A Journey to the Top of the Earth by Mountain Flight

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For every visitor of Nepal, the Himalayan range awes and fascinates. Each and every one visiting Nepal expects not only to see Himalayas but also to reach as near as possible. One of the biggest attractions for the visitors to Nepal is the Mountain Flight. For those who are restricted by time or other constraints mountain flights offer the alternate to climbing and ensure a lasting memory of the highest peak on earth. The flight takes off from Kathmandu airport to Everest range. The mountain flights are operated by the domestic airlines. It is a guaranteed flight, which means operated only when the weather is good and view is satisfactory.  


I have always dreamt to see the Himalayas, as close as possible. It has been a desire since a long time. My father had climbed some peaks of the Kanchenjunga range, and those photographs were a great inspiration for me, and that inclined me towards the mighty Himalayas. I had been to Kedarnath and Badrinath in 2005, but I had a film camera that time. Hence my photographs of Himalayas were not up to my expectations.


This time I had a Nikon D90 camera with a telephoto and wide angle lenses which helped my dream come true ,  and everyone in my family could see the mighty peaks at a very close distance by mountain flight.


Seeing the great peaks at such a close distance is worth every rupee. When we arrive at the peaks , we literally forget to shoot pictures. The eternal beauty of these mountains are mind blowing.
Every passenger gets a chance to see the peaks from the Pilot's cabin who will helps in identifying the peaks.



As the aircraft lifts up and heads towards the east, passengers don't have to wait too long to find out what is in store for them. Where they are ? the mountains appear in the sky as they always have been. To imagine their height is unbelievable. 


As per the suggestions from many people , who had visited earlier , we booked for the Buddha Airlines.



Buddha Air
Regular flights are conducted daily from Kathmandu towards the Himalayan Range in the North and East of Kathmandu. The flight generally takes off in the morning and lasts for 50 mins - 1 hour. This is the quickest way to get a close look at Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world . Buddha Air operates SAAB-340 and Dornier-228 aircraft for Mountain Flights. Both aircraft have large and clear windows and provide superlative sights of the Great Himalayan Range. Buddha Air's SAAB-340 flies at an optimum altitude of between 20,000 to 25,000 ft. and shows you the Himalayan Range. 
Sharper and clearer vision of the Himalayan Range is where your money is best spent. 

Edited Image. This was not edited by me. It was captured from a tourist agency in Nepal

The Important Peaks Covered are : 

1. Langtang Lirung - 7234m / 23734ft

2. Shisha Pangma ( GoSainthan) - 8013m / 26290ft

3. Dorje Lakpa - 6966m / 22854ft

4. Purbi Ghyachu - 6637m / 21775ft

5. Choba - Bamre - 5970m / 19581ft

6. Gowri Shankar - 7134m / 23405ft

7. Melungtse - 7181m / 23560ft

8. Chugimago - 6297m / 20660ft

9. Pigferago - 6620m / 21720ft

10. Numbur - 6457m / 20660ft

11. Karyolung - 6511m / 21362ft

12. Cho Oyu - 8201m / 26906ft

13. Gyachung Kang - 7652m / 26089ft

14. Pumori - 7161m / 26089ft

15. Nuptse - 7855m / 25771ft

16. Sagarmatha (Everest) (Chomolungma) - 8848m / 29028ft

17. Lhotse - 8516m / 27940ft

18. Ama Dablam - 6812m / 22349ft

19. Chamlang - 7319m / 24012ft

20. Makalu - 8463m / 27766ft


And many other named and unnamed peaks.


First to their far left visitors see Ganesh Himal , Langtang ,  Gosaithan, also called Shisha Pangma, Standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. Immediately to the right of Gosaithan, there appears Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), a mountain that looks like the number 8 lying down and covered with snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa is Phurbi-Ghyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.

The above map shows the approximate placement of the major peaks in Nepal. I have added these peaks using Adobe Photoshop.

Ganesh Himal : 

Ganesh Himāl (Nepali: गणेश हिमाल) is a sub-range of the Himalaya located mostly in north-central Nepal, but some peaks lie on the border with Tibet. The Trisuli Gandaki valley on the east separates it from the Langtang Himal; the Budhi (Buri) Gandaki valley and the Shyar Khola valley on the west separate it from the Sringi Himal and the Mansiri Himal (home of Manaslu, the nearest 8000m peak). The range lies about 70km north-northwest of Kathmandu.

The highest peak in the range is Yangra (Ganesh I), 7,422 m (24,350 ft). There are three other peaks over 7000 meters plus some fourteen others over 6000 meters. Ganesh Himal enjoys great vertical relief over nearby valleys, particularly Ganesh NW , being closest to the Shyar Khola.

