You can get from Kathmandu to Lukla on flights (helicopter or small plane), bus, jeep, you can walk, or use some combination of these methods. This post is about your options for getting from Kathmandu to Lukla, as well as the experience of those Kathmandu/Lukla flights landing at Lukla Airport.
We have also walked to and from Lukla, and taken the bus back from Lukla on one of our Everst Base Camp treks, so you found a good source of information.
Is Lukla Airport dangerous? Yes it is, there are a lot of flight accidents in Nepal and there have been crashes at Lukla airport. Lukla is often described as the world’s most dangerous airport, but it isn’t. We felt these flight were safe enough to take our kids, but that choice is down to you.
We include a short video of planes taking off at Lukla airport.
Lukla is where most Everest region treks start and Lukla Airport – Tenzing Hillary Airport – is often described as the most dangerous in the world.
Lukla is in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal at an altitude of 2,860m. The single, sloped runway of Lukla Airport started life in 1964, on the initiative of Sir Edmund Hillary. Due to the difficulties of successfully landing at the airport only very experienced pilots are allowed to land.
There are options in getting from Kathmandu to Lukla to start your Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary. The famous plane journey to the world’s most dangerous airport isn’t the only way.
We’ll describe other options of travel between Kathmandu and Lukla below. We’ve flown into Lukla and out, trekked in from Phaplu and taken various bus journeys and flights to reach the Everest trekking route.
The journey from Kathmandu to Luka is by air for most trekkers. There are other options, including bus, private jeep and various road journeys combined with treks to Lukla.
The iconic flight is one you should take, but we also recommend trekking (hiking or walking) up to Lukla to join the main Everest Base Camp route.
Helicopter flights are also possible to Lukla from Kathmandu and may be essential in bad weather. These are usually more expensive than scheduled flights.
Arrival at Lukla Airport from Kathmandu, baggage handlers unloading trekkers’ luggage on the runway. Trekkers with porters often take huge bags, as do local people returning. We just take what we can carry on the trek.
Our first time in the Everest region we just had to take the adventure of booking a flight into iconic Lukla airport, so we (I) faced my fear of heights and small planes and bought those one-way tickets.
We’ve actually flown in and out of Lukla twice now, see the update at the end of the post, we had cancelled flights and a few issues.
Sangboche or Sayangboche airport. Mostly used for helicopter deliveries of Everest Expedition gear. These days donkeys are bringing most supplies up along the trekking route from Phablu with disastrous environmental consequences. We walked through Sangboche while returning to NamcheBazar from Kumjung.
It was a ride of a lifetime, a dream come true. It was also pretty scary.
There are flight attendants on the Kathmandu to Lukla flights. Your cabin crew of one will usually give a safety briefing and hand out sweets and ear plugs. You do, 100% need ear pluga on these flights in Nepal, the engines are loud.
In those first few days of our Nepal trip there were two planes lost, both out of Pokhara and my anxiety was running on overdrive. In this post we tell you;
What that flight and landing is like.
What to expect at Lukla airport and in Lukla.
How to book your flights to Lukla.
All of the options on getting between Lukla and Kathmandu, bus, jeep, plane and walk.
How to see Lukla or Everest on a scenic flight from Kathmandu.
What our kids thought of it and will they ever forgive us.
The runway at Lukla Tenzing Hillary airport Nepal. Very short, very up-hill. Incredibly thrilling. It’s 2,843m high in Nepal’s Himalayas on the way to Everest.
We took a little video of the planes taking off at Lukla ( below) on our first trip. A couple of years later we returned and made it to Base Camp. We now travel with good video gear, so there’s lots more to come.
Flying to Lukla, is by far the easiest, quickest, and possibly cheapest way to go when you take into account the extra money you’ll spend while trekking.
On our return from the Everest region, we walked from Lukla to Phaplu and took the 13-hour white-knuckle bus ride to Kathmandu. It’s by no means an easy option and it’s not all downhill. It was an adventure with highs and lows both real and figurative that will go in another post.
The Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport
Lukla Town , with the end of the runway in the foreground. Lukla is a nice enough little town, but if you’d like to see a Himalayan town we think Namche Bazaar is better.
Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary airport at 2, 843m, is one of the most dangerous in the world. Some say it’s the most dangerous.
It’s also the most spectacular, I think.
This airport is where most trekkers and climbers start their journey to Everest Base Camp, other treks in the Everest National Park, (there are plenty of trekking options up there), and to the summit itself.
Helicopters from Kathmandu to Lukla land to the left of the Lukla runway, right here. The runway is behind. Both are just footsteps from hotels and Lukla town.
A short uphill runway slows tiny planes enough to veer sharply right into an airplane car park. All around are huge mountains.
Once the pilot commits to landing there’s no space to manoeuver so if anything goes wrong the pilot has zero chance of pulling up. It’s land it, or crash it.
I have video of one tiny plane after another taking off and landing, the traffic volume is huge when the weather is clear. I’ll share the video when I can.
