Shiva Excursion: Lukla Flight

As we glide over the terrain below, we look out the windows of our small, cramped plane, “ooohing” and “aaaaaahing” at the massive, snow-covered monoliths that seem much closer than they really are. Our breath quickens when, through the windows of the open cockpit, we see the same view as the pilots……a small community built on the side of a huge mountain. As we approach the houses and structures we are just a little uncomfortable upon seeing what we know intuitively to our landing site, an ever so small and narrow runway on the mountain smack dab in front of us! Our hearts quicken and our hands instinctively curl around the seat armrests, gripping the only “secure objects” within reach turning our knuckles a pale white. Almost immediately, our pilots head straight into the mountain and onto the runway, touching down then breaking and using the jet engines, urging the plane to slow down as it continues much too quickly uphill.“Uh-oh,” we think as we reach the end of the landing pad sensing a slowing of the vehicle but not nearly enough when suddenly, the plane turns to the right and into the “vestibule” where it stops just shy of the hanger. “Whew,” we think as we attempt to put our hearts back into our chests, “That was one of the greatest and most exhilarating plane flights we have ever taken!”

Lukla airport at 2840m

As gear is offloaded and we have the opportunity to take in our surroundings, we find that we are, literally, on the side of a gigantic mountain, our first “up close and personal” taste of the Himalayas. What a feeling-----both mind-numbing and unbelievable! We are actually here in the land of Sherpas and mountains that defy description! As we prepare to start our trek, we know that our lives have been forever changed.

Lukla runway early Morning

Fast forward fifteen days to the end of our trek as we prepare to board another small plane in Lukla which will take us back to Kathmandu. Reflecting on our incredible experience arriving, we are anticipating another hair raising adventure as we fly out. We are not disappointed! Settled in our seats, we feel and hear the plane rev up to maximum power. Suddenly, we are careening downhill on the short runway at breakneck speed. At the last possible moment, the plane gives a mighty thrust upward, leaving the runway and turning sharply to avoid the neighboring mountain looming in front of us. We are safely up and away as the colossal monoliths slowly fade away around us.

Shiva Excursion Team at Gokyo

The flight to Lukla and back was one of the highlights of our first trip to Nepal. If you are considering a trip to Nepal, do not hesitate to work with Shiva Excursions to book a trip to the Everest region. The Lukla flight is just one of the many exceptional experiences awaiting you!