Island Peak Climbing

Trip Overview

Trip Facts

Country: Nepal
Trip grade: Strenuous
Destination: Island Peak
Activities: Trekking and Climbing
Accommodation: Hotel, Guesthouse & Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Maximum altitude: 6189 meter
Group size: 1+
Best Season: Spring & Autumn

Are you looking forward to going for a peak climbing adventure sooner or later? You will absolutely love the Island Peak Climbing Adventure in the Everest region in the Himalaya. Climbing to the top of Island Peak, also Imja Tse, is an incredibly beautiful adventure.

The beautiful peak stands at 6189 meters above sea level amidst other high soaring mountains in the Everest region. A trekking adventure from Lukla towards Chhukung via Namche Bazar takes you for the climbing adventure. You can also combine this climbing adventure with Everest Base Camp Trek. But if you are short of time to go for a longer adventure, you can head straight to Island Peak Base Camp and go for climbing.

What you see during Island Peak Climbing Adventure

If you combine the climbing adventure with the trekking to Everest base camp, it will take you longer. But it allows you enough time to acclimatize for the summit climb on the mountain. Once you start the trek from Lukla up towards Namche Bazar, you can enjoy beautiful nature and mountain surroundings along the trail in the Dudh Koshi river valley.

In addition, the Sherpa cultural riches in the region make the adventure even more interesting. The beautiful villages of Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche will give you a wonderful immersion in the mountain lifestyle in the region. You can also explore monasteries that determine the socio-cultural life of the people living in the region. You will also learn more about the Sherpa people, the community of mountain climbers.

The climbing adventure itself is just a single day. You can reach the summit from the base camp and return back in a day. Although it is a climbing adventure, it is not highly technical as mountaineering like Ama Dablam Expedition or Everest Expedition.

During the adventure, you will enjoy magnificent views of mountains like Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, etc. While you stand at the summit of Island Peak, you will have an overwhelming view of the vast range of mountains in the surroundings.

Reasons this trip becomes an Experience

Nepal Climbing Adventure always strives to offer an adventure traveling experience that you can cherish. While the Island Peak Climbing Adventure is beautiful in its all essence, your experience of trekking there becomes even more beautiful with us.

By the time we take you to the base camp and bring you back, we take one step ahead to offer you a beautiful experience. We keep your safety and happiness is our top priority and you will experience the same during the trip.

Trekking and climbing Island Peak with us is traveling in safe hands.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Normally, your arrival in Kathmandu is the day one of this trip. We will come to pick you up at the airport as per your flight time and transfer you to the hotel. There are no activities today apart from a trip briefing meeting. The information about the meeting time will be available upon your arrival at the hotel.

You have time to relax and go for any last-minute preparation for the trip. Welcome to Kathmandu!

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 02: Kathmnadu – Phakding (2,680m)

We will start our trekking adventure towards the Island Peak today for the climbing adventure. Early in the morning, we will take a flight to Lukla. The adventurous flight of about forty minutes takes us to Lukla to enter the Everest trekking region. Once we land in Lukla airstrip, we will get ready to start the walk of the day.

We start the trek to Phakding as our overnight destination today. It is about 4 hours of an easy trek on a gentle and gradual downhill trail to Phakding on the bank of a river called Dudh Koshi. It will be an amazingly peaceful day on the trail to Everest base camp.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 03: Phakding – Namche Bazar (3,440m) – B.L.D

We continue the walk on the Everest base camp trail after breakfast. Our destination for the day is the beautiful mountain town of Namche Bazar. The trail takes us through a winding trail up the mountains. As we continue the walk towards the destination, we cross several suspension bridges on the trail. After checking into the Sagarmatha national park at Monjo, we continue the walk to Namche for the day.

Once we reach Namche Bazar, a prosperous mountain trading town in the Everest region, we will check into a guest house and relax. A nicely settled town in the terraced slope, Namche Bazar brings you the spectacular views of mountains like Thamserku (6,6232m) and Kongde Ri (6,187m) to its west.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 04: Acclimatization Day – B.L.D

We are already above 3000 meters above sea level so we need to take an extra day at Namche to acclimatize. On this extra day at Namche Bazar, we will go for a hike and explore the surroundings.

