Overview

Trip introduction

“The best days are the ones that start with sunshine and end with moonlight.”

Island Peak or Imja Tse (6,189m) is the most popular trekking peak in the Everest region of Nepal. Island Peak Climbing trip fulfills the dream of every amateur and serious climber, who has been seeking the thrill of adventure and wishes to take adventure climbing trips beyond simply trekking in Everest.

Overview of Island Peak Climbing

Nepal is a country of friendly people, magnificent scenery, and a variety of cultural traditions. The Island Peak Climbing trip starts with a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. And trek towards Island Peak along the Khumbu valley heading west through Tengboche which is a very popular spot to catch magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse, as well as centuries-old monasteries. From Lukla onwards, we shall follow an ancient route that journeys through tiny villages, across high mountain passes, and remote valleys.

Along the way, we visit Buddhist monasteries and begin to appreciate the unique mountain culture found in the Himalayan foothills. Literally, in the Sherpa language, Imja Tse means “the island in a glacial sea”, which accounts for the mountain’s name. From Island Peak, we can see the spectacular views of the North summit of Mt. Ama Dablam, the wide line of Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Lhotse, the world’s third-highest peak. The climb to Island Peak starts from the base camp, followed by the high camp and then the summit.

Join the professional team of Nepal Mountain Trekkers now and discover this beautiful region of eastern Nepal. Simply fill out the booking form and let us know about your interest in this trip. You can also contact us directly by sending us an email to get more information about Island Peak Climbing.

Overview

Detail Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu (1,300m /4,264 ft)::

Welcome to Nepal! As your flight lands in the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), a representative of Nepal Mountain Trekkers shall be there to greet and welcome you. Afterward, you shall be escorted to a private vehicle for a drive to your respective hotel rooms where you can relax and get refreshed from your flight. Later in the evening you may go out and stroll around the areas near your hotel. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2 : Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation::

After having our breakfast, we shall start our sightseeing tour around the capital city of Kathmandu valley. We shall go and explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Buddhist shrines of Boudhanath (One of the largest stupas in the world) and Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple) along with a visit to the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. Not only that but we also shall stopover at the historically significant Durbar squares like the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Afterward, you need to make the final preparations for the climbing adventure ahead and interact with the climbing guide to get some more necessary information for the expedition. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 3 : Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft): 40 minutes flight, 3- 4 hours trek :

We shall board an early morning flight to Lukla. An exciting and enthralling flight above the wonderful green hills shall take us to the small hilly airport in Lukla. This place shall be the starting point of our climbing expedition. After landing at Lukla airport, we shall meet the remaining crew members of our trip and then begin our trek further on to Phakding. In this trek of around 4 hours, you get to witness diverse experiences in many aspects, natural culture, and others. With some usual ups and downs en route, the trail is basically flat and downhill for the trekkers. Besides exploring some of the famous settlements near here you shall also witness the views of Mani Stones, prayer wheels, and suspension bridges festooned with prayer flags. Get enriched by the culturally rich and outstanding monasteries, marvelous views of the sky-piercing Himalayan Mountains with the warm hospitability of the local people. On reaching Phakding, you can freshen up and go for an exploration of close-by monasteries. Stay overnight at Phakding.

Day 4 : Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,280 ft): 5 – 6 hrs::

As you wake up, you shall see an abundance of natural beauty thriving off in this landscape. You shall have your breakfast with the breezy air flowing through the valley. Afterward, you shall commence with your trek and begin walking along the Dudh Koshi river. Traversing through the mesmerizing forests filled with Pine trees and monasteries, you shall later cross a couple of suspension bridges before having your trekking permits checked at Monjo. This place can also be called the entrance to the all-famous “Sagarmatha National Park”. Now moving on with our trek we shall reach the Hillary Bridge which is one of the highest bridges, commonly by passing through the Jorsale village. After crossing the bridge you are bound to get a magnificent view of the soaring Mt. Thamserku with an elevated height of 6,608 meters from the village of Benkar village. Adoring the imposing peaks along the route we now take a short rest at Chautara and later move on with an uphill hike from there onward to the vivid & vibrant town of Namche Bazaar. Reaching here shall mark the end of our perilous journey for this day and shall rest for the remaining time. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.

