Yes, the Everest base camp trek is possible without a Lukla flight. We can skip the Lukla flight in the Everest base camp trek by selecting Kathmandu to Lukla by road routes. The more adventurous trial of Lukla is awaiting you. The amazing beauty of Salleri and Thamdanda is a unique destination that makes the Everest base camp trek without the Lukla flight more adventurous.
Trekking routes from Kathmandu to Lukla By road
Lukla is the gateway to the Everest base camp trek. You can reach Lukla both by flight and road. Here we are with two possible Everest base camp trekking routes including Kathmandu to Lukla by road.
Salleri to Everest base camp
We can extend the EBC trek and start the Everest base camp trekking route from Thamdanda. To skip Lukla flight we should drive from Kathmandu to Salleri and to Thamdanda in next day. You have to walk around 6 hours to reach Lukla. In this way, we can skip Lukla flight by driving up to Thamdanda and hiking to Lukla.
Salleri to Everest base camp trek Itinerary:
| Day | Activity | Altitude | Duration |
| 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu | 4,390ft/1338 m | |
| 2 | drive to Salleri | 7,578ft/2309 m | 8 hrs |
| 3 | 6-hour drive to Thamdada | 7,631.23ft/2326m | 6 hrs |
| 4 | Trek to Phading | 9,156ft/2791m | 6 hrs |
| 5 | Phakding to Namche | 11,286ft/3440m | 7 hrs |
| 6 | Rest day in Namche | 11,286ft/3440m | |
| 7 | Namche to Tangboche | 12,566.4ft/3860m | 6 hrs |
| 8 | Tangboche to Dingboche | 14468ft/4410m | 7 hrs |
| 9 | Rest day in Dingboche | 14468ft/4410m | |
| 10 | Dingboche to Lobuche | 16.210ft/4940m | 5 hrs |
| 11 | Lobuche to Gorakshep – Everest base camp (5364m) | 16942ft/5164m | 5 hrs |
| 12 | Gorekshep to Pheriche | 14,340ft/4371m | 7 hrs |
| 13 | Pheriche to Namche | 11,286ft/3440m | 8 hrs |
| 14 | trek to Surke | 7,575.46/2309m | 8 hrs |
| 15 | trek to Thamdanda (7,631.23ft/2326m) and drive to Salleri | 7,578ft/2309 m | 5 hrs |
| 16 | Drive to Kathmandu | 4,390ft/1338 m | 8 hrs |
| 17 | Rest day in Kathmandu |
Jiri to Everest base camp
The second optional route to skip the Lukla flight in the Everest base camp trek is Jiri to Everest base camp trekking route. It takes 21 days to complete Jiri to EBC trek without the Lukla flight. You should take a drive from Kathmandu to Jiri, Switzerland of Nepal. You can visit Jiri bazaar which is commonly known as Switzerland due to its scenic beauty. Spending one night in Jiri we will start the trek to Sete, Jum Beshi, Nunthala, Bupsa, and Surke and reach Lukla on the eighth day of your arrival in Nepal.
After reaching Lukla you will follow the Everest base camp trekking itinerary.
Jiri to Everest base camp trekking Itinerary:
| Day | activities | Elevation | duration |
| 1 | arrival in Kathmandu | 4,390ft/1338 m | |
| 2 | Kathmandu to Jiri | 6250ft/1905m | 9 hrs |
| 3 | Jiri to Sete | 8448ft/2575m | 7 hrs |
| 4 | Sete to Jun Beshi | 8759ft/2670m | 7 hrs |
| 5 | Junbeshi to Nunthala | 7283ft/2220m | 6 hrs |
| 6 | Nunthala to Bupsa | 7742ft/2360m | 6 hrs |
| 7 | Bupsa to Surke | 7513ft/2290m | 6 hrs |
| 8 | Trek to Phading | 9,156ft/2791m | 6 hrs |
| 9 | Phakding to Namche | 11,286ft/3440m | 7 hrs |
| 10 | Rest day in Namche | 11,286ft/3440m | |
| 11 | Namche to Tangboche | 12,566.4ft/3860m | 6 hrs |
| 12 | Tangboche to Dingboche | 14468ft/4410m | 7 hrs |
| 13 | Rest day in Dingboche | 14468ft/4410m | |
| 14 | Dingboche to Lobuche | 16.210ft/4940m | 5 hrs |
| 15 | Lobuche to Gorakshep – Everest base camp (5364m) | 16942ft/5164m | 5 hrs |
| 16 | Gorekshep to Pheriche | 14,340ft/4371m | 7 hrs |
| 17 | Pheriche to Namche | 11,286ft/3440m | 8 hrs |
| 18 | trek to Surke | 7,575.46/2309m | 8 hrs |
| 19 | trek to Thamdanda (7,631.23ft/2326m) and drive to Salleri | 7,578ft/2309 m | 5 hrs |
| 20 | Drive to Kathmandu | 4,390ft/1338 m | 8 hrs |
| 21 | Rest day in Kathmandu |
Benefits of Everest base camp trek without Lukla flight
Secure to skip Lukla flight in Everest base camp trek
Everest base camp trek without Lukla flight is secure to aircraft crisis, flight delay, and bad weather. You can start the trekking after having a drive to Salleri/Jiri. In comparison to flight, the roadway is the safest.
Explore the hidden Khumbu region
EBC trek without Lukla flight itinerary begins with a drive to Thamdanda. You will explore the Khumbu region from Thamdanda and reach Lukla. The trekking becomes more adventurous and you will spend more days in the Everest region. You will enjoy the beauty of Salleri, Thamdanda, and Phaplu if you use Salleri to EBC trekking route.
In case you use Jiri to Everest base camp trekking route you will explore Jiri, Sete, Jun Beshi, Nunthala, Bupsa, and Surke.
Low risk of Altitude sickness
Since the EBC trek skipping the Lukla flight using Salleri to EBC trekking route begins from Thamdanda. You will expose to the weather and temperature of the Everest region from a low elevation. Until you reach Namche and Tengboche your body will acclimatize to changing atmospheric pressure. In this way, your body will adjust to altitudinal change and gain less chance of Altitude sickness.
Secure to cancellation of flight and prolonged stay in Lukla
Everest base camp trek without Lukla flight is safe to unusual conditions such as cancellation of the flight. Sometimes trekkers have to stay 2,3 days more in Lukla Due to bad weather. Trekkers directly trek down to Thamdanda and drive to Kathmandu. No extra days and no waiting for weather changes save your time and you can return to Kathmandu in time.
Conclusion
The Everest base camp trek is the most demanding trek among Americans, Russians, Asians, and Europeans. The thrilling flight to Lukla is one of the risks that make the EBC trek more difficult. To skip the risk and make your holiday more entertaining always choose Everest base camp without the Lukla flight either from Salleri or Jiri. Skip the Lukla flight in the Everest base camp trek and complete the trekking being in a comfort zone. If you want to see more scenery we suggest you to go Everest Base camp from Kathmandu To Lukla By Road.
