Island Peak Climbing With Everest Base Camp Trek

Trip Highlights

Trek & Climbing route	: Lukla to Everest base camp & Island peak summit to lukla
Total Duration	: 21 night’s/22 days in total
Trek & Climbing Duration	: 18 days
Grade	: Adventurous to Challenging
Max. Elevation	: 6,189 m at Island peak summit
Trekking style	: Tea house & Camping
Meal	: Full board on trek break fast in city
Accommodation	: lodge on trek & tented camp on expedition
Transportation	: Flight & private vehicle
Best Months	: Sept - Nov & Mar - May

Trip Introduction

Nepal Himalaya Guide offers a climb of Island Peak (Imja Tse 6189 meters/20,300 feet), This Island peak trip combines the classic route to the Base Camp of Mt Everest and Kalapathar, as we trek through the homeland of the Sherpa with climbing one of Nepal's trekking peaks. After visiting Everest Base Camp and climbing to Kalapathar we enter the next valley and hike to Island Peak Base Camp. We have 2 days to climb Island Peak which includes an extra day in case the weather does not co-operate on our first attempt. Island peak is located in the upper Imja valley of the Khumbu, surrounded by Himalayan giants: the South Face of Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse and Cho Polu dominate the skyline as you climb this beautiful peak. Closely linked with Everest history, Island Peak was named by Eric Shipton in 1952 and the first ascent was made by members of the 1953 British Everest team as a training climb. The climbing is challenging yet attainable for the beginning alpine climber and the summit ridge provides one of the most aesthetic mornings that a Himalayan climber could dream of.

This peak relatively accessible mountain, and offers some of the most outstanding views. The Island Peak expedition would be suitable for either a climber visiting the Himalayas for the first time or keen hill walkers with some previous experience of using crampons and ice axes. Island Peak is a more technical peak than some of the other trekking peaks- there is an easy scramble and a rock ridge to a glacier and above here there is a steep snow headwall leading to a classic summit ridge. This itinerary has been carefully designed to allow for gradual acclimatization which increases your chances of summiting Island Peak but also makes the trip more enjoyable and safer! As a safety precaution we bring a portable altitude chamber, a comprehensive first aid kit and emergency oxygen for your safety.

Trekking Itinerary

OutLine Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 02: Rock Climbing Course in Kathmandu

Day 03: Fly to Lukla & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

Day 05: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar

Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft)

Day 07: Trek to Pheriche (4,200m/13,776ft)

Day 08: Acclimatization day at Pheriche

Day 09: Pheriche to Lobuche (4,928m/16164 ft)

Day 10: Trek to EBC (5316m) and back to Gorakshep (5,316m/17,437ft)

Day 11: Kalapathar (5,550m/18,204ft) hike and stroll back to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft)

Day 12: Dingboche to Chhukung valley (4,730m/15,518ft)

Day 13: Chhukung - Island Peak Base camp (5,200m/17,060ft)

Day 14: Island Peak Base Camp to High Camp (5,600m/18,372ft)

Day 15: High camp to summit (6,189m/20,305ft) to Chhukung

Day 16: Reserve day for unforeseen condition

Day 17: Chhukung to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft)

Day 18: Tyangboche to Namche (3,440m/11,283ft)

Day 19: Namche to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft)

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu

Day 21: Leisure at Kathmandu

Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu

Day to day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
Namaste & welcome to Himalayan Planet of Nepal. While you landed at the Tribhuvan intl. airport Neoal Himalaya Guide welcomes you with your name and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, bring you at head office and briefing about the program and evening we’ll pick up you for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant with cultural program in the heart of Kathmandu and overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Rock Climbing Course in Kathmandu
You will be taken to 3 Km drive to the place called Balaju, a natural rock climbing spot for your climbing course before departure to Lukla, a day course will provide excellent opportunities to learn how to use rope, harness, Ice axe, crampons although keeps you physical fitness. Alternatively you can take a world heritage sightseeing for 3 places as desired inside Kathmandu valley. After return we’ll brief about trip and group meeting at office and back to hotel for overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)
Early morning you’ll be transferred to domestic airport to fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft). It takes 35 minutes scenic flight to Lukla airport (2,800m/9,184ft) and you will have tea break, while the guide sort out and divide the load baggage to be carried by porters. Guide will manage the lunch place depending upon the time of arrival at Lukla. The trek starts with most scenic view of Numbur Himal & Phari.  We further on to Phakding passing some Sherpa farm villages. We follow the trail to Dudhkoshi River with gradual with few ups from Thado Koshi, where you can have a lunch with superb view of Kusum-Kangaru (6,369m/20,890ft) crossing a short suspension bridge, from here after a short climb brings us to the Ghat village, another 1 ½ hr of gradual walk brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop at lodge after 3-4 hrs walk and reminder stroll around the village for local knowledge.

