{"id":2779,"date":"2018-11-20T11:52:40","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T06:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/honeyguideapps.com\/blog\/?p=2779"},"modified":"2022-01-10T16:52:07","modified_gmt":"2022-01-10T11:07:07","slug":"getting-to-everest-base-camp-alternatives-to-lukla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/honeyguideapps.com\/blog\/getting-to-everest-base-camp-alternatives-to-lukla","title":{"rendered":"How to get to Everest Base Camp: Alternatives to Lukla."},"content":{"rendered":"

Hands down, flying from Kathmandu to Lukla, or (Ramechhap to Lukla these days) is the shortest and most popular route taken by the trekkers on their trek to the Everest Base Camp. However, Lukla airport sees several flight disruptions every season due to bad weather. Hence, a lot of people inquire about the alternative routes to get to Lukla. If you are a thrill seeker who wants more peace, authenticity and have extra days to spare, we\u2019ve listed all the possible alternatives on how to get to Everest base Camp trek that you can take to avoid the uncertainties of Lukla flights and save some good bucks!<\/span><\/p>\n

Kathmandu to Phaplu Flight and Trek to EBC<\/span><\/h2>\n

Flying from Kathmandu to Phaplu<\/a> and trekking to the Everest Base Camp<\/a> is your shortest alternative to Lukla. <\/span>This route takes you on a ride through the highs and lows of the mid-hills through real villages inhabited by ethnic groups like Sherpas and Rais. Here, you will be greeted by Khachhars (mules) more often than travellers. Mules are one of the most prominent sources of transporting food and supplies to the higher altitudes. Hence, some broken trails are expected! However, walking through this route will definitely give you an amazing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Chortens seen on Salleri to Everest Base Camp Trek<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n

Additional Days:<\/strong> 4 (to reach Phakding)<\/p>\n

Total length:<\/strong> 143 km (if you exit via Lukla)<\/p>\n

Best time to go:<\/strong> Anytime except for June – August.<\/p>\n

Kathmandu to Phaplu Flight<\/strong>: USD 155 one way<\/p>\n

Cons:
1. The downside is that flights to Phaplu are not regular. Tara Air operates Kathmandu to Phaplu flights only 2 days a week (on Mondays and Thursdays) and Summit Air on Sundays. <\/span>
<\/span>2. Flights can be expensive.<\/span>
<\/span>3. Flight cancellations is a possibility.<\/span>
<\/b><\/p>\n

Difficulty level:<\/strong> HARD
The walk in the second and third day between Kharikhola and Chheplung can be strenuous as hundreds of Mule herds pass every day, making the trails slippery.<\/p>\n

Outline Itinerary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Kathmandu – Phaplu (flight) – Thamedanda(Drive) – Puiyan – Phakding – Namche – Deboche – Dingboche\/Pheriche – Lobuche – Gorakshep – Everest Base Camp\/ Kala Pathhar<\/p>\n

Accommodation:<\/strong> The tea houses below Phakding are rather basic and comparatively cheaper. See the accommodation comparison between a few places:
Above Lukla: Namche<\/a>, Dingboche<\/a>, Gorakshep
<\/a>Below Lukla: Surke<\/a>, Kharikhola<\/a>, Salleri<\/a><\/p>\n

Additional Permits:<\/strong> Sagarmatha National Park Permit (USD 33) and Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit (USD 20) will do. No additional permits required.<\/p>\n

Additional Attractions:<\/strong>
1.\u00a0Chiwong Monastery at Chiwong.<\/p>\n

Getting out:<\/strong> As per your time and budget, you have an option to:
1. Either fly out via Lukla (Can be completed in 18 days)
2. Walk back to Salleri and take a bus\/jeep (Can be completed in 21\/22 days)<\/p>\n

Drive from Kathmandu to Salleri \/ Phaplu<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The
The town of Solu Sallei<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you don\u2019t want to risk flying and save some money, you can drive to Salleri\/ Phaplu instead. Salleri is around 265 km away from Kathmandu, and Phaplu is a 20-minute walk from Salleri. The ride is about 8 hours and you can catch buses or jeeps from Koteshwor (that operate every day until Midday).<\/span><\/p>\n

Since your trek starts from the same point, all the information (including additional days) is similar as mentioned in Kathmandu to Phaplu Flight Section.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost from Kathmandu to Salleri\/Phaplu<\/strong><\/p>\n