Faqs Everest Base Camp Trek Without Flying

Yes, it is possible to get to Everest Base Camp (EBC) without flying by going overland. As a substitute for flying to Lukla, you can drive a jeep from Kathmandu to Thamdanda, Salleri, or Surke and start trekking from there. The most well-liked choice is a jeep to Thamdanda (10-12 hours) and then trekking to Lukla (1 day) or directly to Phakding without ascending to Lukla. It takes 12-14 days round trip from Lukla to reach EBC and return. This route is slightly longer but avoids the risk of flight cancellations. The total distance from Kathmandu to EBC through this route is around 130 km. The prices vary, but the jeep journey from Kathmandu to Thamdanda or Surke costs around $25-$50, while trekking ranges from $30-$50 a day. The highest height is 5,364m at EBC, and acclimatization is still necessary.

Yes, you can trek to EBC without taking a flight to Lukla. Drive a jeep from Kathmandu to Thamdanda or Salleri or Surke instead and start trekking from there. If you take a jeep to Salleri, it takes about 3 days to reach Lukla. It only takes 1 day from Thamdanda to Lukla or Phakding directly from Thamdanda or from Surke. The total trekking time increases by 3-4 days compared to the flight option, which brings the total trip to around 16-18 days. The advantage is avoiding the flight delays and the cost saving. However, the trek from Salleri involves steep trails, requiring good fitness. The cost is slightly lower than flying because jeep rides are close to $30-$50 one way from Kathmandu to Thamdanda to Surke, and trekking costs depend on accommodation and food choices

You can completely skip the Lukla flight while trekking to EBC. The most popular hiking trail starts at Salleri or Thamdanda or Surke which were classical EBC trekking trails before the Lukla airport was built. If you come by bus or jeep from Kathmandu to  Salleri (10-12 hours) and then to Thamdanda and Surke, you can hike to Lukla in 1-2 days. Or, you don’t need to ascend up to Lukla town, you can directly walk to Phakding from Surke or Thamdanda.

 From Lukla or Phakding you take the classical EBC route to reach the base camp in 9-10 days. The total round-trip trekking time equals approximately 21-24 days. The advantage of this trail is that acclimatization is better as the ascent is gradual. The cost is lower as the jeep fare is $25-$50 from Kathmandu to Surke or Thamdanda, and trekking is $25-$50 per day.

To get EBC without flying, you can go to Salleri (10-12 hours) or Thamdanda (10-12 hours) from Kathmandu by jeep and start trekking to EBC via Namche and Tengboche. If you go via Salleri, it takes 3-4 more trekking days to reach Lukla or Phakding. The entire EBC trek would take 16-18 days from Salleri and 14-16 days from Thamdanda. The jeep fare from Kathmandu to Thamdanda or Surke is $30-$50, and the day-to-day trekking expenses range from $30-$50 depending on accommodations and food choices. The highest point is 5,364m at EBC, so acclimatization is crucial. Avoiding flights reduces weather-related delays, but the road journey is long and rough. It is a definite choice if you prefer an overland route.

To get to EBC overland, travel by jeep from Kathmandu to Thamdanda, Salleri, Surke or Jiri and trek from there. The journey  from Kathmandu to Thamdanda takes 10-12 hours, to Salleri 10-12 hours, and to Jiri 8-10 hours. The trek from Thamdanda to Lukla takes 1 day, from Salleri to Lukla takes 3-4 days, and from Jiri to Lukla takes around 5-7 days. From Lukla, you follow the classical EBC trekking route, which takes around 12-14 days return. If you go to Thamdanda or Surke, you can skip Lukla and directly trek to Phakding and Namche. It is less expensive than flying, costing between $25-$50 for a jeep and around $30-$50 per day for trekking. The highest altitude is 5,364m, and you must acclimatize well.

Yes, you can trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) without flying to Lukla. You can drive to Jiri or Salleri and trek from there. The Jiri to EBC trek takes the old route taken by early climbers and takes around 21–24 days round trip. Salleri shortens the trek a little, taking around 18–20 days. While avoiding the Lukla flight, this route has extra trekking days and extra permits for the lower elevations. It's a great choice for those who want to observe the gradual transition from the lower hills to high-altitude country.

No, you cannot drive to Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side directly. The trekking trail lies within Sagarmatha National Park, which does not have road vehicle access beyond Salleri or Phaplu. Recently, the road has the access to go Thamdanda or Surke via Salleri from Kathmandu directly. The closest you can drive is to Salleri or Thame (nearer to Namche Bazaar with future road extensions). After that, you must trek to reach EBC. But on the Tibetan side, you can reach the North Base Camp of Everest in China by driving, but it is regulated by special permits and restrictions due to Chinese regulations.

Yes, you can take a jeep to the starting points of the EBC trek, for instance, Salleri or Phaplu, Surke or Thamdanda but not to Base Camp. An 8–10-hour jeep journey from Kathmandu to Salleri is far less costly than flying. The trek meets the regular Lukla trail at Phakding or Namche Bazaar from Salleri and adds 3–4 days to the regular Lukla itinerary. Budget travelers and people who do not want the gamble of the Lukla flight like this option. If you drive to Thamdanda and Surke by jeep from Kathmandu, it takes total 14-16 hours. It is possible in dry seasons like in Spring and Winter months.

