Lukla (2,850m/9,350ft): Lukla means 'sheep corral', and this is what Lukla was before the airstrip was built.   Now, Sherpas, Rais, Bhramins, and Chetris create a mish-mash of people serving the tourism industry.  There are lodges, shops, a health depot, and even a porter's clothing bank.  The Everest trek follows the ridge northward (to the right on the picture) through a number of smaller villages up to Namche Bazaar.  Kongde Peak (6,187m/20,298ft) is in the background left.