In the upcoming season, all flights to Lukla will depart from Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu. The approximate distance between Ramechhap and Kathmandu is 140 kilometers. We will travel roughly 5 hours from Kathmandu to the Manthali airport in Ramechhap in order to catch an early morning flight to Lukla. It takes less than 20 minutes to fly from Ramechhap to Kathmandu. Since Ramechhap lacks both hotel capacity and tourist infrastructure, the limited number of hotels in the town offer only basic services for tourists.
In order to make our early flight, we will leave our hotel in Kathmandu at around 2 a.m. and drive to Manthali airport. Since the flight from Ramechhap to Lukla is shorter, there is a greater chance that multiple flights will occur on the same day. The good news is that there is a very low chance of flight cancellations departing from here.
This change in flight schedule, as well as the Lukla flight diversion, will apply to all trekkers planning to visit the Everest region in the coming season. All trekkers must take this route due to airline route changes. This flight diversion will not affect your actual trek plan, trek schedule, or the total number of days on the trip. The minor setback of waking up very early and beginning the drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap is the only disadvantage. However, the stunning scenery and thrilling adventure in the Everest region make the wait worthwhile.
If you wish to avoid travelling by road to Ramechhap, the only alternative is to fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla by helicopter. Helicopters will continue to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla as usual. Guests must let us know during the booking process if they wish to utilize the Helicopter service from Kathmandu, and we can arrange it for an additional fee. Helicopters only operate on a chartered basis, so their availability varies daily, and booking ahead of time is recommended.
What time do we depart from our hotel in Kathmandu to drive to the Manthali airport in Ramechhap?
We will most likely begin our journey around 2 or 3 a.m., and the exact time will be provided to the group during the trek briefing session on the arrival day. Arrive in Kathmandu one day earlier to get some much-needed rest after your long international flight and before you embark on your adventure.
Why have the Lukla flights been diverted to Ramechhap?
This is primarily due to the heavy air traffic and the limited capacity at Kathmandu International Airport. The decision to direct flights from Ramechhap to manage air traffic is a good one. The temporary solution will definitely help to regulate and reduce the heavy air traffic at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.
When will Lukla flights resume operation from Kathmandu?
In the last 2 years, Lukla flights have occasionally been diverted to Ramechhap airport. This will almost certainly continue in the coming seasons until a solution to reduce air traffic at Kathmandu International Airport is found. Despite the inconvenience, flying from Ramechhap is currently the most reliable way to reach Lukla, the starting point for treks in the Everest region.
Even though the facilities at Ramechhap are extremely limited and basic, we think that flying out of Ramechhap during the upcoming Autumn season is the best option. We hope that the Kathmandu to Lukla service will resume soon. Stay tuned to our Instagram for the most recent travel updates and to plan your Himalayan adventure. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding your trip to Nepal.