Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island Nepal | 6,189M
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Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island Nepal | 6,189m www.360-expeditions.com Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island | Nepal | 6,189m The magnificent Khumbu Valley is a must for 6,000m peaks create an unparalleled any trekker interested in history as well as expedition, with Everest keeping a watchful stunning vistas. We love the Khumbu region, eye on you. and it turns out you all do too! Due to popular demand, we’ve pulled together the very best Our route to these spectacular peaks takes us trekking sections for you, along with a double through the Khumbu’s whammy of classic 6,000m peaks popular gorgeous Sagamartha National Park up to with climbers and Everest aspirants alike. the bustling Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, where we turn off the main trail to Lobuche East (6,119m) is classified as trek past the sparkling, turquoise lakes of the a trekking peak, but don’t be fooled by this Gokyo region. A slow and steady acclimation soft image of an iconic summit. Although takes us to the Cho La Pass, then through technically not too demanding, it packs a rhododendron forests and mountainside punch and it’s surprising that the first meadows to the Khumbu Glacier, Everest recorded ascent was as late as 1984! Island Base Camp and Edmund Hillary’s original Peak (6,189m) is tucked away amongst the base camp: Kala Patthar. striking summits of the Khumbu Valley and is a tougher but eminently manageable climb…you will certainly have earned your summit. Together, these two incredible [email protected] CLICK TO: 0207 1834 360 www.360-expeditions.com BOOK NOW Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island Nepal | 6,189m Physical - P3 Technical - T3 This trip is physically tough. Frequent exercise is May involve harder scrambling or some trekking necessary to prepare properly for this expedition. and climbing with ropes. If snow is encountered Regular walking mixed with training at the gym then glacier travel with ropes, ice axes and to build up endurance and cardiovascular fitness crampons will be necessary. Basic climbing skills is key. Expect to be able to do 8 hour days in hilly are ideal, but these will also be taught (and and often steep train, carrying a pack of 6-10kg certainly practiced) during the expedition and in weight with the occasional extra long day. pre-summit phase. Please note that the grading system used is a rough guide only. [email protected] CLICK TO: 0207 1834 360 www.360-expeditions.com BOOK NOW Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island | Nepal | 6,189m [email protected] CLICK TO: 0207 1834 360 www.360-expeditions.com BOOK NOW Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island | Nepal | 6,189m ITINERARY DAY 1 : Depart UK DAY 5 : Acclimatisation Day - Namche Bazaar (3,440m) If you have your flights booked through 360, you’ll depart London Heathrow in the evening. The Sherpa capital of Namche is a bustling village crammed with markets and traditional Sherpa houses, and we’ll have the day to rest and acclimatise here. We DAY 2 : Kathmandu enjoy an early morning hike to the Sherpa museum, which exhibits traditional Sherpa lifestyles and a fabulous We’ll arrive into Kathmandu mid-afternoon and be photography display, and have some free time for transferred to our hotel, before some free time to explore exploration too. If the skies are clear, we should be the local area. We’ll meet back up late afternoon to have thrilled with views of the striking peaks of Mt. Everest, a briefing, and kit check! Lhotse and Ama Dablam too! (D) (BLD) DAY 3 : Lukla (2,800m) – Phakding (2,610m) DAY 6 : Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga (3,680m) We depart Kathmandu for an early morning flight into Lukla, the small settlement from where we begin our trek We climb Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the into the Khumbu region. The views from the plane are village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi amazing, with stunning vistas out across the distant from where the route turns north. Heading off the main Himalayan giants. trail and away from the traditional busy route to EBC, we visit Mohang, the birthplace of the re-incarnated Lama of We meet our ground crew, gather our gear, and begin a Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet who is believed to have 3-4 hour trek to Phakding (2,610m), where we spend our introduced Buddhism in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The first night in the mountains. trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi. We stay overnight in (BLD) Phortse Thanga, near the river. (BLD) DAY 4 : Namche Bazaar (3,440m) We head north through pine forests along the banks of DAY 7 : Phortse Thanga to Machhermo