Mount Everest Scenic Flight Experience
5:30 AM: Meet your tour representative in Kathmandu and drive to the airport for approximately 30-45 minutes.
6:30 AM: Board the aircraft. The plane takes off and heads toward the east.
See Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pahngma, standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. Immediately to the right of Gosaithan appears Doreje Lakpa (6,966 m), a mountain that looks like the number 8 lying down and covered with snow. To the right of Dorge Lakpa is Phurb-Ghyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu Valley. As the plane moves along, the mountains come closer and closer.
Gaze at Choba-Bhamare, the smallest of the lot at 5,933 m, yet singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed.
See the mountain that is prominent in sight and spirit, Gauri-Shankar. Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri are said to protect this mountain at the proud height of 7,134 m, and the summit had a history of unsuccessful attempts until 1979. Gauri-Shankar looks sharp and very conspicuous from the mountain flight.
Take in the views as the plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern Himalayas, and a succession of glorious mountains follows.
See Melungtse, a plateau-like mountain that stretches up to 7,023 m. Chugimago, at 6,297 m, is still waiting to be climbed. At 6,956 m, Number Mountain resembles a breast, a maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the shapes of the Solu Khumbu.
View Karyolung, a white mountain at 6,511 m, gleaming in the rising sun.
See Cho-Oyu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Reaching a height of 8,021 m, it appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft. Next to the window is Gyanchungkang, at a majestic height of 7,952 m, considered a tough climb. To the right of Gyanchungkang is Pumori (7,161 m).
Get closer to Everest and view Nuptse (7,855 m), which means west peak, signifying its direction from Everest.
Witness Everest (8,848 m) itself, known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. Much has already been written about Everest, but to witness it face to face during a mountain flight is something else. Even while it looms before your eyes, it remains an enigma, this highest spot on earth.
7:30 AM: Return to the parking area, where your driver will be waiting for you, and transfer back to your hotel.
