Learn About Lukla and its World Famous Airport

Learn About Lukla and its World Famous Airport

the-runway-at-lukla-airport.jpg

Lukla is found in north-east Nepal and sits at 2,860m above sea level. It means 'place with many goats and sheep' but despite the name, you’d be lucky to spot one at all these days.

Although it's small, the town is buzzing with the happy sound of excited trekkers either getting ready to set off on their expeditions or finishing off a well-deserved beer after completing a good chunk of hiking! It is also home to the Tenzing-Hillary airport which is named after Tenzing Norgay and our favorite kiwi Sir Edmund Hillary, the first people to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

The views are remarkable but there’s not much to do here in the way of activities and the quickly changing weather conditions can mean there's a chance you'll be hanging around longer than you planned. We're going to help you out by giving you some handy information about the airport, the climate and what to do if you’re passing some time before your flight.

 

 

Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla Airport)

You may have seen the dramatic news reports claiming that Lukla airport is dangerous, but did you see the reports that named it the most spectacular flight you’ll ever experience? The negative makes for a great headline, but in reality, there isn’t much truth to it. Thousands of people fly in and out of Lukla every year incident free and it seems that it has gained this reputation through its location rather than its incident rates.

The runway itself is short with high terrain at the Northern end and a steep drop at the Southern end which doesn’t leave much room for error. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal have set high standards for the pilots that are allowed to fly in and out of Lukla airport, they have to have completed at least 100 short take off and landings and have at least one year of experience doing this in Nepal as well as having to complete ten flights into Lukla with a certified instructor, so you're in safe hands!

If you travel with us, we have buffer days at the beginning and end of our Himalayas adventures so if the weather isn’t optimal, we’ll wait for good flying conditions and spend an extra day in Kathmandu. As with all our trips, we do our research and safety is our number one concern, so we make sure we only use airlines with great safety records.

The location of the airport wasn’t the first choice for the developers either, it was built back in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary. He had originally wanted a nice flat piece of land nearby, but the farmers declined his offer and he was forced to look elsewhere. The runway wasn't paved until 2001 and in order to keep the land flat and compact, it's said that Sir Ed bought liquor for the Sherpa that were helping him build and asked them to perform a 'foot-stomping' dance – fortunately it’s only a short runway!

Whether you enjoy flying in small aircraft or not, it is the only direct way into Lukla as no roads have yet been completed (one from Kathmandu is underway). You can bus, drive or fly to Phaplu or another nearby town and walk from there, but it will take you 3-4 days. So you may as well buckle up, get your camera ready and enjoy one of the most scenic flights you’ll ever do.

 

Climate 

Lukla is situated in the mountains and these regions can be notoriously difficult to predict when it comes to weather. Nepal is in the Northern Hemisphere so if you’re based in the US or the UK, it’s pretty straightforward as far as seasons go:

  • Spring (March – May): Temperatures reach max 27°C (80°F), great for trekking.
  • Summer (June – August which also includes monsoon season from July – September): Temperatures reach max 28°C (82°F), lots of rainfall and a little too hot and humid to trek with unstable conditions in the Everest region due to melting snow. 
  • Autumn (September through to November): Temperatures reach max 26°C (70°F), similar to spring, also a great time to trek with the hills beaming shades of green from monsoon season.
  • Winter (December – February): Temperatures reach max 18°C (64°F), it can get very cold in Lukla during these months, trekking isn’t recommended as many lodge owners pack up and head further down the hills for some warmer weather.

Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit Lukla and trek in the region if you want to stay cool and dry. The weather is at its most enjoyable during these months with perfect hiking conditions and clear skies.

 

What to do

Lukla was made available to the world in 1964 when the airport was built, it was then that trekkers began to use the town as a base for their Mt Everest expeditions. It has since served as a spot for people to sleep before or after their hikes and as a result, not much has been put in place for those having to stay a little longer than expected.

The changing weather conditions can mean that flights are cancelled or delayed and if this happens, you might find yourself struggling to find something to do. We’ve put a few ideas together just in case:

  1. You can head out to one of the local villages to experience some of the rich culture.
  2. Watch the flights come in and out of Lukla airport – this is definitely an extreme airport and well worthwhile watching. 
  3. Make somebody’s day and visit the local school or hospital, you can take some gifts or leave a donation.
  4. Check out Kemgon Gompa, there are some beautiful paintings to capture if you’re into photography. 
  5. Read a book and taste the local cuisine – Sherpa Stew is a warming dish to start with and as meat is flown in, it may be best to stick to vegetarian options.

