Lobuche Peak Climbing with EBC Trek – 19 days

The trip starts right upon your arrival in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Meet our airport representative as you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and get private transfers to your hotel at Thamel. You drive through the busiest areas of Kathmandu to reach your hotel located at one of the prime tourist hubs-one that remains busy with an energetic vibe, rows of trekking agencies, and tiny cafes lined up. The rest of the day after check-in is free to either rest and recover from jet lag or visit our office to get more information about the trek and climbing logistics. Later, take an evening stroll along the lively streets of Thamel-a meld of ancient and modern culture.

Your second day in Kathmandu is devoted to the preparations for the adventure. You will have breakfast at the hotel and then meet the guide/leader for a pre-trip meeting. At this time, the guide will briefly explain the detailed itinerary, discuss safety measures, and provide valuable information with regard to the trek and climbing phase. Along with this, do remember to carry your passport, insurance policy, and passport-sized photos.  The rest of the time is used buying last-minute gear and/or sightseeing around the cultural and historical wonders that the city has to offer, such as Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath-also known as the Monkey Temple-and chaotic Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Enjoy an early morning breakfast, and then you will be driven to Kathmandu’s domestic airport for a thrilling flight to Lukla. The 40-minute flight gives exciting aerial views of the Himalayas mountain range, snow-capped peaks blending with deep valleys to signal the start of your adventure. Soon after landing at Lukla, also known as the gateway to the Himalayas, you will meet other members of your trekking crew, including porters and additional guides. The trek starts with an easy walk along the Dudh Koshi Riverbank, passing through the lush pine forests and small Sherpa villages. Today’s walk is relatively easy, allowing you to acclimatize slowly as you make your way to Phakding for the overnight rest.

Today’s trek goes further into the heart of the Khumbu region. The trails take you through some breathtaking beauties: dense pine forests, suspension bridges, and a number of tiny settlements. You trace the Dudh Kosi River and cross a number of checkpoints that include the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, which was identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upward-trailing in accompaniment to the rumbling Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi rivers, it reaches as far as Namche Bazaar: the thudding heartbeat of the Everest Region. While ascending, breath-catching glimpses of Mt. Everest along with other majestic peaks like Lhotse and Nuptse begin to unfold. Namche Bazaar has become highly modernized and overpopulated with tourists, trekking shops, cafes, and bakeries-representing traditional culture among Sherpas with modernization.

Today is a rest day for proper acclimatization in the rapidly increasing altitude. This natural amphitheater of Namche Bazaar is an ideal place to rest and do some exploring. Although this is a rest day, they say to acclimatize, one should be somewhat active; hence, we recommend a short hike either to the Everest View Hotel or to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde. Such treks offer spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, among other Himalayan giants. A visit to the Visitor Centre at Namche Bazaar offers very interesting information on the history of Everest expeditions, the culture of Sherpa people, and the flora and fauna of the Khumbu region.

Today, the trek is considered one of the most attractive parts of the whole route. The trail follows a ridge from where stunning glacial lakes, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaru, and Kantega all come into view. Further along, the peaks Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Everest, and Nuptse still remain spectacular. From here, it is downhill once more to the village of Phunki Tenga for crossing the Dudh Koshi River. From here, the trail climbs steeply through conifers to Tengboche village and the famous Tengboche Monastery. This is the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region, with great panoramic views of Everest and Ama Dablam, especially during sunset when these peaks are brilliant pink in the evening sun. If one has sufficient time, visiting this monastery will enlighten one about a Buddhist ceremony.

From Tengboche, the route follows via a forest of rhododendrons and junipers, then down to the village of Deboche and over the Imja Khola River. Continuing up, it then reaches Pangboche-site of an ancient Sherpa monastery-and a traditional Sherpa village. Now, the landscape is going to be more rugged and open; it offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks with much less tree growth. Today, the last leg of travel takes you to this beautiful village at the mouth of the Imja Valley, flanked by giants. Dingboche is an important stoppage for acclimatization purposes, while the fields here are the highest in the region where crops like barley, potatoes, and buckwheat are grown.

Today’s is also an acclimatization day at this higher altitude, and Dingboche is also called the “Summer Valley.” There are numbers of options here for acclimatization. A popular one is to go for trekking to Chukhung {4,730m} with great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. The other option is to hike up the ridge above Dingboche for views of the valley and the peaks that surround this valley. These hikes will help your body acclimatize amidst imposing scenery. Return to Dingboche in the afternoon for rest and relaxation.

