Lobuche Peak is famous for being one of the climbing peaks in Nepal above an altitude of 6000m. Most climbers take Lobuche Peak for testing their climbing skills, as it is more technically tricky than Island Peak. People who have ever conquered the Lobuche Peak, name it one of the worth climbing once in a lifetime. You can enjoy the view of Mount Everest (8,849m), Mount Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,869m), Mount Pumori(7,161m), and Mount Ama Dablam (6,812m) from the Lobuche Peak Summit. Lobuche Peak is conquered from both the east and west sides. Most of the climbers prefer the east side as it is comparatively less difficult technically than the west side. 

The Lobuche Peak is located in the Khumbu region of Nepal which is quite close to Khumbu Glacier above the Lobuche village. Lobuche Peak Climbing is usually done from the east side as the left side is comparably less difficult than the west side. As you trek through the Everest Base Camp before climbing the peak, Lobuche Peak from the east is also called a trekking peak.

Lobuche Peak climb is also said a technical climb as it needs specialized climbing equipment to climb the icy terrain, deep notch ridge, and final steep headwall to conquer the summit. Some of the difficulties you may have to face during climbing the Lobuche Peak are explained below.

 Difficulties in Lobuche Climb East 

1. As Lobuche Peak is a trekking peak, you will be trekking from Lukla to Lobuche Base Camp which will be for around 10 days which is quite tiresome. 
2. After crossing the Lobuche village, the path to the peak gets rougher and much riskier due to the rocky, snowy slopes and steeper as you head towards the summit. The snow wall climb is a challenging climb which is nearly a 45° climb that requires special climbing equipment.
3. Also, you’ll spend some nights in the camp tents, sometimes in cold temperatures with only a couple of hours of sleep, little food and bad weather too. 
4. You need to give 8-10 hours of effort each day to reach the Lobuche summit on the desired summit day and return to base camp.

You should not forget that this is the trekking peak climb, which means you must walk 5-6 hours of the walk for every day during the trek. Also, proper acclimatization and guidance are needed to prepare for the summit and to keep your health top-notch.

Itinerary of Lobuche Peak Climbing with Map

The following itinerary includes day to day destination name and time to reach the planned destination with the maximum elevation you get on the day.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and City Tour

Day 03: Flight to Lukla (2,860m) & 3-4 hours trek to Phakding (2,610m)

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazar 5-6 hours (3,440m) 

Day 05: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazar

Day 06: Namche Bazar to Tengboche 5/6-hour Trek (3,867m)

Day 07:  Trek to Dingboche (4,410m) 5/6 hour

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche

Day 09: Dingboche to Lobuche  5/6 hour (4,940m)

Day 10:  Trek to Everest Base Camp (5364) via Gorakshep (5164m)

Day 11: Hike to Kala Patthar (5644m) and trek back to Lobuche (4940m) – 6/7 hour

Day 12: Trek to Lobuche High Camp (5400m) – 3/4 hour

Day 13: Lobuche High Camp to Summit (6119m) and return to High Camp  (5400m)  8/10 hour

Day 14: Contingency day

Day 15: Trek to Pangboche (3985m) – 7/8 hour

Day 16: Trek to Namche Bazar (3440m) – 5/6 hour

Day 17: Trek to Lukla (2860m) – 6/7 hour

Day 18: Return flight to Kathmandu (1400m) 30 minutes flight

Day 19: Final Departure

Lobuche Peak Climbing Preparation Guide

Any peak climbing needs a huge strength, endurance, mental fortitude, good balance, and tactics, whether you’re a novice trekker or not. An effective fitness regimen is much needed as climbing depletes every muscle in the body. So, for this, you must start the training process at least three months before your trip, which depends totally on your level of fitness. You can find all the necessary information in this guide to Lobuche Peak. 

Multi-Day Hiking Program

The main objective of hiking is to become accustomed to the day-to-day experience of much more difficult trekking with a load of the backpack. You can also increase the intensity of your future trips by increasing distance and load, and trekking from lower to higher heights during your practice period. You can start with a straightforward hike and a light backpack at a lower elevation and the elevation and weight can be gradually increased. The more hiking you do, get more prepared for the Lobuche Peak Climb. Hence, Give your body time of about a week or two to get enough rest and recuperate completely before you climb the peak.

Climbing activities needed to train for Climbing

Taking climbing as a training exercise will help to improve your strength, stamina, balance, and flexibility. Climbing has also been marked as the best exercise for a full-body workout. Therefore, Climbing is the greatest approach to making yourself ready for mountain climbing. Similarly, besides rock climbing, you’ll also need a solid understanding of ice climbing for the Lobuche Peak Climbing.

 Rock climbing is marked as a very terrific workout for ascending Lobuche Peak as it engages the muscles of both your hands and feet. Ice Climbing will also improve your understanding of how to use equipment and tools with the fundamentals of climbing. These curricula are much needed to learn how to use equipment such as an ice axe, crampons, lightweight mountaineering harnesses, carabiners, and other necessary gear.

