How to Reach from Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar

Reaching Namche from Kathmandu: 3 Best Routes and One Classic Alternative

Wish you could just snap your fingers and land in Namche? Sadly, no magic works here, but you do have 3 great options! If you’re wondering how to reach Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar, the quickest option is flying to Lukla and trekking for a straight two days. If you’ve got your wallet full, a helicopter can drop you straight into Namche Bazaar in style. Or, take the cheaper route and drive to Salleri and trek for 5-6 days through beautiful trails.

Want to go through the historic route? Try the classic Jiri route; a bumpy drive and a long 7-9 day trek. It’s slow, tough, and not for everyone, but perfect for those who want to taste the old-school route and experience a full Himalayan adventure. Here’s a clear discussion about these routes. 

Option 1: Flight to Lukla and Trek to Namche Bazaar

This is the most popular and frequently chosen route by trekkers while going to Namche Bazaar. You’ll take a short but thrilling flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, which takes about 30-35 minutes (less than an hour) and covers nearly 138 km by air. Lukla is situated at an altitude of 2,860 meters, and from there, you’ll begin your trek to Namche Bazaar. Along the way, you’ll pass through charming villages like Phakding and Monjo, cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge, and enter Sagarmatha National Park at the Monjo checkpoint.

 In peak trekking season, like autumn and spring, most flights to Lukla are shifted from Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) due to more air traffic. So, in that case, you have to take a 4-5 hour flight from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, then a 15-20 minute flight to Lukla. It takes more time, but flights from Ramechhap are more stable. While the flight to Lukla is known for being slightly scary due to weather and the short mountain runway. However, it operates daily and is usually safe with an experienced pilot. Despite the difficulties, this route offers stunning views of Kongde Ri, Thamserku, Dudh Koshi river, Pine and rhododendron forest, and lifelong memories.

Option 2: Direct Helicopter Flight to Namche

If you’d rather skip the trekking gear and view like a Himalayan eagle, the direct helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar is your dream ride. This is the fastest and shortest way to reach Namche Bazaar, covering about 135 km by air in just 45 to 60 minutes from Kathmandu. It is the safest option, ideal for those short on time, physically unable to trek, beginners, or older travelers who still want to experience the adventure of Everest. 

During the flight, you can witness panoramic views of Mt.Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Along the way, you can view the winding Dudh Koshi River, green hills, and picturesque Sherpa villages below. The helicopter directly lands in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). Namche is a peaceful Sherpa town located in the Solukhumbu district of eastern Nepal’s Everest region, widely known as the gateway to the Everest Base Camp Trek. What else will be more interesting than travelling directly from Kathmandu to Namche?

Option 3: Drive to Salleri and Hike to Namche Bazaar 

If flying to Lukla isn’t your thing or the flights get cancelled due to some circumstances, the drive to Salleri, followed by a trek to Namche, is a budget-friendly and perfect option for you. The drive from Kathmandu to Salleri covers nearly 265 km, which usually takes around 10 to 12 hours. Depending on road conditions, traffic, and route changes, your travel time may increase in rare cases. Salleri sits at an altitude of 2,360 meters and is the headquarters of Solukhumbu district, offering a glimpse of Sherpa life before the trek even begins.

From Salleri, it takes about 5 to 6 days of trekking to reach Namche Bazaar, passing through beautiful villages like Ringmo, Nunthala, Kharikhola, and Phakding. This route is less crowded than the Lukla one, giving you more peaceful and comfortable trekking experiences. You’ll pass through forests, cross rivers, and climb hills while enjoying stunning views of Mount Thamserku and other peaks. Just be ready for a bumpy, rough road drive and a longer journey, but the adventures are totally worth it!

Alternative route: Drive to Jiri and Trek to Nmache

Before Lukla airport existed, every trekker used to start their journey from Jiri, making it the original trekking route to Namche. The drive from Kathmandu to Jiri covers nearly 190 km, which takes around 8 to 10 hours, depending on road conditions. Jiri is situated at an altitude of around 1,905 meters and offers a quiet and perfect start to the adventure. From there, the trek to Namche takes about 7 to 9 days, passing through remote villages, hills, and rivers.

This route is longer and more demanding, but perfect for those looking for a picturesque, cultural, and off-the-beaten-path experience. You’ll pass through traditional villages like Shivalaya, Bhandar, Junbesi, and Kharikhola. However, it is not mostly used today because of the poor road conditions, limited facilities, and time-consuming nature. It is best for seasoned trekkers or for those who want to deeply feel the rural Himalayan lifestyle.

Note: This is the cheapest of the three options.

Different Route To Reach EBC via Namche

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What You’ll Need (and What You’ll Regret Carrying)

Permits 

To trek to Namche Bazaar and enter the Everest region, you’ll mainly need two permits: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. You don’t need the old TIMS card anymore, but these two permits are mandatory. You can get the national park permit in Kathmandu or at the entrance in Monjo, and the Khumbu permit in Lukla. Make sure to carry passport-size photos, your passport, and some Nepali cash. Keep the permits safe and secure, as you’ll be asked to show them at different checkpoints along the trail.

Guides

Since April 2023, solo trekking in the Everest region is no longer allowed, even though you’re an experienced trekker. Hiring a licensed guide is now compulsory for every trekker. This rule was introduced to improve the safety of the visitors, help with emergency search and rescue, and support local jobs, because local people largely depend on tourism. If you’re worried about cost, you can go for a porter-guide combo, which is frequently chosen by tourists. They help carry your bags and guide you at the same time, a comfort for your back and your budget.

Essential items

Pack smart with warm layers, a waterproof jacket, a backpack, good trekking boots, water purification tablets or bottles, and plenty of extra socks because the trail can get cold, wet, and muddy. Don’t forget a basic first aid kit with medicine for altitude sickness, headaches, blisters, and other common issues. If you don’t have a first aid kit, then no need to worry, your guide and agency will take care of it for you. Items like gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and a headlamp are also a must. But avoid stuffing your bags with too many clothes, heavy gadgets, thick books, or luxury items like a hair dryer, multiplug, and many more. You won’t need them, you’ll only end up regretting it.

Tip: Every extra kg becomes a burden on the journey, so pack light but smart.

Best Time to Visit Namche (When the Yaks Don’t Slip)

Things No One Tells You About Namche Bazaar

• It feels like a mountain town mall; Namche Bazar has bakeries, gear shops, cafes, and even an Irish pub at 3.440m.
• Yaks are not allowed to be taken inside the town; Only dzopkos (yak-cow hybrids) deliver goods and services inside Namche Bazar.
• There’s an ATM, but don’t rely on it; it may run out of cash or stop working sometimes.
• It has a museum and a viewpoint; The Everest Viewpoint and Sherpa Culture Museum are just near the town.
• Namche’s rise began after Lukla got its airport. When the airport in Lukla, Nepal, was built in 1964, it changed everything! Namche quickly became the main stop for trekkers.
• Laundry services exist, but drying clothes in the mountain air takes forever.
• You can trek to the stunning Gokyo Lakes from Namche; Just a few days’ hike away, the Gokyo Lakes are a hidden gem with turquoise waters.