Mountain Flight in Nepal

In Nepal, seeing the remote corners of the Himalayas need not be a problem. Mountain flights provide the answer. In just a short time, you will be experiencing the Himalayas at such close range it will seem as though you could reach out and touch them.

The mountain flight gives the best opportunity to get the closest and the best view of Mount Everest (8,850mts) & other mountains such as; Shisa Pangma (8,013m), Gauri Shanker (7,134m), Melungtse (7,023m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Pumori (8,171m), Nuptse (7,855m), Lhotse (8,516m) & Amadablam (6,856m). The flights are operated every morning from Kathmandu airport which fly at an average altitude of 6,500 - 7,000 meters. Circling Mount Amadabalm to enter the Khumbu valley, we take the passengers almost five nautical miles from the highest peak in the world - Mt. Everest (weather permitting). This flight usually lasts for about an hour. People can enjoy window seats during the entire flight. They can enter inside cockpit from where they can take some spectacular pictures of the world’s tallest mountains

Description of few Mountains that can be seen from the Mt. Flight : -

1. Langtang (7234m):

The first mountain, which can be seen, is Langtang. The valley of Langtang, which is not visible from the mountain flight, is considered to be the most beautiful in the whole Himalayan region.

2. Gosainthan (8013m):

The mountain lies on the Nepal – Tibetan border. Tibetan name for this mountain is Shisapangma. She is related with many Hindu Mythologies especially of Shiva.

3. DorjeLakpa (6975m):

This mountain has a Tibetan name, which means “the mountains of many sacred Thunderbolts”. This mountain is considered to be holy mountain for Buddhists and climbing permission was given only in 1964, and it was not climbed until 1981.

4. Gauri–Sanker (7134m):

This single mountain has two peaks and also has two names together because the Hindus believe that the mountain looks like the pair of Gods Shiva and Gouri. This holy mountain was restricted till 1977 for the climbers. It was only in 1979 that an American – Nepal group reached the summit.

5. Lhotse (8516m):

As this mountain lies to the south of Everest, name given by the Sherpas is Lhotse, which means” South Peak”. The first ascent of this mountain took place in 1956 by the Swiss.

6. Mount Everest (8848m):

This Mountain was discovered in 1852 and is the highest mountain of the world, is named after Sir George Everest, and English surveyor. Sagarmatha, top of the universe, is the name giver by Nepal which means, “mother of the world” and Qomolongma in Tibetan. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgey Sherpa were first to climb Everest on May 25, 1953. As a coronation gift to Queen Elizabeth.

Best Seasons for Mountain Flight in Nepal

Sightseeing of mountains are best on clear sky day with maximum Sun. While following months are regarded as the best months, you should always check local weather before your journey. A bad weather is always possible even in the best month. Best Months Are:

• February
  
• March
  
• April
  
• October
  
• November
  

How Much Will It Cost?

Cost depends on the choice. Tours by Helicopter are expensive than by Airlines also Airlines have different prices as well.

• From Kathmandu to Mountain : Minimum Cost = $120, Maximum Cost = $150
  


• Use those as a guide. Please contact your travel agent to confirm the latest price
  


• Helicopter Charter can cost upto US$ 2,000 to US$ 4,000 from Kathmandu to Mountain or Kathmandu - Pokhara - Lumbini - Kathmandu
  

Flight Schedules and Hour

Over four Airlines have daily schedules from Kathmandu. Airlines Depart from Kathmandu; varied time from 6:45 AM to 8:00 AM, then return back after an hour of journey. Buddha Airlines offer "Everest Experience" which has more schedules than others, while other airlines offer "Experience of other mountains as well". Flights can be purchased right in Nepal once you get there, or book online from the website of airlines.

Quick Facts

• Most Flights Operate in the Morning
  
  
• Weather Conditions Must be favorable for good views
  


• Free Package comes when you fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, since the flight takes place parallel to the Himalaya. But you aren't guaranteed for the views here, but guaranteed to travel from one point to another. If you get a flight on a good weather condition, you got yourself a free ticket to mountain flight.
  
• Helicopter is also a great option. So check with Helicopter service providers located in the country.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Established in 1976, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is 175 square kilometers of wildlife refuge and wetlands habitat. It is located in Eastern Nepal and can be accessed from the Mehendra Highway. The reserve is also home to the water buffalo (called arna), deer, nilgai, mugger crocodile, Ganges River Dolphin (also called the Gangetic Dolphin), and over 280 species of birds.

In additional to wildlife, the Reserve also protects a substantial part of the Sapta Koshi, (a tributary of the Ganges River) flood plain. In 1987, it was declared a Ramsar site.

Features:

The reserve is a wetland of international significance. In 1987, it was declared a Ramsar site. It is home to more than 280 bird species including 20 duck species, 2 species of ibises, many storks, egrets and herons. The endangered swamp partridge and Bengal florican are found here. The Koshi Barge is an extremely important resting-place for migratory birds.

