Nepal's trekking regions aren't reachable by a single mode of transport — getting from Kathmandu's airport to your trailhead usually involves at least one connecting flight or a long, scenic road journey. Here's what that actually looks like.
Arriving in Kathmandu
Almost every international arrival lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Every trip booked through this site includes airport pickup and drop-off as standard, so you'll be met on arrival rather than negotiating a taxi into Thamel after a long-haul flight.
Getting to the Everest region: flying to Lukla
Everest Base Camp and most Khumbu treks start with a short, dramatic flight from Kathmandu (or, seasonally, Manthali) to Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport — one of the world's more famous short runways. This flight is genuinely weather-dependent; delays and occasional cancellations due to cloud cover are common enough that a realistic itinerary builds in a buffer day, which is exactly why every Everest-region departure on this site is scheduled with that in mind.
Getting to the Annapurna and Langtang regions: overland
Most other major treks start with a road journey rather than a flight:
- Annapurna region — typically a drive or tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara (roughly 6–7 hours by tourist bus, or a short domestic flight), then a further drive to the trailhead itself (commonly Nayapul or Besisahar, depending on the route).
- Langtang region — a direct drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, the trailhead village, typically 6–8 hours depending on road conditions.
Tourist buses vs local buses vs private jeep
- Tourist buses (the Kathmandu–Pokhara route in particular) are comfortable, direct, and the standard choice for travellers — no unscheduled stops, assigned seating.
- Local buses are cheaper but slower, with frequent stops and no guaranteed seating — not typically part of an organised itinerary.
- Private jeep transfers are faster and more direct, particularly useful on rougher roads toward trailheads like Besisahar or Syabrubesi, and are what's arranged as part of your trip when the route calls for it.
What's already handled for you
Every included itinerary on this site books the transport your specific route needs — flights, tourist bus, or private jeep — as part of the trip price, along with airport pickup and drop-off. Your trip's confirmation page and downloadable itinerary lay out the exact transport days so there's nothing to arrange yourself once you've booked.
A practical note on Lukla flights
If your trek includes the Lukla flight, build a day or two of buffer into your travel plans either side of the trek if your onward international flight is tight — weather delays, while not the norm, are common enough in the Everest region that experienced trekkers plan for the possibility rather than being caught out by it.
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