The standard Everest Base Camp trek begins in Lukla or start from Jiri now from Shivalaya or Bhandar but that takes extra one week to get to Lukla. But we have good news for you that there is off the beaten path to Everest Base Camp from Salleri and Phaplu; south of Lukla. There are daily flights to Phaplu and daily local 4WD jeep is available from Kathmandu if just in case your flight is delayed or considering trip cost. Salleri to Everest Base Camp route itself is challenging at times: no altitude problems, but the steep up and down segments will leave you with burning thighs and shaking knees! In particular, the stretch from Kharikhola to Lukla (the last 2 days or so) is relentless in its ascent from the valley and does not offer much in the way of view or attractions. Before Kharikhola, however, you are constantly rewarded as the trail winds through rice terraces, farmland, and small villages dotted with stupas and monasteries.
Why Everest Base Camp from Salleri or Phaplu?
9 Top reasons to start Everest Base Camp Trek from Phaplu
- You don't have to take flight to Lukla / Everest Base Camp trek without fly in to Lukla.
- It makes you much physically fitter and stronger and makes ready to hike Everest Base Camp
- Better acclimatized before reaching Base Camp, less risk of altitude sickness.
- It has warm weather, hilly and green scenery, less trekkers on the way, so it is calm.
- Local village experiences, organic food and vegetable is served in teahouses.
- Covers the trail of Classic Jiri Everest Base Camp trekking route
- Alternate route to Lukla Everest base camp trekking
- Short and economic entrance to nearest road to Everest Region
- Everest Base Camp 5,364m and Kalapattar 5545m
One of the best aspects of taking this route to Everest Base Camp is; it makes you physically much fitter and keeps well acclimatized before heading to Everest Base Camp without taking Lukla flight. Many trekkers are hit by altitude sickness when they begin the trek straight from Lukla. Not only this; this route provides chances one to observe the fascinating rural daily life in each village you pass through. Families grow their own vegetables, livestock and run the teahouses. Anything else they need is transported from other villages via mule or porter. Another great thing is; this route is less trekked, so this trail calm and quiet than upper Khumbu that so crowded often. As this trail is newly introduced very few trekkers have explored this route, which is newly proposed. Trek to Everest Base Camp via Salleri offers you the fresh route, and you do not have to fly to Lukla, rather the drive by a private vehicle takes you to Salleri, which is also the district headquarter of the Solukhumbu. It is incredible to trek in this unusual trail to Everest Base Camp.
Choices in reaching to Lukla from Kathmandu.
Yet there is no road access to Lukla; possibly soon within few year the state government will build the road. But there is comparatively good road access to Salleri; the road to Salleri from Kathmandu is pretty good and black on top. Dirt road further to Ringmo and Nunthala village is accessed as of our last trekking update but jeep is not readily available all the time.
- Ride local bus to Jiri or Shivalaya (10-11 hours) and Walk 5-7 days. Jiri and Shivalaya is further along from Phaplu, same route plus 2-3 days.
- Sharing Jeep and local bus to Salleri or Phaplu (2,413m, 10-12 hours) and trek 3-4 days. Jeep, private or shared to Phaplu or Jiri. Faster than the bus, walk 3-4 days.
- Fly to Phaplu (2,413m) then trek 3-4 days to Lukla.
- Fly to Lukla, is by far the easiest, quickest and possibly cheapest way to go when you take into account the extra money you’ll spend while trekking.
Foreigner’s transportation cost to Salleri / Phaplu from Kathmandu
Local bus USD 20 per head
Local sharing jeep USD 25 per head
Private Jeep Hire USD 325 (Good space for 7 people)
Flight cost USD 155 /flight/head.
Flight to Lukla USD 179/flight / head