Flight Changes Ramechhap Manthali to Lukla
We have been informed that flights to the Lukla section do not take off from Kathmandu at certain times. They depart from an airport 5 hours away in Ramechhap – Manthali airport ( September October 2019 and Spring 2019)
This is because of runway maintenance and to reduce congestion at Kathmandu and is by order of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. So, in addition to your flight to Lukla you will need to arrange transport to Ramechhap, this will generally be by road and you’re looking at a very early start or an overnight stay in Manthali.
Please check and double-check this information for yourself, we were given second-hand information by a person in Nepal.
Private helicopters fly to to Namche Bazaar or maybe Lukla from Kathmandu Nepal, it’s not clear if this is still possible, but they will cost you more.
Our Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Experience
We woke at 4.45am and were in the waiting taxi at 5.15am taking with us only what we needed for trekking. Most of our luggage stayed at our guest house in Kathmandu, free of charge.
We organised the early morning taxi through our guest house, it cost us 750 Rps, $7.50. Regular taxis are normally much cheaper than this in Kathmandu, (3-500 Rps Aiport to Thamel ) but this was a large jeep.
Kathmandu’s internal airport opens at 6am, our flight, and most others, was scheduled for 7am.
Check in was easy, the queues were short, after all, most of the local planes only seat 14 passengers.
Our bags were weighed, surprisingly, we were not.
Our large backpack (17Kg) was taken away from us, checked in to be placed at the back of the plane, our smaller one, (7Kg), I kept.
After minimal security and a light pat-down we made our way through to the departure lounge for an expensive coffee and a Snickers. A lot of meals are replaced by Snickers when you’re trekking in Nepal.
There were seats, but as time wore on they all filled up and then some. There are a few shops and a washroom in the terminal.
Fog lay thick over the Kathmandu runway as we settled in to wait.
It seems that delays are common, even normal on these mountain flights. The planes can’t leave until the runways, both at Kathmandu and Lukla, are somewhat visible through the clouds.
The flight is only 30 minutes long from runway to runway and pilots guide the planes visually, there are mountains to dodge and that short airstrip to spot. Be grateful that they wait.
Once some degree of clarity was reached every pssenger in the departure lounge made their way to runway buses, one per flight. 14 people per plane.
We drove to the far end of the runway, picking our way through waiting aircraft before stopping.
“Is that our plane Mum?”
“Yes.”
“I hate you!”
When we reached our Sita airlines twin-engine our driver announced that Kathmandu airport was till closed, so we’d just wait a little longer.
An hour later it was all systems go, the green light was given and every waiting plane had to get out of there while the skies were still clear.
We rushed from the bus to take or seats, buckle up and listen to the safety announcement before taxiing to take our place in the departure queue.
Waiting for take off on the runway in Kathmandu. It’s nice to be able to see the pilots. My 11 year old isn’t phased.
Yes, you read that right, there was a safety announcement, a liveried stewardess comes as standard on these flights.
After her chat she hands out sweets and cotton wool for ears before sitting at the back of the plane with the larger bags. I wouldn’t want her job for the world.
Then we were off, soaring and roaring up through the fog and clouds.
On a clear day, yes, you can see Everest and the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas from the plane. We’ve flown this route several times now and never had a good views unfortunately. You need to sit on the left hand side of the plane for the best views. We had better views flying over the Himalayas and Mt Everest to Tibet.
We grabbed seats on the left-hand side, the side you want for the best mountain views, but with fog, cloud and dirty windows, there was little to see. On a clear day the views must be amazing, we lucked out.
Hmmm…would this be useful if we hit a mountain? My favourite position is brace.
We bumped up and down and blew from side to side. I spent most of my time praying or in the brace position. The children read their Kindles as if it was an every-day bus ride.
In the final minutes of the flight it seemed the pilot is about to fly into a brown, craggy mountain as eagles flew just below us. At the last moment, he took a right turn and Lukla’s tiny airport came into view.
The landing was fast and bumpy, but safe.
Moments after landing, Boo, 9, is all smiles. Within a few minutes the returning passengers board and the plane is off back to Kathmandu.
Within moments we were all off the plane, had grabbed our bags and were ready to go.
It was a flight that will stay with me forever, something I’ve always dreamed of doing, but I don’t particularly want to do it again.
Tips on Flying to Lukla
Don’t buy an open-ended return ticket. If weather is bad and flights are cancelled, you will be at the back of the queue for stand-by seats and could wait days. Get a fixed date or just buy a single. It’s easy to buy a return ticket from Lukla when you are ready.
Sit on the left for best views.
Take earplugs for the flight or use the cotton wool provided.
Be prepared for a delay, take snacks.
If possible buy the tickets yourself direct with the airline eg. Tara, Yeti, Sita. Kathmandu agents will over-charge you. Use Skyscanner to find deals.
Children’s tickets ARE less expensive than adults. The agent charged us full-price. (Trekking permits are also free for under 10s, the agent robbed us on these too, they cost 10000 Rps each, $10, not $20)
Lukla doesn’t have much going for it other than plane watching. Namche is a much nicer place to spend a few days if you’re ahead of schedule. You can walk down from Namche to Lukla in one day, but it’s a big day.
