Signature Himalayan Expedition: Lobuche, Island & Mera Peak

You will be received at Tribhuvan International Airport by a member of Altitude Quest and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. You can then rest or stroll through the bustling streets of Thamel famous for their trekking stores and cafés. During these days, you will be well-prepared for your upcoming expedition.

Your lead climbing guide will brief you about the route, safety procedures, weather and climbing strategies. Your gear check will be done, during which you can buy or rent any missing items. At night, you will join other climbers for a welcome dinner arranged by Altitude Quest. This dinner marks the beginning of your once-in-a-lifetime Himalayan adventure. Night halt in Kathmandu.

After an early-morning drive to Ramechhap Airport, you will fly in a mountain plane to Lukla, the gateway to Everest region. After landing, you will be met by the rest of the trekking team before setting off on a less popular path into the Hinku Valley. Abandoning the overcrowded trek to Everest Base Camp, the route takes you along stunning trails in pine and rhododendron forests and streams until you reach the small settlement of Chutanga. The campsite, surrounded by thick forest and snow-capped mountains, is the perfect start for the adventure that lies ahead. You will have the opportunity to acclimatize gradually.

Today’s hike starts with an uphill climb towards Zatrwa La Pass, the first major point of interest during the expedition. While hiking above the tree line, magnificent views of the majestic mountains that surround the area start to appear. Following the passing of Zatrwa La Pass, the hike continues with a descent into the remote Hinku Valley. Along the way through open alpine scenery and mountainous areas, Tuli Kharka will be reached. Contrasted to other popular routes to Mount Everest, this path is more tranquil and wild. Night in a tea house in Tuli Kharka.

The route goes down through tranquil rhododendron and pine forests and along the banks of Hinku River. With little population of people in the region, your walk is going to be amidst nature that comprises the beautiful Hinku Valley, where you can find varied flora and fauna. You’ll get to see stunning views of waterfalls, ridges covered with forests, and snow-capped mountains. The path finally ends at the tiny settlement of Kothe which is located next to the river and bordered by tall mountains. This is an ideal place for those climbers on their way to climb Mera Peak.

Our trek today involves following the Hinku River deep into the valley as the surrounding scenery changes from lush forest to alpine terrain. Along the way, there will be yak pastures, old grazing grounds, and some stone shelters to mark our path as we get closer and closer views of Mera Peak, Kusum Kanguru, and other nearby peaks. Though we spend only a few hours walking, the increase in altitude is very significant, making this a valuable acclimatization day for us. After lunchtime, we reach the small village of Thangnang, tucked away in the shadow of massive mountains and glaciers.

As you climb on, your path will lead you through rocky, glacier-ridden areas towards the last permanent settlement before Mera Peak. Once the vegetation begins to fade away, views of the snow-capped mountains along with the Mera Glacier will become an important part of your surroundings. The short trek of the day, despite having no challenges in terms of the number of miles hiked, is nonetheless quite strenuous due to the huge altitude gain. You will stay at the teahouse in Khare for the night.

For improved acclimatization and preparation for future climbs, you will dedicate an entire day to Khare. Post breakfast, the climbing guides will train you through practical exercises on snow slopes near Khare, covering various mountaineering techniques. You will learn how to use the crampons, ice axes, harness, ascender, descender, and fixed ropes as well as movement on the snow and glacier surfaces. The training process will also enable guides to gauge each climber’s level of comfort and safety with their gear prior to the summit. For the rest of the day, you can relax, drink plenty of water, and prepare for the next camp. Over-night in Khare teahouse.

This day is the start of your climb as you hike to Mera High Camp. Your path takes you across Mera Glacier, and depending on the amount of snow, crampons might be necessary. As you trek, you will be surrounded by the incredible Himalayan mountain range and will get to enjoy views of many mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and others. At the camp, the mountaineering crew sets up camp and discusses plans for summiting tomorrow. After dinner, you will prepare for your climb in the night. 

The summit day starts very early as you head towards the highest trekking peak in Nepal under your headlamp. After ascending through gradual snow slopes to the summit, you will be treated to spectacular views from the top of the five tallest mountains in the world: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kanchenjunga. After completing this fantastic journey, you will descend down to High Camp from where you will continue on through the valley towards Kongma Dingma. This will be perhaps the longest and most difficult day of your journey. Overnight stay in a lodge/camp in Kongma Dingma.

A further day has been incorporated into the schedule to allow for contingencies in case of bad weather or any other situation that may arise while climbing Mount Mera. Conditions can change very fast on mountain tops and this extra day will help the team leader to make appropriate decisions without feeling pressurized by time. If the contingency day does not have to be used, it can be spent recovering before moving on to the technical climb of Amphu Laptsa Pass. 

Departing Kongma Dingma, today’s walk is through an isolated part of the Hinku Valley en route to Seto Khola. The walking track will be along glacial streams, rock-filled moraines, and alpine terrain with little to no civilization in sight. Walking surrounded by tall peaks and pristine mountain scenery, you’ll slowly climb in altitude while gearing up for the challenging pass across the Amphu Laptsa Pass in the next few days. At Seto Khola, you’ll camp for the night and have a relaxing evening in one of the most isolated areas of the trekking journey.

