Day Seventeen Lukla to Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp Trek
The final day of seventeen wonderful days trekking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and back in October 2015. Having fare-welled our Porter Guide, my husband “the Trainer” and I flew to Kathmandu grateful for completing the trek safely and already thinking of a return trek.
Above: The tarmac at Lukla airport and the parking spaces for the four planes that fly back and forward to Lukla every day.
We were up early for one of the first flights out. The Paradise Lodge where we stayed the night is a one-minute walk to the airport. The owner of the lodge said goodbye to us and presented us with the traditional cream scarf to wish us well.
The departure hall at the airport is a bit crazy and we were glad to have someone with us to direct us where to go and in which order. We passed through the tickets and security checks very quickly and into the hall to wait boarding where passengers are always keen to watch the planes landing. The unloading of passengers and baggage is amazingly quick and the same goes for loading and boarding. In 2018 I saw a trekker almost miss getting on the plane by seconds. Obviously he had to take a trip the toilet or somewhere. So be vigilant.
Being our fourth flight, we were relaxed. I was more relaxed about take-off than landing at Lukla.
As we flew back along the line of the Himalayas I wondered if it would be our last trip as I was hooked on this magnificent part of the world.
The Trainer and I returned to Nepal to trek to Gokyo and over the Cho La Pass in September / October 2018.
Other Posts
Missed the beginning of the 2015 trek? Here are the first five days to get you started.
Day 1 2015 Trek – Lukla to Phakding
Day 2 2015 Trek – Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Day 3 2015 Trek – Acclimatisation In Namche Bazaar
Day 4 2015 Trek – Namche Bazaar to Khumjung
Day 5 2015 Trek – Khumjung to Phortse
and here is the 2015 Trek Itinerary with links
The Year I Touched My Toes 
I imagine it was a bit nostalgic and sad leaving this magnificent landscape.
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Yes it was Miriam, it was. It is such a magical place.
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Where to next Louise? It will be hard to top this adventure.
I’m sure you wrote about altitude adjustment/acclimatizing etc, but when you have a chance can you give me a little info. Was it a difficult thing? This part is what worries my husband most and makes him fearful to do higher elevation activities. I’d like to do some trekking in Peru (one of the Machu Picchu alternatives), which is high but nowhere near what you experienced, and I’d like him to join me.
I better get to work! Thanks, Caroline
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Yes I am planning for an altitude post coming very soon. The key thing is making the trek longer and going up slower. Might get a version of that post up this week.
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Oh an d where to next ? We might go back. Probably might. I’m hooked.There is post there though…
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Looking forward to it!
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What a gorgeous place!
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