Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak climbing can be regarded as adventurous tour filled with trek and mountain climbing. Taking you to heart of Khumbu valley followed by Everest Base Camp; the adventure will continue till we reach Island Peak which is above 6000 m in altitude. This is one of the most popular 6000 m peak trek in Nepal, which will allow us to meet experience of mountain climbing and beautiful trekking below the highest mountain range. This three week of trip will allow us to visit capital, Kathmandu as well. This trek is suitable for trekkers who have never been to mountain region, but dream of climbing the peak.

This peak is also known by the name of Imja Tse, which was named Island in 1951 by Eric Shipton's party as it seems to be like an island in a sea of ice. This peak was first climbed in 1959 by Swis Team as training exercise in preparation for Mount Everest. It is most frequently climbed peak in Nepal, and very popular trek being relatively easier to get above. During the trek we get to visit popular places like Lukla, where one of the scariest airports lies, we get to visit Namche, Khumbu valley, Everest Base Camp, Kala Pattar, Khumjung, Pangboche as well. This trek region is located in Eastern Development Region of Nepal, under Sagarmatha Zone. It lies to North East side of Nepal's map.

The vegetation at the lower altitude will include pine and hemlock forest to large extent. Also, we can find fir, juniper, birch, rhododendron, scrub and alpine communities at relatively higher altitude. The region is also known for red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, Marten, and Himalayan Mouse with over hundreds of species of bird. We can hear wolves; find langur monkeys and black bear too. Yeti has always been suspense and mystery for the region.

The trek shall start once we drop down at Lukla airport, which will cover places like Phakding, Namche, Khumjung, Phortse, Pangboche, Ama Dablam base camp., Pheriche, Lobuche, Gorek Shep, Everest Base Camp,Kala Pattar, Chukhung valley, Island base camp and peak, Tengboche followed by Namche. We then return back to Lukla to end the trek. Being at the altitude of 6200 m will be the highest point of the trek, however, the major portions during entire trekking route will be above 3400 m. The trekking route will have both upstream and downstream, we shall come across different forests, streams, lakes, rivers, suspension bridge during the journey. There will be view of different mountain into same range. Basically Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dabalam and Thamserku's will be throughout our trek. This is perfect trip for those who want to visit Everest region and also experience mountain climbing.

Day 01 Arrive in Kathmandu

We shall receive you from Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). Even if you enter Kathmandu through roadways, we shall receive you from your last stop and take you to hotel. If it's early enough we can move around small city tour, or we can stay in the hotel itself gaining enough rest. Rest would be important for this day to tackle with jet lag as well as tiredness. Also, we shall get prepared for our trek. Overnight at Kathmandu itself.

Day 02 Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2,652m) (3-4 hours of trek) After breakfast, we will proceed towards domestic terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport for early morning flight up to Lukla. We shall see huge green hills from the top, and get to enjoy mountain right out of the window. This twin otter flight will drop us at Lukla - one of the scariest airport of the world within an hour of flight. Having early lunch there at Lukla itself, we shall then head towards Phakding. We will find the beautiful lifestyle and interesting beauties there at Lukla. In other words, we shall officially begin our trek. Our packing will be carried by porters if necessary. We won't go for long hike this day, in order to warm up our trek. However, there exists option to take side trip to nearby monastery. Our dinner will be served at Phakding, and overnight at Phakding.

Day 03 Trek to Namche (3,440m) (5-6 hours of trek)

We shall begin our trekking route practically from this day. After breakfast, we shall walk through beautiful pine forests that go along with Dudh Koshi River. We shall come across Mt. Thamserku on our right. We will be welcomed by pine, fir and juniper forests throughout the journey. On having clear weather, we can get to see glimpse of Mt. Everest that would be staying idle peering over Lhotse Nuptse ridge. We shall enter Sagarmatha National Park and have our lunch. Crossing different suspension bridges, we also cross Hillary Bridge which is regarded as highest bridge. These bridges will be used to cross Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi river. And we continue to walk up hill unless we reach Namche Bazaar. namche bazar is regarded as trading town and capital of Khumbu region as many Tibetans cross the border in order to trade wares. Namche Bazar can be good place to buy genuine Tibetan arts.

Day 04 Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar

We shall have our breakfast and move around Namche's villages, try to understand with Sherpa people capturing their rich culture. Or, we can hike up to the Everst View Hotel - Five Star Hotel at highest altitude in the world and enjoy up close view of the Everest. We can also visit local museum that will display area's native flora and fauna. We can get o know about history of Mount Everest region from there too. If tired enough, we can rest; but trekking to higher altitudes will allow our bodies to become acclimatized to the altitude further. We shall have lunch and dinner at Namche and spend our second night at Namche itself.