Today's walk will bring you closer to the most difficult high altitude pass in Nepal. The path is quite difficult, going through glaciers, rock and snow covered terrains as you head towards Amphu Laptsa Base Camp. The views become more breathtaking and spectacular, with huge glaciers, ice structures and impressive peaks of the Himalayas filling the entire scenery. At the base camp, the expedition members set up camp and have a brief discussion about the next day's crossing. You prepare your climbing gear and discuss safety precautions. Sleeping at Amphu Laptsa Base Camp.

This will be one of the most challenging days on the entire trip. You will have an early departure and begin trekking up to the snow-covered Amphu Laptsa Pass. You will need to use ropes, crampons, and work together as a team to cross the pass. At the top of Amphu Laptsa Pass, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Himalayas and glaciers, before descending into the legendary Khumbu Valley. This trail will take you down to Chukhung, which lies surrounded by the impressive faces of mountains Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam.

Departing from Chukung, you will hike up to Island Peak Base Camp, passing through steep alpine terrain and glaciers. The hiking path will provide breathtaking views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Baruntse, and other Himalayan peaks in the region that you are going to climb. Once at the camp, the expedition crew will set up the camp, while the guides perform a training session for climbing techniques and strategies for summiting Island Peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

In the early morning hours, you’ll start climbing to Island Peak using trails that will take you from rock to snow and glaciated terrain. Making use of fixed ropes when required, you’ll approach the exposed summit ridge and then finally reach the magnificent summit point, which offers stunning views of Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, and many other mountains. On returning from the summit and after celebrating yet another successful peak of the expedition, you’ll return to the base camp and then head to the Sherpa village of Dingboche. Accommodation overnight in a teahouse in Dingboche.

After the successful Island Peak Summit, it is now a recovery day before the next and final climb. You may use this day for resting, exploring the village, or going for a short walk around the area in order to continue the process of acclimatization. Your body needs a day for recovery, and this recovery day would help you in gathering strength for the final climb of Lobuche East Peak. You will also get an update on the weather forecast for the next day. Sleeping in a teahouse at Dingboche.

On completing your breakfast meal, the expedition begins from Dingboche and follows a trail to Lobuche, then veers to a steeper path that takes one to Lobuche High Camp. As you proceed higher, the rugged scenery increases and comprises steep terrain and glacial areas as well as views of the Himalayan peaks of Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, among others. Once you get to High Camp, the group camps out as the guides do a final equipment check and preparation for the next day's climb. The day ends with rest and re-hydration.

Your final day for summiting starts long before the sunrise as you will be moving up steep rocky ridges, snowy slopes, and glaciated areas all the way up to the summit of Lobuche East Peak. The climb today is technically more difficult than the other summits you will do in this journey. You will reach the summit and be rewarded with a panoramic view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and many other mountains around. After celebrating your third summit of the Himalayas, you will trek down to your base camp.

Another contingency day has been provided for as a precaution against any unexpected problems that may arise with regards to the climbing schedule of Lobuche East. This provides the mountaineer enough time to rest and plan carefully as high altitude mountaineering demands one’s patience. Should there be no need of using an additional day, then one gets the chance of recovering while appreciating the beauty of the mountains before starting the journey back down the Khumbu valley. Night in Lobuche Village.

After having achieved everything on the list of your climbs, you will now walk down through the heart of the Khumbu Valley. Walking through places which are already familiar to you along with their surroundings, you will finally be descending through Pheriche into rhododendron forests as you approach Tengboche. On the way down, you can also relish amazing sights of Everest and Ama Dablam among other mountains from a different point of view. You can take some time to visit Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual heart of Khumbu, on arriving there.

This day's trek down will take you through stunning forests of pine, fir, and rhododendron as you cross a series of suspension bridges above the Dudh Koshi River. You will walk past traditional Sherpa villages and get some last glimpses of Everest and surrounding peaks before reaching Namche Bazaar, a busy mountain town where there are plenty of welcoming cafes, bakeries, and local stores after all those weeks in the mountains. As the elevation drops, the temperature rises, providing a good chance to rest.

For your final trekking day, follow the same familiar path as you walk along the Dudh Koshi River, cross famous suspension bridges, pass by picturesque villages, until you arrive at Lukla. Take time to ponder on the amazing experience that you have had from the secluded valleys and challenging mountain passes to conquering peaks like Mera Peak, Island Peak, and Lobuche East. At Lukla, celebrate the end of your trip with your guides, porters, and fellow mountaineers. Stay overnight at the teahouse in Lukla.

Depending on weather conditions, today you'll have a flight from Lukla to Ramechhap and see one more amazing bird's eye view of the snowy Himalayan range. After the flight, you'll be driven back to Kathmandu to check into your hotel and finally experience some city amenities after many weeks spent in the mountains. In the afternoon, you'll have the whole day free to buy some souvenirs, relax or celebrate your achievements with your companions. Accommodation at a hotel in Kathmandu.

And your fantastic Signature Himalayan Adventure is coming to a close. In accordance with your international departure flight, a member of our Altitude Quest team will escort you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward trip. As you exit Nepal, you will leave with the proud accomplishment of conquering three great Himalayan mountains, as well as memories of stunning scenery and outstanding cooperation from one of Nepal’s most esteemed alpine expeditions. We look forward to welcoming you back for another amazing adventure in the Himalayas with Altitude Quest in the future.