How difficult is the Everest Base Camp with Lobuche Peak Climb?
The first part of the journey is the Everest Base Camp Trek, which involves long days of hiking at high altitudes that reach up to 5364 m at Everest Base Camp.
Lobuche Peak is graded at the ‘2B’ level in the Alpine Grading System. It is among the practice peaks recommended for beginners but mountain climbing requires some technical skills, such as using an ice axe and crampons, rope management, and hiking on glaciers. The route involves steep ice and snow, crevassed glacier moraines, and rocky terrain.
Combining the Everest Base Camp Trek with the Lobuche Peak climb involves trekking at high elevations, gradually gaining altitude before culminating in the 6119 metres of Lobuche Peak. This kind of significant peak climbing and trekking can cause altitude sickness if proper acclimatisation is not followed.
Although Lobuche Peak Climbing is not technical compared to other challenging mountains in Nepal, the high altitude and long days make it very exhausting. The summit day is particularly arduous and requires 8-9 hours of steep climbing on snow and ice.
Moreover, the success rate is around 8 out of 10 climbers, so with proper fitness, you can navigate the summit more easily.
Best Season to visit the Everest Base Camp Trek with Lobuche Peak Climbing
Nepal experiences four distinct seasons, each with its charm. However, spring and autumn are widely considered the best times to embark on the Everest Base Camp trek with Lobuche Peak Climbing.
Spring Season
After the chill of winter subsides, the Everest region welcomes spring, marked by mild temperatures and clear skies that offer breathtaking views of the mountain ranges. Spring is renowned for its excellent visibility of the peaks and stable trail conditions, making it an ideal time for trekking and climbing. Daytime temperatures range from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius. This season is also notable for the blooming period, which fills the region with the fragrance of flowers in full bloom.
Autumn Season
Autumn is equally revered as one of the best times of the year for trekking and peak climbing in the Everest region. The season is enriched by festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, Mani Rimdu, and Lhosar, providing a unique opportunity to immerse in the local culture and lifestyle. The weather during autumn will be stable, featuring clear skies and mild temperatures, particularly favourable in October and early November. Daytime temperatures range from 1 to 15 degrees Celsius, with crisp and clear air that enhances the visibility of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
Accommodation
The Everest region, despite its remote location in the mountains, is known for providing relatively luxurious accommodations compared to many other trekking areas in Nepal. Up to Namche Bazaar, trekkers can find luxurious teahouses in lower elevations. These teahouses offer amenities such as private rooms, attached bathrooms with hot showers, and even Wi-Fi connectivity.
As trekkers ascend further, particularly from Tengboche onwards, accommodations typically transition to common rooms with attached bathrooms. While these lodgings may be more basic compared to the tea houses at lower elevations, the Everest region maintains a reputation for ensuring good availability and quality of accommodation throughout most of the journey.
Note: as per the classic package of NTE offers a private room with shared toilet bathrooms. If you would like to upgrade the service, talk to us.
Food
As one of the most visited trekking destinations, Everest offers a wide variety of food choices to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. Local Nepali cuisine, such as Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, pickle, etc), Potato dishes, Thenduk (hand-pulled noodle soup), and Thukpa (noodle soup), is readily available. For those preferring vegan or continental dishes, there are ample options to satisfy any craving.
However, as you ascend to higher altitudes, the availability of luxury food facilities may diminish. Nonetheless, teahouses and lodges along the trekking routes provide basic yet nourishing local meals that ensure a balanced diet. These options include dal bhat (rice and lentils), vegetables, potatoes, eggs, and sometimes meat, depending on the elevation and accessibility of supplies.
Permit Cost
To explore the Everest Base Camp with Lobuche Peak, trekkers need different kinds of trekking and climbing permits which are given below:
Everest Base Camp Trek Permit Cost Breakdown:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3000 per person.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: NPR 2000 per person.
Lobuche Peak Climbing Permit Cost Breakdown:
- Spring (March–May): USD 250 per person.
- Autumn (September–November): USD 125 per person.
