Due to ongoing flight restrictions at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), almost all flights from Kathmandu to Lukla now operate from Ramechhap, a smaller airstrip approximately 4–5 hours by road from Kathmandu. The airport in Ramechhap is dedicated to mountain flights and allows earlier-morning departures when mountain weather is more stable; however, it requires a long, bumpy pre-dawn transfer, often departing Kathmandu before 3 am. Since there are no suitable accommodation options in Ramechhap, if flights are delayed due to mountain weather, you may face an uncomfortable wait or even have to make the full 9–10-hour round trip back to Kathmandu and repeat it the following day.

For those who prefer to avoid this hassle, a direct helicopter transfer from Kathmandu to Lukla is the most seamless solution. It saves valuable time, maximizes comfort and recovery, eliminates the uncertainty of the road transfer, and ensures the smoothest possible start (and finish) to your Himalayan adventure—all with the added bonus of a spectacular scenic flight.