After weather delays and detours, Everest expedition begins

The journey commenced from Dhaka on 5 September. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal at night, necessary trekking gear was purchased from Thamel. On the following morning at 5 am, arrival took place at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.

The ultimate destination was Lukla Airport, widely known as the gateway to Everest. After completing all required airport formalities, boarding the aircraft was completed.

Although the aircraft’s engines had already started, passengers were informed just prior to takeoff that operations at Lukla Airport were temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. They were initially instructed to wait for 20 minutes.

Passengers remained seated inside the aircraft as the initial 20 minutes extended into 2 hours, then 4 hours, and ultimately turned into a prolonged 6-hour wait. Disappointed, everyone had to return from the airport to the hotel at 6 pm.

Later that night, the agency communicated that due to heavy air traffic congestion and shifting weather conditions, flights to Lukla were currently being operated from nearby Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu Airport.

Following the updated plan, the road travel from Kathmandu began at 5 am the next day, reaching Ramechhap Airport at 10:30 am. After undergoing necessary waiting and check-in procedures, preparations were made for flight clearance; however, bad weather forced another night’s stay in the Ramechhap Airport area.

Finally, on the morning of Wednesday, favorable weather conditions allowed the flight to take off from Ramechhap bound for Lukla. The flight landed at Lukla Airport today at 8 am. This long-awaited expedition has officially begun after an extended period of uncertainty.

Tenzing-Hillary Airport, commonly known as Lukla Airport and situated at an elevation of around 9,334 feet (2,845 meters) above sea level, is considered one of the most hazardous airports in the world - where nature’s unpredictable whims wield far greater sway than standard aviation protocols.

Moreover, while Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport serves as the country’s main international hub, Ramechhap Airport has emerged as the primary alternative and transit hub for flights heading to the Everest region during peak season to manage traffic and weather constraints.

Arrival at Lukla marked the official start of the primary trekking journey. InshaAllah, regular updates detailing the day-to-day experience of this trek will be shared with readers.

For now, after navigating through a long and uncertain delay, the journey has commenced in the name of Allah. Today’s designated destination is Fardin (Phakding), where the night will be spent.

The march will resume anew early tomorrow morning. Starting today, over the course of the next 12 days, the team’s sole means of transportation will be their own two feet, heading toward Everest Base Camp.

This year’s 12-member international team consists of two Bangladeshis, with the remaining members hailing from Australia, Canada, Chile, and Ukraine. Prayers and good wishes from everyone are requested for this challenging and adventure-filled expedition.