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Lukla airport

Solukhumbu and Everest

2,895 m9,498 ft above sea level

Tenzing Hillary airport also known as Lukla airport is a small airport in Lukla in Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Situated at an altitude of 2895m, it is one of the highest airports in the world. Flights to Lukla frequently have to deal with changing weather condition. A program titled Most Extreme Airports, broadcasted on The History Channel in 2010, listed this airport as the most dangerous airport in the world. This unique airport is surrounded by steep mountains on all sides. The short runway perched on a mountain shelf is of only 526m, only light short take off and landing aircrafts can land in Lukla airport. Only experience pilots who have completed at least 100 successful short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) experiences and have completed 10 flights into Lukla with a certified instructor are allowed to land. This airport is popular because it is the gateway to the Everest Base Camp Trek as well as other treks and mountaineering expeditions in this region. This airport was built in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary and was named Tenzing-Hillary Airport in 2008 in honor of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Lukla airport

Photo: John Pavelka from Austin, TX, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Best time to visit
March to May, October to November
Getting there
By small plane from Kathmandu; flights are weather dependent.
Suggested stay
1 night

Places in and around Lukla airport

3 places

Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.

Where to stay in Lukla airport

3
In the order Windhorse recommends
  1. Eco lodge

    Basic Lodge

    A lodge in Lukla, Nepal.

  2. Eco lodge

    Everest Sumit Lodge Lukla

    Everest Summit Lodge is most conveniently located right next to Lukla Airport and provides an unmatched level of service in Lukla.

  3. Hotel

    Yeti Mountain Home Lukla

    Yeti Mountain home Lukla provides the perfect beginning and end to your trekking holiday.

0 Trip(s) on shortlist