Lake Views
The lakes and the hill towns around them, in one flight.
The Service
Helicopter ride in Nainital
Nainital sits at about 2,000 m around a lake ringed by hills, and the lakes around it, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Sattal, are spread over the next few valleys. From the ground you see one at a time; from a helicopter you see the whole lake district of Kumaon at once, and on a clear day the snow peaks of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalaya along the northern skyline.
Helicopters in the Nainital area fly from the Naukuchiatal helipad, about 25 km from the town. Since March 2025 it has been linked to Dehradun by a scheduled helicopter service under the UDAN scheme, taking about 50 minutes, which also makes it the natural place to start a scenic flight.
Tell us your date, how many are flying and the flight time you want, and we will come back with what operators can offer and a written quote. The price of a joy ride is shared on request, as it depends on the operator, the minutes in the air and how many seats are filled.
Four Lakes
Naini Lake, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Sattal from above.
Himalaya Darshan
Nanda Devi, Trishul and the Kumaon peaks on a clear day.
Expert Pilots
Flown by commercial pilots of permit-holding operators.
Written Quote
The full price in writing before you book.
Great For
Why fly in Nainital
Honeymoons
Nainital is a honeymoon favourite; a flight makes the trip.
Family Trips
Elders and children see the hills without the winding roads.
What you see on a Nainital joy ride
Naini Lake comes first: the town wrapped round it, the Mall Road along the shore and Naina Peak, the highest point above the town at about 2,600 m. Beyond the ridge lie Bhimtal, the largest of the lakes, Naukuchiatal with its many corners, and the cluster of small lakes at Sattal in the forest. To the south the hills drop to the plains at Haldwani and Kathgodam.
To the north, on a clear day, the Himalaya fills the skyline: Trishul, Nanda Devi and, further east, the Panchachuli peaks. Whether you see them depends on the day; haze and cloud often hide them, so a morning flight in the clear season gives the best chance.
Best time to fly
- October to February: the clearest air and the best Himalayan views. Winter mornings are cold, and the lakes are at their stillest.
- March to June: the peak tourist season. Flights run, but haze softens the view of the high peaks by afternoon.
- July to September: monsoon. Cloud and rain cancel many flights.
Flights run in daylight and fair weather only, and the pilot has the final say on the day.
Reaching the helipad
The Naukuchiatal helipad is about 25 km from Nainital by road. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about 35 km from Nainital, and the nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 70 km away. If you are coming from Dehradun, the scheduled helicopter service to Naukuchiatal saves a 6 to 7 hour drive; ask us about combining it with a scenic flight.
Carry a photo ID for every passenger. Each passenger is weighed at check-in, because the load decides the seating, and the crew gives a short safety briefing before boarding.
What decides the price
- Flying minutes. You pay for time in the air.
- Seats filled. A five to seven seat helicopter costs less per head when the whole group flies together.
- Positioning. If the helicopter comes from Dehradun or Haldwani for your flight, that flying is part of the price.
- Your date. Summer holidays and long weekends fill first.
Send your date, group size and the flight time you want, and we reply with a written quote that says what is included.
More of Kumaon by helicopter
Scheduled helicopter services from Haldwani now reach Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Munsiyari, and scenic flights there can be arranged on enquiry. For the rest of the state, see helicopter joy rides in Uttarakhand, the Mussoorie air safari and the Auli Himalaya darshan flight.
Book the Charter
Booking Enquiry
Share your date, group size and the flight time you want, and our team replies with availability and a clear quote.