Gokyo Lake Trek Transportation

The shortest route to Gokyo Lake is from Namche Bazaar, then trek to Dole, followed by Machhermo, and finally Gokyo Lake. This route is one of the shortest Gokyo Lake routes, which will take you only four days. However, it is only possible if you are already in Namche Bazaar, otherwise, you have to take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla the trek to Phakding, and Namche. Even if this route is faster, you won’t miss beautiful views. This route takes you through great mountain views, first, and landscapes. Despite being a short route, this route takes you through a nature paradise.

One of the best alternative routes to the Gokyo Lake Trek is Gokyo to Everest Base Camp Trek via Cho La Pass. This route is one of the popular alternative routes that takes you through the best part of the Everest region. In this route, you will get to see the beautiful Gokyo Lakes and then trek to Everest Base Camp by crossing over the Cho La Pass, one of the highest passes in the Everest region. From the base camp, the trek takes you to one of the iconic landmarks, Kalapatthar (5,644m), known for offering a panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. It is an 18-day trek starting and ending in Kathmandu and involves high-altitude challenges. Likewise, in comparison to the standard Gokyo Lake Trek, this route is a little more challenging. This route is best suitable for the trekker who loves adventure and challenges.

To reach the starting point of the Gokyo Lake Trek, you have to travel to Kathmandu, then take a domestic flight to Lukla, which is a gateway to the Everest region. The flight will be short, taking only 30 minutes. After reaching Lukla, a small Sherpa town, you will trek to Phakding, followed by Namche Bazaar, Phortse Thanga, Machhermo, and finally to Gokyo Lakes. The starting point of the Gokyo Lake Trek is Lukla.

Yes, flights to Lukla are relaibale. However, you might face flight delays or cancellations due to the unstable weather, poor visibility, strong winds, heavy rain, and limited flights. The major reason is the location and altitude of Lukla airport, which is surrounded by mountains. Likewise, in the peak season of trek, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November), there will be air traffic. To avoid that, the Lukla flight will operate from Ramechhap/Manthali Airport for smooth travel.

Your flights will be rescheduled in case of flight delay or cancellation. To avoid a concern like this, Lukla flights will mostly operate from Ramechhap to avoid air traffic. In case of any issue regarding the Lukla flight, Access Nepal can help you arrange a heli flight for a smooth transition. However, the cost of a helicopter flight comes with an additional price. In order to avoid a situation like this, we suggest you have extra days.

It’s better to book Lukla flights in advance, particularly in peak trekking season like Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). In the best trekking season, flights to Lukla will be in high demand. Therefore, for the availability and to avoid flight delay or cancellation, it’s better to book Lukla flights in advance and have a smooth journey. Most importantly, you will also have the flexibility to choose a date. On the other hand, you can book a Lukla flight closer to the date, if you are traveling in off-season, like Monsoon (June to July) and Winter (December to February). Keep in mind, there is a chance of flight delays or cancellations due to poor visibility and unstable weather.

The weight limit for the Lukla flight is 15 kg. This includes both checked and hand-carried baggage. For a checked bag, you are allowed to have 10 kg, and for hand carry of 5 kg. If the weight limit is exceeded, you have to pay around $1 US dollar per kg. Most importantly, extra weight is rarely allowed in Lukla flights because it’s a short take-off and landing (STOL).

Yes, helicopters are easily available from Kathmandu to Lukla. In comparison to a plane flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a Helicopter flight is comfortable, convenient, and safe. It will take about 40 to 45 minutes to reach Tenzing Hillary Airport. The best part of taking a helicopter flight to Lukla is the aerial views of the Himalayas. However, the helicopter flight tickets are not included in the package. Our package includes to and fro tickets for the Lukla flight via plane. You should also know that helicopter flight tickets are more expensive. For a way helicopter flight, it will cost around $500 to $600 US dollars per person. The price may fluctuate depending on the seasons and demand. For the best deal, it’s better to book in advance and avoid overpaying.

You can get back to Kathmandu after the trek by taking a flight from Lukla to Kathmandu or a helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

1. Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu: It is the most common and popular option among the trekkers due to the cheap price. And if you are trekking with a travel agency, domestic flight tickets are covered in the package. The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu takes around 30-40 minutes. It is a thrilling flight that offers the best view of the Himalayas and Kathmandu. However, there is a chance of getting a flight delay or cancellation due to poor visibility and unstable weather conditions.


2. Helicopter Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu: This option is suitable for those who want to come back to Kathmandu quicker and comfortably. Helicopter flight offers you beautiful aerial views of the Himalayas and takes about 44 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu. This option is also optimal in case of an emergency, flight delay, or cancellation. However, the price is quite costly, taking about $500 US dollars per person. The price may also vary depending on the season and demand.

If the flights from Lukla to Kathmandu are canceled, you can take a helicopter flight at an additional cost. The Lukla flights are usually canceled because of bad weather and poor visibility. In those cases, you can either wait for the next available flight or take a helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. However, it will be quite expensive, costing around $500 US dollars. Another alternative route is trekking down to Salleri and catching a bus or jeep back to Kathmandu. This route will be quite long but suitable for those who are looking for budget-friendly travel and have extra time.

Yes, there are road options instead of flying to Lukla. The road option is to take a jeep or bus ride from Kathmandu to Phaplu, Thamne Danda, or Selleri. After reaching one of these places, you have to trek until you reach Phakding. These routes will be quite long and moderate, but you can avoid the Lukla flight if you are afraid of flying. It can also be a good alternative, in case the flight is cancelled or delayed, and you don’t want to spend extra cash for helicopter options. The by-road route is a budget-friendly option and worth trying.

Yes, you can completely customize the transportation for the trek. You have various transportation options to choose like air travel or by road. You can choose the mode of transportation according to your budget, time, and preference. For air travel, you can choose a plane or helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Likewise, by road you have options to take a jeep or a bus which will take you from Kathmandu to Phaplu, Thamne Danda, or Salleri. At Access Nepal, transportation comes in a package, and the mode of transportation depends on which package you have chosen. However, if it didn’t align with your preference, you can easily customize it by informing the representative of Access Nepal. Just let us know, we can help you arrange the best transportation plan for your comfort and safety.