Island Peak Climbing

Overview

Island Peak (6,189m) undeniably most revitalizing trekking in the world provides chance to make a trip to the core region of the Khumbu. The splendid vista visible during the trek will captivate you and its memories will never pass by.

Most significantly, you will get to view the world’s top peak- Mount Everest. Island peak renamed in 1983 as Imja Tse is also popular for an amazing and iced up West Face that ascends from the Lhotse Glacier. Island Peak Climbing demands one steep, 100 m snow climb. Besides, this non technical snow ascend with arresting landscape and offers terrific views of the peaks like Lhotse (8,501m), Lhotse Middle Peak (8410m), Nuptse (7879m), and more.

Furthermore, climbing up to Kala Patthar (5545m) too you can enjoy close up vistas of Mount Everest and an exhilarating scenery of sunrise over the snow capped peaks early in the morning. The Island peak itself is an extension of the South peak of Lhotse Shar and is separated from it by a tiny col. Moreover, during the Island Peak Trek we will move down with the feeling of great achievement after reaching at the summit of the peak and also explore the cultural heritage as well as wild and plant life of the Khumbu region along with the natural beauty.

Trips Facts

Trip Duration: 20 Days
Trip grade: Strenuous
Maximum altitude: 6,189 m
Accommodation: Hotel/ Lodge/ teahouse/ Camping
Transportation: Private Car or Van or Bus or Helicopter

Attractions

Island peak or Imja Tse is also popular for an amazing and iced up West Face that ascends from the Lhotse Glacier. This peak demands one steep, 100 m snow climb. Besides, this non technical snow ascend with arresting landscape and offers terrific views of the peaks like Lhotse (8,501m), Lhotse Middle Peak (8,410m), Nuptse (7,879m), Mount Baruntse, Mount Amadablam, Makalu and more.

Why Different

During the Island Peak Trek we will move down with the feeling of great achievement after reaching at the summit of the peak and also explore the cultural heritage as well as wild and plant life of the Khumbu region along with the natural beauty.

Best Season

The best season to go for Island Peak climbing trek is October and November though it can be preferred throughout the year. Spring is also good choice because of warmer temperatures. Talking about summer, some trekkers prefer to go. These days are clear and warm with the possibility of snow later.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu Airport & Transfer to Hotel.

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed by our representative of Peaceful Himalaya Trekking at Kathmandu International airport and then you will be transferred to hotel. You can relax for the rest of the day and in the evening you can enjoy dinner with Nepali cultural dance. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Sightseeing Pashupatinath, Bauddhanath, Monkey temple, Basantapur Durbar, Patan Durbar and Back to Hotel

Today, you will be go around different world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley; the sacred temple of Hindu, Pashupatinath; the world’s biggest Stupa, Boudhanath; Swoyambhunath Stupa which is also known as the monkey temple; and historical Kathmandu Durbar Square where you will also visit Kumari broadly known as Living Goddess in Basantapur, Kathmandu. You will also go around Patan Durbar Square which is rich in historical art and architecture. Overnight at hotel again.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla.

We will take a 40-minute flight to Lukla from Kathmandu which is one of the most amazing flights in the world since it rewards you with the views of the stunning peaks of the Khumbu region and includes Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam. We will then land on the tiny airfield at Lukla (2,800 m). After that, we walk on the track to Everest Base Camp. Now, we walk north-west and move down to the river at Phakding (2,652 m). Overnight in Phakding.

Day 04: Walk to Namche Bazaar.

Today we will trek to reach Namche Bazaar taking around 5 to 6 hours. We will follow the river prior to climbing the vertical hill to Namche Bazaar. Expectantly, we may get the first views of Everest and Lhotse as we move toward Namche. Namche is the most affluent and largest community in the Khumbu. It is the capital region of the Sherpa inhabitants, a people who very much look like the Tibetans in appearance and culture. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar.

To be accustomed with the environment, we will have a rest day at Namche Bazaar. We can either relax for the whole day or go around Namche Bazaar to explore Sherpa culture and their way of life. Namche is a vivacious town having numerous shops and more than a few lodges and restaurants. Terrific mountain panorama makes a striking back-drop.

Day 06: Trek 5-6 hrs to Tengboche, 3860 m

Today we will trek to Tengboche from Namche Bazaar taking around 5 to 6 hours. And after reaching Tengboche, we will visit the local monastery. You will get to view a prayer rite. Overnight stay at guesthouse in Tengboche.

