Lhakpa Ri Expedition
Summit Lhakpa Ri in Style
23- Days Thrilling journey to Conquer Lhakpa Ri
The Lhakpa Ri Expedition is a 23-day climbing expedition starting and finishing in Kathmandu. The high point is 7,045 m. A normal day is 4 to 5 hours of walking. We run it as a private trip on your own dates, or as a small group departure.
The route runs Nyalam, Lotingri, Japanese Camp, Interim Camp, Changtse Base Camp, Everest Advanced Base Camp, Advanced Base Camp and Zhangmu. Rongbuk monastery, the highest in the world, founded in 1902.
This is a climbing trip rather than a walking holiday. You need to be comfortable on crampons and fixed rope, or willing to train for it, and our climbing guides run a skills session before the summit push. Rongbuk sits at about 5,000 m and you reach it by vehicle, which is the fastest ascent on any of our itineraries. We build the drive up over several days and monitor everyone.
Best time to go. April to October, with the clearest Everest views in late April to early June and again in October.
Permits and getting there. Chinese group visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien's Travel Permit and a military permit for the Everest area. All arranged by us; allow 25 days. Overland from Lhasa or from the Gyirong border, on sealed road most of the way to Rongbuk.
Where you sleep. Hotels in Shigatse and Shegar, then the guesthouse or tented camp at Rongbuk. Basic, cold and unforgettable.
Why book with us. Trekking Team is a family company in Gongabu, Kathmandu, running trips since 1991 under TAAN licence 1106. About ten thousand people have travelled with us and we hold more than 630 TripAdvisor reviews. Every departure runs with a government-licensed guide, permits arranged before you arrive, insured and equipped staff, and a fixed price. If the dates or the route do not suit you, write to us and we will rebuild the itinerary around what you want.
Trip Summary
Duration
Difficulty
Max Elevation
Start point
End point
Daily Activity
Group Size
Best Season
Trip Outline
- Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 2Rest Day and Pre-climb Training in Kathmandu
- Day 3Kathmandu to Nyalam
- Day 4Acclimatization in Nyalam
- Day 5Nyalam to Lotingri
- Day 6Acclimatization in Lotingri
- Day 7Drive to Everest Base Camp (North Face)
- Day 8-10Acclimatization and Exploration at Everest Base Camp
- Day 8-10Acclimatization and Exploration at Everest Base Camp
- Day 8-10Acclimatization and Exploration at Everest Base Camp
- Day 11Everest Base Camp to Japanese Camp
- Day 12Japanese Camp to Interim Camp
- Day 13Trek to Changtse Base Camp
- Day 14Trek to Everest Advanced Base Camp
- Day 15-16Rest and Acclimatization in Advanced Base Camp
- Day 15-16Rest and Acclimatization in Advanced Base Camp
- Day 17Move to Halfway Camp
- Day 18Summit Day on Lhakpa Ri and Move Back to Advanced Base Camp
- Day 19Contingency Day
- Day 20Move Back to Everest Base Camp
- Day 21Everest Base Camp to Zhangmu
- Day 22Zhangmu to Kathmandu
- Day 23Final Departure
Included
- All internal flights and border transfers between Tibet and Nepal that appear in the itinerary
- Chinese group visa, Tibet Travel Permit and Alien’s Travel Permit, arranged by us
- Military permit for the Everest and restricted areas where the route requires it
- Licensed Tibetan guide throughout
- Tourist vehicle with a permitted driver for the whole itinerary
- Hotel accommodation in Lhasa, Shigatse and Gyantse, and guesthouse or tented accommodation at Rongbuk, twin share
- Breakfast daily at the hotels
- All monastery and monument entry fees in the itinerary
- A pulse oximeter and a comprehensive first aid kit carried by the guide
- All government taxes and company service charges
Not Included
- International flights and the Kathmandu to Lhasa air ticket unless listed
- All lunches and dinners. Tibet programmes run on a bed and breakfast basis throughout
- Travel insurance covering high altitude and evacuation from Tibet. Compulsory
- Supplementary oxygen, which is available as an optional extra
- Drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature
- Costs arising from a border closure, permit refusal or itinerary change ordered by the authorities
- Emergency evacuation, which your insurance must cover
- Tips for the Tibetan guide and driver
- Anything not listed under what is included
Get started on your journey
Detailed itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival day in Lhasa is an altitude day and we treat it as one. The city sits at 3,656 m and you have arrived there by aircraft, which means no acclimatisation at all. Our Tibetan guide meets you at Gonggar airport and it is about an hour into the city.
Check in, then do almost nothing. Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol entirely, eat lightly and go to bed early. Mild headache and broken sleep on the first night are normal and usually gone by the second. Your guide will check on you in the evening and again at breakfast.
If you feel well, a short slow walk in the neighbourhood is better than lying down all afternoon, but keep it flat and keep it brief.
