Manthali to Lukla and to Phakding

Getting into a flight from Manthali to Lukla is a whole new level of adventure filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and excitement. Our flight was scheduled for 7:30 am but it turns out that the time does not mean much as all flights are subject to the weather. Nevertheless we arrived at the airport at around 7 am along with our trekking luggages. The picture shows our excitement. There was quite a bit of  low hanging fog in the sky but the rising sun started burning it off quickly.  The runway at the airport started to become visible and subsequently also the hills started to become clear.  

Despite the weather was clear no plane landed until well after 9 o'clock. They weighed our check-in as well as our carry-on bags. They were over weight so we had to pay some extra. The extra rate was 130 Rs per kg. 

Tara air started landing and taking some passenger but our Sumit air did not show any sign until around 10 am. While we were waiting we enjoyed call-break. It was so much fun that when the plan arrived, at around 10:30, they had to call us. In the waiting room it was just four of us with a couple more passengers. Finally, we were on the board probably some time in the 11 o'clock hour. 

The flight was insane, no word can describe the beauty of Himalayas and at the same time how scary the flight felt like. It is a small plane with only four of us as passengers, one staff member and probably one pilot (we did not see the pilot). It takes off so fast, and ploughs through Himalayas in about 25 minutes we see the runway of Lukla airport. 

There is not much of descending, but it is more like a huge bid taking off to the sky and landing comfortably on a tree branch. My watch showed 9 thousand feet. 

After we landed we were quickly off the plane and out with our luggages in less than 5 minutes. Our porters were right there. These two 19 years old kids (Dawa and Gaylsten) are smart and strong. The carried everything off with no complain and we were headed for lunch. 

After lunch, we started our first day of trek. It was 2 pm when we started. The trail goes a bit down hill and then somewhat up. There are so many khacchads (donkeys) and so many people on the trail, some are heading back from their trip and some are starting, just like us. First, our guides said we were walking a bit too slow and it might be late when we arrive Phakding. However, we picked up our pace, and with about three and half hours of hike we arrived Phakding. 

We arrived at Sonam Guest house. They greeted us with Chiya. Later at the evening, the amount of dal, bhat, tarkari we were able to eat was insane, definitely three times the regular amount. Not sure why such a simple food tasted so good this night and we are headed to our bedrooms. The night is so cold, we are sleeping with jackets on, underneath thick blanket. 

https://www.facebook.com/p/Sonam-Guest-House-100079883084388/

I am sure the up comings days and night are much colder as we progress higher in altitude. 

Nov 12, 2025