The morning began in darkness as we boarded a bus bound for Kathmandu airport. The atmosphere buzzed with quiet anticipation—our group, along with many others, was eager for a rare opportunity to witness the majesty of the Himalayas from above, including the iconic Mt. Everest. Buddha Air, along with a few other local airlines, offers sunrise sightseeing flights, and we were ready to experience one for ourselves.
Our group of 23 was fortunate to have a Buddha Air plane all to ourselves. The crew assured us there was plenty of room to move about and find the best vantage point. What they didn’t mention, however, were the challenges of viewing through the overhanging propeller engines and scratched, smudged windows.
I quickly discovered that a clear view required creativity. I scrunched down to peer under the engines, or tilted my head to look through the spinning propellers. It’s fascinating how the brain can filter out the motion of the blades, while a camera captures them in stark detail, rendering every photo a reminder of their persistent presence. Still, I found myself shifting seats, moving up and down the aisle, and even peeking over shoulders in search of an unobstructed glimpse of the peaks.
The flight took us along the length of the mountain range before turning back, ensuring that passengers on both sides of the plane could enjoy the view. A flight attendant moved gracefully through the narrow aisle, pointing out notable peaks and naming them as we passed. Despite the imperfections of the viewing conditions, there was a sense of awe that couldn’t be diminished.
From the air, the Himalayas seemed endless, their jagged, snow-capped peaks reaching high above the clouds. It was a stark contrast to the haze of air pollution that often blankets Nepal’s lowlands. Up here, the mountains were pristine and otherworldly, their grandeur fully visible against the soft hues of the early morning sky.
As the plane turned back toward Kathmandu, I felt grateful for the experience. It wasn’t perfect, but it was memorable. Seeing the Himalayas from above, even through scratched glass and over spinning propellers, is a reminder of the earth’s beauty and scale—a fleeting moment to savor, etched in my mind far more vividly than any photo could capture.
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