Trailhead to/from Everest Base Camp
The shortest route to start the Everest Base Camp Trek is to make the starting and ending point LUKLA. Lukla, which is situated on the cliff of the mountain, is a small Sherpa town and has the only one domestic airport built in 1964, but officially opened for flight in 1971 in the entire Everest Region.
Lukla airport became a milestone and a gateway to Everest Base Camp, shortening not only the Everest Base Camp Trek but also the treks that take place in and around the entire Everest region.
The Everest Base Camp or popularly known as EBC Trek starts in Lukla, after a short flight from Kathmandu city. This trail follows all the way to Everest Base Camp passing by some of the popular villages and view point within the trails. Some to mentions are Namche Bazaar, Tengbuche, Dingbuche, Lobuche, Gorakshep and finally to Everest Base Camp.
The trail follows the same path from/to Lukla covering a distance of 130 KM in total and takes the shortest of 7 DAYS. However, the regular Everest Base Camp Trek takes 12 days in total with acclimatization days. The number of days for the EBC Trek is determined by the fitness level of a trekker, and also with the option to skip the same way descends with an alternative of the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter return. This option shortens the number of days by skipping the same way descent.
The starting and ending point/trail of EBC is LUKLA, situated at an altitude of 2840 meters above sea level. Trekkers have to take a short 20/25 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then the trek continues towards the Everest Base Camp, 5364 Meters above sea level. This 2524 meters of elevation gain is completed in 8 days, if one follows the regular itinerary of the 12-day Everest Base Camp TREK.
Finally, the trail descends back to LUKLA, the ending point, in just 3 DAYS and on the 4th Day, one takes the morning flight to Kathmandu to end the trek. This makes a 12-DAY EBC TREK.
There are two different ways to reach LUKLA, the gateway to the EBC Trek.
Take an off-road drive to somewhat closer to LUKLA
Take a short flight to LUKLA
OPTION with ROAD-DRIVE
At the moment, there is no direct road to LUKLA village; however, there is a drivable road that takes one somewhat close to LUKLA, and trekkers can hike for an hour and a half to reach Lukla after the dead-end of the road. This road trail is not very popular; however, is used by trekkers when there is continuous flight cancellation due to weather conditions at the Lukla airport.
Following this trail definitely increases the number of days but trekkers used when their option to the Lukla flight vanished due to weather. This route is popularly known as the Classical Everest Base Camp Trekking Trail.
However, this drive to reach Lukla will take an additional 2 Days extra. Further, the road is off-road and operates only during the dry season.
OPTION with FLIGHT
Flight to LUKLA is one of the shortest and easiest options for travellers to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek dream. This is comparably short, time-saving and affordable. Regular flight both ways to/from LUKLA operates almost every day from Kathmandu. However, these flight starts at 6 AM – 11 AM during clear days and sometimes till late afternoon when there are travellers.
Moreover, during the peak season of tourism, LUKLA flights are diverted towards Manthali airport, which is a somewhat 4/5 hours drive from Kathmandu; this is to avoid Air traffic at the Kathmandu airport. If so, then one has to drive at midnight to reach Manthlai for a regular flight starting at 6 AM.
Almost all trekkers heading towards Everest Base Camp go with the flight option to make the trek easy and time-saving. We, DISCOVER ALTITUDE TREKS, can assist you with all this and can pass information about how and which option to follow.
Reality:
Lukla airport is located at a cliff-side runway of just 527 Meters. This short runway makes the Lukla airport one of the most dangerous and technically challenging for pilots.
Only very small aircraft like Twin Otter, Dornier, usually with 14-18 seater aircraft are permitted for Lukla.
Reality:
Flight to Lukla is one of the most uncertain in Nepal due to its unpredictable weather condition and low-visibility.
Lukla flights normally operate from 6 AM – 11 AM. However, the schedule flight time frequently keeps on changing depending upon the visibility at the Lukla airport.
Reality:
Lukla flights only operate from Kathmandu for a couple of months, mainly during the off-season months for Nepal tourism.
During the peak trekking season (late March to May and September to early November), Lukla flights commerce from Manthali/Ramechap airport (both-ways), to avoid unwanted air traffic in Kathmandu airport. However, this is totally determined by the ministry of Aviation and might sift for week earlier or extend to week more.
Reality:
Lukla flights are one of the most expensive domestic flights in Nepal and the price frequently keeps on hiking during the peak season.
Despite the short distance, the cost of Lukla is high. This is because of small aircraft (14-18 setters) this makes the operating cost expensive.
Reality:
Booking Lukla flights doesn’t guarantee flying to/from Lukla. Flight to Lukla frequently faces delays for hours and sometime gets cancelled for whole day. This totally depends upon the weather condition and the visibility at the Lukla airport.
Reality:
Although Lukla airport is small in size and distance in regard to runway, it is safe to fly Lukla because only very small Twin Otter are permitted to/from Lukla airport with strict safety protocol and are monitored by the Nepal Aviation Ministry.
Reality:
Although a helicopter has a bit of flexibility when it comes to visibility rate, compared to airplane. However, the helicopter also sometimes gets cancelled when the weather changes.
Further, helicopter is more expensive than the flight, and if a helicopter happens to replace the airplane then the cost of helicopter varies from USD 500 to USD 900 Per Person (One-Way). The cost of a helicopter is totally determined by the number of passengers in Lukla.
Reality:
The flight from Kathmandu/Manthali/Ramchap to Lukla is one of the shortest distance flights in Nepal, lasting just 20/25 Minute only. However, the waiting time at the airport depends on the weather condition of the Lukla airport.
Reality:
Boarding flights to/from Lukla is one of the most uncertain. Despite having the regular flight tickets with flight timing, there is no guarantee that you will have the flight on the allocated time.
This totally depends upon the weather conditions and also the possibility that (if) some of the flights got cancelled the previous day? If so, then, the previous days’ passengers will get priority.
Reality:
Lukla flight always remains fully packed during the peak season, and rescheduling will result to high risk of flight cancellation/ further delay/ cancelled. However, if a flight ticket is booked, a cancellation charge will be applicable.
Always book you ticket with an authorized agency to make sure you get the possible earliest flight possible. Once your trip is confirmed, make sure your agency have booked the LUKLA flight as soon as possible, this guarantee the earliest possible flight. Avoid booking through online portal because they don’t update you about the possibility of delay and cancellation.
Lukla flight is one of the most unpredictable domestic flights in Nepal. This is due to the weather conditions and low visibility at the Lukla Airport. To make your flight feasible and easy-going, always make sure you book your trip with a renowned trekking agency, and Discover Altitude Trek can be one of them.
Booking trips with Discover Altitude benefits with multiple options when it comes to the Lukla Flight:
During the peak season, the Lukla flight is diverted towards Manthali airport; however, some of the flights (the first from Kathmandu and the last to Kathmandu) happen from Kathmandu itself. We will ensure about Lukla flight from Kathmandu if the weather looks good.
LUKLA-KATHMANDU (the other way) is one of the most unsystematic flights that travellers will face despite having the flight ticket. So, to make sure your flight is at the schedule with your flight ticket, we frequently keep in touch and gets update with the airlines.
If you are planning for the Everest Base Camp Trek, but are worried about the trail and risk factor with the Lukla flight. We can be your companion in guiding with the best possible option to reduce the risk factor of any flight delay and ensure the best with a high possibility of how one can trek at the base of the highest mountain on earth.
Feel free to contact us.
