jcasale

We are in the very early stages of planning a possible 2011 or 2012 trip to Bhutan and Nepal (maybe also Tibet or India). One of the things on my personal "bucket list" is to see Everest (knowing that often the peak will be shrouded in clouds as seen in the movie of the same name). I am wondering where the best place is to have the chance of seeing it. I recall seeing an episode of the 1000 Places series on the Travel Channel and they were in a town where you could see Everest from a terrace. Any ideas?

jcasale

Also, I have seen several posts about Snow White tours for Bhutan. Any other thoughts on tour companies to work with for those two countries? I have found the Asia board to be among the most knowledgeable and helpful of the Fodors forums.

Kathie

There are places outside of Kathmandu that people go in the hope of seeing the sun rise over Everest. Nagarkot is one such place, and was likely the place you saw on the travel channel. Often, as you know, the mountain is shrouded in clouds.

The best way to see Everest is to take one of the sightseeing flights from Kathmandu. The flight is 30-45 minutes and it flies you along the ridge of the Himalayas and to a full view of Everest.

As you know, you need a local company to make arrangements for Bhutan. There is no such requirement for Nepal. Nepal is quite easy to do independently. I made a return trip to Kathmandu in 2008. If you are interested in reading it, you can click on my name and look at my list of trip reports. Photos from our trip are at www.marlandc.com/Nepal

dogster

jscale: are you flying from Kathmandu to Bhutan? Wanna see Mt. Everest? Sit on the left hand side of the plane. Gobsmacking.

dogster

Go here to see what you'll see:
http://thedogster2.wordpress.com/battle-for-bhutan/

scroll down to the end for your personal slideshow.

jcasale

Haven't worked out the itinerary yet, but that sounds like a great plan! Thanks so much to both of you for the links to the pics. All I can say is Holy S*&%!!!

What time of year did you go? I retire in a year and so this will be my "post working" trip that can be scheduled pretty much any time of year. From some of what I have read it seems like May might be a good time to go.

dogster

sorry ja, i missed your post. That was in November. Your logical trip, particularly if you have time is Kolkata, Darjeeling, road to Sikkim, road to Bhutan, fly to Kathmandu.

A smart traveller would see a direct flight from Kathmandu to Varanasi and begin the free-fall into India from there. View will be there or not. Time your trips around festivaqls as well as views. Both are equally serendipitous.

Glad you liked the Everest pics. Those were the unphotoshopped. The worked-on images are very juicy.