PIA Park in Lele is not just an ordinary spot. It stands as a memorial for the 167 lives lost in Nepal’s deadliest plane crash on September 28, 1992.
Pakistan International Airlines Flight 268 was scheduled to land at Tribhuvan International Airport. However, due to multiple factors (primarily, pilot error), it tragically became the worst aviation disaster in Nepal’s history.
In recent years, the memorial park has gained significant attention on social media. Unable to resist the urge, I decided to visit and pay my respects to the lost souls.
However, I was disappointed with the park’s condition in 2025. Keep reading to find out why.
Key Facts About PIA Park Lele
| Location | Lele, Lalitpur, Bagmati Province |
| Altitude | 1,510 m (source) |
| Mode of transportation | Private / Public vehicle |
| Distance (from Satdobato, Lalitpur) | 12 km approx. |
| Time to reach | 1 hour |
| Visiting Hours | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Best Time to Visit | All seasons |
The Tragic Story of PIA Flight PK268: What Really Happened?
PIA PK268, an Airbus A300, took off from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan, bound for Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
The flight was proceeding normally until it approached Kathmandu, where it failed to follow the 7-step landing procedure required for the complex terrain.
According to the final investigation report:
- The pilot and first officer were not well-acquainted with Kathmandu’s highly complex approach procedure.
- Due to some confusion, they believed they were maintaining 11,500 feet, but in reality, they were at 10,500 feet.
- Since they missed the first altitude checkpoint, they descended ahead of schedule, disrupting the correct landing profile.
- At the time, Kathmandu lacked radar, meaning the only way to land was through direct communication between Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the pilot.
- ATC had already cleared the flight for landing and was preparing the runway, but at D4 (5,800 feet), there was no response from the aircraft.
- At 7,200 feet, the flight crashed into a hillside in Bhatte Danda, Lalitpur, losing communication with ATC 32 seconds prior to impact.
Unsurprisingly, there were no survivors after such a devastating crash.
The pilot and first officer have been at the center of blame for this tragedy, and to this day, questions remain about why the plane was flying so low. The internet is filled with various theories, but no definitive answer has been found.
Losing 167 people in an instant was not only a major tragedy for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) but also raised concerns about the approach procedure at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Nepal had little choice but to assist in recovering the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) to help investigators piece together the final moments of the flight.
It was a heartbreaking incident, and even today, the families and loved ones of those who perished continue to mourn their loss.
How to Reach PIA Park?
After hearing this story, I’m sure you’ll want to visit PIA Park at least once—out of respect for the lives lost.
If you’re traveling by private vehicle,
- Head to Satdobato and take the Satdobato-Tikabhairav road.
- Pass through Sunakothi, Thecho, and Chapagaun, until you reach the Tikabhairav Temple diversion.
- Do not take the downhill road leading to the temple. Instead, continue straight toward Lele.
- You can always rely on Google Maps for navigation. (I did the same!)
- About 500 meters ahead, you’ll find a diversion (take left).
- The road now is slightly off-road for about two minutes.
- Once you spot the PIA board, you can park your vehicle there.
If you’re taking public transport:
- Hop onto any bus heading toward Tikabhairav or Lele.
- Get off at the diversion and hike for about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the entrance.
Is PIA Park Worth Visiting?
As you reach the entrance of PIA Park, you might find yourself confused about where to enter just like I was.
I looked around, trying to spot a ticket counter, a guard, or even the beautiful park I had seen on social media. But nothing seemed clear.
After wandering in uncertainty, I decided to just keep walking, crossing over logs until I finally stumbled upon a stone walkway. Yet, it looked nothing like the pictures and videos I had seen online.
I kept moving forward, only to realize that there were barely any visitors. The few people I saw seemed just as surprised as I was.
Soon enough, I found the entrance gate, which had a few memorial stones inside.
A little further ahead, I noticed a small office, which seemed like it was once used to manage the park.
However, it looked completely abandoned, and there was no one around to ask for information.
Walking further, I finally arrived at the main open museum. But to my disappointment, it was covered in red mud. If you’ve been to Lele, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
There’s a huge hill that’s impossible to climb, filled with fallen logs. It seemed like PIA Park had been left in ruins.
Even the memorial stones (which were scattered around) were covered in dust. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This was not what I had expected.
Honestly, if reconstruction is planned soon, then great. But if the authorities have simply abandoned this memorial, it’s a complete disappointment.
Update: As per one of the comments on our TikTok videos, PIA park was destroyed by a landslide.
The only thing that felt meaningful in the entire park was a sign that read, ‘May peace prevail on Earth.’
Expected Budget
Personally, I went on a solo ride, and my visit was more about learning the history rather than having fun.
So, I didn’t spend a single penny, as I didn’t even stop for lunch. That said, there are a few hotels along the main road if you do plan on grabbing a bite.
Considering the current condition of the park, I doubt you’d want to spend much time here. So, don’t bother bringing food or planning a picnic. It would only lead to disappointment!
The only real expense is fuel. Even if you decide to have some snacks, a short Saturday trip like this shouldn’t cost you more than Rs. 500 per person.
Final Words
You’ve heard my side of the story about visiting PIA Park. So, if I had to give you a suggestion, I’d say don’t add this place to your bucket list just yet.
We need to raise awareness about its current state. The concerned authorities must step up and take action to restore PIA Park. Only then will visitors be truly drawn to this memorial.
I had high expectations before my visit, but walking through the park only left me feeling sad for the lost souls.
So, if you still want to visit, I’d recommend combining this trip with a visit to Latarambeshwor Mahadev. It’ll make your journey more worthwhile.
Happy traveling to Lalitpur!
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