Kathmandu to Lukla drive is a scenic journey that passes diverse geographic terrain. The drive provides a superior view of the mountains, rivers, villages, Nepalese culture, and countryside. The road to Lukla airport is an alternative to the Lukla flight and the nearest jeep station is Thamdanda. Thamdanda is 20 Km far from Lukla and a full-day trek. If the Lukla flight is delayed or canceled drive back to Kathmandu from Thamdanda. Distance from Kathmandu to Tham Danda is 330 Km, it is about 15/16 hours straight drive. About 9/10 drive in good condition road brings to Phaplu after that 5/6 hours off-road drive to Thamdanda. The road beyond the Phaplu village can be distracted by landslides during the rainy seasons.
We arrange both private and shared jeep from Kathmandu to Thamdanda nearby Lukla at an affordable cost. Till now about 90% of trekkers fly to Lukla airport for the Everest region trek either take a regular flight or private chopper. Yearly around 60000 trekkers flights reach Lukla by air transport for Everest trek. During the peak trekking season (autumn and spring) operate flights from morning to late afternoon as long as good weather. The Lukla flights are often disturbed by weather-forecast as the airport runway is 527 m long and it straddles against the edge of the mountain.
Several times Lukla flight has been canceled a few days then much of the reaches folk stranded at Lukla. Then fly-out by Chopper that cost roughly U$D500 each head. From 2021 the jeep reaches Thamdanda in the spring. It makes easier for travelers get back to Kathmandu if the weather disturbed the regular flight. The distance from Lukla airport to the nearest jeep station is 12 miles far and the average walker completes a trek in a day or few hours.
Kathmandu to Lukla drive private jeep cost USD450 and the public/shared jeep cost USD40 P.P. The public jeep is not as comfortable as a private one. The seat has been designed accordingly to Nepalese people’s size. That’s the reason we recommend a private jeep to Lukla for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. The share/public jeep has a sitting seat for the 9 travelers and squeezing each other. Three rows of seats in the jeep and one passenger seat next to the driver and 8 travelers seating in 2 rows behind. 6/7 travelers can sit down comfortably in the jeep. Lukla jeep route passing Dhulikhel, Khurkot, Ghurmi, Phaplu, Khari Khola, and Tham Danda. The jeep will be stopping quite a few places on the route for the tea, lunch, toilet, and leg stretching.
Lukla to Kathmandu by jeep Or nearest jeep station at Lukla
There is no authorized drive road to Lukla on this date. The nearest jeep station from Lukla is Tham Danda, 20 Kilometers distance from Lukla. The average hiker can complete 12 miles in 5-6 hours walk or whole day trek. A trail contains steeply descending through the rhododendron forest and a steady climb up on the rocky path. The trail to Tham Danda is relatively rock-strewn and stony passing Surke, Pakhepani, Chheubas, Paiya, Kari la, and then a short descend walk to Tham Danda. Till this date only organized jeep departure from Tham Danda. For booking your seat in the share/public jeep and private jeep. Contact us at trekinepal@gmail.com or Whatsapp: +9779851138499 Instant message.