Himalayan Five Peaks Climbing Expedition - 29 days

Himalayan Five Peaks Climbing includes the following peaks:

Peak 1 - Gokyo RI (5,330m)

Gokyo Ri/Gokyo Peak (5,360m) is a peak in the Khumbu region of Nepal’s Himalaya. It is located on the west side of the Ngozumpa glacier, which is the largest glacier of Nepal and known to be the largest in the whole Himalaya. Generally, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to climb and to descend down to Gokyo Ri. If we climb early in the morning, we can able to return Gokyo to have breakfast. Gokyo and lake is a hamlet of 4,750 m, at the base of Gokyo Ri. Of only a few stone houses, Gokyo is one of the highest human settlements in today’s world.

The view from the top of Gokyo Ri is unbelievable and spectacular, from there it is possible to see five 8,000-meter peaks: Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Cho Oyu.

Peak 2 - Kalapathar (5,550m)

Kala Patthar, meaning 'black rock' in Nepali and Hindi, is a notable landmark located on the south ridge Pomari (7,161m) in Nepal’s Himalaya. Although its formation is not of a proper mountain but still the ascent of Kala Patthar is very popular among trekkers of the Everest region "The views of Everest, Nuptse, Amadablam, Changtse, and many other peaks are spectacular from Kala Patthar. And more, we can have glimpses of the northern flank and summit of Lhotse

The ascent of Kala Patthar begins at Gorekshep (5,164m), the original base camp for Mt. Everest. The ascent makes its way up a series of steep switchbacks before leveling off somewhere, as it traverses to the eastern side of the mountain. The trail then becomes steep once again until it reaches the wind-swept summit ridge. From there, a five to ten-minute scramble over boulders takes one to the top, which is marked with prayer flags. The full ascent usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.

Peak 3 - Lobuje East (6,119m)

Lobuje Peak is officially classified as a group “B” trekking peak by Nepal Mountaineering Association. Lobuje peak though offers a challenging climb but still is attainable with climbing objective. Lobuje peak is an ideal mission for trainee mountaineers. The climber must be proficient in using climbing gears like ice-axe and crampons etc. As a consequence, we will have the opportunity to test out our rope techniques on the way through the spectacular view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and innumerable white fangs all around.

Peak 4 – Pokhalde (5,806m)

 Pokhalde Peak climb is relatively straightforward rock climbing and provides fantastic views of the valleys all around and particularly back to Lobuje East and its neighbors. From there we trek east, to Chhukung and on to Island Peak.

Phokalde is an insignificant-looking mountain and it appears as a rocky ridge and northern side of the mountain has a small hanging glacier that is best reached along the ridge rising from the Kongma La. The summit provides a good viewpoint and from that perspective is a fine little peak.

Peak 5 - Island Peak/Imja-tse (6,160m)

Island Peak is also officially classified as a group “B” trekking peak by Nepal Mountaineering Association and also known as “Imja-Tse. It looks like an island in a sea of ice and that is why it is called Island peak. It's situated at the top of the Imja-Khola valley in the Khumbu region. To climb the peak is semi-technical and straightforward so that the climber must be proficient in using materials like ice axe and crampons. The most difficult section is a slope of around 45-degree ice wall leading to the narrow summit ridge. This is a truly spectacular peak, surrounded by enormous mountains, and the technical nature of our course means that we can explore some of its less travelled slopes.

Kongma La – Snow and Ice Skill training

After climbing on Lobuhe east, we will head up over another pass, Kongma La, to enter the valley of the Imja Khola. Our high camp by the lakes gives terrific access to a remnant glacier that is perfect terrain for teaching crevasse res-cue and ice climbing – steep steps of ice cliffs. We will have a chance to practice our cramponing technique as well as steep ice and rope skills.

The Journey and acclimatization

The acclimatize trek is one that goes deep into the heart of the Himalayas. The mountain views are stunning. And the simplicity, the hospitality, of the Sherpa community is heartwarming. You will get to see the awe-inspiring views of Mt. Everest, the tallest of them all, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam, Thamserku and many other peaks. You will also be visiting Sherpa villages and monasteries to gain insight into their culture and lifestyle from close up.

