Flight to the Top of Everest: What Can I Expect?
When I updated my arrival in Kathmandu, I already mentioned how taken I was by the beautiful chaos of the streets, the bright, colorful (and prayer flags), the temples, and yet one thing was still forgotten on my mind, and that was that I needed to get to Mt. Everest. Like many explorers and adventurers who have come before, I had a long-distance trek that included trekking to Everest Base Camp, but I ran out of time. That was when Everest Mountain Flight caught my eye. An opportunity to fly over the highest mountain range in under 60 minutes. With only my own thoughts to interrupt me, I booked the trip. This is my diary entry back that morning, what I experienced, what I saw, and why I think it was worth every single second.
Waking up to a dream
It began when my alarm clock went off at 5:00 AM in Kathmandu. Once I was out of bed, I still had a mix of excitement and sleepiness. The taxi ride to Tribhuvan International Airport created quasi-quiet before the chaos. The city was still waking up when I got there.
When I got in line for check-in, I was standing beside a small group of travelers and couples, who and I would assume, they just settled out of their own parties of friends. You could almost feel it. We were headed to Everest.
After a few minutes, we were led out onto a little airplane. One you would not normally see at home. A 16-seat airplane with a window for (almost) every seat. I remember telling myself it was an airplane, no, it’s a portal to a different world.
Departing the Valley
It didn’t take long for the city of Kathmandu to begin diminishing behind us after leaving the runway. The assortment of temples, rooftops, and dusty streets started to fade away into colorful designs and patterns underneath. And within a few minutes, we began to see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.
The stewardess(a woman who is employed to look after the passengers on a ship or aircraft) passed around a laminated map of the mountains around us. The peaks Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu jumped off the map. They seemed surreal to me now, mountains I had only laid eyes on previously in a book or documentary. Now I was in an airplane, flying to my upcoming adventure. The sun gradually rose, lighting up the mountains. Clouds tumbled behind us, and for that moment, I truly felt as though I’d left the Earth.
Looking into the face of Everest,
We were on the flight, and the pilot came on the speaker, if you look out of the left side of the plane, you can see Everest.” I put my forehead on the cold glass, and there it was, Mt. Everest.
At first, even at that distance, it didn’t appear to be any larger than any of the other peaks – but after looking at it long enough, it became apparent to me that it was traditionally higher than the other peaks and held itself quietly dominant over everything else around it. Everest was capped with the recognizable pyramid peak, sparkling in the morning light. My chest tightened – I felt unexpected awe. I felt disbelief. I felt grateful.
The flight attendant gently touched me on the shoulder and invited me to enter the cockpit. I carefully climbed up and stood behind the pilots as they effortlessly glided through the clouds. It was a very intense experience from this view with a full 360-degree aspect of the tallest mountains in the world. Everest was center stage on the horizon, with Lhotse and Nuptse at its sides, and off to the side, a charming Makalu looking elegant as well.
I attempted to snap pictures of the site; however, the view was not the same as the experience in my eyes. After a minute or two, I finally decided to put my camera down and just enjoy it.
More Than Everest
The neat part about the flight to Everest is that the flight is more than just Everest. I saw Cho Oyu, the Turquoise Goddess, shining brightly in blues. Makalu stood sharp like a pyramid of ice. Gosaithan (Shishapangma) lay long, wide, and viewable beneath a mass of snow. The glaciers below us resembled silver-colored rivers wading through valleys.
Each peak seemed to have a singular story to tell, and I felt like I should whisper their names to myself like a little prayer.
Back to Kathmandu
Almost an hour afterwards, we began to circle. I took one last long pause over the mountains. Everest was behind me, formally, but I still had that first glimpse in my chest.
Then, as we dipped down into Kathmandu Valley, the city slowly emerged. The contrast was almost unbelievable from the pristine, sacred Himalayas, back to the chaos of city streets. All in barely an hour.
As soon as we touched down, the airline gave me a certificate of flight. Just a slip of paper, but somehow felt more like a badge of memory.
Was It Worth the Cost?
The ticket cost around $200 USD – quite a bit for one hour of flying. However, to tell you the truth, it was worth every single penny. I experienced a view of the highest mountain in the world and did not have to hike for weeks to see it. I experienced something few people ever will. I came home with not just photographs, but the memory of an experience I will tell stories of forever. Some may say that it is simply a tourist destination, but for me, I had a spiritual moment with one of nature’s great landmarks.
What I Learned (and Recommendations For You)
Based on my experience, some things I would recommend to anyone who is considering this flight are:
Go in the fall or spring – the clear blue skies make all the difference.
Book as far in advance as possible – the flights fill quickly, especially during peak seasons.
Sit on the left side of the plane first – better views of mountains on the way there and back.
Don’t hurry to take too many pictures – get a few and then just appreciate being there.
Be prepared for delays – the weather rules everything in the Himalayas.
Beyond the Flight
The day didn’t finish at the airport. Still high from the flight, I spent the rest of my afternoon starting to explore Kathmandu. The Boudhanath Stupa was a good place, where I lit a butter lamp and silently thanked the universe for allowing me to see Everest. I then had an amazing hot cup of masala tea in Thamel, mentally watching the mountain views in my mind like a private movie only I could play.
Final Thoughts
A flight to the top of Everest is not an adventure – it is a humbling reminder of how we are all comparatively small in the failing of nature yet so lucky to see it. If you ever end up in Nepal and don’t have time to do a longer trek, do it! Have the flight. Let Everest greet you from the mountain view.
As I finish my journal entry from that morning, one sentence keeps replaying in my head:
I did not ascend Everest; rather, Everest ascended in me.