout.

One morning a helicopter flies from Kathmandu toward Everest, in shared seats; a private helicopter can be quoted instead. Where it lands, and for how long, depends on weather and the operator's rules. Private visits fill the Kathmandu days: a monastery at Boudhanath, artisan studios in Patan and a Newar dinner.

This is an Easy journey with no trekking. There are heritage walks on uneven stone and steps, drives of about 5-6 hours to and from Chitwan, and early safari starts. A flight between Bharatpur and Kathmandu can be quoted instead of the drive.

You sleep no higher than about 1,550 m. The helicopter flight takes you much higher very quickly, and a landing near Everest can be above 5,000 m. Even a short stop at that height can cause altitude illness. We go over the flight with you before booking; seek advice from a clinician, especially with heart or lung conditions.

A Pokhara extension at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge can be added on request. Named hotels and lodges are the ones we plan to hold for you. If one is full on your dates we offer a comparable stay, and your written proposal names every stay before you pay anything. Nothing is paid on this page.

SherpaHolidays Terms and Conditions SH-TC-2026-10-14. Your accepted booking version and mandatory rights remain in effect.

Prices are in US dollars. Prices are per person, based on two travelers sharing a room. Private sample itineraries and from prices are not confirmed reservations; we agree the final plan and price with you in a written proposal before booking. International flights are excluded unless your written itinerary expressly includes them.

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of every booking. Your policy must cover emergency medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, and repatriation. Confirm with your insurer that it covers your itinerary's activities and maximum altitude, including helicopter evacuation.

9 Days of Kathmandu, Everest by Air and Chitwan

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 2: Swayambhunath, Patan and its artisan studios

Day 3: Helicopter flight toward Everest, then Boudhanath

Day 4: Bhaktapur, then Dhulikhel

Day 5: A free day in Dhulikhel

Day 6: Drive to Chitwan

Day 7: Chitwan safaris

Day 8: Return to Kathmandu and a Newar dinner

Day 9: Departure

Day by Day

This is a sample private itinerary, not a fixed departure. Times are estimates, and weather can change the plan.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

A private transfer to Dwarika's Hotel and your heritage suite. Rest. Sleep: about 1,400 m.

Day 2: Swayambhunath and Patan

With your private guide and car: Swayambhunath in the morning, then Patan Durbar Square and its artisan studios, where metal and wood are still worked by hand. Walking: 2-3 hours, with steps. Sleep: about 1,400 m.

Day 3: Toward Everest by helicopter

An early helicopter flight toward Everest from Kathmandu's domestic airport, in shared seats. Where it lands and for how long depend on weather and the operator's rules. In the afternoon, Boudhanath and a visit to a monastery. Sleep: about 1,400 m. If weather holds the flight, we try another morning where the plan allows.

Day 4: Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel

Bhaktapur's car-free old town, then a short drive to Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel on the valley rim. Walking: 2-3 hours. Sleep: about 1,550 m.

Day 5: Dhulikhel

A free day. On clear mornings the Himalaya is in view from the ridge. An optional village walk. Sleep: about 1,550 m.

Day 6: Drive to Chitwan

About 5-6 hours with your private car to Meghauli Serai on the edge of Chitwan National Park. An evening by the river. Sleep: about 150 m.

Day 7: Chitwan

Jeep and canoe safaris with the lodge's naturalists. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Sleep: about 150 m.

Day 8: Back to Kathmandu

About 5-6 hours by road, or a flight from Bharatpur if quoted. A private Newar dinner in the evening. Sleep: about 1,400 m.

Day 9: Departure

Airport transfer. No overnight stay.

From $15,575 per person. Based on two travelers sharing a room. International flights are not included. The final price is set in your written proposal.

Planned inclusions

  • Four Kathmandu nights in a heritage suite at Dwarika's Hotel with breakfast, and private airport transfers.
  • Two nights at Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel with all meals.
  • Two nights at Meghauli Serai at Chitwan National Park with meals, and jeep and canoe safaris led by naturalists.
  • A private car and guide throughout.
  • A shared-seat helicopter flight toward Everest from Kathmandu.
  • Private visits: a monastery at Boudhanath, artisan studios in Patan and a Newar dinner.
  • Entry fees at the heritage sites and Chitwan National Park.

