Like many other travelers who do not like the idea of flying to Lukla, are you wondering how to get to Lukla without taking a flight?
The most reliable way to reach Everest Base Camp is to trek without taking a flight to Lukla (EBC). There are different routes in Nepal to get to Lukla, the gateway to Everest. Most people fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and begin their Everest trip there. However, the weather irregularities on the Lukla route frequently cause delays. The Lukla flight has a significant likelihood of being canceled in adverse weather, which is quite stressful for every trekker.
From Kathmandu, it is possible to trek to Lukla or to take a jeep ride for a day to get to the villages of Jiri, Phaplu, or Salleri, from which you can hike to Lukla. However, this is a far less common way of traveling.
Route to Get to Lukla Without Flying
1. Getting to Lukla via Phaplu/Salleri
The Everest Base Camp Trek begins in the remote village of Phaplu in northeastern Nepal. The trek from Phaplu to Lukla is a longer option. It is regarded as beautiful and secure, though. The trip from Kathmandu to Palphu or Salleri, the administrative center of the Solu district, takes nine to ten hours. You’ll have to stay overnight at Salleri and catch another jeep to get to Thame Danda via Kharikhola. The trek will start from Thame Danda and it will take approximately 5 to 6 hours to reach Lukla, which is the usual hiking route to Everest Base Camp.
By skipping a flight to Lukla, you can explore the Himalayas on a more budget-friendly basis this way. For trekkers who want to travel on a budget yet have longer holidays, the EBC route from Salleri is a good option. It is an adventure with less crowded Everest trekking routes.
The bus ride takes you through a stunning landscape, along beautiful river banks, and through residents of many ethnic groups. The road frequently crosses high terrain across passes with stunning alpine views, including Mt. Everest, in the background.
2. Getting to Lukla via Jiri/Shivalaya
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay chose a well-known mountain trail in Nepal’s Khumbu region as an alternate route to reach Lukla from Jiri. It is a popular option for anyone who prefers to take a lengthy, thrilling, and more rewarding journey to the Everest Base Camp.
Start the trek by taking a thrilling bus to the lovely Jiri village instead of taking a flight to Lukla. After that, the trekking route descends through the mali danda in order to reach Shivalaya Pass Deurali.
Then, after traveling through rhododendron trees and Sherpa communities, we continue through Lamjura to Junbeshi. Stunning panoramic views of Everest, Kantega, Thamserku, Mera Peak, and other mountains can be seen on the drive to Nunthala, which is the next stop. From Nunthala, ascend via Sherpa and Rai communities to the Dudh Koshi River, then descend gradually to Bupsa. Enjoy the breathtaking environment as you pass through Kharte, descend to Puiyan, and ascend to Chauri Kharka. The gateway to Everest, Namche Bazaar, will be the next destination.
How can I take a Jeep from Kathmandu to Lukla?
There are no jeeps or buses traveling from KTM to Lukla. From Kathmandu, buses and Jeeps run to Salleri/Phaplu and Jiri/Shivalaya. You can reach Lukla after a few days of hiking. It takes slightly more than nine to 10 hours and costs about $20 to USD 25 to ride a public bus/jeep from Kathmandu to Salleri or Jiri. If you want to hire a private jeep then it would cost approximately USD 350. From there, it will take three days to get to the main trail.
3. Getting to Lukla via Helicopter Ride
A helicopter ride to Lukla is an amazing experience if money is not an issue. In less than an hour, you can depart from the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport and fly to Lukla. As you go, the hilly, agricultural landscape of Kathmandu ascends to higher altitudes in the cooler, less productive mountain ranges. Experience the aerial beauty of the Everest region by taking a thrilling helicopter ride. A 25 to 40-minute helicopter ride gets you from Kathmandu to Lukla. A helicopter might be booked for between $2200 and $3000 USD. With room for up to five people, you can split the cost of hiring a helicopter with your fellow travelers.