Overview

Island Peak Climbing

The 18-day Island Peak Climb offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other neighboring peaks. The ascent is mostly non-technical, although the use of crampons and ropes is required. To reach this peak, located in the Upper Chhukung Valley, climbers will traverse vertiginous suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags and make their way through dense forests teeming with wildlife. Along the journey, climbers will also receive a warm welcome from the Sherpa people of the region.

Journey from Lukla to Everest The trip begins in Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu region and the traditional starting point for the Everest Base Camp trek. From Lukla, we start by trekking downward with stunning views of the majestic Himalayas. We descend to the riverbed of the milky Dudh Koshi River, passing by mani walls, prayer flags, and the villages of Chheplung and Thado Koshigaon. Following the trail along the icy stream, we will walk through small settlements, dense timberlands, and terraced farmlands, encountering several suspension bridges and waterfalls before arriving at Monjo, the last village before entering Sagarmatha National Park.

Upon entering the park, we face a steep incline to reach Namche Bazaar. From there, we continue to climb higher, enjoying excellent views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, and Deboche. Next, we will reach the religious communities of Tengboche, Pangboche, and Dingboche. Following the Everest Base Camp trail, we will reach Gorak Shep, take a moment to summit Kala Patthar, and then finally arrive at Everest Base Camp itself.

Afterward, we will branch off across the Kongma La Pass and descend into the Chhukung Valley. Surrounded by towering massifs, icy lakes, and steep slopes, we will arrive at Island Peak Base Camp. After some pre-climb training to ensure everyone feels confident, we will summit together and enjoy panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. We will then trek back to Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu to conclude our journey.

Island Peak Climbing is an excellent introduction for less experienced climbers, as the trip combines trekking and climbing. The best times to book are between March and May or September and November. This adventure promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, featuring stunning views of the highest regions of the Himalayas. You will finish this climb with lasting memories and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Itinerary

We might board an early morning flight to Lukla. This energizing journey over the lush green slopes will take us to the small, uneven airport in Lukla, which will serve as the starting point of our trekking adventure. After arriving at Lukla Airport, we will meet our fantastic team members for the trip and then begin our trek to Phakding.

The trek to Phakding will take approximately 4 hours, during which you will have the opportunity to experience various landscapes, natural scenery, and local culture. While the trail features some ups and downs, it is mainly flat and downhill, making it manageable for trekkers. In addition to exploring some of the famous settlements along the route, you will also encounter views of Mani Stones, prayer wheels, and bridges adorned with prayer flags. Enjoy the culturally rich and unique monasteries, as well as breathtaking views of the towering Himalayan Mountains, all while experiencing the warm hospitality of the local people.

Upon reaching Phakding, you can refresh yourself and explore nearby monasteries. We will stay overnight in Phakding.

As you wake up, you’ll be greeted by a stunning display of natural beauty all around you. You can enjoy your breakfast with the refreshing breeze flowing through the valley. Later, you’ll begin your trek, walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River. As you navigate through the enchanting forests filled with pine trees and monasteries, you’ll soon cross a few suspension bridges before having your trekking permits checked at Monjo. This area is often referred to as the gateway to the famous Sagarmatha National Park.

Continuing on your trek, you’ll reach the Hillary Bridge, one of the highest suspension bridges, typically accessed via Jorsale village. After crossing the bridge, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the soaring Mt. Thamserku, which stands tall at 6,608 meters, just beyond the village of Benkar. As you admire the imposing peaks along the route, you can take a short rest at Chautara before embarking on a challenging climb to the vibrant town of Namche Bazaar.

Reaching Namche Bazaar marks the end of your adventurous journey for the day, and you’ll have the opportunity to relax for the rest of the evening. Enjoy an overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

You have traversed through numerous indigenous territories situated at a high altitude above sea level, so it is generally recommended that you take a day to rest. This allows your body to acclimate to the surrounding elevation. At higher altitudes, the amount of oxygen in the air decreases, which can affect your well-being. Therefore, today you may take the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.

While it’s important to allow your body to adjust, you can also engage in some light activities rather than staying inactive in your room all day. Consider taking a stroll through the charming villages to familiarize yourself with the rich Sherpa culture. If you still have some energy, a short side trip to the Everest View Hotel is highly recommended, as it offers a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest (8,848m).

You might also want to visit Khumjung, which is a short distance from Namche, and see the Khumjung Monastery, known for housing the legendary Yeti skull. After a day of exploration, you can return to your accommodation for dinner.

