Island Peak Climbing

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m).

  You will be welcomed by a representative from our company, upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). The representative will help you to reach at your booked hotel in Kathmandu, in a private vehicle. You can take rest at the hotel, later you have to join an orientation led by the trekking leader about your trek. You will be served a welcome dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  Altitude: 1,350m

• Day 2: Kathmandu: Climbing trip preparation.

  Most of the day, we just take rest, and in the afternoon we will meet to discuss about climbing preparation with your climbing leaders. The leader will check your set of climbing equipment to make sure that they are in best condition. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 3: Fly to Lukla, and then trek to Phakding (2,800m) – 3 hrs.

  Early morning, we will catch a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Lukla, and it will be a scenic flight because you can observe the views of gigantic mountain of the Everest region. You will meet your porter at the Lukla airport to carry your belongings. Furthermore you will head to the Phakding passing through the enchanting trail above the Dudh Koshi River. Phakding will be our last destination for today. Overnight in Phakding.

  Altitude: 2,800m

• Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,438m) – 6 hrs.

  After breakfast, we will head towards Namche Bazaar, crossing a couple of steel bridges which are decorated by Buddhist prayer flags. Then, we leave behind a Bengkar and Monjo village to reach Sagarmatha National Park check post. After receiving entry permit from Sagarmatha National Park, we will hike towards Jorsalle, where we stop for lunch. From Jorsalle, we will ascend to Namche Bazaar, which will look like a caravan with trekkers and mules. Namche Bazaar is a densely populated town and a trade center of Khumbu region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

  Altitude: 3,438m

• Day 5: Namche Bazaar (3,438m): Acclimatization Day.

  Today is an acclimatization day to adjust yourself in a high altitude environment. We will explore around the Namche Bazaar, local market, chhortens, monasteries, and nearby attractions. We also visit the Hillary school, Khunde hospital and walk to the Everest View hotel to witness the gigantic mountain including Mt. Everest. Furthermore, we hike to the culturally impressive land of Khumjung. The story of the yeti skull at Khumjung monastery is quite impressive. At last, we hike down to Namche and take a rest.

  Altitude: 3,438m

• Day 6: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m) – 6 hrs.

  After finishing the breakfast, we begin to climb towards the ridge of Namche. In the trekking season, the trail remains busy with the ascending and descending of trekkers. The trail is quite easy and far more rewarding, from the ridge. Our trial continue descending to Phunki Tenga, nearby riverside leaving behind the Kyangjuma. We will stop at Phunki Tenga for our lunch. Then, we extend our trek all the way up to Tengboche through the uphill route. Overnight stay at Tengboche.

  Altitude: 3,870m

• Day 7: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m) – 6 hrs.

  From Tengboche, we can see the spectacular pyramid shaped peak of Ama Dablam. Having breakfast we head towards Pangboche, passing through the some of the Sherpa hamlets i.e. Deboche and Milingo. We will explore the Pangboche monastery at Pangboche – which is one of the olden monastery of Everest region. We will stop at Somare for our lunch. After lunch, we follow the Imja Khola River to reach our today’s final destination – Dingboche. It is known as windswept village, surrounded by stone walls. Overnight stay at Dingboche.

  Altitude: 4,360m

• Day 8: Dingboche to Chhukung (4,730m) – 4 hrs.

  After breakfast we move forward to Chhukung passing through the mani stone and the alpine terrain. Today, we will cover very short distance about 7 km and the trek will be easy walk. As we move up, the oxygen level in the air decreases more and more, but this short trek helps us to adapt to the alpine climate. We reach at our ultimate destination today, Chhukung. Overnight stay in Chhukung.

  Altitude: 4,730m

• Day 9: Acclimatization day: Climb Chhukung Ri (5,546m) & return back to Chhukung

  Today, is also our acclimatization day to adapt in high altitude before attempting an adventurous climb to the Island peak. We will explore the Chhukung, visit the Chhukung Ri, which exceeds an altitude of 5545 meters. The climbing is not difficult, but the higher altitude makes it harsher to climb. Chhukung Ri, offers to witness the magnificent views of Mt. Pumori, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Baruntse peak. Finally, we hike down to Chhukung and prepare for the next day.

