Lhotse Expedition 8516M

60 Day(s)

Overview The Lhotse Expedition is an exhilarating mountaineering journey that takes adventurers to the majestic slopes of Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world, located in the Himalayas. Standing at a soaring height of 8,516 meters (27,940 feet), Lhotse presents a formidable challenge to climbers and offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking to conquer its peak. The trip typically starts in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, where climbers undergo necessary preparations, including gear checks, permit arrangements, and briefings with experienced guides. From there, the team embarks on a thrilling flight to Lukla, a gateway to the Khumbu region. The trek…

Overview

The Lhotse Expedition is an exhilarating mountaineering journey that takes adventurers to the majestic slopes of Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world, located in the Himalayas. Standing at a soaring height of 8,516 meters (27,940 feet), Lhotse presents a formidable challenge to climbers and offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking to conquer its peak.

The trip typically starts in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, where climbers undergo necessary preparations, including gear checks, permit arrangements, and briefings with experienced guides. From there, the team embarks on a thrilling flight to Lukla, a gateway to the Khumbu region. The trek to Lhotse Base Camp commences. It offers stunning views of iconic peaks like Everest, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse along the way.

Upon reaching Lhotse Base Camp, climbers undergo acclimatization, critical for adapting to the high altitudes and thin air. Multiple rotations to higher camps, including Camps I, II, and III, conducts to enhance acclimatization and establish crucial supply points.

The ascent to the summit demands technical skills, physical endurance, and mental fortitude. Climbers face treacherous sections, including the Lhotse Face, a steep icy wall, and the daunting Lhotse Couloir. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, adding to the challenge.

After weeks of perseverance, the summit push begins. Climbers tackle the demanding South Col route, navigating the perilous Hillary Step before reaching the ultimate goal – Lhotse’s summit. Standing atop this formidable peak, adventurers are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of neighboring mountains and the vast expanse below.

Descending is equally challenging as climbers face exhaustion and the effects of high altitude. Safely reaching Base Camp, the team celebrates their accomplishment, a testament to teamwork, determination, and unwavering spirit.

Conclusion and Summary

The Lhotse Expedition is not without its risks; climbers must be well-prepared, physically fit, and experienced in high-altitude mountaineering. It is a journey of a lifetime, leaving participants with an enduring sense of achievement and awe for the raw power and beauty of the Himalayas.

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Trip Highlights

Here are some of the highlights and notable aspects of a Lhotse expedition:

Impressive Altitude: Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world, reaching an elevation of 8,516 meters (27,940 feet). Scaling such heights presents a remarkable physical and mental challenge.
Himalayan Scenery: The expedition offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range, including neighboring peaks like Mount Everest, Makalu, and Nuptse. The beauty and grandeur of the region are truly awe-inspiring.
Shared Route with Everest: The initial stages of the climb follow the same route as the renowned Mount Everest expedition, allowing climbers to experience the iconic landmarks and locations associated with Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Icefall.
Technical Challenges: The Lhotse Face and Southeast Ridge present technical difficulties, requiring climbers to utilize mountaineering skills such as roped climbing, ice axe techniques, and crampon use. Overcoming these challenges showcases climbers’ expertise and endurance.
Acclimatization Process: As with any high-altitude expedition, climbers must undergo a gradual acclimatization process to adapt to the thinning air. This involves spending time at various base camps and higher camps to allow the body to adjust to the altitude.
Shared Base Camp Facilities: The Lhotse expedition typically shares the base camp facilities with the Everest climbers. This provides an opportunity for interaction and camaraderie with a diverse group of mountaineers from around the world.
Adventure and Personal Achievement: Climbing Lhotse represents a significant personal accomplishment for mountaineers. The expedition pushes individuals to their limits, both physically and mentally, and offers a sense of fulfillment upon reaching the summit.
Lhotse-Everest Traverse: Some experienced climbers attempt the challenging Lhotse-Everest Traverse, which involves climbing Lhotse and then traversing the South Col to reach the summit of Mount Everest. This adds an extra layer of adventure and accomplishment to the expedition.
Cultural Immersion: The region surrounding Lhotse is rich in Sherpa culture and provides an opportunity for climbers to immerse themselves in the local way of life, traditions, and customs.
Contribution to Mountaineering History: Lhotse has a significant place in mountaineering history, with many renowned climbers having conquered its summit. Being part of a Lhotse expedition allows climbers to follow in the footsteps of these legendary adventurers and contribute to the mountaineering legacy.

