Mountain Flight

Only awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains of this earth. No wonder mountain fly-by has become a popular tourist attraction in Nepal. Four airlines offer regular forages into the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan. Mountain flights appeal to all category of travelers. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going trekking, these flights offer a panoramic view of the Himalayan in just one hour. Even those visitors who like the rigors of trek still don't miss the opportunity to "conquer" the mountains in one fell swoop.

Travelers take off from Kathmandu in the early morning for an hour's worth of spectacular mountain scenery. As the aircraft lifts up and heads towards the east, passengers don't have to wait longer to find out what's in store for them. There they are-the mountains, as they always have been.

First to their far left visitors see Gosaikund (The top Hindu's holy lake), also called Shisha Pangma, standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. Immediately to the right of Gosaithan, there appears Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m.) with snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. As the plane moves along, the mountains come closer and closer. Next on the vision is Choba- Bhamare, the smallest one of the lot at 5,933 m but singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Then there appears the mountain 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 great height of 7,134 m. and the summit had a history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979. Gauri Shanker is sharp and very conspicuous during the mountain flight.

As the plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern Himalayan, a succession of glorious mountains follows. Melungtse, a plateau-like mountain, stretches up to 7,023 m. Chugimago at 6,297 m is still a virgin, waiting to be climbed. At 6,956 m, Number of mountain resembles a breast, the maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of the Solukhumbu.

Next is Karyolung, an intensely white mountain that at 6,511 m gleams with the rising sun. Cho-Oyu is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Reaching a height of 8,201 m, it appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft.

Next on the menu is Gyachungkang, at a majestic height of 7,952 m which is considered a difficult ascent. To the right of Gyachungkang is Pumori (7,161 m). As passengers get closer to Everest, there's Nuptse. And there's another mountain called Everest (8,848m) known as Sagarmatha (Everest) by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. The mountain flight takes an hour altogether.