One word: Lukla

Lukla is the gateway to the Khumbu/Everest region. Because of the remoteness of the area, there are only two ways to get here one is to fly or the other is to hike up.  The hike from the nearest road is through the village of Jiri and can take anywhere from 4 to 7 days hiking to get to Lukla.  The flight takes a little less than 30 minutes from Kathmandu and closer to 40 by helicopter which offers greater flexibility when the winds or clouds close Lukla which it often does.

Lukla airport

The runway is super short and its angled at 12 degrees to help slow planes when they land, and to help them gain speed in the take off.  The runway is only 450 yards long and there is really no option to go around as there is a mountain rising up at the top.

My plane getting loaded up.

In the morning if the weather is good there is a siren that goes off around 6:30 which signals the first plane taking off from Kathmandu and its imminent arrival.

This is also used to get animals and people off the runway also.

Once the plane lands, there is a quick taxi to the terminal building and they get the plane unloaded of people and gear and reloaded in about 5-10 minutes.  Very fast.  Then a quick taxi and the plane is bac enroute to Kathmandu.  There is always a push to keep things moving as the airport can shut down and sometimes for days on end if the weather really digs in.

Very luxurious interior of Lukla airport check in.

We had to wait a few hours but we we're finally airborne and made it to Kathmandu without incident.  

Thick air (albeit dirty) and warm temps greeted us.

A view of Kathmandu Valley from the plane.