Nepal·16 - 29 April 2025
Make the Pilgrimage to Everest Basecamp and Scale a Himalayan Classic, Lobuche East 6119m
ENQUIREEmbark on an extraordinary journey to Nepal this spring and experience two bucket list adventures in one, as we combine the peerless trek to Everest Basecamp with the thrill of summiting a Himalayan classic; the beautiful Lobuche East, 6119m. Beginning in the ancient city of Kathmandu, tour the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and visit the climbing shops of Thamel from your base at the 5* Hyatt Regency in Boudha. Then fly by private helicopter charter to the world famous Lukla airport, the gateway to the Everest region and feel a sense of calm wash over you as you arrive at the historic starting point of this epic two part challenge. Follow in the footsteps of alpine giants; marvelling at the sheer scale, beauty, and enormity of the Himalayas as you do. Pass through tranquil Sherpa villages, staying in warm and welcoming tea houses, visiting remote monasteries on this adventure pilgrimage to Everest Basecamp. Stand at the base of the word’s highest mountain and admire the view of its summit from Kala Patthar, before undertaking your own Himalayan fixed rope climb. Lobuche East, 6119m stands just off the main EBC trekking route, behind the village of the same name and offers climbers the perfect introduction to high altitude mountaineering in Nepal as the first step towards bigger objectives or an incredible stand alone challenge. Receive training on how to use the fixed ropes from our best in class Sherpa guides ahead of the climb and feel supported every step of the way as you make your way to the summit where some of the best views of Mount Everest and an indescribable feeling of awe, await.
Lobuche East is a Khumbu classic, an epic stand alone challenge, a step up from Kilimanjaro or the perfect starting point for anyone looking to climb 7 or 8000m peaks in the future.
Trek only one with with return helicopter flights from KTM to Lukla and Pheriche to Kathmandu with our partners at Heli Everest. Their fleet of 4, Airbus H125 will be on hand to safely fly you, to and from the Everest region.
Nothing will be left to chance with guiding from our CEO and our specially selected Nepali Guides.
In Kathmandu we use the excellent Hyatt Regency in Boudda and on the trek we book the best tea house option in each village but please note the facilities get more spartan as we get higher and bathrooms are shared in Lobuche and Gorakshep.
Our Nepali partners are expert in Himalayan logistics and also own Heli Everest. Handy for getting around or in case of an emergency.
We are committed to giving you the most support possible, prior to and during your adventure with our top guiding team, where nothing will be left to chance, with guiding from our CEO and our specially selected Nepali Guides.
Full training will be given on how to use the fixed ropes, ascender device and rappelling for the descent, so you feel confident on the climb.
Oliver is the Founder of True Summit Adventures, a certified Mountain Leader and an experienced adventurer and alpinist.
He is passionate about Nepal, the Everest region and the basecamp trek in particular. "It's something everyone should do in their lifetime, whether you love climbing or just being in the great outdoors. It is unlike anything else," is his opinion.
Oliver first completed the trek in 2021, his second time in Nepal (the first time was in the lowland area of Bhardia playing the Elephant Polo World Championships!) whilst on an Everest expedition.
2021 was a difficult year for climbing, one heavily disrupted by the pandemic and weather, but although he did not summit, the spiritual affect and impact of the trek remained just as strong as ever.
Oliver led our 2023 expedition to EBC and Lobuche which saw him guide Patrick Kappaz to the summit of Lobuche East, 6119m, who was 16 years and 48 days old at the time - a likely record for any climber.
Oliver will be assisted by a team of high altitude porters and Nepali Sherpa guides.
Tashi comes from one of the most preeminent families in mountaineering and expedition management in the world.
Tashi holds the record for the youngest person to climb Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen (in 2005 aged 19) and has been to the summit 10 times in total, while his brothers Mingma and Dawa have each climbed all 14 mountains above 8000m; the first Nepali's, and the first brothers to do so.
Tashi has also completed the Seven Summits and alongside his brothers became the first Nepali to ski to the South Pole.
In May 2023, his 17 year old son Nima became the youngest person to have completed the Everest and Lhotse double summit, having also become the youngest person to summit Manaslu the previous October. He also holds the record for the fastest to complete the double climb of Gasherbrun 1 and Gasherbrun 2 in 25 hours.
Tashi is one of the best and most experienced expedition managers in Nepal, if not the nicest. His family also own Heli Everest, meaning their fleet of A-350 aircraft is always on hand and available to our clients.
Pasang Kami "PK" Sherpa from Bhortse is one of the most experienced and talented high altitude Sherpa guides in Nepal with numerous ascents of 8000'ers and 10 ascents of Mount Everst itself.
