Everest Express scenic flight from Kathmandu with Yeti Airlines

If you happen to be in Kathmandu, Nepal and have limited time to explore the mountain range of the Himalayas, why not take the Everest express with Yeti Airlines.

Departing daily from 06:30, this gives you the best lighting conditions to see the Himalayas and Mount Everest from the sky above at the crack of dawn.

A trip to Nepal wouldn’t be complete without getting to see Mount Everest and the Himalayas, and this option is wonderfully suited to those who don’t have much time or don’t feel up to the walk.

Getting to Kathmandu Airport

Your scenic flight journey will depart from Kathmandu Domestic terminal.

You can easily find the Yeti Airlines help desk where you can check in for your flight and get your ticket.

Getting a taxi from the city to the airport will cost you around 400-600 Nepalese rupee, depending on where you’re based.

Departure time for the Everest Express

I woke up at 05:00am to grab a taxi at 05:30am to arrive at the domestic terminal for 06:00am.

30 minutes was enough time to check in, get my ticket and go through security to wait at desk two before my flight. It’s not like an international flight where you have to be at the airport a few hours ahead of time, the domestic terminal is small and won’t be an issue.

You can find a cafe next to departure gate 2 if you want to grab a coffee before your flight.

The aircraft layout

Yeti Airlines flies with a propeller plane model ATR 72, which is a short body aircraft with dual seat configuration.

When you make a booking your seat will be a window seat and the seat next to you won’t be occuppied, giving you all the space you need.

My flight was full but some times you can go from one side to the other if they have space.

For the best seat suggestions on the Everest Express

I would say sit on the right side at the back of the aircraft.

Depending on how busy your flight will be you might be able to jump from one side of the plane and sit on the other.

You will first see the Himalayas on the left side but you will soon turn around and get closer with better views on the right side.

My suggestion would be that it’s worth the wait on the right side as the views are better closer up.

You get to visit the cockpit

I’ve never done this before! I’m at the age now where being allowed to visit the cockpit is an ancient myth but on this flight you’re actually welcomed to give a visit to the cockpit and enough the incredible views of the Himalayas.

This for me was the best viewing location and I enjoyed the visit a lot.

What a wonderful location to be a pilot, the view was stunning from the cockpit

How to make a booking on the Everest Express

Best option is to book online. Yeti Airlines has an easy to use website. You want to make sure you get your booking in before 3pm on the previous day to avoid disapointment.

Of course the more advance the better.

Conditions will be checked the night before. You will be informed if the weather is not good enough for viewing and you have the option to change the date or request a refund.

This is why you should go as early as possible just in case the flying conditions are not great on the day of departure.

I was lucky on my day with good visibility, but weather is obviously always unpredictable.

Flight cost depends on time of booking. In June the round trip for the Everest express with Yeti Airlines was just under $200. Best to check online for the best rate on the day.

Flying duration

The journey from Kathmandu takes 20 minutes to reach the start of the Himalayas, then another further 20 minutes to reach Everest and turn around, then you will fly back another 20 minutes to Kathmandu.

Journey time is approximately one hour total flying time, but you might go a little over so make sure you have some time to spare.

Was the journey worth it?

Spending a week in Kathmandu I was a little upset that I had travelled all this way to Nepal and didn’t get a glimpse of the mountains.

It would have been a great shame to miss out and this flight was perfectly timed to make it happen.

Seeing the Himalayas with your own eyes is like seeing one of the seven wonders it’s an incredible site from the sky and getting to see Mount Everest in person will take your breath away as it peaks out above the clouds.

A moment I will never forget, and totally worth it for an hours trip. Yeti airlines will take great care of you and ensure that you have a fantastic flight.

Enjoy a glass of bubbles in the sky

Be sure to celebrate seeing the Himalayas and Mount Everest from the sky with a glass of bubbles which is included in your flight ticket.

Great way to start your morning before the day has even began.

Get rewarded with a certificate

Each flyer receives a certificate to commemorate your flight journey across the Himalayas and to Mount Everest.

Probably the first time I’ve been rewareded for sitting in a seat.

Great way to show off to your friends back home that you’ve done the incredible journey. I will frame mine for sure and stick it on the bathroom door.

Why not fly before you fly home

Luckily for me my flight back to London with a stop over in Doha with Qatar Airways departed at 11:45 so I could do the scenic flight and then make my way over to the international terminal for my flight before lunch saving me having to yo-yo back and forth between Kathmandu city and the airport.

Maybe you might have a flight that departs around the same time so this could work out well for you also.

Kathmandu international airport has a premium lounge where you can use your Priority Pass so if you don’t manage to make it to your hotel breakfast buffet on time and have to skip it you can head over to the lounge after check in and go and grab some breakfast while it’s still being served.

Have a wonderful flight on the Everest Express with Yeti Airlines and enjoy the jaw dropping, stunning view of Mount Everest and the Himalayas. Cheers!

Be sure to checkout my video review of the flight