In 2014, I was working in Delhi with a renowned media house in the marketing and sales department. My role brought me into contact with various embassies, providing a fascinating insight into different cultures and diplomatic missions. One day, while waiting in the lobby of the Nepal Embassy to meet the ambassador, a picture caught my eye. It depicted people having breakfast with the majestic Mount Everest in the background. Intrigued, I couldn’t help but ask the ambassador about it.
He explained that the photo was taken from the Hotel Everest View, which offers a breathtaking vista of Mount Everest while guests enjoy their meal. I was captivated and did some research, only to find that it was an expensive helicopter trip beyond my budget at the time. My friends were not interested either, so the dream was shelved, but the image lingered in my subconscious.
Fast forward to 2024. I now live in the Netherlands and was planning a visit to India in March to see my family. During these visits, my girlfriends and I always plan a quick trip, and this time, we chose Nepal. With our tickets booked, I knew this was my chance to realize my dream of seeing Mount Everest while sipping chai at the Hotel Everest View.
We planned a five-night stay in Nepal: three nights in Pokhara and two in Kathmandu. Our time in Pokhara was delightful, filled with fun and adventure. On March 2, 2024, we arrived in Kathmandu, with my helicopter ride scheduled for the next day. Unfortunately, bad weather led to the cancellation of all flights. Disheartened but hopeful, I held onto the possibility of the next morning as my flight back to Delhi was in the evening.
That night, I expressed my concerns to my friends over dinner, fearing I might miss the chance to see “Mr. Everest.” Just then, my phone rang. It was the airline, informing me that the weather forecast for the next morning was good and they would pick me up from my hotel at 6:15 am. Overwhelmed with excitement, I couldn’t sleep.
The airline’s car arrived on time, and we drove to Kathmandu airport. After completing formalities, we met our pilot, who briefed us on safety and the flight itinerary. We took off between 7:30 and 7:45 am, watching the sunrise and gliding through clouds, crossing small hamlets. Our first stop was Lukla helipad, a 35-minute ride from Kathmandu. Here, our pilot told us that the Everest base camp trek begins.
Leaving Lukla, we saw snow-capped mountains, and soon, the landscape was entirely blanketed in snow as we flew over the Khumbu glacier. Our next stop was Pheriche, a small village in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal, at an altitude of about 4,371 meters. The 15-minute flight from Lukla brought us to Pheriche, where we had a brief stop. The beauty was awe-inspiring, surrounded by the Himalayas, watching different peaks and walking around the water body despite the freezing minus 10-degree temperature.
At 8:52 am, we resumed our journey towards Mount Everest. This 15-minute ride felt surreal, flying over 4,300 meters above the base camp. Surrounded by the Himalayas, I witnessed mountains like Pumori, Changtse, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and many other peaks. We crossed the iconic Kala Patthar, thrust into an awe-inspiring world. Hovering at an impressive altitude of 5,250 meters, the vastness of the Himalayas unfurled beneath us. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As the helicopter veered towards Hotel Everest View, the world’s highest hotel, I was captivated by the breathtaking views from all around. I was finally there, sitting on the terrace, sipping masala chai with Mount Everest right in front of me like we are having some conversation, the same view I saw in 2014 at the Nepal Embassy was now before me. It was an emotional journey that resonated deep within, a dream fulfilled exactly ten years later.
As I returned to my friends and eventually to Delhi, I carried with me the memory of that morning and the inspiration to keep dreaming and exploring.
