Island Peak Climbing

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu. A traditional warm welcome by our airport representative. Short briefing about the package in the hotel. Typical welcome dinner in the evening.

Your first day begins with breakfast at your Hotel. You will be taken for sightseeing of Kathmandu valley to explore the vibrant city after breakfast at your hotel. Drive to famous Buddhist stupa Swayambunath, also known as Monkey temple, on the hill of Kathmandu Valley where you can see stunning view of mountains and Kathmandu valley. This temple attracts Buddhists and tourists from around the world. Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible from far and wide. Next is Pashupatinath, the temple of Lord Shiva. This is probably the most famous temple for Hindu in Indian Sub-continent. There is crematorium beside the temple where dead bodies are burnt to ashes. After exploring Pashupatinath you will visit fascinating sights of Patan Durbar Square, one of the most glorious examples of traditional Nepalese architecture, full of centuries old temples and palaces.

You will take stunning flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. You will meet with the trekking crew upon arrival. Following a short tea break you will trek northwards up to the valley of Dudhkoshi. Descend from the small plateau into the forested valley. The trek is very easy and short today. However, the difference in altitude, in comparison with Kathmandu, can make you feel a bit difficult. After lunch you trek north towards Phakding. The trail crosses several streams and you finally reach to Phakding (2650m). You will spend your first night in this settlement from where you will have tantalizing views.

Hike to Namche Bazaar through farmland and settlements. You will follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day’s walk takes you through magnificent forests of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia trees. You will cross the west fork of the river, the Bhote Kosi, and start the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. Namche is the largest Sherpa village which is called as Gateway to Mount Everest. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa village and an important trading center as well. Locals from various villages gather during the weekly bazaar and sell fresh foodstuffs.

You will take rest in Namcha .Make yourself fit, physically and mentally, for the further journey. This day is for acclimatisation. We suggest you to stay active even in the rest day so that it will help you for the trekking.

Your day will start with the breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast you will have a first glimpse of Mount Everest and other Himalayan Mountains Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablan. Today you will trek towards Tengboche. Then you will cross a river and hike upwards a rhododendrons forest before reaching the beautiful Tengboche. It is and exciting and easy walk from Nanche to Phunki, upon reaching phunki, you will ascend towards Tengboche. Tengboche is a village in Khumjung in the Khumbu region of northern Nepal. Tengboche is a biggest monastery of the region perched on ridge at 3,870m.Tengboche has got the great sunset view over Mt.everest. Overnight in Tengboche.

Today you will trek from Tengboche to Pheriche. You will descend for about half an hour through a forest crossing a river. Then you will trek uphill. You will notice as you climb higher, the landscape becomes drier. You will walk passing a traditional Sherpa village of Pangboche before reaching Pheriche. Pheriche is a beautiful village located on a riverside.Overnight in Pheriche.

Today you will start with an easy walk towards Dugla after breakfast, then you will trek up the seep terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier and the pass through the boulder-strewn slopes. You can find an array of stones with players flags as you ascend Chupki Lhara. The trail then continues to the Khumbu Glacier moraine and you will find yourself facing several great peaks such as Khumbutse, lingtren, pumori and mahalangur Himal. Overnight in Lobuche.

The higher altitude makes this day’s trekking quite challenging. Trekking from Lobuche to Gorak Shep is very challenging. You will climb Khumbu Glacier and cross the Changri Glacier to Gorak Shep. The views are really stunning.

Today the most of the day you will spend climbing Kala Patthar, a small peak reaching 5555 m. The higher altitude makes this day’s trekking quite challenging so your condition will be checked today before you move on. Then after you start out early morning trekking to reach a point where you can experience one of Nepal’s best panoramas of Mount Everest and the other surrounding mountains. You then descend back to Lobuche a round trip of six hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

Today you will trek via Khumbu Glacier to Kongma La Base Camp after having a hot breakfast. The ascent to Kongma La pass is the most difficult part of your trek today. On the way you can see cairn wrapped in prayer flags to mark the pas in the Kongma La. Then you will descend gradually Imja Khola Valley through stone walled fields, followed by another decent to Chhukung where you can see beautiful view of Mt. Lhotse and Ama Dablam. When you will reach Chhukung, you need to check equipment in order to get ready for your ultimate Climb. Overnight in Chhukung.

Leaving behind Chukkung, today you will trek to Island Peak Base Camp through the steep trail, you will lead towards south then turn east to the main line of the valley. The trails heads towards rocky and winding path below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. You will continue walking on pleasant trail along a streamside. A crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley and set up the camp after reaching Island Base Camp. The Base Camp presents you tremendous view of the southwestern face of the Island Peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

You will begin your pre-climb training today after breakfast. Our guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques and the proper ways of using climbing gears such as the ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, etc. The training will also include using ropes to go up and down. Although it is not mandatory to have prior training for Island Peak climbing. Usually you will be climbing on rock surface for up to around 5770m. After that, you climb on ice and use ropes when necessary. However, the use of the rope and the length depends upon the season and the crevasses. Upon reaching high camp it provide the breathtaking view of lofty pinnacle and glacier sorrounding the Island Peak. You can spend the rest of the day hiking to high camp and back or resting for the next day’s climb. Spent the night in a tented camp.

Today is the day that takes you to your actual destination. You will wake up early at around 12 to 1 am and have breakfast before beginning our climb. Sometime the strong winds and weather might become a barrier for successful summit so you have to reach there before noon. The trail moves up beyond the base camp for several hundred meters before striking off the steep hillside. Walk past short rock steps, crevasses, seracs, snout of summit glacier. You will climb the rock gully. This is not difficult, but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. You need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses. The guides will fix a rope wherever and whenever necessary. Finally a steep snow slope leads you onto the summit ridge. Upon reaching the summit you can explore the breathtaking view of peaks like Lhotse Middle Peak, Lhotse Shar, Nuptse, Makalu, Baruntse and Amadablam. After that you will trek back to Base Camp.

After breakfast you will start your trek which will be a much easier as you descend to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, All the way you will get a chance to explore beautiful sherpa villages. You can also take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche, which is believed to be the oldest in the Khumbu. Pangboche is a scenic village which is surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south and the Imja Tse. Overnight in Pangboche.

Early morning after having breakfast you will leave Pangboche and follow your steps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forest to Tengboche. Tengboche monastery which is very popular, you can also visit there. Gradually walking through hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees, you will cross the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. while passing through the pine forests you can see flora and fauna such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, etc. And then walk fairly easier till you reach Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving Namche Bazzar behind, trek another six hours to Lukla (3404m), where the trek began. The trail descends steeply downward crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries. There will be time to reflect on the expedition as a group and the personal achievements of all who participated. Overnight at Lukla

Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. Enjoy panoramic mountain views and spend the rest of the day sightseeing, exploring, shopping or just relaxing in Kathmandu’s numerous cafés and roof-top restaurants.

It’s a leisure time in Kathmandu, where the rest of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing or relaxing. This is an extra day in case of bad weather. Free time to explore Kathmandu before transferring to the airport for flight back.

Your final day in Kathmandu is a free day to you to do as you choose. Many people take the time to shop, others enjoy exploring the cultural side of the city. Our local guide can advise you on the best shops in the area. Final Farewells! Our airport representative will travel with you to the airport.