Climbing Lobuche East 6119m

The Solo Khumbu is famous for Mt Everest (8848m) and Sherpa people. There are many great mountains in this area, some are well known, some are not. For many people Lobuche East is an unknown trekking peak, although its popularity its on the rise. In this Lobuche East expedition we combine an off the beaten track with the ascent of this beautiful trekking peak of more than 6000m. First we will follow an old Tibetan trade route across two high passes, the Renjo La (5500m) and the Cho La (5420m). It's a spectacular alpine trail and a perfect acclimatization trip before heading to Lobuche East (6119m) in the heart of the Solo Khumbu! Climbing Lobuche East includes more technical climbing than Island Peak or Mera Peak. The reward, however, is stunning, a 360 degrees view on the spectacular Himalayas! This Lobuche East expedition is a great trek combined with a challenging alpine climb away from the crowds on Island Peak and Mera Peak.

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+ Trip description

From Lukla to the Renjo La (5500m)

From Kathmandu we will fly to the small mountain village of Lukla in the Solo Khumbu. It's great to be here, away from the noise and... fresh air! From Lukla we will follow the trail through the Dudh Kosi Valley (milk river) to the pleasant trade center of the Khumbu: Namche Bazar. Here, the first Himalayan mountains appear against the blue skies: Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Thamserku and Kangtaiga. If the weather is clear you will have an impressive sight of Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse and Mount Everest! We leave the crowds and follow the old and remote trade route to Tibet through the wild Renjo valley. After some days we leave this old trail behind and turn East to the remote areas of the Renjo La, the first high pass. The Renjo La (5500m) is reached after a spectacular, but tiring climb through wild alpine areas, across good trails and big stone stairs. From the pass you have a stunning view on Everest and many other Himalayan peak. It;s a great view point.

Across Cho La & to Lobuche East base camp and its summit

After crossing the Renjo La we will descent to the little lake village of Gokyo. Here you can opt for climbing Gokyo Ri (5340m), to visit a range of beautiful mountains lakes (protected wetlands) or even climb Ngozumpa-Tse (5553m). As we're getting closer to Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse the views become more and more dramatic. After our Gokyo exploration, we will cross the famous Cho La (5420m) and eventually pitch our tents just below trekking peak Lobuche East. We will try to climb Lobuche East in a few days by using one high camp. The climb is a real classic, challenging alpine climb across a sharp summit ridge. The summit of Lobuche East provides you a 360 degrees view of the Solo Khumbu and its giant mountains and glacier areas. After this spectacular climb you will be able to visit Kala Pattar (5550m) and/or the Everest Base Camp. Eventually we will return to Namche Bazar and Lukla to get a flight back to Kathmandu. This Lobuche East expedition will be an unforgettable experience and is a very interesting alternative for the Island Peak Expedition or Mera Peak Expedition

+ Itinerary & different options

[ Arrival in Kathmandu / free days ]

Lobuche East Expedition via 2 high cols & Everest BC		Different options
1 - Kathmandu - Briefing 2 - Lukla - TokTok 3 - Namche Bazar 4 - Rest & acclimatization 5 - Thame 6 - Marlung 7 - Langden 8 - Renjo Lake 9 - Renjo La - Gokyo 10 - Gokyo Ri / Ngozumpa-Tse 11 - Cho La Base Camp 12 - Lobuche East Base Camp	13 - Lobuche East High Camp 14 - Summit Lobuche East 15 - Spare day 16 - Gorak Shep 17 -Kala Pattar / Everest BC 18 - Dingboche 19 - Namche Bazar 20 - Lukla 21 - Kathmandu	24 days - 3 High Passes & Island Peak Do you prefer a different route or itinerary? Just contact us and we will be more than happy to think with you and organize the tailor made trip you're looking for...

[ End of services / free days / departure / continue travelling ]

+ What's included & excluded in the price?

To make things easy for you, we have put together different service packages that suit most people. However, if you want to make it really special, we also provide full tailor made services. Have a look at the fixed packages first or download a detailed comparison sheet.

» Download Comparison Sheet (pdf)

Summit Service - Pro
The Pro package provides you a full organized and guided expedition until the summit. This package includes organizational arrangements, a complete professional, experienced staff & crew, all needed equipment, all services and luxuries that makes your entire expedition as comfortable as possible. The staff takes care of all tasks and activities, you are not required to help.