Cardio Workouts

Cardio Workouts are the exercises that increase your heart, lungs, and overall health as well as your strength and endurance. These workouts strengthen your heart, and blood vessels and increase the ability to resist the difficult environment. Running, cycling, swimming, rowing, power walking, boxing, and any other exercise that increases your heart rate are all under cardiovascular training. You will require a six-week workout schedule after establishing a solid physical foundation.

In the first week, you’ll focus on low-intensity endurance training while adjusting the workout and strengthening your weak points. Following, In the second week, you should start working on your strength and muscles—the intensity of your workout increases in the third week for power endurance. Keep in mind that, the intensity of aerobic and anaerobic training is lower than that of endurance training.

The fourth week of strength and power training will help you stay on course while ascending Lobuche Peak. Strength training helps you to move with a given amount of weight and power that allows us to maintain that motion for a set length of time.

While recovering after the fourth-week program, light exercises like running, swimming, and biking are an excellent place to start in the fifth week. You should continue power endurance training in the sixth week getting rest simultaneously.

Maintaining Diet

Any exercise program can be finished with a healthy diet. You won't achieve the desired results by eating unhealthy at the time you are adhering to the workout schedule. The healthier you make your diet, the more you perform better in aspects like strength, focus, flexibility, and endurance.

Climbers must rely on proteins, maintain a low body weight, and concentrate on building a strong, healthy physique during the Lobuche Peak Climb. Calcium and carbohydrates are among the necessary nutrients.

Besides the foods, you must develop the habit of consuming at least 2 liters of water each day. Getting ready for Lobuche Peak is easier than you might imagine. Stick to a structured workout schedule and prioritize endurance development over muscular growth.
Lobuche Peak Climbing Cost

Lobuche Peak Climb is can be marked as one of the most expensive climbs due to the purchase you have to make for the special equipment needed for the trek. The trekking peak Lobuche Peak has a lengthy climb, hence, many additional costs, such as guides, porters, meals, and lodging, will be added to the package.

Nepal Vision Treks is offering you just USD 2,549 for the Lobuche Peak Climb with the services listed below:

• Pick and drop at Airport
• Welcome and farewell dinner at a Nepali Traditional restaurant
• Best Accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
• Flight to Lukla, all the domestic transfers included
• Teahouse, Lodges, and Tent accommodation during trekking and climbing
• Meals during the trek
• Expenses of Climbing Crews: Guide, Assistant Guides, and Porters
• All the necessary climbing permit charges
• All federal and local taxes applicable
• Trekking map with the certificate of climbing completion at the end
• Group Medical Kit Box
• Arrangement of an emergency Helicopter at the time of emergency, which will be paid for by the travel insurance company

 Price Overview for the Lobuche Peak Climb

Airport Visa On-Arrival Fee

Like most nations, Nepal offers travelers an on-arrival visa for the following fee:

15 days - $30

30 days - $50

90 days - $125

 Cost for hotels in Kathmandu

Before your trip begins, you’ll spend a night in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Any standard room in the city ranges from $15 to $20.

 Permits for climbing and trekking:

You'll need both a trekking and climbing permit for the Lobuche Peak Climb. 

1. Khumbu Region Entry price: $20 
2. Permit for Sagarmatha National Park: $30
   Besides, you must pay $250 to the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in the spring season to climb the peak. It cost $125 for the Autumn season and $70 for the other seasons.

Costs of transportation

The Lobuche Peak Climb starts from Lukla. You can get easy access to Lukla by two methods, one by flying a 30-35 minute flight and another by taking the car route through Jiri. The cost for the flight ranges starts at $400 for both ways. The price for the car ranges from NRs 2500 to 3000 to get to Salleri. Again, it will take NRs 2500-3000 to get to Khari Khola from Salleri.

 Porters & Guides

Climbing Lobuche Peak alone is practically impossible. A guide and a porter are necessary for the climb to carry the majority of your loads. Hiring a porter may cost you between $15 to $20, depending upon the season. 

Best time for the Lobuche Peak Climb

The best time recommended for climbing Lobuche Peak is from March to May, the spring season, and September to November, the autumn season. Spring season has more recently fallen snow than autumn, which is the reason climbers prefer to climb in the autumn more than the spring. 

You may occasionally experience unpredictable weather in Spring, so you must be ready for any delay in the schedule during this season. Spring is the best time to go for the climb as there won’t be more people in this season. This is the main reason why climbing Lobuche Peak requires a charge of $250 by NMA. 

The autumn season, on the other hand, has always been a peak climbing and hiking season with high success rates. The weather is pleasant, with a clear blue sky and warm temperatures for the majority of the time in this season. Also, this is the best time to expect the best views and take photographs. Lobuche Peak is quite accessible in the fall. You must pay $125 in the autumn season for the permit.

The Lobuche Peak is also feasible to climb during the Monsoon and Winter seasons but the likelihood of success is limited than the spring and Autumn seasons. You can also attempt the pre-monsoon and late winter seasons, which are also known as the shoulder season of spring and autumn. The cost for a permit during the monsoon and winter is only $70.

Besides, if you want a challenge and the best view together, spring is the best time to climb the Lobuche Peak. You can go in the autumn for the best weather and pre-monsoon or winter for the least price and a once-in-a-lifetime view with Nepal Vision Treks.