The name for the range comes from the Hindu deity Ganesha, usually depicted in the form of an elephant. In fact, the south face of Pabil (Ganesh IV) slightly resembles an elephant, with a ridge that is reminiscent of an elephant's trunk.

Langtang Lirung :

Langtang Lirung is the highest peak of the Langtang Himal, which is a subrange of the Nepalese Himalayas, southwest of the Eight-thousander Shisha Pangma.  

The Langtang Himal forms the western portion of a complex of mountains which also includes the Jugal Himal, home of Shisha Pangma. This complex lies between the Sun Kosi valley on the east and the Trisuli Gandaki valley on the west. Langtang Lirung lies near the Trisuli Gandaki, and north of the Langtang Khola.

 Shisha Pangma:Shisha Pangma, also called Gosainthān, is the fourteenth-highest mountain in the world and, at 8,013 m (26,289 ft), the lowest of the eight-thousanders. It was the last 8,000 metre peak to be climbed, due to its location entirely within Tibet and the restrictions on visits by foreigners to the region imposed by Tibetan and Chinese ties. Dorje Lakpa :Dorje Lakpa is a mountain in the Langtang Himal area in Nepal.Visible also from Kathmandu valley it has an elegant shaped figure and is an ideal target for photographers and mountaineers. Considered by many of intermediate difficulty with easiest route from the west ridge. Its climb is offered by many trek&mountain agencies in Nepal.Phola Gangchen:Phola Gangchen is an eastern outlier of Shishapangma, the 14th highest peak in the world. Both are in the Jugal Himal, a subrange of the Himalaya in Tibet. (This range is contiguous with, and often considered as part of, the Langtang Himal.) Its elevation is also given as 7,661 m (25,134 ft); the elevation given here is from a Chinese survey. (Neate 1989:52) Molamenqing is little-known, partly since it does not have much independent stature. Its topographic prominence, i.e. its rise above the saddle connecting it with Shishapangma, is only 430 metres, which is relatively small for a Himalayan peak, although large enough for it to qualify in some reckonings as an independent peak.

As the plane moves along, the mountains appear closer and closer. Next on the vision is Choba-Bhamare, the smallest one of the lot at 5,933 m but singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Then appears the mountain that is not only prominent in sight but also in spiritually ? Gauri-Shankar. Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri are believe to reside in this mountain, at the proud height of 7,134 m and the summit had a history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979. Gauri-Shankar is sharp and very conspicuous during the mountain flight.Gowrishankar : Gauri Sankar (also Gowri Shankar or Gaurishankar; Devanagari गौरी शंकर; Tibetan: Jomo Tseringma;) is a mountain in the Himalayas, the second highest peak of the Rolwaling Himal, behind Melungtse (7,134m). The name comes from Sanskrit for the Goddess (Gauri) and her Consort (Shankar), who are inseperable denoting the sacred regard to which it is afforded  by the people of Tibet and Nepal.

Melungtse: Melungtse (Tibetan: Jobo Garu) is the highest mountain of the Rolwaling Himal in the Himalayas. The peak has a long summit ridge capped by the east (main) summit and the west summit, also known as Melungtse II, 7,023m. The mountain's steep faces make it more difficult than its elevation would suggest.

Chugimago :The summit of Chugimago stuck its head above the intervening ridge on the trail from Kabug to the Trakarding Glacier. Chugimago (Chukyima Go, 6297m) was climbed for the first time in October 1952 by Tom MacKinnon, George Roger, Douglas Scott, Tom Weir, Ang Dawa Sherpa, Dawa Tenzing Sherpa, and Mingma SherpaNumbur :Numbur Peak, 6457m, the home of spirits of protection, looms over the head of the valley. 
Karyolung :Karyolung is a rarely visited but relatively accesible mountain. It is situated just south of Sagarmatha NP and is the southern most peak of the Rolwaling Himal. To the NW two of the highest Rolwaling summits rise: Numbur and Khatang. the mountain was first climbed in the fall of 1982 by a Japanese-Nepalese team via the moderately angled but highly contoured NE Face, rising straight out of the uninhabited Lumding valley. A month or two later a second Japanese-Nepalese expedition climbed the same face and made the first winter ascent of the mountain on 24 December. Since then there have been only 1 or two ascents, and no success
Cho Oyu :Cho Oyu  is the sixth highest mountain peak in the world at 8,201 metres (26,906 ft) above sea level. Cho Oyu lies in the Himalayas and is 20 km west of Mount Everest, at the border between China and Nepal. Cho Oyu means "Turquoise Goddess" in Tibetan.Cho Oyu was first attempted in 1952 by an expedition organised and financed by the Joint Himalayan Committee of Great Britain as preparation for an attempt on Mount Everest the following year. The expedition was led by Eric Shipton and included Edmund Hillary & Tom Bourdillon.
Gyachung Kang:Gyachung Kang is a mountain in the Mahalangur Himal section of the Himalaya, and is the highest peak between Cho Oyu (8,201 m) and Mount Everest (8,848 m). It lies on the border between Nepal and China. As the fifteenth highest peak in the world, it is also the highest peak that is not an eight-thousander; hence it is far less well-known than the lowest of the eight-thousanders, which are only about 100 m (328 ft) higher. The peak's lack of significant prominence (700 m) also contributes to its relative obscurity.

