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Changes in Flights to Lukla

Changes in Flights to Lukla

It has been notified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) that from 01 October 2022, all flights to Lukla (LUA) will be operated from Ramechhap Airport (RCH) rather than from Kathmandu (KTM). This decision is made to avoid traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport and for smooth flight operation to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region for the trekkers.

Ramechhap has a small airstrip that lies in the town of Manthali, the headquarters of the Ramechhap district. Manthali is around 135 km in distance from Kathmandu with few existing tourist facilities. The drive to the airport from Kathmandu normally takes around 4-5 hours. This doesn't change anything regarding your trekking schedule. Although it adds a challenge to get up early in the morning at around 2-3 AM and travel by road through a winding mountain road to reach the airport.

If you want to avoid traveling to Ramechhap, there is an alternative option to fly by helicopter to Lukla. A helicopter will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla but you have to pay extra costs to charter the flight or to share the flight with other trekkers. So, you need to let us know a day before so we can arrange a helicopter flight to and from Lukla.

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Seven Summit Treks

Grading

Below the different grades shown in the chart are explained in more detail.

For Expeditions

  1. Easy (E): Climb requires one-day climbs, or a multiday climbs with non-technical elements.
  2. Moderate (M): Either a serious one-day climbs, or a multiday climbs with some technical elements. Requires an average level of physical fitness.
  3. Difficult (D): Multiday climbs with some moderately technical elements. Requires an above average fitness level and high level of stamina.
  4. Hard Difficult (HD): Multiday, Highly technical climb. Requires high level of physical fitness and stamina.
  5. Very Difficult (VD): Multiday, Extremely technical climb. Requires very high level of Physical fitness and stamina.

Grading

Below the different grades shown in the chart are explained in more detail.

For Trekking

  1. Light: Light walking and generally level hiking that is good for most fitness levels. During these trips, hill-walking experience is desirable.
  2. Moderate: Trek has various types of moderate to difficult terrain, including rough trails and normally 3 to 5 hours a day. Requires an average to above average fitness level.
  3. Moderate+: High altitude treks above 3000 meters or in fairly difficult terrain- normally 4 to 6 hours a day. Requires an above average fitness level and high level of stamina.
  4. Extreme: These high altitude treks or passes are known to be the most strenuous and has difficult terrain and conditions. These treks may require a degree of mountaineering skills and you capability of carrying on normally at an altitude of 4000-5600 meters. Daily walking is 5-8 hours approx.

Sofie Lenaerts

Belgium

Our first co-operation was in 2013 in Pakistan with Arnold Coster expeditions and Sevensummittreks towards the Gasherbrum. After that, we continued to work together on expeditions towards Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Manaslu (winter), and AmaDablam. For me, SST is a very professional company with a lot of experience and knowledge. We have full confidence in their capabilities and appreciate their flexibility. I would like to thank them for all those years of cooperation and I look forwards to new adventures in Nepal and Pakistan.

Brad Johnson

I have been on many expeditions in Nepal over the years, most of them I organized with friends and used Seven Summit Treks only for their base camp services with great service! This year none of my friends were available to climb in Nepal in the Autumn season so I contacted SST and decided to sign up for the Mera Peak and Baruntse expedition. SST organized everything and provide me with a personal climbing Sherpa for the entire trip. Throughout the entire trip, everything was taken care of by SST, including lodging, tea houses, and meals. At Baruntse base camp I had a nice private tent and the cook and kitchen staff always had smiles and cooked great meals. My Sherpa (Jangbu) was great and we became close friends and climbing partners. Jangbu was always there with a smile, a very strong climber, always wanting to help in any way he could. There was plenty of time to decide how and when we were going to make a summit push based on the weather. We had fantastic summit days on both peaks and finished the trip crossing the Amphu Labste pass into the Khumbu Valley staying each night in nice lodges with all meals included. I would highly recommend using SST for any expedition that you want to go on. Thank you Seven Summit Treks for a great trip and your attention to detail!!

Mohamed H. Al Khalifa

Bahrain

Seven summits are the best! Very professional highly recommended and fun people to work with.. 👏

Nir Shah

Great Britain

My wife and I had an amazing experience with Seven Summits for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The company was extremely hospitable with a welcome dinner on day 1, including an introduction to our guide. Speaking of our guide, Phurkitar, he was simply brilliant. During the trek, he was very patient as both of us went through physical and emotional tiredness, and he ensured we reached EBC without any major issues. In addition, he helped cater to my vegan and my wife's vegetarian diets throughout the trek. Cannot compliment Phurkitar enough for all his efforts.

Would readily book with Seven Summits again.

Chris Huntsman

USA

These guys are the real deal. Incredibly professional and helpful; I genuinely couldn’t imagine hiking to base camp any other way.

Seven summits planned everything, lodging, flights, and meals. All I had to do was show up and hike. My bag got lost on the way into Lukla (the airlines' fault not Seven Summits) but these guys (Sherpa Chhepal) organized a personal porter to bring my pack up to us since we’d already started our trek.

Not only did Chhepal square away a porter but he did even more digging and got my bag on a helicopter instead. I had it first thing in the morning; it was incredible. When I was heading back to Kathmandu once we were finished, I realized I had time to catch an earlier flight if I could get out of Lukla on time. Well our flight was delayed but Seven Summits squoze me on a helicopter, got me to KTM, and I started making my journey home an entire day early because of that.

Besides being super knowledgeable, helpful, A+ customer service, and everything else, these guys were just cool to hang out with. Made a lot of friends and would recommend Seven Summits to anyone in my circle.