Trip to Nepal Part 2 - Mt. Everest Flight

Mt. Everest Flight

This was a gift from Liz. Very generous, I must say. And it was a surprise. There were a few hints here and there but by the day before we left, I knew what was going on. In fact it amounts to a fairly short trip of about an hour but involves getting up early and all the necessary obligations of a domestic flight. We just didn’t have any bags.

early morning checking in at Buddha Air

The Kathmandu domestic airport is adjacent to the international terminal. Both are relatively small but adequate for the job. Early morning in the domestic terminal it is bustling. We find our way to the Buddha Air counter. Though there are Nepali nationals taking domestic flights for work or to see family, the bulk of the people in the terminal were foreigners traveling to some trekking adventure. Children are almost non-existent given, as I mentioned earlier, these are generally ambitious and expensive ventures. Our girls seemed to stand out given that the few children that were there were Nepali.

One general observation about the experience was the energy in the building. Unlike most airports where you have a lot of weary and/or anxious travelers trying to get from A to B, here the sense of excitement was palpable. As I thought about it, this is bucket list territory. For many in the room, this was the adventure of a lifetime. Many, if not most, had gray hair and were in their 40s to 60s and looking rather fit. At the completion of our flight a 68-year-old man even made the comment as we made our way from the plane to the awaiting bus. He smiled as the girls were trotting across the tarmac and said, “I’ve waited my whole life to come here and do this. These girls are doing it as children. What a great opportunity for them.”

the striking Melungtse, 7,181m./23,560ft.

By the time we boarded, the sun was beginning to rise. The sky was clear (except for the smog) and we anticipated good viewing. I would have expected an airplane with slightly larger-than-normal windows given that it is dedicated to mountain sightseeing but oh well. They were also a bit scratched up in places and occasionally slightly fogged up but overall they did the job.

Everest coming into view on the right

Even before leaving the ground you can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance. When we were arriving in Kathmandu we didn’t see much due to evening haze and the fact that we were on the opposite side of the plane from the Himalayan range. We just saw a glimpse of a frosty peak looking across the laps of people across from us. Now, early morning, we were beginning to see the highest mountains in the world in all their glory.

Once again I was on the wrong side of the plane. But the seating on the plane was just two rows of single seats so it was easy for me to get up from time to time and shoot photos across someone’s lap. I have to say, it’s one of the most amazing things you’ll ever see, that is without actually standing on one of those peaks.

Everest in the center

As we approached Everest, it was game time. One by one we were allowed in the cockpit to view the highest mountain in the world over the nose of the cockpit. I admit that I was pretty excited about it. I’ve never had aspirations of actually climbing it but there’s no question it’s been on my list to trek in the Himalayas – as yes, seeing it with my own eyes. Seeing it from an airplane is not the same as seeing it from an adjacent mountain top but I’ll take it.

they did well, having woken up so early

It wasn’t the only star of the show, needless to say. It’s sitting in the middle of a pretty impressive crowd. The entire range is quite stunning and we had clear blue skies providing a wonderful backdrop.

As I sensed the plane beginning to turn around, I was a bit disappointed. It was too early if you ask my opinion. The advertisements show the plane cruising near the mountain but in fact it never gets that close.

Nonetheless it was an amazing experience. The girls were a bit tired from waking up so early. Kiran fell asleep on the way back to Kathmandu. Understandable but seemed like a shame to allow those views to go by unviewed.

We were back to Liz’s by 9am. Not a bad way to spend an early morning.