These highlights collectively make a Lhotse expedition a thrilling and life-changing adventure for mountaineers, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, physical challenge, and personal achievement.

Itinerary

With your provided flight schedule details, one of our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport. As soon as you complete your Nepal Entry Visa Obtaining procedures, we will meet and greet you and transfer you to the hotel for you to rest.

The four days have been allocated for the hotel quarantine, as we have faced a pandemic. In this course, we will complete all the official formalities, obtain permits and you can later go on shopping for personal items to take on the journey.

Early in the morning, after an amazing breakfast, we will take a thrilling flight to Lukla Airport. The flight gives you a bird’s eye view of the valleys, rivers, hills, and gradually mountain ranges. Even though the flight is only for half an hour, it does not fail to mesmerize you every now and then. As we land at Lukla Airport, which is already exciting, we start our trek to Phakding, our destination for the day. After obtaining the permit for the region, we will slowly move through the settlements on a mixed trail of dirt, stone pathways, and some rocky sections at times. This is an easy start so make sure to enjoy all the greeneries, floras, and faunas as you walk. The trail takes you over several suspension bridges and along the Dudh Koshi river. Enjoy the rest of the day at Phakding.

After Phakding, we move towards another beautiful destination, Namche Bazaar, which is the commercial point of the Khumbu region. Passing through the dense luscious forests of pine, juniper, Rhododendron, looking out for animals in the Sagarmatha National Park, climbing the stairs, enjoying the rages of rivers at some points, and mostly walking uphills are the major activities of the day’s trek. This trek will be long and tiring as we start gaining significant elevation. As we reach Namche, we rest at our hotel and enjoy our dinner. The next day, we will go around the village area and experience some local sherpa culture.

After our stay at Namche, we then approach one of the most beautiful and tranquil parts of this Expedition, the Tengboche monastery. Tengboche monastery is one of the most popular monasteries among Buddhists around the world. The views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are visible towards the north while Thamserku and Kangtega stand towards the south with striking views. We will also join in some prayer ceremonies and rest for the day.

After spending our night in Tengboche, we start our trek towards Dingboche where we will stay for the next day to acclimate ourselves. Following the path down from Tengboche towards Deboche through the forests of Rhododendrons, we cross a bridge over the raging Imja river. Then we gradually climb uphill to reach the village of Lower Pangboche where we can witness the spectacular views of Ama Dablam. We then move across the valley to reach our destination Dingboche at the start of the Imja Tse valley after an approximate walk of 5-6 hours. We spend our next day here to acclimate ourselves. We go on short hikes around the area to get some striking views of the mountain grandeur.

After acclimatizing in Dingboche, we head towards another beautiful stop, Lobuche. The journey starts with a climb to the ridge behind Periche until the tea houses at Dughla followed by a steep ascent to the terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier. You will encounter a series of stone monuments made in the memories of climbers who couldn’t make it back home. After walking for almost 6-7 hours on rugged terrain we reach Lobuche, a small settlement of Sherpas. It is the final village with lodges on this trail to Everest.

From Lobuche, we head towards the Base Camp. The trekking trail is absolutely enchanting and serene with all those prayer flags, small monuments, stupas, and the views of giant peaks peeking from the distance. Walking for about 4-5 hours on the rugged treeless alpine terrain, we finally reach the mesmerizing Base Camp.

We will have a full board camp service at the Base Camp with delicious and nutritious food cooked by experienced chefs, warm dining tents, facilities of solar panel lights, Internet, and Satellite Phones. Also, we will conduct multiple rotations to the upper camps, practice climbing on ice, rocks, and snow, train with walking through ridges with fixed ropes, and many more to prepare for the summit push. On the day when the expedition leaders plan the summit push, we will start early, so that we reach the summit to witness the glowing and radiant Sunrise behind the mountains. Early morning is ideal for ascent because the weather is pretty calm with no or less wind and less heat. After a successful ascent to the Lhotse Peak and memorable photoshoots, we will slowly descend back to the lower camps, possibly the Base Camp.