We will be staying overnight in Namche Bazaar.

After spending the entire day resting and acclimatizing, we can now continue our trek to Island Peak. Following breakfast, we will depart from Namche Bazaar and begin our ascent slowly. As we climb up the slopes, we will walk along the trails that offer breathtaking views of the Himalayas ahead.

Before reaching Sanasa, trekkers will be captivated by the striking peaks of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Lhotse, and the magnificent Mt. Everest, alongside a clear view of Mt. Thamserku towering above our path. As you stroll along the tranquil routes of this peaceful environment, you have the chance to explore the stunning rhododendron forests and may even spot some rare wildlife thriving in these landscapes. Animals such as the Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer, and various Pheasant species can be seen during our trek today.

Next, we will proceed beyond Sanasa and trek through more woodlands to reach the trail junction that leads to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Valley. However, our journey continues alongside the stone steps, where we will descend to the riverbed of the powerful Dudh Koshi River. Afterward, we will cross the river by walking over a suspension bridge and then climb for about an hour and a half along a rocky trail to reach the village of Tengboche.

Tengboche is home to a simple monastery, which is regarded as one of the most significant stupas in the Khumbu region. Here, you can explore the area while surrounded by the stunning Himalayas standing majestically in the background.

We will stay overnight in Tengboche.

On a warm morning, visit the Tengboche religious community. After breakfast, begin your trek by descending to the riverside. Cross the river and continue your ascent towards the traditional and cultural Sherpa village of Pangboche. From there, proceed to the larger village of Pheriche, which is located beside the river. Pheriche is a rural community in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,371 meters above the Tsola River.

Stay overnight in Pheriche.

After breakfast, we will embark on a simple and straightforward stroll towards the waterway, continuing our walk to Dugla. From there, we will proceed on our trek to Lobuche, where we will stay for the night.

Lobuche is a small village located at an elevation of 4,910 meters near Mount Everest in the eastern Khumbu region of Nepal. It is considered one of the last overnight stops with accommodation facilities on the way to Everest Base Camp.

We will spend the night in Lobuche.

Today is one of the most anticipated days of our trek, as we will attempt to reach Gorakshep via Everest Base Camp. After waking up and having breakfast, we will begin our trek to Gorakshep. Along the way, we will first head to Everest Base Camp. The trail changes each year due to the movement of the ice sheet. The hike is quite strenuous because of the thin air at high altitude, as we navigate through rough hills, moraines, and streams. Everest Base Camp is a famous destination, offering views of many of the world’s highest mountains. After visiting the Base Camp, we will return to Gorakshep for the remainder of the day.

We will stay overnight in Gorakshep.

We begin early in the morning to enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the Nepalese Himalayas, including the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest, from Kala Patthar. It takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the top. Once at Kala Patthar, we can sit and admire the breathtaking Himalayan panorama. Make sure to take plenty of pictures to capture these unforgettable memories. Afterward, we will trek back to Gorak Shep for breakfast and then start our steady descent to Lobuche, where we will spend the night.

After leaving Lobuche, we descend to Dingboche (4,410m) and continue through stone-walled paths, a waterway valley, and an icy moraine. Throughout our journey, we are surrounded by the majestic peaks of Ama Dablam and Lhotse. From Bibre, we can see the towering Island Peak, which seems to welcome us wholeheartedly. After crossing two to three more streams, we arrive at Chhukung, a small settlement nestled at the base of Ama Dablam.

We will stay overnight in Chhukung.

As we continue our trek, we need to wake up on time today because our goal is to reach the Island Peak Base Camp. We will start the day by climbing south and then swinging east to follow the main line of the valley. After ascending the steep trail along the south side, we’ll have a chance to take in views of the Lhotse glacier.

The path ahead involves a lot of switchbacks beneath the southern flank of the moraine. As we progress, we’ll walk alongside the riverbed, which will eventually lead us to a notable landmark known as the “Big Rock.” From there, the winding trails will open up into a wide valley before we reach the southeast side of Island Peak, where the base camp is located.

Once we arrive at the base camp, we will set up our tents and take some time to rest. We will spend the night at Island Peak Base Camp.

Before we make our ascent to the ultimate summit of Island Peak, we should spend the entire day preparing for the climb, which will take place the following day. Use this time to sharpen your skills with the experienced climbers and knowledgeable Sherpas who are available to guide you in your preparation.