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)
The trek start in the morning and after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill and re-crossing the same river again with magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675ft) from the Benkar village. Trek continuing crossing the bridges and   reaches at Monjo where is entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking permit checked and keeps the record of all trekkers going to and from this place including the local trekking staff as well.

When enter the National park boundary we descend and a gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river, after the bridge Jorsalle village is reached, the last village till Namche Bazaar,  from here the walk is pleasant on the river bed till the last bridge over the Imjatse river is reached, from here the walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak and it other sister peaks towards east with Kusum kangaru on the back as you climb higher, view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and the closer view of Tawache peak can be seen from some part on the way to Namche. Finally we reach at colorful houses called Namche Bazzar main gate of Khumbu region after 5-6 hrs walk and we overnight stay at Lodge.

Day 05: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar
You may  have full day leisure today for the acclimatization or stroll around the market, if Saturday can be seen many people in Saturday market for shopping to fulfill their daily needs and only one shopping market in the surrounding areas. Also you can visit Sherpa Museum as well a great place to learn Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering or visit up to the luxury Everest view hotel & Syangboche airstrip and stroll back to hotel for overnight.

Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft)
After stroll around the Namche, today we refreshed and fairly easy to walk further on. Our walk follows on the gradual path up to Sanasa with overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde peak. We descend to Imjatse River at Phungithanga, a small settlement with couple of teahouses. The trail leads uphill through the forested path of silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron and some few magnolia and birch trees get to Tyangboche after total 5-6 hrs walk. This is one of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Gumba, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards north east and more peaks all around you.

Day 07: Trek to Pheriche (4,200m/13,776ft)
Today start our trek with pleasant walk and descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron and coming to lovely spot at Deboche 3,650 m with magnificent view of mountains and past the long prayer mani wall, the path is gradual up to the Pangboche village, from here onwards the lush vegetation and tree lines vanishes we enter the right valley of Pheriche for the overnight. It takes 4-5 hrs walk and during the walk may get a wind and better to start early. Pheriche has Himalayan Rescue Association and can visit their anyway after 3 pm. We overnight at lodge at Pheriche.

Day 08: Acclimatization day at Pheriche
Today we rest for acclimatization at Pheriche valley, you may have full day rest or there are some places where can go for a day walk like for the good acclimatization as hike up hill and return to hotel for overnight.

Day 09: Pheriche to Lobuche (4,928m/16164 ft)
Today the trail diverts towards north, the path is gradual for about an hour as you come to bottom of hill where from we start to climb. After a pleasant walk through the ridge will reach at Thukla, an hour steep up brings you to the top, where you can view Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest, the spot here is good place for a few minutes break after the strenuous climb, close to this spot you can also see a number of memorial of the unfortunate climbers monuments, who died in expeditions around the mountain of this region. We trek continues to the Lobuche an hour for overnight stop.

Day 10: Trek to EBC (5316m) and back to Gorakshep (5,316m/17,437ft)
This early morning we head towards the Gorekshep valley and check in to hotel. After the breakfast at Gorekshep we ready for our adventure to the targeted destination and we continues our trek towards the Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Ice-fall, the path from here can be misleading, follow the lead Sherpa, every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier, the walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. Everest Base Camp is lively with commotion during the high expedition season. It takes 2-3 hrs to get to base camp and after a grand time here retrace the journey back to Gorekshep for the overnight at lodge after 5-6 hrs walk.

Day 11: Kalapathar (5,550m/18,204ft) hike and stroll back to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft)
Early morning our journey continue steep climb to the top after 2 hour walk on our pace. After reaching the top, you will feel beaming as you achieve the moment that you been dreaming, since the beginning of the journey. Top of Kalapathar is a small rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Mt. Pumori, the view from here is beyond imagination as the Everest looks amazing, the panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish, and you feel its worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world, and can be seen to the south Khumbu glacier sweeps below you, and you can also see the Everest Base camp down below on the moraine of Khumbu glacier and lot of picturesque scenery. Stroll back to Gorekshep and re-track to Dingboche for overnight stop at our teahouse after 6-7 hrs walk.

Day 12: Dingboche to Chhukung valley (4,730m/15,518ft)
Today, we have a very short day walk and after breakfast we head further eastern side to 2-3 hrs gentle up hill will reach at Chhukung, which is a hidden valley near the base of Island peak. We’ll have full day rest at the Chhukung and last place to prepare the camping and check up climbing gear and overnight at teahouse.

Day 13: Chhukung - Island Peak Base camp (5,200m/17,060ft)
Today, we heads further on to our journey with steep way climbing southern part then turning east to the main line of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Continue short pleasant walking along a streamside leads to what we call “Big -rock. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. We’ll reach at Island peak base camp after 4-5 hrs walk and overnight at tented camp.