As we prepare to leave, we as responsible travelers make sure we leave no trash behind. We thoroughly clean the Base Camp to welcome other fellow travelers into a clean and pristine environment. We then pack our stuff and prepare for departure towards Pheriche the next morning.

During our return, we will take a different route than that we followed while approaching the Base Camp. We will follow a scenic trail bidding farewell to the eye-pleasing Mountain ranges slowly getting the sights of vegetation and flora and faunas.

Trek to Namche bazaar goes through the trail with striking views throughout the journey. We slowly descend through the lush green forests of Rhododendron, pine, and junipers until we reach the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing Sansa and other dense forests, we finally reach the culturally rich Namche Bazaar where we stay overnight.

During our return, the trail is relatively easy as there is more descending so we head towards Lukla and spend our night in a cozy lodge.

It is time to leave the mesmerizing Khumbu region behind and fly back to Kathmandu city. We will take a short flight back to TIA viewing the valleys, cities, mountain ranges, and dense forests. You will then rest at the hotel or go sightseeing around the city.

Kathmandu is a beautiful city, rich in cultural heritages and resided by a number of World Heritage Sites. So, during the two days, you can visit major attractive places like the Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Durbar Squares in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur and relax at the tourist hub of Kathmandu, Thamel.

In the evening we will all get together for a farewell dinner in a typical Nepali Restaurant with cultural shows.

If you have not booked any other packages or extended your holiday/stay in Nepal, one of our representatives will drop you off at the airport for your departure to your home country. We will look forward to traveling with you again.

What's Included

International and Domestic Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers in Nepal
6 nights hotel accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu on bed/breakfast
Schedule flight Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu for members.
Schedule flight for Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu for Liaison Officer
Member personal climbing equipment Kathmandu-Lukla-Base Camp-Kathmandu (max 60 kg
Full Board food, lodging during trekking to base camp and back to Lukla after Expedition
A professional climbing Sherpa guide per member during summit attempt and during climbing
7 Oxygen bottles (4 liters.)per member with top-out Mask and Regulator.
Climbing Sherpa oxygen 3 cylinders ( 4 liters ) per Sherpa
Transportation for all staff KTM-Base Camp-KTM,
Common climbing equipment (necessary rope, ice bars, ice screws, etc.)
Clean Mountain bags
Availability of Solar Power at Base Camp and Camp II.
Availability of Satellite Phone available at Base Camp ( with nominal charge per use)
The facility of Internet service and recharge cards with a nominal charge
Daily Weather Report Services
Medical consultation services at the Base Camp with the (HRA) clinic
High Altitude tents: Single Tent in the Base Camp while in upper camps, the tent shall be shared with 2-3 climbers
All food and fuel for Base Camp and higher camps during Expedition as per the schedule
Services of cook and kitchen boy at Base Camp and Cook at Camp II.
Kitchen tent, Stores tent, Dining Tents, Toilet Tents, Shower Tent, Tables and chairs, cooking utensils for Base Camp and camp II,
Insurance for Climbing Sherpas, Cooks, Liaison Officer, and local porters as well as Equipment,
Allowances and wages for Climbing Sherpas, cooks, kitchen boys, and Government Liaison Officers.
Base Camp single tent with mattress and pillow for each member, Climbing Sherpa, BC staffs, and Liaison Officer Tents
Solar panel at Base Camp for light and charging small electronics. (Eg.mobile phones, amateur digital cameras, and handheld video cameras).
Personal solar-powered light at each tent per member at the Base Camp in the evening,
Transportation of food and equipment supply to Base Camp from Kathmandu (Cargo to Lukla and then by porter or Yaks to Base Camp
Heaters in the base camp in the dining tent
Fresh vegetable supply from Namche bazaar or Kathmandu
Special high foods for members and sherpas as per requirements of your choice in Kathmandu
Khumbu Icefall route fee ( Khumbu IceFall route will be fixed by SPCC and we pay them in order to use the route which will be maintained by the Sherpa staff throughout the Expedition period.)
Summit and Higher Camp Route fix charge,
Applicable National Park fees and local taxes (VAT 13%) imposed by Nepal government,
Emergency oxygen during the expedition in the Base Camp and Higher Camps,
First Aid kit ( For special medicine or internal medicine please seek advice from your doctor and prepare accordingly)
1 Walkie-talkie for each climber while climbing,
Garbage deposit Shipment Charges
Company service charge
Mt. Lhotse Expedition Royalty fee and all official formalities of all documents for climbing Mt. Lhotse,
Climbing permit for Lhotse,
Climbing Sherpa guide for Lhotse
Oxygens cylinder and mask regulators,
Route fixing charge
Liaison officer for Lhotse expedition
High Tents and Foods for Lhotse expedition