Day 5 : Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization day::

You have walked up through many indigenous terrains which lie very high above sea level so it is usually recommended for you to have a one-day rest so that your body can acclimatize to the surrounding altitude. Given the elevation of a place, the atmosphere of that place can get low in the number of oxygen molecules needed to sustain a human body. Therefore today we shall all take a day off and rest for the entire day. By doing this, our bodies can get adjusted and adapt to the elevated height. With a lack of oxygen in the air, trekkers need to be highly wary of their health in these kinds of elevations. But a few hundred vertical treks are suggested rather than staying idle in your room the entire day. You may also go out and stroll around the quaint villages and get familiarized with the rich heritage of Sherpa culture. Those who have some energy left in them preferably can take a side-trip to the Everest View Hotel where they can get a very up-close view of Mt. Everest (8,848m). Surrounded by the snowy peaks, trekkers can take a hike to Khumjung which is just a short walk away from Namche, and visit the Khumjung Monastery known highly for housing the head of the Yeti. Later you may return back to your room and have your dinner. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.

Day 6 : Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft): 5 – 6 hrs::

After spending the entire day resting and acclimatizing we shall now continue with our trek to Island Peak. After eating our breakfast we shall now start heading out of Namche Bazaar and walking gradually up. Ascending up the hills we shall now walk along the trails which have panoramic views of the Himalayas ahead. Before reaching Sanasa, trekkers shall get their eyes struck while observing the grandiose peaks of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Lhotse, and the almighty Mt. Everest along with a clear close-up view of Mt. Thamserku soaring high up in the sky above our trails. As you walk along the silent paths of this tranquil environment, you get to explore the impenetrable rhododendron forest with a high chance of witnessing some rare species of wildlife thriving in these terrains. Wildlife like the Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer, and the Pheasant can be seen while you move on with your trek today. Now you shall get ahead of Sanasa and trek through some more forests to reach the trail intersection which leads to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Valley. But we shall advance further alongside the stone steps and tumble our way down to the riverbed of potent Dudh Koshi River. Afterward, we shall cross the river by walking through the suspension bridge and later hike for about an hour and a half on a pebbly trail to make our final ascent to the village of Tengboche. This village has an imperative monastery which is generally considered the biggest monastery/stupa in the Khumbu region. Here you may explore around with the scenic Himalayas standing tall in the background. Stay overnight in a teahouse in Tengboche.

Day 7 : Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m/14,300 ft): 5 to 6 hours::

With the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan Mountains ignited by the sun, we shall now start moving on with our adventurous journey ahead. We shall eat our breakfast, and then start trekking on to our next destination. You can easily view Mt. Everest rising above the trails as you walk away from Tengboche. Today our trekking paths will be literally filled with several river crossings along wooden bridges, and we shall, later on, climb up some large steps through colorful gateways along with the always present (but never tiring) views of the Himalayas. Bypassing through the first stupa that lies at the entrance we shall reach our final destination for the day, Dingboche. Upon reaching here we shall take some rest and enjoy the delicious homemade food available here. Stay overnight at Dingboche.

Day 8 : Dingboche to Chhukung (4,730m/15,518ft): 3-4 hours::

As we end one part of our nature-rich journey, we shall now begin the next section of our amazing trek. With the aim to join the Island Peak trekking trails within the following day, we shall carry on with our perilous walking through this outstanding region. As soon as we finish having our breakfast at Dingboche, we shall move ahead and initially cross by paths of the dreadful Khumbu Glacier and the Kongma Glacier. These two glaciers make the upcoming view of the landscape more dramatic. Now we shall move past the Kongma La, the Pokalde, and Nangshar Tshang peak that lies to the far right of our designated trekking trail. As we move further on we shall walk on trails filled with glacier moraines, stonewalled fields, Icy rivulets, and reach the village of Chhukung to mark the end of our today’s trek. Stay overnight at Chhukung.

Day 9 : Acclimatization: Climb Chhukung Ri (5,546m) and trek back to Chhukung: 3 – 4 hours::

Before proceeding further, today shall be our second day for acclimatization. So we have some free time to do some exploring and utilize our time by climbing up the Chhukung Ri which stands tall at the altitude of 5,546 meters. This climb can help your body get adjusted to the high altitude above the summit of the Island peak. You don’t have to go far and beyond to climb Chhukung Ri as it is just located above the village of Chhukung where you staying right now. Upon reaching the top of Chhukung Ri, you shall get a direct and penetrating view of the beautiful Himalayas ahead. Mainly the views of Mt. Ama Dablam and Amphu Labsa peaks can be seen up and close from the top of Chhukung Ri. Later we shall descend down to Chhukung village and have our dinner before sleeping in. Stay overnight at Chhukung.

