Day 01
Scenic Mountain Flight to Mount Everest
- As the aircraft takes off and heads towards the east, you won't have to wait long to find out what's in store for you. First, to your far left, you will see Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pangma, standing at the majestic height of 26,290 feet (8,013 meters).
- Immediately to the right of Gosaithan, you will see Dorje Lhakpa appear (22,000 feet or 7,000 meters), a mountain that almost looks like a figure 8 lying in the snow. To the right of Dorje Lhakpa is Phurbi-Chyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.
- As the plane glides along, the mountains come closer and closer.
- Next in view is Choba-Bhamare, the smallest mountain of the lot, but singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed.
- Witness 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, which was first successfully climbed only in 1979.
- The mountains of Melungtse and Chugimago are next on the tour, the latter of which is still waiting to be climbed. Numbur and Karyolung, a white mountain, will gleam with the rising sun as we carry on deeper into the mountain range.
- Pass Cho-Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, reaching a height of 27,000 feet (8,201 meters). Gyachungkang, Pumori, and Nuptse, each over 22,000 feet (7,000 meters) in height, will mark our path towards the highest mountain of them all: Mount Everest. Known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans, this unbelievable mountain stretches 29,021 feet (8,848 meters) into the sky. Much has already been written about Everest, but to actually witness it face to face during a mountain flight is something else. Even while it looms there in front of your eyes, it remains a remarkable place, this highest spot on earth.
