The Everest Base Camp trek by road to skip Lukla flights, offering a safer, budget-friendly alternative. Traveling overland through villages, valleys, and farmlands ensures better acclimatization, cultural immersion, and scenic beauty. Wilderness Excursion provides tailored itineraries via Salleri, Phaplu, or Tham Danda, combining safety, affordability, and authentic Himalayan adventure without flight hassles.
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road
Duration
13 Days
Trip Grade
Medium Hard
Maximum Altitude
5545 meters
Group Size
Max 12 Pax
Activities
Trekking
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Best Time
Sept, Oct, Nov, Mar, April and May
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road Trip Summary
Everest base camp trek by road is the best choice for those willing to trek to Everest Base Camp but want to avoid the adrenaline flight to Lukla. Some trekkers rated the Lukla flight as the craziest flight and loved it by adventurous junkies as a single-engine twin otter aircraft flies over the mountains and narrow gorges, deep valleys, and steep mountain walls that you think of as nerve-racking. Plus, the flights to Lukla from Kathmandu or Manthali are unpredictable and notorious for getting delayed by hours and days, even in peak season. Instead of this stressful trip, you can opt for the EBC trek without the Lukla flight, you can travel through the charming villages, valleys, and terraced farm lands, which is much safer, and that makes you fitter and well acclimatized is a bonus.
We (Wilderness Excursion) created a perfectly tailored itinerary and package an unbeatable cost that offers an excellent Everest Base Camp Trek by road transportation, which now goes to Sallerim Phaplu and even further to Tham Danda. Thamdanda is the last point accessed by a 4WD drive by a jeep.
Choosing land transportation for the Everest Base Camp Trek not only ensures a safe and enjoyable journey but also makes the adventure more budget-friendly. Traveling overland from Kathmandu to Thamdanda allows you to experience diverse landscapes, traditional villages, vibrant cultures, and unique ways of life along the way. Unlike flying directly to Lukla, the road journey gives your body more time to gradually adapt, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. In addition to breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, and other majestic peaks of the Solukhumbu region, the land route adds an extra layer of beauty and authenticity to the modern Everest Base Camp Trek without the Lukla flight.
Many people choose the Everest Base Camp drive in and fly out as they consider that the return flight from Lukla is smoother than the fly in. You can also choose this option, or return from the Everest base camp trek by road travel again. We (Wilderness Excursion) are happy to customize your itinerary and logistic services. Tham Danda to Kathmandu drive can be too long (15 to 17 hours) that is why we split the first day in the itinerary to spend a night at Salleri or Phapu instead of driving 17 hours (345 km) and road from Salleri to Tham Danda / Surkhe is just a newly opened track and suitable only for 4WD drive and bumpy.
EBC Trek Outline Itinerary without Lukla flight:
Day 01: Kathmandu to Salleri by public jeep (285 km: 9 to 10 hours.
Day 02: Drive to Surkhe and trek to Ghat (2500m)
Day 03: Trek from Ghat (2500m) to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 04: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar (3440m) to Tengboche (3860m)
Day 06: Trek from Tengboche (3860m) to Dingboche (4410m)
Day 07: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche (4410m)
Day 08: Trek from Dingboche (4410m) to Lobuche (4910m)
Day 09: Trek from Lobuche (4910m) to Gorakshep (5160m) – hike to Everest Base Camp (5364m)
Day 10: Excursion to Kalapatthar (5555m), then back to Pheriche (4240m)
Day 11: Trek from Pheriche (4240m) to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar (3440m) to Lukla (2800)
Day 13: Flight to Manthali and 4-hour drive to Kathmandu.
Still Confuse?
Download brochure or customize your trip.
Cost Details
Includes
- Licensed and experienced local trekking guide for the Everest Base Camp trek.
- One shared porter for every two trekkers (maximum weight limit: 25 kg).
- All required trekking permits and paperwork for the EBC trek (without Kathmandu–Lukla flight).
- Public jeep transportation from Kathmandu → Salleri → Tham Danda / Surke.
- 12 nights trekking lodge accommodation on a twin-sharing basis.
- Meals during the trek: 12 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 12 dinners.
