Attraction
Phaplu
The quiet Solu gateway with a grass airstrip and ancient monastery
Phaplu is a peaceful village in the Solu region of Solukhumbu at 2,413 metres, home to one of Nepal's few grass airstrips with direct flights from Kathmandu. Far less visited than Lukla, Phaplu is the gateway to the lower Khumbu and a starting point for trekkers who prefer a gentler approach through the Solu Khumbu valley. The nearby Chiwong Monastery — dramatically perched on a cliff above Phaplu — is one of the largest and most important gompas in the region and hosts the annual Mani Rimdu festival celebrations.
Highlights
Chiwong Monastery cliff gompa
Grass airstrip with Kathmandu flights
Solu Khumbu valley approach
Quiet alternative to Lukla crowds
Sherpa cultural village life
Practical Info
Address
Phaplu, Solu, Solukhumbu District
Opening Hours
Airstrip: subject to weather; Monastery: daily
In This Destination
Solukhumbu
In the shadow of Everest, where dreams touch the sky