Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Tea House/Lodges/Camps
3 Course Meals (B, L, D)
Moderate
6,090 meters/19,980 feet
Trekking and Climbing
Reaching Summit of Lobuje Eas
Stunning Views Including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pumo Ri, etc.
Sherpa Culture, Various Monasteries, Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, Diverse Flora and Fauna and Sagarmatha National Park
Lobuje (also spelled Lobuche) is a known as Lhauche among the locals. Lobuje East (6,090 m/19,980 ft), located in the Everest region of Nepal, is one of the two summits of the Lobuje Peak range, with Lobuje East being more frequently associated with trekking while Lobuje West (6,135 m/20,128 ft) is known for mountaineering expeditions.
A long, deeply notched ridge separates the two peaks, and the challenging terrain makes it impossible to approach Lobuje West from the East peak. The summit of Lobuje East is slightly lower than Lobuje West, but still requires a technical climb involving glacier travel, rock climbing, and snow slopes. Climbers will encounter exposure to crevasses and steep terrain, making it essential to use ropes and crampons for safety.
The climb provides breathtaking views of of the Himalayas. From the top, you can see Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, along with the iconic Ama Dablam. To the west, the views extend to Cho Oyu, Cholatse, Taboche, Kangtenga, Tharmaserku, Kwangde, and Pumo Ri. The Lobuje East peak was first ascended on April 25, 1984, by Larry Nielson and Any Gyaltsen Sherpa. Lobuje East offers a challenging and rewarding climb, often combined with the famous Everest Base Camp trek.
Most of the trekkers climb the summit ridge only as far as a subsidiary snow summit, before the notch, south-east of the true peak. While trekking to the East Peak, you need to be careful of the false summits. While it presents a significant technical challenge, reaching the summit of Lobuje East Peak is achievable with proper preparation. Despite these challenges, the thrill of navigating the technical sections adds to the adventure. Lobuje Peak offers a variety of trekking routes, some already existing and other probable ones. When seen from near Pheriche, the dark triangle of its rocky East Face rises above the moraines of the Khumbu Glacier to an icy skyline. This skyline forms the South Ridge, the junction of the East Face with the glaciated route of ascent. This in turn leads to the summit ridge running north-west from the top of the East Face through several small summits to the East Peak.
The adventure to Lobuche East Peak with EBC (Everest Base Camp) begins in Lukla, the gateway to numerous excursions in the Khumbu region. The trek follows a moderate trail through charming Sherpa villages and crosses the Dudh Koshi River multiple times. You’ll enter Sagarmatha National Park before ascending to the renowned Namche Bazaar.
From there, the scenic trail leads to Tengboche Monastery, a beautiful spot offering panoramic views of Everest, along with the opportunity to visit its vibrant monastery. Continuing on, you’ll venture into the stunning mountain wilderness, reaching the settlements of Dingboche and Lobuche. From Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft), it takes about three to four hours to hike along a well-marked trail to the High Camp (5,400 m/ 17,717 ft). From High Camp, the route ascends a series of increasingly steep slabs leading to the South East Ridge itself. These slabs are often covered in ice or snow, requiring caution, and it needs to be roped in at this stage. About 50 meters from the main ridge, the slabs end, and you’ll encounter a 45-degree snow wall that you need to climb to reach the ridge. There’ll be fixed ropes available. The ridge starts at approximately 5,670 meters (18,802 feet). As you follow the ridge, you’ll navigate around seracs and ascend various “lumps and bumps” toward the first summit. While there are no major difficulties, you might feel a sense of exposure along the way. Between the first/false summit and the true summit, there’s a significant descent that may require rappelling before tackling the final 60 meters (197 feet) or so.
Lobuje East is a popular peak for those seeking a technical challenge without the extreme difficulty of higher peaks. Lobuche East Peak with EBC-Everest Base Camp trek offers an unforgettable Himalayan experience with the added benefit of exploring the Everest region in a more secluded and rugged way. For many climbers, reaching the summit of Lobuje East is either a stepping stone toward more challenging climbs or a memorable achievement in its own right.
