One of the most popular and beautiful Himalayan peaks in Everest region, Island peak also known as Imja Tse, offers some great experiences when it comes to climbing in the Himalaya. It’s a perfect fit not only for experienced climbers but also for novices as it’s not technically difficult. For experienced who would like to attempt climb on Himalayan giants, this trip can serve as a good warm up and for novice climbers it can become a thrilling and proud experience of stepping on the top of one of the great Himalayan peaks at 6189m.
Typically Island peak climb is combined with Everest base camp trek. Doing the Everest base camp trek followed by Island peak is more ideal for it offers climbers an opportunity to get properly acclimatized and improve the physical fitness that can be really helpful in the climbing. After reaching Island peak base camp, you will be instructed and trained on some climbing know-how.
Despite what the standard itinerary suggests, it can be arranged based on your personal preference suiting your time, budget and interest. You could simply let us know and we will come up with that.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Guided city tour of Kathmandu. Trip briefing and preparation.
Day 03: The trek starts. Fly to Lukla, 2804m. Trek to Phakding (2610m), 3 – 4hours
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar, The Sherpa capital (3440m), 5 – 6 hours
Day 05: An acclimatization and exploration day at Namche Bazaar. Day excursion to Syangboche
Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche (3860m), 5 – 6 hours
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche (4350m), 5 – 6 hours
Day 08: Acclimatization and excursion day
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche (4910m) 5 – 6 hours
Day 10: Trek to Gorakhshep(5180m) – visit Everet base camp, (5364m) and back to Gorakhshep, 6 – 7 hours
Day 11: Trek to Kalapatthar (5545m) – Gorakhshep – Lobuche (4940m), 6 – 7 hours
Day 12: Trek to Chhukung (4730m) via Kongma La (5535m), 6-7 hours
Day 13: Trek to Island peak base camp (5200m), 3-4 hours
Day 14: Pre-climb training and ascend to High camp, 5600m 2-3 hours
Day 15: Climb to the summit (6189m) and back to Chhukung, 8-10 hours
Day 16: Trek back to Tengboche, 5-6 hours
Day 17: Trek back to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung 5-6 hours
Day 18: Trek to Lukla, 6 – 7 hours
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel
Day 20: Departure day. Transfer to hotel and fly back home
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival you will be greeted and welcomed by our representative at the airport. You will then be transferred to the hotel booked for you. A pre departure meeting will be scheduled as time permits. During the meeting, you will be introduced to the guides (tour, trekking & climbing) who will be guiding you all throughout the trip. You will also be briefed about the entire program that starts from the next day.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 02: Guided city tour of Kathmandu
Today you will be visiting various cultural, historical and architectural monuments of the Kathmandu. The centuries old monuments are full of legends and beliefs and the Durbar squares of medieval Kathmandu are full of intricate carving and superb collection of architectural riches. The qualified and experienced tour guide will lead you and show you around. The time after tour is for preparation for your trip.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 03: The trek starts. Fly to Lukla, 2804m. Trek to Phakding (2610m), 3 – 4hours
The trip starts with an early morning flight to Lukla. A scenic and memorable flight of approx 35 minutes will take you to the Lukla, the gateway to Everest. From here the trek starts with an initial descent towards Dudhkoshi River to Cheplung village. The trail then gradually ascends through villages of Chaurikharka and Ghat to reach Phakding where you spend your night.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar, The Sherpa capital (3440m), 5 – 6 hours
Crossing stunning suspension bridges time and again over gorgeous Dudhkoshi River, as you ascend the gorgeous views, beautifully carved Mani walls, colorful prayer flags along the trail will only make your trip more enjoyable and rewarding. It’s not only the mountains and rivers but also the flora and fauna that you come across while walking through the beautiful pine forest in Everest national park are also praiseworthy. The later part of the trek today will make you experience the quite demanding uphill trekking that takes us the Sherpa Capital where you will be spending two nights.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05: An acclimatization and exploration day at Namche Bazaar with day excursion to Syangboche
A trek to Everest region is generally not considered to be complete if one misses to explore the beautiful Sherpa town of Namche. And it’s also important for you to get acclimatized to higher altitudes that you are reaching. A day excursion to Syangboche is a very good option to enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, Nupse, Thamserku and more. It offers equally great opportunity to experience Sherpa lifestyle and culture more closely. And visits to Everest photo gallery and Sherpa cultural museum can be included.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche (3860m), 5 – 6 hours
From Namche Bazaar, the initial part of trek takes you rather close to striking Everest view but the trail soon follows quite steep descent to Dudhkoshi valley. The walk is rewarded with stunning views of Amadablam, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, Kwangde etc. The ascent from Dudhkoshi valley through rhododendron forest takes you to Tyangboche. Upon reaching, visit popular Tyangboche monastery, the biggest monastery in the region with a view of Everest in backdrop.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche (4350m), 5 – 6 hours
The trek from Tyangboche descends to Debuche first. And crossing another beautiful suspension bridge over Imja Khola, the trail goes uphill to Pangboche which is situated amongst the hundreds of Mani wall spreading prayers for world peace, love and harmony. The trail further ascends to the charming and old Settlement of Dingboche which bestows stunning views of Amadablam, Lhotse and Island peak.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 08: Acclimatization and excursion day
Another acclimatization day is taken here to get better acclimatized to ever increasing altitude. Optionally, an excursion day to Chhukung valley via Imja Khola valley can be enjoyed. The view of surrounding mountains specially of massive massif of Lhotse south wall is simply awesome. Back to Dingboche for overnight.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche (4910m) 5 – 6 hours
