One awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a
mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains of this earth. For the traveler who is unable to make a trekking trip to the mountains either because of lack of time or physical fitness, or due to sheer want of the adventure streak, there are mountain flights to simulate the experience.
The one hour flight takes you within camera range of some of the heights peaks in the world, and cursing this close to the awe-inspiring massifs of rock and ice, is an out-of-this earth experience. The aircraft takes off and heads eastward and almost immediately, the peaks come into view. The first peak that appears in your horizon is the majestic Gosaithan, standing 8013m tall. To its right, appears Dorje Lakpa (6966m), looking like a massive figure of 8, lying prone and covered in snow. To its right is Phurbi Chyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.
Travelers take off from kathmandu in the early morning for an hour’s worth of spectacular mountain scenery. Mountain flights are offered by different Domestic Airlines in Kathmandu Valley operating their small but safest aircrafts.. The Everest flight is a sparkling clear journey across the world’s highest peaks, Mt. Everest - world’s highest peak (8848 m) and other ranges of Himalayas like Gauri Shankar (7134m), Nuptse (7855m), Lhotse (8516m), Amadablam (6812m), Chamlang (7319m), Makalu (8463m), Cho Oyu (8201m) to name a few including the Roof of the World - Tibetan Plateau.
The last and most exciting stretch of the journey takes you close to the 7952m tall Gyachungkang, which is considered an extremely tough climb. To its right is Pumori at 7161m. Finally, there is Mt. Everest itself (8,848m), called Sagarmath by the Nepalis and Chomolungma by Tibetans. It is an altogether different feeling as one comes face to face with the world’s tallest and most enigmatic of the mountains.
I had the pleasure last January of having the most wonderful trekking guide around Kathmandu and then the Annapurna circuit. Rajandra Khandal was not only knowledgeable about Nepalese history and trails, he was also patient, efficient, very smart and witty, spoke excellent English and always seemed to have a good rapport with whoever we encountered, both local Nepalese and tourists. He was an extremely strong guide who carried some of my belongings along with his own, and never appeared tired, always as energetic and agile as a mountain goat. I remember one instance where we did a steep climb, and I as usual was moving very slowly. When we reacched the top of the mountain I realized I did not have my money pouch, and had probably dropped it way back on the trail where we had stopped. As soon as I told him he was off, running down the mountain at top speed. I watched him reach the bottom and take off like lightning down the trail. We had passed a group of boys walking in the direction of where I had dropped my pouch, and of course, if they found it that would be the end of that. But he reached the pouch before the boys, and came running back down the trail and up the mountain in 15 minutes, the same steep climb that had taken me much longer!! He arrived smiling and happy that he had suceeded. I was very, very grateful, and impressed!!! He was always good natured and hapy!! After that I let him carry my money. At the end of the trek I found out how frugal he had been, and that he had negotiated lodgings so skillfully that he had save me quite a lot of money. We remain good friends and I look forward to the time when I can return to Nepal and trek again with this wonderful young man. If you are planning to visit Nepal, don't miss the chance to trek with Raj, it will be nothing short of a great experience!!Peggy Cabbab.
I would highly recommend Raj as a guide of Nepal. He is truly an amazing young man, with exceptional customer service skills. I met Raj on my very first day in Nepal, and he took such good care of me. He guided me around the most common sites of Kathmandu. He not only physically showed me these places, he had so much knowledge about each and every place we visited, which was really informative. Raj and I had a lot of great conversations during the few days he was guiding me, and introduced me to the beautiful Nepal. Nepal is a place I will forever hold in my heart, and Raj has become a dear friend, whose kindness and friendship will remain with me always. Raj will show you beautiful sights of his home country, and will do so with such a passion for life! He is an amazing person, and does a fantastic job with guiding people. Rebecca NZ.