Day 05 Trek to Khumjung (3970m) (5-6 hours of trek)

After breakfast, we start ascending above Namche. This would be steep climb initially, but with increasing altitude, it will move further upward. We shall reach Khunde for our lunch, where we shall also visit at the nearby clinic which we can visit in case we need it. Or we can simply visit to see the service there. Khunde indeed is twin village of Khumjung. After lunch, we shall walk ahead enjoying beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Lhoste Shar, Nuptse, Peak 38 and other mountain ranges unless we reach Khumjung. Khumjung is located in Khumbu region inside Sagarmatha national Park, world heritage site. This village has less population, and is major destination for trekkers of the region. It is also known as Sherpa Capital - as it is very wealthy region of Nepal.

Day 06 Trek to Phortse (3680m) (5-6 hours of trek) After breakfast, we walk the village on steep trail unless we find main trail. Once we get main trail, we shall climb up till Mongla Pass, which lies at the height of 3972 m. As we have already gained altitude, we will be constantly hydrating. Hence,we shall carry enough water with us. We shall have our lunch here itself. We can get to watch Mt. Amadablam's view beautifully from here. The ridge then descends downward to Dudh Koshi River. We shall see few tea houses at the top of pass where we can get refreshed for some time. We will get to see porters below their teen years of age carrying heavy weight there. We continue our walk till Phortse Tenga. We shall have our dinner at Phortse. Phortse shall explain us what eco tourism is. The village is beautifully designed from eco friendly manner.

Day 07 Trek to Pangboche (3930m) (5-6 hours of trek)

Early morning, after breakfast we shall initiate the trail by first climbing up to the ridge of the village. We shall be around Tenboche Monastry, we shall see Namche and also Khamjung. Importantly, we shall get to see beautiful range of Mountain Range. From up, we shall get slightly down for around an hour. Views of mountains will add further energy within us throughout the trail. Having lunch, we shall reach excellent view point with shaded rhododendron trees, and after crossing few suspension bridges, we shall have easy easy up and down walk. We shall get to see thar, yak, pheasant and eagle which will indicate that we have reached Pangboche. We can visit old monastery in entire Everest area and also get to see yeti head at the monastery on request. We shall have our dinner and spend overnight at tea house of Phortse.

Day 08 Trek to Ama Dablam base camp and Pangboche (4600m) (6-7 hours of trek)

Having breakfast to gain enough calorie for energy would be necessary. We will begin the trail by descending down till we cross the river. Only after crossing river we walk straight up to Cholungche Kharka. We shall have our lunch hereby. Passing through pine forests, observing incredible views of Ama dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse; we shall continue the trail after Kharka and will again climb up to Ama Dablam Base Camp. This would b e wonderful trek to the base camp of one of the world's most beautiful mountain. This mountain is named after Mother's Charm Box. beautiful view of Minbo glacier will take us out of the world. We shall relax at the base camp for a while and then walk steeply down to the river. Crossing the river will take us to Pangboche, where we shall have our dinner. Overnight at teahouse of Pangboche. Pangboche is small village of Khumjung, located at high Himalayas. Yeti scalp acts as main identity here. It is inhabited mainly by Sherpas and Sungdare Sherpa, native of this village.

Day 09 Trek to Pheriche (4-5 hours of trek) (4260 m)

The taste of breakfast will certainly add flavors of Mountain air, as we get to see spectacular morning view of Everest. After breakfast, we shall head back towards the main trail to Shomare, where we will take rest. Further walking ahead will lead us to terrain, where we can feel changing Alpine zone with much lower vegetation and very few trees. Having lunch, we further walk for around couple of hours across old glacier moraines to the village and then reach Pheriche. Since, this trek won't be too long, we can have our lunch at Pheriche. It's so good to relax at chair in front of tea house and watch blue sky, eagles flying high as if they are planning to be above the mountains. We shall have our dinner at Pheriche. Overnight at Pheriche. Pheriche is small place to stay, and the only major stopping point until Lobuche.

