Mt. Lhotse Expedition
Trip Duration:
60 Days
Trip Code:
EXL
Trip Grade:
Moderate
No. of Pax:
From
$ /person
Overview
Mt. Lhotse (8,516m) that lies 3km south of Mt. Everest is the 4th highest mountain in the world. It is not considered a part of Mt. Everest. It has its own massif like Everest made up with 3 peaks called Lhotse. East or Middle, Lhotse & Lhotse Shar. The south side of Lhotse is one of the most attractive walls of the world. Any climber attempting to climb the south ridge of Mount Everest has to climb the western edge of Lhotse which is ever covered with blue ice glacier. It was the German Expedition team who established the specific route for the first time to summit Mount Lhotse in 1977.
Both Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse expeditions follow the same route across the Khumbu Ice Fall and the Western Cwm to camp 3 at the Lhotse face. On the way to Everest’s Camp 4, just above the Yellow Band, the Lhotse route takes another direction. Some very strong climbers can climb Lhotse and Mt Everest at the same time, in a long expedition attempt, but for most of us climb Mt.Lhotse in a single attempt.. Many climbers agree that Lhotse is more difficult to climb than Everest due to the very steep ice and rock sections in the Lhotse couloir. So, climbers’ definitely need to be very fit and experienced. There are a few extra advantages, though, the Lhotse climbing permit is much cheaper and there will be no crowds on the mountain from Camp 4 to the summit!
Mt. Lhotse Expedition trip starts with a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and from there we follow the trail to Everest Base Camp via several Sherpa villages of Namche Bazaar, Thyangboche (Monastery), Pheriche, Lobuche, Gorakshep and finally reach the Everest Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,700 ft .From here we cross the famous Khumbu Ice Fall and set our first camp, Camp I at 6,400m. Camp II is set at 6,750m, Camp III at 7,100m and the last Camp IV at 7,850m). From here we push for the summit.
Itinerary:
Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world and located opposite of Mt Everest’s South face in the Everest region, Nepal. The South col actually connects Mt Everest and Lhotse to each other, which means that both expeditions follow the same route across the Khumbu Ice Fall and the Western Cwm to camp 3 at the Lhotse face. On the way to Everest’s Camp 4, just above the Yellow Band, the Lhotse route takes another direction. Some very strong climbers have even climbed Lhotse and Mt Everest in one, long expedition, but
for most of us, Lhotse is a great, single very high mountain to climb, very close to Everest. Many climbers agree that Lhotse is more difficult to climb than Everest due to the very steep ice and rock sections in the Lhotse couloir. So, climbers’ definitely need to be very fit and experienced. There are a few extra advantages, though, the Lhotse climbing permit is much cheaper and there will be no crowds on the mountain from Camp 4 to the summit!
Arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This day is simply an arrival day and there will no organized activities. So, you will have some free time to relax or walk around for local sights. A pre-departure meeting will be held early evening or next day as per your convenience. In the meeting you will be introduced with our Climbing Sherpa. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
After breakfast at Hotel your guide will meet you and take you to city sightseeing in the Kathmandu valley. You will visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site and possibly you can view cremation and Hindu rituals along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue on to Patan Durbar Square and explore ancient Nepalese architecture and end your tour with a lunch. After that you will view ancient Nepalese art in the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu
Early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft). After final preparations the expedition starts passing through Chaurikharka village and makes a descent towards the Dudhkosi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the precise bank of the Dudhkosi River until camp at Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) is reached. This first day is made short for acclimatization reasons.
The trail starts through a level path along the right bank. You cross a stream and climb the terraced hill from the Dudh Koshi route to arrive at Benkar. The trail now climbs from the river bed on the left bank into the mountain, through a forest to Chumoa. You continue along a path with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and pass by the tiny Sherpa village. Now you descend the path of stone steps and return to the right bank. After a short climb you come to stop at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance counter where National Park fee is collected. After your departure from Jorsale you enter a forested mountainside. You follow a short walk along the riverbed of this V-shaped valley where the river forks – the right is the Dudh Koshi and theleft is the Bhote Koshi that leads to Nampa La. After short distance along the Bhote Kosi you begin the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. As the mountain path zigzags uphill, you will emerge at a ridge top rest area that offers excellent views of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m.), The climb eases somewhat, and Namche Bazaar appears ahead as you travel along the path surrounded by pines. You will pass the plateau where the Saturday bazaar is held and enter the village. Namche Bazar (3440m) is surrounded on three sides bymou ntain ranges and opens out only where it faces the Bhote Koshi. The village is a central hub of the areaand food, sun dries and even mountain climbing equipment are available for hiring and purchasing here.
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of
lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day
for acclimatization to the high altitude trek in the Everest region. For the acclimatization you will walk upto
Khumjung where you can visit monastery. Khumjung is densely populated by Sherpa community. You can
also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche and Kongde.