We will have the latter half of the day to rest and relax once we are back from the hike.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05: Namche – Tengboche (3,860m) – B.L.D

After the acclimatization day at Namche, we are now ready to trek further higher. We will continue our trek after breakfast and head towards Tengboche as our destination for the day. The trek passes through a forested trail and on the ridge. After about 6 hours of uphill walk, we reach Tengboche village. Once we reach Tengboche village, we can enjoy Mountain View of the peaks like Tawache, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam including Everest.

Once we settle into our accommodation, we can set out on an exploration of Tengboche Monastery, the biggest Buddhist monastery in the region where Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the first man to summit Mt. Everest along with Sir Edmund Hilary, was sent to be a monk once. The galore magnificence of the monastery is simply overwhelming.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 06: Tengboche – Dingboche (4,410m) – B.L.D

Dingboche is the destination for today. After we finish our breakfast with a view, we set off on the trekking journey for the day. We follow the downhill trail towards Diboche and past it, we reach Pangboche village. We will take some time to explore the village and an ancient and beautiful monastery. Pangboche is a beautiful and the biggest Sherpa settlement in the region. After starting ahead from Pangboche village, we head towards Dingboche leaving the route to Pheriche. After spending about six hours on the trail past forest, villages, and beautiful sights to see, we reach Dingboche village where a breathtaking view of the Himalayan peaks awaits us.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 07: Dingboche - Chhukung (4,730m)

Today we trek to Chhukung by walking through stone walled fields leading to glacier rocks. The trail provides excellent views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam mountains. The trail also has us view of Island Peak above us before reaching Bibre village. We reach Chhukung after a short walk from Bibre village. We spend overnight in Chhukung.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Chhukung

Today is acclimatization in Chhukung. To adjust ourselves for higher altitude we will be climbing Chhukung Ri located just above Chhukung village. From the summit views of Ama Dablam and Amphu Labsa peaks can be viewed. We return back to Chhukung for overnight stay.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 09: Chhukung - Island Peak Base Camp (5,087m)

The trail to Island Peak Base Camp heads south and climbs east towards the main line of valley. The trail follows along a stream with a view of Amphu Labsa on the southeast. We walk past Imja and Lhotse glacier moraine before reaching Island Peak Base Camp on the south west side of Island Peak. In the afternoon, we perform our pre-climb training in Base camp. We learn about peak climbing techniques and familiarize ourselves with gears and equipment required for our ascent. We practice our climbing techniques on a rock surface and hike around the base camp.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Base Camp - Island Peak Summit (6189m) - Chhukung (4,730m)

We begin our climb early in the morning to avoid the afternoon strong winds. The first touch of sunlight over the snowcapped mountains provides a mesmerizing delight. The trail starts from the base camp and gradually ascends on the grass filled hill before being filled with boulders. The trail becomes narrow and rocky before leading to the summit glacier where the path is filled with snow. As we go across crevasses the summit begins from here.

At the summit we reward ourselves with the glorious view that surrounds us. After spending quality time, we descend back to the Base Camp and Chhukung following the same path.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Contingency day

In case the summit does not happen according to plan due to bad weather or other unfavorable conditions we spare this day as a reserve day. If everything goes as smoothly as planned, we treat ourselves today as leisure day.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Chhukung - Pangboche (3,985m)

The route back to Pangboche descends down the same path as before. The trail passes through Orsho and Shomare village. We can also visit the oldest Gompa in Khumbu region along the way before reaching Pangboche village. Here Pangboche looks up to various mountains ranges like Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, etc.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Pangboche - Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

We follow down Imja Khola and through forest filled with Rhododendron and Pine to reach Tengboche. The trek continues as we cross Dudh Koshi River and descend to Sansa. A short walk from Sansa and we reach Namche Bazaar where we spend overnight at a local lodge.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Namche - Lukla (2,860m)

