As of our latest updates, the ongoing practice of diverting Lukla-bound flights from Kathmandu to Ramechhap is expected to continue until at least mid-November, potentially even longer. If your journey to Lukla involves a flight from Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu, here is how it may affect your trek.
Recent Developments:
In late September, Nepal experienced severe flooding that damaged a key bridge along the road to Ramechhap. Because of this, starting around October 1st, we’ve had to reroute transfers, resulting in travel times estimated between 8 and 10 hours. We hope this bridge will be repaired within the next couple of weeks. Until then, our guests will depart for Ramechhap around 9 or 10 p.m. on the first night of their itinerary.
About Ramechhap Airport:
Ramechhap is a small airfield roughly 140 km (85 miles) from Kathmandu. The drive there takes about 5 hours under normal conditions, while returning can take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours, depending on traffic. This situation affects all trekkers heading to the Everest region, no matter which tour operator or airline they’ve chosen. While this does introduce some added inconvenience—especially the earlier wake-ups and the lengthy, winding road journey—it does not fundamentally alter your overall trekking schedule.
To help smooth the process, one of our team members will remain stationed in Ramechhap throughout the trekking season to assist guests with their flights. In cases where flights from Ramechhap are canceled due to poor weather but helicopters are still able to operate, we may be able to arrange a helicopter transfer. The cost generally starts at around $600 per person, potentially higher depending on demand and group size. If you opt for the helicopter, we will refund the one-way fixed-wing fare of $150 (or $80 for Indian guests).
If no flights or helicopters are available from Ramechhap, guests may choose to stay overnight there—bearing in mind that accommodations are extremely basic—or return to Kathmandu. If you do go back to Kathmandu, be aware that you’ll need to leave again at about 3 a.m. the following morning to try your flight again.
Avoiding Ramechhap:
If you wish to skip the Ramechhap transfer altogether, helicopter flights from Kathmandu to Lukla remain available. We can attempt to secure a helicopter seat for $600 one-way (with a $150 refund on your canceled flight ticket, bringing the extra cost to about $450 one-way). Please inform us in advance if you’d like to explore this option. Helicopter availability can fluctuate daily due to the high priority given to emergency evacuations.
We understand this is a significant additional expense, and it’s not mandatory. You might consider using a helicopter only for the return journey from Lukla to Kathmandu, as the road trip back generally takes longer due to heavier traffic in the afternoon.
Cloudy Weather in Ramechhap & Fixed-Wing Flights:
Although some irregular Kathmandu–Lukla flights may still occur—often when airlines need to reposition their aircraft or staff—it’s not something you can rely on. Such flights tend to happen early in the day, and if a late-day flight is canceled due to weather, it affects the following morning’s schedule as well. In contrast, Ramechhap offers a more dependable option, allowing several quick 12-minute flights to Lukla when conditions permit. The brief flight time and reduced airport congestion increase the likelihood of reaching Lukla efficiently.
Why Ramechhap Might Actually Be Better:
Despite the inconvenience and lack of amenities, Ramechhap is often more reliable because of its proximity to Lukla. The shorter flight duration (about 12 minutes rather than 35 minutes from Kathmandu) makes it easier for multiple flights to operate during brief weather windows. In Kathmandu, even when weather conditions are favorable, runway congestion can cause delays that ultimately prevent flights from reaching Lukla before conditions deteriorate.
Departure Times to Ramechhap:
Generally, you can expect to leave your Kathmandu hotel around 2 or 3 a.m. We will confirm the exact departure time during your pre-trek briefing. If there are guests already stuck in Ramechhap from the previous day, their priority status might push back your departure slightly. We will discuss the latest conditions the evening before your trip.
How Long Will These Diversions Continue?
These reroutes from Kathmandu to Ramechhap for Lukla flights have occurred periodically since late 2019 and will likely persist for multiple seasons. The primary issue is not just infrastructure work, but rather the limited capacity at Kathmandu’s airport and heavy air traffic. Until a long-term solution emerges, these diversions are expected to remain part of the experience.
We know this situation may be frustrating, and we’re informing all current guests ahead of time. It does add another layer of complexity to reaching Lukla, but it is unavoidable under current conditions. We will do everything in our power to ensure the process remains as smooth as possible. We look forward to the day when Kathmandu Airport operations return to normal. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