  Altitude: 5,546m

• Day 10: Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m) – 4 hrs.

  On the Island Peak route, Chhukung is the last human settlement, and the glacial route escorts us to the Island Peak Base Camp. It is located at an altitude of 4970 meters. The trekking duration is short, but we need to adapt to the less oxygen altitude. In base camp, we do our lunch and walk around. We can observe the breathtaking sight of Lhotse, Imja Tso, and Imja glacier.

  Altitude: 5,200m

• Day 11: Pre-climb training on Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m).

  We will prepare for the peak climbing of next day routine. This helps us to know about the equipment, route, difficulty, climbing skills, and peak climbing communication. All the meals of day are served in the tented camp. We may reach at an altitude of 5,500 meters and return back which makes climbing on the following day easier.

  Altitude: 5,200m

• Day 12: Island Peak Base Camp to Summit (6,189m) and return to Base Camp – 11 hrs.

  Finally, the wait is over, today is our climbing day. We wake up early today at around 12 am. After breakfast, we head towards the summit, and we have to reach summit before noon because the strong winds in the highlands in the afternoon might become a barrier to a successful summit. The trial ascends beyond the base camp for several hundred meter.

  We then strike off the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming rocky. We will see the slope narrows, and the trail enters a steep rock channel, as we climb up the hill. We climb the rock gully, which is easy, and there are several short rock steps to climb before we emerge on the right side of the gully. The trial then follows a ridgeline, which leads to a thrilling and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier.

  The guides fixed the rope when it is needed, and a steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. During the climb, we used both fixed rope and man rope for safety. We use fix rope after successfully climbing on rock, and the length of the rope will usually be 350m. Nevertheless, the length depends on the time of the season and the crevasses.

  We will face the two newly formed crevasses which are approximately 3 and 4 meters long, and we will use ladders to cross them. We will enjoy the summit views and we capture the moment in a pictures. Then, we descend all the way to Island Peak Base Camp where some of our crew is waiting for us. We celebrate our successful climbing with our crew members.

  Altitude: 6,189m

• Day 13: Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche (3,985m) – 6 hrs.

  After breakfast, we kick off the expedition at Island Peak Base Camp heading towards Chhukung. Further, we hike towards Dingboche, passing through beautiful alpine settlement. In the picturesque town, we will stop for our lunch. Next, we follow the Imja Khola River, passing through the enticing towns like Orsho and Somare all the way to Pangboche. Overnight stay at Pangboche.

  Altitude: 3,985m

• Day 14: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3,438m) – 5 hrs.

  We descend form Pangboche, all the way to Tengboche passing through Milingo and Deboche. We continue our trek till we reach the Phunke Tenga, a stop for the lunch, which lies by the Dudh Koshi Riverbank. We reach to the ridge of Namche Bazaar, climbing up to the ridge and walk through the gentle trail. Before descending to Namche, we head through Kyangjuma. The views of Thamserku, Taboche, Lhotse Shar, and Ama dablam looks so dramatic. Overnight stay at Namche.

  Altitude: 3,438m

• Day 15: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800m) – 7 hrs.

  We head towards Lukla. Before we reach Jorsalle, we continue descending through the steep downhill route, crossing the suspension bridge. We check out from the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint. We will pass through Monjo, and Bengkar to reach Phakding. We stop at Phakding for our lunch. Next, we cross the bridge, and walk through the gentle trail passing the potatoes field to reach the Lukla. Lukla will be your last point where you will celebrate the trip’s success with the entire crew member

  Altitude: 2,800m

• Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,350m).

  You will fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla, which takes about 40 minutes flight. We receive you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. You can take rest at the hotel and release the tiredness. You can visit the local market and buy souvenirs in the afternoon. In the evening, we will meet for the farewell dinner.

  Altitude: 1,350m

• Day 17: Farewell, Departure Day.

  Our 17 days Island Peak Climbing ends here. A representative from our company will accompany you and see you off at Tribhuwan International Airport. You will take a scheduled flight back to your home or your next journey.

What Other Travellers' Say