Leave the lodge at about 6 am, after tea and porridge, with warm layers and two litres of water. The path heads north behind the village, climbing steadily up grassy slopes, then onto loose moraine and rock. The gradient is steep and constant, so set a slow rhythm from the start. After two hours you reach a false summit at around 5,400 m with prayer flags, where many trekkers stop with a superb view.
The final section to the true summit is a rocky ridge with some easy scrambling, taking another 30–60 minutes. From the top, at around 5,550 m, you look straight at the Lhotse south face and Nuptse to the north, Makalu (8,485 m) and Baruntse to the east, Island Peak and the Imja Tsho lake below, and Ama Dablam's back side to the south-west. On very clear days Cho Oyu shows far to the north-west.
Descend the same way in about two hours and spend a second night in Chhukung or walk down to Dingboche. The climb gives strong acclimatisation for Island Peak or the Kongma La. It is not suitable as your first time above 5,000 m if you have rushed the earlier stages. If anyone has a severe headache or loses coordination, turn back immediately. Strong wind on the summit ridge can make the last section unpleasant, so check conditions.
Good for
- Photographers
- Solo
- Couples
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
How high is Chhukung Ri?
Chhukung Ri reaches about 5,550 m, with a false summit around 5,400 m. Sources differ slightly on the exact height. It is almost as high as Kala Patthar and is climbed as a trekking peak with no permit or technical gear needed.
Is Chhukung Ri harder than Kala Patthar?
Usually yes. Chhukung Ri gains about 800 m from the village, compared with 480 m for Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep, and the final ridge involves easy scrambling over rocks. It takes 5–6 hours return for most trekkers.
Do I need a permit for Chhukung Ri?
No separate permit is needed for Chhukung Ri beyond the Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permits. Island Peak, by contrast, needs a climbing permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
