According to The Kathmandu Post – the locals of the village of Khumjung in the Everest regions are excited to hear the news that a new motorable bridge over the Dudh Koshi River to complete a road link to the Everest region. The new motorable road has been inaugurated by the State Chief on Saturday (21st November 2020).
View of Mount Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar
Khumbu, also known as Everest Region, the dream destination for many over the world, will become more accessible. As of now, the popular way to get to the Lukla is to take a 25-minute flight to Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary airstrip from Kathmandu to trek to Everest Base Camp. The 12 days standard itinerary is popular among the tourists. However, it is always unpredictable because of weather conditions, and tourists have to wait for hours or even days for the better weather to board on the flight for Lukla. But, the construction of the new motorable bridge over the Dudh Koshi River at Orlang Ghat of Solukhumbhu district is a landmark of the connectivity.
Now, vehicles can reach up to Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality ward no 1. Although, Lukla is located at ward no 2, and a motor does not go directly up to the airport. The municipality has planned to extend the road up toward no. 2 and probably to the airport within this fiscal year.
Road to Everest: new motorable bridge which connects to Everest Region. Photo: The Kathmandu Post
The government of Nepal had first decided to open a track to the Everest Region after more than 3,000 tourists were stranded in Lukla airport in November 2011 after adverse weather conditions halted flights from Kathmandu for six consecutive days.
This is the good news who prefer Everest Base Camp Trek by road and for the locals to get their essentials at a reasonable price. As of now, tourists walk up to Jiri retracting the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, or walk to Salleri to catch the bus/jeep to Kathmandu. Now, the new track of 77 KM two-lane road from Salleri to Chaurikharka has been completed and will be upgraded to asphalt road very soon.
Tourists can now trek to Everest Base Camp by road from Kathmandu driving up to Chaurikharka (near Lukla) via Salleri. The total distance of Kathmandu-Khurkot-Ghurmi-Okhaldhunga-Salleri-Surkhe-Chaurikharka is approx. 345 KM. This road becomes the better alternate routes for those who wish to skip flight to Lukla and choose the Everest Base camp trek via Salleri.
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