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Home » Destinations » Asia » China

Come Fly With Me (Over The Himalaya)

Modified: Sep 17, 2009 · Published: Apr 18, 2008 by Dave Lee |

Flying over the Tibetan Plateau

The flight from Chengdu to Lhasa was cool - crossing over the Tibetan Plateau - the snow-capped, glacier-ridden mountains slowly coming into view through the cloud cover. Getting to the airport early had paid off - I was able to secure a window seat (13A) for both legs. Next to me were two Kiwis living and working in Scotland/Wales. They were quite friendly and I enjoyed talking with them. One of the guys relayed his experiences with an overland tour in Africa. In front of us were an American girl (Rose from California) and two Spaniards who were traveling by bicycle. Like me, they had to skip past Tibet for Nepal due to the recent turmoil. I admired their sense of adventure.

I made it to Lhasa, Tibet after all!

Even if just at the airport, I was glad to have touched down in Lhasa, Tibet - rooftop of the world - 12,000 feet! I think adrenaline and a hangover outmatched any immediate feelings from the altitude. I bought a small square thangka (painting) made in a Tibetan monastery and a turquoise/silver necklace at the gift shop. And then we boarded the second flight to Kathmandu.

Rose (Calif) and others hustle for a view of Mt Everest

We passed over the Himalaya and had a fantastically clear view of Mt. Everest out of the right side of the plane. It felt so near - it was massive. I took tons of photos as did most of the passengers.

Mt Everest in the distance

Combined, the two flights were no more than about four hours, yet they inspired more awe in me than all the rest I've taken combined. I did my best to suck it all in, not knowing when I'd have such an opportunity again.

Biggest mountain in the world!

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Sara Kerns says

    April 18, 2008 at 7:20 am

    Gosh I am so happy for you out doing all this awesome stuff. High five!

    • Dave says

      April 19, 2008 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks....I'm so glad you're out there in California keeping up with me over here in Nepal. Small world!

  2. Sara Kerns says

    April 18, 2008 at 2:20 am

    Gosh I am so happy for you out doing all this awesome stuff. High five!

    • Dave says

      April 19, 2008 at 9:42 am

      Thanks....I'm so glad you're out there in California keeping up with me over here in Nepal. Small world!

  3. dan says

    April 18, 2008 at 6:58 am

    That first photo looks like a painting, unreal, beautiful. I can't wait.

    • Dave says

      April 19, 2008 at 9:43 am

      Yea, my eyes were glued to the window the whole time.

  4. Laane says

    April 18, 2008 at 9:04 am

    One of my wishes.
    I'm so glad to have found your blog and that you have shared these photos!

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Dave says

      April 19, 2008 at 9:44 am

      Sure thing Laane - especially if it helps others to travel to such amazing places. :)

  5. crambox says

    April 18, 2008 at 8:58 am

    wow just WOW thats the stuff dreams are made of!!!!!! :mrgreen:

  6. crambox says

    April 18, 2008 at 1:58 pm

    wow just WOW thats the stuff dreams are made of!!!!!! :mrgreen:

  7. Debo Hobo says

    April 18, 2008 at 11:35 am

    WOW simply amazing view. Gorgoues!!! :wink:

  8. Kango Suz says

    April 18, 2008 at 11:36 am

    Wow, those photos are AMAZING!!! I can't believe you were able to get such clear shots out of your plane windows- they must have been very clean. That's truly what your trip's about, these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime things.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Susan

  9. dan says

    April 18, 2008 at 11:58 am

    That first photo looks like a painting, unreal, beautiful. I can't wait.

    • Dave says

      April 19, 2008 at 2:43 pm

      Yea, my eyes were glued to the window the whole time.

  10. Laane says

    April 18, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    One of my wishes.
    I'm so glad to have found your blog and that you have shared these photos!

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Dave says

      April 19, 2008 at 2:44 pm

      Sure thing Laane - especially if it helps others to travel to such amazing places. :)

  11. Debo Hobo says

    April 18, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    WOW simply amazing view. Gorgoues!!! :wink:

  12. Kango Suz says

    April 18, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    Wow, those photos are AMAZING!!! I can't believe you were able to get such clear shots out of your plane windows- they must have been very clean. That's truly what your trip's about, these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime things.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Susan

  13. Jacob says

    July 15, 2011 at 6:14 am

    So envious of your flight...how luck to have such clear views. Cheers!

  14. Jacob says

    July 15, 2011 at 6:14 am

    So envious of your flight...how luck to have such clear views. Cheers!

    • Dave says

      July 15, 2011 at 5:47 pm

      Thanks Jacob....it was one of the more exciting plane rides I've ever taken!

    • Dave says

      July 15, 2011 at 5:47 pm

      Thanks Jacob....it was one of the more exciting plane rides I've ever taken!

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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