It's also a good idea to spend a day/night in Lukla before heading off on your treks, it's a great time to begin your acclimatisation regime and there are some short walks from the town for you to enjoy. Lukla is what you make of it and although delayed flights and bad weather can give new meaning to the word stress, safety is more important. So kick back, relax and enjoy as much as you can.

 

Explore Adventures in this Destination

Related Posts

Epic and Adventurous: The Best Hikes in Europe

Alpine meadows, rugged coastlines, volcanic moonscapes, hospitable villages, and waterfalls…

Damon's Kilimanjaro Climb on the Active Travel Adventures Podcast

In this episode of the Active Travel Adventures podcast, our…

W Trek Patagonia – Everything You Need to Know

Calling Torres del Paine National Park a dramatic landscape is…

Where to Travel in 2022: Top Adventure Trip for Each Month

So, you're ready to make 2022 a year of incredible…

Podcast: Kit Parks Tell Us all About her Dolomiti Adventure

Kit Parks, from Active Travel Adventures, tells us everything about…

Podcast: Kit Parks Interviews David and Tina About their Ecuador Adventure

Kit Parks from Active Travel Adventures interviews David and Tina…

Podcast: Kit Parks Interviews Dave and Tina About their Galapagos Land and Sea Adventure

Kit Parks from Active Travel Adventures, Dave and Tina discuss…

Adventure Travel to Costa Rica: Everything You Need to Know

Photo by Kamchatka/Getty Images

With coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean…

Safe Travel in 2021: Why Small Group Adventure Travel is the New Normal

It's no secret that since March of 2020, the travel…

Keeping Up With Our New Zealand Guides

You’ve heard us say it before, and you’ll hear us…

Northern Patagonia vs Southern Patagonia - How to Choose

Planning a trip to Patagonia but can't decide whether to…

Hiking Iceland: The Best Day and Multi-day Hikes

Iceland is a hiker's paradise. Its vast wilderness calls to…

Dolomites Hiking Guide: Best Hikes in the Dolomites

 

Ahhh the Dolomites! Arguably one of the most stunning mountain…

Travelling to Ecuador and the Galapagos During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Notice anything different about this picture? Look closely - there's…

Top 5 Open Destinations to Visit in 2022: Where Can Americans Travel?

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally…

5 Perfect Tours to Replace Your Cancelled REI Adventure Overseas

Your REI adventure tour overseas just got cancelled? We're sorry…

Best things to see on the West Coast of New Zealand

The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is a…

Hike or Bike the Paparoa Track

The Paparoa Track crosses 55km of the Paparoa National Park,…

The Eight Best Things to Do in the Dolomites, Italy

Pictures of the towering rock monoliths of the Italian Dolomites…

Top five things to do in Grand Teton National Park

Found yourself in Wyoming with your hiking boots? Here’s some…

The 12 Best Day Hikes in Utah

Utah is not only famous for having some of the…

Multi-Day Hike Packing-List for New Zealand

You and some mates have 4 (5 at a stretch)…

Discover Rakiura National Park, on Stewart Island

 Where is Stewart Island? 

Where is Stewart Island?Stewart Island is situated…

Video: Where to Next, with Active Adventures?

We've been adventuring for more than 22 years now, and…

Top things to do in Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is a hiker's paradise and a…

Podcast: Annie Allen talks with Kit about her 'Dolomiti' adventure in the Italian Dolomites

 

Most awesome active adventure“This trip was perfect, just the right…

Podcast: Linda Cohen Dickens talks with Kit about her 'Tour du Mont Blanc' adventure

 

My Mont Blanc Circuit“This trip not only provided an upfront…

Podcast: Stan Jacobson talks with Kit about his 'Annapurna Sanctuary Trek' in the Himalayas

 

5 Stars x 3“I rated this as 5 stars, "Excellent,…

Podcast: Kit Parks talks about her adventures on the South Island of New Zealand (Part I)