- Winter (December–February): USD 70 per person.
- Summer (June–August): USD 70 per person.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is crucial when embarking on trekking and peak climbing adventures in Nepal, given the inherent risks like altitude sickness, adverse weather, accidents, and medical emergencies. It's essential to have comprehensive coverage that includes specific aspects:
Firstly, coverage for high-altitude sickness and provisions for helicopter evacuation in emergencies are paramount. This ensures prompt medical assistance and evacuation if needed due to altitude-related issues.
Secondly, the policy should encompass accidents and injuries that may occur during trekking or climbing, providing financial protection for unforeseen medical expenses costs.
Additionally, comprehensive travel insurance should cover emergency medical care beyond altitude sickness, including any unforeseen illnesses or injuries, flight cancellations or delays that may arise during the journey.
Lastly, it's advisable to ensure coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged equipment, including personal belongings and climbing gear, which are essential for the trek and climb.
Before departure, it's essential to carefully review insurance policies to confirm they adequately cover both trekking and peak climbing activities in Nepal. If necessary, consider obtaining separate policies or consulting with insurance providers to ensure comprehensive coverage for all anticipated risks and activities.
Telephone and Wifi
Even in the high elevations of the Everest region, access to internet and telephone services is available, although their reliability can vary as you ascend.
Many tea houses along the trekking routes offer Wi-Fi access with a fee, typically ranging from $3 to $5 per day. Similarly, there are areas with phone services and mobile reception so that trekkers can stay connected with the outside world.
To ensure continuous connectivity throughout the trek, it's advisable to purchase a local SIM card from providers, like Nepal Telecom in Kathmandu before starting your journey. This allows you to make calls and use mobile data where available along the trail.
It's important to note that charging facilities for electronic devices may vary by accommodation. Some tea houses may allow you to charge devices in your room, while others may charge a small fee (more or less 5 USD in local currency for a device charging) for charging in the main dining hall. Carrying a power bank is recommended to ensure you can charge your devices regardless of the availability of electrical outlets.
Porter
Porters are invaluable helpers on treks in Nepal. They carry your luggage and allow you to fully enjoy the journey without the burden of heavy loads. While hiring a porter is not mandatory, it enhances your trekking experience by lightening your load. Typically, a porter costs around $25 per day including his salary, meals, accommodation, transportation, and insurance and can carry up to 20 kilograms of weight. It's advisable to hire porters according to your specific needs and the weight of your belongings so you can trek comfortably while they handle the logistics of your gear. This arrangement supports the local economy and contributes to a more enjoyable trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Trekking with peak climbing gear
Clothing
- Raincoat, poncho, or combination jacket/trousers
- Four Seasons down jacket
- A down vest
- Windproof trousers
- Two pairs of hiking pants
- One pair of shorts
- Four T-shirts (depending on the duration of the trek)
- One fleece jacket
- Two pairs of base layers (Merino wools or similar)
- Four pairs of hiking socks and a couple of pairs of thicker socks (Merino wool or similar)
- Two pairs of gloves—one light fleece, the other waterproof/windproof climbing gloves
- Undergarments
- Harnesses, Jumar, carabineers, safety helmet, ice axe, rope, 4-season tents, sleeping pad, ice screw, snow bars, etc.
Footwear
- Climbing boots
- Flip-flops for leisure time around camp or one pair of sneakers
Other Equipment
- Climbing Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat, woolen or fleece hat, first aid kit, Swiss army knife (optional), luggage cover, headlamp, trekking poles, gaiter, crampons, water purification tablets or Steripen, extra batteries, adapter, power bank, water bottles/camel bag/Thermos, washing powder/multi-purpose soap, shampoo, a small towel, antiseptic hand wash, toiletries, female hygiene products, wet wipes, earplugs, reading books, playing cards/chess
- Sleeping bag rated to minus 20 degrees celsius extreme, depending on trekking or climbing route and season.
- Backpack (60 liters)
- Daypack (25 to 30 liters)
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