Lukla, a mountain town perched at 2,860 meters in eastern Nepal, is best known as the gateway to the Everest region. The town is home to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, one of the world’s most thrilling landing strips, named after the legendary climbers who first reached Everest’s summit in 1953. The short, sloped runway hugs the mountain, offering a once-in-a-lifetime arrival that travelers remember long after their journey ends.

Walking through Lukla, visitors find more than just gear shops and lodges. The local Sherpa culture is vibrant, with prayer wheels spinning beside ancient mani stones and chortens. In the early mornings, monks in maroon robes can be seen walking to the nearby monasteries, their chants echoing through the valley. The village market comes alive with goods brought in by yak caravans, including fresh mountain cheese, handwoven textiles, and butter tea ingredients.

From Lukla, travelers can explore less-trodden paths that lead to smaller villages like Chaurikharka and Phakding, where the pace is slower and the views just as striking. These trails wind through rhododendron forests, across swinging suspension bridges, and past glacial rivers. Along the way, trekkers might spot Himalayan tahr or even hear the distant whistle of a pika. Each step reveals something new, whether it's an unmarked stupa hidden in the hills or a tea house offering homemade tsampa pancakes made from roasted barley flour.