From here, the trail gradually makes its way up via alpine meadows and a yak pasture to the tiny village of Dughla nestled at the base of the Khumbu Glacier. Have a brief break and then begin an uphill trek into steep terrain to monuments of climber who died on Everest. From this point, the trail continues along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, with towering peaks such as Pumori, Lingtren, and Khumbutse coming into view. After a few hours, you’ll reach Lobuche, a small settlement located near the foot of the Lobuche Peak. As the air becomes thinner, you’ll feel the effects of the altitude, but the surrounding views make it all worthwhile.

Today will be one of the most waited days of the trek as you head toward the Everest Base Camp today. It follows the Khumbu Glacier and has spectacular peaks all around. From here, after a few hours of trekking, you reach Gorak Shep – a small settlement that works as a base for trekkers heading on to Everest Base Camp. From here, the trek continues onto the very famous base camp via rough terrain and moraine, end. Arriving at Everest Base Camp, it is possible to enjoy breathtaking views of the Khumbu Icefall and surrounding peaks. After having spent some time around Base Camp, taking snaps and absorbing its atmosphere, in the evening head back to Gorak Shep.

Early morning trek to Kala Patthar provides the best vantage point to view the majesty of Mt. Everest. With every few steps upwards, the views are increasingly spectacular, till finally, the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and many other peaks tower above the surroundings. The view of sunrise over the Himalayas-a sight to remember-is well worth an early rise. After the views of photo-taking and a spectacular panorama from the top of Kala Patthar, it descends down to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then follows down in the same route until arriving at Lobuche.

From Lobuche village, the Lobuche Base Camp trail leaves the main trekking trail to the left. Then the trail goes upward with a steep and short climb over rock and high-altitude meadows to reach the Base Camp. Upon your arrival at Base Camp, you rest and your guide does some briefings concerning climbing techniques, safety measures, and how to fix your crampons, harness, and rope. The whole day is utilised in fine-tuning the techniques to be applied on the climb the following day. Base camp is quiet serene, with awesome views of surrounding peaks and glaciers.

Right after breakfast, you will be heading to Lobuche High Camp on a rocky and bumpy path of boulders and moraine. The climb offers spectacular views of other giant peaks as well, which makes it rewarding. After you reach the high camp, you will set up your camp and take some rest for the summit push. Your guide will do the final checking of your equipment to make sure all is ready for the climb. Rest of the day for acclimatization, rest, and preparation mentally and physically for the summit attempt.

Summit day starts in the very early AM hours, typically around 2 a.m., as you head towards the summit with the help of a headlamp. Your climb to the summit will involve some fixed ropes, but your guide will be with you every step of the way to help you through. As you gain altitude, the first light of morning will start to paint the surrounding peaks in an incredible sight. Lobuche East 6,119m: It takes a number of hours of hefty climb to reach the summit. From this height, the spectacular view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, as well as the surrounding mountain ranges, is rewarded. After having the scenic views and taking photos, one will gradually descend down to High Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Below High Camp, you drop down to have breakfast back at Lobuche Base Camp again. You continue on the main trekking trail again toward Pangboche after crossing rough sections and several rivers that are fed from the glacial melt waters. The descent offers stunning views of the peaks you have just ascended, but also breathtaking views of Ama Dablam and Everest that are becoming old friends now. You will arrive and then explore Pangboche’s ancient monastery, believed to contain yeti relics.

It descends through the Rhododendron forests and the Sherpa villages in the Imja Khola valley across the villages of Deboche and Tengboche. From Tengboche, it follows a route downhill to Phunki Tenga and from there uphill again to Namche Bazaar. There are plenty of locations with clear visibility of the enchanting mountain ranges surrounding the village. Free time will be spent upon arrival in Namche Bazaar, where the rest of the day is spent in leisure, visiting nearby cafes, or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping.

The last day of your trek follows the Dudh Kosi river back to Lukla. Today’s trail is an entrance with steep descents through thick forests and Sherpa villages, mani walls, and terraces. Several suspension bridges are crossed; after taking last glimpses of the mountains, you reach Lukla. This evening it will be time to celebrate your successful completion of the trek in memory of the journey that you started with your guide and crew.

The rest of the early morning after breakfast is used for a spectacular flight back to Kathmandu, saying goodbye to the Himalayas, flying right over the mountains one last time. On your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel. You have the remaining part of the day at your discretion to either rest and relax or explore and/or do some last minute shopping. For tonight, an optional farewell dinner celebrates a successful trek and climb.

You can also have the morning at leisure in Kathmandu and relax according to your flight schedule. Our representative will drop you to the airport for your homebound flight or onward destination. You may also continue in Nepal on an extra day, which you can add in your extra days in asking us an extra day for a cultural tour, wildlife safari, or another different trek.