Day 10 : Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m/17,060ft): 3-4 hours::

Moving further on with our trek, we shall wake up early as we need to reach the Island Peak Base Camp today. Initially today we shall have fairly steep climbing south then turning east to follow the main line of the valley. After hiking up the steep trail along the south side, we shall now take a twist at the Lhotse glacier. The upcoming path should be a lot zigzag below the southern flank of the moraine and as we continue on with our walk we shall walk alongside the riverbed which will, in the end, lead us to a place popularly called the “Big Rock”. Then the zigzag trails should open up in a wide valley before reaching the Southeast of the Island Peak where the base camp lies. Upon reaching the base camp, we shall set our tents and have a proper rest. Stay overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 11 : Preparation for training on Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m/17,060ft)::

Before making our ascent to the imperial summit of the Island Peak today we shall spend the whole day preparing for the climb to the summit of the Island Peak which will take place the subsequent day. Get ready as you shall have your skills sharpened with the experienced climbers and leading Sherpa’s available there to train you for your climb. You shall be given enough time to learn and remember every important detail needed for your climb. From the simple use of the ice axe, crampons, ropes, and other equipment, you shall be given proper training during this day. So keep your mind sharp and your physic ready as we will be climbing the all-famous Island Peak tomorrow morning. Lastly, after having completed the training you are requested to check your equipment for tomorrow’s climb one last time and return to your respective tents for proper rest. Stay overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 12 : Island Peak Base Camp to Summit (6,189m/20,305ft.) and back to Base Camp (5,600m/18,372ft) 10-12 hours::

Pull up your socks and be ready as the real adventure begins. This is the day you have been waiting for as we shall be commencing the completion of our main goal of the entire trek up till now. We all need to wake up early in the morning before dawn so that we can get an early ascends to the summit. Due to the intricate weather conditions, strong winds flow during the afternoon in the entire climbing trails so as we move ahead and climb higher from the base camp you shall initially bump into the narrow slopes and steep rock channel. This section needs you to use your crampons and fixed tightly in your boots. Now we need to walk by the ridgeline and surface out to the trunk of the summit glacier. Afterward, we shall cross the glacier while implementing the use of our ropes and climb further up to the ice slope ahead. Be very wary as there are many crevasses here and continue ahead with your climb. From here onward you have to cross the final 100 meters to reach the summit of Island Peak. Upon reaching the summit climber witness the awe-inspiring and panoramic picture of many glorious mountains. After getting pleasure from the summit viewpoint and with the feeling of triumph we shall now descend down back to the base camp. This entire climb will take us about 10-12 hours so take a proper and ample amount of rest in your tent. Stay overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 13 : Island Peak Base Camp to Deboche (3,820m/12,533ft) 6-7 hours::

After our successful climb yesterday, we shall now start heading down the valley. After waking up, we shall have our breakfast needed for today’s journey and carry on with our trek. Descending down from the Island Peak Base Camp, we realize that the walk is relatively easier today as compared to ascend towards the summit. Following the previous exact route, we shall head south of the Khumbu glacier and reach the village of Dingboche via Bibre village. Walking along the Imja River, we shall preferably walk further and go beyond the villages of Dingboche. Now onward we descend downward through Pangboche and reach our final destination for the day, Deboche. This village lies just below the Tengboche ridge which makes it a perfect place to stay having a silent and peaceful scenery. Stay overnight at Deboche.

Day 14 : Deboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,280 ft): 4-5 hours::

After having an early breakfast, today we shall make an attempt to reach Namche Bazaar by the end of the day. We now set off and continue heading down with gradual walks. Initially, we shall make a short climb through the pine and rhododendron forest and reach the cultural village of Tengboche. There we may have some free time to explore and take some last pictures of this iconic village. Moving on, we shall now leave Tengboche and start descending further down to the steep path of Phunki. From here we will need to cross the overflowing Dudh Koshi River before heading towards Kangjuma. Later we shall follow the curving paths around the hillside ahead and ultimately make a turn to reach the top of the unofficial Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. Upon reaching Namche Bazaar we now shall enter into one of the lodges available here and take relax for the rest of the day. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.

