Lhotse Expedition

Lhotse Expedition

Nepal
Mountaineering
Extreme
45 to 60 days
8,516 meters

Lhotse Expedition

Lhotse (8,516m / 27,940ft) is the world’s fourth-highest mountain, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. It lies just south of Mount Everest, connected by the South Col, and is renowned for its dramatic Lhotse Face, a steep icy wall that is a key challenge for climbers.

Expedition difficulty & Climbing Route

Standard Route: South Face/Normal Route (same as Everest’s South Col route until Camp 3).

Main Challenges:

- - Lhotse Face (50°+ steep ice slope)
  - High altitude & extreme weather
  - Crevasses & avalanche risk

Trip Facts

Activities
Mountaineering
Starting Price
US$ 35000 to 49500 PP
Accommodation
Camping
Max. Altitude
8,516 meters
Best Season
Autumn (Oct–November)
Trip Hours/Day
5 to 6 Hours day
Trip Grade
Extreme
Group Size
5-15

Highlights & Attractions

Iconic Route: Traverse the Khumbu Icefall and Western Cwm, with the Lhotse Face as the crux
Cultural Experience: Visit Tengboche Monastery and Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar
Summit Views: Panoramic vistas of Everest, Makalu, and the Himalayas
Sustainability Efforts: Teams enforce trash/waste removal; some operators use high-altitude porters to clean camps

Trip Itinerary
Include & Excludes
Trip Notes
Reviews

Trip Itinerary

Day 01-03: Arrival & Preparation in Kathmandu (Days 1–3)

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, and team briefing .
Day 2: Gear check, permits, and cultural sightseeing (e.g., Pashupatinath Temple) .
Day 3: Final packing and flight preparation to Lukla
Day 4 to 12: Trek to Base Camp (Days 4–12)

Day 4: Fly to Lukla (2,840m), trek to Phakding (2,610m). Day 5: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the Sherpa capital. Day 6–7: Acclimatization in Namche with hikes to Khumjung or Thame . Day 8: Trek to Tengboche (3,860m), visit the monastery.
Day 9: Continue to Dingboche (4,410m) for further acclimatization.
Day 10–12: Trek to Lobuche (4,910m), ascend Lobuche Peak (6,119m) for skills practice, then proceed to Everest/Lhotse Base Camp (5,364m)
Day 13 to 37: Acclimatization & Rotations (Days 13–37)

Base Camp Stay: 2–3 weeks for acclimatization and training (e.g., icefall navigation, fixed-rope techniques) 17. Rotations: Camp 1 (5,900m): Through the Khumbu Icefall (hazardous section) .
Camp 2 (6,400m): Advanced Base Camp (ABC) in the Western Cwm
. Camp 3 (7,200m): Ascend the Lhotse Face with supplemental oxygen
. Camp 4 (7,850m): Near the South Col, final staging point for the summit
Day 38-42: Summit Push (Days 38–42)

Weather Window: Await stable conditions, then move from ABC to Camp 3 and Camp 4 .
Summit Day:.
Start at midnight from Camp
Climb the Reiss Couloir (icy gully) to the summit (8,516m) .
Limited time in the "Death Zone" (above 8,000m) due to extreme altitude.
Day 43–57: Descent & Return (Days 43–57)

Day 43–45: Descend to Base Camp, rest, and pack
. Day 46–50: Trek back to Lukla via Pheriche and Namche
. Day 51–53: Fly to Kathmandu, debrief, and celebrate
Contingency Days: Buffer for weather delays or extended acclimatization

Package Includes

Expedition Logistics & Permits
Guide & Support Team
Accommodation & Meals
.Oxygen & Medical Support
Transportation & Flights
Training & Acclimatization
Equipment & Gear Support

Package Excludes

International flights & Nepal visa
Personal climbing gear (down suit, boots, harness – ~$10,000–$20,000)
Travel insurance (mandatory, ~$2,000+
Tips for staff (~$500–$1,000)
Extra oxygen bottles ($800 each if needed beyond provided quota)
Any other services which are not mentioned in the “Service Includes”.
Kathmandu accommodation

Trip Notes

Challenges & Considerations

Extreme Altitude – Risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), HAPE, HACE.
Technical Sections – Icefalls, seracs, and steep ridges.
Weather Dependency – Unpredictable storms & high winds.
Remote Location – Limited rescue options.

Permits & Costs

Makalu Climbing Permit: ~$1,800 (Spring), ~$900 (Autumn)
National Park Fee: ~$30
Liaison Officer Cost: Mandatory (~$3,000)
Expedition Cost (Guided): $30,000–$50,000 (varies by operator)

Reviews