The trek from Namche Bazaar follows through Monjo to Lukla. The trail is of short climbs and across Bhote-Koshi River. The last uphill climb brings us to Lukla where we spend overnight.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 15: Lukla - Kathmandu (1,400m)

In the morning after breakfast, we take a brief flight of about 30 minutes to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to your hotel where you can get your much needed rest. Upon your will, you can visit around Thamel area or other nearby places. In the evening, you will be served with farewell dinner which basically includes delicious Nepali cuisine.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Day 16: Reserve Day

Today is a reserve day in case your Lukla - Kathmandu flight gets delayed or canceled due to bad weather conditions or other reason.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Day 17: Departure Day

After a nearly one and half month of adventurous and successful time, you will finally leave Nepal with full of lifelong memories. Our airport representatives will drop you off in the Tribhuvan International Airport and bid you farewell and best wishes for your future.

Meal: Breakfast

Cost Details

What is included?

All types of organizational requirements
All trekking and climbing paper works and permits
All airport and hotel transfers
Welcome and farewell dinner
Accommodation and meals during the whole of the expedition
Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and back
Government and local taxes
Reference notes to plan your trip
An experienced English speaking climbing guide, assistant climbing guide, Sherpa porters including their salary, insurance, food, lodging and all equipment
A comprehensive medical kit
Facilities of Email and satellite phones in base camp
Necessary oxygen bottles
Written and photo internet dispatches to send your progress to your family

What is not included?

Nepal Visa fee(bring small denomination cash USD and two passport photographs)
International airfare
Excess baggage charges
Extra night accommodation apart from the schedule due to any reasons
Lunch and evening meals in case of early return than the scheduled itinerary
Travel and rescue insurance
Charges of Email and satellite phones
Charge for extra Sherpa porter (if required)
Personal expenses
Tips for climbing guide and Sherpa

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Trekking in Nepal

Are you a licensed trekking agency?

Yes, we are a licensed company to operate adventure tours in Nepal. We have been organizing tours, Treks, and Expeditions for our valued clients for over two decades. Our long journey and experience in the field have made us pioneer in the industry.

Do the guides speak English and have first aid training?

All of our guides are experienced experts in their job and speak fluent English. Most of them are born in the areas they guide trekkers to and have several years of experience as trekking guides in the mountains. It's mandatory that they are trained in first aid and also carry a first aid kit with them during the trek.

How big are the groups?

We always do our best to team up a small group of likeminded people to give them a memorable and insightful adventure travel experience, coupled with an invaluable opportunity to interact with each other in the true spirit that comes with adventure. Our trek groups generally comprise of maximum 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, no minimum or maximum numbers apply.

Are permits included in the price of the trek?

Yes. All of the necessary permits for your trek are included in the price and will be arranged for you prior to your trek. For certain restricted regions (like Manaslu and Makalu), you'll need to have a full day in Kathmandu prior to your trek as your trek operator will need your passport for the permit registration.

Do you arrange private treks?

Yes, we do. If you would like to travel independently, or with your friends, families & colleagues you are invited to choose any of the trips at a timeframe that best suits you for any number of people (minimum 1 & maximum 100 at a time). The costs for private trips are generally fixed on the basis of group size, trek area, duration, and trek style, and is negotiable. We also arrange TREKS FOR A SINGLE WOMAN. If by any chance, none of our fixed group departure dates work for you and you do not have anyone to accompany you, you can still be able to make your preferred trip with us. There is absolutely nothing to worry about if you want to go solo. We assign local guides, porters, etc who you can trust your life with.

Do you provide any equipment while trekking?

On all our Camping treks, we provide all the tents, sometimes dome tents, sometimes sturdy A-frames and normally people share one tent between two; a foam mattress each; all the cutlery and utensils, cooking pots, stoves; candles/kerosene lantern, tables, and stools, kitchen tent, dining tent and toilet tent; all the main meals while trekking but not snacks. On Tea house treks there isn’t really a necessity to provide any equipment.

