Lobuche east & Island peak expedition

Lobuche east & Island peak (imja tse) expedition

Climbing two peaks is surely reason enough for excitement. Both over 6000m, Lobuche East and Island Peak are in east Nepal and the trek to these peaks leads through two high passes and Kala Patthar, the latter arguably the best viewpoint to see the mighty Everest range.

This expedition consists of not one but two climbs that present little technical difficulty and the crossing of two high passes. At first, we go up the Dudh Khosi, a river that has its source in the Gokyo lakes. The lakes are seen from the viewpoint of Gokyo Ri. After crossing the Cho La pass we head up towards Kala Patthar. We then embark on our first climb to the summit of Lobuche East (6,145 m) slightly more technical than Island Peak (a.k.a. Imja Tse at 6,189m) which we climb after crossing the second pass, Kongma La. We then descend from the valley of Imja Khola. On the way, we have a cultural moment as we visit the monasteries of Tengboche and Namche.

Besides the technical aspect of climbing that the guide will teach beginners, crossing passes above 5,500m can be stressful. Hence climbers are required to be in excellent physical condition.

HIGHLIGHTS
- 2 ascents of trekking peaks over 6000 m can be undertaken even without mountaineering experience.
- 4 passes over 5000m to acclimatize to Gokyo Ri, Kala Patthar and the Cho and Kongma La passes.
- Excursions in the Khumbhu region, home to the highest peaks in the world including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu and many 7000m plus peaks like Ama Dablam and Pumori.

We can customize the trip as per your requirement.
Price according to the size of the group.
We can help you to fit in your budget.

Please contact us for further information
info@basecamptrek.com

Itinerary

Level of Trek: Very Difficult
Best Period: April - May
Duration: 24 Days
Number of walking days: 19
Highest Altitude: 6189 Meters
Flights: Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu
Accomodation: Hotel in Kathmandu & Lodge/Camp during trek

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Day

1ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel and check-in.
- Accommodation: Hotel

2FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU

Free day in the capital city.
- Accommodation: Hotel

3FLIGHT TO LUKLA (2 800M) - PHAKDING (2 600M)

The early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is an opportunity to get a panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas: Langtang, Gauri Shankar, Numbur, Manglungtse, and finally Everest on this 45-minutes flight. In Lukla (2,700 m.), our Sherpas join us with all the equipment. The trek begins with a short descent to the Dudh Koshi Valley. From the village of Chaurikharka (2,621m) the trail leads to the north through Sherpa villages where wheat, potatoes, corn and vegetables are grown. We cross a wooden suspension bridge to get to the other side of the Dudh Koshi River.
- Ascent: + 50 m
- Descent: - 250 m
- Duration of hike: 3hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

4PHAKDING - NAMCHE BAZAR (3 440M)

This day begins with a walk along the Dudh Koshi River. The path climbs gently as we cross the river on several occasions. Then we come across the village of Jorsale (2,805 m.) and start a steep ascent to Namche Bazar. Half an hour later, Everest comes into view. We arrive in Namche early enough to find time to walk around this famous Sherpa settlement and meet the inhabitants. Some Tibetan shopkeepers and hawkers sell jewelry and handicrafts from Tibet. Once a week an open market springs up in Namche, where the farmers from the region sell their crops like wheat, maize, millet, etc.
- Ascent: + 900 m.
- Descent: + 50 m.
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

5NAMCHE BAZAR

Day of acclimatization and rest in Namche (3,440 m).
- Accommodation: Lodge

6NAMCHE - PHORTSE TENGA (3 800M)

We climb up above Namche Bazaar along a gentle slope on the mountainside to the Mong Pass. We enjoy views of Ama Dablam and Kantega, two of the spectacular peaks of Nepal. We then descend to Phortse Tenga (3,600 m) along the Dudh Koshi (Milky River) and ascend lightly to the village of Phortse (3,800 m.). This day is for acclimatization to the high altitude.
- Ascent: + 760 m.
- Descent: - 300 m.
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

7PHORTSE TENGA - MACHERMO (4 450M)

