Bus/ Jeep Drive from Kathmandu to Lukla

Bus / Jeep Drive from Kathmandu to Lukla

Kathmandu to Lukla road transportation is one of the best ways to reach Mt. Everest and the Khumbu region. Kathmandu to Lukla bus drive is easy access to reach Lukla and do the Everest trek where all Khumbu people and trekkers can do the Everest trek all seasons of the year. Lukla is considered the best way to Everest and Khumbu where many tourists take daily flights to Lukla. Kathmandu to Lukla bus drive is the backbone to develop tourism in the Khumbu region. Every day, around 500 tourists go trekking and climbing in the Khumbu region via Lukla flights.

The bus service from Kathmandu to Lukla is the next ice breaker to reach Lukla. You can do the Everest trek by Bus / Jeep drive from Kathmandu to Lukla. However, there is an autonomous authority of flight that causes lots of obstacles to trekkers due to the weather, and they have to stay either in Kathmandu or Lukla for several days. The local government of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has announced the construction of a 100 km road from Salleri to Lukla, Chaurikharka soon. The road from Salleri to Andheri Khola, 30 Km, and Andheri Khola to Bupsa, Madhyadudh Koshi Rural Municipality, has already been completed. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality and Madhyadudhkoshi Rural Municipality have collaborated and signed to build the remaining 30 km road to Lukla Chaurikharka.

1. What are the main trekking routes to the Everest base camp?

There are different trekking routes to reach Everest base camp. Some of the main trekking routes to Everest base camp are as given below:

Everest base camp trek
Everest base camp and Gokyo Chola pass
Everest three pass trek
Everest base camp trek via a drive to Lukla
Everest view trekking
Short Everest base camp trek

2. How to reach Lukla by drive?

Most trekkers face difficulties reaching Lukla. People reach Lukla via the drive and start their trek to Everest base camp gradually. Furthermore, Solukhumbu is linked with two words: Solu is below Lukla, and Khumbu is the upper part above Lukla, so the road directly connects Solu and Khumbu. Similarly, the road from Kathmandu to Lukla is under construction. Currently, there are direct buses and jeeps running from Kathmandu to Salleri (268 km), which is the district headquarter of Solukhumbu district. Even though you can drive additionally to Andheri Kola, Kharikhola, and Bupsa, the off-road drive from Andheri Khola via Kharikola to Bupsa is bumpy, making the 70 km road from Salleri to Bupsa rough. The further 30 km road to Lukla is under construction.

3. How to reach Lukla and Everest base camp from Kathmandu?

There are different road options to reach Lukla and Everest base camp, either via Kathmandu to Lukla flight or via Kathmandu to Lukla drive. So, there are a few options to reach Lukla with an EBC trek.

Kathmandu to Lukla flight: Various airlines operate regular morning flights from Kathmandu to Lukla.
Drive from Kathmandu to Salleri, Lukla: Some people reach Everest base camp by driving through the BP highway to Salleri, Andheri Khola, Kharikhola, and Bupsa, then trekking for a day to Lukla.
Kathmandu to Tumlingtar drive via Dharan: You can drive from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and continue a few days of trekking to reach Lukla.
Drive from Kathmandu to Jiri and Bhandara: You can reach Lukla via a drive from Kathmandu to Jiri/Bhandara, followed by a 4/5-day trek.

4. How long is the drive from Kathmandu to Lukla/Chaurikharka?

The total road distance from Kathmandu to Lukla/Chaurikharka is 367 km. The road passes through the BP highway, and once complete, the drive will take about 12 to 13 hours to reach Lukla/Chaurikharka, from where you can trek to Everest Base Camp.

The road distance from Kathmandu to Salleri is 267 km, and the next road distance from Salleri to Lukla is 100 km. Sunrise Adventure Treks will arrange your complete trekking package from Kathmandu to Salleri, Lukla, and Everest Base Camp. The distances are as follows: Salleri to Andheri - 40 km, Andheri to Kharikhola and Bupsa - 30 km, and the remaining 30 km road from Bupsa to Lukla/Chaurikharka is under construction.

5. Everest base camp trek via drive Salleri to Lukla

Arrival in Kathmandu
Drive from Kathmandu to Jubing (1900 m), Kharikola (2100 m), Bupsadanda (2300 m), Surke (2300 m), Charrikharka - about 12 hours drive – B.L.D
Trek Kharikola to Surke - 5 hrs – B.L.D
Trek Surke to Phakding - 5 hrs – B.L.D
Phakding to Namche Bazaar trek (3440m., 11319ft.) - 5–6 hours – B.L.D
Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar & hike to Khumjung (3970m., 13020ft.) - 5 hours – B.L.D
Trek to Tengboche (3860m., 12694ft.) - 6–7 hours – B.L.D
Trek to Dingboche (4410m., 14300ft.) - 5–6 hours – B.L.D
Rest day in Dingboche - Acclimatization – B.L.D
Trek to Lobuche (4910m., 16207ft.) - 5 hours – B.L.D
Trek to Everest Base Camp, then back to Gorakshep – B.L.D
Hike to Kalapatthar (5550m., 16962ft.) - 2hr 30min, then trek down to Pheriche (4200m.) - 7 hours – B.L.D
Trek back from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3441m.) - 6 hours – B.L.D
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Surke (2290m) - 6–8 hrs – B.L.D
Trek from Surke to Jubing (1900m), Kharikola (2100m), Bupsadanda (2300m) – 5 hrs – B.L.D
Drive from Jubing (1900m), Kharikola (2100m), Bupsadanda (2300m) to Kathmandu – B.L.D
Departure day

6. Why is the road not expanding above Lukla/Chaurikharka?

Road transportation is key to developing urban areas and the nation as a whole. However, the road is not expanded above Chaurikharka to preserve the tourism-dependent Khumbu region. Trekking and road transport cannot coexist well in the same area as roads would ruin trekking trails. Thus, road transport is limited to avoid affecting the trekking experience and the ecosystem, as it may also harm the Sagarmatha National Park.

The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) has already issued a notice not to expand the road above Lukla and Chaurikharka. As an alternative, trekkers can now travel via Kathmandu to Salleri, Kharikhola, and then drive instead of relying on flights.