He has climbed Lhotse many times and lead the TSA, 2023 expedition to Lobuche East which saw 100% of our guests reach the summit.
PK is one of the few Nepali guides going through the IFMGA guiding certification making him one of the most technically proficent guides in Nepal.
Phurkiter is one of the best trekking guides in Nepal and a master of looking after people on expedition. Hailing from the famed Makalu region of Nepal, Phurkiter studied tourism and hospitality at university in Kathmandu, before completing his guiding certification.
Phurkiter is an accomplished mountaineer, who counts a winter ascent of Ama Dablam among his climbing achievements.
Dinesh is one of the most promising upand-coming climbers and guides in Nepal. Born and raised in the mythical Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar, Dinesh completed high school in the neighbouring village of Khumjung, which was built by Sir Edmond Hillary in 1961.
A graduate of the Khumbu Climbing Centre, Dinesh counts the legendary North Face athlete, Conrad Anker among his climbing partners and mentors.
Simone is one of the greatest alpinists of all time with 4 first ascents of mountains over 8000m in winter. Simone is known for climbing alpine style - without Sherpa support, fixed lines or supplemental oxygen in winter.
He is also one of the leading high altitude helicopter pilots in the world. Based in Bergamo in Italy he spends his springs in Nepal where he is the lead pilot for Heli Everest.
Journey to Lobuche East
We follow the classic trekking route through the Sherpa villages of Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche, before reaching Lobuche and Gorakshep. From Gorakshep, we continue to Everest Base Camp (EBC).
Once at Basecamp, we retrace our steps back to Gorakshep before embarking on the final stretch to Lobuche High Camp. This marks the staging point for our ascent of Lobuche East, and from here, we prepare for the summit push with stunning views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, and Pumori surrounding us.
One of the most incredible mountain experiences there is; an adventure classic ...
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Welcome to Nepal and to the experience of a lifetime.
You will be met at the airport by a True Summit Adventures team member and taken to our team hotel, the Hyatt Regency in Bouda; one of the original and best five star hotels in Kathmandu.
Designed in traditional Newari-style architecture and set within 37 acres of landscaped gardens, the hotel offers an oasis of calm in bustling Kathmandu, yet is located, close to all the historic attractions, temples, restaurants and the outdoor shops should you need to make any last minute purchases.
Popular with the climbing community, it is highly probable to see famous alpinists at the breakfast counter, on the terrace or by the pool during the day. Relax by the pool or hit the gym!
Today we explore Kathmandu, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth, founded in the 2nd Century AD and home to several World Heritage Sites; the Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya (or Monkey Temple) Bouddha and (Hindu burial site) Pashupatinath.
We take these all in on our tour, stopping for lunch at the Roadhouse restaurant overlooking the Boudda Stupa.
Later, we visit the climbing shops in Thamel for any last minute purchases ahead of the expedition.
In the evening we have our official 'welcome dinner' at the Hyatt Regency.
Today is the day!
After an early breakfast we transfer to the airport and take the 1 hour helicopter flight* to the world famous Lukla airport, the gateway to the Khumbu Valley.
The views are awe-inspiring as we approach and expect a sense of calm to wash over you as you step off the helicopter and into this magical place, seeing the beautiful Himalayas for the first time.
After an energising lunch in Lukla we begin the trek with a gentle hike to Phakding.
In the evening we settle into life on the trek with dinner, conversations and games - UNO and Perudo are TSA favourites.
The trek starts to gain some altitude and cross some long bridges, suspended high above the Khumbu Valley! Not for the faint-hearted, but exhilarating none the less, the most famous being the Hillary Bridge which hangs 135m above the Dude Khosi river.
Our destination is the almost mythical Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar, nestled high in the Himalayan foothills and only accessible on foot or by helicopter. Truly, this is one of the most magical places in the world.
Here you can stroll through the market shopping for souvenirs, visit the barber shop, enjoy a cappuccino and slice of marble cake at the world famous Sherpa Barista Café or visit the world’s highest Irish Pub.
Namche is also home to many outfitters so if you are not 100% happy with your trekking shoes you can still buy a new pair.
Today we take a pause in the expedition to allow ourselves to acclimatise to the increasing altitude. But it's not all sitting around drinking tea!
Today we hike for 2 hours to the famous Everest View Hotel at 3,888m for an epic lunch where we can enjoy the incredible views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks, Lhotse, Nuptse and the mighty Ama Dablam.
After lunch we take the short walk to the small but charming village of Khumjung where we can visit the monastery, chat with the locals, buy souvenirs and drink more tea, before heading back to Namche for a second night.