To the right of Gyanchungkang is Pumori (7,161m). As passengers get closer to Everest. there's Nuptse (7,855 m), which means West Peak, signifying its direction from Everest. Finally, there's Everest (8,848m) itself, known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. Much has already been written about Everest, but to actually witness it face to face during a mountain flight is something else. Even while it looms there in front of the eyes, it remains an enigma, this highest spot on earth. 

Changtse (Tibetan: "north peak") is a mountain situated between the Main Rongbuk and East Rongbuk Glaciers in Tibet immediately north of Mount Everest. It is connected to Mount Everest via the North Col.The given elevation of 7,543 metres is from modern Chinese mapping. Some authorities give 7,583 metres.The Changtse Glacier flows north into the East Rongbuk Glacier forming a lake. It is possible that this could be the third highest lake in the world at 6,216 metres (20,394 ft)
Mount Everest
Mount Everest (Tibetan: Chomolungma or Qomolangma  "Holy Mother"; Nepali: सगरमाथा, Sagarmāthā) is the earth's highest mountain peak, with a height of 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs across the precise summit point. Its massif includes neighboring peaks Lhotse, 8,516 m (27,940 ft); Nuptse, 7,855 m (25,771 ft); and Changtse, 7,550 m (24,870 ft) Lhotse :Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain on Earth (after Mount Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga) and is connected to Everest via the South Col. In addition to the main summit at 8,516 metres (27,940 ft) above sea level, Lhotse Middle (East) is 8,414 metres (27,605 ft) and Lhotse Shar is 8,383 metres (27,503 ft). It is located at the border between Tibet (China) and the Khumbu region of Nepal.Ama Dablam:Ama Dablam is a mountain in the Himalaya range of eastern Nepal. The main peak is 6,812 metres (22,349 ft), the lower western peak is 5,563 metres (18,251 ft). Ama Dablam means "Mother's necklace"; the long ridges on each side like the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child, and the hanging glacier thought of as the dablam, the traditional double-pendant containing pictures of the gods, worn by Sherpa women. For several days, Ama Dablam dominates the eastern sky for anyone trekking to Mount Everest basecamp.There are some peaks which are repeated and some which are unnamed. I don't remember the names of some peaks.Some are from the Langtang Himal, Shisha Pangma and Everest ranges. If any of you are able to identify any of the peaks, kindly let me know so that I can improve my knowledge. No words or photographs can bring the real glory of the mountains. The beauty has to be witnessed personally. Then only the grandeur can be admired.One cannot shoot great pictures from the plane, as it is in constant movement, the  windows are slightly tinted , covered with dust . This may lead to softness in the picture. All these are record shots. It is only when we trek to these heavens, we can try for better photographs. Never miss this flight when you are in Nepal. Its Amazing !!Equipments:Nikon D90 , Nikon 18-105mm VR , Nikon 70-300mm VR , Marumi 67mm Polarizing filter.And also you get a certificate from Buddha air, when you complete the journey.Tips for Tourists :1.  See the weather and then determine, the airlines will cancel the flight if the climate is not good.2.  Its better not to take risk when the weather is too bad,  The visibility becomes zero, and also a waste of money.3. The cost is INR 5500/- (per person which includes Flight charge, pickup and drop to the hotel and Airport tax).4. Best period to visit is from Feb-May and Oct-Dec.

