Lukla is 9,334 ft above sea level, which is 2,845 m. That figure is the surveyed elevation of the landing site itself rather than of the surrounding terrain, which is why it can differ from the height quoted for a nearby summit or village.

How much oxygen is there at Lukla?

Air at Lukla is 20.9% oxygen, exactly as it is at sea level, but at about 715 hPa rather than 1,013 hPa — so a breath holds roughly 71% of the oxygen the same breath holds at the coast. That is the equivalent of breathing 14.7% oxygen at sea level.

How cold is it at Lukla?

In the International Standard Atmosphere the temperature at 2,845 m is -3 °C (27 °F). That is a modelled figure, not a forecast and not a measurement: a clear Himalayan morning at this height is routinely colder than the model, and wind makes it colder still on exposed ground.

Altitude and oxygen

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Landing site

Lukla: altitude and oxygen

Lukla stands at 9,334 ft (2,845 m) above sea level. The air pressure there is about 715 hPa against 1,013 hPa at sea level, so a breath holds roughly 71% of the oxygen the same breath holds at the coast — the equivalent of breathing 14.7% oxygen instead of 20.9%. Air is still 20.9% oxygen up there; there is simply less air. In the standard atmosphere the temperature at that height is -3 °C (27 °F), which is a modelled figure rather than a forecast — a clear Himalayan morning is routinely colder.

Elevation: 9,334 ft
Effective oxygen: 14.7%
Air pressure: 715 hPa
Standard temperature: -3 °C

One breath here against one at the coast

Sea level

100%

20.9% oxygen at 1,013 hPa — the reference.

Lukla

71%

Still 20.9% oxygen, at 715 hPa. The mixture is unchanged; there is less air holding it.

These figures describe the air, not anybody’s response to it. How a person is affected by height depends on the person, on how fast they got there and on how long they stay — a helicopter reaches these altitudes in minutes, which is a different exposure from a trek that takes days. If you have a heart or lung condition, are pregnant, or are travelling with young children or elderly parents, speak to a doctor before you book and tell the operator when you do: several carry supplemental oxygen and all of them plan the ground time around who is on board. Pressure and temperature are from the International Standard Atmosphere, which is a model — the real morning at this height is frequently colder and thinner still.

Flying here

Routes that reach Lukla

Every one of these is a journey certified operators quote on, with the ground time each publishes.

At this height the aircraft’s lift, not its seat count, decides who comes — check what can be lifted to Lukla, or see how far and how long the flight is.

Asked about this site

Lukla, in detail

How high is Lukla?: Lukla is 9,334 ft above sea level, which is 2,845 m. That figure is the surveyed elevation of the landing site itself rather than of the surrounding terrain, which is why it can differ from the height quoted for a nearby summit or village.
How much oxygen is there at Lukla?: Air at Lukla is 20.9% oxygen, exactly as it is at sea level, but at about 715 hPa rather than 1,013 hPa — so a breath holds roughly 71% of the oxygen the same breath holds at the coast. That is the equivalent of breathing 14.7% oxygen at sea level.
How cold is it at Lukla?: In the International Standard Atmosphere the temperature at 2,845 m is -3 °C (27 °F). That is a modelled figure, not a forecast and not a measurement: a clear Himalayan morning at this height is routinely colder than the model, and wind makes it colder still on exposed ground.

Another site

Check a different landing site

Flying to Lukla with someone who needs care?

Leave a number. A dispatcher rings back and plans the ground time, the oxygen and the landing around who is on board — the part of a Himalayan flight that gets decided on the phone rather than in a form.