Lobuche Peak Climbing – 19 Days

Lobuche East Peak (6,119 m / 20,075 ft) is one of the Khumbu's most rewarding climbing peaks, and our 19-day package pairs it with Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar for strong acclimatization. Run by Nepal Trekking Trail, a product of Actual Adventure Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu, the climb is led by our own licensed Sherpa guides.

Lobuche rises directly above the Khumbu Glacier, just a few hours from Everest Base Camp. It is steeper and more exposed than Island Peak, which is why many Everest expedition teams use it as their acclimatization climb. Fit trekkers with basic rope skills can summit it after the training we give at Base Camp.

The route follows the classic Everest trail through Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar (5,545 m). From Lobuche Base Camp we move to High Camp (5,400 m), then climb rock slabs, a glacier and 45–50° snow slopes on fixed ropes to the summit ridge, with Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Pumori all around.

Highlights

• Summit Lobuche East (6,119 m) with one of the finest close-up panoramas of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori and Cho Oyu
• Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and watch sunrise on Everest from Kala Patthar (5,545 m)
• Climb the same acclimatization peak used by many Everest expedition teams
• Overnight at High Camp (5,400 m) on a rocky shelf above the Khumbu Glacier
• Hands-on pre-climb training: crampons, ice axe, fixed ropes, jumar and abseiling
• Scenic flight to Lukla and trekking through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Sherpa culture in Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery and Pangboche
• Two acclimatization days plus one reserve summit day; 1:2 climbing guide-to-climber ratio
• Complimentary Actual Adventure duffel bag, and guaranteed quality sleeping bag and down jacket hire

Fact File

Why Lobuche Peak?

Lobuche East gives you a genuine alpine climb and the best summit view of Everest of any Khumbu trekking peak, with Everest Base Camp built into the same trip.

• A step up from Island Peak. Steeper snow slopes, a longer rocky section and an exposed summit ridge make it a real test of mountaineering skills.
• Everest training ground. Many Everest and Lhotse expedition teams climb Lobuche to acclimatize. It is ideal preparation for Ama Dablam, Himlung or an 8,000 m peak.
• Spectacular summit view. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam and Makalu fill the horizon.
• Two goals in one trip. Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and a Himalayan summit on one itinerary.

Why climb with Nepal Trekking Trail?

• Local and licensed. We are a Kathmandu-based company (Actual Adventure Pvt. Ltd.), registered with the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Mountaineering Association. No middlemen, so your money stays with the team that guides you.
• Experienced Sherpa climbing guides trained in rope work, first aid and high-altitude rescue, with many Lobuche summits each.
• Safety-first acclimatization. EBC and Kala Patthar come before the climb, plus a High Camp night and a reserve summit day.
• Fair treatment of staff. Guides and porters are insured, properly equipped and carry no more than the legal load limit.
• Daily health checks with a pulse oximeter, and a full first-aid kit carried by the team.
• Personal service before, during and after the trip, with 24/7 support from our Kathmandu office.

Detailed Itinerary

Cost and Group Pricing

Prices are per person in US dollars, on a twin-sharing basis, and include all permits and climbing logistics listed under What's Included. [Indicative rates – confirm with the sales team before publishing.]

Optional extras

Fixed departure and private trips: We run fixed group departures each spring and autumn and arrange private trips on any date. Ask us about 2027 departure dates and early-booking offers.

What's Included and Excluded

Included

• All airport and hotel transfers by private vehicle
• 3 nights in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, twin sharing, with breakfast (Days 1, 2 and 18)
• Domestic flights Kathmandu (or Ramechhap) – Lukla – Kathmandu, plus Ramechhap transfers when flights operate from there
• Tea-house accommodation during the trek, twin sharing
• Full board during the trek and climb: breakfast, lunch, dinner, with tea or coffee
• Tented camps at Lobuche Base Camp and High Camp, with dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent and cook
• Lobuche East climbing permit (Nepal Mountaineering Association)
• Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee
• Garbage deposit and waste management at Base Camp and High Camp
• Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide and NMA-certified Sherpa climbing guide (1:2 on summit day); German-speaking guide on request
• Porters (1 porter per 2 climbers, up to 20 kg combined), plus extra high-camp porters to carry tents and gear
• Wages, meals, accommodation, equipment, flights and insurance for all staff
• Group climbing equipment: fixed and main ropes, ice screws, snow bars, carabiners
• Complimentary Actual Adventure duffel bag; sleeping bag and down jacket hire arranged and guaranteed (returnable)
• Comprehensive first-aid kit and pulse oximeter for daily health checks
• Assistance with helicopter rescue arrangements (paid by your insurance)
• Trekking map, summit certificate and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
• All government taxes and our service charge

Excluded

• International flights to and from Kathmandu
• Nepal tourist visa (currently USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, payable on arrival)
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, except the farewell dinner
• Personal climbing gear: boots, crampons, harness, ice axe, helmet, jumar, descender (available to rent in Kathmandu)
• Travel insurance covering emergency rescue and evacuation up to 6,500 m (mandatory)
• Extra nights and meals caused by early return, flight delays or cancellations
• Personal expenses: drinks, snacks, hot showers, battery charging, Wi-Fi, laundry
• Tips for guides, porters and drivers (expected and appreciated)
• Anything not listed under Included

