Nepal is a geographically and climatically diverse country, with trekking trails located mainly in the high-altitude region. These regions are populated with snow-clad peaks, profound valleys, and unpredictable climatic patterns that seem to affect air travel. Since most of the treks start with short domestic flights, tourists must prepare for possible cancellations or delays. Even the nation's only international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, doesn't have a contemporary instrument landing system. Radio communication between pilots and air traffic controllers remains the primary means of navigation instead. This makes flights very weather-dependent.
Heavy rain, dense fog, powerful gusts of wind, or dense clouds are enough to cause unplanned cancellations or delays. Nepal's geography, which is full of mountains, adds on to the challenges. Whereas spring and autumn provide relatively stable weather with no flight disruptions, winter and summer/monsoon are uncertain. During these seasons, travelers can face hours of delay or even days of flight cancellation. At Altitude Quest, we recommend you schedule your travel itinerary with a couple of spare days to not miss your trekking schedule in the event of inevitable weather.
The Famous Lukla Flight
The Lukla flight has been described as the most thrilling part of an Everest trek. Lukla Airport, actually Tenzing-Hillary Airport, is at 2,840m and is well known as one of the most difficult airports on Earth due to its short runway and breathtaking mountainous surroundings. It is the gateway to the Everest region and where thousands of trekkers start annually.
But because of where they are situated, Lukla are highly susceptible to change in the weather. Flights here would often be delayed or canceled, and at times entire schedules are affected. In case a flight is canceled, passengers are often rescheduled for the next available time. For people with tighter schedules, Altitude Quest can provide an alternative option like helicopter transfers or overland travel, though this requires more time and money.
Manthali Airport (Alternative to Kathmandu)
Throughout peak trekking seasons, flights to Lukla are generally diverted to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap District, about 146 km from Kathmandu. Since Tribhuvan International Airport has congested air traffic, airlines prefer to fly Lukla from Manthali to distribute the load. The road trip from Kathmandu to Manthali is about four hours by jeep or bus.
The Manthali to Lukla flights are shorter by only approximately 17 minutes and more regular since the airport operates only Lukla flights. It has been utilized as a convenient standby route during peak months to enjoy smoother takeoffs while minimizing the possibility of air traffic jams.
Alternatives in Case of Flight Cancellations
When flights to Lukla are cancelled because of weather, travelers have a variety of alternatives:
- Wait for Improved Weather: The easiest solution, although it may require adaptability and more time.
- Helicopter Charter: A quicker and more expensive solution which can be reimbursed later using travel insurance.
- Overland Routes: Other alternatives include trekking from Jiri, Salleri, or flying by helicopter to Phaplu and resuming the trek on foot.
At Altitude Quest, we help our trekkers smoothly adjust to such conditions with feasible backup plans and sound counsel.
Important Note
We strongly recommend purchasing inclusive travel insurance that covers flight cancellations, delays, and medical emergency helicopter evacuations. This will give you a sense of security and freedom in case your trekking itinerary is disrupted by unstable weather conditions.