Posted by Larry Lindeman on January 03, 2001 at 08:42:33:
In Reply to: Mt. Everest region posted by Menahem on December 30, 2000 at 09:03:43:
: A) Is Lukla such a bad airport, that one may get stuck there for two weeks?
The number of airlines (and planes)has increased since the writing of that book. If the weather is bad, they don't fly. Unless you run into really bad weather, It would be rare to be stuck there more than a few days. I would reccommend buying your ticket on Yeti Airlines they have more planes than any other airline, so you have a better chance to get out.
: B) Are some hotels so poor that they provide dormitories with bunks only?
: C) Are hotels so scarce that one may not find a room?
You shouldn't have a problem getting a private room until you get to Lobuche or Gorak Shep. There are only a few private rooms available in those villages. I was there in Oct/Nov of 2000 (peak season) and did not have any problems finding a place to stay. However, I left the lodges early in the morning to get to the next village early.
: D) Is it easy to find a porter in Lukla? What are the current prices, per day?
We hired a porter/guide in Lukla for 10 USD per day. A porter/guide will carry about 15kg of your gear, but you need to provide a pack for them. If you just want a porter, you can find them in Lukla as well. From what I could gather from other trekkers, the cost is about the same. A porter doesn't speak English, but will carry more gear.
-Larry
: Menahem