18-Day Island Peak Climbing Tour from Kathmandu via Everest Base Camp

18 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Experience one of Nepal's famous trekking peaks on this 18-day Island Peak adventure in the high Khumbu region. Set in the scenic Imjatse Valley beneath Mt. Eve...

Duration: 18 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Hard · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp-South, Lukla, Dingboche, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Phakding, Island Peak, Lobuche, Kala Patthar, Pangboche, Gorakshep, Sagarmatha National Park, Monjo, Chukhung, Pheriche · Languages: English

Know before you go: Sleeping bag: The team will provide a complimentary sleeping bag that needs to be returned after the trek.; Down jacket: The team will provide a complimentary down jacket that needs to be returned after the trek.; Being a relatively easy climb compared to the other peaks in the region, you must be thinking it is a simple hike. To be honest, it is not suitable for extreme beginners. This climbing expedition is for advanced beginner climbers with some knowledge of the gears, as the climb includes some technical sections. There will be professional guides helping you get through the technical portions, but it can still be difficult for beginners.; Island Peak towers above 6,160 m and 20,328 ft high, facing glamorous views of high peaks that encircle you at the top, with mind-blowing scenery of dramatic landscapes and mountains. Island Peak Climb is among the most striking, popular, and famous peaks. Located in the middle of scenic Imjatse Valley, also known as Imjatse Himal, it has a higher successful ascent rate than other trekking peaks. Enjoy serene wilderness for a few days away from villages and human habitation. Climbing to the summit rewards you with a grand panorama of mountains. Island Peak Climb is for all climbers, where all types of interested people, from beginners to veteran mountaineers, can join this wonderful alpine-style climb.

About Island Peak

Nepal

Island Peak

Explore the list of top ranked local tour guides in Island Peak. Get tour activities offered by tour companies and independent travel guides in Island Peak.

Explore Island Peak Nepal All destinations

What's Included

All ground transportation
Three-night hotel 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
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)
Down jacket, sleeping bag, and duffle bag (to be returned after trip completion)
All necessary paperwork: trekking permits and Island Peak climbing permit
Three times tea or coffee during the trek
Medical kit (carried by your guide)
Farewell dinner

Not Included

International airfare to and from Kathmandu
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, or early return from the 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 the 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.)
Tips for guides and porters

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and Welcome Briefing

On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport (Tribhuwan International Airport), get transferred to the hotel after being received by our guides and staff. At the hotel, check in and join a group briefing regarding the climb and other useful information, followed by a welcome dinner.
2

Day 02

Kathmandu Heritage Sightseeing and Climb Preparation

In the morning, depart from the hotel. Our city guide will show you around places of interest within Kathmandu, including a tour of the world heritage sites. Then, return to the hotel for preparation for the Island Peak climb.
3

Day 03

Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding

In the morning, fly to Lukla with grand views of Himalayan peaks during the 35-minute flight, with Everest appearing as you reach Lukla. You will have time to refresh and then walk on a gradual trail with a few ups and downs past Lukla town, visiting Sherpa farm villages before reaching Phakding for an overnight stop.
4

Day 04

Trek Along the Dudh Kosi to Namche Bazaar

Today, take a long walk to reach the famous Namche Bazaar. The morning starts with a gradual walk following the Dudh Kosi River and crossing a few bridges to reach the Sagarmatha National Park entrance near Monjo village. From here, walk on the riverbed and then climb for a few hours on a forested trail with views of snow-capped peaks, as this scenic walk takes you to the exciting Namche Bazaar.
5

Day 05

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization before heading to the higher area. A good place for a free day, Namche allows you to spend the day on a scenic hike to viewpoints above the town facing Mt. Everest, Amadablam, and other mountain ranges. In the afternoon, explore the streets and shops; Namche also holds a colourful and busy Saturday market once a week.
6

Day 06

Scenic Trek to Thyangboche Monastery

From Namche, the walk leads along a gradual scenic path with a downhill section to the Imjatse River at Phunge-Tenga for lunch. In the afternoon, climb uphill through rhododendron, pine, and fir forest with grand views of snow-capped peaks. After a few hours of climbing, reach Thyangboche Monastery and enjoy marvellous views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtenga, Thamserku, and Kwande, along with magnificent Amadablam. Spend the afternoon visiting the interesting monastery and observing monks and priests in prayer.
7

Day 07

Trek Through Pangboche to Pheriche

From Thyangboche, catch a super panorama of mountains, then head downhill within lush green woodland to reach a metal bridge over the Imjatse River. From here, climb uphill to Pangboche, the last permanent Sherpa farm village before Island Peak and Everest Base Camp. Our walk leads to Somare for lunch, with super views of Amadablam at close distance, and then continues on a gradual path with a short climb to reach the windy valley of Pheriche for an overnight stop.
8