Our tickets cost us $165 each, one way. Booking direct is cheaper.
Scenic Flights to See Lukla and Everest
Are You Looking For A Scenic Flight to See Lukla, the Himalayas or Everest Without Trekking? If so we can suggest this option, just click through for details on a 1-hour scenic flight from Kathmandu. It’s actually quite an affordable way to see the absolute majesty of the mountains. These flights can be booked before you even leave home, so much less of a headache for you and more time to enjoy Nepal. They have a lowest price guarantee and the reliability of a big, well-respected company. If you have cash on tap and don’t want to walk, you can even take a helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp. There are multiple tours of Kathmandu and Nepal also available, from a few hours, to multiple days. See the many activities and tours you can book from Kathmandu available here.
Cancelled Flights on the Kathmandu – Lukla Route
We’ve since returned and completed the Everest Base Camp trek with the kids. We had flight booked from Kathmandu to Lukla, but in October, peak season, there were a lot of cancelled planes and people were waiting days at the airport. Rather than paying thousands for a helicopter we hopped on a plane to Phaplu instead and walked to Lukla. This took us 4 days. Coming back from Everest our flight to Lukla wasn’t booked, we winged it and got on a plane within a day of arriving in Lukla. People with booked tickets waited longer than we did. Some had been waiting 4 days.
Options in Getting from Kathmandu to Lukla
BustoJiri (1 905m, 9 hours) and Walk 6-7 days. Jiri is further along from Phaplu, same route plus 2-3 days.
Jeep, private or shared to Phaplu or Jiri. Quicker than the bus, less legroom,more expensive, more dangerous and Walk 3-4 days. We’ve researched and costed this from Phaplu, we picked the bus.
Fly to Phaplu (2,413m) and Walk 3-4 days. We’ve seen the airport.
Bus to Shivalaya and Walk 5-6 days. I know nothing about this route, sorry, I found it via Lonely Planet forums, I’m not even sure it’s correct.
Helicopter to Sangboche (3,700m), just above Namche Bazar (3,500m), only for climbing expeditions really, the airport is below.
Fly to Lukla (2,860m)
Accident at Lukla Airport
Tragically on 14/4/19, today, there was a plane crash at Lukla airport. A plane was taking off when for some reason it swerved to the right into the helicopter area.
3 people were killed. The pilot and 2 policemen standing in the helicopter area. It was the same plane we flew out on just months ago. A Summit flight. Our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones so tragically.
Accidents at Lukla airport are pretty rare, this is the first we’ve heard of in our years of being interested in Lukla airport and Nepal generally.
Our hotel, last time we were in Lukla was right behind the helicopter area. We have friends up there, Sherpa guides, and local people. We just want them all to stay safe. News report here.
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Flying from Kathmandu to Lukla. The world’s most dangerous airport Nepal
Thanks for following our story. There many more posts about travel in Nepal and trekking in the Everest region (with children, although information applies equally to adults of all ages) on our website. Start with all of our Nepal Blog Posts in our archive. If you’re looking for trekking or open-ended travel insurance, try here. Your next big town after Lukla will be Namche Bazaar, read our full guide to wonderful Namche and find out why it’s one of our favourite places on earth.
Alyson Long is a British medical scientist who jumped ship to chase dreams. A former Chief Biomedical Scientist at London's West Middlesex Hospital she started in website creation and travel writing in 2011.
Alyson is a full-time blogger and travel writer, a published author, and owns several websites. World Travel Family is the biggest.
A lifetime of wanderlust and over 6 years of full-time travel, plus a separate 12 month gap year, has given Alyson and the family some travel expert smarts to share with you on this world travel site.
Today Alyson still travels extensively to update this site and continue her mission to visit every country, but she's often at home on her farm in Australia.
This is an amazing post, I am so glad that i come across your post this morning which find me very useful information, one of our friends did an Everest base camp trek 8 days with a local company called Alpine Ramble and she shared amazing pics with me, I am going to book the same trip as her with Alpine ramble for my next adventure, can’t wai it to happen.
I’d seriously think about taking a longer amount of time. 8 days is very fast with no free days for slow acclimatisation. We were up there three weeks when we went to Base Camp. Which allowed for a few rest days which we needed because of sickness. Try to stay flexible.
Well written about Kathmandu Lukla flight, I am trekking guide as well trekking company owner from Nepal, Every year I have to fly on this route several times and every time the fear is in peak until the plane starts.The fear is normal coz the weather on Everest region changes so frequently. The fear decrease as soon as the plane take up from the airport and the stunning views of mountain range hits my eyes. Everest Base camp trekking starts from this flight which is the most easiest route for EBC trek. So, most of the travelers choose this route. If travelers has some more days they can choose some alternate routes for Everest base camp trekking. Like Jiri – Namche – EBC or Phaplu Lukla and follow the same route.
Yep, we’ve walked to Phaplu twice now, once up, once down, once went there by bus, once flew. We have posts on all of this. They’re probably in the related posts content here.
