Day 1 begins with the 20 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and even for those who have experienced it many times before it is a slightly nerve wracking experience; the landing strip at Lukla is 400 metres long and is sandwiched between 2 hillsides meaning that pilots have to be absolutely perfect in their execution of the landing. On the whole they seem completely unperturbed by the toughest commercial landing in World aviation but the same can rarely be said of the passengers. Once safely on the ground, say a word of thanks to the deity of your choice and then enjoy the bustling village of Lukla, which is the last significant settlement you’re going to see for a few weeks. If you need any last minute supplies then this is the place to get them.
The trail up to Everest Base Camp departs from the north end of Lukla so you will be going against the flow of traffic when you begin hiking south-east out of the village, heading into the Makalu - Barun Conservation Area. There is usually a checkpoint to mark entry into the Conservation Area and you may need to pay a small fee.
Follow a clear path that winds across some small rivers and past some serene Buddhist monasteries for 2 hours to reach the terraced fields and huts which are the village of Chutanga (marked as Chutenga Kharka on some maps). Pitch your tents and spend the evening quietly enjoying the smells and sounds of rural Nepal.