Next morning, we were wakened at 4:45am in order to get to the airport in time for the early morning flight to Lukla, in the Himalayas (scheduled for 6:30am). Lukla is a little Sherpa village, with an airport (an airstrip, really) that serves as the jumping-off point for most of the treks. Weather is a risk factor for these flights. Often, fog or other visibility problems, either in Kathmandu, or en route to Lukla, cause delays or outright cancellation of these flights. Fortunately for us, conditions were good, and we were in the air by 7am.
The plane is tiny, but full (16 people.) The flight is quick, out of Kathmandu and swiftly into the mountains. We seem to just skid by a few mountain passes, then come in for a dramatic, hair-raising landing in Lukla. (The entire trip took less than 45 minutes.)
After stopping at a nearby tea-house to get organized and to team up with our two porters, we are soon on our way on the first leg of the trek. It is relatively easy, with a few steep ascents, but more generally, flat or descending. About 3 hours later, we reach Phakding, our destination for the first day. We have a long, pleasant lunch in the sun - pleased with ourselves at having survived the first day. We're checked in to the curiously named Beer Garden Hotel - very simple twin rooms - a bit cold, with a minimal bathroom in the corridor. About what I expected...
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