| Trip code | IPC-27 |
| Package name | Island peak climbing |
| Duration | 20 Days |
| Max. elevation | 6130 Meter |
| Level | MODERATE |
| Transportation | private vehicle and Both ways flight tickets |
| Accomodation | Three-star Hotel in Kathmandu; and the best available lodge in Treks, overnight in a tented camp on the climb |
| Starts at | kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | Kathmandu-Lukla-Phakding-Namche Bazaar-Tengboche-Dingboche-Lobuche-Gorakshep-Everest base camp-Kalapathar-Chukung-Island Peak base camp-high camp-Island Peak-Island Peak-Pangboche village-Namche-Lukla-Kathmandu |
| Cost | USD 2,087 per person |
On reaching Kathmandu via various international airlines, at the airport our guide and staff for short transfer in the heart of Kathmandu city. Where your hotel is located, after checking into your rooms, and then meet other members of the trip at the hotel lobby for briefing. Regarding the Island Peak climb and trek, information includes other useful information to make your holiday in Nepal more enjoyable. The evening group welcomes dinner in a lovely Nepalese Restaurant with an introduction to the culture of Nepal with folk dance and music.
A free day in Kathmandu preparation for the trek to Everest base camp and Island Peak climb. Last hour shopping to purchase and hire needful gear for the trip, with time one can book for optional sightseeing tour. Around Kathmandu valley major cities, steeped with ancient world heritage sites.
Departure from the hotel as early as possible by the latest 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. Having breakfast, and leaving unwanted items for storing in the hotel. Our staff and guide will transfer you for the short drive to Kathmandu domestic airport. After checking in for security, and then proceed to an airfield to board in a small aircraft, either Dornier or Twin Otter. With a maximum of 15 to 18 seated planes, as the plane lifts off enjoy a panorama of Himalayan peaks, where the route leads North East with views of Mt. Everest as the plane makes landing at a small airfield in Lukla.
The airport is named Tenzing and Hillary, a tribute to the first legendry conqueror of Mt. Everest. At Lukla getting organized with the heavier baggage to be carried by porters and on pack animals known as Jhopkyo (a mixed breed of Yak and lower region cows or ox). The trail leads around many lovely Sherpa villages adorned with Buddhist prayer walls and monuments to reach Phakding for an overnight stay in a nice moderate lodge.
Walk today takes you to the famous Namche Bazaar the hub of Khumbu villagers, as well as trekkers. Where once a week, a colorful and busy market is held every Saturday walk leads to cross few bridges over Dudh Koshi glacial rivers to reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, where a ticket to be shown of purchased. Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepal, while the Sherpa knows as Chomolungma of Tibetan origin language.
From here reach the last village of Jorsalle before Namche Bazaar, for a lunch break, and then continue to walk following the river on a bank, within the cool shade of pine and rhododendron forest. On crossing the last high bridge, along undulating uphill for a few hours to reach Namche Bazaar for two overnights stops. Enjoy the views of Kwangde and Tharmasarku peaks from the lodge in Namche and then check into your rooms for refreshing rest before dinner time in a large warm and cozy dining hall.
Free day in Namche for necessary rest and a short hike to view-points which is a good way to support acclimatization. Enjoy leisure morning with breakfast and hike to Namche viewpoint overlooking Mt. Everest and the beautiful peak of Ama Dablam with other adjoining peaks. Visit the museum offers full information about the Khumbu region. Energetic people can take a hike up to Everest View Hotel for a few hours, as well one can spend the day exploring Khumjung and Khunde villages. This is quite different from Namche Bazaar with many traditional houses located on a glacial valley.
The morning after breakfast, an easy stroll after a short climb to the top of Namche facing excellent views of Khumbu peaks with Everest, and then down to Imjatse River at PhunkiTenga, a small settlement popular mid-day stops of trekkers for lunch or refreshments. From here on steep winding uphill for some hours within the cool forest to reach a small scenic plateau at Tengboche and its colorful monastery.
The area is surrounded by an array of peaks with grand views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam with a range of adjoining high mountains. Herewith time to visit the impressive monastery interior of great Buddhism religion interest and then retire back to your lodge for the rest of the afternoon.
From Tengboche enjoy the morning views of snow-capped peaks while you have breakfast, and then the day starts with an easy descend to reach a strong metal bridge. On crossing the bridge above Imjatse River, a slow uphill climb to Pangboche village with closest views of beautiful Ama Dablam. From here onward tree lines disappear for short bushes of juniper and dwarf rhododendron bushes. The walk takes you higher to reach scenic Imjatse valley, where Dingboche is located for an overnight halt, facing the first view of Island Peak towards the east of the valley floor.
Another deserving rest day, for good acclimatization where one takes a hike uphill to a ridge called Nagarjun. Where you can enjoy the panorama of peaks with Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam North Face as far as the world's 5th high Mt. Makalu in the east. Rest of the afternoon enjoy a stroll around Dingboche with many good lodges and shops or just relax with the mountain views.