An easy start to the day as the trail meanders gently up the valley, following the course of the river, but ascends steeply, after the lunch break towards Tengboche; a holy place in Sherpa culture, famed for its Buddhist monastery and more recently, its bakery that serves excellent homemade cakes.
As the trail continues to gain in altitude, there are more views of the Himalayan giants, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and Ama Dablam. At this time of year, the hill slopes around Tengboche are covered with flowering rhododendrons and if you are lucky, you may see the Himalayan Tahr in the surrounding woodland.
A visit to the monastery is a must, as is the bakery, before we descend to Rivendell, one of the best tea houses in the Everest region, complete with heated blankets, to enjoy more Sherpa hospitality, more ginger and lemon tea or perhaps a glass of red wine by the fire.
The trail heads above the tree line for the first time, leaving the greener parts of the Khumbu Valley behind, as it heads towards Dingboche. Huge mountains, notably the beautiful Ama Dablam, tower over the path and the scenery is breathtaking; Mount Everest looms larger in the distance.
In Dingboche there are kilometres of stone walls, built from the stones that once covered the entire Valley of Imja, which were removed for cultivation and where potatoes now grow.
The acclimatisation process demands we stay a second night in Dingboche, and to aid this process, we suggest a three hour trek to 5100m, after which we return to Dingboche for lunch.
In the afternoon there is time to visit the bakery for coffee and cakes while those in the mood can watch one of the climbing films on play.
It is then back to the tea house for more impeccable Sherpa hospitality.
8.5km South West of Everest Basecamp and at the foot of the Khumbu glacier lies the village of Lobuche, our destination for today and one of the last Sherpa settlements before EBC itself.
Lobuche is the staging point for 8000m expeditions of Everest and Lhotse and the 7000m expeditions of Nuptse and Pumori and as such is a busy and bustling place, famous for the mountain of the same name, often used as an acclimatisation / training peak for Everest and which overlooks the village.
The guides will ask you to trek slowly and within yourselves, given the altitude is nearly 5000m and higher than the European giant, Mont Blanc.
Today is the day we have been looking forward to as we trek to the base of the highest mountain on Earth and marvel at its sheer enormity, stature and wildness.
Truly, this is a beautiful place, but a historic one also; the scene of so much triumph as well as tragedy in the hundred or so years since mankind began its obsession with reaching this most prized of summits.
Few people fail to be moved in its presence as we ponder on all the alpine giants who have gone before us; first ascents, first ascents without supplemental oxygen, speed ascents, winter ascents and perhaps the greatest ascent; by the late Swedish alpinist Goran Krupp who made a solo alpine ascent (no sherpa assistance / fixed ropes) in 1996, having cycled to EBC from his home in Sweden, before cycling back.
Afterwards we make the short trek back to Gorakshep for a celebratory dinner.
This morning the trekking starts early, at around 4am in order to reach to the summit of Kala Patthar in time for sunrise. The views of Mount Everest at first light will be out of this world and the elevated position makes them the best of the trip.
After taking in the incredible scenery, you'll descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast. Following breakfast, you will continue to Lobuche.
After lunch it is time to finalise preparations for the Lobuche ascent and meet our experienced guiding team, led by 10-time Everest summiter Pasang Kami Sherpa from Bhortse. "PK," an IFMGA aspirant guide, led the TSA 2023 & 2024 Lobuche East expeditions and won acclaim in 2024 for his ‘fast and light’ alpine climb and first ascent of Patrasi Peak, 6450m.
This morning is spent preparing for the ascent of Lobuche East. The guides will give a full demonstration and tuition on how to use the fixed ropes to ascend and descend Lobuche safely.
After lunch in Lobuche we trek to Lobuche High, taking in stunning views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pokalde, Thamserku, and Kantega. Once at the high camp there is time to rest ahead of the summit push.
At midnight, we have breakfast at High Camp and begin our ascent at 1 a.m. After a 45-minute climb to the crampon point, we join fixed lines, navigating steeper ice and snow.
Climbing in smaller groups with a high guide-to-client ratio ensures a pace that suits everyone, with close monitoring at each transition. By sunrise, we reach the summit, enjoying breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori.
After photos at the summit plateau, we descend to High Camp for breakfast, before trekking down to Pheriche for the helicopter ride back to Kathmandu.
In the evening we host a celebration dinner.
Sadly all good things must come to an end.
Drivers will be on hand to take you to the airport for your flight home.
We hope this experience will live long in the memory and that you will have felt a deep and profound sense of joy during your time in this most beautiful of places, the Khumbu Valley.
For those whose thirst for adventure has not quite been quenched, we invite you to visit Bhardia National Park in Western Nepal and the incredible Tiger Tops where you can hope to see a tiger in the wild.