- Guide and porter fees, including their food, accommodation, salary, and insurance.
- A trekking map of the Everest Base Camp route (per group).
- Purified drinking water (Ef-Chlor purification tablets).
- Return flight: Lukla → Manthali, followed by a shared tourist vehicle Manthali → Kathmandu.
- Free luggage storage at Wilderness Excursion during the trek.
- Trekking achievement certificate (upon request).
- Airport transfer for your final departure.
Excludes
- Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu.
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Bar and beverages drinks during the trek.
- Personal expenses such as internet, device charging.
- Hot shower, laundry services.
- Personal travel insurance and trekking gears.
- Tipping guide and porters
Dates & Availability
Select Departure Dates
Aug 2025
Sep 2025
Oct 2025
Nov 2025
Dec 2025
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road FAQs
The drive to Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek start point, the place where hiking begins is at Thamdanda or Surkhe is quite long. Kathmandu to Salleri is 285 km, which takes 9 to 10 hours by public jeep. From Salleri to Tham Danda and Surke is respectively 60 to 70 KM, so it is a long drive by road.
The recently opened road to Tham Danda from Salleri now provides an alternative to the flight to Lukla. However, it is important to note that this is not a widely developed highway; the route is unpaved and remains inaccessible during the rainy season. Even in dry months, only 4WD jeeps can navigate the rugged track.
It is crucial to understand that road travel in Nepal, particularly to remote regions like this, cannot be guaranteed as 100% safe or reliable. This road journey does not reach Everest Base Camp directly. The road terminates at points like Salleri or Bhandar, from which a 9 to 10-day trek is still required to complete the journey to EBC. Therefore, while it offers an alternative starting point, Wilderness Excursion cannot assure the safety or accessibility of this transportation method.
The answer is definitely Jeep travel is cheap, but if you are just a party of two or a solo traveler, opting Modern Everest Base Camp Trek is better in terms of saving budget. But if you are a party of more than 4 or 5 people, you can choose hiring a jeep that can cater to 6 to 7 people, and sharing the cost among group members makes the trip cheaper.
However, the flight, while expensive, is a core part of the modern EBC experience for a reason: it saves invaluable time and effort. Carefully weigh your budget, available time, and appetite for a longer adventure before deciding. You can talk to the expert at Wilderness Excursion
It is possible to drive to Tham Danda in one day, but it can take too long it taking 14 to 16 hours, and is accessible only in dry months (Oct to May). We usually split the day to make the journey more comfortable and enjoyable. You can opt to rent a private jeep if you are short on time.
The road is only accessible during the dry season or months (Oct – May). In wet months or monsoon season (June to August), the road is accessible to Salleri. And it is two two-day walk to Luka to catch the modern EBC trek route.
No, there is no age limit, but parents should be aware if their children are familiar with altitude trekking. Your children should be in good shape and healthy with a trekking enthusiast passion. We have guided family treks with children aged 9 / 10. We advise you to consult a doctor and obtain essential consent and advice, as well as medications for traveling in extreme elevations, prior to the Everest Base Camp trek.
What Our Clients are Saying?
based on 3 reviews
Great Experience to Everest Base Camp Trek with land transportation
We opted for the road journey to Everest Base Camp over the flight to Lukla, specifically to avoid the often unpredictable mountain flight. Our adventure began early on the first day of the itinerary when our guide and porter met...
R
Rajesh K. Sharma- India
May 10, 2025Amazing Everest Base Camp Trek with road travel
Amazing Everest Base Camp Trek from Salleri and Tham Danda
Thank you, Wilderness Excursion, for arranging our lifetime trekking holiday, and we must thank team Rahul for their support to make our Everest Base Camp Trek successful.
Everything went well...
L
Leong Cheiw Chang- Malaysia
April 25, 2025Everest Trek by Road: A Dream Come True Without the Flight!
Everest Trek by Road: A Dream Come True Without the Flight!
Trekking to Everest Base Camp was my longtime dream. Pradip arranged a private jeep to Tham Danda, and this overland journey was the perfect alternative to flying directly into...
J
Joana F- Netherlands
April 02, 2025Adventures Tailored for You
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