Understanding Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla: Why Departure from Ramechhap is Recommended

After conducting a From Ramechhap to Lukla, the result shows that flying from the Manthali airport to Lukla is a better option than Kathmandu, to avoid the air traffic at ITA airport, which often causes delays from one hour to two hours and later the weather of Lukla not permitting to fly. Lukla is the gateway to Mt. Everest, “Top of the World 8,848m” That’s why many trekkers (about 900 people every day during peak season) all over the world visit the Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Short Trek, Everest 3 Passes Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, Gokyo Chola Pass Trek, Everest Expeditions, and other expeditions and treks. Fly to Lukla is the most popular destination for trekkers in the Khumbu region.

According to the TIA, domestic airline companies have been conducting almost fifty flights to Lukla every day during the high trekking season. So, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) requested that all airlines operate more Lukla flights from Ramechhap airport since the autumn 2019 trekking peak season. However, it is not comfortable for the trekkers to fly from Ramechhap due to a lack of fundamentals of tourism and quite a long distance from Kathmandu. All the trekking and travel entrepreneurs have been raising their voices to keep on the Lukla flight from Kathmandu after client feedback and our own experience. We hope the Government of Nepal will consider the public voice and carry on the Lukla flight from Kathmandu afterward, entirely operated by the other international airports (Pokhara Regional International Airport at Pokhara and Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa)

Here are some most important questions regarding Manthali Airport and the from Ramechhap to Lukla.

Q. Why Change Lukla Flight from Ramechhap?

This is mostly concerned with questions: Why fly to Lukla from Ramechhap? Nepal has only one international airport in the capital city of Kathmandu so far (Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairawa are almost ready for conducting, and Nijgadh International Airport is under construction). There are more than 50 flights conducted only in Lukla during trekking peak season; meanwhile, several domestic flights in various sectors as well as international flights also operate from TIA. So, the flight becomes delayed for almost a couple of hours due to air traffic; afterward, the weather in Lukla is not permitted to fly. As a result, your plan will be affected by the flight. But if you are flying from the Manthali Airport at Ramechhap, there won’t be any air traffic, and you can fly to Lukla at any time without interruption. Ramechhap to Lukla is just a 20-minute scenic flight by Dornier small aircraft. To fly on time, it is recommended to fly to Lukla from Manathali Airport.

About Manthali Airport

Manthali is located 132 km northeast of Kathmandu, in the headquarters of the Ramechhap District. The airport is situated 474 meters above sea level in the Tamakoshi River Valley. It was established in October 1979 to link the Ramechhap stream of development to Kathmandu and was renovated and upgraded to a concrete runway of 518 meters in length in 2015.

Q. How can we get to the Manthali Airport for the Lukla flight?

As all the flights to Lukla have been conducted from Kathmandu in the previous times, you are wondering why they don’t fly from Kathmandu airport to Lukla directly. And how far is Ramechhap Airport from Kathmandu? Well, Manthali Airport lies in Ramechhap District, 132 km northeast of Kathmandu, taking  4 to 5 hours to drive by public bus or private vehicles.

Q. Do we need to stay overnight at Manthali before flying to Lukla?

This is the most important question; it depends on your flight time. If your flight is before 7:00 a.m., then you need to get to Manthali a day ahead, then your flight, and for the later flight, you can drive on the same day from Kathmandu. As Manthali Airport is 132 km from Kathmandu, and it takes four to five hours to get in, you need to drive super early at 3:00 AM from Kathmandu. It depends on your choice also; to drive, such as early in the morning, is not fun, but there is not any other option besides the drive to fly to Lukla.

Q. Are there lodges and guest houses available at Manthali?

Manthali is the headquarters of the Ramechhap district, so there are basic lodges and guesthouses in a few numbers, focusing on official and administrative activities. But you can’t expect many more facilities and services, such as cities and hotels, in the Everest area. Therefore, during the trekking peak season (March, April, May, September, October, and November), it is very difficult to find accommodation due to the number of trekkers who come to Ramechhap for the Lukla flight. So, there are buses or vehicle services available from Kathmandu to Ramechhap to catch your same-day Lukla flight.