But you are provided a duffel bag if you don’t have one and a down jacket if you haven’t flown in with your own. This is loaned to you and must be returned when the trek is done.

How difficult are the treks?

Classifying the difficulty of a trek is like walking a thin red-line, as it depends on your fitness and experience hiking in the mountains. In the Himalaya, a trek's difficulty depends on the steepness of the trail, the general altitude, and the duration of the trek. Generally, the higher you go the more difficult the trek becomes. For most treks in the lower foothills (Ghorepani, Poonhill, Ghandruk, and Pikey Peak), it's fairly moderate trekking, although some days will be more challenging than others. For higher-altitude treks (i.e. Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Annapurna Circuit, and Nar Phu), the treks become more challenging as you get going over 5,000m passes with longer days. If you’re an avid walker and enjoy hiking, then there’s no better adventure than trekking.

How long do we walk each day?

Much of our trekking ventures are classified into THREE different categories according to the level of difficulty. Soft Adventure treks are only about a week to 10 days in duration. They generally don't go above 4000 meters and each day, you can expect to be walking for around 4 – 5 hours. While moderate to fairly challenging treks are longer treks that go right into high mountain country. Physically quite tiring, these involve approx 6-8 hours trekking along rocky ridges of high Himalayan peaks. Arduous treks are longer treks that go far beyond the normal haunts of trekkers and tourists. Physically challenging, these may involve 7-9 hours trekking and likely to include unfavorable weather conditions and activities that are not only physically challenging but also tax the mind. These trips are not for greenhorns.

What is exactly 'teahouse' trekking?

Teahouse trekking refers to staying at a small local lodge or mountain hut each night of your trek. The lodges are basic but pretty cozy; enough to shelter you from the bitter mountain winds. They consist of 5-10 rooms with a common area used for eating and hanging out. Most treks in Nepal are teahouse treks where the lodges are run by members of the local community. Bunking out at these teahouses in some of the harshest territories on earth will give you a true sense of what life is in the wild.

What do we mean by FOT trek?

On FOT or a ‘Fully Organized Trek’, all meals and sleeping arrangements will be fully organized by the support crew. FOTs are also known as CAMPING TREKS. On camping treks, you will be sleeping in tents. A trekking crew consists of one sirdar, one cook, and kitchen crew, Sherpa assistants, and porters depending on the size of the group. Under the leadership of the Sirdar (local trek leader), the crew consists of several Sherpa assistants who will ensure you don't take the wrong path, a cook and kitchen crew to keep you well-fed with delicious and nutritious meals, and the porters to transport all the gear from camp to camp.

Our main aim is to make the trek as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible. The ratio of both Sherpa guides and kitchen crew to group members is generally 1:4 and the ratio of porters to group members is around 3:1 at the beginning of the trek, but this decreases as food is eaten and loads become smaller. For bathroom facilities, we carry a toilet tent. Your camping staff dig a deep hole in the ground for excrement and cover the hole with soil after nature’s call is done. Camping treks are more expensive than teahouse treks. These treks are generally operated in remote restricted alpine zones that go above the tree-lines. Camping treks can also be used as options for teahouse treks throughout the Himalaya to enjoy the true spirit of adventure!

What is security like during trekking?

Security for our clients is always a foremost priority for us. All our guides and other support crew are carefully chosen for your trips. Our guides hold licenses issued by the Nepal Government. They are very honest and reliable. But we would also advise you to take care of your own personal belongings. If you are on ‘camping treks’ please do not leave your bags unattended at any time for your own safety. Take your main bag inside the tent once you reach the campsite. At night, all bags and belongings are kept in the middle of the tent. Your guide assigns a Sherpa on a rotation basis to guard the campsite throughout the night. If you are on a ‘Tea house or GAP trek’ arrangement, you will be sleeping in local teahouses. You need to take sensible precautions yourself at all times. Never leave your baggage unattended and keep your lodge room locked when you go out.

What happens if I fall ill during the trek?

