Flight Diversion to Ramechhap: All You Need to Know
- Kathmandu's Airport Challenges: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is prone to fog, low visibility, and poor weather, especially during winter months.
- Ramechhap Advantage: Ramechhap Manthali Airport, located at a lower altitude, often experiences clearer weather conditions.
- Air Traffic Congestion: TIA is Nepal’s only international airport and handles significant air traffic. Diversions to Ramechhap Manthali Airport help manage congestion.
- Focus on Everest Region Flights: Manthali Airport primarily operates flights to the Everest region, increasing the chances of reaching Lukla or the Everest region on time.
NOTE: Kathmandu Airport is undergoing construction from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM, which disrupts flight schedules. Flights to Lukla require favorable weather conditions, which are most reliable in the morning. However, due to the runway reconstruction, flights are diverted to Ramechhap.
During peak seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights to Lukla are operated from Ramechhap Manthali Airport. This is because Kathmandu Airport has only one runway and handles all international flights arriving in or departing from Nepal. The high volume of domestic flights creates additional challenges, making diversions necessary to ensure a smooth travel experience and timely arrivals and departures for Lukla.
Where is Manthali Airport Located?
Manthali Airport is in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, approximately 132-135 kilometers east of Kathmandu. The airport has very basic facilities, and its runway can only accommodate small aircraft and helicopters. Manthali Airport can only be accessed by road or helicopter, as no other flights operate to this airport.
What Happens After Flight Diversion to Ramechhap Manthali Airport?
- After a flight diversion, Holiday Tours Nepal arranges transportation services for our clients from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Manthali Airport.
- Upon arrival at Manthali Airport, our representatives will assist you in boarding your flight to Lukla.
- We typically depart for Manthali Airport late at night (around 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM) due to the long and bumpy road conditions.
- In case of bad weather, flights may be delayed. If this happens, the only options are to reschedule the flight for the next day or take a helicopter ride to Lukla on the same day.
NOTE: In case of bad weather, the flights don’t operate and everyone starts rushing towards helicopters or their travel agencies to book the helicopter in this case the fast we get the information the faster we can schedule the helicopter rides.
When booking the helicopter ride, we cancel the tickets and provide refund of the amount that was used for the Lukla plane flight. We then tell our trekkers and customers that we got this much refund and you need to add this amount to take the helicopter ride.
Incase the helicopters are not booked with us we cannot provide good rates for the helicopters. The helicopter companies can sometimes charge more than they should as there are a lot of people who are working as a middle agent in time of crisis to earn quick money.
Holiday Tours Nepal Exercise and preparation routine for attempting Gokyo Everest Panorama Trek
Week | Focus areas | Activities | Details | Remarks |
Week 1-2 | Building base for the trek | Cardio, strength and flexibility | Cardio: 3-4 days/week: Brisk walking, cycling, or jogging (45-60 minutes)
Strength: 2-3 days/week: Squats, lunges, step-ups, planks (3 sets of 12-15 reps)
Flexibility: Stretching or yoga (20 minutes after each workout) | Helps to build the base that will help for building endurance and stamina. |
Week 3-4 | Strengthening the Legs | Hiking, Strength, Core | Hiking: 2-3 days/week: Hike on an incline or treadmill (1-2 hours). Start carrying a light pack (5-10 lbs.)
Strength: 2-3 days/week: Squats, lunges, step-ups with weight (10-15 lbs.)
Core: Planks, leg raises, Russian twists (3 sets of 20 reps) | Helps to develop strength and make the legs stronger which will help for the hike during the trek. |
Week 5-6 | Increasing Intensity | Endurance, Weight Training, Hiking | Hiking: 2-3 long hikes (3-4 hours) with weight (10-15 lbs.). Focus on incline and rocky terrain
Cardio: Running or cycling for 45-60 minutes (2-3 times/week)
Strength: Weighted squats, lunges, step-ups, core work (3 sets of 12-15 reps each) | Helps to build further endurance |
Week 7 | Endurance & Simulation | Long Hikes, Full Body Strength | Long Hikes: 1-2 long hikes (5-6 hours) with heavy pack (15-20 lbs.), focus on uphill and varied terrain. Include stairs if possible
Strength: Full body exercises (weighted squats, lunges, step-ups, planks)
Core: 3 sets of planks, side planks, mountain climbers | Helps for building endurance for long hikes and helps for stamina. |
Week 8 | Peak Intensity & Recovery | Simulation, Light Cardio | Simulation: 1 long hike (6-7 hours) with a full pack, focus on staying hydrated and fueled
Cardio: Light running or cycling (30-40 minutes)
Recovery: Stretching, yoga, light walking for flexibility and muscle relaxation | Helps for stretching, flexibility and preparation before and after hike |
Week 9 | Breathing training | Nose and mouth breathing patterns. | Box to box breathing, navy breathing, nasal breathing, belly breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, pursed lip breathing, coherent breathing, bhastrika breathing | Helps for breathing in high altitudes |
Tips for trekkers who are trekking in the Himalayas
Tips for female travelers during periods in the mountains
Know your cycle and pack accordingly sanitary pads, period underwear’s, menstrual cups and tampons.
