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. |