What's Excluded

International flight tickets from/to your country
Nepal Entry visa fee that can be obtained at the airport upon arrival,
Lunch and Dinner during the stay in Kathmandu.
An extended stay in a hotel after 6-nights in Kathmandu
Your Personal Climbing Equipment
Extra cost incurred due to Personal members baggage exceeding 60 k.g,
Buy special Insurance such as travel, accident, medical, emergency evacuation by helicopter in case of need during the Lhotse Expedition
Charges for Commercial Filming and Drone Permit if needed,
International airport departure tax at Kathmandu Airport.;
Expenses of a personal nature such as hard and soft drinks, laundry, postage, telephone, Wi-Fi, etc,
Extra oxygens beyond 7 bottles,;
Climbing Sherpa summit Bonus for Lhoste $1500,
Tips for staff and cook in the Base Camp $250 at minimum that will be collected in the Base Camp,
Tips for the cooks at Camp 2 minimum $100,
Any other extra expenses other than mentioned in the Cost Includes section,
Any unforeseeable risks that can arise during the mountaineering,

Trip Information

Lhotse is closely connected to Mount Everest, as it shares the same route up to a certain point. The two mountains are connected by the South Col, a high saddle between the two peaks. Lhotse’s main summit, Lhotse Main, stands at 8,516 meters, while Lhotse Shar, a subsidiary peak, has an elevation of 8,383 meters.

A successful Lhotse expedition requires a high level of mountaineering skill, physical fitness, and preparation. Climbers typically begin their journey by flying into Lukla, a small airport in Nepal, and then trekking to Everest Base Camp. From there, they make their way towards the Western Cwm, a broad, gently sloping glacial valley that leads to the Lhotse Face.

The Lhotse Face is a steep and icy section of the climb, which poses significant challenges to climbers. It requires the use of fixed ropes, ice axes, and crampons to ascend safely. After successfully navigating the Lhotse Face, climbers reach the South Col, where they set up a high camp in preparation for the final push to the summit.

The summit push from the South Col involves climbing the steep and exposed Southeast Ridge. This section requires technical climbing skills and careful route finding. After overcoming the challenges of the ridge, climbers finally reach the summit of Lhotse, where they can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Due to the extreme altitude and harsh weather conditions, Lhotse expeditions are considered highly demanding and dangerous. Climbers must acclimatize properly, monitor weather forecasts, and be prepared for avalanches, crevasses, and other hazards. It is crucial to have a skilled and experienced team of climbers, sherpas, and support staff to ensure a safe and successful expedition.

Many climbers who attempt to summit Lhotse are experienced mountaineers who have already climbed other high peaks, including Mount Everest. Some mountaineers also attempt the “Lhotse-Everest Traverse,” which involves climbing Lhotse and then traversing the South Col to reach the summit of Everest.

Overall, Lhotse expeditions are a significant undertaking and require careful planning, physical and mental preparation, and a deep understanding of mountaineering techniques. They offer a unique and challenging opportunity for experienced climbers to test their skills and achieve the exhilarating feat of reaching one of the world’s highest summits.

GO ON 60 DAYS TRIP FOR

USD 18500 ~~20500~~ /person