Asked on almost every call.

Typically 1 to 3 hours from a confirmed launch, depending on region, aircraft availability and weather. Langtang and Annapurna pickups are usually fastest; Dolpo, Kanchenjunga and the far west take longer because of distance and fuel planning.

Mountain air is calmest and densest at first light. By early afternoon, wind and thermal turbulence build in the valleys and make high altitude approaches unsafe. A case reported at 3 PM usually flies at first light the next day, which is exactly why you should call the moment symptoms appear, at any hour.

Four things: the patient's name and condition, the exact location (village, lodge name or GPS), the altitude and symptoms, and the insurance company with policy number or how payment will be arranged. The call takes about two minutes with these in hand.

Yes. The flight launches once payment is arranged: card, bank transfer, or family arranging payment in Kathmandu. Nepali citizens do not need insurance at all.

Yes. Helicopter ambulance for Nepali patients is arranged directly with the family and the receiving hospital. The desk explains the cost clearly before launch and helps with hospital admission on arrival.

Routine rescue pickups run at trekking altitudes, up to roughly 5,500 meters, including Everest Base Camp. Missions above about 6,000 meters are assessed case by case: they need specific aircraft performance, specialist crews and the right conditions.

Most evacuations from popular trekking regions fall between USD 2,500 and 6,500, depending on pickup point, altitude and flight time. Everest region pickups sit at the upper end. The exact figure is confirmed on the phone before launch, and the helicopter rescue cost guide shows typical ranges per region.

Usually yes. The cabin carries up to five people including the patient, but lift shrinks with altitude, so at high landing zones the pilot may limit seats. The patient's care always comes first.

Handover is arranged before takeoff with major hospitals in Kathmandu or Pokhara, honoring the patient's or insurer's preference where medically sensible. Where the hospital has no helipad, an ambulance meets the aircraft at the airport.

Mountain rescue in Nepal operates by visual flight rules in daylight. Night launches are possible only in limited, lit lowland situations. This is a safety boundary, not a service gap, and it is the single best reason to report an emergency immediately rather than waiting until morning.

A complete pack: medical report, flight report with route and timings, itemized invoice and payment receipt. If the assistance company has follow-up questions, the desk answers them directly. See the insurance and payment guide for the pre-trek policy checks.

Three checks: the quote is itemized, you or your insurer approve it before launch, and the invoice matches the quote afterward. Be cautious of anyone who pressures you into a flight you did not ask for, and compare any quote against the typical ranges published on this site.

Often, yes. Crews land at lodge yards, terraces, river banks and other safe improvised zones assessed from the air. Clear, flat, open ground away from wires and loose objects helps; the coordinator will brief whoever is on the ground about marking the spot and keeping people back.

Delayed, not cancelled. The desk holds the mission, watches the weather with the pilots and launches in the first safe window, keeping you updated throughout. In the meantime the coordinator can relay medical advice for managing the patient on the ground.