 Airlines operates daily one hour Mountain Flight
from Kathmandu within camera shutter range of
the world’s highest peaks. The hour long trip
and offers passengers a close-up view of
Everest, among other giants. Likewise Buddha Air
offers several mountain flights daily.
Helicopters and airplanes are available for
charter use. STOL (short take off and landing)
airstrips are located throughout the country in
remote regions from, Simikot in the west to
Taplejung in the east; both trail heads to newly
opened trekking areas. Charter service is
available for group treks and expeditions.
First to their far left visitors see Gosaithan,
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), a mountain that looks like the number
8 lying down and covered with snow. To the right
of Dorje Lakpa is Phurbi-Ghyachu, which looms
over the Kathmandu Valley.
As the plane moves along, the mountains come
closer and closer. Next on the vision is
Choba-Bharnare, 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 Himalaya, 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. 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. |
Mountain Flight
