Pokalde Peak Climbing Overview
If you are a free spirit who loves to seek adventure and thrill, then the combined trip of Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek will surely satisfy your hunger. The trekking trail is filled with rocky ridges, narrow paths, infrequent passes, hanging glaciers, and steep rises which will challenge the inner adventure seeker in you.
The scenic beauty of Pokalde Peak Climb with EBC Trek will surely emerge as one of the most beautiful programs providing ample opportunities to showcase your photography skills. The views of the peaks become clearer when moving ahead on the journey.
This trekking journey is divided into enough breaks from the Everest Base Camp trek that enable both novice and habitual trekkers to acclimatize before climbing vertical steep and extremely rocky trails of Pokalde. You may observe the scenery alter along the trip as it passes through luscious meadows, rocky dunes, and lonely mountains. You can enjoy and experience unforgettable moments at the campsite, by pitching camps at comfortable altitudes with amazing views.
Trekking overnight stops like Lobuche and Gorakshep offer incredible views of surrounding peaks, and so does the steep ascending trail leading to the Tengboche monastery, which is immensely popular among the trekkers. Tengboche monastery is surrounded by the alluring views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Kantega, and Nuptse apart from a clear view of the mighty Mt. Everest.
The southern part, i.e. the trail towards the main destination of this journey is less traversed by travelers but has an undisputed view. It leads you to Kongma La which is one of the famous high mountain passes at 5545 meters and to the beautiful Chhukhung Valley. The northern part is undoubtedly beautifully wrapped in hanging glaciers.
You will get enough opportunities on your hike to enjoy the culture of the locals and to mingle with them as the trails pass through the local settlements of the Sherpas, a village of Jorsale, Periche, and others.
Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek Route
Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek begins with a brief but exciting flight from Kathmandu to one of the most dangerous airports in the world named Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. The trail then follows the traditional Everest Base Camp trekking route from Lukla that goes towards Phakding to Namche Bazaar which is the commercial of the Khumbu region. After spending an acclimatization day at the main gateway to Everest Khumbu Region, Namche, the adventure peak climbing track continues through the towns of Tengboche and Dingboche to Lobuche.
From Lobuche, we proceed for the Everest Base Camp journey via Gorakshep. Returning to Gorakshep for the night after exploring EBC, we climb to Kalapatthar the next morning to view incredibly beautiful 360-degree views of the Mahalangur Himalayan Range. We return to Lobuche for the night on that day and prepare for the climbing journey to Pokalde Peak.
From Lobuche, we make it to Pokalde Base Camp and it is only 600 meters to the high camp from camp. The following day, the ascent from the high camp continues to the summit. After spending the needed amount of time at the top of the 5806meters peak, we descend to Chukkung on the same day. Then, our descent goes through the villages of Tengboche, Namche Bazaar, Monjo, and Phakding before reaching Lukla. After Lukla, we'll catch an early-morning flight back to the city to wrap out our incredible 14-day journey in Everest Region.
Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Scenic flight to one of the most dangerous airports in the world
- The extravagance of scenic beauty
- An overdose of adventure on narrow challenging trails and rocky steeps
- Charming Sherpa settlements and dramatic canyons of the waterways
- Amazing view from Tengboche of the majestic Everest Khumbu region
- Historic Tengboche Monastery to see the thriving Tibetan Buddhism
- Beautiful trails through blazing Rhododendron and dense pine forests
- A diverse range of flora and fauna
- Experience of Sherpa culture and customary way of life and traditions from up close
- Ample opportunities for honing photography skills
- Magnificent Mahalangur Himalayan Range
- Kongma La Pass as 5545 meters
- A thrilling ascent to the top of the 5,806-meter-high Pokalde Peak
Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty
Pokalde Peak lies at 5806 meters elevation above sea level and it is the highest altitude you reach during your Pokalde Peak Climbing journey. It is less difficult than other climbing peaks in comparison which does not involve any technical expertise or the ability to use ice axes and crampons but keep in mind that you will undoubtedly utilize ropes in some parts of the climb. It still necessitates a great deal of physical endurance, though. So, we suggest you indulge in some physically related sports and activities before starting the trip.
Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) can make your Pokalde Peak Climb challenging. It is not a guarantee that you will get AMS but it is likely because you will be staying several nights above 3500-meter elevation. And regardless of any age, gender, experience, or fitness, it could get you. Therefore, it is crucial to acclimatize and hydrate adequately throughout the climb in order to lower the risk of AMS. Carrying AMS medication such as Diamox is also a good idea. In addition, having travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation will also play a pivotal role if in case required.
Furthermore, the inappropriate weather can make this straightforward climb challenging. So, learn about the appropriate time for Pokalde Peak Climbing if you want to avoid difficulties.
Best Time to do Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek
Alike many treks and peak climbing journeys in Nepal, Pokalde Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek is also best done in the spring and autumn seasons. The winter is also pretty doable but the summer monsoon is not recommended at all.
Autumn is the busiest time of the year for trekking and climbing including the Pokalde Peak Climb. The dry and consistent weather and temperatures make this season the most secure time with the highest success rate of summiting. Daytime temperatures during this season range around 15 degrees Celsius and the nighttime temperature will be 5 to below degrees. The days are sunny with a clear sky offering alluring natural beauty, including lush forests, breathtaking pastures, and beautiful views of the Himalayas. Autumn also celebrates many festivals in Nepal including the country’s biggest celebrations Dashain and Tihar and the famous Sherpa/Tibetan-Buddhism Festival Mani Rimdu in the Everest Region which lasts 19 days.
Another ideal season for Pokalde Peak Climbing is surely the brimming spring season. The dry and stable weather and temperatures are similar to autumn. The daytime temperatures range between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius and it drops to below minus at night. As it is a post-winter season, trekkers will be awarded the stunning and unobstructed vista of the lofty Himalayas and the newness and freshness in all surrounding nature. Red and Pink Rhododendrons in full blossom, lush woodlands, and verdant meadows give the spring season a seductive aura. You might run into the fellow Everest expedition groups since this time of year is also great for climbing Everest.
Though winter is considered an off-season for peak climbing journeys in Nepal, it is possible to do the Pokalde Peak Climbing, especially during December month as the views of the mountains are incredibly clear during this month. In addition, you will have the opportunity to get a calmer and more nuanced experience since there will be fewer people on the route. However, you must be adequately prepared to handle the cold.
The summer monsoon is definitely an off-season for Pokalde Peak Climbing like other climbing and trekking journeys because of the heavy rain causing landslides, mudslides, slick trails, and unwelcome delays in your flights and your whole schedule. Also, the clouds and fogs will disrupt your mountains as well as surrounding views.
Permits to do Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek
Trekkers and climbers need to obtain the following permits to do the Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek.
1. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Permit
2. Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit
3. Local Permit (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit)
Note: All these permit costs are included in the Pokalde Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek package.