Photo: Kabi Acharya ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
A technical ridge above the Khumbu.
Lobuche East rises straight above the Everest Base Camp trail, and its south-east ridge is the most engaging of the Khumbu trekking peaks: rock, steep ice up to 50 degrees and a snow knife-edge looking across to Everest and Nuptse. Many climbers use it as a rehearsal for 8,000-metre peaks. We approach via Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar and set high camp at 5,400 m. Eighteen days for those with a first 6,000er already behind them.
- 6,119 m facing Everest and Nuptse
- The south-east ridge: rock and ice up to 50 degrees
- Kala Patthar and Base Camp on the way
- A small team, two guides for six
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Preparation
Kathmandu, team meeting
Arrival, hotel in Thamel at 1,400 m. Gear check with the guides, permits, dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 2 · 8 km, 3 hours
Lukla to Phakding
Flight to Lukla at 2,840 m, descent to Phakding at 2,610 m, 8 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Phakding - DAY 3 · 11 km, 830 m of ascent
Namche Bazaar
Via Monjo and the steep climb to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m. 11 km, 830 m of ascent.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 4 · Acclimatisation to 3,880 m
Acclimatisation in Namche
Up to 3,880 m at Everest View and Khumjung, back to Namche.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 5 · 10 km, 5 hours
Tengboche
Down to Phunki Tenga and up to the Tengboche monastery at 3,860 m, 10 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche - DAY 6 · 11 km, 550 m of ascent
Dingboche
Via Pangboche to Dingboche at 4,410 m, 11 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 7 · Acclimatisation to 5,000 m
Nangkar Tshang
Acclimatisation on Nangkar Tshang to 5,000 m, back to Dingboche.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 8 · 8 km, 530 m of ascent
Lobuche
Via Thukla at 4,830 m to Lobuche at 4,940 m. In the evening we study our mountain from the trail.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche - DAY 9 · 12 km, 7–8 hours
Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp
To Gorak Shep at 5,164 m and on to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. Back to Gorak Shep.
Overnight: Lodge in Gorak Shep - DAY 10 · Kala Patthar 5,644 m, 10 km
Kala Patthar, down to Lobuche
Sunrise on Kala Patthar at 5,644 m and descent to Lobuche at 4,940 m. Afternoon rest and gear fitting.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche - DAY 11 · 4 km, training
Lobuche Base Camp
A move to Lobuche Base Camp at 4,950 m by the lake below the south-east ridge, 2–3 hours. Fixed-rope training: jumar, abseil on a figure-eight, crampons on ice.
Overnight: Tent, base camp 4,950 m - DAY 12 · 450 m of ascent
High camp
Up rock slabs and scree to the high camp at 5,400 m, 3–4 hours. Narrow ledges; everything is readied for a departure in the dark.
Overnight: Tent, high camp 5,400 m - DAY 13 · Summit 6,119 m, 12–14 hours
Summit day on Lobuche East
Away at 1:30. Rock to the edge of the glacier, then 400 m of ice up to 50 degrees on fixed ropes and the snow ridge to the summit at 6,119 m. Abseils back to high camp and on down to base.
Overnight: Tent, base camp 4,950 m - DAY 14 · 16 km, 1,000 m of descent
Reserve and descent to Pangboche
Reserve day for the summit. If it is done, we descend via Pheriche to Pangboche at 3,930 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Pangboche - DAY 15 · 15 km, 6 hours
Namche Bazaar
Via Tengboche to Namche at 3,440 m, about 15 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 16 · 18 km, 6 hours
Lukla
Down to Lukla, 18 km, farewell dinner with the team.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla - DAY 17 · Flight
Flight to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap, an evening in Thamel.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 18 · Reserve, transfer
Reserve and departure
Buffer for delayed Lukla flights, then the airport transfer.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights
Lodges on the trek and tents at base and high camp
Three meals a day, cook at the camps
Certified climbing guides, 1 per 3 participants
Flights Kathmandu — Lukla — Kathmandu
NMA permit for Lobuche, Sagarmatha park and municipality fees
Porters, fixed ropes, tents, emergency oxygen
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Rental of high-altitude boots, crampons, harness
Meals in Kathmandu
Helicopter evacuation
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need a previous 6,000er or technical alpine routes and confident jumar work on steep ice. Ivan runs a preparatory ice-climbing weekend and asks for at least one high-altitude ascent in the past two years.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.