ISLAND PEAK ITINERARY
Island Peak Climb combines the classic Base Camp of Everest (EBC) trek with climbing one of Nepal's trekking peaks. Island Peak mountain was named by 1952 by Shiptons party and although it was later renamed Imja Tse, many of the locals still refer to it as Island Peak.
Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Day-2: Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.
Day-3: Drive Kathmandu (1,310m) - Rammechap - Flight to -Lukla (2,840m). Trek to Phakding (2,610m)
We drive away from Kathmandu around 02h00 for Rammechap to catch the flight to Lukla. Our early morning hike begins with a flight into Lukla - a lifetime experience, in itself. The airfield is on a slope and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 460 meters! You will land on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After meeting with guides and porters and a short break for tea we hike away from Lukla towards Everest base camp for a few hours along the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding 2,610m. We then hike through the small village of Ghat (2550m) to Phakding
Day-4: Phakding (2,610m) Namche bazaar (3,440m).
After leaving the village of Phakding the path takes us through a magnificent forest of rhododendron, magnolia trees and giant fir trees alongside the Dhud-Kosi river through small villages like Bekar and Monju. You will crisscross over the river a few times on high suspension bridges until you eventually come to the Sagarmatha Check Point where your permits need to be checked. The climb then starts with a downhill trek to the river and then all the way back up again to Namche. The trail heads up through blue pine forests and as you climb there are rhododendron trees which bloom in Spring time. Namche is the largest Sherpa village and is the unofficial capital of the Khumbu, gateway to the high Himalayas. This relatively small town is a bustling tourist zone and trading hub literally perched on a sloping hill. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, from Thamserku to Kongde Ri. Trekkers heading to Mt. Everest, Gokyo, Island Peak and many other destinations for both trekking and expedition, have at least two nights stopover in Namche to acclimatise.
Day-5: Namche bazaar (acclimatisation 3,440 m)
We will spend time here on short treks to acclimatise. Although it says acclimatisation, this means you need to walk for the principle of climb high and sleep low, meaning we gain altitude, then descend again to sleep low, enabling our bodies to better adjust to the altitude before we continue our ascent. A slow and steady pace with adequate time for acclimatisation is key to a successful trek. So we hike up to Everest View hotel for just that, a view of Mt Everest, assuming the weather is clear.
Day-6: Trek from Namche to Tengboche (3,860m)
With incredible views of the Thamserku we steadily descend to the Imja Khola where we see a series of water driven prayer wheels at the little river spot of Pungi Tanga. After a lunch break we begin the slow long steep climb to the famous Tengboche Monastery (3,860m) - one of the most beautiful places in the world. Apart from natural scenery and mountain views, many festivals take place here, such as Mani Rimdu festival. This festival is performed at the monasteries in Tengboche, Chiwang, and Thame. This sacred ceremonies held for nineteen days; culminating in a 3-day public festival. Lamas and monks dress in colorful attire with elaborate masks and dance to the victory of Buddhism over Bon. We will get amazing views of Mt. Ama Dablam, meaning Mother's Charm Box. According to legend, Lama Sange Dorjee, who came from Tibet's Rongbuk Monastery, founded Thyangboche Monastery in the 17th century. Thyangboche was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by a fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992. We may continue down to Deboche for the night where it is warmer and accommodation options better.
Day-7: Trek Tengboche to Pheriche (4,312m) (5 hrs).
We set off up the Imja Khola valley towards Pangboche at 3,900m and stop for lunch. Later, we will visit the Monastery and look at the Yeti scalp before moving on towards the summer village of Pheriche (4,260m).
Day-8: Trek Pheriche to Lobuche (4,920m) (4-5 hrs).
We ascend up a small ridge and contour around the base of Khumbu Glacier and stop for lunch at Dhugla (4,600m). After lunch, we take a steep ascent to the terminal moraine of the glacier from where the views are breathtaking. We continue again along the moraine and overnight at the foot off the Lobuche Ice Fall (4,930m).
Day-9: Trek Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,140m) (4 hrs).
Our distance is not so far, but we will wake early in the morning and move forward to Gorakshep for our next night stop.
Day-10: Hike up to Kalapatthar / Base Camp / Retrace your steps to Lobuche (4,920m)
Our climb, takes us up Kala Patthar, a steep ascent, which enables us to get uninterrupted views of Everest Peak. Kala Patthar lies at 5,545m. The mountains of Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m) and Khumbutse (6,623m) separate us from Tibet and just over the Lho La pass we see the huge face of Changtse (7,750m). We then retrace our steps and head back to Lobuche.
Day-11: Trek to Chhukung (4730m / 7 hrs)
From Lobuche, we then head east into the Chhukhung Valley, which lies directly under an incredible rock wall that links Nuptse with Lhotse. From here you will also have magnificent views of the incredible Ama Dablam (6856 m.), probably the most photographed mountain in Nepal.
Day-12: Island Peak Base Camp (4 hrs)
We trek along the Imja Khola to Pareshaya Gyab, also known as the base camp for the Island Peak Summit climb, a pleasant site by a small lake with fine views of the Lhotse Glacier and Nuptse-Lhotse wall. You will reach the Base Camp of Imja Tse. Once camp has been set up you will be free to get your climbing gear in order and get organized for your ascent of the peak tomorrow.
Day-13: Summit Island Peak (6160m). Return to Base Camp.
You will start early for the summit. The climb gets difficult once you reach the bottom of the steep icefall below the summit. Great care and caution must be exercised while scaling the wall to emerge on the ridge leading to the summit. After the summit, you will descend back down to the Base Camp.
Day-14: Contingency / Return to Chhukung (4730m).
As the weather can be unpredictable, we have added extra time in case the weather is not clear for summit, on our summit bid. If all is fine, we return back to Chhukung.
Day-15: Trek to Namche (3,440m) (4 hrs).
The trail will descend quite steeply as we head back down towards Namche. To get to camp, there will be a steep climb to reach our overnight stop.
Day-16: Trek Namche to Phakding (2,610m). (3-4 hours).
We trek down along the gorge of the Dudh Kosi to the small village of Phakding.
Day-17: Phakding to Lukla (2,840m) (3 hrs).
Trek further to the mountain airstrip at Lukla to catch your return flight to Kathmandu. Weather permitting your trekking crew might prepare a farewell treat for you. You would be expected to join in the singing and the dancing!
Day-18: Flight: Lukla - Rammechap. Drive to Kathmandu (1,310m). Hotel Overnight.
Day-19: Free at leisure
Day-20: Final Departure.
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