Day 14: Island Peak Base Camp to High Camp (5,600m/18,372ft)
After breakfast and packed camping stuff, we’ll head on to the High camp from where we start our climb. Firstly the path leads up beyond base camp for several hundred meters before striking off left up the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder strewn. As you climb the hill, you will see that the slope narrows and the path enter a steep rock channel nearby where we’ll overnight at tented camp.

Day 15: High camp to summit (6,189m/20,305ft) to Chhukung
Today, day of our destination and as start our climb early morning through the rock gully. This is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridgeline, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty, to a 100m/330ft snow and ice slope (40-45º) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. You can enjoy with success and brave to get a summit and after some picture taking of scenic view will descend all the way to Chhukung for overnight at teahouse and it takes full day as 9-10 hrs climbing & walk.

Day 16: Reserve day for unforeseen condition
This day we most kept for the reserve day for the unforeseen condition as weather problem or weakness then you can take this day as your reserve day and if earlier back then you can take the rest somewhere else around. This day may stay at camp or teahouse base on the condition.

Day 17: Chhukung to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft)
The walk today will be easy heading downhill to a lower elevation from Chhukung the walk is pleasant and all the way to Tyangboche. After the Dingboche valley and getting down to bridge our route descends following the stream towards Pangboche village, and further down to Tyangboche is one of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Gumba, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards north east and more peaks all around you.

Day 18: Tyangboche to Namche (3,440m/11,283ft)
Trek down to Phungithanka a small settlement with couple of teahouses. The trail leads down hill through the forested path of silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron and some few magnolia and birch trees and with a great memories and after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river trek onwards to the Sanasa and retrack to Namche bazzar for the overnight stay.

Day 19: Namche to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft)
After a long walk today we’ll have long and last day trek back to Lukla, Firstly we descend the long way before cross the bridge and further walk to Monju and ten Phakding for lunch. We trek back with enjoying the lush green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village. Arrival in Lukla and you’ll have time to stroll around the areas and guide will re-confirm your flight ticket and enjoy the last celebrate dinner with your crew member and overnight at Hotel.

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu
The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. Anyway we will fly back to Kathmandu and your guide will transfer to hotel. You may have time to relax after long journey and take back your breath and rest at your hotel.

Day 21: Leisure at Kathmandu
This day we reserve for flight delay or cancelled to minimize the risk of missing intl. flight. If we return to Kathmandu on yesterday day this pleasant day you may have full day at leisure at your own or can be extends your extra trip with us on additional cost or time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping and evening company will meet you for the farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Note: The itinerary may flexible during the trek depending upon the clients requirements and fitness.

Extending your holiday
In Nepal, there are many choices and options if you’d like to extend your holiday before or after your main booking. Here are just a few suggestions of extensions available for this trip:

- Travel to the Trans Himalayan country with its mysterious and spiritual land of Tibet
- Visit land of the thunder dragon known as Bhutan
- Take a memorable wildlife safari with Elephant back ride in the Chitwan National park
- White water River rafting in the Himalayan country of Nepal
- 1 hour amazing mountain flight closest to the Mt. Everest
- Visit Darjeeling/Sikkim tour to India.
- Extend your trek in different trekking areas
- Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, Mountain biking and many more. >>>

Service Includes:

• 4 night’s deluxe twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu in 4 star hotel
• All local transportation by suitable vehicle(car, van, bus) in Kathmandu
• Complementary welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
• Rock climbing course or Kathmandu sightseeing with guide, vehicle & entry fees
• Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu both way flight tickets
• Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) basis during the Island Peak Climbing
• Accommodation on tented camp during the Island peak Climbing as per itinerary
• Climbing leader (English speaking, First Aid and eco trained), camping chef and Sherpa porters, all payments with insurance
• Sagarmatha National park entry fee and TIMS permit
• Climbing peak permit/s & other necessary fees
• Exclusive medical kit bag
• Emergency Oxyzen, Gamow bag
• Mobile phone for the communication onpay call basis
• Necessary group climbing gear & equipments
• Safe drinking water
• Sleeping bag and down jacket
• All government and local taxes
• Intl. flight ticket re-confirmation
• Submit your tourist registration form to the require embassy/consulate

Service does not Includes:

• Visa fees, intl. airfare & departure taxes
• Garbage deposit USD 250.00 (Sharing of the total person) and deposit fee will be not refunded if the clients (climber) don’t take back their garbage Kathmandu. 
• Personal climbing equipment (can be hire in Kathmandu)
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and dinner in city
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters
• Tips for driver, guides and porters
• Anything does not includes in service inclusive column

Enjoy the adventure with our Himalayan guides and take good memories away with you from Nepal.