Kathmandu to Lukla Flight – The most dangerous airport in the world

Everest Region

One of the most widely trekked high and scenic countries, located in Nepal Mid-West within the Mahalangur Himalaya range. Mt. Everest stands as the world’s number one peak at the present height of 8, 848. 86 m high. No wonder thousands of trekkers, mountaineers, and explorers all year round, not only for majestic mountain views. But for other reasons as well likewise Sherpa’s immense culture of Buddhism religion, exotic flora and fauna, and its dramatic landscapes of deep gorges, high valleys, and towering giant snow-capped peaks.

The upper Everest Region of Khumbu, situated within Sagarmatha National Park, covers an area of 1,148 sq. km. The word Sagarmatha for Mt. Everest in Nepal, while the local Sherpa calls as Chomolungma, in both languages means ‘Great Mother’. The park designated in the list of World Heritage Sites since 1979 includes the world’s tallest peaks, such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho-Oyu, and Mt. Pumori with majestic Ama Dablam, Thermasarkhu, Kwangde, Khangtiaga, and Gyachung Kang (world highest in the list of the above 7,000-meter range of peaks).

The Everest Region around Khumbu is populated by almost 3,000 of the famed Sherpa tribe, also known as the Highlanders of the Himalayas. Sherpa people are interwoven with Tibetan Buddhism. The main permanent villages to visit after Lukla and Phakding are Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Tengboche, and Pangboche.

Sherpa community is traditionally based on farming, trade, and livestock herding, but with the flow of international visitors and mountaineers since 1950, dependent upon tourism.

Besides, its lovely cultural villages the area below 4,000 m is covered in a green forest of tall rhododendron, oaks, and blue pine with fir, birch, and juniper trees.

Higher above tree lines fade for the short alpine bush with remorseless fields of moraine, ice, and glaciers.

Everest region offers various scenic and wonderful destinations for all types of travelers from a short moderate walk of a week to an adventurous trek of two weeks or more. Places to visit around the Everest region most popular is Everest base camp and the climb of Kalapathar for the closest views of Mt. Everest.

Gokyo Valley and the lakes are equally interesting where one can trek for more than a week as well cross over the high Cho-La pass to reach Everest base camp and with a climb of high Gokyo-Ri, offers grand views of the world’s four highest peaks.

The other adventure is Crossing Everest Three Passes and much more as per one interest and holiday duration in Nepal.

By Plane

The smaller aircraft at present are Twin Otter and Dornier a double-engine plane, controlled by two pilots in the front or cockpit with a flight attendant or air hostess either female or male sometimes. The seating arrangement is made for only 15 to 18 passengers, depending upon the load it carries and destination.

Note: Try and book a lift-size seat on the Way to the flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. Always go for the left seat on the window side Because you can enjoy the view from the Plane in the northern part of Nepal which is the mountain of Nepal. The Mountain is just behind the window. If you can get a right-side seat on the plane, you enjoy the southern part of Nepal. which is the view of the hilly region.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Departure Schedules And Duration

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight, an interesting short scenic journey normally starts from early morning by 6:30 a.m. till mid-day, when weather is favorable, and in high season also operates till late afternoon.

On entering Kathmandu domestic air terminal after checking in with a boarding pass and getting through securities, passengers need to be aware any harmful items like penknife, matches, lighters, or sharp tools are not allowed to carry with them or in handbags, they should be in the main luggage.

Boarding into the plane, welcomed by the air steward and captain of the flight, as soon it takes off, you will be thrilled with marvelous views of Kathmandu city and the valley surrounded by tiers of rolling green hills dotted with farm villages and terraces. As the plane heads towards the east where passengers will be overwhelmed, overlooking glorious views of the majestic Himalayas range of white peaks.

During air-borne exciting scenery of rural villages, rivers, and dales with high green hills with a great range of mountains in the north direction facing Langtang, Jugal Himal, Dorji Lakpa, and Gaurishankar with Melung-Tse, as the plane nears close to Lukla grand views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse with Mt. Makalu in the east.

Soon, the flight reaches above Lamjura-La pass and then turns north to make a dramatic landing at Lukla airport runway after a 30 or 35 minutes flight.

On landing heading up towards the parking site, in the heart of Lukla town, slowly make your way to the exit, be greeted by your local staff at Lukla, and then claim your baggage by handing the luggage tag. Lukla Airport named Tenzing and Hillary a tribute to legendary mountaineers that conquered first on top Mt. Everest on May 29th, 1953. All Khumbu and Everest treks and the various adventure begins and ends at Lukla, where flights take you from Kathmandu to Lukla and then back to Kathmandu.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Cost

Lukla Flight Information

Lukla Airport – What You Need to Know About Flight Delays

Due to the terrible and unpredicted climate conditions, the flights to Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu may defer for a couple of moments and a few hours at times. It is mostly during the asking and finishes of the rainy season and as indicated by the air traffic

The runway of the Lukla air terminal is short with a bluff looking forward toward the finish of the runway. There is a solitary runway with a limited territory so just a little airplane like Dornier and twin otter or helicopter can fly. The climate condition and visibility can change quickly in Lukla. These conditions make it hard for the ordinary flight plan. Regardless of whether the flight has been taken off from Kathmandu to Lukla, it needs to turn around to Kathmandu once in a while in view of the clouding lifting to the Lukla air terminal.

Postponing flights to Lukla is extremely acknowledged. It might happen any season yet, particularly toward the start and the finish of the monsoon season (Late May and starting September).

In the wake of holding up several hours at the air terminal, the aircraft organizations may drop the flight and need to book the following trip for the following day. It will be almost no opportunity of getting the first and the subsequent faces trip for the following day. There are planned booked trips by different travelers so you may get later flights. So you need to sit tight for either the later flight or take a helicopter trip around the same time. On the other hand, you may change your journeying course to the Annapurna circuit trek or Langtang valley trek, if you are not prepared to pay an additional sum for the helicopter trip to Lukla.

In the event that you choose to take a helicopter flight, it cost an extra 350 USD to 400 USD with the ordinary flight ticket. You have to join together with different travelers. If you can charter a flight, it may cost 2500 USD.

We suggest having some extra days for the Everest journey so it makes it simpler to reschedule your day-to-day itinerary. What’s more, to not miss your worldwide trip out from Kathmandu stocking in Lukla, Always purchase a variable international flight ticket.

Note: If a Regular flight is canceled to Kathmandu from Lukla, you will be getting a helicopter from Lukla or Surke which is a place to walk an hour from Lukla. if you have extra days, you can trek 2 to 3 days trek to Salleri which is getting a jeep to Kathmandu to drive about 8 to 9 hours.