Pack sanitary pads in case sometimes the dates can be up and down and even someone might need in trek in case you don’t use it.
Bring pain relivers like ibuprofen, heat patches, to ease cramps stay hydrated and eat good nutrition food.
- Wear comfortable and food layered clothing’s rest when needed and mind your mood.
Equipment and Gear List
General
- Four-season (-20 degree) sleeping bag (We provide rental sleeping bags available for an additional USD 35)
- Puffy down jacket (We provide rental jackets for an additional USD 35)
- Daypack (25-30 liters recommended) with rain cover
Upper Body
- Sun hat or cap (We'll provide you with a trekking cap.)
- Warm woolen hat
- Scarf/Neck Buff (highly recommended to get saved from wind and cold)
- Headlamp or mobile torch light for nighttime
- Polarized sunglasses
Torso
- Technical fabric base layer thermals are light for warmer months, heavy for colder months
- Technical fabric t-shirts and sleeve sweaters or high-necks
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Windproof jacket for the walk as it gets windy
- Fleece jacket or down jacket
Lower Body
- Thermals inner
- Hiking pants at least 3
- Comfortable pants for teahouses
- Waterproof, windproof shell
- Hiking shorts
Hands
- Woolen gloves for the tea house
- Hard-shell windproof outer gloves for the walk
Feet
- Marino Wool or comfortable, warm socks
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks
- Trekking/hiking boots (waterproof recommended)
- Crampons (For passes)
- Casual shoes or sandals that are comfortable for the time in the tea house
- Gaiters (lightweight for rain and snow)
Undergarments and Inner Wears
- Technical fabric/quick drying (can be washed during the trek)
- Sports bras (women)
- Sleeping clothes as per the comfortability
First Aid Kits and Medications
Note: Our guides carry medications, oxygen cans, and first aid kits during the trip. However, personal kits and medications are recommended.)
- Sunscreen SPF- 50+
- Lip balm or Vaseline
- ointment cream
- Cough Syrup and strepsils (recommended for Khumbu Cough)
- Creams and medicines (for any allergies or diseases)
Other Essentials
- Passport
- Extra copies of passport-sized photos
- Reusable water bottle
- Toilet paper, small soap, and shampoo
- Water purification tablets or UV water purifier (if you plan to treat water)
- Water bladder for the day bag
- Small towel for personal use
- Pillowcase in case of allergies to new pillows
- High-protein snacks (such as mountain bars or nuts)
- Waterproof/dry bags for carrying essential documents, stuff, frequently used items, and money
- Power bank or extra batteries
- Cameras and mobile phone
- Cards/book
- Pee bottle/ pee funnel for women
- Trekking poles
- Whistle in case your voice is not loud enough to stop or start
- Thermos for hot water during the nighttime
- We give you a free duffel bag, trekking cap, maps, and t-shirt during your pre-trip meeting in Kathmandu. The duffel bag will be used to pack your trekking supplies.
- For every two participants, we assign one porter. The porter will carry the duffel bag, which should weigh around 10 kg/22 lbs., throughout the walk.
- Daypack bag for daily used stuff like cash, documents, papers, a water bottle or bladder, a camera, toiletries, sunscreen, a notebook, clothing, etc. (with a waterproof cover).
- You can store your luggage (on-trekking items) at the hotel in Kathmandu, and we can assist and help.
- Total luggage for the Kathmandu-Lukla flight is (15 kg/33 lbs.), including duffel (10 Kg/22 lbs.) and backpack (5 kg/11 lbs.)
- A down jacket with a hood(cap) to be warm in altitudes above 3,000m.
