Getting Into Lukla from Kathmandu | A Complete Guide

3Min to Read | By Himalayan Windows | Aug 29, 2020

Getting into Lukla from Kathmandu – a gateway to Mount Everest Base Camp

Leave your footprint in the heart of the world’s highest mountain at Everest Base Camp (EBC) following in the footsteps of famous mountaineers. Explore the Sherpa communities, gaze at stunning Mount AmaDablam and look down on apple pie in the villages around Namche Bazaar. Everest Base Camp Trek in the Everest region of Nepal is one of the world’s most popular trekking destinations. Everest Base Camp trek has several surprising attractions including the backdrop views of the world’s highest snowy peaks. This trek takes you right into the high altitude, the heart of the high mountain, more than any other trek in the world. This trek goes through several stunning villages, Gompas, and welcoming Sherpa people.

Lukla is a small town and a gateway to Mount Everest Base Camp. Most trekkers opt to fly to Lukla to commence 12 day Everest Base Camp trek. The Lukla airstrip is considered one of the most adventurous and thrilling airports in the world, located in the middle of the high mountains. Bad weather at Lukla airport often delays your trekking plan. So, giving a few extra days is a smart idea. At the same time, it is still important to know how to get to Lukla through other alternate routes, even though the number of days for the trek will be extended.

Travel to Lukla from Kathmandu by plane

Lukla Airstrip – a gateway to Mount Everest Base Camp

Traveling to Lukla from Kathmandu by plane is the easiest and shortest way to start the Everest Base Camp trek. A 30 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and begin the trek is the most popular Everest Base Camp trek itinerary. The Tenzing-Hillary Airport is popular for its short and mountain-side runway. However, the flight to Lukla is still safe and numerous flights are operated in a day during the peak season. Flight delays are quite common issues due to bad weather so; giving a few extra days would be a better idea.

Sometimes flights can be operated to Lukla via Ramechhap airport due to heavy traffic congestions in Kathmandu airport, flights sometimes can be diverted from Ramechhap airport. Ramechhap Aiport is about a 4-5 hours drive from Kathmandu. It is wise to consult with your trekking agency before your trip kicks off.

Recommended Itinerary: Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days

Travel to Lukla from Kathmandu by Helicopter

Due to Bad weather, regular flights can get delayed for hours or even days. Helicopters are a quick backup option in case flights keep delayed and you have a short holiday plan. Booking a Helicopter Solo or Chartering a Helicopter alone cost expensive so it is wise to have booked on a sharing plan. One chopper can accommodate up to 5 passengers in one shuttle. It takes approx. 45 minutes to travel to Lukla from Kathmandu by Helicopter.

If you plan to get to Everest Base Camp or Kalapatthar in one day, check out the Helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp Landing.

Everest Base Camp Trek by Road and On Foot

There are several trekking routes for Everest Base Camp Trek including the trek from Jiri and Salleri. Although Everest Base Camp Trek by flight is the most popular and common way of reaching Lukla.

It is now possible to take a long-day Jeep ride up to Salleri or Jiri and start the trek either. Moreover, you shall commence the trek from Salleri by taking a flight from Kathmandu to Phaplu or Rumjatar airport. The driving route from Salleri has recently been started once the BP-highway road is constructed. Everest Base Camp trek by road, also known as Everest Overland Trek has started to become quite popular these days.

The trek from Jiri is popular as the pioneers’ route because of how this trail was used to trek to Mount Everest before the Lukla airport was constructed in the 1960s. The Jiri route was used by the infamous mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa who scaled Mount Everest for the first time.

Trek from Salleri/Phaplu to Lukla takes approx. three days, while Jiri takes approx. Five. These trails are less crowded and those who take this route tend to enjoy the more gradual approach to the Everest Region. You can consider the Pikey Peak trek if you are taking a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Salleri/Phaplu.