Landing at Lukla ... My Road To Emmaus

See 3D & gasp! http://www.airpano.ru/files/Everest-Nepal/2-2

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Landing at Lukla Airport was one of my travel high. More adrenalin than diving and it came in a super surge! This was the start off point into the Sagarmartha National Park, to climb Kalapattar and to do the Everest Base Camp circuit.

Our flight was scheduled early at 7.30 am out of  Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Early flight meant there would be less turbulence before the sun heats up the land. That was the plan. However weather dictated everything. We boarded close to 11.00 am.

Checking in was a breeze and the airport reminded me of  my hometown's railway station. Technology here was very much a shade behind. The weighing scale was analogue and boarding ticket looked more like we were going for a bus ride.

Analogue weighing scale, not terribly a high tech airport

Boarding ticket looked like a bus ticket

The long wait prior to departure gave us much time to reflect. Was sure that given the choice, we would balk at flying into the most dangerous airport in the world. There were 10 reported incidents and accidents, some fatal. Agni Air, the one we were to ride on had one accident in 2010, all 11 passengers and 3 crew died! Must have forgotten to mention that to my wife prior. :-).

Lets just say .... our bags were willing but our bodies were weak.

Our bags were ready for Lukla but the climbers?

Boarding our plane with trepidation

Although we boarded late and no reasons were given, we were not upset. Having read so much on this infamous flight, apprehension was the order of that morning. With quiet demeanour, we boarded the the Agni plane like lambs to the slaughter ... prayed prayed and prayed.

Our lives depended on this guy, period.

A welcome distraction handling out sweets and cotton buds

The take off was loud as the two engines chugged and roared to lift our team of 14 climbers plus expedition luggage. Thought I saw some rice bags too. The cotton buds came in handy as it was especially loud for those of us who sat at the back. The sweets helped in equalizing the pressure on our ear drums. Once up on the air, we were mesmerized by the sight of the Himalayas. Some 30 minutes into the flight, we felt a jolt as the plane turned leftwards and flew into the valley on the final approach to Tenzing-Hilary Airport aka Lukla.

Do you see any smileys?

Point of no return

Majesty of the Himalayas

Tiny settlements seen as we flew above

Everyone craned their necks for a view of the airport. The small landing strip faraway did not help and we dared not stand up fearing it would rock the wobbly plane! In fact the runway was elusive and all we could see was the approaching hill bearing larger into a mountain as we approached. The plane cruised down and we exchanged nervous smiles, me a silent halelujah & amen!

Tenzing-Hilary aka Lukla looked great upon touchdown

Alive again on terra firma

Airport with Mt Nupla background

Descending, descending

It helped that I was in the last seat and was not privy to all the 'landing action' until the plane touched down. Rows of houses on my left zoomed past me as our plane climbed on this inclined airstrip to help it slow down. As it landed, the plane quivered a bit and was cruising quite fast as we approached the end of the airstrip, a vertical hill before us. Just as we thought it had run out of airstrip, the plane turned right almost at the end and parked at the open air apron. Yahoooooo.



Have ran the gauntlet but the feeling can't be described by words. Will I do it again? No! I told myself. However, my buddies are looking at Island Peak in the near future and this involves landing at Lukla again ... sigh.

Plane downhill takeoff

View of airstrip