Often called "Lho Tse," Lhotse is the world's fourth tallest mountain, rising to an impressive 8,516 meters or 27,940 feet. It can be found in Nepal's Solukhumbu District, specifically in the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality of the Eastern Development Region. In Tibetan, Lhotse means "South Peak," which highlights its location relative to Mount Everest.
Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger were the first to successfully conquer Lhotse, achieving this feat on May 18, 1956. The mountain is accessible for climbing expeditions, which typically last around 60 days. To begin the journey, climbers must first reach Lukla—a town situated in the Khumbu area of the Solukhumbu District. From there, a caravan route leads to Lhotse through Jorsalle, Namche, Khumjung, Lobuche, and Gorakshep before culminating at Base Camp. The Pheriche caravan route covers a total of 51.1 km, with the full climbing route stretching 10.6 km.
Nearby Lhotse lies the Lobuche settlement at a distance of 8.3 km while the army and police posts are located further away in Namche—roughly 34.1 km away. A health post can be located at Pheriche—14.9 km from Lhotse—and a tourist post awaits visitors in Lukla approximately 51.1 km away.
Climbing royalty fees for Lhotse vary depending on season and climber nationality: Nepalese citizens pay fees of NRs 2,500 in summer/winter, NRs 5,000 during autumn, and NRs 10,000 throughout spring; foreigners pay USD 450 for summer/winter climbs and USD 900/1,800 in autumn/spring respectively.
Lhotse's position near Mount Everest is notable, as its climbing route coincides with Everest's until the South Col. The towering Lhotse summit borders Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region and is part of the Himalayas, connecting to Everest via the South Col. In addition to the main peak, Lhotse boasts two subsidiary peaks: Lhotse Middle (East) standing at 8,414 meters, and Lhotse Shar reaching 8,383 meters.
To sum up, more than just being the world's fourth highest peak, Lhotse holds great cultural importance and showcases stunning natural beauty. By presenting a challenging landscape and awe-inspiring vistas, this majestic mountain lures climbers and adventurers from across the globe.