Summit Service - Basic
The Basic package provides you a full organized and guided expedition until the summit. This package includes organizational arrangements, a small professional, experienced staff & crew, essential equipment & services only, without the luxuries of the Pro package. Although professionally organized, this package is much more basic and adventurous, you are required to help with all tasks and activities.

Base Camp Services
Base Camp services are not available in this trip

+ How difficult is this trip?

We have rated this Lobuche East Expedition with DO-E3. This means that it's a streneous to very streneous trip while the climbing sections are easy (facile) to difficult (assez difficile). Have a look at a general description of these codes! Below we'll try to describe the specific difficulties of this trip.

The trek to Lobuche East Base Camp across the high passes
The trek from the starting point of Lukla to the Renjo La, the first high pass does not require specific experience or skills. The last section of the climb to Renjo La becomes a bit steeper, but the trail does not include any difficulties. It's a long route across tiring, stone stairs. From the Renjo La it's a long descent across unstable en slippery moraines and snowfields. The terrain behind Gokyo becomes wilder where trails may not be visible anymore. The summit of Gokyo Ri is reached by following an obvious trail. Ngozumpa-Tse is a rough, steep climb across rocks and perhaps snow. High pass Cho La is reached from Gokyo after crossing the Ngozumpa-Tse glacier and a gentle, but long climb across good trails. From Cho La's base camp it's a 3 hour steep climb across rocks and perhaps snow and ice. Some scrambling is required here, while stone fall is common. The descent from Cho La includes the crossing of the Cho La glacier and it's rocky sections where it may be become very slippery. The trail ends in a wide, grassy valley with easy trails al the way to the Lobuche East base camp.

Climbing Lobuche East.
Climbing Lobuche East is more technical than all other trekking peaks in Nepal. From the base camp you will have to climb some steep and slippery rock slabs and snow slopes to reach the South-West ridge below the main glacier (5700m). Here we will establish our high camp. From the high camp you will climb to a false summit first, from where a sharp and exposed ridge leads to the real summit. At some stages the summit ridges may reach an angle of 70 degrees which requires some belayed snow or ice climbing. The highest point of this range is not Lobuche East (6119m), but Lobuche West (6145m) which is connected to Lobuche East by the same ridge. Lobuche West however, is considered to be a real expedition peak, requiring a different and costly climbing permit. So, all expeditions climb Lobuche East. The last part of this trip is a visit to Kala Pattar and/or Mt Everest base camp across good trails. The final section to the base camp leads across unstable moraines with many different paths and many ups and downs. Everest base camp is built on a rocky glacier at the corner Khumbu Ice Fall and the Khumbu glacier. The main Everest trail back to Lukla is a pleasant walk across good trails through many villages with lot's of facilities.

In general...
You should feel comfortable with basic rock and alpine climbing techniques in winter conditions. This includes the following techniques: using ice axe and crampons, abseiling. This expedition is open for trekkers/climbers with basic mountaineering experience or fit and keen trekkers who like to gain mountaineering experience at higher altitudes. It's an advantage if you have previous experience in winter camping and basic rock and alpine climbing techniques, although this is not mandatory. Basic alpine climbing training is built into the trips itinerary. As you’re part of a group during difficult situations and demanding activities, you must have experience in working and living in and with a group of people who share the same, common goal. An easy going, flexible attitude is a must.

+ What clothes & equipment do I need?

After booking we will send you a final, detailed clothes & equipment list with all the required clothes and (climbing) equipment that you need for this trip. To get a really good idea what you will get from us, you may download an example equipment list.

» Download an Example Equipment List (pdf)

+ What is the best time to make this trip?

An indication of best seasons to make this trip (stable weather and clear views)

• Spring: March, April, May
• Autumn: October, November, December

Indication of temperatures: (depending on weather conditions)

• Below 5000m varying from: Day time: +10ºC / +30ºC. Night time: -5ºC / +15ºC
• Above 5000m varying from: Day time: -5ºC / +10ºC. Night time: -15ºC / -25ºC

Rain may be expected in the lower areas around Lukla and Namche, somtimes even higher up. If you like to try to avoid a late monsoon and possible flight cancellations, you should start this trip from half October. Normally, the weather will be more stable by then. However, mountain storms and fog are unpredictable and can arise quickly, changing trekking & climbing conditions dramatically. Rain, snow and strong winds are always possible.