Day 10 Trek to Lobuche (4,930m/16,170ft): (5-6 hours of trek)

After breakfast, we start with an easy walk towards Thukla. Snow on the ground will make the ground muddy; the weather will be cold, but at the same time sunny as well. We shall walk across high plans above Pheriche and climb gradually to Thukla for lunch. Climbing further will take us out of Thukla, where we shall come across many monuments to fallen climbers and sherpas. We then trek up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. After there, we pass through the boulder-strewn slopes. The trail will continue up to Khumbu Glacier moraine where we shall find ourselves facing beautiful peaks of Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. Overnight in Lobuche. Lobuche is one of the highest point to reside as it kisses nearly 5000 m of height, where accommodation and good service could be rare.

Day 11 Trek to Gorek Shep and visit to Everest base camp (5364m) (6-7 hours of trek)

After having locally prepared breakfast at Lobuche, we continue our trail. We will pass through Indian army mountaineers memorials. Watching incredible views of Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse and other mountains, we shall also get to see glacier and ice fall throughout the journey. The walk can be be stressful because of thin air in high altitude. Gorak Shep will be right away, where we shall leave our bags and have our lunch at tea house there. After lunch we continue our trail up to Everest Base Camp, and again return back to Gorak shep. We can find trail on glacier and snow capped rocks. We will also get to see many frozen lakes around the Base Camp. Khumbbu icefall provides the best view from Everest Base Camp. We shall return back to Gorak Shep's teahouse. Overnight at Tea house of Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is tiny locality filled up with tea houses, which separates the path towards Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp.

Day 12 Excursion to Kala Pattar (5545m) and trek to Lobuche (7-8 hours of trek)

Early morning, we shall start our trek and hike up till Kala Pattar. Since, we will try our best to capture sunrise view of the mountain range, we shall plan for breakfast either on the way or at Kalla Pattar. There is steep climbing up that we need to go through for around two third of an hour to reach flat land, where Nepal Government once conducted meeting about Global Warming back in 2009. This meeting was recognized worldwide. The trail will bend for some time, and then we shall reach Kala Pattar that lies about 50m above the rock. Excellent view of sunrise out of mountains will make us forget that we have not yet had our breakfast yet. We gain the feeling of being very near to Mt Pumori, observing the close up view of Mt. Everest. We shall have our breakfast here itself observing 360 degree view of mountains, and return back to Gorak Shep. Following the route that we came through, we shall then head towards Lobuche having lunch on the way. Overnight in Lobuche after dinner.

Day 13 Trek to Chukhung valley (4,730m) (6-7 hours of trek) After breakfast, we shall continue our trail. Trekking through Khumbu Glacier, passing through Kongma La Base Camp, we will cross through Kongma La pass. That would be hardest part of trek, but once we are in Kongma La, we can see cairn wrapped in prayer flags that will mark the pass, which will ease our tiredness. It's obvious to have altitude tiredness this day because we will be at the height of 5535m. We will have the closest view of mountains from this height and try our best to tackle altitude. We shall then get down gradually to Imja River Valley, where we shall have our lunch. We will continue descending till Chhukung. On trying to escape Kongma La pass, we have another route to reach Chhukung through Dingboche too. It's all our choice. Once we reach Chhukung, we shall get ourselves ready to have our final climbing mission. Having dinner there, we shall spend our overnight there itself. Chhukung is small region, where trekkers stay overnight to reach Island Peak base camp. There is lodge where we can have sound sleep to kill our entire tiredness.

Day 14 Trek to Island Peak base camp (5,200m) (3-4 hours of trek)

Early morning, we can try for few training to climb up above. Or, we can leave that for next day. After breakfast, we shall head towards our destination - Island Peak Base Camp. This is fairly steep trail, where we first climb south, and catch the main line facing east. We continue our trail below southern flank of the moraine from Lhotse Glacier. We then continue walking on the easy trail, where stream will be following on the side. We can find that the route to Amphu Labtsa will be facing towards south east. Since, this trek will be at high altitude, we won't give much pressure and walk in relaxation mode with enough rest. We shall reach Island Peak Base Camp within 4 hours where we shall have our lunch. We shall try to get equipped with pre climb training and then have our dinner and take enough rest for next day. Over night at Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 15 Trek to Island Peak – High Camp (5400 m)

It would be very unfair, if we could not make to Island Peak as we had been walking for 15 days to be there. Hence, we get enough training, get familiar with the altitude there this day. Guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques in proper ways making use of gears like ice axe, boots, harness, ascender etc. We shall also practice making use of ropes to go up and down. Although, it is not compulsory to get trained, it might help us in boosting our efficiency level. We shall ascend up to High Camp after lunch in order to get our body equip with the growing altitude. Small trekking practice can boost our efficiency for next day. We shall return back to Island Peak Base Camp for dinner and spend our overnight at Base Camp itself.

