Updated 4 Oct 2026 · 5 guides
Getting there, and getting around.
Flights to Lukla, buses and jeeps to the trailheads, altitude, insurance and the weather windows, with the fares we paid this season.
- Guides in this section
- 5 pages
- Last checked
- 4 Oct 2026
- Receipts behind it
- 88 photographed
- Pictured
- Lukla airstrip
01 · Lukla 2,860 m
Five guides to getting there.
How you reach the trailhead decides your budget and your spare days.
- 01Lukla flightsWhat a foreigner pays, why it is four times the local fare, and Ramechhap.
- 02Getting to the trailheadBuses and jeeps to Besisahar, Syabrubesi and Soti Khola.
- 03Altitude and acclimatisationWhere to rest, and what the rest days cost.
- 04InsuranceWhat a policy needs to cover above 4,000 m.
- 05Weather windowsWhen flights fly, and when passes close.
02 · Monjo 2,835 m
Fares at a glance.
What a foreign trekker pays this season, one way. Local fares are lower on every route.
| Route | Mode | Foreigner | Local | Checked | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu to Lukla | Flight, 35 min | USD 224 | NPR 7,555 | 4 Oct 2026 | Verified |
| Ramechhap to Lukla | Flight, 20 min | USD 177 | NPR 5,800 | 30 Sep 2026 | Contested |
| Kathmandu to Besisahar | Tourist bus, 7 h | USD 12 | NPR 1,200 | 28 Sep 2026 | Verified |
| Kathmandu to Syabrubesi | Jeep seat, 7 h | USD 18 | NPR 1,500 | 19 Sep 2026 | Review due |
| Kathmandu to Soti Khola | Jeep seat, 8 h | USD 25 | NPR 2,000 | 12 Sep 2026 | Verified |
03 · Namche 3,440 m
Questions by topic.
The questions readers send us most, answered with the notice or receipt behind each answer.
What happens if my Lukla flight is cancelled?
You are moved to the next flight with seats, at no charge. In bad weeks that can be two or three days, so keep a spare day at each end.
Is flying from Ramechhap worth it?
It is cheaper and flies more often in peak season, but it adds a four-hour drive at 2 am. The fare there is contested.
How do I get to the Annapurna Circuit?
Tourist bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar, then a local jeep to Chame if you want to skip the road walk.
Does my insurance need to cover helicopter rescue?
Yes, to at least 6,000 m. Many standard policies stop at 4,000 m.