Know Before Booking

• Fitness. You should be able to walk 6–8 hours a day with a 5–7 kg daypack on steep ground. Start cardio and leg training (hiking, stair climbing, running, cycling) at least 10–12 weeks before departure.
• Experience. No previous summit is required, but multi-day trekking above 4,000 m is strongly recommended. Lobuche is steeper and more exposed than Island Peak, so prior use of crampons and ropes, or a basic mountaineering course, is a real advantage.
• Health. Tell us about any heart, lung, blood-pressure or other medical conditions when you book. A check-up with your doctor before the trip is recommended.
• Altitude. Everyone acclimatizes at a different pace. Your guide may change the plan or turn the group around if anyone shows signs of serious altitude sickness. Safety always comes before the summit.
• Summit is not guaranteed. Weather, snow and ice conditions on the upper slopes and your health decide the summit. In some seasons, hard ice or deep snow may stop the team at the false summit; your guide makes the final call.
• Lukla flights. Weather delays of one or more days are common. Plan 1–2 buffer days before your international flight home.
• Passport and visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages. Send us a passport copy and photo for permits.
• Travel insurance with helicopter rescue up to 6,500 m is mandatory (see Insurance below).
• Group trips. You may share the trail with climbers from other countries. Rooms are twin sharing unless you book a single supplement.

Important Information and Tips

Best time to climb

Altitude sickness (AMS)

• Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day and avoid alcohol above Namche.
• Tell your guide at once about headaches, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness at rest.
• The only cure for serious AMS is descent. Our guides carry a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter and are trained to act early.
• Ask your doctor about Diamox (acetazolamide) before you travel.

Personal equipment checklist

• Climbing: mountaineering boots (La Sportiva Nepal Evo or similar), crampons, harness, ice axe, helmet, jumar, figure-8 descender, 2 locking and 2 screw-gate carabiners, prusik loops
• Clothing: base layers, fleece, down jacket, waterproof shell jacket and trousers, insulated trousers, liner and summit gloves (or mitts), warm hat, buff, sun hat
• Footwear: trekking boots, camp shoes or sandals, wool socks, gaiters
• Gear: -20 °C sleeping bag, 35–40 L daypack, trekking poles, headlamp with spare batteries, glacier sunglasses (category 3–4), water bottles and purification tablets
• Personal: sunscreen (SPF 50), lip balm, personal medicines, toiletries, power bank

Money and communication

• Carry enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu; ATMs on the trail are few and unreliable. Budget about USD 20–30 a day for drinks, snacks, charging and Wi-Fi.
• Mobile data works in most villages up to Gorak Shep; Wi-Fi cards (Everest Link) are sold along the trail. Our climbing team carries a radio or satellite phone.

Respect the culture

• Walk clockwise around stupas and mani walls, and ask before photographing people.
• Dress modestly in villages and monasteries.
• Carry out your own litter and avoid single-use plastic bottles.

Tipping guide

Tips are personal, but a common guideline is USD 15–20 per day for the climbing guide, USD 10–15 for the trekking guide and USD 8–10 for each porter, pooled across the group and given at the farewell.

Booking, Payment and Policies

How to book

1. Choose a fixed departure or ask for a private date through the booking form or email.
2. Send your passport copy, one passport photo, travel insurance details and arrival flight information.
3. Pay a 20% deposit to confirm your place. We then book flights and apply for permits.
4. Pay the balance on arrival in Kathmandu or by bank transfer at least 30 days before departure.

Payment methods: bank transfer (SWIFT), Visa or Mastercard (a bank service charge of about 4% applies), or cash in USD on arrival. All bank charges are paid by the sender.

Cancellation policy

• Cancellations must be made in writing by email.
• No refund is given for unused services once the trip has started, including early return from the trek.
• Permits and domestic flight tickets already issued are non-refundable.
• If we must cancel because of natural disaster, government order or other events beyond our control, we offer a new date or a refund of unspent costs.
• We may change the itinerary for safety, weather or flight disruption. Extra costs from such changes (hotels, meals, rescue) are paid by the client.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover:

• Mountaineering or trekking-peak climbing up to at least 6,500 m
• Emergency helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• Medical and hospital treatment
• Trip cancellation, curtailment and loss of baggage (recommended)

Send us your policy number and the insurer's 24-hour emergency phone number before departure. Without valid insurance, you cannot join the climb.

Emergency and rescue

• Our guides are trained in wilderness first aid and carry a first-aid kit, pulse oximeter and communication devices.
• Mild altitude symptoms are treated by rest or descent. Serious cases are evacuated by helicopter to Lukla or a Kathmandu hospital.
• Our Kathmandu office coordinates with your insurer and the helicopter company 24/7 and keeps your family informed.
• The Himalayan Rescue Association runs an aid post at Pheriche in season, below Lobuche; police and health posts are in Namche Bazaar.

24/7 emergency contact: Nepal Trekking Trail / Actual Adventure Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu · Phone/WhatsApp: [add number] · Email: [add email]

Responsible travel policy

• We follow Leave No Trace principles and carry waste out from Base Camp and High Camp under the NMA garbage rules.
• Porters carry no more than 20–25 kg, and all staff are insured and properly equipped for altitude.
• We hire local Sherpa guides and support tea houses and businesses in the Khumbu.

Terms of travel

By booking, you confirm that you are fit to take part, have read this trip page, and accept our booking and cancellation conditions. Prices may change because of government fee revisions or major changes in airfare.

Ready to stand on Lobuche East? Contact our team to check dates, ask questions or book your place.