Due to variable weather and geographical location of various domestic airports, flights within Nepal are often delayed or canceled. As the Tribhuwan International Airport in Nepal doesn’t have the technology of Instrumental Landing Systems. Therefore, adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, thick fog, strong winds, etc. may lead to flight delays and cancellations. Since many of the airports and surrounding areas contain topographical challenges such as mountains, it is not safe to fly in adverse conditions. 

Best Seasons to Trek in Nepal 

The autumn season (September to December) and spring season (March to May) are the best seasons for trekking in Nepal. The weather is dry, clear and stable. At this time of year, flight delays and cancellation are rare. Weather can never be guaranteed. Monsoon season (June- August) is highly prone to flight delays and cancellation. The strong winds, rain, and patchy clouds make the view unclear. Also, flights in the winter are frequently canceled due to thick fog. 

How to Plan for a Delay 

Therefore, we recommend adding a couple of days to your trip in order to accommodate any delays or cancellations. In some cases, road transportation is an option. However, the only way out of Lukla is via air or foot. Due to the landscape, the pilots need good, clear weather to fly in and out of Lukla. Flight delays and cancellations are common. So, if you are traveling through Lukla, be sure to take this into consideration while booking your trip. We recommend building an extra day or two in Kathmandu into your itinerary to avoid any problems with flight delays and cancellations. 

If you don’t have an extra day, we can charter a helicopter for you to ensure you arrive back in Kathmandu on time. The bill of the charter service will be provided to you and you can claim the amount from your travel insurance company. Please note that this method is not guaranteed in horrible weather, and you will be required to pay the amount of the charter flight upfront, then make a claim through your travel insurance company. Therefore, we recommend that you build in an extra day or two into your itinerary.