A small mountain town at 2,860 meters altitude, known for its short, tilted runway that serves as the gateway for climbers heading to Mount Everest Base Camp.
Lukla, a mountain town at 2,860 meters in northeastern Nepal, is the starting point for Mount Everest expeditions. The town's Tenzing-Hillary Airport challenges pilots with its dramatic 527-meter runway that ends at a cliff edge. As you walk through Lukla's streets, you'll pass copper prayer wheels spinning with mantras, small stupas decorated with colorful prayer flags, and local shops where Sherpas prepare climbing gear for the next Everest expedition.
Flying into Tenzing-Hillary Airport
The 527-meter runway at Tenzing-Hillary Airport sits on a mountain shelf, with a 12% upward slope that helps aircraft slow down during landing. Twin-engine Dornier 228s and de Havilland Canada Twin Otters make the 35-minute flight from Kathmandu. Only pilots with 100 short-takeoff-and-landing flights can operate these routes. The high altitude affects aircraft performance, while the surrounding mountains leave no room for missed approaches.
Current Flight Operations
As of October 2022, during peak trekking seasons (April-May and October-November), you'll need to fly from Manthali airport in Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu. This involves a four-hour drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, followed by a 12-minute flight to Lukla. This change has reduced flight delays and cancellations that previously occurred due to congestion at Kathmandu's international airport.
Weather Considerations
Temperatures in Lukla range from -5°C to 15°C throughout the year. Morning flights have the highest chance of operating as scheduled, while afternoon clouds typically force cancellations after 2 PM. During monsoon season (June-September), fog and rain reduce visibility so severely that airlines cancel about 50% of scheduled flights. Mountain weather can shift within minutes, sometimes requiring last-minute flight changes.
Streets and Architecture
Stone pathways lead past two-story buildings made from local pine and granite. Prayer wheels line the main street, each containing written mantras that locals spin clockwise while walking past. Inside the mountain lodges, you'll find dining rooms decorated with hand-painted murals depicting Buddhist deities and Sherpa life scenes.
Starting Your Trek
The trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp covers 50 kilometers through the Khumbu region. You'll need seven days to reach base camp, with your first major stop at Namche Bazaar after two days. The initial trail from Lukla to Phakding drops 200 meters in elevation, giving your body time to adjust before the challenging climbs ahead.
Essential Services
You'll find trekking equipment shops selling or renting sleeping bags rated to -20°C, down jackets, crampons, and other mountain gear. The town has 30+ lodges where you can eat dal bhat (lentils and rice), pasta, and other high-calorie meals before your trek. Local Sherpa guides and porters gather near the airport arrival area each morning, ready to assist with expeditions.
