While many aspire to conquer Mt. Everest or trek to its base camp, I harbored a different dream. The thought of reaching the summit or even the base camp didn’t top my bucket list, despite having completed a couple of high-altitude treks. However, the allure of getting up close and personal with the magnificent Mt. Everest was undeniably irresistible.
While I was planning my trip to Nepal, I stumbled upon an incredible opportunity – the Everest Mountain Flight by Buddha Air. This extraordinary experience not only treats you to breathtaking vistas of the world’s tallest peaks but also offers a unique perspective on Nepal’s pristine landscapes and geographical features.
The Himalayas, with their sheer and unparalleled beauty, offer an experience like no other. I decided to embark on a ‘once in a lifetime’ adventure without much hesitation. I booked my tickets for the ‘Everest Mountain Flight,’ eager to explore what it had to offer.
What is the ‘Everest Mountain Flight’ all about & how much does it cost?
To my surprise, the cost of the tickets was quite reasonable. Priced at just 7000 INR (approximately + taxes) per person, this experience allowed me to soar above the awe-inspiring Himalayan landscape of Nepal. The flight offered breathtaking views of gorges, cliffs, and mountains that seemed to float amidst the white, ethereal clouds.
Not everyone is cut out for the challenging journey of climbing the mighty Himalayas, but we all deserve the opportunity to witness the remarkable beauty of these raw, untamed, and truly majestic mountains. Buddha Air operates the Everest Mountain Flight daily from Kathmandu, typically departing early in the morning, around 6:00 AM when the Himalayan vistas are at their best. The flight duration ranges from 50 minutes to an hour and treats passengers to stunning views of 20 of the highest peaks to the East of Nepal.
The journey begins with a close-up look at the Langtang Lirung Peak, which is the nearest peak to Kathmandu. It then progresses eastward, providing views of Sagar Matha, also known as Mount Everest, and finally reaching the Chamlang Peak. The flight then gracefully turns, giving passengers a second opportunity to savor the panoramic views before heading back to Kathmandu.
The entire experience felt like the fastest and undoubtedly the most unforgettable hour of my life.
An Unforgettable Experience!
During our flight, we were thoughtfully provided with a ‘Himalayan Peaks’ map by our attentive flight attendant. This map was a treasure trove of information about the various peaks we were going to encounter on our mountain flight. Additionally, our flight attendants took the time to offer informative briefings, moving through the cabin to point out the visible mountains.
I was truly mesmerized by the sight of these colossal mountains, each towering above 8000 meters. Among them were awe-inspiring peaks such as Mt. Gauri Shankar, Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Shisha Pangma, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Ama Dablam, the legendary Mt. Everest, and the majestic Mt. Lhotse, to name just a few. The icing on the cake was that every passenger was guaranteed a window seat for this incredible journey!
The entire aircraft buzzed with excitement when we caught our first glimpse of Mt. Everest. I was overwhelmed to the point of tears streaming down my cheeks, as I couldn’t believe the breathtaking sight before my eyes.
To add to our amazement, the crew had a delightful surprise for us. They announced that each of us could take a turn to walk into the cockpit and get an even closer look at the world’s highest peak. It was a surreal experience, and for a brief moment, we could truly appreciate what it felt like to soar above the world!
The mountains appeared so near that, at times, it felt as though I could almost reach out and touch them!
To quote Frank Smythe, “There is something about the Himalayas not possessed by the Alps, something unseen and unknown, a charm that pervades every hour spent among them, a mystery intriguing and disturbing. Confronted by them, a man loses his grasp of ordinary things, perceiving himself as immortal, an entity capable of outdistancing all changes, all decay, all life, all death.”
Small, that’s how I felt.
In front of this wonderful display of nature, I felt so tiny & unimportant, and yet so wonderfully free!
I truly wished that the journey lasted for a little longer, but as they say, all good things come to an end. As we returned back to the chaos of Kathmandu, the views of the snow-capped mountains and the clouds kissing them kept lingering on my mind, with a feeling of calmness and tranquility, which lasted for some time.
To appreciate & commemorate our ‘Once In A Lifetime Experience’, Buddha Air gifted a personalized Everest Experience Certificate to each passenger after the completion of the flight 🙂
Riyankaaa…. Excellent…
Thanks a lot 🙂
Wow..this must be an amazing experience! I could feel every word written here. Keep inspiring the world to travel 🙂
Thanks, Pramit 🙂 Glad to know you liked it.