Add the North Island if you are already doing the…

Podcast: Kit Parks talks about her adventures on the South Island of New Zealand (Part II)

 

Add the North Island if you are already doing the…

Podcast: Kit Parks talks about her adventures on the North Island of New Zealand (Part III)

 

Add the North Island if you are already doing the…

Podcast: Sue Brickey and Rick Pope talk with Kit about their 'Chinchilla' adventure (Part I)

 

More Than I Expected“I only did three days of the…

Podcast: Sue Brickey and Rick Pope talk with Kit about their 'Chinchilla' adventure (Part II)

A varietal overview of Bolivia

“Such a diverse opportunity to experience…

Things to Do in Glenorchy - the Gateway to Paradise

Situated at the end of the road, there’s only one…

Discover Fiordland National Park - Things to See & Do

The largest of New Zealand’s fourteen national parks, Fiordland National…

Things to Do in Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park was formed after local conservationist Perrine…

Video: Reviews from our guests

Many of our videos feature interviews with Active guests, and…

Video: Safari Adventures in Africa

Come on a journey with us to the wildest place…

Video: How to pack for a three-day hike

Lynette, our client services rock star gives you a step…

Video : Choosing a pair of hiking boots

A lot of our guests wonder how to pick the…

Video: Highlights of our Elegant South 'Kakapo' trip

A short look at some highlights from our comfort-focused Elegant…

Video: Mont Blanc Circuit

Our 'Tour du Mont Blanc' trip is a challenging hiking…

Video: Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is New Zealand's biggest National Park, and…

Video: Ben Lomond in Queenstown

A challenging hike to beautiful vistas above Queenstown and the…

Video: Punakaiki

Famous for its 'Pancake Rocks', Punakaiki is also host to…

Video: Nelson Lakes National Park

This section of our Ultimate South Island trip is an…

Our Favourite Hikes on the West Coast of New Zealand

The West Coast of the South Island is a unique…

Things do Do in Queenstown for Non-Adrenaline Junkies

The first thing that probably comes to mind when you…

The Top 6 Roads You Have to Drive On Your Next New Zealand Road Trip

Getting down to us here in New Zealand is easy enough,…

New Zealand Glaciers You Can Easily Hike To

Many travelers to New Zealand are familiar with our two…

Things to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch, the 'Garden City', is where the majority of our…

Things to Do in Auckland: Explore New Zealand's City of Sails

Auckland, known as the 'city of sails', was recently voted…

Peru's Rainbow Mountain and the 'Camino del Apu Ausangate' Lodge to Lodge Trek

The beautiful coloured striations of Rainbow Mountain in Peru's Andes…

Hike Peru's Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Constructed by the Incas over 500 years ago, the Lares…

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Your Ultimate Guide

One of the most popular hikes in South America, Peru’s…

Inca Trail vs. Lares Trail: How to Get the Most out of Your Adventure

As you plan your trip to Peru and to Machu…

Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu

Considering a bucket list trip to Machu Picchu but unsure…

How to Get to Machu Picchu: Everything You Need to Know

So, the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Machu Picchu is beckoning your…

Discover Queenstown, The Adventure Capital of New Zealand

Queenstown is a little town with a big personality. Nestled on…

Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Peru

There is so much to see when visiting Peru, it…

Little City Guide to Copacabana, Bolivia

Wedged between two mountains, Copacabana is a small and colourful…

Little Guide to Uyuni, Bolivia

Uyuni is the land of the endless horizon, home to…

The Best Way to Explore the Galapagos Islands

There are dozens of tour companies out there offering Galapagos…

Video: Okarito Lagoon

The sleepy hamlet of Okarito is close to the sizeable…

Video: Siberia Experience

On our Classic South Island New Zealand trip, we fly…

Video: Franz Josef Glacier and Township

'Glacier country' - the west side of Aoraki/Mt Cook National…

Video: Ultimate South Island Adventure trip

The 'Rimu' is our signature New Zealand trip. 14 days…

Video: Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Patagonia is a mystical land of glaciers, mountains, and often…