We flew from kathmandu to lukla 6 may. Was very scary…..specially the landing. Flying back from lukla was a huge challenge. Bad weather was a huge problem. After waiting for 4 days for a plane from lukla to kathmandu, we could get a seat on a lukla plane to phaplu. From there, a 12 hour busride to kathmandu. Make sure you have extra days before flying out of lukla. Remember, the mountains have the last say
Totally. It’s VERY common to be stuck up there because of bad weather. But flight plus bus ride….ugg. Worst of both worlds! It depends what ticket you have, one ticket puts you on the waiting list to come back down, but right now I can’t remember which way around it is. I think it’s better to buy a ticket one way rather than return but it’s been a while, can’t guarantee that information.
I must say…….the bus ride fron Phapku to Kathmandu was an extra bonus. We got to see the other side of the himalayas. Very scary…..but the views, spectacular.
We booked online before we went and in Namche Bazar, we booked our ticket back.
Yep that bus ride is pretty phenomenal…but terrifying. We’re back again soon. I gave the kids the option of bus or plane…they said the plane was the least scary. I think I’m going to work on them and talk them into bus then walk from Jiri . I really hate flying.
Hi I am a 61 year old lady (travelling own)
Travelling to Kathmandu June
Is it possible you think to get first early flight to lukla
Staying day and fky back Kathmandu
Just for the experience??!
The flights tend to all be in the morning because of weather , cloud, fog etc. Check flight times, otherwise yes, very possible, if rather expensive. Sightseeing flights also go, just take you up on a scenic flight.
Sure, it is possible.
We just added one more person to our EBC team. She will fly from Kathmando to Lukla and back.
All flights are very early 🙂 6-8am
regards
thank you for this helpful article. it is one of the best I have read so far.
My plan is to do the EBC trek in May.
I am arriving on a Friday to KTM and hope to get to Lukla on the next day.
what is the best way to buy the flight ticket to Lukla? would you buy it before (outside of Nepal)?
If you need to book for the next day I’d most certainly try to book them online before arrival ( try at least, use Skyscanner). There were no vacancies for several days when we went. However if you can’t buy tickets to Lukla online try the travel agencies in Kathmandu. But they do like to rip you off.
thank you for the quick response.
somehow is skyscanner not showing any flights. I do find flights with yeti.
is it safe to book on their page? which airline would you recommend?
hope not to bother you 🙂
All of those airlines seem pretty much the same, Yeti, Sita, etc. If Skyscanner isn’t showing any maybe they’ve sold out. I don’t know sorry, about the Yeti website, never used it. Maybe you could contact an agent in Kathmandu and ask about availability and reserving a flight?
Last time I was in Nepal I did not take any flights. I usually would do it myself. ie. booking and so on. Contacting an agent from Europe it is a new experience for me. It looks like I would follow that path.
Thank you again for your support.
Dhori
My plan is to do the trek on my own.
The only issue I have is: Time.
The idea is to get to Lukla as soon as possible and have some
buffer time towards the end.
Dhori,
Thank you for your reply.
It is exactly what i want to do. On my own, not with a group. Also, I was planning kathmandu – lukla by Yeti plain.
my issue is that i am the only one crazy enough to get this trip done however i just don’t want to do it on my own. 1 buddy i could talk to would be perfect. 🙂
if you would like to catch up and chat about it please give me a shout. if not, there is no problem at all. i do understand 🙂
All the best and good luck with your trip.
Andy
Guys, you’ll bump into lots of people along the trail, you’ll find people to walk a day with and chat to. You won’t be alone, you’ll be as alone as you choose to be. Everyone is going the same way at a similar pace, you’ll keep bumping into the same people on the hike. Everyone wants to talk.
Thanks Alyson,
That was just my only 1 concern i think 🙂 it is always better to have somebody to back you up in case of…
It works both ways.
It is a demanding trek and a challenge for everyone and i just wasn’t sure if i should do it on my own or not. 🙂 but i am crazy enough to give it a go.
Thanks again.
i will be traveling on May 5-6 to KTM. Flying out May 26, probabely.
My concern was how to get to Lukla, as I am not sure how to book the KTM-Lukla flight.
Alison did give me a couple of hints which I still have not figured out.
Have you booked with yeti already?
He says yes, there’s one at Namche too BUT they are very very unreliable and they limit the amount of cash you can withdraw. He used the one in Namche twice. Even in Kathmandu ATMs are hard work, and expensive.
Wow!, Its really scary flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. There is no choice for travelers who wish to make Everest Base Camp Trek, They will need to take this flight.
No, there is choice, they can walk up. We walked down and caught the bus back to Kathmandu. It’s many extra days but walking up to Lukla is possible. We have friends who have done it, with kids.
Hey, how cost efficent would that be?
Considering I have lots of time at my disposal. Would the hike from KTM to Lukla save considerable money, if yes how much?
I don’t think you’d save any money doing that Manthan. I know it cost us more to walk down than it would have done to fly down. Paying for lodges, food, guide and then the bus over several days ads up fast, but you’d need to cost it out for yourself. We had a Sherpa guide at $20 per day, that’s a lot of cash but we needed him with the kids.
I hope you are well? My husband plane to fly into Phaplu And then trek up to Lukla (I want take a bit more time to acclimatise and avoid bus journey!!) ????