Day 08

Trek via Thugla to Lobuche

On leaving Pheriche, walk to the end of the valley and take a short climb to a ridge to reach Thugla (Dugla). Here, the trails from Pheriche Valley and Dingboche join towards Everest Base Camp. From Thugla, enjoy stunning views of Taboche, Cholatse, Lobuche, Pumori, and Amadablam. After a lunch break and rest, the climb leads up to the terminal debris of the Khumbu Glacier, where you come across many memorials to unfortunate climbers who died in the mountains of Khumbu. From here, continue walking to Lobuche for an overnight stop.
9

Day 09

Everest Base Camp Excursion and Overnight at Gorakshep

This morning's adventure takes you to Everest Base Camp, walking with a short steep climb between glacier and moraine before reaching Gorakshep, beneath the lofty peak of Pumori and the rocky hill of Kalapathar. The walk continues towards Everest Base Camp, where you can enjoy views of the massive Khumbu icefall and glaciers. After an exciting time and the experience of a lifetime, retrace the journey back to Gorakshep for an overnight stop.
10

Day 10

Sunrise at Kalapathar and Trek to Chukung

Climb early in the morning to the top of Kalapathar at above 5,545 m, the highest point on the trek, with magnificent views of the mountains, including Mt. Everest at close distance. After a great time on top, descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue walking to Thugla, then downhill to the Imjatse Valley, with a nice scenic walk towards the last human settlement at Chukung, where you stay in the comfort of a nice lodge.
11

Day 11

Trek to Island Peak Base Camp

After Chukung, from here onward, we stay in tents camping for a few nights until the climb is over. The morning walk leads to our main highlight and goal, Island Peak Base Camp, located in a scenic spot at Parshya Gab. Here, we set our camps, with the afternoon free to practice climbing with our expert guide.
12

Day 12

Move to Island Peak High Camp

Great thrill and adventure begin as we set a high and advanced camp above 5,400 m to make the climb much more accessible and possible. Leaving the base camp, climb above the moraine towards an open gully located between two well-defined ridges to reach the high camp beneath a small hanging glacier above 5,400 m. Here, we spend the afternoon making final preparations for the big climb in the early morning.
13

Day 13

Summit Island Peak and Return to Base Camp

The climb starts early morning before dawn, heading to the summit of Island Peak at above 6,160 m / 20,328 ft, where the grade of the climb is PD+ as per the French and Swiss Alpine Climbing System. As our guide leads you across the snow-covered glacier, avoiding serac and crevasses, climb northwards over snow-covered scree along the margin between a glacier and the top ridge. The climb continues by crossing a gully with some stones and icefall danger. A steep snow and ice ramp of above 100 meters high (300 ft) leads to the main summit, as this strenuous climb takes you to the final and major highlight of the adventure. Enjoy views facing the panorama of Mt. Everest 8,848 m, Lhotse 8,501 m, Mt. Amadablam 6,856 m, Mt. Makalu 8,463 m, Chamlang, and Baruntse peaks. After a great climb and feeling in high spirits, descend safely on the same route back to base camp.
14

Day 14

Base Camp Cleanup and Trek to Pangboche

All climbers should be at base camp on this day to clean up the garbage, hand it over to designated SPPC personnel (Sagarmatha Pollution Project Control), and pack gear for yaks to carry to Lukla. After getting organized, our return route leads towards the Imjatse Valley with scenic views. The walk proceeds towards Chukung to reach Dingboche for a lunch break and then continues downhill to Pangboche village for an overnight halt.
15

Day 15

Return Trek to Namche Bazaar

From Pangboche, retrace the journey up to Thyangboche and then head downhill for an hour before continuing on the good winding path to Namche Bazaar for an overnight stop before Lukla.
16

Day 16

Final Trek Back to Lukla

Today, take a long walk to reach our last stop in the Khumbu area at Lukla. From Namche, head downhill to a river with a short climb to Monjo and then continue on a good trail to Phakding village, from where a few more hours of walking bring you to Lukla for the final overnight stop within the Everest and Khumbu area.
17

Day 17

Scenic Flight Back to Kathmandu

In the morning, as per your flight time, transfer to the Tenzing-Hillary air terminal in Lukla and board a smaller aircraft for a scenic flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival, transfer to your hotel after a most amazing time on the Island Peak climb.
18

Day 18

Departure from Kathmandu

Last day in the land of Himalayan wonders. As per your international flight time, depart from the hotel for the airport for your international flight back to your home country or other respective destination.