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. As your plane lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the arrivals and escort you to your hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence. There will be a guided tour to UNESCO World Heritage Sites Boudhnath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and after that to Pashupatinath, the most popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. You take a tour to Patan also called as Lalitpur (the City of Artisans), which is 5 km away from Kathmandu. You will walk through Patan Durbar Square and delight in the architectural wonders of Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions at the square.
Early morning you will be transferred to Ramechhap airport (494 m/1,620 ft) to catch the Lukla flight. A scenic flight of 15 minutes from Ramechhap brings us to Lukla airport (2,840 m/9,318 ft), a cliff-hanging airport in Khumbu from where most of the Everest trekking is started. After meeting the crew, you head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and then stay overnight in Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft).
From Phakding, you cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo (2835 m/ 9301 ft) is the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. You then take a steep hike to Namche Bazar (3,440 m/11,286 ft), one of the most important stopovers while trekking in Nepal. If the weather is clear, you get the first glimpse of Mt. Everest on this day. Namche is the main trading center in the Khumbu region and has a busy Saturday market – a meeting place for the locals and the people from neighboring vicinity.
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, teashops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, you can visit Khunde Village (3,840 m/12,598 ft) which has Hospital set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, and Khumjung Village (3,780 m/12,402 ft) which have a monastery known for having famous yeti scalp or take a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.
From Namche Bazar, the trail contours on to the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Koshi. You get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by some settlements with numerous teashops, you descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phungi Thanga (3,250 m/10,663 ft). The village is an ideal stopover for lunch. Here you can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche Monastery, one of the most remarkable monasteries you visit during Everest Base Camp Trek. Although the hike up the zigzag path is tiring, it presents us with many beautiful sights of rhododendron bushes with beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche (3,860 m/12,664 ft) is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. A spectacular panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam rising in the horizon can be seen from here.
You descend downhill through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This village is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6,814 m/22,356 ft) and has exceptional views of the mountain with the monastery, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. A further two hours’ walk-through scrub junipers bring you to Dingboche (4,410 m/14,469 ft).
A full day has been allocated for acclimatization. You get to wander up the valley to the summit of Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m/16,677 ft), from where you can get the stupendous 360-degree view of the mountains including Mt. Makalu (8,463 m/27,766 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m/27,490 ft), Cho Oyu (8,201 m/26,906 ft), Imja Tse (Island Peak) (6165 m / 20226 ft), Ama Dablam (6814 m / 22356 ft), Khangtega (6,783 m/22,254 ft), Thamserku (6,623 m/21,729 ft), Tawoche (6,501 m/21,329 ft) and Cholatse (6,423 m/21,073 ft). Another option can be a hiking to Chhukung Village (4,730 m/15,518 ft)) – the last village before Island Peak. If you want to push yourself a bit harder, you can also climb Chhukung Ri (5,550 m/18,209 ft), from where you can get the impressive view of Imja Tse (Island Peak), Imja Glacier, Ama Dablam, Makalu and Nuptse. In that case an early start from Dingboche is required.
You continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawoche on the left. Then turn right and take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Thogla (Dughla) (4,620 m/15,157 ft) is a good spot to have lunch. The trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier's terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to many Sherpas and international climbers like Scott Fisher who have died while climbing Mt. Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft).
A very early start is required to reach Gorak Shep. The trail offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. You stop for lunch at Gorak Shep (5,14o m/16,864 ft). Later in the afternoon, you make your way to the Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,598 ft). It takes several hours as the trail weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, you can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu Icefall and the route to the South Col. You will return back to Gorak Shep (5,14o m/16,864 ft) for the overnight stay.
Early morning, you make your way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Patthar (5,550 m/18,209 ft). Way to Kala Patthar is steep trail so you will take comfortable pace to reach on the top. The view from the top of Kala Patthar is one of the finest views of mighty Everest. You can also see Lintren (6,713 m/22,024 ft) and Khumbu Tse (6,639 m/21,782 ft) and Pumori (7,161 m/23,494 ft) mountains. You will spend some time on the summit and stroll back to Gorak Shep and continue down to Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft).