Can we trek this route independently or do you recommend hiring a Sherpa?
You can absolutely do it independently. Sorry, I’ve been meaning to write about the Phaplu trek up to Lukla ( you can actually bypas Lukla) and just not had time. We’ve done it twice now. It’s a lot cheaper than the main drag above Lukla and conditions are a lot more basic but very enjoyable and some really pretty places. But it’s tough, you do go to altitude pretty fast, first day from memory, so plan around it and have a map so you know where best to stop.
Thank you for the superfast response and for the information. That’s great! 🙂
When you say ‘conditions are a lot more basic’ – do the teahouses have beds or do we need to bring roll mats? Also, from at which exact point do you start trekking in Phaplu – is this clearly marked? Can we ask locals?
Yes they have beds. One we used on that trail, I don’t think she’d had customers in years, no menu, we just asked for dal baht, room was free. One had a little shop below so we got some beers and soft drinks, a lot of local porters arrived late at night. Bucket and scoop toilet facilities. Two were really nice, in small towns.Chef even had a hot shower. If you go look at our Instagram you’ll see a sunset mountain shot with Chef standing outside one of the lodges on that stretch, really pretty. Another of our first view of ” the snows”, that was the very first lodge. I have video of being there in that woman’s house with her cooking for us on the fire with a couple of toddlers hanging off her. The food was great, very ” authentic” but it wouldn’t suit some people. There is cloud forest, a lot of mud and donkey poo and wee depending on weather, at least one suspension bridge. I should write it up in full for you but we’re busy with a reef / dive promotion the next few days. When are you going? They all had beds and warm blankets of some sort. It’s hard to describe, but you will see the change, certainly when you get to Namche and find bakeries, shops, pubs, coffee and steak houses. You come out of Phaplu airport and turn left up the hill, starting on the road you passs through trees, it’s all uphill. Yes, it’s easy to navigate. There are jeeps that will take you up that first hill, for a fee. Have you read our difficulties of the EBC trek post? There’s a little bit about it in there.
Thanks for your article, very enlightening and entertaining! Two friends and I have about 3 days to spare in Nepal next Jan and were considering heading to Lukla to explore the area and see some nice scenery. We don’t have much time and aren’t experienced trekkers or anything – do you reckon it’d still be worth making a trip there to walk for 2 or 3 days?
Possibly Ben, it’s not cheap though. I think on the first day walking out of Lukla you’d need to buy an Everest park permit. Unless you went down hill of course. You probably wouldn’t get to see Everest from that walk, but you may from the plane if it’s a clear day and the windows are clean. Everest scenic flights are another option from Kathmandu, I guess they clean the windows! You don’t need to be an experienced trekker and you don’t need special gear, but you could have a quick look round, sure. You’ll see some dzows or dzo ( not sure of spelling), not yaks, yaks start higher up. It’s a pretty path up from Lukla and the first day is very easy,mostly down hill.
Hello!
Thanks for the great information, I was wondering if you could help clarify something for me? I am considering taking the bus to Phaplu and was curious about the conditions. Is it a bus or a jeep? Do you remember the cost involved? How were road conditions? What time did it leave in the morning? Or if you have any tips or info that would be great. Thank you!
Timo, there is a bus and jeeps, your choice. The bus is cheaper, that’s what we took. I think I felt safer being in the larger vehicle and the risk of sickness may be less. We passed the jeeps, they travel in convoy, maybe around a dozen of them. The road is UNBELIEVABLE! It barely exists in places. I thought I’d posted about that bus journey already, maybe not. If I haven’t I will soon. We left before first light, I think it was around 12 hours. Everyone was vomiting around us, we were OK, I dosed the kids with travel sickness meds. But I wouldn’t recommend walking up, the trail is horrible, so many donkeys, so much erosion and mud. It’s an environmental disaster, very sad to see. I’d recommend flying. That said, the whole thing was a massive adventure and I’d do it all over again, love this part of the world. Have fun!
Wow! fantastic post Alyson. I can’t wait to see the video clips. Your family’s journey is inspirational. We walked for 12 days up to Jumla and flew down to, I can’t remember where, that was a fun ride too, but not so hairy by the sound of Lukla. Did you have to do much prep for the altitude here?
Thanks for the wonderful information in your posts.
No, not sure what you mean, there’s nothing you can do to prepare for altitude, it’s the luck of the draw. Chef got it bad once in Peru, terrible headaches for days, I’ve never had much problem. 2 of us had slight headaches when we arrived in Lukla but on the first dy you walk down a few hundred metres, so it went away. Then an acclimatisation day in Namche Bazar, and all was good.
Alyson,
Your information are priceless. 🙂
So, i have all booked by now. 24/05/18-> 05/06/18 🙂
I was wondering if I should take purifying tablets with me or should i rely on the tea houses?