- We can provide a down jacket for USD 35. In case of loss or damage, you need to pay back the cost of USD 200 per item.
- We can provide a sleeping bag for USD 35. In case of loss or damage, USD 200 per item must be paid.
Note: Supplies and gear can be rented or purchased in Kathmandu. Once you are in Nepal, you can buy supplies and gear for hiking if you have spare time. Trekking Planner Nepal representatives will assist you in purchasing the equipment. Thamel a tourist hub, offers a wide range of trekking equipment at affordable prices. Don't wear short clothes inside the monasteries and religious places.
Tips for responsible tourism and respecting local culture at Everest region
- Walk through the left.
- Dress modestly wears long clothes.
- Be polite and engage with the locals with a respect.
- Avoid flashy displays be modest with wealth, technology and the body.
- If someone or someplace deserves a donation show case your love for the community.
- Don't shoot videos and photos inside the monasteries.
- Don't keep your feet over the mantra engraved stones.
- Respect the locals.
- Ask permission before taking pictures.
- Hire the local trekking agencies.
- Buy and support locals by using their local products.
- Avoid leaving trash or any waste behind and carry your waste to the designate bins.
- Avoid the use and throw of plastic bottles on the trail fill up you bottle and throw the bottle in the designated bins.
- Do not pick plants or disturb the wildlife.
- Don’t take things from the nature.
- Limit the use of fire woods and conserve the water. (woods cannot be used for fire)
Charging plug availabe in Nepal
- Use an adapter that uses types D, C, and M. Universal multi plug adaptor is acceptable as well.
- Charging costs extra in the mountains, and the cost varies according to the place.
- Bring a power bank of at least 10,000 Mah.
- Leave your power bank on charge rather than the smartphone.
- Phones must be charged at reception where the multiplugs are.
Step by step process to get the Visa after landing in Nepal and what is the cost for visa in 2025?
- Follow the signs or the instructions of the persons and proceed to the arrival hall first.
- Fill out the arrival card that is provided at the immigration area or use the kiosk machine.
- Staffs and there are signs that will guide you to fill the form, paying the fees and getting visa.
- After filling the form procced to the dedicated counter to pay the visa fee.
- Visa fees can be paid in dollars, euro, pound and Nepali rupees is also accepted.
- For 2025 there is a on arrival visa, and the cost for a visa is USD 30 for 15 days. For 30 days the visa cost is USD 50; for 90 days, the visa cost is USD 125.
- After paying the fees present your passport, visa application, arrival card and payment receipt at the immigration counter.
- After all this process the immigration officer will issue the visa.
- After getting the visa you can come out of the airport and meet our representatives who will be waiting with a name plate outside the airport.
- As you walk out of the airport and cross the road you will meet our airport representative who will take you to the hotel and after that we will meet and talk in detail about the trip.
Why doesn’t Holiday Planner Nepal encourage joining groups or traveling with other travelers?
What we believe in is when you book the trek solo or with the group you know the solo traveler or the group book it solo because you don’t want to join a group and want to enjoy the trek by yourself and the cost is the same so why to join a group and ruin the experience.
Everyone has different mentality according to which the chemistry may not match up when joining a group which may lead to bad experience.
What is the difference between joining a group, going solo or with group you know?
Aspect | Trekking solo | Group you know | Group of strangers |
Flexibility | Set you own pace and schedule your trip freely | Decisions are made by collaboration | A preplanned itinerary should be followed. |
Comfort level | Sometimes can be felt lonely when the guides and porters are not there | Familiar companions who offer physical and emotional support | Requires getting adapted to new personalities and characters can be frustrating sometimes |
Safety | Immediate help if guides and porters are around but in case of night time can be a problem. | Trusted companion with you in the twin room can provide support | Group leaders and members will provide safety. |
Cost | Maybe higher compared to group | Shared cost reduces a bit of expenses | Economical as group discounts are provided in big groups |
Social interaction | Limited unless meeting new people | Familiar environment with the person and travelers we know | Opportunity to make new friend but sometimes characters may cause problems |
Planning | Fully flexible and the plan can be changed anytime | Group planning and then a final decision | Pre arrange itineraries by the organizer |
Adaptability | Full freedom for changing plans | Adjustments can be made with a member or the team | Must stick to the group plans and schedule. |
Experience rated and provided till date | Peaceful, freedom and flexibility | Quality time well spent with the persons we know | Unknown peoples and characters outcome can be both good or bad. |
