Labuje Peak Climbing

Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (KTM) you will be greeted by a representative from Beauty Nepal Adventure. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Beauty Nepal Adventure display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel . meet your trekking guide as well as other participants. Later in the evening we will organize a “Welcome Dinner” at an excellent traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program along with a fine meal.

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. The day will also be for finalizing official procedure and other necessary arrangements. You will be also briefed on the nature of expedition, equipments and team composition. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and Buddhists shrine (BouddhaNath) which is one of the large Stupas in the world. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. You can also make your last minute buying of personal items as you will be flying to the Himalayas tomorrow.

After breakfast, we get transferred to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway destination from where our trek starts. After an adventurous 40 minute flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Here we meet our other crew members and after some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery.

From Phakding, you cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt. Everest in the distance. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market – a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. Options for acclimatization walks include a visit to Khunde hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Everest view hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the national park centre and museum just above the town.

From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now you get your first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, you descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an excellent lunch spot, and here you can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although tiring, the hike up the zigzag path has numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. You camp near the monastery with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam framed in the doorway of the tent.

You descend steeply through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite Ama Dablam [6856m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. A further two hours walk brings you to Pheriche.

You continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. You then turn right and climb more steeply towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha is a good spot to have lunch, before zigzagging up through the boulders of the glacier’s terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuje.

Leaving Lobuje, you trek along the trail about four hours to Lobuje Base Camp. After walking half way on flat land, you follow steep ascending path to reach Lobuje Base Camp. The path is quite rocky and it moves along the bank of Lobuje Glacier. En route, you get to enjoy the spectacular views of Cholatse, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Pokhalde, Thanserku, Kantega, etc.

Today is a rest day at the Base Camp for acclimatization and also for making the necessary preparation for the climb.

You begin your climb as you hike over smooth slabs, following cairns, (stone markers), onto the hard snow. Further on, there is steep climbing of about 60 degrees. You head along the knife-edged ridge, less than 12inches (25 centimeters) in places to finally reach the summit. At the summit, you will catch panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Tawache, Cholatse, Pumori, Changri, etc. After enjoying your hard earned climb, you return to the Base Camp. Today you trek for about ten hours.

Leaving the Base camp, you trek towards Dingboche. Descending all the way downhill passing Duglha, you finally reach Dingboche after trekking for about five hours. You are rewarded with the spectacular views of Cholatse, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Pokhalde, Thamserku, Kantega, etc.

Continuing along the trail, you trek along a gradually descending path till Deboche and from there you ascend for twenty minutes to reach Tengboche. Your trek today includes impressive views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Everest, Thamserku, Kantega, Lobuje and so on. En route, you pass villages such as Pangboche and Shomare. Today, you trek for about four hours.

From Tengboche you descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making your way back to Namche.

The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast following Dud Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel completely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We feel the Sherpa villages’ impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag while we walk through the villages.

Fly back to Kathmandu after long mountain adventure. The flight time to Kathmandu is schedule for morning normally because of the wind in the afternoon. However, sometimes the flight may be delayed due to bad weather and other reasons. After arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can rest and relax throughout the day in the hotel. If interested to take some gifts from Nepal for friends and relatives, you can visit to some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods which can be assisted by our guides or you can do it yourself too. If fascinated to explore some other areas of Kathmandu you can do that today. We will be hosting a fantastic celebration dinner together for successful completion of the Expedtion!

You are saying good bye to the mountains as your adventurous trip in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Beauty Nepal Adventure will take you to the airport. On your way home you’ll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.