Introduction
Manthali is located in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, where the flight to Lukla is conducted. Ramechhap to Lukla flight is a 20-minute flight that takes passengers from Ramechhap Airport towards the Tenzing Hilary Airport of Lukla. Lukla is said to be the "Gateway of the Khumbu region" due to the presence of Mount Everest, which is known as the highest mountain in the world. Similarly, Lukla is the starting point for many trekking routes and expedition options in the Khumbu region.
Manthali, Ramechhap, is an alternative destination for a flight to Lukla. The primary route to Lukla is from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu. However, due to an increase in traffic and the number of individuals willing to travel to this pristine location, the Government of Nepal provided a flight schedule from Manthali as an alternative to the Kathmandu-Lukla flight for the Everest region.
A twin otter plane operates the 20-minute flight from Manthali to Lukla. It is the shortest and easiest option to reach Lukla. However, it is essential to understand that Manthali Lukla flights are affected by weather conditions. Frequent wind or cold temperatures, followed by dense cloud cover, affect Lukla's flight schedule. If the weather is terrible, there can be a significant delay in flight as the flight to Lukla is considered one of the most thrilling flights in the world.
Similarly, in good weather conditions, a flight from Manthali can be a great option to skip the hassle of crowded flight booking as it serves as a good alternative. This allows for booking flights at peak season without delay or waiting longer. Individuals residing in Kathmandu can take a short and scenic private jeep drive to Manthali, which takes about four hours. After reaching Manthali, people can book a plane to Lukla.
Ramechhap to Lukla flight facts
- Flight time: 18-20 minutes
- Baggage allowance: 15 kilograms (33 pounds)
- Main baggage must be 10 kilograms (22 pounds).
- Hand carry must be 5 kilograms (11 pounds).
- Time to reach the airport: one hour before the flight.
- Flight frequency: Diversion from Kathmandu during the peak season time
- Total airlines operating the flight: 3 airlines with 2 planes each.
- Passengers will be informed in case of flight delay and flight cancellation.
- 100 percent refund will be provided if the flight is cancelled by the airlines.
- 75 percent refund will be provided if the flight is cancelled by the passengers.
History of Manthali, Ramechhap Airport
Ramechhap Airport, also known as Manthali Airport, lies in the Eastern region of Nepal and came into operation in October 1979. In 2019, the runway of TIA was being renovated, which led to the closure of the Airport for a while, which highly affected Lukla's flight. So, as an alternative, all flights to Lukla were operated from Ramechhap Airport because it was the only airport closest to Kathmandu. Similarly, all the flights to Lukla had to be conducted early in the morning due to the harsh climate, including high-velocity wind, so an alternative Lukla flight from Manthali was invented.
During peak season, the Ramechhap Manthali Airport conducted up to 20-25 flights per day; however, the heavy mass flow of tourists took a lot of work to handle. Thus, appropriate plans to upgrade the Airport were underway. By 2020, the flights to Lukla were operated again from Kathmandu, and in 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal decided to operate the Lukla flight from Manthali; however, the infrastructures around the Airport are still under construction.
Details of Ramechhap Airport, Manthali
Ramechhap Airport is situated at Manthali Municipality of Ramechhap District, Province No. 3. The various details of Ramechhap Airport are provided below. The information is extracted with a reference from the Ramechhap Airport PDF supplied by the Civil Aviation Authority Nepal.
General Information about Ramechhap Manthali airport
Name | Ramechhap Airport | |
Location | Manthali, Ramechhap, Province-03 | |
Location Indicator | VNRC | |
Aerodrome Reference Point | 27 23 38N/086 03 41E | |
Elevation | 493 m. /1617 ft. (Ref. Topographical base map of Survey Dept.) | |
Contact | Off: 977-48540087 Tower: 977-48540087 Fax: 977-48540087 AFS: VNRCYDYX E-mail: [email protected] | |
Operation Hours | Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec | 0645LT-1230LT |
Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct | 0615LT-1230LT | |
May, Jun, July, Aug | 0600LT-1230LT | |
Status | Operational | |
Year of Start of Operation | October,1979 | |
Re-Fueling Facilities | Available, Provided by Nepal Oil Corporation | |
Type of Aircraft | D228, DHC6, L410, Y12, C208 | |
Runway | Type of Surface | Bituminous Paved (Asphalt Concrete) |
Runway Dimension | 530 m x 20 m | |
Runway Designation | 03/21 | |
Parking Capacity | Three Small Aircraft | |
Passenger Facilities
Hotels | Yes, outside the airport area |
Restaurants | Available inside and outside the airport. |
Transportations | Jeep, Van |
Banks/ATMS | No |
Internet Facility | No |
Cable TV | No |
Baggage Trolley | Available but limited in numbers |
Note: The above-provided information is extracted from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal under Ramechhap Airport.pdf, retrieved 26th March 26, 2024.
How to Book Ramechhap to Lukla Flight?
The flight to Lukla experiences high demand, making it challenging to secure tickets promptly. Direct booking for flights to and from Lukla is not available. Customers are encouraged to utilize the "Book Now" feature provided by Holiday Tours Nepal to submit their booking requests.
Upon receipt, the airline will arrange the flight and provide the relevant schedule information to the customer. There are mainly three types of flights that can be conducted and booked from Manthali to Lukla, which are listed below:
Ramechhap to Lukla One Way Flight | |
Lukla to Ramechhap Return Flight | |
Ramechhap, Manthali - Lukla - Manthali (Round Trip) |
What Airlines are involved in the Lukla Flight from Ramechhap?
The airlines that mainly conduct the flights to Lukla from Ramechhap include Sita Air, Summit Air, and Tara Air. The time and cost of flights differ according to the airlines and should be consulted individually. Holiday Planner Nepal can help individuals willing to go to Lukla from Manthali to select the appropriate airlines based on personal choice. From more luxury options to budget-friendly travel seats, we can help book the flight according to personal preference.
How to reach Ramechhap from Kathmandu?
Well, reaching Manthali from Kathmandu could be a lot better. The travel route is via roadway while taking a private jeep, van, or car. The total distance of travel is 130 kilometers (80.77 miles), which takes at least four hours depending on the condition of the road and traffic situation. During the road trip, passengers can view hilly terrain along the Tama Koshi River—similarly, the view of cascading waterfalls, remote villages, and mountain ranges welcomes visitors to Ramechhap.
Drive to Manthali with Holiday Tour Nepal
Holiday Planner Nepal arranges a private or shared vehicle facility to transfer people from Kathmandu to Ramechhap. The road trip can be conducted in a car, jeep, or van. We can arrange a private vehicle for those who want to travel in style and luxury. Similarly, for those who wish to travel in a budget-friendly manner, we also conduct a shared vehicle facility with other travelers who have a common destination, which can minimize the cost of travel.
Is it safe to fly from Manthali to Lukla?
Flying from Manthali to Lukla is usually safe, but there are things to think about that can affect how safe the trip is. The weather around Lukla can change quickly and be tricky for pilots, with fog, clouds, strong winds, and air. Also, Lukla Airport is high up in the mountains, so pilots need special training to fly there. Picking airlines known for being safe and having experienced pilots can make the flight safer. Even so, travelers should be careful, watch the weather, and be ready for possible delays or cancellations because of bad weather.
