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An extra
attraction, popular with all categories of traveler
in Nepal, is the mountain flight, which offers a
view of the high peaks unachievable in any other
way. For visitors who are restricted, by time or
other considerations, from going trekking, a
mountain flight offers a panoramic view of the high
Himalayas in just one hour. Even those who are able
to enjoy climbing or trekking among the foothills
can have their terrestrial experience enhanced by
taking a flight closer to the inspiring summits they
admired from below. In addition, a mountain flight
takes you nearer to more peaks than you could
possibly see on foot, even after many years of
trekking. ****During a remarkably short flight of
just one hour, you will be within camera range of
some of the worlds highest mountains. After leaving
Kathmandu, your aircraft heads east and the snowy
peaks begin to come into view almost immediately.
First is the majestic Gosaithan (8013m), with Dorje
Lhakpa (6996m) like a recumbent figure-of-eight, and
Phurbi Chyachu looming over the Kathmandu Valley, to
its first and second right respectively.
Next in view is
Choba Bhamare, the smallest of all the peaks seen on
the flight, at 5933m, but thus far defying climbing
attempts. Then comes Mt. Gaurishankar (7134m), sharp
and conspicuous, and believed by Hindus to be
protected by Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri.
As the plane
travels toward the Eastern Himalaya, there follows a
succession of majestic mountains: Melungste, with
its plateau-like top, standing at 7023m, side by
side with Chugimago (6297m) still remaining to be
scaled; breast-shaped Mt. Numbur (6956m), believed
to be the maternal source in the sky, providing pure
milk to the Sherpas of Solokhumbu; gleaming white
Karyolung (6511m); and then Cho Oyu, at a stunningly
beautiful 8201m, the worlds sixth-highest mountain.
The most exciting, last stretch of the flight, takes
you close to the 7952m high Gyachungkang, considered
an extremely difficult climb. To its right is Pumori
(7161m), followed by Nuptse (7855m), which means
West Peak, signifying its direction from Everest.
And, finally, at an almost unbelievable height of
8848m, you are confronted by the worlds tallest
mountain, known as Sagarmatha to the Nepalis,
Chomolungma to the Tibetans, and Mount Everest to
most other people. Although much has been written
about Everest, and though its images are so well
known, to actually come face to face with this most
enigmatic of Himalayan peaks, on
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