What do you think?
regards
We used boiled water from the lodges mostly. Fill up with boiled water ( or black tea) every morning, good to go! We had 4 big Nalgene bottles and one camel back that one of the kids had, between 4 I haven’t personally used purifying tablets since India 1999, I really don’t see the need but if I had some I’d take them. If you can buy them easily at home, grab a few for emergencies, you never know, it’s not like they weigh much. There are plenty of streams up there that people drink from, maybe one of those purifying straws ( I’ve added info on tablets, life straw and purifying water bottles to this post now https://worldtravelfamily.com/what-gear-do-you-really-need-for-nepal-and-trekking/ ) It will be very busy up there at the time you’re going Andy, it may surprise you.
What was the essential gear for a trip like this? Did you bring most of it to Nepal or is it easier and/or more cost effective to buy it there?
It sounds like an amazing experience!
Sounds a little like flying through the Andes and then up and over a ridge before a steep descent into Cuzco airport in Peru—except on a bigger plane on an airline you’ve heard of before. The bus ride back sounded scarier. I’m an atheist — except on airplanes.
Brave soul! I’ve flown 100 plus times but pass on these little planes and airports with rough landings. Nice recap!
This is an amazing post, I am so glad that i come across your post this morning which find me very useful information, one of our friends did an Everest base camp trek 8 days with a local company called Alpine Ramble and she shared amazing pics with me, I am going to book the same trip as her with Alpine ramble for my next adventure, can’t wai it to happen.
I’d seriously think about taking a longer amount of time. 8 days is very fast with no free days for slow acclimatisation. We were up there three weeks when we went to Base Camp. Which allowed for a few rest days which we needed because of sickness. Try to stay flexible.
I enjoyed much to read such a piece of informative blog article about the most dangerous and narrow runway airport of Lukla.
Well written about Kathmandu Lukla flight, I am trekking guide as well trekking company owner from Nepal, Every year I have to fly on this route several times and every time the fear is in peak until the plane starts.The fear is normal coz the weather on Everest region changes so frequently. The fear decrease as soon as the plane take up from the airport and the stunning views of mountain range hits my eyes. Everest Base camp trekking starts from this flight which is the most easiest route for EBC trek. So, most of the travelers choose this route. If travelers has some more days they can choose some alternate routes for Everest base camp trekking. Like Jiri – Namche – EBC or Phaplu Lukla and follow the same route.
Yep, we’ve walked to Phaplu twice now, once up, once down, once went there by bus, once flew. We have posts on all of this. They’re probably in the related posts content here.
well described. I show many peoples are taking good advantage from this post. Thank you
Nice write up. It is full of information with a great story. Enjoyed it.
So, If I have to plan a trip to Nepal- how many days will I have to allocate for a visit to Lukla?
Depends how long you want to stay in Lukla and how you want to get to Lukla from Kathmandu.
We flew from kathmandu to lukla 6 may. Was very scary…..specially the landing. Flying back from lukla was a huge challenge. Bad weather was a huge problem. After waiting for 4 days for a plane from lukla to kathmandu, we could get a seat on a lukla plane to phaplu. From there, a 12 hour busride to kathmandu. Make sure you have extra days before flying out of lukla. Remember, the mountains have the last say
Totally. It’s VERY common to be stuck up there because of bad weather. But flight plus bus ride….ugg. Worst of both worlds! It depends what ticket you have, one ticket puts you on the waiting list to come back down, but right now I can’t remember which way around it is. I think it’s better to buy a ticket one way rather than return but it’s been a while, can’t guarantee that information.
I must say…….the bus ride fron Phapku to Kathmandu was an extra bonus. We got to see the other side of the himalayas. Very scary…..but the views, spectacular.
We booked online before we went and in Namche Bazar, we booked our ticket back.
Yep that bus ride is pretty phenomenal…but terrifying. We’re back again soon. I gave the kids the option of bus or plane…they said the plane was the least scary. I think I’m going to work on them and talk them into bus then walk from Jiri . I really hate flying.
Hi I am a 61 year old lady (travelling own)
Travelling to Kathmandu June
Is it possible you think to get first early flight to lukla
Staying day and fky back Kathmandu
Just for the experience??!
The flights tend to all be in the morning because of weather , cloud, fog etc. Check flight times, otherwise yes, very possible, if rather expensive. Sightseeing flights also go, just take you up on a scenic flight.
Sure, it is possible.
We just added one more person to our EBC team. She will fly from Kathmando to Lukla and back.
All flights are very early 🙂 6-8am
regards
Hi Alyson!
thank you for this helpful article. it is one of the best I have read so far.
My plan is to do the EBC trek in May.
I am arriving on a Friday to KTM and hope to get to Lukla on the next day.
what is the best way to buy the flight ticket to Lukla? would you buy it before (outside of Nepal)?
Thank you,
Dhori
If you need to book for the next day I’d most certainly try to book them online before arrival ( try at least, use Skyscanner). There were no vacancies for several days when we went. However if you can’t buy tickets to Lukla online try the travel agencies in Kathmandu. But they do like to rip you off.
thank you for the quick response.
somehow is skyscanner not showing any flights. I do find flights with yeti.
is it safe to book on their page? which airline would you recommend?
hope not to bother you 🙂
thank you dhori
All of those airlines seem pretty much the same, Yeti, Sita, etc. If Skyscanner isn’t showing any maybe they’ve sold out. I don’t know sorry, about the Yeti website, never used it. Maybe you could contact an agent in Kathmandu and ask about availability and reserving a flight?
