Kathmandu Day Tour with Scenic Everest Mountain Flight

Everest Mountain Flight

We will start early in the morning as our driver and tour guide will meet at your hotel at 5 am to take you to the domestic airport for the mountain flight. As the flight takes off the Himalayas will slowly start to appear on the horizon and the first ones to come in sight are the mountains visible from Kathmandu valley. The first eight thousand meter mountain is Shisha Pangma (8013 m), called Goshaisthan in Nepali, and located at the far left side as your plane gradually heads north and then fly eastward to the Everest Region. This mountain is actually in Tibet but can be seen from the Nepali side. Other smaller peaks like Dorje Lakpa (6966 m) and Phurbi Ghyachu (6637 m) will be visible as you head further east and next on your view will be Gauri Shankar (7134 m) and Milungtse (7023 m) which are tall but not as the ones you will be witnessing soon.
After a couple of more six thousanders and seven thousanders like Chugimago (6297 m), Numbur (6956 m), Karyolung (6511 m) Pumori (7161 m) and Nuptse (7861 m) you will see four mountains that are above eight thousand meters in close quarters like Cho Oyo (8201 m), Mount Everest (8848 m) Lotse (8516 m) and Makalu (8463 m) in that order. If weather permits one can also see the third highest mountain in the world Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m) at the far east of your horizon.

Swayambhunath

After the return flight you will be heading for the full day tour of some of the most iconic places in Kathmandu which also happen to be World Heritage Sites. First off will be Swayambunath, a Buddhist Stupa which is also known as a Monkey Temple that lies at the top of a small hillock at the western flank of the valley. This Buddhist Stupa is visible from almost all places in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

After the end of the tour of Swayambhunath we will go down to Kathmandu Durbar Square which is actually the heart of the old city and not farm from Swayambhu. This town square used to be the grand palace and center of administration of former kings who once ruled this valley. It still retains its old grandeur albeit a little crowded these days.

Patan Durbar Square
You will then be heading to another town square of another city which is in Patan which has the similar history. Patan Durbar Square as it is called has its own set of temples and old palaces and looks equally grand, if not more. You will have completed almost half the tour by this time and will be entering the final leg of the tour of Pashupatinath and Bauddha after this.

Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath is one of the most revered Hindu temple in the world. The reason why this place is important to all Hindus is because Lord Shiva who graces this temple is the Destroyer and one who ends all the creations on earth according to Hindu belief. Just like all living things are mortal we ultimately go to Lord Shiva’s domain when we all die. That is also one reason why we see many bodies being cremated at the banks of River Bagmati near Pashupati believing one will be with Lord Shiva when the body finally burns to ashes in this sacred place.

Bauddhanath

After a soul searching tour of Pashupatinath (many have this feeling after seeing bodies turned into ashes after cremation) you will be heading to Bauddhanath, another iconic place, this time for Buddhists. It looks similar to Swayambhunath in design and is the biggest Stupa in the world and here too many people pay a visit by going around this Stupa and turning prayer wheels.