Slowly our adventure heads towards our first highlight to reach Everest base camp and climb Kalapathar high hilltop. The morning starts with a steep climb of less than half an hour to a ridge festooned with prayer flags and Buddhist monuments. Enjoy the great views, as the walk continues on easy up to reach a small settlement of Thugla. Where massive Khumbu glaciers melt into torrential cold streams. A favorite stop for trekkers heading both ways to Everest base camp, Lobuche, or down to Dingboche and Pheriche valley.
After lunch at Thugla, afternoon an hour climb towards Thugla's small pass where you can notice many tombs and memorials of unfortunate climbers. After a short good rest, a slow and easy walk but strenuous due to thin air and high altitude to reach overnight stop at Lobuche. Lobuche at 4,940 m / 16,210 feet, situated about 150 km (93 mi) east of Kathmandu, located near the foot of Khumbu Glacier, approx. 8.5 km South-West from Everest Base Camp.
Today, our walks lead to one of the highlights at Everest base camp, although a short distance. But takes strenuous hours of walking due to high altitude and air pressure. Start on the easy path and up above Khumbu glaciers over moraines of rocks to reach Gorakshep. The highest human settlement before base camp with few lodges to stay for overnights after visiting Everest base camp. From Gorakshep heed slowly taking more than two hours to reach base camp, feeling wonderful. Standing beneath the world's tallest peaks and close to massive Khumbu icefalls and glaciers. Enjoy the stupendous scenery of high giant snow peaks then back to Gorakshep for an overnight stop, after a great day adventure.
Early morning climb to the highest rocky hilltop of Kalapathar, which means black rock. A vigorous steep climb due to altitude gain but worth it as you stand on top, overlooking the grand panorama. Where Mt. Everest will be at the closest distance with Mt. Pumori ahead after a breathtaking moment descends back to Gorakshep. After breakfast continue treks downhill past Lobuche and Thugla, and walk above Dingboche to reach the last settlement in Chukung.
Morning with leisure time for breakfast, from here for a few overnights staying in tented camps, with food prepared by our camping cook and kitchen staff. Walk towards Imjatse valley to reach the base of Island peak, as the climb leads over the moraine. Includes a few icy streams to cross and then end the morning walks near a place called Parsya Grab. Where our base camp is located near a small glacial pond, rest of the afternoon rest and preparation for the climb.
Most climber takes the challenge to the summit of Island Peak from base camp. But it is always safe and best to add one more high camp before the summit day. As well as to scout the route of the climb, where our guide will make necessary arrangements ahead for the early next morning climb. On reaching the exact spot to establish a high camp and finding level ground to pitch tents. Afternoon relaxes and check your gear, as well with some practice ice climbing and then rest with early dinner.
Start early morning before the break of dawn, as climb leads across glacier climb with care following our lead climbing guide. Where there are few crevasses to avoid, as climb takes you due straight north over snow-covered scree in-between a glacier to a top ridge. The climb takes you over rocks and icefall section, a steep snow and ice ramp to negotiate at about 100 meters (300 feet) to reach on top of the summit. The last leg of the climb is always tiring and feeling much excited about reaching the summit top. The highest point of the adventure at 6,189 m /20,305 feet high, facing a spectacular panorama of surrounding giant peaks. Includes view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, and Mt. Makalu the four world highest peaks with a wide range of lesser mountain ranges. Feeling on top of the world, then make a safe descend on the same route to base camp for last overnight in tents.
After an exciting adventure on Island Peak climb, head back to Dingboche for an onward journey to Lukla after a great successful time. Morning a nice walk to Dingboche and then downhill to Pangboche for an overnight stop.
Morning enjoys close views of Ama Dablam and then morning leads to descending crossing a river with a climb up to Tengboche. From here onward back into tree lines, with down and ups to Shanasa village. As the walk gets better on a gradual winding path to reach Namche for an overnight halt.
Today can be a long stretch of walks but easier on the downhill to reach by the river bank and the past Sagarmatha National Park near Monjo village to reach Phakding. From here on the gradual winding trail with the last final climb to reach the end of the trek at Lukla for the last overnight around the high Khumbu and Everest region.
On achieving great triumph and success on top Island peak, depart from the lodge to Lukla airport, where the morning flight reaches you back at Kathmandu. From the airport, transfer to your respective hotels with a free day to enjoy the hustle-bustle city life of Kathmandu.
It is always best and wise to have a spare or contingency day, in case of flight delay and might lead to cancellation. Due to bad unfavorable weather conditions for small planes to operate which can happen even in the best time of the seasons. On this free day, one can enjoy individual activities and shopping for souvenirs or take a tour of Kathmandu's ancient cities site within Kathmandu, Patan, or Bhaktapur.
Your last day in Nepal, enjoying a memorable adventure on Everest base camp and Island Peak climb, then time for your international flight. Our staff transfers you to the airport for homeward bound.