You will have ample time to learn and memorize all the essential details needed for your climb. This includes the basic use of ice axes, crampons, ropes, and various other types of equipment, as you will receive thorough training throughout the day.

So, stay focused and keep your body ready, as we will be climbing the renowned Island Peak tomorrow morning. After completing the preparation, please check your gear one last time for tomorrow’s climb and then return to your respective tents for a good night’s rest.

We will stay overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

Get ready as the real adventure begins! This is the day you have been waiting for, as we will start the final stage of our journey. We all need to wake up early in the morning before dawn to set off on our ascent to the summit.

Due to the unpredictable weather conditions, strong winds can blow through the climbing trails during the night. As we move higher from the base camp, you will encounter steep slopes and rocky channels. In this area, it’s essential to use your crampons and ensure they are securely fastened to your boots.

Next, we will walk along the ridgeline and make our way to the base of the summit glacier. After that, we will cross the glacier using our ropes and continue climbing up the ice slope ahead. Be very cautious, as there are several crevasses in this area, and you should proceed carefully with your climb.

From this point onward, you will need to cover the last 100 meters to reach the summit of Island Peak. Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of numerous magnificent mountains. After taking in the breathtaking scenery and celebrating your achievement, we will head back down to the base camp.

This entire climb will take us around 10 to 12 hours, so be sure to get plenty of rest in your tent. We will be staying overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

After our successful climb yesterday, we will begin our descent into the valley. Upon waking up, we should have breakfast to prepare for today’s journey and continue with our trek. Descending from the Island Peak Base Camp, we notice that today’s hike is relatively easier compared to our ascent to the summit. Following the correct path, we will travel south of the Khumbu Glacier and reach the village of Dingboche via Bibre. As we walk along the Imja River, we hope to push further and pass through the villages on our way to Dingboche.

We will spend the night in Dingboche.

After enjoying an early breakfast, we are planning to make our way to Namche Bazaar by the end of the day. We will set off and continue our descent with gradual strides. Initially, we’ll take a brief climb through the pine and rhododendron forests until we reach the cultural village of Tengboche. There, we will have some time to explore and capture final photos of this iconic town.

Continuing on, we will leave Tengboche and begin descending to the steep path leading to Phunki. From this point, we will cross the rushing Dudh Koshi River before heading towards Kangjuma. After that, we will follow the winding trails around the hillside until we make a turn that leads us to the summit of the informal Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar.

Once we arrive in Namche Bazaar, we will check into one of the available lodges and relax for the remainder of the day.

We will stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Today marks the final leg of our trek, where we will need to be especially watchful. After waking up and enjoying breakfast at our accommodation, we will begin our journey. As we make a careful descent towards Lukla, we’ll aim to capture one of the last breathtaking views in the Everest region (Khumbu area).

We will walk at a relaxed pace, allowing our tired bodies to recuperate. Along the way, we will intermittently cross several suspension bridges while navigating steep sections alongside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers, before finally exiting the serene environment of Sagarmatha National Park.

Further along the trail, we will encounter numerous prayer flags and pass through the beautiful rhododendron forests as we approach our final destination in the Everest region: Lukla. Upon reaching Lukla, we will check into a hotel where we can unwind and reflect on our strenuous trekking journey.

We will stay overnight in Lukla.

Awakening early, you will be greeted by the stunning views of the lush green slopes and the sparkling Himalayan Mountains. Today, you say farewell to this charming district as you take a flight back to the medieval city of Kathmandu. The flight will take approximately 35 minutes, as we travel from the upper Himalayan region to the lower slopes of central Nepal. Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Once there, you can refresh yourself, take a shower, and prepare to explore the area for some souvenir shopping in the Thamel district. Afterward, return to your hotel room to pack your belongings for your flight back home tomorrow.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and a farewell dinner at Pema’s House.

Cost included

  • Kathmandu arrival and transferred to hotel
  • Kathmandu to Lukla return by flight
  • All ground Transportations
  • All necessary permits and TIMS cards
  • All meal during the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Guide and staffs wages and insurance
  • All trekking equipment (tents, tables, chairs, kitchen utensils etc.)

Cost excluded

  • Bar bills, laundry and tips
  • Rescue, insurance, souvenir shopping
  • Items of personal expenses
  • Nepal entry visa fees
  • Personal rescue if needed

#Note above day to day itinerary. May be change depending on weather and flight.

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