Day 16 Climb Island Peak and return to Chukhung valley (6200m) (9-10 hours of trek)

This will be seriously important day for us, because it would remark ultimate mission of the trek that we came for. We wake up early around at 2 to 3 am, and have our breakfast early enough to gather enough energy. We then begin climbing the peak. Crossing the camp, the trail will make climb for another hour to narrow ridge that will lead us to the glacier. We attempt rope usage making the climb further interesting. The trail will move up beyond the base camp for few hundred meters before striking off the steep hillside. The path will appear sandy at initial phase, and we can see how grass before turn out to be strewn. Climbing further up, we see slope narrows and trail enters steep rock channel. The entire trek will be very straight forward trekking, and very strenuous. After getting all our gear on, rope up and crossing the glacier we reach the summit. We shall have chocolates that would help our energy to survive throughout. We get to see face of Lhotse looming right over us in the other direction. Mountain views will be mesmerizing. There might be wind troubling in the afternoon, hence we won't spend much time and get down through same route. Having our packed lunch, we return down to Base Camp this very day and walk up to Chunkhung valley through the trail we came through. Overnight at Chukhung valley.

Day 17 Spare Day for climbing

Things may not happen as per our expectation, and we never know the role of weather. So, we keep this spare day in case if we could not make it to Summit previous day. However, if we made it previous day, we can stay back at base camp making this day small trek up to Chukhung valley. Or, we can keep this day for rest if we ascended peak previous day. Reading favorite book right below the mountain or watching movies in laptop with hot coffee will certainly be different experience.

Day 18 Trek to Tengboche (3,900m) (4-5 hours of trek)

It would not matter even if we wake up late this day, killing previous day's tiredness. We shall head towards our next destination having breakfast at Chukhung valley. Crossing through rhododendron forest, we then reach Tengboche. We shall have our lunch thereby itself and move around the village. We shall observe sheer beauty of surrounding area. There is monastery, where we can join for morning and afternoon prayers. There's bakery, which is popular for apple pie. We can taste other different items as well there. We shall spend time here at the bakery and monastery before dinner. Overnight at Tengboche. Tengboche is small village, and popular place that lies within the trekking route of Sagarmatha.

Day 19 Trek to Namche (3,440m) (5-6 hours of trek)

We can get to join morning prayers at the monastery. After breakfast, we shall leave the place bidding Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dabalam and Thamserku's view farewell. We shall reach Phunki, where we shall have our lunch. We will see this place as collection of lodges. We shall reach to the point that will turn Phortse off and then descend down till Namche Bazar. We shall finally be back below 3500 m this day and start feeling much better. We can already celebrate in Namche Bazar, but with limitation because we have long journey to Lukla next day. We can visit Everest View point this day again to give ultimate look to Everest. Dinner will be served at Namche Bazaar. Over night at Namche.

Day 20 Trek back to Lukla (2,800m) (6-7 hours of trek)

After having our breakfast, we then begin our return trek. This will be familiar reverse route for us. We shall leave Namche observing the lifestyle and morning life of local people there. Once we get down to Hillary bridge, and cross river, our destination will be followed by number of suspension bridge that will allow us to pass through Dudh koshi and Bhote Koshi river. Those forests of pine, fir and juniper who welcomed us, will not bid farewell to us. We shall have our lunch at the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park and then continue our trail along with Dudh Koshi River unless we reach Lukla. Dinner will be served at Lukla. Overnight at Lukla.

Day 21 Fly to Kathmandu

We shall fly to Kathmandu this day as per our schedule. If the flight is early, we shall have our breakfast at Kathmandu, or we can keep that at Lukla itself. We shall have rest once we have our lunch at Kathmandu. Evening time can be spent at the places nearby. Being around Thamel Market in the evening could be great experience. There will be live music at Thamel till late night that we can enjoy. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 22 Free Day in Kathmandu

This is completely free day for us. We can go for exploring Kathmandu visiting Pashupatinath and Boudha after breakfast. Having lunch at around Boudha stupa, we can then head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square. Or, we can spend time shopping traditional stuffs from Nepal for memory. Our guide will help you to find best and reliable places to shop. We also have option to rent a bike and go out for exploring Capital City. Dinner shall be served at our guest house. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 23 Depart

As per our flight schedule, we shall have our meal and then we shall head towards Tribhuwan International Airport and make departure.