Video: What to Pack for a 2 Week Adventure Vacation to New Zealand

Lynette from our office talks you through what you'll need…

Video: Ultimate North Island Adventure Trip

Our 'Kauri' trip is 11 days on New Zealand's volcanic…

Video: Switzerland: Why I keep coming back

This video was shot in Switzerland on the Bovine Trail…

Video: The trek to Everest Base Camp

Gareth Leonard from Tourist2Townie travelled on our 'EBC' adventure, here's…

Video: Classic South Island Adventure

Our Classic South Island Adventure is 8 days of action-packed…

Video: New Zealand Adventure Tours

Want to know what travelling in New Zealand with us…

Ultimate Peru Adventure 'Jaguar' Trip

Dreaming of a Peru adventure? Our 'Jaguar' is our signature…

Video: Ultimate South Island Adventure Highlights

Our signature New Zealand trip is 14 days of hiking,…

Video: Our Guest Kilo's Ultimate South Island Adventure

Follow our guest, Kilo on his 14-day epic journey around…

Video: Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Experience what it's like to trek in the Annapurna Region…

Travel to Nepal: Everything you need to know

We're big believers in the journey being just as important…

Is it safe to visit Nepal?

There is nothing more exciting than planning a new adventure…

When is the best time to visit Nepal?

So, you’ve decided you want to go to Nepal? Or…

The Full Guide to Nepal’s Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Celebrated for its amphitheatre of giant granite peaks, the Annapurna…

Hiking in Nepal: Multi-Day Treks

To hikers and trekkers from all over the world, the…

Everything You Need to Know About the Annapurna Massif

The Annapurna Massif is as epic as you imagine it…

Challenge Your Trekking Guide With These Everest Base Camp Facts

Everest Base Camp represents either an origin or a destination…

Nepal’s Everest Base Camp Guided Trekking Tour Itinerary

A trek to Everest Base Camp is a ‘bucket list’…

Popular Religious Sites in Nepal

Nepal is a cultural mecca, it is architecturally rich with…

Things to Know About Iceland Before You Go

Has Iceland been recently added to your bucket list? No…

Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc: Learn About our Guided Itinerary

Strap on your best pair of hiking boots – this…

Best Time to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc

Thinking of joining us here in Europe for a bucket-list…

Hiking in the European Alps

A hiking & mountaineering dreamThe European Alps stretches across seven…

Discover Chamonix, the Adventure Capital of Europe

Chamonix can rightly be called the adventure capital of Europe.…

The best time to visit Tanzania

Tanzania is known for having some of the best safaris…

Things to Do in Patagonia: Discover the Top Adventure Spots

Patagonia is synonymous with intense rugged beauty and you won't…

Hike the Rakiura Track

Although the Rakiura Track is a 29 km tramping track,…

Multi-Day Hiking in New Zealand: How to Plan the Perfect Trip for You

New Zealand has earned itself a reputation as one of…

Hike the Lake Waikaremoana Track

The Lake Waikaremoana Track, located within Te Urewera National Park,…

Hike the Kepler Track

The Kepler Track, in Fiordland National Park, is a 67…

How to Plan Your New Zealand Hiking Trip: An Easy 5 Step Guide

Not many travel companies will share these unbiased truths about…

Siberia Valley Experience and Lake Crucible

If there is one thing you can be sure about,…

Hiking Safety Tips for Tramping in New Zealand

Safety’s not as hard as you may think – New…

Hike Ben Lomond in Queenstown

Ben Lomond (45°00'24.06" south 168°36'54.76" east) is an attractive mountain…

Hike Mueller Ridge and Sealy Tarns

The Mueller Ridge hike from Mount Cook village, up past…

Best Day Hikes on New Zealand's North Island

Wherever you are in New Zealand, chances are you aren't…

The Best Day Hikes on New Zealand's South Island

Wherever you are in New Zealand, chances are you aren't…

Hike the Queen Charlotte Track

The Queen Charlotte Track offers a spectacular trip through the…

Hiking the Lakes in Nelson - Nelson Lakes National Park

Without a doubt, this is New Zealand's best kept hiking…

Hike the Heaphy Track

 

