Hotel on Mount Everest - A Room With A
View
by: Scott Chamaden
In March of 1999, the Guinness Book of Records bestowed upon Hotel
Everest View the title of Highest Placed Hotel in the World. This hotel
is situated 13,000 ft (3,964 m) above sea level in Sagarmatha National
Park in the Southern Khumbu region of Nepal. With its luxurious accommodations,
guests stay overlooking the Himalayan peaks and Mt. Everest.
A Japanese construction company, Trans Himalayan Tours Ltd, built the
Hotel Everest View in 1968. In October of 1973, the hotel opened its
doors for the first time. The hotel was built with the intentions of
attracting wealthy Japanese tourists seeking luxurious getaways that
offered a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest. In order to accommodate
tourists, the Shyangboche airstrip was built to receive private plans
and helicopters.
Unfortunately, the Japanese tourists encountered some difficulties
adjusting from a lower altitude to 10,000 ft above sea level. Tourists
flying into the Shyangboche airstrip from Japan experienced horrible
motion sickness, including nausea and vomiting. Even though Hotel Everest
View offered a beautiful view of the surrounding peaks and high-quality
accommodations, guests were unable to enjoy themselves.
Hotel management tried desperately to resolve the issue by supplying
guests with oxygen tanks, but the problem still remained. It was after
several deaths were reported that the government finally took action
and forced the Shyangboche airstrip to shut down, leaving Japanese tourists
to fly into Lukla (9,200 ft) and walk three-days up the mountainside.
Elimination of chartered flights into Shyangboche airstrip caused a
devastating affect on tourism for Hotel Everest View. Very few tourists
would endure the three-day hike up the mountainside to enjoy the amenities
of the hotel. Business declined rapidly and left the facility bare.
Since than, the Shyangboche airstrip has reopened to transport gear
and supplies to Mount Everest. Tourists that are accustomed to the altitude
fly into Shyangboche airstrip to visit the Hotel Everest View.
Tourists still climb up the mountainside from Namche Bazaar, in the
Himalayas, to stay at Hotel Everest View. Although the menu has changed
from ravishing meals to light food and hot and cold beverages, this
Japanese run establishment's accommodations are still breathtaking.
For a reasonable rate ($170-$270 per night), guests can enjoy a luxurious
room overlooking the surrounding peaks.
Hotel Everest View is staffed with Sherpa people, who are natives to
the Mt. Everest region. 'Om mani padme hum', a Tibetan Buddhist mantra,
is inscribed on the hotel interior walls. These ancient stone carvings
serve as a constant reminder of the Sherpas' deep religious beliefs.
A Sherpa tour guide is on hand for guests.
Plane or helicopter charters are available for guests that desire a
more direct flight to the hotel. Guests may also take advantage of a
50 minute flight over Shyangboche from Kathmandu and walk 45-minutes
up the mountain trail to Hotel Everest View.
Reservations and transportation can be arranged through:
Hotel Everest View
P.O. Box 1624
Durbar Marg
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-01-224854
Shyangboche: 977-038-40118
Fax: 977-01-227289
Credit Cards Accepted
About The Author - Scott Chamaden owns and runs Route
Four Travel a quality source of travel related information. For more
travel articles take a look at: http://www.rftravel.com/ezine/
|
