‘Himalaya’ derives from the Sanskrit for ‘Abode of Snow’. An immense 2,400 kilometre mountain range running east-south-east in a great curve between the Tibetan Plateau to the north and Indian sub-continent to the south, it constitutes three systems, the Outer Himalayas (av. 900-1,200 metres); the Lesser Himalayas (av. 3,600-4,500 metres) and the Great Himalayas (av. 6,000 metres). Formed by the collision of the Indian sub-continent with Asia, this youngest and highest of the world’s ranges rises from tropical valleys watered by the monsoon through diverse forest regions to permanently snow-covered peaks. It checks the northward progress of the monsoon and also shelters India from cold north winds.

On the southern slopes of the Himalayas are Darjeeling, the Indian Hill Station which lies in the shadow of Kanchenjunga (8,698 metres), the Kingdom of Bhutan, and the Kingdom of Nepal which is dominated in the north-east by Everest (8,848 metres) and Kanchenjunga (8,568 metres). Seventy per cent of Bhutan (pop.1,600,000) is forested. Less than 10% of Bhutan and Nepal - their tropical southern strips and fertile central valleys - supports crops (maize, rice and millet). The steep slopes above this arable land sustains only semi-nomadic yak-herders. Ninety-four per cent of the population of Bhutan and 88% of that of Nepal is nevertheless involved in agriculture, the rest of the population lives in monasteries or in towns which have been little-touched by modern urbanisation. The majority of people in Bhutan are Buddhists of the Tibetan Drukpa Kagya school, reflecting the influence of invaders and refugees who have entered the country from Tibet since the 7th century. The Nepalese, on the other hand, are predominantly Hindu.

The Himalayas are sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. A number of their lofty peaks are the abodes of deities .

The Trans Himalayan air trek  starts from Kathmandu flying over the western Nepal Himalaya with views of Mount Kailas towards the Tibetan Plateau,  the sacred holy river Karnali and its deep gorge and its beautiful landscape, From here we make our flight down south towards Rara lake religious responsibilities of a modern Nation State. It allows ample time to explore the lake and its beautiful surrounding of pine forest, for despite inaccessibility and isolation, the valleys of this region have been conduits of trade between India and Tibet. From Rara we head north east towards the beautiful Phuksundo lake (home of the salt traders from Tibet to Dolpo ) with breathtaking scenery of the dolpo region we touch down at Jomsom . ( The gate way to upper Mustang . also know as little Tibet ) . We overnight at the Jomsom Mountain resort .  You will also study the flora and fauna of the region and of course admire its majestic landscapes, The next day we fly over upper mustang and over the Thorong pass ( 5200m ) and down to the Manang Valley  with great views of Annapurna 1,2,3,&4 . We stop for lunch at Langtang region . After lunch we head east towards the Everest Region where we land at Lukla air field . A warm welcome by the Yeti Mountain homes where we will over night for the day .  There will be some time to go and visit the local area and also visit the  Pasang Lhamu & Nicole Niquille Hosiptal .  We will spend 2 nights at the Khumbu area for our final over view of the 5 highest mountain in the world – Everest , Lhotse, Makalu , Cho Oyo and Kanchenjunga . The highlight of this trip certainly is the Everest region . You will feel that you are in cloud nine….. .with amazing scenery and breathtaking views of the Everest valley and its global impact on the glaciers and its turquoise lakes . After 5 days of  spectacular Trans Himalayan fly over the 9 highest mountain  in the world you will need a few days of relaxing in the oasis of Hotel Dwarikas in Kathmandu .