A New Year surprise: Choppers banned for Everest sightseeing

The national park says ‘no noise’ would do justice to wildlife, while chopper operators vow to defy the ban.

On October 27, around 50 individuals of a high-profile group of American corporate CEOs flew to Everest for a sightseeing tour. Over 15 chopper flights were conducted from Lukla to 5,545 meter-high Kala Patthar. They clicked photos and selfies for a few minutes and returned to Kathmandu.