After an early lunch at the teahouse, you’ll begin your ascent toward Lobuche High Camp (5,400 m/ 17,717 ft). The trek starts on a relatively flat path for about two hours, allowing you to enjoy the surrounding scenery. As you progress, the trail becomes steeper, leading you towards a rocky wall that requires some effort to navigate. Once you successfully climb the rocky section, you will arrive at your overnight camp at an elevation of 5,400 meters (17,717 feet). Here, you can take a moment to rest and acclimatize, as well as enjoy a meal prepared for you. This stop is a crucial part of your journey, setting the stage for the next leg of the expedition.
The day begins early at 4:00 am as you start your climb on the rocky terrain of Lobuche Peak (6,090 m/19,980 ft). After about two hours of ascent, you will reach the crampon point, where you’ll take a short break to equip yourself for the steep climb ahead on the fixed lines. As you ascend, you’ll navigate around crevasses, continuing your climb for another 3-4 hours until you reach the false summit of Lobuche. From there, you’ll carefully cross a crevasse before tackling the final 10-minute push to the true summit of Lobuche East (6,090 m/19,980 ft), where only three climbers can stand at once. At the summit, you’ll have 5-10 minutes to take in the breathtaking views and capture photos to commemorate this incredible achievement. After soaking in the moment, you’ll begin your descent back to the high camp. Once you arrive, you’ll change your gear before trekking back to Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft) for the night, reflecting on a day of remarkable accomplishment and stunning vistas.
A spare day is kept if you miss the summit the day before. It’s essential that you wait if the weather condition worsens. Keeping an extra day ensures that you can summit the peak one way or other.
Leaving the Lobuche, you trek towards Pheriche (4,240 m/13,911 ft). Descending all the way downhill passing Duglha, you finally reach Pheriche. You are rewarded with the spectacular views of Cholatse, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Pokhalde, Thamserku, Kantega, etc.
Today’s trek is mostly downhill. You continue to follow the river and after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawoche, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From Tengboche you descend to the bridge over Imja River. At Phungi Thanga, you get to see the water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche Bazar (3,440 m/11,286 ft).
Our final day’s trek follows the Dudh Koshi back down to Lukla (2,840 m/9,318 ft). This last evening calls for a celebration. You have a party with your Sherpa guides and porters. You sample some ‘Chhyang’ (local beer) and try out some Sherpa dance steps. Altogether an end to a memorable trip on a merry note!
As your trek has concluded, you pack up early and head for the airstrip to hop a flight back to Ramechhap (494 m/1,620 ft). And you will be transferred to Kathmandu (1,340 m/4,396 ft) by the private vehicle. The rest of your day is free to do your own things. You could do some last-minute shopping and packing, or even go down for a stroll in Thamel, an internationally known hub for tourists in Asia.
This is a contingency day in case of Lukla flight delays. If you have free time, you can let go the strains of your trekking in the Himalaya. You can explore around the Heritage sites in the city, stroll down the streets of Thamel for local cultural experience, visit nearby monasteries, relax at a nearby spa centers or do some souvenir haunting in the local bazar.
Our support team will take you to the airport for your flight back home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as jungle tours at National Parks, do some wild-water rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking, etc.). Please ask us.
The Everest or Khumbu region lies in the eastern part of Nepal. Inhabited by the mountain people who have lived in harmony with their surroundings for hundreds of years, the Khumbu region has still retained its age-old practices. The region has some of the world’s tallest peaks including Everest (8,848.86 m/29,031.69 ft). This region, along with Annapurna region, is ranked as one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. The villages and places lying in this region are situated above 2000 m/6562 ft. Solu region at the south includes villages like Junbesi, Phaplu and Chiwong. Pharak is situated between Solu and Khumbu. Khumbu includes villages named Namche, Thame, Khumjung, Lobuche, Pangboche, Tengboche, etc. The major mountains are Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Khantega, Mera Peak, Imja Tse (Island Peak), Lintren, Cholatse, Lobuche, etc.
