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Lhotse Expedition 2024


Itinerary

Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal. Upon completing the visa formalities and collecting your luggages in the airport, kindly proceed to the exit of the arrival hall. Your trip leader will await you just outside the arrival hall and will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Please look out for a placard of Highland Expeditions.

Day 02 - Official formalities and climb preparation

These two days have been kept in Kathmandu for final preparation of Climb. Meet other team members, complete official and government formalities, final gear check and load. Upon your interest, an optional Kathmandu sightseeing can be arranged on these days. We will have a trip orientation and your trip leader will give you a brief about your climb before we head to our journey.

Day 03 - Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding [2,600m/8,531ft]

After an early morning b/fast, we take the mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla on STOL aircraft. Flight time is about 30 minutes to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. We begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, just above Chaurikharka at 2713m. The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat at 2550m, it’s a short walk to Phakding where we’ll stay overnight.

Day 04 - Trek to Namche Bazar [3,450m/11,319ft]

We will continue our journey along Dudhkoshi River which will take us through pine forest. After crossing suspension bridges at several points and passing through small settlements of Zapute, Toktok, Benkar and Chumoa, we will reach Monjo. This is known as the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park. After completing all the necessary national park formalities, we will enter Sagarmatha National Park. Lowering down from the park, we will arrive at river. Crossing another suspension bridge, we will proceed towards high Hillary Bridge located at the foot of the hill. Crossing this bridge, we will climb uphill to the Namche Bazaar. We can get view of Thamserku Mountain. If weather is clear, we can also have first view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Kusum Khangru mountains.

Day 05 - Rest and Acclimatization day [3,450m/11,319ft]

Namche Bazaar is regarded as gateway to the high Himalayas. It is also the main trading center and a capital of Sherpa land. Rest is recommended in Namche for acclimatization purpose. Short hike will be arranged to the ancient Sherpa village of Thame to observe the rich Sherpa culture or we can also visit nearby Khumjung, Khunde or Khongde villages. Shopping in marketplace of Namche is another fine idea. National Park Head office, Museum and monasteries are other places of interest. The area is clustered with cafes, shops, bakeries and restaurants. The place supports facilities of post office, hospital, government health post. Internet access is also available at Namche so that you can contact your near ones.

Day 06 - Trek to Deboche [3720 m/12,205ft]

We will walk along the glacial water of Dudh Koshi River. The route offers views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and, Thamserku and Ama Dablam Mountains. Our journey continues through the colorful forest of blooming rhododendron to Sanasa. The region is rich in wildlife including musk deer and colorful pheasants. In Sanasa lies the junction point. One of the paths leads us to the Gokyo valley while the other branches off to Everest Base Camp. We will take sharp climb to Tengboche monastery which is the largest in the Khumbu region. The journey rewards us with close-up views of many surrounding mountains. We will visit the monastery and walk through forest of birch and rhododendron to Deboche where we will stay overnight.

Day 07 - Trek to Dingboche [4,412m/14,475ft]

We will descend to Imja River. The trail takes us uphill to Pangboche (3860m) through the lush forest. We will visit Pangboche Monastery. The village is also decorated with Chorten and Mani walls. The trail allows us an access to Imja Valley. We will take steep climb to Pheriche and continue further to Lobuche River. The final steepest climb of the day will take us to Dingboche. Agriculture is the chief occupation of locals in Dingboche. We can see fields enclosed by stonewall in Dingboche. Buckwheat, potatoes and barley are the major crops. We will stay overnight in Dingboche.

Day 08 - Rest and Acclimatization day [4,412m/14,475ft]

This is a day to haul up and rest without being idle. We can stroll around the village and get pally with the local folks with some interesting conversations. This will give us deep insights into the lifestyles and cultures of the local folks in this region. At the same time, we can also relish the landscapes that surround us and we can also catch up on some reading. Our acclimatizing gets a further boost with our hike to Chhukung village. We then do a steep climb up to Chhukung Ri at 5550m [if we feel like it] and as we top it with gasping breath we soon realize the gritty climb was worth the go; the rewards are as lovely as it comes with the natural beauty that greets us for our efforts, the jaw-dropping vistas of Cho Oyu at 8201m, Pumori at 7161m, the gigantic Lhotse wall at 8400m, Amadablam at 6812m, Makalu at 8481m & Baruntse at 7129m all put together set our hearts on top gear as it skips a beat while watching these massive peaks.

Day 09 - Trek to Lobuche [4,910m/16,109ft]

We will begin a moderate walk to Dugla. Walking through the steep moraine of Khumbu glacier, we will head towards Chupki Lhara which is festooned with prayer flags. It is also known as the memorial site for the deceased climbers. The trail stretches through the Khumbu glacier moraine to Lobuche. On the way, we can rejoice the close-up views of Pumori, Khumbutse and other peaks and mountains. Stay overnight in Lobuche.

Day 10 - Trek to Gorekshep [5,140m/16,864ft]

The day starts with a trek past a fine crevasse between the lateral moraine of a glacier and a mountain. Then a gradual climb will take to Changri Nup Glacier. The undulating terrain takes you on a whirlwind of a walk. Descending slightly in the final stretch, you land in a barren setting with a sandy moraine and a cluster of lodges amidst the jagged rocky terrain surrounded by mammoth mountains. This is Gorakshep where you’ll spend the night.

