Join the Island Peak climbing and apprehend one of the most beautiful peak climbing experiences in the Everest region. Suitable for bold, committed, and adventurous climbers, it is also one of the much-favored peak expeditions for adventurers around the world. This expedition takes you to the formidable Island Peak through the tough and high-altitude passes in the Everest Region. Similarly, through Island Peak Climbing, climbers get the opportunity to explore four important valleys of Khumbu, and Imja, the vibrant and colorful monasteries of Tengboche, Pangboche, Namche, Khumjung, and Chhukung along with the beautiful cultural settlements in the Khumbu region, the iconic Everest Base Camp and the marvelous views of panoramic Everest and its sibling peaks from the Kalapatthar. Conquering the mighty Island Peak (6189m), finally, is the dream-come-true for climbers. This excellent journey also peeps into the cultural legacy and heritage of the inhabitants of the Everest region.
Island Peak Climbing starts from the dynamic yet culturally intact town of Lukla after a short scenic flight from the medieval Capital city of Kathmandu up the torrential Dudh Koshi river valley and towards the Sherpa-dominated settlements of Namche Bazaar, Khumbu, and Khumjung. Trekkers branch off the main trail towards the quaint village and then to the breathtaking Everest Base Camp and the center stage of the natural amphitheater of the Everest region, the Kalapatthar, for a striking view of the colossal Himalayas. The trek to the Island Peak base camp follows the necessary pre-training day procedure before we summit the formidable peak. Atop the peak, climbers witness the breathtaking view of the glittering mountains including Everest (8848 m), Shishapangma (8035m), Cho Oyu (8201m), Lhotse (8516m), Ama Dablam (6812m), Nuptse (7855m), Mera (6476m), Gosainthan (8013m) Kongde Himal (6200m), Thamserku (6430m), and Khumbila (5761m). We then descend back to Lukla through Dingboche, Tengboche, Namche, and Phakding which follows our return to Kathmandu.
Island Peak Climbing suits the climbers aspiring for the thrill and adrenaline rush of peak climbing. Being one of the most adventurous and challenging trips, the basic experience of peak climbing is required on the part of the climbers. Join us to take on some challenges and summit the formidable peak!
Daily Tour
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Arrive at the Capital city of Nepal and you will be greeted by our representative staff and then transfer to your hotel where you will rest tired self. We shall meet and a brief discussion is done regarding the trip along with your introduction to our crew members. You shall enjoy the cuisines and hospitality at the hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Pull up your socks and be ready as the real adventure begins. We shall board an early morning flight to Lukla. An exciting and enthralling flight above the breathtaking green and white peaks shall take us to the small hilly Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, the starting point of our climbing expedition. After meeting with the other crew members of our trip and making the other arrangements, we shall start our adventure from Lukla followed by descending to the village of Narshing and an uphill march to Phakding along the Dudh Koshi River. Today’s short trek is intended to assist in acclimatization. However, other additional activities may be taken into interest. Overnight in Phakding.
Today shall be an interesting day. We wander along the Dudh Koshi and through the alluring pine forests, and monasteries, and cross a couple of suspension bridges. After having our trekking permits checked at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo we pass through the village of Jorsale to reach the Hillary Bridge, the highest among the bridges we shall cross today. We shall get a glimpse of magnificent Mt. Thamserku (6608m) from Benkar village and break at Chautara to adore the majestic peaks along the route. An uphill walk from the Hillary Bridge shall lead us to the colorful Namche Bazaar to end one part of our nature-rich journey and begin the next section. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
As health experts recommend, today we shall have the acclimatization day in Namche due to its altitude suitable for the purpose. A few hundred vertical treks are recommended rather than being idle in your lodge. More preferred is at least some wandering around the quaint villages and getting familiarized with the rich heritage of Sherpa culture and a side trip to the Everest View Hotel for an up-close view of Everest. Surrounded by the snowy peaks, Namche is home to a local museum that displays the region’s history and native flora and fauna. For trekkers preferring a bit longer hike, the nearby pretty village of Khumjung is another option. It hosts the school built by Sir Edmund Hillary, the famed Khunde hospital, and Khumjung Monastery (famous for housing the head of the Yeti!) which makes it a place worth visiting. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
After one day’s acclimatization in Namche, this day we continue our trek after breakfast. For some time we walk on the plain path to Kenjoma through the forest enjoying the panoramic views of the mountains like Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Thamserku, and Lhotse. From Kenjoma, we trek down to the small settlement of Punki Thunga where we take lunch. Then we climb to Tengboche, a Sherpa village with the world's highest monastery. There we visit the monastery and interact with the Buddhist monks and nuns.
Today, we descend downhill to Douche with the scene of uncountable rhododendrons. We cross the suspension bridge that lies over the Imja Khola. We walk through the valley to Pangboche. On the way, we see Mani stone walls. We finally climb up to Dingboche where we stay overnight. Still, you can see the close-up view of Ama Dablam.