the Dudh Kosi. We crisscross this milk white river over a (4,470m) succession of exhilarating suspension bridges and, as we enter the Sagamartha National Park, we climb onwards From Phortse Thanga it is an uphill climb to Machhermo. and upwards to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the We walk on a trail alongside a rhododendron forest and Khumbu region with our first views of Everest and her pass through a waterfall before reaching Tongba Village. spectacular neighbours. We continue our uphill trek and pass through Dhole, Labarma and Luza villages before reaching Machhermo. (BLD) There is a Chorten right before the Luza village. Throughout today’s journey we will be walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River. We overnight in Machhermo. (BLD) [email protected] CLICK TO: 0207 1834 360 www.360-expeditions.com BOOK NOW Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island | Nepal | 6,189m ITINERARY DAY 8 : Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m) DAY 10 : Gokyo to Thagnak (4,750m) Today we climb Gokyo Ri. Climbing to the top is fairly We begin today by climbing a ridge for an excellent view demanding (3-4 hours), but the scenery of Gokyo village, down the valley to Kangtaiga and also up towards Cho on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the Oyu (8,153 m). The valley widens and we descend to the broad Nogzumpa Glacier, is magnificent. We are riverbank before climbing onto the terminal moraine of surrounded by astonishing panoramic views of Kusum the Ngazumpa Glacier on a steep trail. Upon crossing an Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, iron bridge over a stream, the trail levels out as it follows Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori. the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo, at The sight of sunrays kissing Everest, which towers over all 4,690m. the surrounding peaks, is astounding. We trek through the Ngazumpa Glacier then meander gently into Thagnak. It Taboche Tsho, the second lake, sparkles with colour, and will be a short hike today with an afternoon of rest which the third lake Dudh Pokhari, next to Gokyo village, is will prepare us for long hiking days and elevation gain to linked by a surging stream with the imposing Cho-Oyu as come. a backdrop. We stay overnight in Gokyo. (BLD) (BLD) DAY 11 : Thagnak to Cho La Pass (5,367m) DAY 9 : Gokyo Valley: Acclimatisation Day Today is one of the toughest days of the expedition. The We can spend this day taking a rest in the Gokyo Valley or Cho La pass is not itself difficult, but the terrain is steep hike to some additional lakes – Thonak Tsho and and includes a glacier traverse on the eastern side. We Ngozumba Tsho (approximately a 6 hour trek). If we want are rewarded at the top of the pass with an array of to, we can climb a hill, also called the Scoundrel’s prayer flags and spectacular views – Ama Dablam, Viewpoint, which is located at the edge of Ngozumba Cholatse, Lobuche East and Baruntse. We pass through Tsho. From here we get astounding views of Cho-Oyu, some broken terrain before reaching Dzongla Village with Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu great views of these mountains as well as the famous mountains. From here, we also see Cho Oyu base camp. village of Pheriche. We stay overnight in Dzongla. Another treat for us is the view of the biggest glacier of the world – the Ngozumba Glacier. We trek back to (BLD) Gokyo to spend the night. (BLD) DAY 12 : Dzongla to Lobuche (4,940m) Today is a much shorter and more relaxing day, so we have plenty of time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. We climb down from Dzongla and walk through a grassy trail while enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak. The trail curves through the wide river bed before reaching Lobuche, our base for the night. We can spend the rest of day resting to help prepare for the next day’s long trek. (BLD) [email protected] CLICK TO: 0207 1834 360 www.360-expeditions.com BOOK NOW Khumbu Classics Everest BC, Lobuche & Island | Nepal | 6,189m ITINERARY DAY 13 : Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170m), via DAY 15 : Lobuche East High Camp (5,500m) Everest Base Camp (5,364m) The aim of today is to get to Lobuche High Camp in readiness of our summit attempt early tomorrow morning. We wind our way through the terminal moraine of the Our route crosses glacial debris and bypasses Lobuche Khumbu glacier to our tea house at Gorak Shep, situated Base Camp which we swapped for the comfort of our tea at the base of Kala Patthar. house in Lobuche Village. Contouring the mountain, we gradually make our way up to our resting place for the This was the original Base Camp used by Sir Edmund night and camp under the stars ready for our summit Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their successful ascent of attempt early morning.