The trail starts with a gradual climb to Dughla at the lateral terminal moraine of Khumbu glacier. The trail then ascends steeply to Chupki Lhara when we come across several stone memorials with ever fluttering prayer flags prying for the eternal peace of souls of those who lost lives while conquering the majestic Himalayas. The trail further ascends to reach the beautiful village of Lobuche. As the altitude climbing, you will expect colder nights.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Trek to Gorakhshep(5180m) – visit Everet base camp, (5360m) and back to Gorakhshep, 6 – 7 hours
Here comes the most awaited day of the trip, the majestic experience of stepping on the base of the world’s highest mountain. Walking gently for around 2 hours along the Khumbu glacier and crossing Changri glacier, you will be at Gorakhshep. You will then head to realize your dream of reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. The stunning views along the way won’t make you feel exhausted. Once you reach the base camp, you simply soak in the majestic beauty of the place. The views of Khumbu icefall, Khumbutse, Lingtren, Nuptse and Pumori are awesome. The fluttering sounds of innumerous prayer flags and the equally uncountable arrays of stones built to mark the visits make it a sight of different world. After reveling in the most cherished moment, trek back to Gorakhshep for overnight stay.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Kalapatthar (5545m) – Gorakhshep – Lobuche (4940m), 6 – 7 hours
Early morning hike to Kalapatthar for the most spectacular view of the Everest and other gigantic mountains. The trail is pretty steep but you will be walking at a comfortable pace and your effort is greatly paid off when you can’t help yourself from appreciating the most impressive Himalayan Panorama. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Chagatse, Pumori are a few to name among many others. Trek back to Gorakhshep and further to Lobuche.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Trek to Chhukung (4730m) via Kongma La (5535m), 6-7 hours
Trek via Khumbu glacier Kongma La base camp from where the trail ascends to Kongma La pass which is a difficult part of the day. The trail then descends to Imja Khola valley before further descending to Chhukung. At Chhukhung check out all the gears and get ready for the climb.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Trek to Island peak base camp (5200m), 3-4 hours
The climbing part of the trip begins with a trek to Island peak base camp. The trail climbs steeply up to south then turn east to enter into the Chhukung valley. Continuing the walk along the streamside and crossing Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines the trail leads you to Island peak base camp.
Overnight: Tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Pre-climb training and ascend to High camp, 5600m 2-3 hours
Today you will have some training on climbing. The guide will teach you how to use the equipments and how to ascend and descend using ropes. The training can be short but it can very helpful to you to boost your confidence and climbing skills for a successful and more enjoyable climb. A climb of 2-3 hours along narrow slopes and steep rock channel will take you to high camp. It’s where you overnight at a camp.
Overnight: Tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Climb to the summit (6189m) and back to Chhukung, 8-10 hours
The highlight day of the trip begins early in the morning. It needs to be started early in order to avoid the strong wind that may hit the summit in the afternoon. Putting on the headlights and scaling the rocky trail up the climb begins. The route follows the ridgeline which leads to the amazing and exposed traverse onto the headwall of the summit. As required the guide will fix the rope and it’s the time to use the skill that you learned from the guide. Scrambling for the summit in this part is pretty strenuous but your joy will know no bounds when you reach the summit. A brief triumph time on what it feels like the top of the world, descends towards to Base camp followed by trek to Chhukung.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16: Trek back to Tengboche, 5-6 hours
After a strenuous day, it’s easier descending the original steps of the ascents to lower altitude. Beautiful sceneries and culture of the Sherpas will still mesmerize you. Trekking through the Sherpa settlements of Dingboche, Orsho, Somare, and Lower Pangboche will reach the suspension bridge over Imja Khola before gradually ascending to Debuche and Tengboche.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Trek back to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung 5-6 hours
The trail steeply descends through the forest of rhododendron, juniper and fir to Phunkitenga. Crossing Dudhkoshi river and climbing to Trashinga, the trail passes along high valley to Shanasa. Visit famous Khumjung village and continue trek to Namche bazaar.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: Trek to Lukla, 6 – 7 hours
The trail today is mostly downhill on a rocky terrain that goes alongside Dudhkoshi river. As we did while going up, we will pass by many monasteries and cross several suspension bridges. Along the way you will still admire the views of plains, rhododendron and pine forest as well as the snow capped mountains. Upon reaching Lukla everyone will have a sense of victory that is achieving the goal of reaching the base camp and summit of Island peak. Enjoy and celebrate in your own style and relax and stretch your tired legs.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel
By the early flight, you will flight back to Kathmandu. Upon landing at Kathmandu airport, you will then be transferred to hotel. The afternoon is for you to explore and relax. If you have further planning, we can make the arrangement. In the evening enjoy farewell dinner hosted by Grande Adventures.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 20: Departure day
After your successful trip, it’s time to go back home. You will be transferred to airport and bid farewell.
Services included:
Services not included:
General Equipment List
Here is a recommended Equipment List for general/trekking in Nepal Himalayas. You could bring the ones you already have and rest can be bought or hired in Kathmandu or other cities.
Clothing
Equipment and Accessories
Climbing equipment List
In addition to the Trekking equipment checklist above, following is the list for climbing:
First Aid Medicine
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