Not included

  • International flights, the Nepal visa, required travel insurance, tips, alcohol, other Kathmandu meals and single-room supplements.
  • A private helicopter, a Bharatpur flight and a Pokhara extension can be quoted on request.
  • Named stays are planned until your written proposal confirms them; a comparable stay is offered if one is full on your dates.

Five Highlights

A Heritage Suite at Dwarika's

Four Kathmandu nights in a heritage suite at Dwarika's Hotel.

A Helicopter Flight Toward Everest

A morning flight from Kathmandu toward Everest, landing when weather and the operator's rules allow.

The Valley Rim at Dhulikhel

Two quiet nights at Dwarika's resort in Dhulikhel, with the Himalaya in view on clear days.

Chitwan with a Naturalist

Two nights at Meghauli Serai, with jeep and canoe safaris led by naturalists.

Kathmandu in Private

A private car and guide, a monastery at Boudhanath, artisan studios in Patan and a Newar dinner.

A private journey, planned by people

Sherpa Signature journeys are sold by a call and a written proposal, not a cart. Nothing is paid on this page.

  • A planning call: About 30 minutes with Sam or Gyalgin about who is traveling, when, and how much walking feels right.
  • A written proposal: Your day-by-day plan, the stays we can hold and the full price, in writing.
  • A contract: You read the plan and our Terms and Conditions before you commit to anything.
  • A payment schedule: Your contract sets out what is paid and when.

Named stays

Named hotels and lodges are the ones we plan to hold for you, or comparable ones if they are full on your dates. Your proposal confirms every stay, flight and price. Hotel and lodge photos are not shown here; ask us and we will send them.

Weather and helicopters

Weather and the operator's rules decide when a helicopter flies and where it can land. Flights can be delayed, rerouted or shortened. The weather reserve pays for extra nights or a helicopter on standby, and we suggest an international ticket you can change.

Plan with our family

Sam and Gyalgin Sherpa, son and father, run SherpaHolidays. Sam is based in the US. You speak with the family about the journey, not a call center.

Gyalgin worked on Everest. His father, San Tsopel Sherpa, helped Hillary's school-building work.

Sam's grandfather, Gyalgin's father, San Tsopel Sherpa: Cooked for Sir Edmund Hillary and his team throughout their work building schools for the Sherpa community.

Call first

Talk to Sam or Gyalgin

A Signature journey starts with a conversation. Call us, or send a short note through our inquiry form and we will call you back.

See all Sherpa Signature journeys

+1 (855) 743-7725 info@sherpaholidays.com
Call us Send an inquiry

We reply within one business day. Nothing is paid on this page.

Things guests ask before booking

Straight answers about walking, altitude, helicopters and how a Signature journey is planned.

  • No. Kathmandu and Everest by Air has no trekking. There are heritage walks on uneven stone and steps, and the safari days start early.

  • No. High-altitude travel can cause serious illness, even in fit travelers, and a helicopter takes you high very quickly. Acclimatization reduces risk but cannot eliminate it. We go over the ascent plan and landing times with you before you book; talk to a clinician familiar with altitude travel.

  • Weather and the operator's rules decide when a helicopter flies and where it can land. Flights can be delayed, rerouted or shortened, and a landing stop happens only when conditions allow. The weather reserve pays for extra nights or a helicopter on standby. Keep your international ticket changeable.

  • They are the ones we plan to hold for you. If one is full on your dates we offer a comparable stay, and your written proposal names every stay before you pay anything.

  • The from price is per person for two traveling together. Dates, room choices and party size change it. Your proposal states the full price, what is included and what is not.

  • International flights, the Nepal visa, travel insurance, tips, alcohol and a single-room supplement. Travel insurance is a condition of every booking and must cover emergency medical treatment and evacuation, including by helicopter, at the journey's highest altitude.

  • Call us on +1 (855) 743-7725, or send a short note through our inquiry form and we will call you back. We reply within one business day.