Tour Guide, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Everest flight is for the travellers who are unable to make a trekking trip to the mountains either because of lack of time and physical fitness or due to altitude sickness.
The one hour flight takes you within camera range of some of the highest peaks in the world and getting this close to the awe-inspiring massifs of rock and ice is an out-of-the-world experience. The flight gives an exclusive chance to see 5 peaks, which are above 8000 m like Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8510 m), Mt Choyu (8,021 m), Mt Makalu (8,476 m), Mt Sishapagma (8,013 m) and several peaks over 7000 m.
The aircraft takes off and heads eastward and almost immediately the peaks come into view. The first peak that appears on the horizon is the majestic Gosaithan standing 8,013 m tall. To its right appears Dorje Lhakpa (6,966 m) looking like a massive figure covered in snow. To its right is Phubi Chyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu valley. Next on the vision is Choba Bhamare, which is rather small (5,933 m). Then comes Mt. Gauri Shankar (7,134 m), standing out sharp. Hindus believe that Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati protect this mountain.
As the flight moves towards the Eastern Himalaya, a succession of majestic mountains flows. Melungtse, with a plateau-like structure, stands at 7,023m, Chugimago is at 6,297 m and still remains to be scaled. At 6,956 m Mt Numbur resembles a breast and is believed to be the maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of Solokhumbu. Then comes the Karyolung- a gleaming white mountain at 6,511 m and Cho-Oyu- the sixth higher in the world at 8,021 m.
The last and most exciting stretch of the journey takes you close to the 7,952 m tall Gyachungkang, which is considered an extremely tough climb. To its right is Pumori at 7,161 m and Nuptse at 7,855 m. Finally, there is Mt.Everest itself (8,848 m), which is called Sagarmatha by the Nepalis and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. It is an altogether different feeling as one comes face to face with the world's tallest and most enigmatic of mountains.