Day 11 - Trek to Lhotse Base Camp [5,364m/17,559ft]

Start on the climb along the Khumbu glacier to Everest/Lhotse Base Camp. Finally, arrive at the foot of the highest peak in the world. The views of numerous mountains, the Khumbu Icefall, and the Glacier make it even more glorious. Overnight with some of the highest peaks in the world at Base Camp.

Day 12-15 - Get organized, Puja Ceremony and Climbing Clinics

Get organized and comfortable with your home for the next 4 weeks. Looking at an auspicious date as per the Tibetan calendar, a puja ceremony will be held asking for safe passage. We will also do training at the base camp, in ice seracs of the lower Khumbu Glacier to check climbers’ equipment and review climbing and rescue techniques.

Day 16-18 - Climb Lobuche East (6119m/20,070ft)

Our first phase of acclimatization begins with a climb to Lobuche East. Climbing Lobuche east provides better acclimatization and the perfect training base for Everest. Lobuche East Climb Plan: Day 01: Trek to Lobuche Village Day 02: Trek to high camp Day 03: Summit Lobuche East and descent to Lobuche

Day 19 - Trek to Lhotse Base Camp [5,364m/17,559ft]

From Lobuche, we will take a couple of hours along Khumbu glacier to reach Changri Nup Glacier. A brief walk from Changri Nup glacier will take us to Gorak Shep. From there, its another 2 hrs walk along the Khumbu glacier to base camp

Day 20-48 - Climbing period of Mt Lhotse

The second phase of the acclimatization phase begins with the rotation of higher camps. After completing the acclimatization, retrace back to base camp and wait for the perfect weather window. For the acclimatization, please note that the acclimatization program may differ during the expedition period as each climber adapts differently to an altitude. Your expedition leader will suggest you the best as per your conditions. In general, our acclimatization program includes overnight at Camp 2 and tag the Lhotse Face/Camp 3. When this is done, we rest and recover at the base camp while waiting for the weather window for the summit attempt. 

Day 49 - Depart Base camp and trek to Pheriche

We will begin our return trip on this day. We will leave Lhotse Base Camp and retrace our route to Pheriche where we will stay overnight.

Day 50 - Trek to Namche Bazar

Leaving Pheriche early in the morning, we will follow the return trail along Imja River that takes us through the forest of birch and spruce to Tengboche village. After brief stop in Tengboche, we will follow the trail through forest of blooming rhododendron to the bridge. We will cross the bridge over Dudh Koshi River and move through Dudh Koshi gorge and pine forest to Sansa village. The region is rich in Himalayan wildlife like mountain goats, Thars and local birds. We will pass through the chorten to the army camp at Namche Bazaar. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 51 - Trek to Lukla [2,800m/9187ft]

We will take the downhill walk from Namche that leads us to the bridge over Dudh Koshi River. Moving further, we will arrive at Monjo where we need to fulfill the official formalities at the check post of Sagarmatha National Park. We will retrace the route back to Phakding where we will take lunch before moving to Lukla. The trail is easy and colorful marked by prayer stones and prayer flags. We will stay overnight in a lodge in Lukla. Arrange your photo albums or write a journal. This is the last day of our trek in Himalayas.

Day 52 - Fly back to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

Take an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. We will be transferred to hotel in a private vehicle in Kathmandu. Take leisure and soothe your aching limbs from long and tiring climb.

Day 53 - In Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

Enjoy a leisure day. You are on your own. Participating in a day tour in Kathmandu is a pleasant plan. You can also go for shopping in Thamel, a tourist hub where you can buy souvenir items like handicrafts and arts to your family. At eventide on day 56, we will relish a farewell dinner to celebrate our successful climb. While enjoying our supper, we will also be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.

Day 54 - International departure

Finally, the undeniable day of departure arrives. Thank you for joining us on this climb and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. We hope this venture has enriched your experience with happy memories. You will be assisted in your last minute preparation. Our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours before your scheduled flight. Keep in touch and hope to hear from you soon. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home.

Trip Includes

  • 1:1 Sherpa to climber ratio and 1:4 leader to client ratio to assist during climb
  • 4 bottled oxygen with use of latest mask and regulator
  • Nepalese government royalty fees for Lhotse.
  • All expedition organizational requirements
  • Island Peak climb for acclimatization
  • Service of base camp manager and climbing sirdars
  • Satellite communication system at base camp but nominal charge for use
  • Radio set for communication between camps
  • Meals at base camp and higher camps during expedition
  • Personal tents at BC, high tents, kitchen tents, dining tents, shower tents, toilet tents, store tents, cooking utensils and more for your comfort.
  • 6 nights accommodation at Kathmandu Guest House with breakfast on deluxe room
  • Meals (B,L,D) and accommodation during trek upto BC and back to Lukla after expedition
  • Ktm-Lukla-Ktm airfare
  • Staffs wages, allowances with their insurance
  • Common climbing equipment
  • Porterage of climbing equipment up to base camp and back to Lukla after expedition
  • Khumbu icefall route fee
  • Liaison officer daily wages and fees
  • Applicable national park fees and local taxes
  • 2 waterproof duffel bags

Trip Excludes

  • International airfare
  • Meals in Kathmandu
  • Custom for bringing any expedition goods
  • Nepal entry visa fees
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Insurance (Mandatory)
  • Summit bonus
  • Gratuities for staff
  • Personal expenses