Altitude: 1,350 m | Overnight: 3-5 Stars | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Rest Day and Pre-climb Training in Kathmandu
Participate in pre-climb training, gear checks, and briefings about the upcoming expedition.
Altitude: 1,350 m | Overnight: 3-5 Stars | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Kathmandu to Nyalam
Drive to Nyalam, enjoying beautiful mountain views along the way.
Nyalam and Kerung sit on the Tibetan side of the Himalayan crest, and the road between the border and the plateau climbs through a spectacular gorge before emerging onto open, treeless high country. The altitude gain on this stretch is fast and the overnight here is an acclimatisation stop rather than a sightseeing one.
Altitude: 3,800 m | Overnight: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Acclimatization in Nyalam
Spend the day acclimatizing and exploring the local area.
Nyalam and Kerung sit on the Tibetan side of the Himalayan crest, and the road between the border and the plateau climbs through a spectacular gorge before emerging onto open, treeless high country. The altitude gain on this stretch is fast and the overnight here is an acclimatisation stop rather than a sightseeing one.
Altitude: 3,800 m | Overnight: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Nyalam to Lotingri
Drive to Lotingri, a stunning journey through the mountains.
Nyalam and Kerung sit on the Tibetan side of the Himalayan crest, and the road between the border and the plateau climbs through a spectacular gorge before emerging onto open, treeless high country. The altitude gain on this stretch is fast and the overnight here is an acclimatisation stop rather than a sightseeing one.
Altitude: 4,348 m | Overnight: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Acclimatization in Lotingri
Another acclimatization day to prepare for higher altitudes.
Altitude: 4,348 m | Overnight: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Drive to Everest Base Camp (North Face)
Travel to Everest Base Camp, where you’ll settle into your surroundings.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Altitude: 5,250 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Acclimatization and Exploration at Everest Base Camp
Spend these days acclimatizing, exploring, and preparing for the ascent.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Altitude: 5,250 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Acclimatization and Exploration at Everest Base Camp
Spend these days acclimatizing, exploring, and preparing for the ascent.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Altitude: 5,250 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Acclimatization and Exploration at Everest Base Camp
Spend these days acclimatizing, exploring, and preparing for the ascent.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Altitude: 5,250 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Everest Base Camp to Japanese Camp
Trek to Japanese Camp, enjoying the breathtaking views.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Altitude: 5,460 m | Travel: 3 to 4 hours | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Japanese Camp to Interim Camp
Continue to Interim Camp, further enhancing your acclimatization.
Altitude: 5,800 m | Travel: 4 to 5 hours | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Trek to Changtse Base Camp
Trek to Changtse Base Camp, gaining more altitude.
Altitude: 5,950 m | Travel: 3 to 4 hours | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Trek to Everest Advanced Base Camp
Reach the Everest Advanced Base Camp, preparing for your summit attempt.
Altitude: 6,340 m | Travel: 3 to 4 hours | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Rest and Acclimatization in Advanced Base Camp
Rest and acclimatize at Advanced Base Camp.
Altitude: 6,340 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Rest and Acclimatization in Advanced Base Camp
Rest and acclimatize at Advanced Base Camp.
Altitude: 6,340 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Move to Halfway Camp
Ascend to Halfway Camp, getting closer to the summit.
Altitude: 6,500 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Summit Day on Lhakpa Ri and Move Back to Advanced Base Camp
Summit Lhakpa Ri and return to Advanced Base Camp.
Altitude: 7,045 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Contingency Day
A reserved day in case of delays or bad weather.
Altitude: 6,340 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Move Back to Everest Base Camp
Return to Everest Base Camp to relax and recuperate.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Altitude: 5,250 m | Overnight: Tea House | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Everest Base Camp to Zhangmu
Descend to Zhangmu, enjoying the change in scenery.
The Tibetan base camp sits at about 5,150 m at the foot of the Rongbuk glacier, reached by road rather than on foot, with the north face of Everest rising uninterrupted in front of it. Because you arrive by vehicle, this is the fastest altitude gain on any of our itineraries and the acclimatisation days before it are not optional.
Nyalam and Kerung sit on the Tibetan side of the Himalayan crest, and the road between the border and the plateau climbs through a spectacular gorge before emerging onto open, treeless high country. The altitude gain on this stretch is fast and the overnight here is an acclimatisation stop rather than a sightseeing one.
Altitude: 2,300 m | Overnight: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Zhangmu to Kathmandu
Cross the border back to Kathmandu, reflecting on your journey.
Nyalam and Kerung sit on the Tibetan side of the Himalayan crest, and the road between the border and the plateau climbs through a spectacular gorge before emerging onto open, treeless high country. The altitude gain on this stretch is fast and the overnight here is an acclimatisation stop rather than a sightseeing one.
Altitude: 1,350 m | Overnight: 3-5 Stars | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Final Departure
Transfer to the airport about three hours before your international flight. If you have a late departure we will hold a day room or arrange a final few hours in the city rather than leave you sitting in the terminal.
