The Complete Guide to Helicopter Infrastructure in Nepal
A practical reference to the helipads, fuel hubs, rescue bases and airspace structure that support helicopter operations across Nepal’s Himalayas.
For trekkers, expedition leaders, assistance companies and aviation partners who need to understand where helicopters can actually land, refuel and evacuate patients.
1. Key Helipads, Fuel & Rescue Infrastructure (Overview)
This table highlights the most frequently used locations for heli-tours, logistics and medical evacuations. It is not a complete list of every landing site in Nepal, but it covers the nodes used in the majority of operations.
| Location / Helipad | Region | Altitude (m) | Approx. Coordinates | Fuel | Rescue Role | Weather Risk (1–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu (TIA) Helipad | Central Nepal | ≈ 1,338 | 27.696° N, 85.360° E | Yes – main aviation fuel hub | Final medical transfer & hub | 2 (urban weather, ATC-managed) |
| Lukla ( Tenzing–Hillary ) Helipad/Apron | Everest (Khumbu) | ≈ 2,845 | 27.688° N, 86.731° E | Limited – by arrangement | Primary Everest gateway | 5 (wind + valley cloud) |
| Syangboche / Hotel Everest View | Everest | ≈ 3,780 | 27.811° N, 86.712° E | No routine fuel | Tour + intermediate rescue | 4 (ridge cloud & winds) |
| Pheriche Helipad | Everest | ≈ 4,371 | 27.893° N, 86.818° E | No fuel | Key AMS rescue staging | 4 (afternoon valley winds) |
| Gorakshep / EBC Landing Zones | Everest Upper Valley | ≈ 5,160–5,364 | ~28.0° N, 86.85° E | No fuel (short on-site time) | High-alt MEDEVAC & expeditions | 5 (thin air, fast changes) |
| Gokyo Helipad | Everest / Gokyo Valley | ≈ 4,790 | 27.947° N, 86.695° E | No fuel | Tour + secondary rescue | 3 (fog & afternoon cloud) |
| Pokhara Airport Helipad | Annapurna / Lakeside | ≈ 822 | 28.200° N, 84.016° E | Yes – regional hub | Tour + Annapurna staging | 2 (lake fog, mostly manageable) |
| Annapurna Base Camp (ABC LZ) | Annapurna Sanctuary | ≈ 4,130 | 28.532° N, 83.890° E | No fuel | Rescue + heli tours | 4 (rapid cloud & snow) |
| Manang Helipad | Annapurna Circuit | ≈ 3,540 | 28.673° N, 84.017° E | No fuel (staging only) | Key Thorong La rescue base | 3 (valley winds) |
| Jomsom Helipad/Apron | Lower Mustang | ≈ 2,720 | 28.776° N, 83.723° E | Yes – important fuel point | Rescue + logistics hub | 5 (very strong valley winds) |
| Lo-Manthang Helipad | Upper Mustang | ≈ 3,840 | 29.185° N, 83.957° E | No fuel (served via Jomsom) | Tour & emergency extraction | 3 (wind & dust) |
| Kyanjin Gompa Helipad | Langtang | ≈ 3,870 | 28.209° N, 85.565° E | No fuel | Rescue + Langtang tours | 4 (narrow valley cloud) |
| Nepalgunj Airport Helipad | Western Lowlands | ≈ 165 | 28.105° N, 81.667° E | Yes – western fuel hub | Staging for Simikot/Dolpo rescues | 2 (heat & haze) |
| Simikot Helipad/Apron | Humla / Far West | ≈ 2,910 | 29.971° N, 81.818° E | Limited – by arrangement | Key Kailash / Humla rescue base | 4 (terrain & weather) |
| Juphal / Dolpo Helipad | Dolpo | ≈ 2,500 | ~28.98° N, 82.82° E | Limited – regional | Remote rescue & supply | 4 (isolation, changeable weather) |
Altitudes and coordinates are rounded; exact values and operational status must always be confirmed with licensed operators and CAAN publications.
2. Fuel Depots & Logistic Hubs
Fuel availability controls range, payload, and routing. In Nepal, only a few points function as reliable aviation fuel depots:
National aviation fuel hub for all commercial helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Used as the primary start/end point for most high-altitude missions.
Regional hub for Annapurna and Mustang operations, with scheduled and charter helicopter activity.
Enables ABC, Mardi, Mustang and rescue missions without returning to Kathmandu.
Critical fuel and logistics point for Lower & Upper Mustang.
Important for both tourist flights and emergency response in a very windy valley.
Western fuel base supporting Simikot, Humla, Dolpo and remote rescue missions.
Essential for high-altitude operations in far-west Nepal and pilgrimage routes.
3. Primary Rescue Staging Areas
The following locations are repeatedly used as rescue and medical evacuation nodes, due to their altitude, terrain, and proximity to patient clusters:
Classic evacuation point for trekkers with AMS, HAPE, HACE in the upper Khumbu.
Close to medical posts, with enough altitude drop from EBC/Gorakshep to stabilize patients.
Staging base for rescues from Thorong La, Tilicho and high Annapurna passes.
Frequently used when trekkers deteriorate above 4,000 m and need rapid descent.
Used for evacuations from Upper Mustang, Muktinath, and desert plateau treks.
Rescues are often timed to fit narrow morning wind windows.
Staging points for Langtang rescues and far-west evacuations (Humla, Kailash routes).
Often supported by Nepalgunj or Kathmandu for final hospital transfer.
4. ATC Zones & Airspace Overview (Simplified)
All helicopter flights in Nepal operate inside the Kathmandu FIR (Flight Information Region), with a mix of controlled and uncontrolled VFR airspace.
- Kathmandu TIA: Fully controlled airspace with tower, approach and departure.
- Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Jomsom: Controlled zones around airports, then transition to VFR corridors.
- Everest, Annapurna, Langtang valleys: Primarily VFR mountain routes managed by radio calls and procedures.
- Restricted & special use areas: Certain border, military and conservation areas have additional restrictions.
5. How LuklaHelicopter.com Uses Infrastructure Data
As an independent booking and coordination platform (not an operator), we use this infrastructure view to:
- Select operators who are familiar with the relevant helipads and rescue bases.
- Advise clients on realistic flight windows, weather risks and fallback locations.
- Help assistance companies understand evacuation pathways from remote valleys.
- Align expectations about fuel, payload and routing constraints at high altitude.
Need precise infrastructure details for a group, expedition or insurance file?
Our operations team can liaise with helicopter operators to confirm current helipad conditions, fuel availability and rescue routing for your specific dates.
Email: info@luklahelicopter.com
This diagram shows how helicopter operations in Nepal are supported by a connected infrastructure system. From helipads and controlled airspace to fuel and weight checks, maintenance support, and emergency response, each step plays a critical role in ensuring safe and reliable helicopter flights in a high-altitude environment.
Helicopter access in the Everest region is closely tied to geography, altitude, and local weather patterns. Each destination below represents a distinct operating environment, with different safety considerations, landing conditions, and decision-making limits for pilots and operators.
Lukla
The primary aerial gateway to the Khumbu, where traffic volume, terrain, and short weather windows define operations.
Namche Bazaar
The region’s commercial and logistical centre, commonly used for transfers, repositioning flights, and emergency access.
Pheriche
A high-altitude settlement associated with acclimatization and medical response, where wind and density altitude are key factors.
Gorakshep
An extreme operating environment near Everest Base Camp, governed by strict payload limits and visual flight conditions.
Everest Base Camp
A dynamic glacial zone where helicopter access depends on surface conditions, safety margins, and real-time assessment.