$6,995 USD
Annually; 1st April - 22nd April
Our classic Lobuche expedition is one of our most popular Himalayan programs because it allows aspiring climbers not only the opportunity to tag a Himalayan gem but also to tick off a bucket list trek to Everest Base Camp and stay in Base Camp Proper for 2 nights alongside an Everest summit team.
You start your adventure by meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal. Here we will do thorough gear checks, have team briefings, pack and organise our gear for the climb and trek ahead.
Following our time in Kathmandu we fly as a team to Lukla to start the trek. We land at the Hillary runway at roughly 9,000ft/3,000m. From the moment you land in Lukla you will be at altitude. It’s important to take it easy and let your body adjust to the altitude naturally.
We take our time on the most iconic trek in the world, spending time visiting famous cultural and religious sights on our way through this scenic valley in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains. Our slow acclimatization schedule means there is plenty of time to explore landmarks like the famous Tengboche Monastery where you can stop by to visit a High Lama and receive a blessing, take time to explore the famous Namche Bazaar – the Sherpa capital or have a beer in the world’s highest pub. Passing by countless Tibetan Buddhist stupas and chortens, you will feel the rich culture of Tibetan Buddhism and the Sherpa come alive.
We choose to implement a slow acclimatization schedule, not just so you can take in the sights and sounds of the valley but to ensure you enjoy your trek and climbs and feel great throughout.
Altitude isn’t something to be feared; it’s achievable for most people but it is a process which can’t be rushed. Generic treks and climbs that move too quickly often have disgruntled, unwell people because their bodies are struggling to adjust.
You will trek alongside an actual Everest summit team who you will also climb Lobuche with.
Staging the climb from our well equiped Base Camp we will conduct training clinics before moving up to High Camp to begin our ascent.
Lobuche is such a great, scenic climb (offering similar terrain & climbing to Everest, albeit at lower altitude) that all of our Everest climbers make the ascent of Lobuche en route to Everest base camp as one of their acclimatization rotations.
Following your Lobuche climb you continue your trek to Everest Base Camp where you can celebrate with a 2x night visit to Base Camp Proper staying at CTSS’ famed camp celebrating.
Here you will also have the opportunity for some additional climbing in the lower part of the Khumbu icefall and a free day to unwind and explore.
Leaving Base Camp, enjoy the descent back down the valley, taking in your achievement in this remarkable corner of the world before flying back to Kathmandu and onward home.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule will be strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc. We begin our expedition in Kathmandu, Nepal, where we obtain our climbing permits before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley to trek to Lobuche Base Camp. Our climb ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Day 1: Team arrives in Kathmandu
- Day 2: Obtain climbing permits, free day in Kathmandu, team dinner
- Day 3: Fly to Lukla and start trekking to Phakding
- Day 4: Trek to Namche
- Day 5: Rest day and acclimatization hike in Namche
- Day 6: Trek to Tengboche
- Day 7: Rest day and acclimatization hike in Tengboche. Visit the Tengboche Monastery
- Day 8: Hike to Pheriche
- Day 9: Rest day and acclimatization hike in Pheriche
- Day 10: Hike to Lobuche Base Camp, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 11: Acclimatization hike Lobuche High Camp, skills refresher, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 12: Move to Lobuche High Camp, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 13: Acclimatization above Lobuche High Camp, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 14: Summit Lobuche East & return to Lobuche Base Camp, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 15: Trek to Everest Base Camp, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 16: Explore Everest Base Camp, overnight in CTSS tented camp
- Day 17: Trek to Pheriche
- Day 18: Trek to Namche
- Day 19: Trek to Lukla
- Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu
- Day 21: Fly Home
- Day 22: Contingency Day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Classic Lobuche Expedition:
- Leadership, strategy, climbing oversight including full support for a summit attempt
- Climbing Sherpa to assist with carrying personal gear
- Full expedition logistics, weather forecasts, etc
- Climbing permits for Lobuche
- Training and skills refresher clinics at Lobuche &
- Everest Base Camp
- Domestic flights to and from Lukla
- In country transport associated with the program itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in Nepal including hotels and teahouses (twin share)
- 2x nights accommodation at Everest Base Camp proper
- Welcome dinner & meals throughout the expedition
- Access to medical and communications gear
- Mountain camp infrastructure and logistics including tents
- On mountain meals
Excluded in the Classic Lobuche Expedition:
- International flights to Kathmandu, Nepal
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport,
- Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; non-team meals while in Kathmandu, personal snacks, specialized high altitude climbing food, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, 3rd party internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Sherpa tip pool
- Guide tip (customary but optional) Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
- Unused Contingency Days at the end of your program: CTSS covers one night in the hotel in Kathmandu on your return. If you decide to stay longer in Kathmandu beyond this night, those costs are your responsibility. We highly recommend that while you should plan to be away from home for the entire duration of the expedition including contingencies days, you book a flexible return airfare so you can move your flight forward if you don’t use all of the contingency days or push it back as you need.