From Dingboche, we walk on a gradually ascending path with a view of Mt. Tawache, Nuptse, Ama Dablam as well as Pokalde. We can see Pheriche village from Dingboche. Then we climb down to Pheriche village and head to Dughla. We cross the bridge on the Khumbu glacier and then we continue walking up a steep hill and finally reach Lobuche.
On this day we achieve our goal of putting our foot on the Everest base camp. From Lobuche, we walk up a rocky moraine path with a view of the Khumbu glacier. Then we descend to Gorakshep where we take lunch. Then we head to Everest base camp. At Everest base camp we stay for some time and observe the view of the surrounding mountains. Then we return to Gorakshep where we stay overnight.
A big day! Today we march to the lap of the mightiest Mount Everest and get the feel of being on the top of the world. Past the route, we reach our destination of the Kalapatthar. Before us stand the five of the world’s highest mountains in a seemingly small area. After witnessing the icefall in the vicinity and fulfilling our utmost desire to be near the mighty mountain, we get back to the ridges of Lobuche and call it a day. Overnight in Lobuche.
From Lobuche, head towards Chhukung. Admiring the beautiful scenery arrives at Chhukung village. The crew member collects all the essential equipment and gear for peak climbing. After lunch, learn in detail about the equipment and gear from the experts. Overnight in Chhukung.
We face a fairly steep trail as we move ahead to the base camp of Island Peak. Initially, we moved on the Island Peak trail on the southern side of the Lhotse glacier. After some decent trail, we turn on to the crisscross climbing route of the Island Peak ahead of the Lake of Imja Tsho. There comes the base camp of the Island Peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.
Today also serves as the pre-training day before we conquer the summit of our much-awaited Island Peak. We aim to reach the High Camp before we attempt the summit. We practice the peak climbing techniques with the use of the proper climbing gears and other equipment under the guidance of the experts. This shall boost the confidence of the climbers and helps the climbers enjoy the summit experience. Depending on the season and crevasses the use of a rope is done. Overnight in the High Camp.
This is D-day for the climbers and the main goal of this expedition arrives before us. An early ascend to the summit is preferred due to the difficult conditions the strong afternoon winds pose before the climbers making it difficult to complete the summit properly. We shall reach the right side of the steep rock gully, and then follow a ridgeline and a headwall just below the summit. This difficult climb will be eased by short rock steps and the use of rope shall allow an easier climb whose length depends on the crevasse. After enjoying the summit and capturing the memories, we descend back to the Base camp with the feeling of triumph.
Imja Tse got its name of Island Peak from Eric Shipton’s expedition team as the peak appeared to them as an island in a sea of ice as viewed from Dingboche. The trek onward down the Island Peak Base Camp becomes relatively easier as compared to ascending towards the summit. We follow the same route to the south of the Khumbu glacier on the Island Peak trek route till we reach a bit ahead of the Bibre village. From here on we walk along the Imja River and take a break for the day at the Dingboche. The all snowy and rocky landscapes help release some strains from our minds and make us relaxed.
Our descent continues today as well as we move away from our much-awaited ascend to the summit of the Island Peak. We reached the cultural legacy of Tengboche through the other culturally rich settlements of Pangboche. Tengboche is the terminal site of the “Sacred Sites Trial Project '' of Sagarmatha National Park. Through the Khumbu valley, we pass through the other beautiful Sherpa inhabitants of Shomare and Orsho. The Gompa in Upper Pangboche is believed to be the oldest in the region. The lively monasteries of Tengboche are soul-pacifying. The view of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Thamserku please the trekkers while the Imja River continues to accompany us. Overnight in Tengboche.
This section of the trail indicates the later part of our expedition. The colorful rhododendron and juniper trees provide liveliness to the trail while the mighty Dudh Koshi warns us against polluting the trail. The pine forests add beauty to the path and we look forward to the site of wildlife including Mountain goats, pheasants, snow leopards, and others. Past the Buddhist shrines, we reach the unofficial Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar to call it a day. Overnight in Namche.
We cautiously descend with our shaky legs over some suspension bridges in places of Larja, Tawa, and Benkar among others slowly and steadily. We then exit the natural heaven of Sagarmatha National Park and Phakding village. The trail becomes more natural and easy as we continually struggle through the rough terrain. Prayer wheels and flags, Mani walls, and walled stones make our trail back to the trekking starting place creating the feeling of completing the strenuous yet richly rewarding expedition. Overnight in Lukla.
The scenic return flight to Kathmandu is awesome. Transfer to the hotel and later do some souvenir shopping. Get ready with your bags packed for returning to the respective destinations. In the evening, join us for a farewell dinner. Share the journey experience and happy to receive your feedback as well. Back to the hotel for an overnight stay.