Lukla - at the height of 2,860m above sea level, the airport here is a hub of trekking, climbing, and shipping activity all year. Almost all the trekkers, climbers, and equipment come from this airport, and it has been increasing visitors every year.
The Spectacular flight to Lukla from Kathmandu is a short mountain flight. It usually takes 30 minutes, but sometimes it may take longer if the regular route has clouds and you need to take the southern route. While flying, you will enjoy the great view of Langtang, Gaurishankar, Everest, and other massifs with beautiful landscapes and traditional villages.
Check the Packages:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Gokyo Lake Trek
- Everest View Trek
How Safe To Fly To Lukla?
Lukla airport is known as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. It is because of the short runway, ridge at the end of the runway, and unusual weather conditions. However, 20 – 30 aircraft land daily during the peak trekking and climbing season. More than 30,000 trekkers get in through this airport yearly. Knowing it is a more dangerous airport than regular commercial airports, it is still pretty safe.
After a severe crash in October 2008 with passengers, aviation officials, airline companies, and pilots have become more strict and careful about the applicable weather and flight conditions. This has made excellent safety for the passengers. But still, flying to Lukla can be nervous with the condition of the weather and wind.
To not suffering, we try to book the tickets to Lukla for our clients on the first flight. For this, we need to book the flight a couple of months before your arrival in Kathmandu. After booking the trip with us and sending the booking amount with your passport copy, we immediately book the flight to Lukla.
Typically, we manage the first flight if the clients book the Everest base case camp trek and other Everest trek packages with us a few months before the departure. The first and second-face flights have more chances to fly. These flights are less scary because usually, the visibility will be clear, and there is no wind in the morning.
About Lukla Flight Delays
Due to the evil and unpredicted weather conditions, the flights Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu may sometimes delay for a few minutes and a couple of hours. It is mainly during the begging and end of the rainy season and according to the air traffic.
The runway of the Lukla airport is short, with a cliff facing ahead at the end of the runway. A single runway with a narrow area exists, so only small aircraft like Dornier and twin otters or helicopters can fly. The weather condition and visibility can change rapidly in Lukla. These conditions make it difficult to the regular flight schedule. Even if the flight has been taken off from Kathmandu to Lukla, it has to turn back to Kathmandu sometimes because of the clouds lifting to Lukla airport.
Delaying fights with Lukla is very accepted. It may happen any time of the year, especially at the beginning and the end of the monsoon season (Late May and begging September).
Related:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest View Trek
- Gokyo Lake Trek
What Happens If The Flight Has Been Cancelled?
Lukla flght alternative
After waiting a couple of hours at the airport, the airline companies may cancel the flight and have to book the next flight for the next day. It will be very little chance of getting the first and the second faces flights for the next day. There are scheduled booked flights by other passengers so that you may get letter flights. So you must wait for the later flight or take a helicopter flight on the same day. Alternatively, you may change your trekking route to the Annapurna base camp or Langtang Gosainkunda lake trek if you are not ready to pay extra for the helicopter flight to Lukla.
If you decide to take a helicopter flight, it costs an extra 300 – 500 USD with the regular flight ticket. This amount applies in a joint fight with other passengers. If you charter a flight, it may cost 2500 - 3000 USD.
We recommend having extra days for the Everest trek, making it easier to reschedule your itinerary. And to not miss your international flight out from Kathmandu stocking in Lukla, always buy a changeable international flight ticket.
Weight Limit For The Flight To Lukla
Only 15 kg weight can fly with a passenger, including hand luggage. You may pay an extra amount charged, but sometimes, you may reach Lukla, but your luggage does not. The airline may put the bag on the next plane. If your flight flies to Lukla and the aircraft with your bag doesn’t, you will have no equipment. So take the most needed equipment with you to minimize the weight limit.
Options Getting Out From Lukla
In case of regular flights have been cancelled from Lukla, You might take a helicopter flight from Lukla or Surke. Surke is a place walking about 2 hrs downwards from Lukla. If you have a few more days, you may trek to Salleri, which takes two more long days to trek from Lukla and drive 8 – 9 hrs with a jeep.
Does Travel Insurance Covers Emergency Flights?
Some insurance policies will cover emergency flights, cancellations, or changing international flight fares with a problem by stocking in Lukla. You need to check all the insurance policies, terms, and conditions before buying travel insurance. Frolic Adventure can provide the required documents to claim your insurance if you need to make a genuine claim.
Adventure Packages:
- Everest High Passes Trek
- Cho La Pass Trek
- Renjo La Pass Trek
Why Travel To Lukla With Frolic Adventure?
Getting a flight to Lukla is usually straightforward, but it can be a severe problem with bad weather. We will do our best for you to make your journey to Lukla easier by booking the flights on the first or second face. If you are planning a trek to the Everest region with Frolic Adventure or are already booked, you must be sure of several things.
- We will book your Lukla flight before you arrive in Kathmandu. We book the first and the second faces flights with better chances to fly. We need your passport copy and booking payment for the earlier booking.
- If your flight is delayed or canceled, we have a higher priority to get as much as an earlier flight for the next following day because we have a good relationship with the airline companies.
- We regularly follow up on the weather condition with the airline and our airport representative of Lukla and Kathmandu and provide our best options to our valuable customers.
Lukla Leads To:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Gokyo Valley Trek
- Everest Panorama Trek
We want you to have a great Everest trek with us.
Our goal is your satisfaction and safety in Lukla and back home after a beautiful Everest journey.
