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Over this past week I have become increasingly interested in planning a trip where I can see Mt Everest from a plane. Seems the best route is KTM – BDP unless anyone knows otherwise? Has anyone done this? I appreciate it’s a bit niche but I love both planes and mountains and would I absolutely love this. Bit of a schlep for what would be a short experience so if anyone can advise what else there might be to do in that region I’d be interested. Or maybe I shouldn’t bother at all if it’s often shrouded in cloud. However, from the brief amount of research I have so far done it does seem there is an 80% chance of catching it in all it’s glory, albeit from 40 miles away.
I landed at Kathmandu many years ago, the view on the way in was spectacular even from 100 miles away! It does help having a seat in row 0.
My first thought was what if it’s cloudy?! It would be an awesome experience though, but maybe easier to see Mt Teide arriving or departing TFS!
My first thought was what if it’s cloudy?! It would be an awesome experience though, but maybe easier to see Mt Teide arriving or departing TFS!
Yes but I have been there and done that 😉
I’ve just read you can actually go on small planes once there specifically to view the area so that’s good. I can get to KTM on QR too but just need to justify the journey with other wonderful things really.
Flew in and out of KTM on TG from BKK six times. Wonderful panoramic views every time, pilot advising on which mountains came in view at which time on some flights too. Sit on right heading into KTM, on the left heading out. For tour flights check out Yeti and Buddha Ai. They use ATR aircraft but sell only the window rows. Years ago we got a Yeti Jetstream which I liked much better but I don’t think they have those anymore. Tip, take the second flight of the day, the first flight of the day can be hit and miss but feedback on weather from that inforns a better flight up next. Highly recommend Nepal, greatest travel experience of my life.
@AmyC it sounds a wonderful plan; wish I could help but it’s forty years since I was there so while I think they are still there, Yak & Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu and Tiger Tops at Chitwan have probably changed since then. We also did a nine day trek ending in Pokhara which was magical; much better than the more popular treks. As @BJ says, the country is a truly great travel experience.
Re weather, I can remember being at KTM airport waiting for our (on time) flight while lots of Americans were complaining to staff about various delayed flights to the Everest base camp saying that it was incompetence, US airlines would fly with those clouds etc. The guy told them that maybe that was the case but in his country clouds have mountains in them which did shut them up.
As @BJ says, they told us earlier flights are often more weather/cloud affected.
I flew Druk Air from Delhi which touched down in Kathmandu before going on to Bhutan. Bhutan is an interesting destination as well so it could be a good thing to add into your trip.
In both directions between Kathmandu and Bhutan we got clear views of Everest. Definitely a good travel memory for us.
I’ve seen Everest flying from India to KTM, but didn’t have the courage to fly one of those “Everest flights” from KTM of Yeti and Buddha that provide a better and closer view. None of these airlines are allowed to fly to Europe, which, I think, says something.
Whilst I can’t help with the main query on flights, as I lived in Nepal for 8 months I can suggest some other things to do to turn it into a bigger itinerary (although given that it was 30 years ago, I can’t give specific recommendations…!)
Trekking is something that I would highly recommend, and as JDB has already suggested there are some wonderful routes from Pokhara, which is also close to where I spent a lot of my time. Depending on the time you have available, you might consider doing an out-and-back to Annapurna base camp (the most incredible views of mountains surrounding you) in less than a week, or do the Annapurna circuit (closer to 3 weeks). You could also consider going on a white water rafting trip for a few days on a river like the Khali Gandaki.
Slightly more relaxing would be head to the plains in the south of country and visit Chitwan National Park where (at least when I was there) you are all but guaranteed to see lots of rhinos.
Further afield, after I visited Chitwan I then headed to India where I visited 2 completely contrasting areas: Darleeling (a beautiful, cool hill station) and then Varanasi (or Benares as I think it’s now known). The later definitely requires a much greater sense of travel adventure. The Indian locations may be something to think about for a separate trip, but as they’re close to Nepal they might still be worth considering depending on your other plans, and time available.
Whatever you do I’m sure you’ll have a remarkable trip. Nepal remains one of my favourite countries, not only because of the beautiful landscape, but because the people are so wonderfully friendly.
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