Sagarmatha National Park is the highest national park in the world. It was formally opened to public in July 19, 1976. The park covers an area of 1,148 sq km. It rises from its lowest point of 2,845 meters (9,335 feet) at Jorsale to 8,848.86 meters (29,031.69 feet) up to the summit of Everest. The park’s area is very rugged and steep, with its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers. It includes three peaks higher than 8000 m – Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m/29,031.69 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m/27,940 ft) and Cho Oyu (8,201 m/26,906 ft). In 1979 the park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s visitor centre is located at a hill in Namche Bazar, the fabled town of Everest trekking. The park’s southern entrance is a few hundred metres north of Monjo at 2835 m/9301 ft. Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), funded by the World Wildlife Fund and the Himalayan Trust, was established in 1991 to help preserve Everest’s environment. More than 118 species of birds such as the Impeyan pheasant and snow cock and more than twenty species of butterflies have made this park their home. Musk deer, wild yak, red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan thars, deer, langur monkeys, hares, mountain foxes, martens, and Himalayan wolves are found in the park.
The climate you experience during the Everest Base Camp Trek can be divided into four climate zones owing to the gradual rise in altitude. The climatic zones include a forested lower zone, a zone of alpine scrub, the upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth, and the Arctic zone where no plants can grow. The types of plants and animals that are found depend on the altitude. In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron are found. All vegetation that is found above this zone is shrubs. As the altitude increases, plant life is restricted to lichens and mosses. At an elevation of 5,750m begins the permanent snow line in the Himalayas. From this point there is no sign of greenery or vegetation. A common animal sighted in the higher reaches is the hairy animal yak. Dzopkyo (Jopkyo) a sterile male crossbreed between a yak and a cow is used to transport goods along the trail. Red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, wild yak, and Himalayan black bear are some of the exotic animals that are found in this region. A variety of birds can be sighted in the lower regions.
Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha)
Rising to the height of 8,848.86 meters (29031.69 feet), the world’s highest mountain that was named in 1865 after Sir George Everest. The mountain got its Nepali name Sagarmatha during 1960s, when the Government of Nepal gave the mountain the official Nepali name. In Sanskrit Sagarmatha means “Head of the Sky”. The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma or Qomolangma, which means “Goddess Mother of the Snows”. Climbers wishing to scale the peak have to obtain an expensive permit from the Nepal Government. More information on royalty can be found at https://www.tourismdepartment.gov.np/mountaineering-royalty. Everest Base Camp, which serves as a resting area and base of operations for climbers organizing their attempts for the summit, is located at the Khumbu glacier at an elevation of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). It receives an average of 450 mm (18 in) of precipitation a year. The climate of Mount Everest is extreme. In July, the warmest month, the average summit temperature is -19 °C (-2 °F).
George Mallory, a famous British adventurer, was one of the first climbers to attempt Everest. When he was asked why he wanted to climb Everest, he replied “Because it is there” – the line has become immortal in the history of Everest expedition. After two unsuccessful attempts, in 1924 he again tried to climb the peak with Andrew Irvine. They started on June 8, 1924 to scale the summit via the North Col route and never returned. The Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition later discovered their bodies near the old Chinese Camp in 1999. Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal were the first two climbers to set foot on the summit of Mt. Everest. They reached the summit at 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953 by climbing through the South Col Route. More than 7500 climbers have scaled the highest mountain since then. Also there have been more than 300 deaths on the mountain where conditions are so difficult that most corpses have been left where they fell. Some of them are visible from the standard climbing routes.
Lhotse
Lhotse (8,516 m/27,940 ft) is the fourth highest mountain in the world. It lies south of Mt. Everest. Two Swiss climbers F. Luchsinger and E. Reiss first climbed it in 1956 from the West face. Czech expedition led by Ivan Galfy scaled it via the South face in 1984. An impressive ring of three peaks makes up the Lhotse massif: Lhotse East or Middle, Lhotse and Lhotse Shar. The South Face of Lhotse is one of the largest mountain faces in the world.
Cho Oyu
Cho Oyu (8,201 m/26,906 ft) the sixth highest mountain in the world, has gained popularity among climbers just recently. The mountain sits on both sides of the border of Nepal and Tibet, about 30 km. west of Mount Everest. Cho Oyu in Tibetan means “the turquoise goddess.” The south face of Cho Oyu, facing Nepal, is quite steep and difficult, and is rarely climbed. The north side, accessed from Tibet, is more moderate, and there is a relatively safe route to the summit. In the autumn of 1954, an Austrian team made the first ascent via this route.
