Lhotse, a peak 3 km south of Mt. Everest, in fact, a part of the Everest massif, separated by the South Col, is the 4th highest (8,516m) peak in the world. According to the Tibetan language, Lhotse means ‘ South Peak’. Situated on the border, between Tibet and the Khumbu region of Nepal the peak was first climbed on May 18, 1956, by the Swiss team of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger. Lhotse is well-known for its remarkable south face, the place that has been the site of failed attempts and some notable fatalities. Probably because of this and the extremely difficult climb, the peak is rarely attempted.
The Lhotse Expedition: Typically 48 days are required to complete the expedition, in which 39 days are set aside for climbing. The expedition starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, from where we trek up to the Everest Base Camp (Mt Lhotse and Mt. Everest share the same base camp) beside the Khumbu glacier; enjoying the beautiful Sherpa villages, culture, and hospitality. Lhotse expedition not just shares the base camp with Everest expedition, but also the length up till the south col, on the way to Everest’s Camp 4. The climb from the base camp to camp I (at 6,400m) is via Khumbu Icefall, which is the most dangerous section of the climb due to the presence of large crevasses, deceptive uneven seracs, and high objective danger of falling ice. Once past the Khumbu Icefall, although the route is technically demanding, it poses a less objective danger.
The first camp is located on top of the Khumbu Icefall. Camp II (at 6,752m) is located in a lateral moraine at the bottom of the west ridge. The view of Lhotse from this place is simply marvelous. However, one needs to fight flat glaciers and crevasses before one can enjoy this view. Camp III (7,100m) is located on a small ledge on the Lhotse wall. The climb from camp 2 to camp 3 is first across the glacier and then about 600m on the compact snowfield. Camp IV (at 7,850m) located near the south col is the last camp. Camp 4 from camp 3 is through the two rock sections: the Yellow Bands and Geneva Spur, with the help of fixed ropes. From camp 4 the final push towards the summit is on a steep narrow gully along with a mix of packed snow, ice, and some rock. The surrounding view from the top is very much rewarding.
Amigo Treks and Expedition is dedicated to providing the comprehensive service required for a successful climb. Full board (meal and accommodation), necessary transportation, experienced mountaineers, guide and crew members know wilderness medical training, permanent base camp, experienced expedition cooks and managers, solar electricity, internet facility, satellite phone, professional, reliable weather forecast service are just to mention a few. Accommodation during the trek will be arranged in lodges and tents during the climb. The itinerary prepared by us also ensures the required acclimatization. The entire Lhotse Expedition package is available at a very competitive rate.
Late spring and autumn are the perfect time to plan this expedition. Moreover, we also request you be ready for possible obstructions like altitude sickness and unpredictable mountain weather. Nevertheless, we also make the best arrangements for other expeditions like the Manaslu Expedition, the Makalu Expedition, Dhaulagiri Expedition, and many more.
Cost Include
Excludes
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport and transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Rest and prepare day for assignment & briefing
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla(2840m) and trek to Phakding (approx 4hrs walk)
Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar(3440m approx 7hrs walk )
Day 05: Acclimatization day
Day 06: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche(3860m approx 5 hrs walk)
Day 07: Trek from Tyangboche to Pheriche / dingboche (4250m approx 5 hrs walk)
Day 08: Trek from Pheriche / dingboche to Lobuche (5018m approx 4hrs walk)
Day 09: Lobuche rest day for acclimatization
Day 10: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5170m approx 3 hrs walk) and rest
Day 11: Trek from Gorakshep to Lhotse Base camp (5200m) which takes about two hours
Day 12-51: Climbing period (summit period for Lhotse)
Day 52: Trek from Base Camp (5218)to Dingboche(4260m approx 4hrs walk)
Day 53: Trek from Dingboche to Tengboche (3860M approx 4 hrs walk)
Day 54: Trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar(3440m approx 4hrs walk)
Day 55: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla(2840m approx 7hrs walk)
Day 56: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu Transfer to hotel
Day 57: Free day in Kathmandu
Day 58: Final departure
Amigo Treks and Expedition has compiled a list of essential equipment, personal medical provisions, and summary of medical conditions likely to encounter during 8000m mountaineering expeditions to help mountaineers in preparation and provisioning for climbing or mountaineering expedition.
This list should be considered as an essential summary and expeditioners embarking on the adventure are encouraged to conduct further study and practical exercises to familiarize themselves with the equipment, medical terminology and understanding of medical conditions related to high elevation, cold, wind, excessive sun radiation as well as injuries likely to sustain in the outdoor situation and in particular high and remote mountainous areas.
Essential Personal Climbing Gear:
Clothing
For under garments we recommend Merino Wool from Icebreaker because the company understands climbers and mountaineers needs and utilises the best quality material in the world. No other company can at this stage match Icebreaker quality. The quality in extreme conditions is essential for your comfort and safety. Merino wool is the finest wool and it matches cotton with softness and polypropylene with insulation and breath-ability because it takes moisture away from the body and keeps you dry and warm. Due to its natural nano-tube construction it has antibacterial properties, so it stays usable for much longer. It is slightly more expensive then polypropylene so is climbing and trekking.
Upper Body:
Hands:
Heads:
Lower Body:
Feet:
Travel and Sleeping Gear
Rucksacks and Travel Bags:
Sleeping Gear:
Medical
Personal Hygiene:
Medical Supplies:
Personal Food
Our skilful cooks will prepare 3 delicious hot meals and plenty of drinks each day in base camp, as well as in camp 2 on the mountain. This meals will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our Sherpas will be carrying this food to the higher camps.
We ask only members to bring 5 dehydrated meals (freeze-dried dinners) for their summit attempt. On summit day you will be at high elevation and you will be affected by the altitude with very limited appetite and for period so it is important to have flavours you most likely will consume.
We cannot cater for specific personal and uncommon foods and flavours. If you have any unusual, non-standard or specific personal, cultural or religious dietary requirements, which can only be satisfied with imported product, we ask you to bring your own imported daily snack and energy foods.
We do not provide “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food in Kathmandu or in home country. From our experience 3-6 kilos/6-12 pounds is a sufficient amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported brands of power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals", imported cheese and sausage may not be available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country. Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows sufficient time for shopping.
Miscellaneous Practical Items:
Oxygen
On Everest, although some climbers wish to try to summit it without supplemental oxygen, most of members would prefer to have oxygen available. We only allow members to climb Everest with the supplemental oxygen available. How much oxygen one requires is an individual decision; some people want 1 bottle, others want 12; our only requirement is that every expedition team member must have at least one oxygen bottle available for personal use, which will constitute at the minimum an emergency supply for climber to get down to at least camp 4. Our experience indicates five oxygen bottles is usually a sufficient for average climber. All of the equipment is guaranteed to work well together, and it is easy to use, with simple threaded and snap-on fittings which require no tools. We have a 40% buy back policy on unused oxygen bottles, and masks, hoses, and regulators in good condition.
Note: You may have to carry some or all of your own oxygen on summit day, as well as up and down the mountain. If possible, the groups sherpas will help stock the high camps, as well as share in carrying extra bottles during summit attempts. If you are concerned you might not be able to carry your own oxygen, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa.
With 3 friends we trek up the Tsum Valley supported by our guide Dawa and porters Shambu and Anil… a fantastic trip. Beautiful, fascinating,