The famous trek to Everest Base Camp, combined with an ascent of the 6119 m Lobuche East, is considered moderately ambitious. It is suitable for those who already have experience in high-altitude trekking in medium mountains (e.g. Mont Blanc), but it can also be managed with our assistance, even without prior experience. The key requirements are following acclimatization principles, being able to handle high altitudes, and maintaining good physical and mental health.
The trek will take us on an acclimatization hike to Nepal's most popular trekking destination – the Solo Khumbu Valley. Here, we will closely observe Mt. Everest from the summit of Kala Pathar, following in the footsteps of the first expeditions. The valley is dominated by the Matterhorn of the Himalayas – the beautiful Ama Dablam, and we will also see the imposing southern face of Lhotse and the Everest summit rising behind it. The route is lined with several other 6,000-meter peaks, and along the way, we will also have views of our summit goal – Lobuche East.
The trek begins with a flight from Lukla Airport, where we will then trek through small villages to the Sherpa heartland – Namche Bazaar. From there, we will head to the cultural center of Khumbu – the monastery in Tengboche, where we can take part in a Buddhist puja ceremony. Afterward, we continue our trek through villages until reaching the final settlement of Gorak Shep, where we will visit Everest Base Camp.
On our way back, just past Lobuche village, we will head towards the base camp of Lobuche East.
The ascent itself is not technically difficult; it involves walking and a steep ascent using fixed ropes, jumars, and crampons. It's not technical climbing in the traditional sense. The ascent takes two days, and from the summit, we will enjoy spectacular views of the valley's iconic peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and the nearby Cho La. Below us, we will see beautiful blue glacial lakes.
After returning to Lobuche village, a helicopter will pick us up and fly us back to the famous Lukla Airport, from where we will either fly to Kathmandu (depending on flight availability) or to Ramechhap, and then drive to Kathmandu by jeep or minibus.
The ascent of Lobuche East is considered moderately challenging to challenging. The day of the summit will be demanding, as we will be at a high altitude where the first signs of altitude sickness, loss of appetite, or other complications related to the environment may arise. We will use all our experience with high-altitude trekking to mitigate these risks, and safety will always be our top priority.
Accommodation options on this trek are quite good. The Solo Khumbu Valley has a highly developed tourist infrastructure for Nepalese standards. Accommodation along the trek will be in higher-standard tourist lodges, and the final night before the summit will be spent in tents, with food, water, and equipment (ropes, crampons, harnesses, and helmets) provided by our Nepali partner, so you won’t need to carry all the gear yourself.
Accommodation in Kathmandu will be in a European-standard hotel. After the trek, we will explore the historical Buddhist and Hindu landmarks in the Kathmandu Valley and enjoy well-deserved rest.
The entire trek and ascent (departure/arrival) will last 19 days, and we will undertake it in the company of Slovak Himalayan mountaineer Michal Gabriž. We will also be accompanied by a mandatory local guide. There is an option to hire an additional local porter.
The trek group is limited to a maximum of 9 people.
After the expedition, there is an option to relax and go on a safari in Chitwan National Park.