Khumbu Three Peak Challenge

DAY 1 : Depart UK

We will meet at Heathrow and set off, likely on an evening flight, for Kathmandu.

DAY 2 : Arrive Kathmandu

We arrive in Kathmandu mid-afternoon and will transfer to our hotel, located in the heart of Kathmandu, where we are met by an amazing blend of cultures, religions and people. Great souvenir shopping and Durbar Square, with its numerous temples and markets, are nearby. During the rest of the day you will have an opportunity to settle after your flight, before a group briefing and kit check, before a group dinner.

* For all 2022 itineraries, we will be driving directly to Ramechhap airport on the day of our arrival into Kathmandu.

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DAY 3 : Kathmandu to Mulkot

We have the morning to explore Kathmandu, a great opportunity to tour the city. In the early afternoon we depart for our transfer to the town of Mulkot, approximately a 3 to 4 hour drive. Here, we will spend the night ready for our early morning flight to Lukla and the start of our trek tomorrow.

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DAY 4 : Lukla (2,800m) to Chutanga (3,050m)

We take the morning flight to the dramatic airfield at Lukla (2,840m), the gateway to the spectacular Nepali Himalayas. At Lukla we meet the Sherpas who will be looking after us for the duration of our expedition and begin our trek south keeping high above the spectacular Dudh Khosi. We have a short and easy day climbing through the forest to the livestock grazing area of Chutanga.

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DAY 5 : Rest day at Chutanga with acclimatisation walk

Acclimatisation day. We walk up to the 4,000m mark to help us acclimatise to enjoy views over the Dudh Khosi Valley and across to Zatrwa La. Return to Chutanga for the night.

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DAY 6 : Cross Zatrwa La (4,610m), stay in Chhetra bu

A long day climbing towards the Zatrwa La. A quick stop to take in the views and then descend to Chhetra bu.

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DAY 7 : Trek to Mosom Kharka (Kote)

Our trail weaves gradually downhill, taking us up and over a procession of ridges. After the third we drop steeply down to the Hinku river before our final climb to Mosom Kharka (also known as Kote).

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DAY 8 : Mosom Kharka (Kote) to Tagnag

Following the west side of the Hinku River we trek via the Yak herders’ summer settlement of Gondishung and its Buddhist shrine to Tagnag (4,250m).

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DAY 9 : Rest Day with acclimatisation hike towards Kusum Kanguru

Acclimatisation day. We climb up towards the 5,000m mark today with views over Mera La in preparation for the forthcoming altitude gains in the coming days before returning to Tagnag.

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DAY 10 : Trek to Khare

This morning’s walk up alongside the Dig glacier is easy and relaxed. We cross the river and head into the valley, as dramatic views of the surrounding peaks continue to open up before us. We camp near the village of Khare, our base camp and home for the next two nights.

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DAY 11 : Glacier Training

We head up to the start of the Mera Glacier by climbing a steep ridge that we will later follow to the Mera La pass. Here we will practice crampon use, ice axe technique and self-arrest as we get the feel of jumaring on a fixed rope. Later in the day we return to Khare for a good night’s sleep.

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DAY 12 : Trek to Mera High Camp

Today our freshly learned crampon and ice axe techniques will come in useful as we first climb back up the ridge and then onto the back of the Mera Glacier. After a roped-up glacier crossing we make a short descent to the Mera La (5,410m). Striking views stretch as far as Kangchenjunga before us, Chamlang, Makalu and Baruntse from the east and Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu and Kangtega to the west slowly come into view. The giant faces of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse rise up in the north.

The slopes are gently angled and the snow is usually in firm condition, but as the altitude increases it will be breathless work to reach the high camp. High camp is on a rock outcrop (5,800m) which separates the Mera from the Naulekh glaciers sweeping down from the peaks along the continuous ridge to the south.

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DAY 13 : Summit bid on Mera Peak 6,476m, down to Mera La base camp

We are woken early by smiling Sherpas offering hot cups of tea and head out into the cold on our way to the summit of Mera Peak. Temperatures are likely to be ten degrees below zero but soon we warm up as we continue up the glacier and onto the snow hump-back ridge. The first rays of the sun hit the big peaks in an amazing red glow.

The route is still non technical as we climb slowly but surely higher into the ever-thinning air. The slope steepens for a section behind the ridge and the summit comes back into view. At the foot of the final steep summit cone, we may attach to a fixed rope depending on conditions. The summit is only a few meters away. Shortly ahead is that moment we have all been working so hard to achieve: the summit itself. It’s a moment that is unforgettable. Before us lies the 360 panorama that is simply the best from all the Himalayan peaks. Only this summit can boast such a spectacle. We spend some time taking it all in before the descent which is very quick and we will aim to reach Mera La Base Camp to recuperate after the summit bid.

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DAY 14 : Mera La Base Camp to Chamlang Base Camp (4,800m).

