The pristine snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas left an indelible impression on international mountaineers as they embarked on a breathtaking mountain flight over the Everest region, part of the “International Everest Summiteers Summit 2025” organized in Kathmandu.
Chinese climber Xio Zhu, visibly moved by the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Everest through the aircraft window, expressed her overwhelming emotions, saying, “Wow! It’s amazing, Everest, I’ll never forget this!” She further described the experience as feeling like being embraced by the mountains themselves. “Nepal is truly beautiful. Its natural beauty and the shining white Himalayas captivate everyone. It’s a source of pride for the entire world,” she added, calling the mountain flight an unforgettable moment of her life.
Another Chinese climber, Wangsu Cha, shared similar sentiments. He described the Himalayan flight experience as overwhelming and described the Everest view from Nepal as unique and magnificent. “It’s beyond words,” he said, adding that witnessing the Himalayas so closely had taken his Everest expedition memories to another level.
Everest’s Majestic Presence Through the Eyes of International Climbers
Likewise, Nilesh Bhatt from Gujarat, India, who was accompanying student climbers, also shared his joy, expressing how his long-cherished dream to see Everest up close had finally come true. “It was a wonderful experience; my years-old dream has been fulfilled today,” he said. He mentioned that he frequently visits Nepal to admire its unmatched natural charm and promised to continue doing so in the future.
As part of the summit, over 50 climbers from countries including India, China, the UK, and Mexico participated in the mountain flight organized by Nepal Big Mountain and operated by Buddha Air. According to Sujit Regmi, Vice President of Nepal Big Mountain, the aircraft took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at 6:40 AM and completed its scenic journey within an hour.
The Mountain Flight: A Scenic Journey Over the Himalayas
During the flight, climbers had panoramic views of several Himalayan peaks, including Langtang, Gaurishankar, Nuptse, Makalu, and the crown jewel, Mount Everest. From above the clouds, the silver-like shimmer of snow-covered mountains mesmerized the passengers, making them feel as though the mountains were within arm’s reach.
The unique light of the early morning sun, interspersed with the play of clouds and the silvery glow of Himalayan peaks, added an unmatched charm to the flight. As the aircraft glided past the expansive Himalayan range, the climbers were captivated by the enchanting landscape stretching from Langtang to Everest.
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s fourteen peaks that stand above 8,000 meters, with Everest being the highest at 8,848.86 meters. These peaks continue to attract thousands of climbers and trekkers from across the globe. The significance of such majestic natural wonders to global tourism cannot be overstated.
This year marks the first-ever hosting of the “International Everest Summiters Summit” in Kathmandu, a significant event organized by Everest Alliance Nepal. More than 300 experienced mountaineers from 25 countries, including India, China, the USA, Pakistan, the UK, Italy, Norway, Iran, Singapore, Australia, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UAE, participated in the summit.
Everest Alliance Nepal President Sudarshan Nepal stated that the mountain flight was conducted to allow foreign climbers to experience Nepal’s unmatched mountain beauty firsthand. He emphasized that such initiatives help promote adventure tourism in Nepal and offer global visitors a deeper emotional connection to the Himalayan landscape.
A Visual Feast of Nepal’s Himalayan Glory
The mountain flight was just one among several significant tourism-related events organized in Nepal recently. Earlier this month, on Jestha 4 (May 17), distinguished international guests attending the much-awaited “Sagarmatha Sambad” were also treated to a similar Himalayan flight experience.
In addition, the Buddhist International Travel Mart was successfully held from Jestha 9 to 11 (May 23 to 25), and the fifth edition of the Himalayan Travel Mart is scheduled to take place from Jestha 20 to 22 (June 3 to 5). These back-to-back international tourism events reflect Nepal’s strategic approach to promoting its tourism sector globally, particularly focusing on adventure and cultural tourism.
According to Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, such events are crucial for destination marketing in international source markets. “We are moving ahead with strategic programs aimed at promoting Nepal as a premier adventure tourism destination,” he said.
Private airlines like Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, and Guna Airlines regularly operate mountain flights from Kathmandu. These flights, typically departing around 7 AM and lasting about an hour, offer spectacular views of Nepal’s iconic mountain ranges. These include Everest, Makalu, Nuptse, Gaurishankar, and others, making the experience unforgettable for both domestic and international visitors.
Through majestic visuals, emotional testimonials, and strategic planning, Nepal is reinforcing its image as a global hub for adventure tourism. As one climber put it, “There are places you visit once and forget. But Nepal stays with you forever.”