Nuptse
Nuptse (7,855 m/25,771 ft) lies southwest of Mt. Everest. It is situated in the Khumbu Himal. From the Tengboche Monastery, one of the iconic monasteries in Everest trek, Nuptse appears as a massive wall guarding the approach to Everest. The name Nup-tse in Tibetan means west peak. The main ridge, which is separated from Lhotse by a 7,556 m (24,790 ft) high saddle, is crowned by seven peaks and goes west-northwest until its steep west-face drops down more than 2,300 m to the Khumbu-glacier. Nuptse was first climbed on May 16, 1961, by Dennis Davis and Tashi Sherpa via the North Ridge during a British expedition led by Joe Walmsley.
Pumori
Pumori (7,161 m/23,494 ft) is just 8 km away from the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest. The magnificent view of the peak dominates the trail as you near Everest Base Camp. The ascent to this peak is described as a classic climb in the 7,000 meters (22966 feet) peak category. In Tibetan, ‘Pumo’ means girl and ‘Ri’, mountain. George Mallory, the famous English climber who lost his life trying to ascend Everest in 1924, named the peak. The German climber Gerhard Lenser was the first to reach the summit of Pumori in May 17, 1962. Pumori is a popular climbing peak.
Ama Dablam
Ama Dablam (6,814 m/22,356 ft) which means ‘mother’s necklace’, in Sherpa language is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It looks like a woman with outstretched arms or a woman wearing a long necklace. The mountain dominates the whole Everest Base Camp trek. Ama Dablam lies alongside Everest in the heart of the Khumbu Valley. Mt Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Everest can be seen at close quarters from Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam is considered to be a technical mountain to climb. Due to its towering ridges and steep faces, Ama Dablam is often called the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas.” Ama Dablam was first summited on March 13, 1961, by Mike Gill (New Zealand), Barry Bishop (USA), Mike Ward (UK), and Wally Romanes (New Zealand), who reached the peak via the Southwest Ridge.
Mera Peak
Mera Peak (6,470 m/21,227 ft) is the highest of Nepal’s trekking peaks. By its standard route, it is also the highest peak in Nepal that can be climbed without prior mountaineering experience. J.O.M. Roberts and Sen Tenzing first climbed it on 20 May 1953, from the standard route at Mera La. The mountain lies to the south of Everest, dominating the watershed between the wild and beautiful valleys of the Hinku and Hongu.
Imja Tse (Island Peak)
Imja Tse (6,165 m/20,226 ft) also known as Island Peak is another notable peak in Khumbu region. The peak was named Island Peak in 1953 by members of the British Mount Everest expedition because it appears as an island in a sea of ice when viewed from Dingboche. In 1983, the peak was officially renamed Imja Tse, but Island Peak remains the more popular name. It is actually an extension of the ridge descending from the southern end of Lhotse Shar (8,400 m/27,559 ft). The main land forms a semicircle of cliffs that rise to the north of the summits of Nuptse, Lhotse, Middle Peak and Lhotse Shar. Cho Oyu and Makalu lie to the east of the Island Peak. Baruntse, Amphu and Ama Dablam lie to the south. A British group as preparation for climbing Mt. Everest first climbed the peak in 1953.
Lobuje
Lobuje (also spelled Lobuche) is a known as Lhauche among the locals. Lobuche, is a mountain in Nepal located near the Khumbu Glacier and the settlement of Lobuche. It has two main peaks: Lobuche East (6,090 m/19,980 ft) and Lobuche West (6,135 m/20,128 ft). Lobuche East is classified as a “trekking peak” and Lobuche West as an “expedition peak.” As the easier of the two, Lobuche East is climbed more frequently. A long, deeply notched ridge separates the two peaks, and the challenging terrain makes it impossible to approach Lobuche West from the East peak. The first recorded ascent of Lobuche East was made by Laurence Nielson and Ang Gyalzen Sherpa on April 25, 1984, while Lobuche West was first climbed in 1955 via the South Shoulder.
Lukla
Lukla, a popular town in Khumbu, boasts of the region’s sole commercial airport. Lying at a height of 2,840 m (9,318 ft), the town is known as the gateway of Everest treks as most trekkers usually begin and end their Everest adventure in Lukla. The airport was built in 1964 by Sir Edmund Hillary as part of his project in Khumbu region during the early 60s to transport the supplies for the Himalayan Trust projects in the Khumbu region. Today, somewhere between 90-95% of the foreign nationals who reach Lukla, arrive by a half hour flight from Kathmandu.