From Base Camp we have a steady 4-5 hour descent into the Hongu Valley. Traversing north east across the lower ridges of Peak 41 (6,648m) we descend to Chamlang Base Camp where we get a great view of the west face of Chamlang.

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DAY 15 : Chamlang Base Camp to Panch Pokhari (Five Lakes)

We begin climbing once more as we follow the Hongu Valley upstream past some spectacular waterfalls, looking out towards Baruntse (7,129m) to the North West. We walk below the rocky peak of Hunku (6,119m) and past the frozen White Lake to camp at one of the lower lakes at 5,200m or up at the top lake at 5,400m at the holy site of Panch Pokhri.

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DAY 16 : Panch Pokhari to High Camp below the Ambulapcha Pass

We have a relatively short day today in order to get us to within striking distance of the pass and what will certainly be a longer day tomorrow. The views around us continue to be stunning, high as we are.

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DAY 17 : High Camp to trail junction with West Imja Tsho

We make the long climb up and over the Ambulapcha Pass giving views of Ama Dablam, Island Peak and the South Face of Lhotse. We descend the northern side of the pass using fixed lines and continue to a camp site well below the snow line at the western end of the Imja Tsho Lake.

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DAY 18 : To Island Peak Base Camp (4,970m)

We trek towards the standard Island Peak trail that comes up from the Everest Base Camp route. Towering above us is the enormous Lhotse south face, one of the world’s highest walls. Ahead of us lies our own objective and as we approach it the route of ascent becomes more obvious.

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DAY 19 : Summit Island Peak 6,189m and down to Island Peak Base Camp

Starting in the early hours after a light breakfast of tea and biscuits we climb up a rocky gully before traversing to the right. Soon we reach the glacier where we rope up until the south ridge. Then we follow this beautiful alpine ridge to the top. Finally the end result of our hard work. The summit of Island Peak! The summits we have come to know so well during our ascent take on a totally different perspective and a little time is spent taking in the 360 panorama. We leave and head down to base camp to rest.

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DAY 20 : Island Peak Base Camp to Dingboche

Today we begin the descent back down the Khumbu valley to Dingboche.

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DAY 21 : Dingboche to Lobuche

We traverse through farmlands and meadows, stopping in Dzugla, (4,570m) for lunch before continuing along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We follow the trail to Lobuche and our camp site just below the terminal moraine of the tributary glacier.

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DAY 22 : Lobuche to Lobuche High Camp

An early start sees us begin our ascent of Lobuche. The route crosses glacier debris and bypasses the Lobuche base camp where we don’t need to rest as we’ll be amply acclimatised. The aim today is to get into Lobuche high camp climbing from Lobuche village.

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DAY 23 : Lobuche summit (6,119m) and back to High Camp

Today we’ll be gunning for the top of one of the most spectacular trekking peaks in the Khumbu valley. Our route skirts alongside a glacier on rocky ridge before traversing a steepening snow slope to the summit ridge. This part is the most spectacular section of the climb as the views of many familiar mountains in both Tibet and Nepal open up to us. We will be using fixed lines to help ascend the trickier sections (PD+) and will descend back down to High Camp after the ascent. Today is a long but hugely rewarding day!

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DAY 24 : Lobuche High Camp to Pangboche

Today begin the descent back down the Khumbu valley to Pangboche to rest from our Lobuche ascent.

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DAY 25 : Pangboche to Namche Baazar

We continue the descent down the Khumbu Valley to Namche. Luxuries such as the internet and coffee houses await.

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DAY 26 : Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Today brings us back to Lukla which will seem like a thriving metropolis after our time in the mountains. Time to celebrate our efforts.

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DAY 27 : Fly Lukla to Ramechhap. Transfer to Kathmandu

We will return to Ramechhap on an early flight from Lukla, then transfer back to Kathmandu. We will have the afternoon to explore, go shopping, visit the palaces and markets. An enduring 360 favourite is the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or, perhaps we will join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal; we will also visit the most famous Shiva temple in Asia. In the evening we regroup for a 3-course celebration meal at the Roadhouse.

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DAY 28 : Contingency Day

We have built this day into the itinerary in case of weather delays or additional time needed to summit – but we can enjoy additional time exploring Kathmandu if this day is not used in the mountains.

DAY 29 : Depart Nepal

Today’s timings are dependent on your international flights.

If 360 are securing your flights, you will either be departing Kathmandu on a day flight, arriving back to the UK the same day, or you will depart on an evening / night flight and arrive back into the UK the next day (Day 30).

This will be dictated by flight routes, times and costs and if you tick “flights included”, then 360 team will do their utmost to find the most appropriate flights, giving you the best options. Please do let the office team know at the time of booking if you have a preference, and we will always do our best to accommodate. If you have an additional half day in Kathmandu then you will have some more time to continue exploring, pick up some final souvenirs or simply enjoy some down time in this fascinating city.