Lobuche is a small cluster of lodges below the Khumbu glacier in the Everest Region. At about 4,910 m it is the usual overnight stop between Dingboche and Gorak Shep, and the place where the effects of altitude become hard to ignore for most trekkers.
Altitude: about 4,910 m. Heights quoted for villages and camps vary by source, so treat this as a guide.
Where Lobuche is and why trekkers stop
Lobuche lies in a stony valley beside the glacier moraine, reached from Dingboche, Chhukung or Thukla along the main trail. It is a seasonal settlement, mainly serving trekkers and climbers. Trekkers stop here for the night before the final stage to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp. Climbers use it as a staging point for Lobuche Peak, and the Three Passes route also comes down into this valley from the Cho La side.
What to expect at Lobuche
Expect a line of plain lodges, a stark landscape of rock and ice and views of Lobuche peak, Nuptse and Pumori on clear days. The village is cold, windy and dusty, with little comfort beyond the dining room stove. Evenings are social, with trekkers swapping stories over soup. There is a small clinic seasonally in some years, but do not count on it. Get to bed early, because the next day begins before dawn for many groups.
Altitude and how you may feel
The sleeping altitude at Lobuche is high enough that headaches and poor sleep are common. Breathing at night can feel odd and appetite may fall. Drink water, eat what you can and rest. Altitude illness can become serious at this height, and if symptoms worsen you should descend and tell your guide at once. Going down to a lower village is the right answer to worsening headache, vomiting, breathlessness at rest or unsteadiness, not waiting for morning.
Lodging, food and practical tips
Lodges are basic, often unheated in the rooms, so bring a warm sleeping bag rated for low temperatures, thermal layers and a hat for bed. Expect dal bhat, noodles and soup, with limited variety. Water and charging cost extra. Keep a headlamp and warm gloves near your bed. Time to Gorak Shep varies with pace and trail conditions. Many guides advise packing your bag the night before so the morning is calm and quick.
Stage guides that pass through Lobuche
These day-by-day guides start or end at Lobuche, with walking times, ascent and where to sleep.
- Dingboche to Lobuche trek: altitude, time and route
- Lobuche to Everest Base Camp trek: stages, altitude and time
- Chhukung to Lobuche trek: altitude, time and route
- Lobuche to Gorak Shep trek: altitude, time and route
Common questions
Why do most trekkers sleep at Lobuche?
It splits the walk from Dingboche to Gorak Shep into manageable stages and raises your sleeping altitude in steps. It is the last full lodge village before the base camp area.
Is Lobuche the same as Lobuche Peak?
No. The village is a lodge cluster on the Everest trail, while Lobuche Peak is a trekking peak above it that needs a permit, a guide and technical skills.
What is the weather like at Lobuche?
Cold and windy, especially in the evening, with sub zero nights in most seasons. Cloud often builds in the afternoon, so mornings are usually clearer for views.