Namche Bazar
Namche Bazar is known as the Sherpa capital. It is a famous center for everyone doing Everest trekking. Namche is actually a town lying at the junction of the Dudh Koshi and a valley that leads to the frontier pass of Nangpa La. It is tucked away in a niche at a height of 3,440 meters (11,286 feet). W. H. Tilman and C. Houston were the first westerners to enter it in 1950 and many more have come since then. Facilities like a bank, a post office, hotels and shops where one can purchase climbing equipment as well as canned food have sprung up over the years. Namche Bazar is the major regional trading center. Its Saturday market or Haat is the place where most of the trading takes place. The headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park is located in Namche Bazar.
Tengboche
Tengboche (3,860m/12,664 ft) is famous for Tengboche Gumba (monastery). It is one of the most important centers of Buddhism in the region. The gumba is the largest one you see during your Everest Base Camp trek. It was first built in 1923. Destroyed by a fire in 1989, it was rebuilt later on partly with foreign aid. From Tengboche, one gets a panoramic view of Kwangde, Tawoche, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Amadablam, Khangtega, and Thamserku.
Pangboche
Buddhism is believed to have been introduced in the Khumbu region towards the end of the 17th century by Lama Sange Dorjee. According to the legend, he flew over the Himalayas and landed on a rock at Pangboche and Tengboche, leaving his footprints embedded on the stone. He is believed to have been responsible for the founding of the first gumbas in the Khumbu region, at Pangboche and Thame. Pangboche (3,930 m/12,894 ft) is the highest year-round settlement in the valley. The Imja Khola, coming from the right, joins the Dudh Koshi River a little above the village. The gumba (monastery) in Pangboche is consideredto be one of the oldest in the Khumbu region.
Khumjung
Khumjung (3,780 m/12,402 ft), a village lying west of Tengboche, is famous for the gumba where the skull of a supposed Yeti, the Abominable Snowman, is preserved under the supervision of the head Lama. The skull seems more like the outer skin of Himalayan Brown Bear, and this is proved by the report of a scientific exploratory expedition conducted by Sir Edmund Hillary, a copy of which is kept in the gumba.
Pheriche
Pheriche is located at an altitude of 4,240 m (13,911 ft). It lies on a level patch. Apart from the basic facilities available here, there is a medical-aid post maintained by the Himalayan Rescue Association of the Tokyo Medical College with Japanese doctors in attendance. Among other facilities, there is an air compression chamber installed for assisting victims of high altitude sickness.
Kala Patthar
Kala Patthar (5,550 m/18,209 ft), meaning ‘black rock’, is a notable feature on the south ridge of Pumori in the Khumbu region, situated above Gorak Shep. Although it is not a true mountain, with a prominence of just 10 m (33 ft), it is a popular trekking destination because it provides the closest and most accessible views of Mount Everest. From Kala Patthar, trekkers can enjoy breathtaking views of Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse, as well as partial views of Lhotse’s northern face and summit. Other 6000-meter peaks visible from Kala Patthar include Ama Dablam, Chumbu, Thamserku, Kangtega, and Lobuche. Kala Patthar is the highest altitude most trekkers will reach during Everest Base Camp trek.
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp (EBC) is the iconic starting point for those venturing to the summit of Mt. Everest. It is also a thrilling destination in its own right. Situated at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) in Khumbu region, EBC offers an unparalleled experience of the Himalayas, attracting trekkers from around the globe eager to witness the grandeur of the world’s highest mountain up close. Everest Base Camp is not a traditional base camp with luxurious amenities but rather a vibrant collection of tents and temporary lodges that accommodate climbers. The site itself offers a dramatic view of the Khumbu Icefall and the towering peaks surrounding Everest. The surrounding peaks and the sprawling Khumbu Glacier create a breathtaking and otherworldly landscape.