Q. Is the flight from Ramechhap to Lukla guaranteed after a 4 to 5-hour drive to the Manthali Airport from Kathmandu?

Well, we are sure you are choosing Everest Trek after a lot of research, and feedback, and coming here is one of the best times. We at Nepal Mother House do everything for the best result. After a 4- to 5-hour drive, such as early in the morning, you are curious about whether the Lukla flight is conducted on time or not. Normally, it is a 99 percent guarantee to fly to Lukla from Ramechhap, except in some exceptional cases. It depends on the following day’s weather conditions also; sometimes the weather in the Highlander, especially at Lukla, changes unexpectedly. If, in case, the weather does not permit flying, there is nothing other than to be patient and wait for a flight or change the trekking destination. We manage everything from our side properly, except beyond our hands (weather, technical, etc.). Let's think positively; everything will come in our favor.

Q. What are the possibilities to go to Lukla, if, in case, you can't fly from Ramechhap?

Let's hope you have a wonderful flight in good weather. The Lukla flight from Manthali Airport has more chances compared to the other airports in the mountain. In case, the flight is delayed or canceled due to fog, high wind, and rainy weather, then contact your travel agent about the flight, and you may also check the reliable weather forecast, and what they are saying about Lukla weather. Sometimes, the weather is poor, and there is not good visibility, and you need to wait one day to a week or more. In this situation, make a smart decision: either wait for a flight or alternative access to Lukla.

Sometimes, there is a chance to fly to Lukla by helicopter. If the weather does not permit Lukla's flight by helicopter, then you have the ultimate option to drive from Manthali Airport in Ramechha to Thamdanda (below the Lukla); there are transport services available from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Salleri and Thamdanda. If you need any help, we are here, ready to assist you. You may contact us at +977-9841368753 on WhatsApp and Mobile.

Most popular trek in the Everest Region:

1. Everest Base Camp Trek -12 Days
2. Everest Base Camp Trek and Fly Back Helicopter—9 Days
3. Everest 3 Passes Trek—21 Days
4. Everest Base Camp Trek—8 Days
5. Gokyo Chola Pass Trek—19 Days

Go Through the Video for Amazing Lukla Flight:

Q. How long does the Manthali to Lukla flight?

It takes 20 to 25 minutes by airplane from Manathali Airport to Lukla, crossing 73.4 kilometers of crow-fly distance. Ramechhap to Lukla is a scenic flight by Dornier 19-seater aircraft. It is best to choose the left-hand side seat for the amazing view.

Q. What is the luggage allowance for the Lukla flight?

Regarding the flight weight while flying to Lukla, the weight limit is 10 kg of main baggage and 5 kg of hand per passenger on each flight. This is the same rule for any other mountain sector flight as well as flying by Dornier 19-seater aircraft. If you have more than this weight, they will charge USD 1 to 3 per kilogram as an additional.

Q. Do I need to print my air ticket for the Ramechhap to Lukla flight?

Nowadays you can get air tickets as e-tickets; normally you don’t need to print them out. Simply, you can keep it on your mobile or tablet via email or any media app. Nevertheless, make sure Batter downloads the tickets if there is no internet access and battery issue while on the spot. We at Nepal Mother House provide you with a copy of the air tickets before the start of the trek as well.

Q. How early should I check in at the airport to catch my Lukla flights from Ramechhap?

It is advised to get to the airport at least one hour before your flight time for every domestic flight. So, please be ready and drive from your hotel accordingly.

Q. Do I need to manage transport to Manthali Airport on my own? If so, how much does it cost?

If you sign up for a trekking program with Nepal Mother House Trek, then you don’t need to hassle with transport; we will organize all transportation to Manthali and return to Kathmandu after the trek and will provide a public bus or jeep.
There are daily transport services available.

