Island peak summit is one of the most thrilling treks in Nepal. Also known as "Imja Tse", this peak is the extension of the ridge coming down off the south of Lhotse (4th tallest mountain in the world at 8,516 mts). This trek is meant only for seasoned trekkers who have prior high-altitude trekking experience. There are a few areas where we need to negotiate crevasses with the help of ropes. Team Wanderers will be providing technical equipment along with proper training a few days before the climb. Even though this does not require technical mountaineering experience, this trek is graded as a ' difficult trek'. The steep headwall towards the final ascend of the peak is challenging, physically and mentally. After the 2015 earthquake, this headwall has become tougher, hence we need a good weather to back us up. we do have an extra day for this reason.
The route for the Island peak extends from the Everest base camp, meaning we climb upto the Everest base camp followed by Kalapathar for acclimatization. This prepares us physically for attempting the island peak summit.
Island peak trek is one of the summits, where the weather plays a very important role for every successful summit. Therefore, it becomes important to attempt during the best season. The season we recommend for Island peak would be March - April - May in the first half of the year and, September - October - November in the second half. Mighty views of Lhotse, Mera peak and Ama Dablam are a treat form the summit.
Day 1: Arrival In Kathmandu (4585 feet)
Arrive in Kathmandu at the Tribhuvan International airport. From here, we get into the taxis for a 15 to 20mins drive to our hotel.
We spend the evening taking the relevant permits and permissions for the trek. After these formalities are dealt with, we have a team briefing in which the route and entire trek schedule will be shared with everyone.
Day 2: Sightseeing of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur and return (4585feet)
Visiting the nearby places of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. We visit the historical monuments as Kathmandu Darbar square, Boudhanath and Changunath temple. Other than these, we can also visit Pashupatinath temple, Monkey temple and a few more. We will half a day to visit these places.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Lukla (9,250 feet) (25mins flight time) to Phakding (8,700 feet) (8kms/ 5hours)
We drive back to Kathmandu airport and take the first flight to Tenzing-Hillary airport – Lukla. Landing in Lukla airport is an adventure in itself. Sit on the left side seats of the aircraft to enjoy the best views of the Himalayas. Due to unpredicted weather conditions, we need to ensure to take the first flight to Lukla.
After this short flight, we will trek for about 8kms to reach Phakding. Our trek today is a gradual descend through a small forest trail followed by a few local villages. We walk by many boulders that are carved with Buddhist prayers.
Day 4: Phakding to Namche bazaar (9kms/ 7 – 8hours) (8,700 feet – 11,300 feet)
Today’s trek is a challenging one. We cross a suspension bridge with gradual descends and ascends at the start. We will be trekking mostly through a forest trail today. We reach the Monjo village after about 3hours of trekking and enter the SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK (UNESCO World heritage site). Another 3 to 4kms of a steep ascend through the forests and we reach the picturesque bridge right over the Dudh-kosi river. We spot peaks like the KangdeRi (19,700 feet) and Thamsekru (22,020 feet) along with the might Everest (28,980 feet) for the first time.
Day 5: Namche Bazar (Rest/ acclimatization day)
We give ourselves a day to acclimatize here at Namche bazaar as we are at an altitude of 11,300 feet. We take a short trek to the famous Everest view hotel and return to Namche bazaar. We get amazing views of Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, Ama Dablam (22,310 feet) and a few more unnamed peaks from here.
We can also hike till the Sherpa Cultural Museum to get spectacular views of Everest. Once we are back, we can explore Namche bazaar to buy souvenirs or trekking gears for ourselves.
Day 6: Namche to Tengboche (10.5kms/ 5-6hours) (11,300 feet – 12,690 feet)
We make it to the top of the Namche bazaar market after half an hour of walking. A comfortable trek for a couple of hours and we will reach Shanasa. Another 60mins of trekking and we will reach the Imjatse river. We halt here for a while and continue our trek. An hour from here to reach the entrance where Buddhist prayer flags welcome you. A total of 5 to 6 hours and we reach our destination for the day.
Day 7: Tengboche to Dengboche (12kms/ 5-6hours) (12,690 feet – 14,500 feet)
After crossing few homes and lodges, we cross the river using a bridge. Before crossing the bridge, we will spot a broken bridge which is no longer in use. After trekking through the forest patch filled with trees like Himalayan birch, rhododendron, Fir, Juniper etc, we reach the beautiful Dengboche. From Dengboche we get the amazing views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.
Day 8: Dengboche to Nagerjun and back (14,500 feet, 5 to 6 hours)
From Dengboche, we head to Nagerjun, which sits on the flank of the Chukkung Valley. Nagerjun is a village that is just above Dingboche. It is a steep ascend and a necessary acclimatization hike. From the top, we see an amazing view of the mountains, such as Lobuche East (6119m), Lobuche West (6145m), Taboche Peak (6367m), Thamserku (6608m), Kangtega (6685m), Ama Dablam(6856m) & Makalu (8463 m).
Day 9: Dengboche to Lobuche (11.5kms/ 6-7hours)(14,500 feet – 16,250 feet)
Today we negotiate Khumbu glacier. The first hour of the trek is an easy gradual trek to the Tibetan Mani (a symbol built in remembrance for someone). A gentle trek down and we reach the plains of Pheriche – the Himalayan Rescue Association. The route takes us through Phangboche, which has amazing views of Ama Dablam right above us. Other mountain peaks as Mt. Pumori (23,300 feet), Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Cholatse and Mt. Thamserku are also visible on the route. After Pheriche, we cross the Khumbu glacier, from where we spot peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren and Mahalangur, Pumori as well. We spot various memorials of the sherpas and climbers who tried to conquer Everest. The famous Scott Fisher’s memorial also can be seen here.