Hi Alyson,
Last time I was in Nepal I did not take any flights. I usually would do it myself. ie. booking and so on. Contacting an agent from Europe it is a new experience for me. It looks like I would follow that path.
Thank you again for your support.
Dhori
Hi Dhori,
My plan is pretty much the same… may 25->03/06/18 back to UK.
are you going on your own or with your team?
regards
Andy
Hi Andy,
My plan is to do the trek on my own.
The only issue I have is: Time.
The idea is to get to Lukla as soon as possible and have some
buffer time towards the end.
Regards,
Dhori
Dhori,
Thank you for your reply.
It is exactly what i want to do. On my own, not with a group. Also, I was planning kathmandu – lukla by Yeti plain.
my issue is that i am the only one crazy enough to get this trip done however i just don’t want to do it on my own. 1 buddy i could talk to would be perfect. 🙂
if you would like to catch up and chat about it please give me a shout. if not, there is no problem at all. i do understand 🙂
All the best and good luck with your trip.
Andy
Guys, you’ll bump into lots of people along the trail, you’ll find people to walk a day with and chat to. You won’t be alone, you’ll be as alone as you choose to be. Everyone is going the same way at a similar pace, you’ll keep bumping into the same people on the hike. Everyone wants to talk.
Thanks Alyson,
That was just my only 1 concern i think 🙂 it is always better to have somebody to back you up in case of…
It works both ways.
It is a demanding trek and a challenge for everyone and i just wasn’t sure if i should do it on my own or not. 🙂 but i am crazy enough to give it a go.
Thanks again.
hi Andy,
i will be traveling on May 5-6 to KTM. Flying out May 26, probabely.
My concern was how to get to Lukla, as I am not sure how to book the KTM-Lukla flight.
Alison did give me a couple of hints which I still have not figured out.
Have you booked with yeti already?
Cheers,
Dhori
Hi Dhori,
I will be going (if) on 25th (KTM) to Lukla with yeti.
It is £168 one way. Easy to do it online. 🙂
if we won’t meet, have a great fun! 🙂
WE paid that, each. It is what it is.
Nice article! It’s really helped to traveler like me… I want to know, there’s an ATM in Lukla to withdraw money?
Good question! I can’t remember but my husband will know, I’ll check with him later.
He says yes, there’s one at Namche too BUT they are very very unreliable and they limit the amount of cash you can withdraw. He used the one in Namche twice. Even in Kathmandu ATMs are hard work, and expensive.
Wow!, Its really scary flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. There is no choice for travelers who wish to make Everest Base Camp Trek, They will need to take this flight.
No, there is choice, they can walk up. We walked down and caught the bus back to Kathmandu. It’s many extra days but walking up to Lukla is possible. We have friends who have done it, with kids.
Hey, how cost efficent would that be?
Considering I have lots of time at my disposal. Would the hike from KTM to Lukla save considerable money, if yes how much?
Manthan
I don’t think you’d save any money doing that Manthan. I know it cost us more to walk down than it would have done to fly down. Paying for lodges, food, guide and then the bus over several days ads up fast, but you’d need to cost it out for yourself. We had a Sherpa guide at $20 per day, that’s a lot of cash but we needed him with the kids.
Hi Alyson
I hope you are well? My husband plane to fly into Phaplu And then trek up to Lukla (I want take a bit more time to acclimatise and avoid bus journey!!) ????
Can we trek this route independently or do you recommend hiring a Sherpa?
Many thanks and best wishes Lavinia
You can absolutely do it independently. Sorry, I’ve been meaning to write about the Phaplu trek up to Lukla ( you can actually bypas Lukla) and just not had time. We’ve done it twice now. It’s a lot cheaper than the main drag above Lukla and conditions are a lot more basic but very enjoyable and some really pretty places. But it’s tough, you do go to altitude pretty fast, first day from memory, so plan around it and have a map so you know where best to stop.
Hi Alyson,
Thank you for the superfast response and for the information. That’s great! 🙂
When you say ‘conditions are a lot more basic’ – do the teahouses have beds or do we need to bring roll mats? Also, from at which exact point do you start trekking in Phaplu – is this clearly marked? Can we ask locals?
Many thanks and best wishes, Lavinia
Yes they have beds. One we used on that trail, I don’t think she’d had customers in years, no menu, we just asked for dal baht, room was free. One had a little shop below so we got some beers and soft drinks, a lot of local porters arrived late at night. Bucket and scoop toilet facilities. Two were really nice, in small towns.Chef even had a hot shower. If you go look at our Instagram you’ll see a sunset mountain shot with Chef standing outside one of the lodges on that stretch, really pretty. Another of our first view of ” the snows”, that was the very first lodge. I have video of being there in that woman’s house with her cooking for us on the fire with a couple of toddlers hanging off her. The food was great, very ” authentic” but it wouldn’t suit some people. There is cloud forest, a lot of mud and donkey poo and wee depending on weather, at least one suspension bridge. I should write it up in full for you but we’re busy with a reef / dive promotion the next few days. When are you going? They all had beds and warm blankets of some sort. It’s hard to describe, but you will see the change, certainly when you get to Namche and find bakeries, shops, pubs, coffee and steak houses. You come out of Phaplu airport and turn left up the hill, starting on the road you passs through trees, it’s all uphill. Yes, it’s easy to navigate. There are jeeps that will take you up that first hill, for a fee. Have you read our difficulties of the EBC trek post? There’s a little bit about it in there.
