It’s an amazing and stunning experience when going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains on earth. Mountain flights have become a highly popular tourist attraction in Nepal. Four airlines offer regular forages across the snow-capped peaks of the massive Himalayan range. Mountain flights appeal to all category of travelers. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going trekking, opting for mountain flights offer breathtaking and mystical views of the Himalayas in just one hour. Even visitors who would prefer the rigors of a trek but unable to do it due to time constraints still don't miss the opportunity to "conquer" the mountains in a space odyssey that lasts for 60 mins.
Travelers take off from Kathmandu at the break of dawn 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 long to find out what's in store for them. These are the towering mountains of Nepal, as they have always been; seeped in special beauty not found anywhere on earth.
In-flight, visitors first view to their far left the ‘Gosaikund’ (Hinduism’s most revered holy lake), also called Shisha Pangma, standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. Immediately to the right of Gosaithan, there appears the Dorje Lakpa peak (6,966 m.) enlaced with silvery snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. As the plane soars along, the mountains come closer and you feel as if you can touch it from the window near your seat. Next in view is the Choba- Bhamare, the smallest peak of the lot at 5,933 m but singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Then appears the mountain not only prominent in sight but also in spirituality, the Gauri Shanker peak. As per legends, Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri are said to protect this mountain, at the great height of 7,134 m. and the summit traces a history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979. Gauri Shankar appears sharp and very conspicuous when viewed from the plane.
As the plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern Himalayas rise up to meet you, a succession of glorious peaks follows. Melungtse, a plateau-like mountain, stretches up to 7,023 m. Chugimago at 6,297 m is still a virgin peak, waiting to be climbed. At 6,956 m, a number of mountain peaks resembling the breast of a mother, is said to be the maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpa of the Solukhumbu.
Next is Karyolung peak, an intensely white mountain with a height at 6,511m gleams with the rising sun. Cho-Oyu is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Reaching a height of 8,201m, it appears stunningly magnificent from the aircraft.
Cruising towards the end of the flight, we see the Gyachungkang peak, 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 then finally, it’s an upfront tryst with Mount Everest (8,848m) known as Sagarmatha (Everest) by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans, the highest peak in the world; seeing it so close-up makes you feel like you have already climbed this ‘mother’ of all peaks. The mountain flight takes an hour altogether.
