Everest Skydive in Nepal

The Everest Skydive is a fixed annual event, not a year-round product. The primary event window is November, when post-monsoon high-pressure systems produce the stable, clear conditions the jump requires. November also falls inside the main trekking season, so the acclimatisation approach through the Khumbu is straightforward.

Rare special editions have been held in May during the spring mountaineering season. Outside November (and the occasional May edition), the event does not run: the summer monsoon (June to September) brings cloud and precipitation that make high-altitude jumps unsafe, and winter jet-stream winds above 30,000 ft are severe enough to cancel operations for extended periods. If you see dates offered outside these two windows, verify directly with Swotah. Book the November event at least six months in advance; places sell out well before the event opens.

The Everest Skydive package passes through Sagarmatha National Park, which charges a park entry permit of NPR 3,000 (about USD 23) for foreign nationals. This permit is collected at the Monjo checkpoint on the trail between Phakding and Namche Bazaar.

The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit costs NPR 2,000 (about USD 15) and is checked at Lukla. Both permits are required; Swotah includes them in the package cost and prepares the paperwork before you fly to Lukla. The old TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card is no longer required inside the Khumbu, so those fees do not apply. Bring two passport-size photographs for permit processing.

Acclimatisation is built into the itinerary by design. The three-day approach from Lukla (2,840 m) through Phakding (2,610 m), Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and Syangboche (3,780 m) follows the standard Khumbu altitude protocol: gain height slowly, sleep lower, allow a rest day at Namche. Arriving at the drop zone via a walking approach rather than a direct helicopter flight gives the body a genuine adjustment to 3,780 m before jump day.

Physical requirements for participation include: minimum age 18, weight between 65 kg and 100 kg for tandem jumps, and the absence of heart disease, respiratory conditions, epilepsy, recent fractures or any condition that would disqualify a participant from standard skydiving medicals. A fitness level sufficient to trek four days at Khumbu altitude is also required. Swotah sends a full medical questionnaire at booking; consult your doctor before paying a deposit if you have any doubts about eligibility.

Food on the trek portion follows the standard teahouse menu: dal bhat, noodle soup, Tibetan bread, eggs and local staples, with three meals a day included by Swotah. Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m has the widest selection, including bakeries and coffee shops that operate at high altitude. Above Namche, at Syangboche, the menu contracts and prices rise.

Water must be treated at all points above Lukla. Aim for 4 litres a day during the approach days because hydration is the cheapest tool against altitude sickness. Boiled water, purification tablets and filter bottles all work; lodge vendors also sell sealed water at a premium. On jump days, stay hydrated from the morning and avoid alcohol the evening before.

Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport sits at 2,840 m and is the standard gateway for the Khumbu region. Flights operate from Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) and, during peak season when Lukla slots are limited, from Manthali Airport at Ramechhap (about 4-5 hours from Kathmandu by road). Swotah confirms the departure point before your trip based on seasonal availability.

The jump itself uses a dedicated AS350 B3 helicopter operated by the event crew, which handles the climb to 23,000 ft and the logistical coordination at both drop zones. No private helicopter charter is involved for individual participants. On the return day, the group flies or drives from Lukla back to Kathmandu. Swotah arranges all transfers and includes the Lukla flight in the package.

The Everest Skydive offers both solo and tandem jump formats, and the right choice depends entirely on your skydiving licence level and currency. Solo jumps are available to holders of a valid USPA, BPA or equivalent national licence with a current free-fall qualification and documented jump currency; the event's instructors review your logbook before approving a solo slot, and oxygen-aware freefall procedure training is mandatory for everyone regardless of experience level.

Tandem jumps are open to first-time skydivers and those without a current solo licence. You are attached to a certified tandem instructor throughout the exit, freefall and canopy phases. The instructor manages all oxygen procedures and altitude-related decisions; your role is to follow the body-position briefing, maintain correct posture at exit, and relax during freefall. Most participants on the event choose tandem, which keeps the qualification bar lower without reducing the altitude or the view.

All participants attend a mandatory ground briefing in Kathmandu on day 1 of the itinerary, covering the jump profile, oxygen use above 5,000 m, exit procedure, freefall body position, canopy phases and the landing zone. The briefing also reviews medical self-declaration, weight checks and kit fitting. No prior skydiving experience is required for tandem participants; the briefing gives you everything you need.

A second briefing takes place at Syangboche on the morning of your first jump window day, covering weather conditions, drop zone layout, wind direction and the specific flight path the helicopter will take. Instructors use this session to confirm that every participant's condition is stable after the acclimatisation trek. If any participant shows signs of acute mountain sickness (AMS), they are pulled from that jump cycle and reassessed the following day.

The Everest Skydive event is staffed by a combination of certified skydiving instructors, Nepali trekking guides and helicopter crew. Skydive instructors hold internationally recognised tandem and coach ratings and are trained in high-altitude oxygen procedures. On the trek approach, Swotah provides a licensed Nepali guide with Khumbu experience and a supporting porter team.

The event organisers manage helicopter scheduling, coordination with Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, drop-zone safety and weather monitoring. Swotah acts as the Nepal-side booking and logistics partner, handling permits, accommodation, flights and pre-departure communication. Groups are deliberately small: limited places per event cycle keep the jump-day operation manageable and maintain safety margins at altitude.

Mobile coverage in the Khumbu is better than most remote Nepal regions. Nepal Telecom (NTC) 4G covers Namche Bazaar and Syangboche, with signal generally available along the main trail. Phakding has intermittent coverage. Swotah provides a tourist SIM before the Lukla flight.

Wi-Fi is available at lodges in Namche and Phakding for a small fee; above Namche the connection is slower and less reliable. All lodges charge for device charging and costs increase with altitude, so a power bank (20,000 mAh or higher) is worth carrying. Camera batteries drain fast in the cold at 3,780 m and above; bring at least one spare battery per camera body and keep devices inside a sleeping bag at night when temperatures drop below freezing.

Responsible participation in the Everest Skydive means following the medical declaration honestly, reporting any AMS symptoms to your guide immediately, and not pressuring instructors to clear a jump when conditions or physical state are marginal. The event's small size and safety record depend on participants respecting these protocols.

Tipping is customary for the Nepali crew who support the trek portion. A common guideline is NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 per day for the guide and NPR 400 to NPR 600 per day for the porter, paid at the end of the trek. This goes directly to seasonal workers in one of Nepal's highest-cost-of-living communities. Carry small-denomination rupee notes for lodge payments and tips above Namche, where card machines are rare.