Early this morning, you'll be collected at your hotel for a 15 minute drive to the airport where a small Twin Otter turboprop plane will be waiting for you on the runway. Check-in is pretty simple for your Mount Everest flights: just wait in the small airport for the pilot to come and find you. After he's checked the latest weather reports, it's time to board your plane for your amazing, scenic Mount Everest flight.

The planes hold 15-25 passengers and they have big windows for a great view. Don't worry about finding the best window seat, everyone on board everyone is incredibly accommodating, and people will swap seats so you can all get a good look at the mountain. The pilots do their bit too - passengers in the Mount Everest flight can take it in turns leaning over the pilot to take some good pictures from the cockpit.

You'll be pressed back in your seat as the plane lifts off and ascends steeply eastwards into the Himalayas. The first glimpse of the breathtaking views comes when you break through the clouds and see the first peak looming in the distance: the 8013m Gosiathan (Shisha Pangma). You'll be able to study all the peaks in a small brochure which is handed out on board all the Mount Everest flights. STry and get a close look so you'll recognise all the peaks on the way.

To the right is the Dorje Lhakpa (6966m) and next to it the Phurbi Chyachu which rises above the Kathmandu Valley. Slowly edging closer, the smaller (5933m) Choba Bhamare which has never actually been climbed, and then the Gaurishanker (7134m), which wasn't conquered until 1979. You'll keep this mountain in view for most of the flight. Hindus believe the mountain is protected by Lord Shiva.

Flying further into the eastern Himalayas, a new range of mountain peaks emerges: Melungtse (7023m) with its flat peak, Chugimago (6297m) which has never been conquered and Numbur (6956m), which allegedly looks like a female breast. Legend has it that this 'female source in the sky' provided pure milk for the sherpas of Solokhumbu. Then, it's the beautiful Cho-Oyu, which, at 8021m, is the 6th highest in the world.

The last and most spectacular stretch of the Mount Everest flights heads towards Gyachungkang (7952m), Pumori (7161m) and the well-known Nuptse (7855m), the west peak of Mount Everest. Finally, you'll reach Everest itself. The Nepalese call it Sagarmatha, the Tibetans Chomolunga. You'll fly close to Everest and it's surrounding peaks, easily within photo-shooting distance.

Return flight
As the last peaks disappear from view, the plane descends towards Kathmandu Valley. You'll be able to chat to the other passengers about everything you saw on your Mount Everest flights and how close up you got. The airline will give you a souvenir 'certificate' and they'll be a video available for purchase. Your close encounter with Mount Everest will be an experience you will never forget.

Conditions
Mount Everest flights are subject to weather conditions and delays can happen. Usually the early morning Everest flights, just when the sun has broken through the clouds, are the best. There are five different airlines. You will be booked onto the flight and airline that is available at that time and departs early in the morning.