The last surviving population of wild buffalo or arna is found here. The reserve is also home to many types of mammals such as hog deer, spotted deer, wild boar and blue bull. The endangered Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been recorded in the Koshi River.
The vegetation mainly includes tall khar-pater grasslands with a few patches of khair-sissoo scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest.

During the monsoon, the reserve is flooded with depths ranging from 10 to 300 cm. From season to season the Sapta-Koshi River changes its course.

How to Get There :

Buses leave daily from Kathmandu for Kaakar-Bhitta and Biratnagar. Visitors need to get off just before Laukhi and walk 3 km to the Reserve Headquarters at Kusaha. The road to Kusaha is marked by a signboard on the main road.

Royal Nepal Airline Corporation also operates a daily air service between Kathmandu and Biratnagar. Visitors flying to Biratnagar will need to travel by bus to the reserve entrance shortly after Lauki.

Seasons :

The region of Nepal experiences three distinct seasons. Summer lasting from February through May is intensely hot with minimal precipitation. Shade temperatures can reach 40o c. The monsoon commences late May or early June with frequent and violent thunderstorms. Rainfall is greatest during July but high humidity and temperatures are experienced throughout the season. Winter lasts from October through January with unclouded skies and moderate temperatures.

More About the Reserve :

Koshi Tappu is a rectangular shaped reserve, approximately 10 km wide and 10km long, stretching northward form the Nepal/India border along the Sapta-Koshi River. The Sapta Koshi is one of the three main tributaries of the Ganges.

Because of its destructiveness during monsoon floods and attempt has been made to control the waters by constructing 7-10 m high embankments parallel to the river. These prevent lateral spread of the enormous monsoon flow. Control gates at the Koshi Barrage on the border with India act as a dam and also contain the river.

Rapid and complete inundation of the reserve to depths ranging from 10 to 300 cm. occurs during the monsoon. The river also changes its main course from one season to another.
The vegetation is mainly tall khar-pater grassland with a few pater grassland with a few patches of khair-sissoo (Acacia catechu-Dalbergia sissoo) scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest.

The reserve offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The last surviving population, (about 100 individuals) of wild buffalo or arna (Bubalus arnee arnee) are found here. They are distinguished from domestic animals by their much bigger horns. Other mammals occurring here are hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer, and blue bull.

The reserve also assists the local economy be providing fishing permits and allowing the collection of edible fruits and ferns in season.

A total of 280 different species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. These include twenty species of ducks, two species of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endangered swamp partridge and Bengal florican. The Koshi Barrage is extremely important as a resting place for migratory birds and many species recorded there are not seen elsewhere in Nepal.

The endangered Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been recorded in the Koshi river.
Local villagers are permitted to collect grasses from within the reserve in January each year. These are used for thatching roofs and building house walls. Because of intensive agriculture the grasses can no longer be found outside the reserve. An estimated us $ 250.00 worth thatch grass was removed during January 1987.

Places of Interest :

The best time to visit Koshi Tappu is between October and March when many migratory and resident birds can be seen at the barrage and on the main river channel. Several Himalayan peaks, including Makalu (8475 m) the worlds fifth highest mountain, can be seen during this period of cooler clear weather.

The trail along the eastern embankment of a the reserve provides places to observe birds, and at dusk and dawn some of the resident animals.

The government Hattisar (elephant stable) at Koshi Tappu has the distinction of biding one of the few facilities in Asia where elephants breed regularly. His Majesty's Government maintains eight female elephants. A semi-wild male, named Ganesh Maharaj by locals, frequently visit and mates with the females, producing a total of nine youngsters so far. Ganesh Maharaj, named after the Hindu God, is considered sacred by local people. Visitors can arrange elephant rides into the reserve from the Reserve Headquarters.

Baraha Chhetra, located 5 km north of Chatara, is the site of an annual religious festival and is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Facilities and Fees :

The Reserve Headquarters and entrance building are at Kusaha. All visitors must stop here to pay an entrance fee.

(PARK FEES ), ( FOREIGNER ), ( NEPALI )
( Park entrance), ( NRs..650.00 ), ( NRs..10.00 )
( Elephant ride per hour.), (NRs..650.00 ), (NRs..100.00 )
( Fishing permit ), ( NRs...300.00 ), ( NRs...20.00 )
( Camping per night per person) , (NRs...300.00 ), ( NRs...20.00 )
( Motor vehicle drive ), (NRs.100.00 ), (NRs. 100.00 )
( Children under 5 years )---.free

Entry permits should be kept in case they need to be checked by the Reserve Guards.
A small lodge at Kusaha is available for use by tourists and there is a small canteen where snacks and cold drinks can be purchased.