Hi Alyson!
Thanks for your article, very enlightening and entertaining! Two friends and I have about 3 days to spare in Nepal next Jan and were considering heading to Lukla to explore the area and see some nice scenery. We don’t have much time and aren’t experienced trekkers or anything – do you reckon it’d still be worth making a trip there to walk for 2 or 3 days?
Possibly Ben, it’s not cheap though. I think on the first day walking out of Lukla you’d need to buy an Everest park permit. Unless you went down hill of course. You probably wouldn’t get to see Everest from that walk, but you may from the plane if it’s a clear day and the windows are clean. Everest scenic flights are another option from Kathmandu, I guess they clean the windows! You don’t need to be an experienced trekker and you don’t need special gear, but you could have a quick look round, sure. You’ll see some dzows or dzo ( not sure of spelling), not yaks, yaks start higher up. It’s a pretty path up from Lukla and the first day is very easy,mostly down hill.
All pics are fabulous. I think Your family enjoyed this adventures trip a lot without fear of flying. Thanks to share this awesome pics with us.
Hello!
Thanks for the great information, I was wondering if you could help clarify something for me? I am considering taking the bus to Phaplu and was curious about the conditions. Is it a bus or a jeep? Do you remember the cost involved? How were road conditions? What time did it leave in the morning? Or if you have any tips or info that would be great. Thank you!
Timo, there is a bus and jeeps, your choice. The bus is cheaper, that’s what we took. I think I felt safer being in the larger vehicle and the risk of sickness may be less. We passed the jeeps, they travel in convoy, maybe around a dozen of them. The road is UNBELIEVABLE! It barely exists in places. I thought I’d posted about that bus journey already, maybe not. If I haven’t I will soon. We left before first light, I think it was around 12 hours. Everyone was vomiting around us, we were OK, I dosed the kids with travel sickness meds. But I wouldn’t recommend walking up, the trail is horrible, so many donkeys, so much erosion and mud. It’s an environmental disaster, very sad to see. I’d recommend flying. That said, the whole thing was a massive adventure and I’d do it all over again, love this part of the world. Have fun!
Wow lady, such an adventure. Thanks for the tips. Beautiful pictures.
Thanks Nita. The best adventures are in the Himalayas.
Wow! fantastic post Alyson. I can’t wait to see the video clips. Your family’s journey is inspirational. We walked for 12 days up to Jumla and flew down to, I can’t remember where, that was a fun ride too, but not so hairy by the sound of Lukla. Did you have to do much prep for the altitude here?
Thanks for the wonderful information in your posts.
No, not sure what you mean, there’s nothing you can do to prepare for altitude, it’s the luck of the draw. Chef got it bad once in Peru, terrible headaches for days, I’ve never had much problem. 2 of us had slight headaches when we arrived in Lukla but on the first dy you walk down a few hundred metres, so it went away. Then an acclimatisation day in Namche Bazar, and all was good.
Alyson,
Your information are priceless. 🙂
So, i have all booked by now. 24/05/18-> 05/06/18 🙂
I was wondering if I should take purifying tablets with me or should i rely on the tea houses?
What do you think?
regards
We used boiled water from the lodges mostly. Fill up with boiled water ( or black tea) every morning, good to go! We had 4 big Nalgene bottles and one camel back that one of the kids had, between 4 I haven’t personally used purifying tablets since India 1999, I really don’t see the need but if I had some I’d take them. If you can buy them easily at home, grab a few for emergencies, you never know, it’s not like they weigh much. There are plenty of streams up there that people drink from, maybe one of those purifying straws ( I’ve added info on tablets, life straw and purifying water bottles to this post now
https://worldtravelfamily.com/what-gear-do-you-really-need-for-nepal-and-trekking/ ) It will be very busy up there at the time you’re going Andy, it may surprise you.
Alyson,
Thanks again for reply. I just did not know if they are necessary. 🙂
Can’t wait now. LoL
Regards
Freaks the s..t out of me, Alyson !
Lol!
What was the essential gear for a trip like this? Did you bring most of it to Nepal or is it easier and/or more cost effective to buy it there?
It sounds like an amazing experience!
A post is coming soon on that subject Deanne!
Sounds a little like flying through the Andes and then up and over a ridge before a steep descent into Cuzco airport in Peru—except on a bigger plane on an airline you’ve heard of before. The bus ride back sounded scarier. I’m an atheist — except on airplanes.
Somewhat similar, yes. But worse. And better. We took the train up to Cuzco, the altitude must have hit you hard by plane.