Bhutan: The Approach
Suddenly, our plane banked and turned right basically to avoid an unwanted head-on introduction to the mountain outside of our right windows. Then we made a left turn and the runway appeared out of nowhere. We were practically on top of it. The landing strip seemed to be smack dab in the center of town with houses and buildings on either side of it. We bounced down on the pavement and quickly came to a screeching halt outside of an Asian-Pagoda style building. We’d landed in Bhutan.
The hour-long flight from Katmandu, Nepal to Paro, Bhutan was one of the most dramatic I’ve ever been on. But it actually wasn’t because of that hair-raising landing, it was the views of the Himalaya mountain range on the way…yes, the one with Mt. Everest, the highest point on the planet at 29,029 feet (8,848 m). In my worldly travels, I’ve flown over the Alps in Europe, the Rockies in the USA, and the Andes in South America, but nothing was quite like this. Mountains so high…they popped up through the highest clouds. It was like gazing at a another planet out of our tiny windows. Was this even Earth? I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face and goose bumps dotted my arms. It felt like we were jetting so close to them, my mouth was likely agape most of the flight.
Lean Left!
Everyone told us, “sit on the left side of the plane!” So I was pretty disappointed when I ended up with an aisle seat. Boooo! But, it soon became evident that the flight was only half full. The instant I realized this, I lept out of my seat in mid-conversation with my tour mates and somehow jockeyed past the Chinese tourists on board to land myself a window seat. Phew! It was over the wing (not so great for photography), but I couldn’t complain.
Plus, Drukair (the national carrier of Bhutan) was much nicer than I’d imagined. I had pictured a tiny prop plane, but this was a full fledged 737 with leather seats and room to breathe. And although it was just 60 minutes in the air, they still came around with a lovely snack consisting of a small sandwich and samosa-type pastry with vegetable filling. And didn’t charge for it. Are you listening United?
Once we landed in Bhutan and were back on terra firma, it felt like we’d just gotten off a great ride at Universal Studios. But now, the real ride was about to begin, two weeks in the magical Kingdom of Bhutan with Exodus Travels.
More to come!
This is part of a series of posts on Bhutan. I was a guest of Exodus Travels as part of a Navigate Media Group initiative. As always, all writing, photography, and opinions are my own.
Modern Day Nomad Turned Part Time Traveler…in Love
Pete
May 14, 2013 at 10:25 amIncredible photos Lisa, I would love to be on that flight one day. FYI, Mt. Everest is not the highest point on the planet, Mt.Chimborazo in Ecuador holds that title 😉
ma
May 14, 2013 at 12:02 pmTalk about goose bumps!! I have them from just reading about this flight and those mountains!!
Spectacular and surreal!! Mt. Everest – you said it…the highest place on our planet and through your eyes, pictures and writings – i will see it!! Can’t wait to read more. Wow!!
Lisa
May 15, 2013 at 7:09 amThanks ma!! Despite any fear of flying, your love of mountains would have surpassed that and I KNOW you would’ve loved this and been in complete awe the entire time! 🙂
Dalene
May 14, 2013 at 12:35 pmThose pictures are AMAZING. The flight alone would make it worth a visit to Bhutan, although I’m sure you’ve got many more stories yet to come that will entice us even more 🙂
Lisa
May 15, 2013 at 7:11 amThanks Dalene! Have you been to the Himalayan region yet? This was my first time. After all the travels, I have to admit, it’s a good feeling to still have some wonder and awe in me!
Laurence
May 15, 2013 at 3:42 amWow, what a flight 🙂 Great photos, and good job on securing the window seat!
Steve
May 15, 2013 at 4:33 amJust out of curiosity I looked up Mt. Chimborazo, since I must admit I wasn’t familiar with it, and the info. said that it is 20,564 ft., which would be considerably lower than Mt. Everest; but perhaps Pete was using a different kind of calculation?:) Regardless, continued Happy Trails Lisa!
Pete
May 15, 2013 at 5:18 amHey Steve, yes Chimborazo is a smaller mountain than Everest, but its location nearer the equator makes it the highest place on the planet. No calculations, just visited Chimbo and they were quite proud of the fact, check the Googles 🙂
Lisa
May 15, 2013 at 7:08 amPete! Just saw this now after responding to Steve (who has lived in Istanbul for more than a decade btw…and was a huge reason for me loving it there and meeting so many!). It’s all superlatives! Glad they are proud, but I’ll stick with the conventional reasoning and measurements of Everest being the tallest mountain! 🙂
Lisa
May 15, 2013 at 7:02 amHi Steve!! Great to hear from you!! Ha! I looked it up too, of course. Mt Everest is the tallest mountain from the earth’s surface (as mountains are measured). Pete’s mountain in Ecuador is the tallest if measured from center of the earth! Since I’ve never been there (the center of the earth I mean), I stand by my wording! 🙂
Linda
May 15, 2013 at 9:32 amI can only repeat what others are saying! Your description of the flight alone gave me goosebumps! I just sent a link to a friend & said “I’ve got goosebumps already & she only just landed!” I know this sounds corny, but, honestly, can’t wait to read the next episode!
Lisa
May 23, 2013 at 5:46 pmThanks so much Linda. It’s great after all this traveling to still feel that ‘wonder’ feeling. 🙂
Sherry Ott
May 16, 2013 at 6:05 amWow – the airline is much nicer than I expected based on the picture! I’ve flown by the Himalayas before and it’s really an experience – but it appears that you got even closer than I did…how fun. Love all the pics – I can’t believe how close the houses are to the runway. I wonder how many flights come in/out a day?
Lisa
May 23, 2013 at 5:47 pmThis airline was pretty sweet and even gave us free food! More than United does now. It’s pretty amazing to be above the clouds and still seeing land!!
Ayngelina
May 16, 2013 at 10:55 amWow gorgeous photos, I don’t want to climb it but I’d love to see Everest from a plane.
Lisa
May 23, 2013 at 5:48 pmHa ha Ayngelina! I feel the same way. NO desire to climb it, but wow, it was so gorgeous to see from the plane!
cailin
May 17, 2013 at 9:37 amThat is definitely a view of Everest that I would like to see some day 🙂 Very awesome!
Lisa
May 23, 2013 at 5:48 pmYou have to go someday Cailin. It was an awesome first impression of the Himalayas!
Michael
May 17, 2013 at 10:51 amWhat an incredible view you got!
Lisa
May 23, 2013 at 5:49 pmThanks Michael! Have you been to this area before?
Ixtapa Club Med
May 17, 2013 at 2:43 pmwooow! tthats all I can say. How incredible it has to be to be flying at 30,000 feet and seeing mountains out the plane window.
Bret Cutts
June 6, 2013 at 7:37 amAwesome photos, i wish i could be there to feel such great views. Thanks
Bradley
August 30, 2013 at 10:06 amAwesome pictures! Looks amazing. better than amazing actually. whats your plan for Bhutan?
Lisa
September 1, 2013 at 12:27 pmThanks Bradley! It was so stunning. If you click on the other Bhutan posts…you can see my ‘plan.’ I’m back now! 🙂
Zorica
August 30, 2013 at 10:18 amWow, those photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Lisa
September 1, 2013 at 12:27 pmThanks so much Zorica! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. 🙂