Day 15 : Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860m/9,383 ft): 6-7 hours::

Today shall be the last section of our trek where we shall walk circumspectly. After waking up and having our breakfast in the Tea house of our stay, we shall commence on with our trek. Making some very cautious descent to the Lukla, we shall try to capture one of the last amazing adventures in the Everest region (Khumbu region). Further on we shall walk unhurriedly and steadily without putting much strain on our tired bodies. Crossing over numerous suspension bridges we shall intermittently traverse upon precipitous sections along the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River before making our exit from the natural asylum of “Sagarmatha National Park”. Further down the route, we shall witness many prayer wheels and flags while passing through the rhododendron forest to reach the last point of our trek in the Everest region, Lukla. After reaching Lukla, we check into a lodge where you can relax for the time remaining and put an end to our strenuous trekking. Stay overnight at Lukla.

Day 16 : Lukla to Kathmandu::

Waking up early, you are sure to be greeted with sights of the lush green hills and the glittering Himalayan Mountains. Today you say goodbye to this enchanting and amusing region by taking a flight back to the medieval city of Kathmandu. Our flight shall take approximately take us about 35 minutes to reach Kathmandu by flying away from the upper Himalayan region to the lower hill areas near central Nepal. As we reach Kathmandu, you shall be transferred to your respective hotel. Now you can get refreshed, take showers, and alter go out for some souvenir shopping in the Thamel area. Later return back to your hotel room and pack your stuff for tomorrow’s flight back home. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 17 : Departure Day::

Our 17 day strenuous yet adventurous Island Peak Climb experience comes to an end today. You shall be transferred to the airport 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight by a representative of Nepal Mountain Trekkers. We hope that you created some amazing memories and moments during our 17 days trek. Do come back for another adventurous journey in this Himalayan nation. Now we shall bid you farewell and say Goodbye!

Price Includes

• Airport Pick up and drop
• 3 nights Hotel in Kathmandu(Hotel Green Horizon or similar standard)
• All accommodation during the trek in the best hotels/tea-houses in the area (differing according to the price you wish to spend)
  • Sanitation: The accommodation we provide will be neat and clean with warm-hospitality and quality services.
  • Single Accommodation: You won’t have to share your accommodation with anyone else so that your privacy is protected.
• All foods during the trek: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner; any items on the menu as much as you wish to consume.
  • We provide hygienic and safe meals to re-energize you.
  • We request you not to waste your meals for it is difficult to transport food in the rural area.
  • You are not allowed to share your meals with anyone else from another group.
• All require camping equipment
• Domestic Flights and all required land transportation
• Professional and Highly experienced English-speaking Trekking Guide licensed by the Government. Including their lodging and food.
  • Local Staffs: Our guides are locals of the region which ensures that you will surely get to explore a bit more during the trek than with any other guides.
  • Experienced: With experience of more than a decade of working in this field, our trekking guides possess excellent knowledge on briefing during the trek as well as they are experts in handling all kinds of critical situations that might occur during the trek.
  • Insurance: Nepal Mountain Trekkers have an insurance policy for all our trekking staff.
• Porters (1 porter for 2 trekkers with a max load of 25 KG). Including their lodging and food.
  • Local Staffs: The porters we hire belong to the same region where we trek in order to provide employment opportunities to the locals as well as to make you explore every prospect of the region.
• Well experienced ice climbing guide (Climbing service charge, insurance, food, personal equipment)
• Group Climbing gear fixed rope, main rope, ice axe, zoomer, harness, the figure of eight, carabineer
• Four seasonal sleeping bags, down jacket, Nepal Mountain Trekkers duffer bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (Note: down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
• Peak Permit Royalty, Sagarmatha National Park Fee
• Rescue Arrangement Service
• A comprehensive medical kit
• 13% VAT and 10% service charges
• Farewell Dinner

Price Excludes

• Nepalese visa fee (Visa Information)
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
• Extra night accommodation(s)
• Travel Insurance and Rescue Cost
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
• Personal trekking and climbing gears
• Tips for guide and porters

Trip Gallery

Trip Map:

Equipments