 Thanks for viewing               

Kumara Parvatha - Trekkers Paradise

Feb 3rd (Friday):
SriVatsa :" Arjun , I have weekly off on 6th and 7th , so shall we plan for some trekking ? ". 
Me: " OK , lets execute the plan."
Vatsa : " How about going to KP ( Kumaraparvatha ) ?
Me : " Cool, lets go !!! "
Vatsa : " Fine, who all are coming ? "
Me : " We both , and I'll ask some of my friends(who are interested in trekking). "


Also I called up some friends, some refused saying they had different plans and some agreed to join. At Last 4 of us decided to trek. 
We were about to leave Bangalore on Sunday(5th Feb) night as there was a pooja at my cousins place on 4th and 5th. Accordingly Vatsa booked the KSRTC tickets to Kukke, but at the last moment 2 of my friends dropped from the plan by giving their own stories. 
So finally Me and Vatsa had to go. The bus was at 9.15PM. But unfortunately, there was a terrible traffic jam in all the roads leading to Majestic. At 9Pm, we were still near Town Hall due to the heavy road block. At last our prayers were answered and we could catch the bus in time. 
Me and Vatsa were school friends and studied together for 10 years. We entered the bus, settled the baggages and chatted for a long time about our schooling days. There were many topics to discuss :) , this was just to kill time. Somehow after the never ending roads of Bangalore, the bus finally crossed Nelamangala and reached Kunigal. The bus stopped at a roadside Dhaba. We had some hot " Thatte Idli's and Parota's " . It was 1 AM, but the dishes were hot and delicious.


Once the bus crossed Sakleshpur, we could see mist covering the ghats. What a sight it was !!!
At 4.30 AM, we reached Kukke. Roamed the town for a while, waited for the sun to rise and for initial trekking practise, we trekked till Kumaradhara river which was around 2kms from the temple. Freshened up, came back near the temple and ate breakfast at " Neo Mysore cafe". Dawn was amazing as the weather was cool. Could see the first rays of the sun, and began trekking by chanting
 " Sri Kukke Subrahmanya Swami ki JAI ".

Kumara Parvatha is a mountain located in Subramanya (village) of Sullia taluka, Karnataka. The village is known for the Hindu Kukke Subramanya Temple. In spite of being a small village, it is a well-known shrine, and  draws large number of devotees throughout the year. The peak is at a height of about 1712m, and is about 13 kms from the temple. This mountain is on the border between Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, so the lights of Somwarpet town in Kodagu can be seen from the peak.  

Kukke Subramanya is a Hindu temple located in the village of Subramanya in the Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada District near Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The temple is one of the pristine pilgrimage locations in India. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Lord Subrahmanya when threatened by Garuda.

Ashlesha Bali Pooja & Sarpa Samskara are two important Sarpa Dosha Poojas that are done at Kukke Subramanya Temple.

KP is arguably the most strenuous trek in Karnataka making it one of the most beautiful mountains in the western ghats. This always excited me and made my desire high to trek at KP.

This peak is one of the most beautiful peaks in the whole of Western Ghats. The trek is of two days. You can either start from "Bidalli" from "Somawar pet" (Coorg) side or from "Subramanya" (South Kanara) side.

 Route 1. From Subramanya you get a place called Girigadde on the way to the peak on the first day of the trek, then you get a old structure well known as Mantapa and from there the top is 3hours trek(time depends based on your capacity). 

Route 2.From Somwar pet, reach Bidalli which is enroute to the peak. From Bidalli you get buses to go to Somwar Pet in Coorg.

Transportation :

Kukke Subrahmanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and from Bangalore. KSRTC operates buses on a daily basis from these two places. The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport (Bajpe Airport), at a distance of 115 kms. The nearest railway station is Subrahmanya Road (SBHR) Railway Station on Mangalore-Bangalore railway route, which is 7 kms from Kukke Subrahmanya.

Wild Flower

Vatsa and Me at the entrance

First 6 kms is through dense forests, till Bhattara Mane. 

Vatsa trekking

Littering is strictly prohibited. Trekkers usually put all their trash in a carry bag and drop them off in the garbage cans available in the path to and fro Kumara Parvatha.

Some unknown insect

Damselfly

Orange Headed Ground Thrush

Kukke town from the top. This place is around 3kms uphill from Kukke. 

From here , Bhattara Mane is around 2kms. After 500mts from this spot, grasslands start. By the time , we reach Bhattara mane, we would have been stressed out. Its an ideal place to stay and refresh up at his house. 

First view of Kumara Parvatha

The photograph was converted to a painting.

Bhattara mane

After a tiring trek till Bhattara mane, we stopped for a while to eat food.The food was great, we get Rice, Sambar , Butter milk, Pickle. The pickles were awesome.The cool water at his house was a much needed drink to refresh us. Later, we started to trek further. 

