Lukla - Starting point to Everest Region

  • Raju
  • Last Updated on Mar 17, 2024

Lukla is a small village located in the north-eastern part of Nepal. Situated at an altitude of 2860m elevation, Lukla is famous for being the gateway to the Everest Region. It is the starting point for many trekkers and mountaineers who want to reach the base camp of Mount Everest.

The Lukla Airport, also known as "Tenzing-Hillary Airport" is the first and foremost attraction point of Lukla village. It is the entry point of Everest Region. This airport is considered as most dangerous airport of Nepal because of its short runway, high altitude and geographical structure. 

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Known Facts of Lukla

Known Facts of Lukla

       Elevation                               2860 m
       Province                                   1 
        Country                                Nepal
          Zone                           Sagarmatha
         District                           Solukhumbu
      Famous for             Airport, Gateway to Mount Everest

How to reach Lukla ?

Lukla, the smallest village of Solukhumbu district is widely famous for many trekker. Those who wish to perform Everest Base Camp trekEverest Three High Passes Trek or Gokyo-Ri Trek must have to reach Lukla to start the journey. So, the popular and most convenient way to reach Lukla is by taking the domestic flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap.

Also, you can get helicopter services from Kathmandu.

Kathmandu to Lukla flight :

Around 30-40 minutes of flight from Kathmandu, you can reach to Lukla Airport. Different aircraft companies like Tara Airlines, Goma Airlines and Sita Airlines operate many flights on a daily basis. 

The fare of the flight might vary in sense of foreigners and Nepali. 

You can only carry limited weight as per airlines guidelines. You can carry up to 10kgs of luggage and 5 kgs of hand-carried bags as per each passenger. 

Ramechhap to Lukla flight :

Another way to reach Lukla is through flight from Ramechhap. Ramechhap is located about 130km east of Kathmandu. You can reach there by 4 -5 hrs of drive in jeep or bus.

It only takes you around 15-20 mins to reach Lukla from Ramechhap flight.

By trekking from Kathmandu :

This route is quite much longer but not impossible one. You start your journey from Kathmandu to Jiri through drive. Then, you trek will actually start from Jiri.

You can also check our Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek package for more information.

Banking Services in Lukla

There are several banks and financial institutions in Lukla that provide the banking services like ATM facilities, foreign currency exchange and other money transfer services. Nepal Bank Limited, Nabil Bank, Himalayan Bank are located in the Lukla region. They all are equipped with modern banking facilites to fulfiill the needs of tourist and locals.

Health Services in Lukla

There are a few private clinics and health posts in Lukla that provide basic medical services. The town has also several pharmacies and drug stores that sell medicines and first aid supplies. There is also a hospital in Lukla, called the Himalayan Hospital. It is staffed with trained medical professionals and equipped with basic medical facilites, such as an emergency room, an operating room and a laboratory.

Accomodations in Lukla

Though Lukla is a small town, there are various accomodations available for trekkers to stay in during their travel. There are many lodges and teahouses that offers you with basic to standard accomodations. The cost of accomodation varies depending on the level of comfort and facilites provided.
It is important to note that availability of the accomodation can be limited during the peak trekking seasons.

Culture in Lukla

Lukla is also known for its rich cultural influence. The culture of this town is heavily influenced by the Sherpa Community, who have lived there for generations. The Sherpa people are known for their strong belief in Buddhism and their close relations with the mountains. They have their own unique culture and tradition that has been passed from one to next generation.

You can also see different local monastries and Gumbas, which play as an important part of the local community. These monastries are adorned with colorful prayer flags, and trekkers can witness the daily prayers and rituals performed by the monks.

Best Things to Do in the Gateway : Lukla

Apart from being a starting point for trekking, Lukla also provides visitors with a variety of activities such as learning about Sherpa culture and traditions, visiting monasteries and gompas, trying local cuisine, shopping at local markets, and witnessing the difficult Tenzing Hillary Airport.

To summarize, Lukla is a must-see site for anyone planning a hike to Everest Base Camp or seeing Nepal's picturesque Solukhumbu region. The town provides a one-of-a-kind cultural experience, from Sherpa traditions and monasteries to local markets and cuisine. Visitors can also see the difficult Tenzing Hillary Airport, which adds to the adventure of their journey. With so much to see and do, Lukla is a must-visit place.

Raju

Raju

Raju Aryal