Taking an unforgettable flight to Lukla, we will head up into the stunning Gokyo Valley where the track clings to the western side and the valley walls are so steep that steps are needed to surmount parts of them. Until quite recently only yak herders visited the Gokyo Valley in the summer months but the expansion of the trekking industry has seen in a number of small villages, some of which are simply delightful. You will be amazed at the bowling green-smoothness of the walled yak pastures among this amazing rugged terrain. We will take our time heading up the valley, as acclimatization in these early stages of the trip is vitally important. The Gokyo Lakes toward the head of the valley are stunning, and Gokyo Ri (5340m), the first of our high points, offers views to Cho Oyu and Everest as well as down the valley.

We cross the Gokyo Valley near Dragnag and approach the Cho La Pass – the high route into the Khumbu. The glacier is quite flat and relatively crevasse free if you know the right route – depending on conditions we may not even need our crampons! From Dzongla on the eastern side, we head down and around to near the village of Lobuje to make our first real base camp. We will spend a few days on ropes skills and rock climbing on the lower parts of Lobuje and will make a day trip to Kala Pattar (spectacu- lar high point number two at 5550m), and Everest Base Camp. After exploring all the valleys of the Sargarmatha National Park, having climbed a number of its trekking peaks and viewpoints, crossing passes and glaciers and having worked up our mountaineering expertise, our objectives will be complete. We’ll head off back down the valley at something approaching lightning speed – you will be amazed at how fit and strong you are!

TRIP HIGHTLIGHTS

• Ascents of Five Peak Island Peak (6,160m), Pokhalde (5,750m) and Lobuje East (6,119m) as well as Gokyo Ri (5,360m) and Kala Pattar (5,550m)
• Develop and practice climbing skills at scenic spots in the Khumbu: giving you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with ropes, anchors, crevasses, crampons, ice axes
• Snow-climb Lobuje East (6100m) adjacent to Everest
• Develop high altitude experience and build the foundation for your future climbing exploits
• Rock-climb to the summit of Pokhalde (5,806m) with panoramic views of the Khumbu region
• Trek in and around all the major valleys of the Everest region of Nepal

Fitness Requirements

Most of our trekking peaks are over 6,000m; therefore we count it as a tough trip. Your tough level of fitness is really important for this trek. So we strongly suggest preparing yourself for good physical fitness level. You do not need to be an athlete but a good level of overall fitness is important. Being fit will certainly improve your chances of reaching your chosen summit. As an indication, you should be able to walk 8 km / 5 miles with a maximum height gain of 800m / 2,000ft with a 10kg rucksack in 5 hours or less.
 
In order to get ready for this challenge, you need to be trained at least for about 4 to 6 months to prepare yourself as a strong candidate. You can go to the fitness center every morning for about 2 hours, do hiking every weekend with increasing weights on your pack (i.e. 7kg, 10kg, 13 kg, 16kg and up to 20kg). Manage some time for cycling for a couple of hours for 3 or 4 times a week. However, during climbing, there might be little symptoms of altitude illness like mild headache, fatigue, etc. but take it as normal and just drink a lot of water (4 – 5 liters) every day. On this trek, you need to be able to hike 6 – 10 hours over hilly terrain up to 6,000m of altitude with a daypack. 

Value of Previous Experience 

All of our trekking peaks climbing trips are accessible to experienced trekkers and those who have done some climbing trips in European mountains in order to take another challenge on the Himalayas Mountains. This trip will be helpful if you want to gain some knowledge about mountaineering and have a future plan to climb BIG Mountains.
 
If you have any previous mountaineering experiences and well knowledge about playing with mountaineering gears, good with rock climbing and ice climbing will increase the chances of reaching the summit but previous trekking and mountaineering experiences are not mandatory and also doesn’t require any technical experience. Note that if you are participating in one of the technical climbing peak then you must have well knowledge about playing with mountaineering climbing gears (i.e. crampon with boot, Ice axe, harness, ropes, jumars, prussiks, abseiling, moving past knots, anchor, etc.).Crampons are used for maximum grip and harness and ropes are used for maximum safety during climbing. But for those who have no mountaineering experience and skill but have got tough level of fitness, you will have basic training sessions by our guides about how to use the climbing gears during rest/acclimatization day. So we always make sure regarding the safety of the team and the successful climb of the peak.