We climb straight up through rhododendrons and juniper trees, followed by conifers. We walk through the mountain pasture villages of Tongba (3,690 m.), Gyele (3,960 m.), and Lhabarma (4,220 m.). There are views of two peaks, Khumbila and Taboche all day long.
- Ascent: + 850 m.
-Duration of hike: 5 – 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

8MACHERMO - GOKYO (4 750M)

We climb up steadily and get a fascinating view of Cho Oyu (8,135 m), a fortress of snow and ice. We pass close to Pangka at 4,390m and begin the descent to the river before climbing the last moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We come upon the first lake located at 4,720 m. and a second lake at 4,690 m. We finally reach Gokyo Lake (4,750m). Gokyo is a pasture for yaks, and there are only seven huts here.
- Ascent: + 300 m.
- Duration of hike:5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

9GOKYO - GOKYO PEAK (5 360M - 4H) - THAGNAK (4 700M)

Climb up to the small summit above the lake, and you get the most beautiful panoramic view of the Everest region. Getting to the top of this peak is quite easy taking about 2 hours to climb. From the top, the view is unforgettable. The most amazing line up of the highest peaks on earth, all clearly visible: Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cholatse and Taboche. We then descend to Thagnak (4,700 m).
- Ascent: + 550 m.
- Descent: - 600 m.
- Duration of hike:: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

10THAGNAK – CHO LA PASS (5 300M) – DZONGHLA (4 830M)

An early morning start gets us to the top of Cho La Pass well in time. It takes 5 hours and the going is a little difficult. But the rewards are great: Superb views of Everest, Ama Dablam, East and West Lobuche and Pumori, etc. After admiring the views, we descend to Dzong La.
- Ascent: + 600 m.
- Descent: - 500 m.
- Duration of hike:: 6 – 7hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

11DZONGLHA – LOBUCHE (4 900M)

This day’s hike is easy and in the end, we reach Lobuche.
- Ascent: + 200 m.
- Descent: - 100 m.
- Duration of hike:: 4hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

12LOBUCHE - GORAKSHEP (5 140M) - EVEREST BASE CAMP (5 364M) (OPTIONAL)

Today we walk along the Khumbu Glacier and the climb is relatively easy up to Gorak Shep. Get settled in the lodge and head out in the afternoon for an optional excursion to the Everest Base Camp and back.
- Ascent: + 230 m. (+ 250 m. if EBC)
- Descent: - 50 m. (- 250 m. if EBC)
- Duration of hike:: 2 ½ hr (+ 4 if EBC hike)
- Accommodation: Lodge

13GORAKSHEP - KALA PATTHAR (5 545M) - LOBUCHE BASE CAMP

To enjoy great views we leave early in the morning and make a steep ascent to Kala Patthar. We find ourselves at the heart of a huge amphitheater surrounded by the highest and most popular summits of the world. We then head down to the Lobuche Base Camp where we will prepare for the expedition.
- Ascent: + 460 m.
- Descent: - 600 m.
- Duration of hike:: 4 ½ hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac

14ASCENSION LOBUCHE EST & BACK TO BASE CAMP

- Accommodation: Bivouac

15SAFETY DAY / REST AND BACK TO LOBUCHE

- Accommodation: Lodge

16LOBUCHE (4 930M) - KONGMA LA (5 535M) - CHUKHUNG (4 743M)

This day we do the longest hike of our trek as we must cross the difficult pass of Kongma La.
- Ascent: + 600 m.
- Descent: - 800 m.
- Duration of hike:: 8hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

17CHHUKUNG - ISLAND PEAK BASE CAMP (4 970M)

We walk along the moraine and the icy lakes of Chokarma Tso and Imja Tso. Then, we slowly make our way up to the Island Peak Base Camp where we pitch our tent and prepare for the ascent.
- Ascent: + 250 m.
- Duration of hike:: 3hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac

18ISLAND PEAK ASCENSION (6 189M) – CHUKHUNG

Safety day for the ascent. Then, return to Chukhung.
- Ascent: + 1200 m.
- Descent: - 1200 m.
- Accommodation: Lodge

19CHUKHUNG (4 743M) - TENGBOCHE (3 860M)