• Tourist buses depart from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. - NPR. 900 to 1,500 per person for one way. To avoid the hassle of staying overnight in Manthali, driving early in the morning is best.
• Hire a car/jeep/Hiace/coaster depending on your group size and requirements (to hire a private will be an additional cost for clients). The cost of the car, Land Cruiser/Jeep/Scorpio, microbus/Hiace bus, and Coster with AC will be US$ 110-130, US$ 150-170, US$ 160-170, and US$ 195-250, respectively, for one way.
• If you are staying overnight in Manthali, you have an option:
• Get a cab to Koteshwor from your hotel. Catch a local bus or regular jeep from Koteshwor Bus Station to Manthali. The vehicles depart in the morning from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day.

Q. What would happen, if I had already booked a Kathmandu to Lukla flight, but changed all the flights from Manthali?

If you have already booked flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and changed Lukla flights from Ramechhap, in this situation you don’t need to do anything; we provide Lukla flights from Ramechhap at the same cost and public/sharing transportation from Kathmandu to Ramechhap. If you wish for a much more comfortable drive, then you may hire a private car, jeep, or van according to your requirements and group size, as an additional cost.

Q. Is it safe to fly from Ramechhap to Lukla?

Sure, Manthali airport is full of fundamentals, whatever is needed for the airport. So, it is safe to fly from Ramechhap to Lukla and back to Ramechhap.

Q. Is there any option to get into Lukla?

If you are looking for a comfortable trek to Everest Base Camp, a hassle-free drive to Manthali in the early morning, then you have the option to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla by helicopter. But the cost is quite high; for this, you need to pay USD 500 to 800 as an additional payment per person for one way. There will be 5 passengers in a craft.

Likewise, if you are thinking of getting to Lukla without a flight, then the Everest Base Camp Trek by Road is the best way for the trip. There are Jeeps available from Kathmandu to Thamdanda every morning from Chahabil Chok. Driving to Lukla by jeep makes the cost of your EBC trek and more experience of Nepal while driving through. The road from Kathmandu to Salleri/Phaplu is blacktopped, and it takes 8 to 9 hours to drive afterward to the Thamdanda; it is a rough road. So, if you are not feeling comfortable on a rough road, then, you can start the Everest Base Camp Trek from Salleri also.

If you require any more information regarding Lukla flights rerouted to Ramechhap and  Everest Trek, please feel free to contact Nepal Mother House Treks. We are here for your assistance.

Q. Is there any alternative access to the Lukla in an economical way? 

Yes, nowadays the road also accesses nearby Lukla. Every morning, the sharing Jeep drives to Thamdanda, which is a 4 to 5-hour walking distance below the Lukla. As you are in Nepal for an adventure test, the drive off-road after the Salleri is also kind of a thrilling journey. In good weather, it takes a full day to drive from dawn to dusk. So, if you have enough time, it is better to drive from Kathmandu to Lukla by jeep and continue to the Everest Base Camp Trek. 

**Note: The Kathmandu to Lukla flight has diverted to Ramechhap on March 20th, 2025. 

Q. What is the average driving time from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport now following the massive downpour on September 27th?

The drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport (Ramechhap) typically takes around 4 to 5 hours under normal conditions. However, due to heavy rain on September 27th, 2024, the main road has been affected, and there is no more access currently (October 10th, 2024).

However, it is possible to drive to Manthali airport, taking the alternative road to Charilot.

The Hice and Mini buses depart every day from Thamel at 9:00 PM and get in Manthali airport the next morning to catch the Lukla flight and drive from Kathmandu to Charilot (about 4 to 5 hours, 130 km through the Araniko Highway) and then via Charikot Lamosangu-Ramechhap Highway (2 to 3 hours, 57.7 km from Charilot) to Ramechhap Manthali Airport, crossing the Tama Koshi River at Nayapul, Tamakhani, Dolahka, and driving along the riverside. It will be about a 6- to 7-hour drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport.