Beating the Wind on Your Way to Everest
The flight to Lukla is the bottleneck of any Mount Everest expedition. The weather in the Himalayas follows a pattern. Knowing it helps you book the right ticket.
Always try to book the first flight (6:00 AM - 7:00 AM). The weather is calmest in the morning. As the sun heats the ground, clouds form and winds pick up, cancelling later flights.
By 10:00 AM, the wind in Lukla becomes dangerous for landing. Flights often stop. If you are on the 3rd or 4th rotation, your chances of flying drop significantly.
Even with an early ticket, weather happens. Always have 1-2 buffer days in Kathmandu at the end of your trip. Never book your international flight home for the day after your Everest trekking ends.
Wake up early. It’s worth it to get to the mountains on time.
