Getting around · Jiri
How to Get to Jiri
How to reach Jiri from Kathmandu — a 7-9 hour bus or jeep via Charikot, plus onward transport to the trailhead.
Getting to Jiri means an overland road journey — there are no flights — covering roughly seven to nine hours from Kathmandu by bus or jeep. The route heads east on the Araniko Highway, then turns north through Charikot into Dolakha, climbing winding hill roads to the green ridges around the town.
The short answer
Take a direct bus from Kathmandu's Old Bus Park or hire a private jeep or car, and allow seven to nine hours. The road is paved most of the way but mountainous and slow, so set off early in the day.
From Kathmandu
Buses to Jiri leave in the morning from the Old Bus Park (Gongabu and other points may also have services); seats fill, so book a day ahead in peak season. A private jeep or car is faster and more flexible, letting you stop for views and food along the Charikot road, but it costs considerably more. Either way the journey is long and winding — bring snacks, water and motion-sickness remedies if you are prone to it.
Onward to the trailhead
From Jiri the classic walk-in to Everest can start on foot from Jiri Bazaar itself, or you can take a short, rough jeep ride to Shivalaya to begin walking a stage further along. Onward jeeps are informal and weather-dependent, so confirm availability locally on arrival.
Road conditions and seasons
The road is generally fine in the dry seasons but can be slowed by monsoon landslides between June and September. Travel by day, allow buffer time, and check the best time to visit Jiri before locking in dates.
Practical tips
- Leave early: Morning departures avoid arriving in the dark after a long mountain drive.
- Carry cash: Buses, jeeps and roadside meals are cash-only out here.
- Pack light layers: It is warm in the valleys and cool on the ridges; the temperature shifts as you climb.
- Book ahead in peak season: Autumn and spring bus seats go quickly.
Next steps
Once your route is set, sort a bed with where to stay in Jiri, time it with the best time to visit Jiri, and start with the overview in the Jiri travel guide. For wider planning, see the national guide to getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Jiri from Kathmandu?+
Jiri is reached by a roughly seven to nine hour road journey from Kathmandu. Direct buses leave from the Old Bus Park, or you can hire a private jeep or car. The route runs east on the Araniko Highway, then north via Charikot into Dolakha.
How long does the journey to Jiri take?+
Allow seven to nine hours by bus and a little less by private jeep, depending on road conditions, weather and stops. The road is paved most of the way but winding and mountainous, so journey times stretch in the monsoon when landslides can slow traffic.
Is there an airport or flight to Jiri?+
No — there are no scheduled flights to Jiri, so all access is by road. This is part of why many Everest trekkers now fly to Lukla instead; choosing Jiri means embracing the slower, historic overland and walking approach.
How do you continue from Jiri to the trek?+
From Jiri the classic trek can begin on foot, or you can take a short jeep ride along a rough road to Shivalaya to start walking a stage further. Confirm onward jeep availability in Jiri Bazaar, as services are informal and weather-dependent.
