ISLAND AND LOBUCHE PEAK CLIMBING

After arriving at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be warm welcomed by our  staff and taken to your hotel for a briefing of your journey to Lobuche peak Climbing, including the route taken and accommodation. We will clearly explain several do’s and don’ts with your safety a priority.

In the morning our trek passes over a bridge spanning the Dudh Kosi River, passing several delightful villages of Toktok, Bhenkar, and Monjo before arriving at the entrance gate to Sagarmatha National Park, and then trek along the river bed for a few hours and cross our last bridge before a steep uphill trek to Namche Bazaar. Namche has many good restaurants, pubs, a cyber café, post office, and banks. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

It is sensible to spend another day acclimatizing before heading to higher altitudes. One way of doing this is to hike up to Chukkung Valley (4730m) and on to Island Peak (Imja Tes). Above Dingboche is Nagkartshang Gompa (a strenuous trek takes around 2 to 3 hours), or alternatively head to Pheriche for an afternoon lecture on altitude sickness. The trail to Chhukung leaves Dingboche heading to Bibr (4570m) and is surrounded by fabulous mountain Peaks: Taboche, Nuptse, Lhotse, the enormous flute-shaped pass of Amphu Laptsa Pass, Ama Dablam. Chukkung has several lodges and is the most popular spot for those climbing Island Peak. If trekkers feel better acclimatized they can head up a grassy slope towards the peak of Chukkung Ri (5550m) for a magnificent view of Makalu. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Any easy trek after breakfast takes us to Dugla before traversing the steep moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. After crossing the glazier we then pass through the boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara passing an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 10-time Everest summiteer Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Everest. The trail then continues to the Khumbu Glacier moraine where before us are some of the great Himalayan peaks – Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. Overnight stay in Lobuche. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today is special and is the highlight of our journey. An early morning start allows us to catch the dramatic views from Kala Patthar seeing the new day and the light shining on Mount Everest. We need to be prepared for the dark and cold temperatures (-10 to -14 C) before departing on our trek. It is not uncommon to experience some very chilling winds. In the east are many peaks, such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse with Everest gradually exposing itself reveal itself between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, we can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding viewpoints to snap pictures. After several hours of climbing, we reach Kala Patthar before scrambling over a rocky outcrop close to the summit and its cairns and prayer flags. After reaching the summit we can sit on the Kala Patthar rocks absorbing the spectacular views of the Himalayas. From one rock massif to another we are rewarded with numerous opportunities to use our cameras and photo opportunities that will remind you of these enormous mountains. We then head back to Gorak Shep where we have breakfast before a gradual descent to Lobuche for a well deserved night’s rest. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

After breakfast, we make our way from Lobuche to Lobuche High Camp. The climb takes about 4 hours. The High camp is located at an altitude of 5,600m/18,368 ft. From Base Camp, we follow a path across a rocky moraine before reaching High Camp. Once we reach High Camp we prepare our camp for the overnight stay, have lunch and relax. If you walk around, rather than sit around, this will help you to acclimatize to this high altitude. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today is the day we have been anxiously awaiting. We start our day in the early hours in order to reach the summit. Lobuche East offers more panoramic views of the mountains than other peaks – such as Island Peak. Arriving at Lobuche summit you can take in spectacular, panoramic and exhilarating views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pumori, and other nearby peaks. Our time at the summit is spent taking photos and taking a short rest before descending back to Dingboche. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

From Dingboche, there is a short hike to Chhukung, the final settlement of the Khumbu region around Imja Tse (also known as Island Peak) with its magnificent panorama of snowcapped mountains with Mt. Makalu in the east. After arriving at Chhukung we can rest or hike to Chhukung Ri for more amazing views of the mountains. It will also allow us time to prepare for our early morning departure to Kongma-la Pass.

Although Island peak does not require technical expertise, it does however require strength and stamina. It does however require some basic skills and how to avoid mishaps. It is essential that we reach the summit before lunch, as in the afternoon it can be extremely windy. The path climbs hundreds of meters from the bottom camp before facing a sharp incline initially on a sandy trail before turning to grass, and finally over boulders. The path eventually narrows before entering a steep rock vale (narrow channel of rock). We finally, after many steps across and through the vale emerge on the other side Your guide, for safety reasons, may fix a rope to each climber to assist in climbing the final snowy slope to the ridge at the summit. The rope may often extend to 350m depending on the season and danger of crevices. Some of these crevices may be 2 to 3 meters across requiring the use of ladders. Once at the summit it is time to take out your camera and capture the magnificent views and get your breath back!. We will then descent to Island Peak Base Camp, and with your guides, will celebrate our success. Meals – breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Although Island peak does not require technical expertise, it does however require strength and stamina. It does however require some basic skills and how to avoid mishaps. It is essential that we reach the summit before lunch, as in the afternoon it can be extremely windy. The path climbs hundreds of meters from the bottom camp before facing a sharp incline initially on a sandy trail before turning to grass, and finally over boulders. The path eventually narrows before entering a steep rock vale (narrow channel of rock). We finally, after many steps across and through the vale emerge on the other side Your guide, for safety reasons, may fix a rope to each climber to assist in climbing the final snowy slope to the ridge at the summit. The rope may often extend to 350m depending on the season and danger of crevices. Some of these crevices may be 2 to 3 meters across requiring the use of ladders. Once at the summit it is time to take out your camera and capture the magnificent views and get your breath back!. We will then descent to Chhukung, and with your guides, will celebrate our success.

Leaving Chhukung we return on the same path to Imja Khola heading up through the forest to Tengboche. If there is enough interest we can visit the nuns at their Tengboche residence. After lunch at Tengboche we descend along a path surrounded by alpine bush and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi watercourse, our path takes us to Dudh Koshi Gorge taking us through pine forests before finally reaching Sansa. On the way down we should keep our eyes peeled for glimpses of mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, and other wildlife. After emerging from the forest we pass through Chorten before reaching the military camp at Namche Bazaar. Tonight we stay at Namche Bazaar.

The rocky path down is steep and it is advised to be cautious crossing this rocky landscape. We eventually cross the suspension bridges over the rapid flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, where the path becomes flatter and easier to negotiate. After our arrival in Lukla we can stretch our aching legs and blissfully recall the exhilarating experiences of the last few weeks. Meals – breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Today we take a morning flight to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we can reminisce and can shop for souvenirs. Our guides will steer you in the right direction and where to find some bargains!