Day 10: Lobuche to Gorekshep to Everest base camp and return to Gorekshep (15kms/ 8hours) (16,250 feet – 17,000 feet – 17, 650 feet – 17,000 feet
Today’s trek is a long trek and the farthest point of our trek. We trek mostly on the glacier. Even though we do not get great views of the mighty Mt. Everest today, we will enjoy our trek. We also spot a few glacial ponds on our way to reach Gorekshep.
From Gorekshep the trek to Everest base camp is a strenuous ascend of a few hours. On reaching the base camp we spend some time, click some pictures and start descending to Gorekshep. Everest Base Camp is the closest we get to the world’s highest peak – EVEREST (8,848 mts). Spending time here is a must for every mountain lover. Many mountaineers willing to attempt the Everest would be camping at the base camp. If time allows, and we can spot a few climbers, we could have a conversation with them as well.
Day 11: Gorekshep to Kalapathar and back (4kms) and trek to Dengboche (11kms) (17,000 feet – 18,625 feet – 14,500 feet) (7 to 8 hours)
We trek to Kalapathar, scaling up till an altitude of 18,625 feet. It is a very strenuous ascend. Our previous day trek experience to the base camp will help us today. We trek for about an hour, climbing on a steep trail. After this steep ascend, we have gradual and easy ascends opening up the best views of the mighty Mt. Everest. A total 4 hours from Gorekshep and we’ll return from Kallapathar.
After resting, we pick up our stuff and we start to descend. It will be a long trek descending to Dengboche.
Day 12: Dengboche to Island Peak base camp (5kms/ 3 to 4 hours) (14,500 feet – 17,200 feet) (6 Hours)
From Dengboche, we head towards the Imja Valley walking through the moraines. We will reach the base camp of Island Peak. On reaching the base, our guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques and the use of climbing gears, such as ice axe, climbing boots, crampons, harness, ascender, etc. This will be a very important session as this will qualify us for our climb to the Island peak.
Day 13:Base camp to Island Peak Summit (6189m) and back to Dengboche/ Chhukung, (10.5kms/ 12 to 13 hours) (17,200 feet – 20,400 feet – 15,600 feet)
We start our day early today, before sunrise. We trek to the highest point of our trek today – 20,400 feet, Island Peak Summit. The trek route will be tough and challenging. Our session with technical equipment will come in handy today. We negotiate glaciers, crevasses, ridges and a rocky gully. It is a steep vertical climb, and the guide will be using a rope. On reaching the top we spend some time, soak in the wonderful feeling of completing the summit and head back.
After reaching back to the base, we can take a call to descend further to Dengboche or to rest for the reaming day.
Day 14:Reserve day for contingency/ getting to Dengboche
Day 15: Chhukung/ Dengboche to Namche Bazar (10kms/ 6 to 7 hours) (15,600 feet – 11,300 feet)
Leaving the mountains behind us, and the descend takes us through various towns of Orsho, Somare, Pangboche, Tengboche and then Phungki Thanka, Kyangjuma followed by an easy trail to Namche bazar. It will be a steep descent and we’ll ensure descending at a comfortable pace. The point is to avoid any injuries while getting to Namche.
Day 16:Namche to Phakding to Lukla (18kms/ 8 to 9 hours) (11,300 feet –9,250 feet)
Post breakfast, we can spend some time in Namche bazar before we head for Lukla. Trekkers generally do some local shopping from here before we start our trek to Lukla.
This would be an 18kms stretch today to get to Lukla. We trek down to Phakding and continue the descend to Lukla.
Day 17: Lukla to Kathmandu with a Farewell Dinner
From Lukla we proceed towards the airport to board our 35mins flight to Kathmandu. From there we head straight to our hotel and check-in. Later in the day, we take a stroll on the streets of Kathmandu and explore the local markets & cafes. This would be a good day to do some shopping as well.
We will all meet in the evening for the closing ceremony.
Day 18: Departure From Kathmandu
After breakfast, we check out from the hotel take the drop at the airport to catch our respective flights.
Inclusions:
• Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle.
• Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights only) including breakfast.
• All standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• Basic guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms.
• Local Nepali expert guide (English speaking).
• The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (One porter for every two guests).
• Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff.
• Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees in Kathmandu.
• All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
• Official expenses.
• Arrival and Departure transfers on both domestic and international flights.
• Standard Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu on a twin share bed- and- breakfast basis as per Everest base camp trek itinerary.
• Responsible trekking policy of One trekker: One porter
• Accommodation at clean and comfortable tea house or lodge.
• Welcome dinner with cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
• All Domestic flights and airport tax as listed in the itinerary.
• Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable.
• Professional local trekking group leader well trained in Wilderness First Aid.
• Personal Sherpa Porters to carry all trek personal gear while on base camp trekking.
• Insurance of all staff including porters in base camp Kalapathar hike.
• Warm clothing and required trekking gear for porters like Gortex jacket /trousers, trekking shoes, woolen hat, woolen gloves, woolen shocks, sun glasses etc.
• Complementary team Wanderers: Everest base camp trek T-shirts.
• Comprehensive per-departure information and trip dossiers
• TIMS Trekking permit, Everest national park entry fees for Everest base camp trekking.
Exclusions:
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
• Travel/ health insurance that covers emergency rescue and evacuation. We could suggest good insurance providers that trekkers can directly buy from.
• International airfare and airport departure tax.
• Nepal entry visa- You can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying $25 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days can be obtained by paying $40 and $100 respectively. Please bring 2 copies of passport size photos).Not applicable for Indian travellers.
• Alcoholic, hot - cold drinks, beverages.
• Personal trekking equipment.
• Tips for trekking staff and driver (you will absolutely want to show your gratitude to your sherpas and porters).
• Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the 'Price Includes' section).