DISCRIPTION

Lobuche: There are two distinct summits to Lobuje Peak - Lobuje East (6119m/20070ft) and Lobuje West (6145m/20161ft). Lobuje is an attractive summit, offering a variety of existing routes and a wide scope for new lines. 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 South-West Face and the line of the normal route of ascent. This in turn leads to the summit ridge running northwest from the top of East Face through several small summits to the East Peak. Lobuche East is the hardest of the trekking peaks that commercial groups attempt. In the Everest Region (Khumbu) only Kwangde and Kusum Kangru are more difficult. The main peak of Lobuche is Lobuche West and is not included in the trekking peak permit. Therefore for a legal climb to Lobuche West (Main Peak) an Expedition Peak Permit is required which is considerably more expensive. Now follows a description of Lobuche East (20075ft, 6119m 27 58 08N, 86 47 04S).Good conditions and a dawn or pre-dawn start is recommended. The average gradient for the entire climb is not steep, but there are areas of messy seracs that require two axes, front pointing and belaying. The ridge route is sometimes easier. Many climbers who take this approach stop at the top of the ridge, thinking this is the summit of Lobuche East. But infact a continuation on the knife-edged ridge is needed (roped!) to reach the true summit.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Day 2: 1/2 day Kathmandu sightseeing and preparations

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2840m), trek to Phakding (2610m)

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Day 5: Rest and acclimatision day in Namche Bazaar

Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (3867m)

Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4350m)

Day 8: Rest and acclimatisation day in Dingboche (4350m)

Day 9: Trek to Dzonghla (4830m)

Day 10-12: Trek to Lobuje Base Camp.

Day 13-16: Climbing Lobuje, an extra day is included in case of poor weather

Day 17-18: Return to Lukla

Day 19: Fly to Kathmandu

Day 20: Free time in Kathmandu

Day 21: Fly back home

INCLUDES

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Arrival Pick up and Departure Drop off
• Accommodation in Kathmandu as per above program
• All meals as specified for trek in Camp and Tea House
• All internal local transport as per the itinerary.
• Internal flights as per itinerary.
• All trekking arrangements including permits , government taxes and agency service charge
• Accommodation in twin sharing Tent or local lodges
• Trekking guide & porter (salary, insurance, food, accommodation & other allowances).
• Necessary climbing gears
• Basic first aid kit is carried by your leader.
• Farewell dinner after the trip

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Insurance must have which cover your rescue cost,
• Plastic boot hire
• Kathmandu food lunch & dinner,
• Personal expenditure,
• all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, mineral water, Hot water, snacks,
• We recommend you bring water purifier & neutralizer tablets to reduce your cost of traveling & to help you be a more environmentally friendly traveler etc.
• Porter, Guide & other tips.
• Personal clothing & equipment.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional trips. Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond Namaste Adventurte control.
• Anything else not specified in the ‘included costs’ section above

Equipment and Packing List

While packing for Trek certain equipments are essential. Please Click here for this trip's comprehensive checklist.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Insurance is must for our treks and trekking peak expeditions in Nepal you need insurance that includes "hiking" to 6000m/7000m AND helicopter evacuation. In Tibet there is no possibility of helicopter rescue. For trekking peaks, do get the correct policy, even if we are only climbing for a day or two. Note "winter sports" is skiing; not needed for a trek. Do read the fine print to ensure you are covered. First talk with your household insurer, your medical insurer (especially if you live in the USA or Canada) or your travel agent. Your household insurer or your medical insurer should be able to offer a cheaper policy than a travel agent, however ensure it covers the specific activities, such as hiking or guided+roped mountaineering.

Team Composition

Team composition is important to ensure safety and comfort of the climbers. We observe high safety standards, therefore, for 2 International Climbers, we assign:

• HGT Accredited Climbing Leader
• Cook
• Base Camp Assistance and other necessary trek crew such Porters, Yaks and Yak man
• Because of our high safety standards, team members would be added as per the number of international climbers.

Health and Experience Requirements

It's not necessary to be in extremely good shape to enjoy this trek. If you can have fun walking for 3-6 hours with a few 20 minute breaks mixed in, you can accomplish this trek. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales. On our application form we ask you to inform of us your condition, previous illnesses, health and medical situations we should know about, what medications you are taking, etc. Please help us to be informed by being honest and fully truthful when you complete it. Thank you.

Best Season

Most of the Ice Climbing to Island Peak are operated during the pre and post monsoon seasons. However, we also operate the expedition in early winter.

Meals

In a tea house trek you can expect to get mostly continental and local foods and can choose it from the a la carte menus. You can also get some Tibetan, Chinese, Nepalese and even Indian and Italian dishes on the tea houses. The food is good and well enjoyed by the trekkers. In higher altitudes near the base camps, you get less varieties than in the lower altitudes. Wherever possible we try to offer you fresh vegetables from local areas, fresh fruits etc. You are allowed to choose the food you like but it is wiser not to order different dishes for each persons as cooking so many dishes takes a long time. Some lodges do not have many ovens and may be they have only one cook. Making a combined order saves time, specially in lunch. You can buy bottled water during trekking route but we suggest you to bring water purifiers to avoid bottled water. Water bottles are major source of pollution in the mountains.

Trekking Day

You will be experiencing the ‘early to bed and early to rise’ schedule. A typical trekking day starts at around 6 or 7 am. Enjoy the hearty breakfast and begin trekking. Carry your pack containing personal items you need for the day. The porters and yaks carry all the loads. Walk at your own pace, enjoy the scenery, chat with the natives, and take photographs. The lunch time depends upon the terrain and is prepared by our catering team. Generally you stop for lunch after about 4 hours of walking. The lunch hour also helps in acclimatization. The aim would be to reach next stop by the sunset. After reaching the overnight stay point, check in to rooms then you relax with a cup of tea or coffee. If time permit take a pleasure walk around.

Climbing Day

The climbing itinerary may vary according to the climber’s personal experience. A climbing day involves a steady climbing for 3-4 hours in the morning. After taking lunch rest and relax, there is a climb of 2-3 hours in the afternoon. However, flexibility in climbing itinerary is necessary as people climb at their own pace and respond individually to the stresses of climbing. We ensure the ratio of climbers and Sherpa guides focusing on high safety measures so that each individual climber is able to progress at their own rate.

Leader(s) and Staff Arrangements

The most significant thing that makes our trek successful, enjoyable and memorable is the skilled, experienced and helpful trek leader and the crew members with ability of operating our days in the mountain smoothly. Our trip will be led by the best and most professional leaders. All of our trekking and Climbing leaders are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude. Trekking leaders of Namaste Adventure are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, and English language etc: Intensive Wilderness First Aid, Trekking Guide Training To meet our team, check out the Team Page