The place is beautiful during monsoons, it is lush green and enchanting. During summer, it'll be barren as you can see in the picture. Though there was slight greenery during this time, it decreases later.

There are 4 peaks in the range.

1. Bhattada Rashi

2. Shesha Parvatha

3. Kumara Parvatha

4. Siddha Parvatha 

Some people say that Siddha Parvatha is inaccessible and some say that it is accessible. 

Kumara Parvatha is also called Pushpagiri in Kodagu.

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of 21 Wildlife Sanctuaries of India's Karnataka state.

This sanctuary is located in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district and has some attractive scenery. It is home to rare and endangered birdlife and is designated as one of the important bird areas of the world.The rich Kadamakkal reserve forest is a part of the sanctuary. Pushpagiri is the highest peak in it. The sanctuary adjoins Bisle reserve forest to north and Kukke Subramanya forest range to the west.

On the way we saw 2 Rat Snakes.

Kallu Mantapa

We were accompanied by Harish(forest guard) of PWS from Bhattara Mane(forest checkpost). The time we reached  mantapa , it was almost 4pm. We could not climb the peak of Kumara Parvatha the same day, as we could not return to Bhattara Mane for night. Moreover we did not even have tents or sleeping bags. Also, Vatsa had to go to the office on 7th night. So we decided to return to Bhattara Mane after resting for a while at Mantapa.

The evening was about to start, as we could feel the cool breeze. The different layers of the mountains, from the top were mesmerising. Also the cool Sholas were incredible.

 It was time for Sun to go home. The golden lighting during sunset was something which gives a great feeling. It fills the whole valley with Gold.

Hot Jamoon

Trying a different theme in photography.

After the sun set, we were able to witness the vibrant sky with some classic shades of beautiful colors. As the darkness and chillness arrived, we thought of putting a small camp fire. We asked the permission from Forest Department guard, near the view point. He gave us the permission to do so. So, we put the camp fire which lasted for 15mins ( as we didn't have dry grass and sticks) to burn. Vatsa collected some grass and made the camp fire, and I was busy in photographing the sunset. But that 15mins was the most memorable time in my life .

We poured water to the fire to make sure that it does not spread. As it is summer, there is a great chance of forest fire to occur.

Moonrise

That day, we had done a lot of trekking and were tired to the core. Came to Bhattara Mane, after energising ourselves at the camp fire. Had a great dinner. Believe me, Bhattara Mane is seriously a divine place amidst such beautiful scenery. They  treat you like their relatives. Talked for a while with Bhattru, and slept. I got a great sleep that day. 

The next morning , we had to come down to Kukke. So got up and 6.00 AM, freshened up and left the place by 6.30AM. 

The sunrise was beautiful.

When the first rays of the sun touched the peak, everything was mystical and magical. The whole valley was brought to life.

The rays of the sun kissing Kumara Parvatha.

It took almost 2.5 hours to reach down. 

After coming down to Kukke, we booked a lodge. Took a refreshing bath, and went to the temple to have Darshan of Sri Subrahmanya swami. Though it was crowded, we could get a good Darshan. From there we went to "Adi Subrahmanya", which is also a famous shrine in the premises. 

Finally after a great trek and a Beautiful Darshan, we left back to Bangalore.

I would like to thank Mr.Bhattru, and Mr. Harish(forest guard) for helping us to make this trip a very memorable one.

Mr. Harish ( forest guard)

with Mr. Bhatt

Guidelines for Trekkers :

1.   Do not carry unwanted luggages, make your backpack as light as possible

2.   Carry lots of water, as there is no water source till Bhattara mane.

3.   There is water source after the forest guest house and near the Mantapa, But do not drink there as It is not good .

4.   As far as possible, do not trek in summer.

5.   Please do not throw garbage and plastics enroute, let us save nature.

6.   There are lot of Dust bins enroute, you can dump the waste there.

7.   Please make it a Plastic Free zone.

8.   It is difficult to trek from Kukke side ( I have not tried from Somvarpet side).

9.   September - November is ideal just after the monsoon ends.

10.  Things to be aware of : Snakes, Leeches , Unpredictable weather(during monsoons with strong winds)

11.  Have to get permission from Forest department by paying 200Rs (INR) per head.

12.  Get good tents / sleeping bags if you are planning to stay at KP.

13.  Do not take any risks, Life is precious. 

14.  Do not harm Flora/Fauna.

15.  Leave Nature as it is. 

16.  If you put up a camp fire, make sure you pour water to it when you are about to leave.

Shoot nothing but pictures, take nothing but Memories and leave nothing but Footprints

THANK YOU