If by chance you fall ill during your trek, the first course of action depends on what's wrong with you. If it's altitude sickness, moving to lower altitudes and taking altitude medication will solve most cases; if it's quite severe, your guide will arrange for emergency evacuation by helicopter (be sure that emergency helicopter rescue is covered in your travel insurance). If you have a stomach sickness, bug, or any other types of food or water-related illnesses, your guide will have medication on hand for the most common illnesses.

What type of food is served during a trek?

On CAMPING TREKs we provide three delicious, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a tasty mix of local and western dishes. Your day starts with a king-size breakfast consisting of a choice of porridge, muesli, and cereals followed by omelet, fried, or scrambled eggs with ‘chapattis’ [rounded bread made from wheat] or multigrain-bread. Also included are seasonal fresh fruits. Lunch is generally a selection of organic salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta, and traditional bread. Dinner is a truly hearty 3-course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetables, meat, and rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert [which may include a finger-licking crusty apple pie].

Ironically, some of the best apple pies in the country are found on these mountains and not in Thamel, Asia’s hub for backpackers; as many tourists would assume. Tea and coffee are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh organic produce as possible available at some of the villages we hike through and special diets are regularly catered for. The trek leaders maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with respect to personal hygiene.

All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. We only serve Boiled water for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for. On Tea House treks we provide standard breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinner, tea or coffee is also included with each meal. Your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and soupy noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread, and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate, and soft drinks and in some areas, you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy packaged water (bottled mineral water) from local lodges and shop en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat it with water purification pills. Although it's held that gluttony is a sin, nevertheless, we ensure our trekking guests are well fed in as much as they can digest to cope with the arduous trails and the tough elevations.

Do I need to carry my own gear?

You'll carry your daily essentials (sunblock, water, hat, light jacket, and camera) but your porter will carry the bulk of your gear, such as extra clothing and overnight basics. Porters are especially helpful for longer treks where you'll be carrying more gear. For shorter treks (2-3 days), you may opt just to have a guide if you're comfortable carrying your own gear, but hiring a porter is a great way to support the local economy and is quite affordable. It's also the safest thing to do when you’re hiking on the biggest and most rugged mountains on planet earth.

How much could porters carry?

Porters typically carry up to 30 kgs max. (To ensure they're not overloaded). For fragile items, such as cameras, it's still best to carry these items yourself. If you have more than 15 kg., please carry the extra weight in your day pack. In the commercial trade, when transporting goods and supplies up into the high mountains, some porters carry up to 100 kgs and get paid less than a fair wage provided by some so-called responsible trekking companies. However, doing things like this weighs on the conscience and we totally avoid such unfair situations.

We know the risk that comes with neglecting our porters and follow all mandatory guidelines as stipulated by the IPPG international porters association.

What is the overnight accommodation like?

In cities like Kathmandu or Lhasa, accommodation will be in hotels of your preference. We have a pool of hotels that ranges from luxury deluxe to budget hotels. While on a trek accommodation will depend on the trek style. If you are taking a camping trip then you will be sleeping in tents. Whilst we endeavor to stay in the best possible accommodation along the way, you should be aware that most teahouses, particularly in the smaller villages, are pretty basic but cozy enough to protect you from the harsh elements. The bedrooms are usually very small, the shared bathroom facilities are often outside and meals are served in a communal dining hall. Although simple, the teahouses do provide shelter and warmth and are normally run by friendly local families. Tea house treks are less expensive than Camping treks and are largely suitable for small groups. Usually, during busy seasons if private rooms in smaller villages are fully occupied you might have to bunk out in a dormitory. But then this is what adventure is all about.

Can we change the itinerary?

Depending on the prevailing situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your senior guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into some of the most remote regions in the world, where many unforeseen circumstances may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original itinerary.

Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?

Tips are always appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. Guiding on some of the riskiest trails on earth is a tough job and your crew always makes sure they lead from the front. Some trekkers give 10% of the total tour cost as tips. The hat is passed around and the whole group contributes. Most trekkers happily provide tips with big hearts. The choice is yours if you feel they’ve been worth it.