The Heaphy Track is known for its beauty and diversity.…

Hike the Routeburn Track

 The Routeburn Track, New Zealand 

The Routeburn trek is a 33km…

Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a 51 kilometre (32…

Hike the Milford Track in New Zealand

The 53.5 kilometre (33.2 mile) Milford Track is one of…

The Complete Guide to New Zealand's 10 Great Walks

The "Great Walks" are generally regarded as New Zealand's premier…

Sea Kayaking in New Zealand

Sea kayaking tours are a splendid way to enjoy New…

Top 10 Guest Photos 2014

Set your resolution, adjust your white balance, focus, keep still,…

Top 10 Guest Photos 2015

Photo competitions. They're not necessarily a good thing for an…

Top 10 Guest Photos 2016

Happy New Year everybody! We love this annual photography competition…

Best Heli-Hike in New Zealand

Franz Josef Heli-HikeOn all of our summer South Island trips…

How to Prepare for a Hike: 8 Fitness Tips for the 50+ Explorer

“Am I too out-of-shape for an adventure trip?” It’s the…

The Ultimate 14 Days in Patagonia Itinerary

So you like to be active, huh? That’s totally cool…

Top 10 Guest Photos 2017

Hello and Happy New Year! There are certain things that…

Our Guides Take On the Everest Marathon

Our guides are pretty amazing people. They're understanding, adaptable, enthusiastic,…

Interesting Peru Facts

Are you about or thinking to head out to Peru?…

5 Reasons to Take up Adventure Travel in Your 40’s

You mean you haven’t already done it yet? That’s OK.…

The 7 Peruvian Drinks You Can't Miss on Your Trip

Just as Peru is a land of diverse and delicious…

Huayna Picchu Hike: How Fit Must you be to Climb?

So you've made it up to Machu Picchu. After months…

Inca Trail Packing List: The 12 Most Important Items and Why

You've done it… You've finally decided to go hiking the…

Hiking Clubs USA

Hiking Clubs CaliforniaBay Area Jewish Singles Hiking ClubEight to ten…

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Superlatives are inadequate to describe this outstanding one-day hike on…

15 Bucket List Activities to do in South America

We've been running trips in South America for over a decade…

Annapurna Base Camp Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Now that we’ve been running trips in the Nepalese Himalayas…

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Beaches in Peru

When someone mentions Peru images of idyllic mountain pastures, ancient Incan…

How to prevent and deal with Altitude Sickness

Most hikers will never experience altitude sickness, (sometimes called acute…

The Top 20 Things to Do in Peru

It probably shouldn't come as much of a surprise that…

Best Day Hikes in New Zealand

As a small island nation, New Zealand is an absolute…

Hike the Copland Track to Welcome Flat

The Copland Track is located south of Fox Glacier on…

Multi-day Hiking in New Zealand's Backcountry, and 8 Reasons to Go Guided

The team here at Active Adventures are an outdoorsy bunch!…

6 Inca Trail Tips to Make the Most of Your Machu Picchu Trip

My flight was booked! My dream of hiking the Inca…

Things to Do in Machu Picchu: How to Get the Most out of Your Experience

Although it's one of the most well-known archaeological wonders of…

Top 10 Views in New Zealand

With the help of our Facebook fans and with some…

The Seven ‘Wonders’ of the Galapagos: Best Things to Do and See

As individuals who thrive on adventure, we love to travel…

Top 4 Facts About the Himalayas That Will Take Your Breath Away

When visiting the Himalayas, you'll get as much of a…

Why Joining a Small Group Tour is the Bee's Knees

I better start by explaining the term ‘Bee’s knees’… I’ve been doing…

The Top 10 Things To Do in New Zealand

Are you planning a vacation in the land of the…

The Top Things to do in the Amazon Rainforest

Stretching 96,922 square kilometers across the country, the Amazon Rainforest…

Pisac Market and Hike to Pisac Ruins

The village is perched high in the mountains and surrounded…

Mustang Adventure 2018: Trip of a Lifetime for Body, Mind and Soul

When thinking about hiking in Nepal, a lot of people…

Top 10 Guest Photos 2018

New year, new…. annual photo competition winner! Here at Active…

Top 10 things to do in Iceland!

Are you a keen explorer? In the market for a…

Benefits of Travelling Alone & Tips to Plan Like a Pro

Solo travel is on the rise and we’re stoked about…

Top 10 Guest Photos 2019

It's that time of year again folks, it's our annual…

Replace Your New Year's Resolution with one of these Bucket-List Hikes

New Year's resolutions are notoriously difficult to stick to, most…