Flying to Lukla in 2026? Most flights leave from Ramechhap, not Kathmandu
In peak season, Everest flights shift to Manthali (Ramechhap) — here is how to plan the drive and the early start.
If Everest Base Camp is on your 2026 calendar, know this before you arrive: in the busy spring and autumn windows, the famous Kathmandu to Lukla flights move to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, roughly a 4 to 5 hour drive east of Kathmandu.
The shift eases congestion at Kathmandu's international airport and improves flight reliability into the mountains. The trade-off is logistics: expect a pre-dawn departure from Kathmandu (often 1 to 2 am) to reach Ramechhap for the short, 12 to 15 minute hop up to Lukla.
What this means for trekkers
- Build a buffer day into your itinerary — mountain flights are weather-dependent and can shift.
- Pack an overnight bag for the early road transfer.
- Off-peak, some Lukla flights still run direct from Kathmandu — confirm which applies to your dates.
We handle the Ramechhap transfer, flights and buffer planning on every Everest Base Camp trip — including shorter 12-day itineraries.
Cover photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).
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