For the travellers who is unable to make a trekking trip to the Mountains either because of lack of time or physical fitness, due to sheer want of the adventure streak, there are Mountain flights to simulate the experience.
From the comfort of a fully pressurized aircraft, you will experience the hour long breathtaking mountain flight that shows you Everest and many other peaks from as close as 2 nautical miles. Guaranteed window seat as well as emergency oxygen mask is available for each passenger.
Travelers take off from Kathmandu in the early morning for an hours worth of spectacular mountain scenery. As the aircraft lifts up and heads towards the east, and almost immediately, the peaks come into view. There are the mountains as they always have been. First to their far justify visitors see Gosaithan Known as Shisa Pangma, standing at the majestic height of 8013m. Immediately to the right of Shisa Pangma, there appears Dorje Lakpa 6966m. A mountain that looks like a massive figure of 8 covered with snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa is Phurbi-Ghyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu valley. As the plane moves along, the mountains come closer and closer. Next on the vision is Choba Bhamare, the smallest one which height 5993m. But singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Then appears the mountain that is not only prominent in sight but also in spirituality Gauri Shanker. Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri are said to protect this mountain, at the proud height of 7134m. And the summit had a history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979.
As the plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern Himalayas, a succession of glorious mountains follow Melungtse, a plateau-like mountain, stretches up to 7023meter, Chugimago 6297meter is still a virgin, waiting to be climbed. At 6956meter Numbur Mountain resembles a breast, the maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of the Solukhumbu (Everest Region). Next is Karyolung, an intensely white mountain that at 6511m. Gleampses with the rising sun. Cho-Oyu is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Reaching a height of 8201m. It appears Stunningly beautiful from the aircraft.
The last and most exciting stretch of the journey takes you close to the Gyachungkang at a majestic height of 7922meter considered an extremely difficult climb. To the right of Gyachungkang is Pumori 7200meter. As passengers get closer to Everest, there is Nuptse 7855m., which means west Peak, signifying its direction from Everest. Finally, there is Everest 8850meter Itself known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. It is an altogether different feeling as one comes face to face with the worlds tallest and most enigmatic mountains of the world.
Mike Bronson, Denver, Colorado, USA
Chuck Ramey, Tacoma, WA. USA
Aley Mills Willis, Seattle, WA. USA