Trekking to Everest Base Camp ? There is a high chance that your flight to Lukla will be rerouted from Kathmandu to Ramechhap’s airport. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal made this decision to ease the congestion in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport during peak tourist season.
The peak trekking seasons in Nepal are: April-May and September-November. If you are travelling to Nepal outside of these months, your flight to Lukla would most likely fly out of Kathmandu. If you are travelling in the peak trekking seasons and are stressing about the travel from Kathmandu to Ramechhap’s Manthali Airport, don’t worry. Our Trek Leader Gurdit Singh has some tips to share.
About Ramechhap – The Gateway to Everest Region
Ramechhap is about 132 kms from Kathmandu and should take you around 4-6 hours to reach via road. There are no flights from Kathmandu to Ramechhap.
The drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap is challenging – the roads are better the closer you are to Kathmandu. The closer you get to Ramechhap, the roads become winding and narrow. It is best practice to check weather conditions before you travel, as landslides and road blocks are common during monsoon season.
However, the scenery makes up for the bumpy journey: lush green hills, farmlands, and villages accompany you. Sunkoshi and Tamakoshi river join you in the last half of the drive. It’s a glimpse into the rural side of Nepal, away from the tourist-friendly charms of Kathmandu.
Travel to Manthali, Ramechhap from Kathmandu
Here are your travel options from Kathmandu to take your flight to Lukla from Manthali airport:
| Transport mode | Cost | Other Details |
| Shared taxi/van | 2500 NPR | If you are staying in a hotel in Kathmandu, you can speak to the reception there to get this arranged for you. These vehicles usually leave early in the morning – 2 am/3 am. |
| Public Bus | 600 NPR | You can find buses running from 6 am to 11 am at Old Bus Park. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from Thamel. Buses usually take longer than taxis to reach Manthali, Ramechhap. |
| Private vehicle | 16-18k NPR | If you can find someone to split the cost with, this can be a comfortable option. |
Accomodation in Ramechhap
The accommodation near Manthali airport is basic – it is not an area developed for tourists, so it is best to manage your expectations. We recommend Forest Resort in Manthali as a place to stay, should you need it. Not only is the Forest Resort the best accommodation in the area, it is also a walkable distance from the airport, making it all the more convenient.
If you are choosing to stay the night, book your stay much in advance. Last minute arrangements can be difficult to do in peak trekking seasons. If you are going with a trekking company, they will do these arrangements for you.
Flights to Lukla
Manthali airport is a small and primarily used for flights to Lukla. So, unlike the Kathmandu airport where there is a lot of air traffic congestion, there is unlikely to be any delays or backlogs.
Flights to Lukla run daily and takes about 15 minutes. There are multiple airlines offering flights to Lukla from Manthali Airport, such as Tara Air, Summit Air and Sita Air.
How To Plan Your Travel From Kathmandu To Ramechhap?
According to our Trek Leader Gurdit, these are your options for your travel to Ramechhap from Kathmandu:
OPTION 1 – Head out to Ramechhap soon after you land in Kathmandu
Try to reach Kathmandu before noon. Take a rest for half an hour and then head out to Ramechhap. Stay in Ramechhap overnight, so that you are well-rested before your flight to Lukla early in the morning.
The only con of this option is that you get no time in Kathmandu.
OPTION 2 – Stay in Kathmandu and leave for Ramechhap early in the morning.
Fly into Kathmandu and stay. Leave for Ramechhap early in the morning – around 2 am. Lot of shared taxis/jeeps start around this time for Ramechhap. In this option, you avoid the traffic and reach within 4 hours.
This way, you also get more time in Kathmandu. The con of this option is that you don’t get enough time to rest. It is best to have your body well-rested before the start of the trek – especially if you are trekking in the Everest region, as it goes to very high altitudes.
The drive is also risk-prone, and this option doesn’t have enough buffer for any recovery, should anything go awry.
OPTION 3 – Travel to Ramechhap the next day and stay overnight
If you have extra days in your itinerary, you can fly into Kathmandu and travel to Ramechhap the next day. Stay the day in Ramechhap and take the flight to Lukla the day after. The con of this option is that it adds an extra day into your itinerary.
Return From Lukla
The first option for your return from the trek is to take the early flight to Ramechhap from Lukla, make sure you have a pre-booked vehicle ready and stay in Kathmandu. Expect to reach Kathmadu slightly later because the traffic during afternoon hours is at its peak.
If you have buffer days in your itinerary, you can stay in Ramechhap and leave for Kathmandu the next morning.
If you have any questions for us, leave a comment below.