We head back down through Pangboche where one finds the oldest gompas of Nepal. We go through forests and pass through villages and descend to Tengboche, the spiritual heart of Khumbu. We then visit the famous Tengboche monastery which was once destroyed by fire. The picturesque site has Ama Dablam as a backdrop.
- Ascent: + 150 m
- Descent: - 1000 m
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

20TENGBOCHE - MONJO (2 800M)

We make a great descent to the Dudh Koshi (Milky River) and climb up to Sanasa before we stop for lunch at Namche. In the afternoon after lunch, we descend to Monjo where we spend the night.
- Ascent: + 450 m.
- Descent: - 1400 m
- Duration of hike:: 6hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

21MONJO - LUKLA (2 800M)

We cross the Gumila forest and hike all the way to Lukla.
- Ascent: + 200 m.
- Duration of hike:: 4hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

22FLIGHT LUKLA - KATHMANDU

Catch the morning flight to Kathmandu. In clear weather, the view of the Himalayan range is mesmerizing. Transfer to the hotel.
-Accommodation: Hotel

23DAY RESERVE FOR SAFTY / KATHMANDU

Safety day.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day

24DEPARTURE

Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight.
End of our services.

Notes

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Difficulty:
Alpine grade: little difficult - slope less than 40°
Snow race without great technical difficulty - requires knowledge and practice of roped walking, with crampons and ice axe
The best time for climbing is in October.
The second choice is in March – April, but there is always a risk of avalanches during that time.

Materials that you should have:

For trekking

- trekking shoes: high stems and waterproof. Choose quite rigid shoes with non-slip soles and crampons.
- light shoes (tennis) or sandals to put on during the stages in town, village, or while camping at night.
- a pair of flip flops
- pairs of walking and mountain socks
- 2 trekking pants
- underwear. (Fine technical fibers such as Carline or Polartec fibers)
- 1 or 2 breathable Carline shirt and T-shirts
- 1 fleece jacket. It is warm, light and dries quickly)
- 1 mountain jacket (like Goretex or Micropore)
- A quilted jacket is a must
- Rain cape
- gloves or fingerless gloves
- hat
- Sunhat
- good sunglasses

Equipment:

- a sleeping bag (- 20° C): Warm, comfortable, fit to your size, sarcophagus-shape (closer to the body with a closing hood)
- sun cream (face and lips)
- headlamp, with spare batteries and bulbs
- light water bottle - 2 liters minimum and isothermal
- pocket knife, better if multipurpose
- toilet paper
- lighter

Climbing equipment to prove (or to rent in Kathmandu):

1. Ice ax
2. Crampons
3. Gaiter
4. Helmet (optional)
5. Harness with short rope
6. Carabiners (2 + 2)
7. Mountain shoes

Materials supplied by our agency:

- Tents
- Ropes
- Mattress
- Fixed ropes
- Ice picks
- Hammer
- Snow anchor
- All camping equipment and trekking kitchen

What's included

- 4 airport transfers by private vehicles
- Compulsory guide insurance (2 x 250 US $ / guide and sherpa)
- Ascent bonus (2 x 340 US $ / guide and sherpa)
- English-speaking guide for the entire trek and the two flights
- Trekking team: 1 porter for 2 people (carrying baggage up to 13 kg/people) & extra-porter for the personal ascent material.
- 1 Sherpa for a group of 4 or more
- 3 nights in bivouac at the base camp with a local cook
- Trekking permit for Sagarmatha national park & Khumbu villages community taxes
- Collective ascent material
- 4 nights in Kantipur Temple House Hotel or similar on a B&B basis
- Full board in lodge & bivouac, as per itinerary

What's not included

- Meals in Kathmandu excluding breakfast
- Flights Kathmandu – Lukla - Kathmandu
- Royalties for Island Peak & Lobuche Peak in the springtime (500 US $ / participant)
- Personal ascent material
- Extra luggage in domestic flight beyond 15 kg (about 1 $ / kg to pay on-site)
- Visa for Nepal (50$ + Photos)
- International flight
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, hot showers, charging batteries during the treks, etc.