Lukla Airport (2,850m/9,350ft): constructed by local Sherpas in 1964 under Sir Edmund Hillary's supervision, this narrow and bumpy airstrip has opened the Khumbu to a broad spectrum of people.  For the majority of trekkers, Lukla airport is where the Everest trail begins.  Plane take off and landing is quite tricky, as there are no radio beacons to guide pilots.