Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla
तेन्जिङ-हिलारी विमानस्थल
A mountain airport with a runway of only about 527 metres, with a cliff at one end and a rock wall at the other. It is often called one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
The airport sits at about 2,845 metres. Hillary oversaw its construction in 1964. In 2008 it was named after Tenzing Norgay and Hillary, the first people to summit Everest. The runway is about 527 metres long with a slope of roughly 12 percent. One end is a rock wall and the other a deep valley. Only small aircraft such as Twin Otters and Dornier planes can land and take off here. The flight from Kathmandu takes about 30 to 40 minutes, though in peak season flights often depart from Ramechhap instead. Lukla is the starting point for hiking on the south side of Everest, and the village has lodges and gear shops. The weather changes quickly, and flights are often delayed by cloud or fog, so leave at least 1 to 2 days of buffer in your itinerary. Baggage is limited to about 15 kilograms.
Opening hours
Flights mostly in the morning
Nearby sights
- Phakding
- Hillary Suspension Bridge
- Namche Bazaar
- Sherpa Culture Museum
- Hotel Everest View
- Khumjung Village
- Tengboche Monastery
- Thame Village & Monastery