Island Peak Climbing
Overview
Island Peak Climbing leads you to amazing adventure and experience on top above 6,160 m and 20,328 ft high where you will be surrounded by world highest mountains with Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho-Oyu as far towards Mt. Makalu in the east direction with other lesser peaks.
Truly an adventure that fulfills your lifetime desire standing on top Island Peak also called Imjatse Himal, due to its location within beautiful Imjatse valley when looked from above high hills certainly looks like an island in the midst of the valley.
Island peak climbing one of the most prominent mountains for all interested mountaineers and as well for beginner climbers on this alpine style of a day climb from the base or advance high camp.
Located within high and beautiful Khumbu areas in the shade of Mt. Everest and in the middle of scenic Imjatse valley, where the climb grade listed as PD + (per difficult) used from French and Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification Systems as used worldwide on this type of day alpine style climb,
The climb leads to serac, crevasses, and glaciers where climbers require full climbing gears to tackle the strenuous climb to its summit top, a straightforward climb with some technical difficulties to cope during the ascent.
Island Peak Climbing starts with a sweeping-scenic flight to land at Lukla airport and then following the Dudh Kosi River upstream with overnights stops in between like at Namche Bazaar for a day or two for acclimatization.
Trek continues towards scenic trail and within the alpine green forest to Thyangboche Monastery from here, onward tree lines drop for arid landscapes as walk leads towards the final highlight of the adventure for Island Peak climbing with few nights in tented camps after staying in a local lodge on the route.
After the climb heading back to Lukla on the downhill path with tremendous mountain views where a short scenic flight brings you back to Kathmandu after a marvelous adventure on Island Peak climbing.
Island Peak Climbing can be done in two ways either head straight for the climb or having more days with a visit to Everest Base Camp and climb Kalapathar which provides you enough exercise and acclimatization before the climb of Island Peak.
ber is taken into consideration as the satisfactory and suitable month to go hiking in those regions. We will trek up to the most altitude of 6160m above sea level at the peak of island height.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Day 02: Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft): trip preparation
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 35m (2,800m/9,184ft) then trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)
Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft): 5-6 hours
Day 05: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,283 ft): Acclimatization Day
Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft): 5- 6 hours
Day 07: Tengboche to Pheriche (4,200m/13,776ft): 4-5 hours
Day 08: Pheriche to Lobuche (4,930m/16,170ft): 5-6 hours
Day 09: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5170 m/16,961ft), visit Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,594ft): 6-7 hours
Day 10: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5545m/18,192ft) and back to Lobuche (4940m/16,207ft): 7-8 hours
Day 11: Lobuche to Kongma La (5,535m/18,159ft) to Chhukung (4,730m/15,518ft): 6-7 hours
Day 12: Chhukung to Island Peak base camp (5,200m/17,060ft): 3-4 hours
Day 13: Pre-climb training on Island Peak Base Camp
Day 14: Island Peak base camp to Island Peak summit (6,189m/20,305ft),back to chhukung: 08-10Hrs
Day 15: Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche (3,985m/13,074ft) 5-6 hours
Day 16: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft): 4-5 hours
Day 17: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft): 6-7 hours
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)
Day 19: Final Departure
Details Itinerary
We visit Nepal High Trek office sometime in the afternoon today. At the office, meet our climbing guide and fellow climbers. Our guide or leader will check our set of equipment in order to make sure that they are in a perfect condition for the coming trip. In the short meeting, the Nepal High Trek representatives will also help us understand what we can expect throughout the trip so as to make us familiar of our days up in the mountain. We can spend rest of the afternoon resting and/or in leisure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, we trek towards Tengboche. It is an easy walk from Namche to Phunki. Upon reaching Phunki, we ascend towards Tengboche, a village that houses the very famous Tengboche monastery which is the largest monastery of the Everest region. Located amidst the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of "outstanding universal value”), it is draped with the panoramic 360-degree view of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. The monastery opens at 3:00 pm so if we are lucky we might just be able to witness a religious ceremony. Overnight in Tengboche.
With the Himalayas as its backdrop, the monastery in Tengboche is in an excellent location. We visit the monastery in the morning and enjoy taking pictures of the monastery and the amazing landscape. We descend for about half an hour through a forest before crossing a river. Next, we trek uphill and notice that as we climb higher, the landscape becomes drier. We walk past a traditional Sherpa village of Pangboche before reaching Pheriche, a beautiful village located on a riverside. Here, we will also see a small helipad that is used for helicopter rescues during emergencies. We may even take a class with a mountain specialist in a medical clinic at Pheriche. Overnight in Pheriche.
We take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come across the Indian army mountaineers' memorials. The path from here can be misleading; hence it is important that we follow our lead Sherpa diligently. The walk is strenuous due to thin air in the high altitude. We pass through rocky dunes, moraine, and streams before reaching the Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching the Everest Base Camp, we see tents of mountaineers that stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings (especially in the spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. We get back to Gorak Shep for a good night's rest. Overnight in Gorak Shep.
We prepare for an early morning departure, amid pre-dawn darkness and cold temperatures (-10 to -14 C). Plus, there is always the potential for chilly winds which are quite common. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself. But, it is upon reaching Kala Patthar that we get to see360 degree up-close and formidable views of Mt. Everest. We take pictures, enjoy the magnificent mountain panorama, and then return back to Lobuche for a good night's rest. Overnight in Lobuche.
After breakfast, we trek via Khumbu Glacier to Kongma La Base Camp (5,000m/16,404ft). The ascent to Kongma La pass is the most difficult part of our trek today. In the Kongma La, we see cairn wrapped in prayer flags to mark the pass. Then we descend gradually to Imja Khola valley, followed by another descent to Chhukung, a small summer settlement. After reaching Chhukung we will also check our equipment in order to get ready for our ultimate climb. Overnight in Chhukung.
From Pangboche we retrace our steps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forest to Tengboche. If interested, we can also visit nuns at the Tengboche monastery. After lunch at Tengboche, we continue through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, our trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests before reaching Sansa. We keep a lookout for wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, etc., while passing through the forest. After passing a Chorten, we reach the army camp at Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Cost Details
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- Tented accommodation during the climb
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek and climb
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu- Lukla -Kathmandu)
- English speaking, trained and experienced trekking guide(leader), climbing guide (leader) and assistant guides
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation
- Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
- All necessary paper work; trekking permits and Island Peak climbing permit
- Good quality tents and kitchen utensils for camping
- Tea or coffee during the trek
- Group mountaineering (climbing) equipments
- Medical kit (carried by your guide)
- All government and local taxes
Cost does not include on:
- Nepalese visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 15 kg luggage, cargo charge is around $1.5 per kg)
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
- Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Personal climbing equipment
- Personal climbing guide if requested
- Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
- Tips for guides and porters
Tour Notes