Save money by walking alone instead of hiring a guide or porter, but only if you are skilled at high-altitude walking. Eat at local teahouses instead of expensive lodges, and eat simple food like dal bhat for refills ad infinitum. Travel by road to Salleri or Phaplu or Thamdanda or Surke a instead of flying to Lukla. Bring supplies from Kathmandu instead of hiring or buying along the route. Room-share with fellow trekkers to split the costs. Avoid joining a guided tour and book it directly in Nepal. Finally, trek in the off-season (winter or monsoon) when teahouses are more affordable.

The cheapest way to trek to Everest Base Camp is by trekking individually and wisely utilizing the local services. Ride a jeep from Kathmandu to Salleri/ Thamdanda/Surke instead of taking flights. Carry your own backpack instead of hiring a porter. Stay in low-cost teahouses and have plain, locally prepared food. Carry water purification tablets instead of paying a lot for bottled water. Forego the luxury add-ons such as hot showers and WiFi, which can soon add up. If possible, hire a local guide at Namche or Lukla rather than an expensive Kathmandu tour. Group trekking also reduces shared expenses.

In reducing costs, travel by jeep to Salleri/Thamdanda/Surke rather than by flying to Lukla. Stay at inexpensive teahouses and negotiate for rates, especially during off-seasons. Eat dal bhat for dinner and lunch because it is unlimited serving. Carry snacks, a water purification system, and a refillable water bottle to avoid the purchase of expensive bottled drinks. Carry all required gear from Kathmandu instead of renting on the trail. Skip luxury facilities like hot showers, internet connection, and charging points because they come with a cost. Traveling in a group makes accommodation and food-sharing possible. Lastly, organize a shorter trip to reduce daily expenses.

The jeep journey from Kathmandu to Thamdanda typically takes 17 to 18 hours. Early morning, 4:30 to 5:00 AM, it leaves from Kathmandu via Salleri and other villages until it arrives in Thamdanda in the evening. Timing might be altered according to road condition and traffic.

The jeep ride from Kathmandu to Surke typically takes around 17 to 18 hours. The journey starts early in the morning and traverses through Thamdanda and other villages before reaching Surke in the evening. The duration can vary based on road conditions and traffic.

Yes, one can travel by jeep from Kathmandu to Thamdanda all year round. The best times to travel are in the dry season, March to May and September to November, when the weather is more predictable and the roads are better. In the monsoon months (June to August), heavy rains can lead to landslides, making the roads difficult and sometimes impassable.

Yes, it is possible to drive by jeep from Kathmandu to Surke. There are jeep services directly, and the journey takes about 17 to 18 hours. The jeep departs in the early morning from Kathmandu and reaches Surke in the evening. It is advisable to ask about the road conditions and book in advance, especially during the high trekking seasons.

The road from Kathmandu to Thamdanda and Surke is mixed as far as condition. The initial section to Salleri is well blacktopped and paved, with a smooth ride. After Salleri, the road becomes more challenging and harder, with off-road segments requiring a 4WD car. Heavy monsoon rains can bring landslides and render some sections of the road impassable or very challenging. Tourists should prepare for a rough and thrilling ride, especially after Salleri.

The cost of a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Thamdanda or Surke varies depending on type of service (shared or private), time of year, and fuel prices. A shared jeep trip typically costs between NPR 5,000 to 8,500 (approximately USD 50 to 70) per person. During holiday periods like Dashain and Tihar, prices can be higher due to more demand and less return passengers. Private jeep hires can be in the range of NPR 65,000 to 90,000 (approximately USD 650 to 750), which can carry 8 to 10 passengers.

The most popular mode of transport to travel to Salleri from Kathmandu is a jeep, particularly if you are heading to the Everest region. The cost varies if you use a shared or private jeep:

Shared Jeep: A seat in a shared jeep will generally cost NPR 3,000 to NPR 3,500 per individual.

Private Jeep: Renting an entire jeep can range from $310 to $450, accommodating up to 7 passengers.

The journey covers approximately 270 kilometers and takes about 8 to 9 hours, depending on road conditions.

Flight fares from Kathmandu to Lukla are determined by the traveler's nationality:

Nepali Citizens: Approximately NPR 5,500 per person.

Indian Citizens: Around INR 8,370 to INR 9,185 per person.

Foreign Nationals: Approximately $180 per person from Ramechhap and $230 from Kathmandu

These flights offer a quick 25 to 35-minute journey, providing breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayas.

No, if you drive from Kathmandu to Thamdanda by jeep, then you do not need to walk to Lukla. Thamdanda is also a starting point for Everest region treks. It is an 8-hour trek from Thamdanda to reach Lukla but you can skip Lukla town and go directly to Chheplung next to Lukla and then to Phakding.

This route allows trekkers to experience the local culture and scenery without flying to Lukla. The jeep journey to Thamdanda takes 16 to 17 hours, covering a distance of approximately 358 kilometers.

To avoid flying to Lukla, use the following options:

Overland Journey to Salleri or Phaplu: Make a journey from Kathmandu to Salleri or Phaplu via jeep, approximately 8 to 9 hours. Trek for approximately 3 to 4 days from there to meet the main Everest Base Camp trail to Namche Bazaar.

Jeep to Thamdanda or Surke: Take a jeep directly to Thamdanda and trek for approximately 8 hours to Lukla. You can also go directly to Phakding without ascending to Lukla if you go Thamdanda or Surke from Kathmandu by jeep. This choice avoids the flight completely.

Classic Jiri Route: Travel by bus or jeep to Jiri or Shivalaya and begin the trek from there. This is the longer, more culturally interesting original route.

These choices not only avoid potential flight delays but also enable one to appreciate the local culture and landscape more.