Taboche is a steep, pyramid-shaped peak of 6,542 m that rises above the Khumbu valley near Pheriche and Lobuche. It is one of the sights that makes the walk between Dingboche and Lobuche so memorable, with its wall of rock and ice towering above the trail.
A tall wall above the trail
The route from Pangboche to Pheriche and Dingboche passes below Taboche. The height is 6,542 m (21,463 ft), and the summit is a sharp point connected by a long ridge to its neighbour Cholatse. In clear light the pair look like one mountain with two heads.
Taboche and Cholatse
The two peaks are often confused. Taboche is the one nearer the main Everest trail and lies above the village of Lobuche and the stretch known as Thukla. Cholatse is across a high ridge, nearer the Cho La and Gokyo routes. Your guide can help you tell them apart, and our Cholatse guide explains the other side.
First ascent
The first ascent was made in 1974. Since then the peak has seen only a small number of climbers, because the routes are steep and demanding, and the mountain has a reputation for difficult conditions.
The climb
Climbers usually approach from the Khumbu valley and set up a camp on the moraine or glacier. The route climbs steep snow and ice, then mixed ground on the ridge. It is a technical objective for experienced alpine climbers, not an easy peak for beginners.
Seeing it on a trek
On the way up, Taboche appears above Dingboche on the left in the late afternoon sun. Between Pheriche and Lobuche it stands very close and looks huge. On a clear sunrise from Lobuche the face turns orange.
Planning around it
Taboche sits on the Everest Base Camp route, so you do not need a special permit to look at it. Add a spare day at Dingboche or Lobuche to improve the chance of a clear morning. See the Everest Base Camp guides for planning.
Common questions
Is Taboche higher than Cholatse? Slightly higher in most listings, by about 100 m, though both are sometimes given with different heights. Can I climb it? Only on a full expedition permit. Is it the same as Tobuche? Yes, spellings vary.
Why the walk to Lobuche is special
Between Dingboche and Lobuche the trail climbs above the treeline into a landscape of rock, ice and memorials. Taboche fills the western side. The sharp lines and the changing light make this stretch one of the most photogenic on the Everest trek, even though it is physically demanding.
The ridge to Cholatse
A long, serrated ridge links Taboche to Cholatse. From some viewpoints the two peaks look like one mountain, but the line between them shows deep notches. Following the ridge with your eyes helps you to understand how the high Khumbu is built.
Climbing history and reputation
The mountain has a reputation among climbers as a serious objective. The steep faces, avalanche danger and unpredictable weather mean that teams must be experienced and careful. Even highly skilled climbers can find it difficult.
Staying well on the way
Dingboche, Pheriche and Lobuche are all above 4,300 m, so symptoms of altitude illness are possible. Drink plenty of water, rest on the acclimatisation days and tell your guide at once if you have a headache that does not go away.
