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. |