Or, you may have an hour walk up to Everest View Hotel for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse,
Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. You can also visit the National Park Centre and
Museum just above the town. This museum exhibits Sherpa culture.You leave the village for a climb to the top of a ridge and level mountain path that offers an excellent panorama of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kusum Kangrib. To the right there is a steep cliff that drops down to the Dudh Koshi, faintly visible on the valley floor below. As you make your way around a branch ridge, Ama Dablam (6812m) Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse (7855m) and Tawoche (6501m) suddenly appear. After a gentle descent, the mountain path ends; you will come to the fork leading to Gokyo. Now you descend past ge of Trashinga. Though you cannot see it, you can hear the Dudh Kosi and soon you descend to the river and arrive at Phunki Tenga. It is a long climb to Tyangboche; the first half is especially steep. As you climb through the forested zone, the incline eases and a splendid view appears. Continue climbing the mountainside diagonally until you come to the stone gate built by lamas which marks your entry into Tyangboche (3867m). You may use the large plateau in front of the splendid monastery for your campsite. There are a lodge and hotel managed by the National Park Service. Tyangboche is an important lookout point on this route and the sunset on Everest and Ama Dablam is especially beautiful.
The trail passes on a slope track then climbs gently becoming steeper & passes the forest & small lodges & reaches to Pangboche. Pangboche is a village of Sherpas but famous for its Monastery & it is claimed that the Yeti’s scalp & the fingers of hand are kept in this Monastery. After Pangboche the trail passes through the meadow fields & several tea houses & after 3 hrs reaches to Pheriche for the night camp.
Leaving Pheriche, the trail meanders up the open valley, beautiful when the weather is fine. A smaller trail then branches off to the left and heads directly to the bridge over a few slippery boulders, while the main path heads up to join the trail directly from Dingboche just a minute before the bridge to Tukla. Climb the ridge behind Dingboche on one of the many trails to the higher plain. There are several paths to follow, all leading to the bridge across Tukla. Beyond Tukla, the hill immediately is tough. And the trail climbs gently and reaches with in 2 hrs to Lobuche.
Today the trail is the longest one as it may take about 8 hours for the roundtrip. The trail from Lobuche to Gorakshep gently climbs and takes about 4 hrs but the walk to Kalapatthar is a bit harder as it is a steep climb for about 3 hours. Trekkers may have breathing problems due to high altitude. Kalapatthar is situated in the bottom of Pumori and provides the panoramic views of the whole mountains in the Khumbu area. Then we descend down to Gorakshep for our night camp, which takes about 1 hrs, descent.
Today the trail takes you to the base of Mt Everest. The trail passes through the yak meadows & mostly on yak trails. The trail also passes the Khumbu Glacier. We will camp at Everest Base camp.
After the Base camp, we cross crevasses, Sercs and ice black. Similarly, we head way up to Chunks of ice which is as large as houses on the route where we would fix ropes and aluminum ladders to climb up camp 1 (6400m)
We follow the steep descent to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier, continuing along the rugged route to Lobuche
We start our pleasant trek down through the forest with magnificent view of mountains. The trail takes us through the forested path and a bit difficult walk to get to Tengboche which is one of the most beautiful places in the Himalaya and there we visit the biggest Monastery, situated beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam.
A steep descent of around 1500ft/500m leads through bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Kosi River. Crossing a suspension bridge, we climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the contouring path leading back to Namche Bazaar. Namche is the perfect place to enjoy some well-deserved celebrations!
A steep descent for 600m/2,000ft leads to the suspension bridge crossing the river Dudh Koshi. We cross the river twice more before a rising traverse up the hill-side, past numerous tea-houses to Lukla.
An early morning flight takes us back to Kathmandu, and gives us a last view of the mountains we have just spent two weeks exploring.
On this pleasant day you may have a full day at leisure either relax at hotel or explore around Thamel. Or, you may do your last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives.
Our airport representative will come to pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the International Airport according to your departure flight time
Trip Map:
What is included
What is Excluded
Mt. Lhotse Expedition 2024/2025 Cost and Departure Dates
Trip Code
Arrival Date
Departure Date
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Price
Nitty Gritty
General Information
Trip Notes tell you about the itinerary details and supplementary information of the relevant trip of Trek Himalayan. We have prepared specific trip notes adhering to fixed travel dates. Please check which travel dates suit you. If you find any trip notes missing or only partially received while sending to you by email, please bear with us. They will be there anytime soon.
FAQ
- Nepal is a land of ancient history, colorful cultures and multi- religions found nowhere else on the planet! There are many festivals and cultural events celebrated throughout the year in the various regions by different Nepalese ethnic groups who follow their own way of religious practice, lifestyle, language, culture, and tradition keeping peace and harmony in society.
- Yes, at first, Trek Himalayan airport representative will receive you at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the hotel lobby our team leader will brief you about the itinerary, climbing gear and introduction of Climbing Sherpa guide.
- In Kathmandu we provide 4 stars category hotels with breakfast in twin sharing basis, during the trek clean basic tea house/lodge with full board (breakfast, lunch& dinner) in twin sharing basis and mountain expedition we provide spacious quality tents for all team members including our crew. In the base camp we provide dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet facilities and portable shower facilities etc. In Base Camp we make access to communication facilities such as satellite telephone and internet access, solar panels to charge your batteries and UHF/VHF hand held radios on the mountain to maintain communications between main Base Camp and high camps.
- In Kathmandu, we do provide you breakfast only. During the expedition trip we provide full board meals that include, breakfast (local or western), freshly available lunch and dinner. During the climbing in the higher altitudes meals will be served as per the regulations.
- Tipping is a tradition in tourism in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. We highly suggest you to be generous while tipping Nepalese staff. But, tipping is not mandatory for the western tour leader.
