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 have 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 travellers. 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.
Travellers 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
too long 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 appears 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, at the proud 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 follow.
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, considered an extremely difficult climb. 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.
Cost Per Person US$ 140.00
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