Sherpas live in the upper regions of Solu Khumbu, the area that largely fall in Everest trekking trail. They emigrated from Tibet about 600 years ago. In the past they were traders and porters, carrying butter, meat, rice, sugar, and dye from India; and wool, jewelry, salt, Chinese silk and porcelain from Tibet and beyond. The closure of the border between India and China undermined their economy. Fortunately, with the mountaineering expeditions and trekkers, the Sherpa’s found their load carrying skills, both on normal treks and high altitudes in great demand. Now, these able bodied, hardy and fearless Sherpa are world class climbers known for their amazing climbing prowess. They are such an inseparable part of mountaineering and trekking in Nepal that any climbers and trekkers can rarely imagine doing a Himalayan adventure without their support.
At the lower elevations lives the Kiranti Rai. The villages of Jubing, Kharikhola, Okhaldhunga, are inhabited by the Rais. Of mongoloid stock, they speak their own dialect. Reference of their fighting spirit is made in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The people from this group have supplied recruits to Gurkha regiments both in the British as well as Indian armies. The Rais follow a religion that is partly animistic with some Hindu influence. They revere their ancestors by observing Kul or Pitri puja every year. The Jirels live in the area around Jiri. They are mongoloid and follow Buddhism.
Loshar
Lhosar is celebrated in the month of February by the Sherpas. ‘Lhosar’ means New Year in Tibetan language. Apart from the Sherpas and Tibetans, the Gurungs and Tamangs also celebrate Lhosar. Buddhist monks offer prayers for good health and prosperity at monasteries. People exchange various goods and gifts among them. Families organize feasts and perform dances.
Dumje
Dumje is celebrated to mark the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). The celebration takes place in June and lasts for six days. It is celebrated in a grand way in the villages of Namche, Thame and Khumjung, all important stopovers during Everest trekking.
Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is a festival that celebrates the victory of Buddhism over the ancient animistic religion of Bon. This festival is celebrated in the monasteries of Tengboche, Chiwang and Thame. At Tengboche, the most iconic monastery of the Everest trek, the celebration takes place during full moon of November – December. At Thame, Mani Rimdu is celebrated during full moon in May. Chiwang Gompa generally celebrates this festival during autumn. The Lamas wear elaborate brocade gowns and masks while performing. Through the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled, or converted to Dharma Protectors as positive forces clash with those of chaos. The dances convey Buddhist teaching on many levels from the simplest to the most profound, for those who do not have the opportunity to study and meditate extensively. It gives an opportunity to the Sherpas to gather and celebrate together with the monks.
Sakela (Chandi Dance)
Sakela (Chandi Dance) is a harvest festival celebrated by the Rai community. The harvest ceremony involves the worship of mother earth, called ‘Bhumi-Puja’. The festival is celebrated twice a year, once in spring before planting begins and once during autumn before harvesting. Ubhauli is celebrated during the spring season on Baishakh Purnima (full moon). In the autumn season on Mangsir Purnima, Udhauli is celebrated. The spring worship is done to propitiate mother earth for a good harvest and the rain god to bless the earth with enough rain. The festival is celebrated with more fervor in the remote hills. The Rai villagers celebrate it with priests (dhami) who perform rituals to worship their ancestors. The elders of the community begin the dance with a puja. Later on everybody participate in the dance forming a circle by holding each other’s hands. With drumbeats, they begin dancing at a slow pace but moves faster later with the drumbeats. The dance steps and hand gestures imitate the sowing and harvesting of crops. The festival also provides an opportunity for the Rai people to socialize.
Your booking of this Lobuje East Peak climbing will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of $1,000 and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.
If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply: • 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (US $1000) • 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost • 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost • Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost
In addition to this climbing expedition, we can organize extensions both within Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, etc. You may want to try water rafting or a jungle safari in Nepal or Nepal Cultural Tour. You may as well take a trip to Tibet or Bhutan, whichever seems more appealing to you.
It is fundamental to acknowledge that Lobuje East Peak climbing is an adventure tour. This requires some flexibility. The day to day itinerary is taken only as a guideline. We cannot be held responsible for any delays caused by International or domestic flights, strikes, Government regulations, weather or natural casualties etc. In such cases, Explore Himalaya shall provide suitable alternatives which will be decided upon mutual agreement. If you have any questions regarding this trip, please feel free to contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com or sales@explorehimalaya.com or directly by phone: +977-1-4518100. We answer all enquiries within 24 hours.
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