Day 07: Trek 5-6 hrs to Dingboche, 4400 m

On this day, our path moves down all the way through a striking forest, then traverse the Imja River and passes via the village of Pangboche. The way continues through summer meadows where we can see yaks grazing until we arrive at Dingboche at 4400m. Overnight stay at guesthouse in Dingboche.

Day 08: Dingboche (4300m) –Acclimatization day

Dingboche is an arresting variety of small pasture encircled by rock walls shielding the crops of barley and potato from the cool winds. Alternatively, you can go around Chhukung. You will observe the amazing view in this valley- Island Peak at the centre of the valley; the ice walls of nameless peaks lay in a chain in the southern end; and the very tall south face of Lhotse to the north will also appear.

Day 09: Trek 5-6 hrs to Lobuche, 4915 m

We keep on walking through the wide vale underneath the striking peaks of Tawache and Chola Tse on the left. We then move right and take a vertical climb to reach at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier and then to Dugla. The path moves crisscross through the rock of the glaciers. At the top of this ascend there are many rock cairns, built as monuments to a lot of Sherpas who have died while mountaineering Mt. Everest. We keep on climbing to reach Lobuche, at 4910 m, from where you will observe the breathtaking Mt. Pumori Peak lying at an elevation of 7220m. Overnight stay at guesthouse in Lobuche.

Day 10: Ascent to Kala Pattar 5545 m and descent 5hrs to Lobuche

On this day, early in the morning we will go up will which take us to our target peak, Kala Pattar, following via the Khumbu Glacier. From Kala Pattar we will observe the sun rise and enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding peaks.  We go down for lunch at Lobuche ( 4915m). Overnight stay at guesthouse.

Day 11: Lobuche - Kongma La (5,535m/18,159ft)- Chhukung [4,730m/15,518ft]: 6-7 hrs

After having our breakfast we will trek via Khumbu Glacier to reach Kongma La Base Camp (5,000m) continues climbing to Kongma pass, the way up is difficult part. At the Kongma La, we see cairn enveloped in prayer flags. Then we move to the Imja Khola valley to reach Chhukung, a summer settlement. Overnight in Chhukung.

Day 12: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (4970meters), overnight at tented camp.

We will begin ascending to get there at the base camp. And our route now gets difficult and once we arrive at the foot of the pointed icefall below the peak, Island Peak Base Camp which lays at an elevation of 4970m our trek for today completes. Overnight at the tented camp.

Day 13: Stay at Base Camp, overnight at tented camp.

We have a day to have a rest at the base camp just not to jumble up our timetable because of unfavorable weather. Overnight again at the tented camp.

Day 14: Ascent High Camp of Island Peak, overnight at tented camp.

Moving up from the base camp we will arrive at the Island Peak High Camp (5,600m). From this point, we can see semicircle view of cliffs that go up in the north to the rocky peaks of Nuptse (7,879m), Lhotse Middle Peak (8,410m), Lhotse (8,501m) and Lhotse Shar (8,383m). To the east, we will view the iced up waves of the Lhotse Shar Glacier above which towers Cho Polu (6,734m) and we will also witness Makalu (8,475m). From the south of the Imja glacier, we will be rewarded by Baruntse (7,720m) and Ama Dablam (6,856m). Overnight at tented camp.

Day 15: Summit Island Peak (6160meters) and back to Base Camp to Chhukung

In the early morning, we will begin our climbing to arrive at the summit. In order to reach at the summit we need to have great caution. After we reach the summit, and enjoy the breathtaking views of surrounding peaks, we will be return back to the Base Camp. From then we descend down to Chhukung. Overnight at Chhukung and celebrate for reaching at the summit.

Day 16: Trek 6-7 hrs to Namche, 3441m

Gradually, today we will pass through the settlement of Pangboche, the same track we walked for moving to Everest Base Camp. The trail leads downward to a river. After going across the river, we march for about an hour up all the way through the forest and get to Tengboche and proceed to Namche. Overnight at lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Day 17: Trek 7-8 hrs to Lukla

We are on the 17th day of our trek retracing our steps back all the way through Tengboche, Namche Bazaar and Phakding to reach Lukla. Overnight in Lukla.

Day 18: Take a flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, Overnight at Hotel

On this day early in the morning; we take a picturesque flight from Lukla for the returning back to Kathmandu. We will transfer you back to our hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 19: Rest day in Kathmandu, Overnight at Hotel

Today we have a day rest in Kathmandu. Optionally, you can stay in the hotel and relax. Or, you can also go around the historical and world heritage sites in Kathmandu that you couldn’t go for on the second day of your trek. Or, you can go around for shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20: Departure for Your Final Destination

You will drive to airport by our representative and take the flight to reach your destination from Kathmandu.