How high is Lobuche East and what is the climb like?
Lobuche East is 6,119 m high. You climb with a Sherpa on your rope, from a base camp and a high camp, in the dark on summit day. It is a harder climb than Island Peak. Your Sherpa runs a skills session in daylight at base camp before you go up.
How is it different from Island Peak?
It sits on the Everest trail at Lobuche, so you take the same trail as Everest Base Camp trekkers, through Namche, Dingboche and Lobuche. The climb is steeper and more sustained than Island Peak, and we ask for more experience. The price per person per day is the same as our Island Peak climb or higher, depending on the tier.
Do I need climbing experience?
A previous 6,000 m peak, or experience of snow, ice and cold, is strongly advised. Tell us what you have done and we will say honestly whether this peak or Island Peak is the better start.
What does the price include?
Everything for the mountain: the Nepal Mountaineering Association climbing royalty, the park and municipality permits, the USD 500 garbage fee, all the technical gear, a climbing Sherpa for each climber, camp crew and food at base camp and above. Hotel nights in Kathmandu are not included.
Does the royalty change by season?
Yes. The Nepal Mountaineering Association charges USD 350 in spring and USD 175 in autumn, winter and summer. You pay one price all year, and the royalty is in it.
What if we cannot summit?
Then we come down. The Sherpa's decision is final, whether the reason is weather, snow or how you feel. There is no refund for an unclimbed summit, because the permit, staff, flights and lodges are spent by then. A reserve day is built into the itinerary so one bad day does not end the attempt.
Who is the garbage fee for?
The climbing permit comes with a USD 500 garbage fee, and it is our responsibility, not yours. It is in the price. Your part is to carry down everything you carry up.
What gear do I bring?
All technical equipment is provided: double boots, crampons, harness, jumar, descender, ice axe and helmet. Bring your own base layers, insulation, gloves, hat and sunglasses. We send a packing list when you book, and we can lend a sleeping bag and down jacket.
Can I add Everest Base Camp or Kala Patthar?
Not as standard. If you want Kala Patthar or Everest Base Camp as well, tell us when you book and we will plan and price the extra days.
How do Budget, Standard and Luxury differ?
The mountain, the Sherpa and the gear are the same on all three. Budget gives you shared teahouse rooms, no porter, no trail meals and a flight to Lukla. Standard gives you a private room, all meals and one porter for every two trekkers. Luxury gives you a private deluxe room, all meals with fruit, nuts and soft drinks, a dedicated porter and a helicopter to and from Lukla. The helicopter is a shared seat. If no shared seat is free on your dates, we can arrange a private charter at an extra cost and will tell you the price before you book.
Is this private?
Yes. Your guide, Sherpa and team are for your party only. We never merge separate private bookings.
Do children pay less?
No. A child pays the same as an adult, because permits, flights, vehicles and taxes cost us the same for a child. Tell us the age of each child when you book.
Who will be my guide?
A licensed guide leads the trip, and a climbing Sherpa climbs with you above base camp. We tell you their names once your booking is confirmed.
What happens if I need to cancel, or you cannot run the trip?
If we cannot run your trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf, or move you to another date. If your plans change, you can reschedule free to any date within one year with at least 7 days' notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Buy travel insurance at home, before you travel, and check that it covers climbing to 6,500 m and helicopter evacuation. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.
How do I pay?
You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance before the trip. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. We cover the card fee on the deposit. If you pay the balance by card it carries a 3.5% bank charge. Cash in Kathmandu has no fee.
Secure payment by Himalayan Bank.
