Newbie question

I agree with Angus comments about the difficult flying conditions and level of pilot training and ability, which do account for accidents so should not be underestimated. However, the air safety crash figures in my link above does not show a large number of crashes so air travel can be relied upon.

Thank you for being very thorough and sincere ,my question since you seem familiar with the area ,why did the company added 4-5 days extra to my alternative itinerary when I choose to go to Lulka by land transportation ,I don`t get it ? I included the schedule for both trips ,they both looks the same after getting to Namche Bazaar

Jun 5th: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)
Jun 6th: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation
Jun 7th: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,651m/8,700ft): 40 minutes flight; 8km, 3 - 4 hours trek
Jun 8th: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,438m/11,280 ft): 11km, 5 - 6 hours
--------------------------
May 30th: Kathmandu: sightseeing and trek preparation
May 31st: Drive from Kathmandu to Salleri (2,390m/7,841ft): 8-9 hours
Jun 01st: Salleri to Nunthala (2,220m/7,280 ft): 6 -7 hours
Jun 02nd: Nunthala to Bupsa (2,360m/7,740 ft): 5-6 hours
Jun 03rd: Bupsa to Chaurikharka (2,650m/8,694ft)
Jun 04th: Chaurikharka to Monjo (2,840m/9,315ft): 4 - 5 hours
Jun 05th: Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3,438m/11,280 ft): 3 - 4 hours

Thank you very much ,that was very helpful !

The trekking company is correct to add 4-5 days as the land route does not go directly to Lukla as they have explained in the itinerary and you will still need to drive and walk extra days. Chaurikharka to Monjo is where you pass below Lukla unless you are feeling like superman and want to hike large uphill 2-3hours to Lukla to see what is there, large town with lots of wide eyed tourists high on Adrenalin after just getting off plane ride (sharp right turn on 15 degree landing strip uphill facing 6000-7000m mountain valley).

May 31st: Drive from Kathmandu to Salleri (2,390m/7,841ft): 8-9 hours
Jun 01st: Salleri to Nunthala (2,220m/7,280 ft): 6 -7 hours
Jun 02nd: Nunthala to Bupsa (2,360m/7,740 ft): 5-6 hours
Jun 03rd: Bupsa to Chaurikharka (2,650m/8,694ft)
Jun 04th: Chaurikharka to Monjo (2,840m/9,315ft): 4 - 5 hours
Jun 05th: Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3,438m/11,280 ft): 3 - 4 hours

I have not been to the area for many years to see the new road access or shorter land route but other people here on this forum have and are very experienced should be able to advise later.

Good posts above - if you have the time, do look at walking in from Jiri or Shivalaya or Phaplu - I have walked in from J and Ph - and may walk in again this winter, as I ponder which trek to do. I love (mots of) the walk in - the views and ambience are very different from the main trails above Lukla.

You could also look at using a helicopter - there are many, many more choppers around nowadays, especially in the main trekking regions (it is becoming increasingly popular for pilgrims and sight seers to use choppers to visit quite high places, stay 2-4 hours, then fly back). The 2 guides I trek with (brothers, 1 per trek), have used choppers to get to and from Lukla with other clients quite a few times now - usually when the weather prevents fixed wing planes from flying. I have never used a chopper, but they seem to be quite a bit more expensive - minimum price seems to be c. US$600 per person per flight (ie one way).

Whether choppers are safer, I have no idea, no statistics at all. The main guide I trek with had a very amusing experience 3-4 years ago - there was bad weather at Lukla (not uncommon), and he had managed to get his guests onto a chopper, which took them to Ktm. He and some other guides (many of the established guides know each other well), then managed to get what sounds like a lift on another chopper from Lukla to Phaplu - except that the Russian (or Ukrainian) pilot did not know the way (seriously) - he had to ask the passengers, who were almost all Nepalis, some of whom were locals, and even though things look very different from the air, they managed to guide the pilot to Phaplu. A picture of people's faces when the pilot had to ask the way would have been priceless - my guide said it caused much bemusement amongst the Nepalis (who are pretty phlegmatic).

Generally, the more time the better for treks in Nepal, especially high altitude ones.

Regarding chopper prices my brother and nephew did the EBC recently and were able to convert their plane departure from Lukla due to bad weather to chopper for only $100 more each. Not sure whether that price applies all the time but do enquire.

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