Lhotse Expedition via Everest Route

We welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to our partner hotel in Kathmandu. Our team collects your passport copies for permit processing.

We conduct a thorough equipment inspection at our Kathmandu headquarters, checking down suits, technical hardware, and oxygen regulators. We also visit the Ministry of Tourism for official expedition briefings.

We take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla at 2,840 m. After meeting our porters, we begin walking down the Dudh Koshi valley to reach Phakding at 2,610 m.

The trail crosses suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river before entering Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. We then make the steep, sustained climb up to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m.

We spend today resting and acclimatising in Namche. We take a morning hike towards the Everest View Point at 3,880 m to assist with red blood cell adaptation.

We contour out of Namche high above the Imja Khola, descending to Phunki Thanga before climbing through rhododendron forest to the monastery at Tengboche at 3,867 m. We continue a short distance further down to Debuche at 3,820 m.

We cross the Imja Khola at Pangboche, passing stone walled fields and yak pastures as the valley widens. We arrive in Dingboche at 4,410 m by early afternoon.

To further our altitude adaptation, we undertake a morning hike up Nagarjun Hill, reaching an elevation of approximately 5,100 m before returning to Dingboche for the night.

The trail climbs past the memorials at Dughla before ascending the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We settle into our lodge at Lobuche at 4,910 m.

We navigate the rocky rubble of the Khumbu Glacier, crossing undulating ice and moraine ridges to reach Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m, which serves as our home for the coming weeks.

We begin our rotation schedule, moving through the Khumbu Icefall to Camp 1 and Camp 2 at approximately 6,400 m to test our physiological response to extreme altitude.

We spend time at Camp 2, sleeping at altitude and allowing our bodies to adjust before descending back to Base Camp for rest and recovery.

A mandatory rest period at Base Camp to hydrate, consume fresh nutrition, and monitor health metrics with our expedition doctor.

We review high-altitude weather forecasts and check fixed-rope conditions on the Western Cwm while resting at Base Camp.

We prepare our personal gear, oxygen cylinders, and technical equipment for our second rotation up the mountain.

We ascend directly to Camp 2, moving efficiently through the changing ice structures of the Khumbu Icefall.

We climb the steep Lhotse Face from Camp 2, establishing our presence and sleeping at Camp 3 at approximately 7,200 m using supplemental oxygen as planned.

After successfully reaching Camp 3 and completing our second rotation, we descend all the way back down to Base Camp.

Low-activity day at Base Camp dedicated to sleeping, eating, and recovering muscle mass after high-rotation fatigue.

We review the long-range jet stream forecasts to identify potential weather windows suitable for a summit push.

Our Sherpa team checks all radios, masks, regulators, and high-altitude tents in preparation for the final phase.

We remain on standby at Base Camp, keeping our packs ready while watching wind speeds aloft.

Active rest walks around Base Camp moraine to maintain light circulation without depleting energy stores.

Briefings with our lead guides regarding route conditions, rope fixing updates, and team deployment schedules.

Continued monitoring of meteorological data as we wait for high-altitude winds to drop.

Extra hydration and nutrition intake at Base Camp to build energy reserves before the climb.

Equipment sorting and final distribution of group gear among our climbing Sherpas.

Rest day at Base Camp with light stretching and mental preparation for the demanding days ahead.

Route update meetings with other expedition leaders operating on the Geneva Spur.

Final gear checks and battery recharging at our solar-powered Base Camp station.

Weather window analysis confirms favorable conditions approaching for the upcoming week.

We officially launch our summit push, leaving Base Camp and climbing through the Khumbu Icefall to sleep at Camp 2.

We ascend the Western Cwm and climb the fixed lines up the Lhotse Face to reach Camp 3 at 7,200 m.

We climb from Camp 3 across the Geneva Spur to establish ourselves at Camp 4, the final high camp situated at approximately 7,950 m.

We leave Camp 4 under pre-dawn darkness, climbing the steep snow slopes before entering the narrow 150 m summit gully that leads directly to the 8,516 m summit of Lhotse, afterwards descending back to Camp 4 or Camp 3.

We continue our descent down the Lhotse Face and Western Cwm, reaching the relative safety and comfort of Camp 2.

We pack up our high camps and complete the descent through the Khumbu Icefall back to Base Camp, concluding the main climbing phase.

Built-in reserve day at Base Camp used in case summit attempts are delayed by high winds or adverse weather.

Secondary reserve day allocated for team recovery or unexpected schedule adjustments.

Additional contingency day ensuring maximum flexibility for our summit window.

Final weather contingency day at Base Camp before packing down expedition infrastructure.

Full team celebration and rest following successful summit rotations.

Sorting high-altitude gear, oxygen cylinders, and personal belongings for porter transport.

Dismantling dining and communications tents at Base Camp.

Final cleanup preparation and waste sorting according to Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee guidelines.

We complete the pack-down of Base Camp, ensuring all rubbish, equipment, and human waste containers are cleared from the glacier.

Leaving Base Camp behind, we trek down the moraine past Lobuche and Dughla, descending into the windy valley of Pheriche at 4,240 m.

We retrace our steps down past Pangboche and Tengboche, climbing the final hill back to Namche Bazaar for a celebratory evening.

We make the long descent out of Sagarmatha National Park, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi to reach Lukla for our final night on the trail.

We catch the morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, transferring to our hotel with the evening reserved for a team dinner.

A free day in Kathmandu to rest, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy the city at your own pace.

We transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international flight home.