Travel back from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Lukla to Kathmandu Flight
The Lukla flights from/to Kathmandu are diverted to Ramechhap for this 2026 spring season. It is done so due to the difficulty in handling domestic as well as international flights at the Tribhuvan airport.
The drive from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap back to Kathmandu is a 4-5 hour long journey, depending upon the traffic and road conditions. There is a regular bus service operating between Ramechhap and Kathmandu. These services typically require early morning departure, with most vehicles leaving around 2:00-3:00 AM to ensure timely arrival for domestic flights to Lukla.
Shared transportation to Manthali offers several advantages including cost-effectiveness and reliable scheduling. Most Kathmandu to Manthali Hiace van services provide pickup from popular locations such as Thamel to Ramechhap transportation points, Garden of Dreams pickup, and Kesharmahal bus departure terminals.
- https://www.everesthikes.com/kathmandu-to-ramechhap-transfer-by-shared-hiace-or-private-car/
- https://www.nepaltouristvehicle.com/trip/kathmandu-to-ramechhap-tourist-bus
- https://excellenttrek.com/kathmandu-to-ramechhap-bus-ticket-fare-and-booking/
- https://namastenepaltrekking.com/kathmandu-to-ramechhap-transportation/
Can you drive from Lukla to Kathmandu?
If there is bad weather it's possible to get back to Kathmandu by bus/jeep. But you cannot drive directly from Lukla town due to the challenging terrain and road condition. You first need to walk down to Salleri / Phadpu Airport, which takes about 8-9 hours of walking.
From Salleri, which is the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, regular bus and jeep services have been established to Kathmandu. the journey takes approximately 9 to 10 hours along the 270 kilometer BP Highway.
And it is possible to take jeep drives between Salleri, Kaharikhola, Bupsa, Thamdandaon, Paiya, and Surke. But the road condition from Kharikhola to Salleri or Thamdanda, Paiya, and Surke really depend on that day's weather. Since this road can be rough at times, rain and snowfall may create obstacles for driving; therefore, you should be well-prepared and allow for an extra day when traveling on this route.