Most trekkers fly to Lukla to start the Everest Base Camp trek. The flights are short and spectacular, but weather often delays them, and in peak seasons they now leave from Ramechhap, a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu. Some trekkers prefer to go by road and walk in.
How the road option works
Instead of flying, you drive from Kathmandu towards the lower Solukhumbu, then trek up through the middle hills to join the main Everest trail below Namche Bazaar.
Pros
- No flight delays at the start of your trek.
- Better acclimatisation. Walking in from lower down gives your body more time to adjust.
- Quieter trails and villages that see far fewer trekkers.
Cons
- More days. The walk-in adds several days to the trek.
- Long, rough drives on mountain roads.
Who it suits
Trekkers with time to spare, those who want to avoid small-plane flights, and anyone who wants a gentler build-up in altitude. Ask us to plan it.