One of the original and best five star hotels in Kathmandu. Designed in traditional Newari-style architecture and set within 37 acres of landscaped gardens.
One of the best and most comfortable tea houses in Nepal, complete with heated blankets and an atmospheric dining room serving delicious Himalayan food.
The best high camp on the mountain with individual tents, large communal dining area and excellent high altitude chefs.
Hotel transfers on arrival and departure
Accomodation on a full board basis
Return helicopter flights from Kathmandu
Western and Nepali guides
Dedicated first responder and first aid kit
Oxygen cylinder
All permits
Porters
Welcome and farewell dinners
All meals
Iridium satellite phone
Bottled water throughout
True Summit Cap, Beanie and Buff
Expedition duffle bag
City Tour / Cultural Day
International flights
Nepal entry visa
Alcoholic drinks
WIFI in the Tea Houses
Lunch on Arrival / Departure Day
Tip to Nepalese High Mountain Crew (350$ pp recommended)
Travel / Rescue / Medical Insurance
Come earlier or stay on later.
PRICE$153.22/pp
ENQUIRE
Have an authentic experience of Nepal's ancient cultural heritage.
PRICE$893.76/pp
ENQUIRE
Finest accommodation options in the Himalayas to put a luxury spin on the traditional Nepali tea houses.
PRICE$1,021.44/pp
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Fly directly from Lobuche’s high camp to Lukla for your onward flight to Kathmandu.
PRICE$829.92/pp
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Finish your Nepal adventure with a tiger safari in Bardia National Park.
PRICE$1,908.82/pp
ENQUIREReaching Everest Basecamp and climbing Lobuche East requires a good level of fitness; members should be comfortable walking for 6 to 7 hours a day for multiple days. Unlike, Kilimanjaro, accommodation is in Tea Houses meaning recovery is easier after a long day's walking.
The altitude for Lobuche East trek should not be under estimated which is why we have a rest day in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche to allow people to acclimatise better. If you are worried about your response to altitude then discuss with your GP about taking Diamox.
We always go for the best option in each location.
The "tea houses" are clean, quaint and cosy, but they are not hotels and nor would we want them to be. That said, the tea houses we use mostly have private bathrooms and showers although please note, they become more basic above Tengboche.
At Lobuche High Camp we have the best high altitude camp available.
A training weekend on Toubkal (Morocco) or Ben Nevis (Scotland) to practice crampon skills and winter climbing generally would be useful.
Food in Nepal and in the high mountains in particular is relatively simple, but plentiful. Expect pancakes, eggs and porridge in the mornings and rice, pasta, pizza, noodle and the currry dishes for lunch and dinner.
Yes. You can rent technical boots for 6000m climbing, crampons, climbing harness, climbing helmet, ascender and ACT in Dingboche. Expect to pay US$ 100 for the whole set.
Handy for the entry visa on arrival (for those eligible) and for paying for things in Nepal, including the tip for high altitude crew
The better shape you can arrive in, the better you will cope with the altitude and the climb. Train at KXU, in London on Wednesday mornings in a specially prepared HIIT Class for alpinists.
Medical and Rescue from Global Rescue is the best insurance product on the market
Top notch; First class; Unparalleled; Exceptional - Choose your superlative and True Summit Adventures meets and exceeds it! My sons and I recently returned from another trip with them, this one trekking and mountaineering in the high Himalayas. Oliver and his team are not only world-class expedition leaders, they are superb and charming hosts who provide a level of personalized service and attentiveness rarely found in such operations. They really make an effort to ensure the team bonds, and usually lifelong friends are the result. TSA turns a memorable trip into the trip of a lifetime. I cannot recommend TSA enough!
George Kappaz, Private Equity Principal
EBC is a must-do for everyone who wants to have a physical challenge in breathtaking surroundings. Forget what is being said about it being a bit crowded (it is); when you're in the mountains with a group lead by Oliver, you feel it's all about you, group empowering and nature! Oliver leads in a way that you feel he's one of the group that just happened to know the mountains best. In a week he turned a bunch of individuals into a group of friends.
Rob Van Rozendaal, Entrepreneur
Oliver Browne & TSA are the BEST ! My son Sterling and I have done Kilimanjaro - best trip ever and Everest Base Camp this past year. Safety, reliability, fun with great people ..
James McBride, Hotelier
Absolutely great experience. True individual approach from Oliver and his team.
Dmitry Scherbakov, Founder, La Liga Tennis
Oliver organised the most awesome expedition. Not only a great guide he is also a master in logistics. Everything worked like a Swiss watch.
Farzin Pourmokthar, ex investment banker