If you would rather not go home yet, this is the easy point to extend: a few days in Pokhara, a wildlife stay in Chitwan or Bardiya, a short Bhutan add-on, or a rest week somewhere quiet. Tell us before you travel and we will build it in at cost rather than as a late upgrade.
Altitude: 1,350 m | Overnight: 3-5 Stars | Meals: Breakfast
Travel duration
Elevation
Meal
Accommodation
Getting ready
Start training six months out. You want a base of long hill days with 12 to 15 kg on your back, plus cardio three times a week and specific leg strength work. If you can, get on a glacier skills course or a Scottish or Alpine winter route before you come.
Altitude and acclimatisation
The high point on this trip is 7,045 m. Rongbuk sits at about 5,000 m and you reach it by vehicle, which is the fastest ascent on any of our itineraries. We build the drive up over several days and monitor everyone.
Rules we work to: gain no more than 400 to 500 m of sleeping altitude a day above 3,000 m, take a rest day roughly every 1,000 m, climb high and sleep low on those days, drink three to four litres daily, and skip alcohol and sleeping tablets above 3,500 m. Your guide carries a pulse oximeter and a first aid kit and records the group morning and evening.
Diamox (acetazolamide) is a legitimate aid, not a shortcut, and works best started 24 hours before you go high. Discuss it with your own doctor before you travel; we do not prescribe.
If anyone deteriorates, the answer is descent, immediately and without debate. Our guides have the authority to turn a client around and they use it.
Permits and paperwork
Chinese group visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien's Travel Permit and a military permit for the Everest area. All arranged by us; allow 25 days.
For Tibet you must send clear passport and visa scans at least 25 days before departure. The Chinese group visa is issued in Kathmandu and it is a physical document for the whole group, which is why late bookings are difficult and why you cannot join partway through.
Money, tipping and costs on the ground
Nepali rupees are the only currency accepted on the trail. Draw cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you leave; ATMs have a per-transaction limit of around NPR 35,000 and charge a fee, and above the roadhead there are no machines and no card terminals.
Budget roughly USD 10 to 20 a day for drinks, snacks, hot showers, charging and wifi that are not in the price. Bottled water is best avoided for both cost and plastic reasons.
Tipping is customary and genuinely matters to the crew, but it is not compulsory and never demanded. As a guide to the guide: around USD 8 to 12 per day for your trekking guide and USD 6 to 8 for each porter, pooled by the group and handed over at the end.
Staying in touch
None at Rongbuk. Signal returns at Shegar.
Ncell and Nepal Telecom tourist SIM cards are sold at Kathmandu airport and take about ten minutes. Bring your passport.
What to pack
We send a full checklist when you book. The items people most often get wrong:
- Broken-in boots with ankle support, plus trainers or sandals for the evenings
- A four-season down sleeping bag rated to at least minus 10 C, and a down jacket. We lend both at no charge if you would rather not buy them
- Layers rather than bulk: thermal base, fleece, windproof shell, waterproof jacket and trousers
- Sun hat, warm hat, glove liners and warm gloves, and category 4 sunglasses. Snow glare at altitude is brutal
- A one-litre bottle plus a two-litre bladder, and a SteriPen or chlorine tablets so you can refill instead of buying plastic
- Personal first aid: blister plasters, ibuprofen, rehydration salts, antiseptic, any prescriptions in original packaging
- A 20,000 mAh power bank, headtorch with spare batteries, and a two-pin European plug adapter
Health and safety
No vaccinations are legally required for Tibet or Nepal, but hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus are sensible and a rabies course is worth discussing if you are travelling for a long time. Check with a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you fly.
Drink treated water rather than bottled where you can, wash hands before every meal, and eat what is freshly cooked. Stomach upsets ruin more trekking days than altitude does.
Our guides carry a comprehensive first aid kit, a pulse oximeter and, on the higher routes, supplementary oxygen. We hold a 24-hour operations line in Kathmandu throughout your trip, and we run rescue coordination ourselves rather than handing it to a third party.
Responsible trekking
We pay porters above the TAAN minimum, insure every member of staff, cap load weights and provide boots, jackets and shelter at altitude. That is not a marketing line; it is the reason our crew come back season after season and some have been with the family for twenty years.
On the trail: carry your rubbish out, use refill points instead of plastic bottles, ask before photographing people, walk clockwise around mani walls and chortens, and give way to loaded yaks on the mountain side of the path, not the drop side.
Booking and cancellation
A deposit confirms your dates and the balance is due before departure. If your plans change we will move your booking to another date rather than treat it as a cancellation wherever the ground operators allow it.
Written quotes are fixed. We do not add fuel or permit surcharges after you have booked, and if a government fee rises between your booking and your departure we absorb it.
Questions before you commit are welcome and never rushed. Write to us with what you actually want and we will tell you plainly whether this trip is the right one, including when the answer is that a different route would suit you better.
Ready to start your journey?
Start planning your dream trip today. Enquire now for more information or customize this trip to tailor it to your needs and make it truly unforgettable.