Island Peak Climbing

No doubt that Himalayan peaks have able to lure the adventurers, climbers and cultural enthusiast past many years. Island Peak climbing is fascinating Himalayan experience in Nepal designed for energetic and physically sound trekkers with little or no climbing experience. It offers enthralling climbing experience with a hike to Everest Base Camp at one go.

Island Peak at (6,189m/20,305ft) is one of most sought trekking peak in the Everest region of Nepal with spectacular and highly glaciated west face that extends from the Lhotse Glacier. Island Peak also known as Imja Tse, is perfect for novice climbers wishing to make bid for 7,000m+ and 8,000m+ peaks. Island Peak expedition takes you to the heartland of Khumbu region and offers close peek of Sherpa culture and lifestyle. Before summiting the peak, we get opportunity to visit Everest Base Camp (5,357m/17,575ft) and Kalapatthar (5,545m) which allows you to acclimatize well.

About Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak was first climbed in 1956 by an expedition team who were preparing for Everest expedition. Island peak looks like an island floating in a sea of ice when seen from Dingboche. This is where the peak gets its name from.

The summit of peak is quite difficult to climb but the top compensates incomparable mountain views of Ama Dablam (6,856m), Makalu (8,481m) and numerous other peaks.
The trekking to Island Peak goes through the countryside scenery and enters deep into the heart of Khumbu region. The journey offer close view of Khumbu region and its people.

We will be staying at comfortable teahouse during the trek and tent on camp during the climbing period.

Aimway Tours & Travel operates Island Peak summit expedition in a responsible way with safety and comfort as possible at its highest standard. We offer proper medical backup with expert medical teams, oxygen and medical box. Our experienced guide will fix New ropes to ensure safe and successful climb at 60 – 70 degree up to 100 meter.

Summiting Island Peak

We start very early in the morning with an easy scramble along a boulder to a glacier. As we climb above the rocky ridge, we follow the steep snow head wall that takes us to the summit. It is physically challenging but the summit compensate the effort.

The summit of Island Peak offer magical view of Nuptse (7,879m), Lhotse (8,501m), Lhotse Central (8,410m) and Lhotse Shar (8,383m), Makalu (8,475m), Baruntse (7,129m) and Amadablam (6,812m).

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,564ft)

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport, Aimway Tours representative will receive you in the terminal hall and transfer you to the hotel. We spend the rest of the day taking rest. In the evening, we enjoy the Nepalese cuisine at a welcome dinner organized by Aimway Tour.

Overnight in Kathmandu

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Kathmandu: Valley sightseeing and trip preparation

After breakfast, we proceed for guided tour to several historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu which are protected by UNESCO world heritage sites.

We explore Durbar Square, Pashupatinath (sacred Hindu temple), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Buddhist Shrine (Boudhanath), which is one of the largest Tibetan stupa in Nepal.

At noon, we get our equipment checked by our team leader and introduce our fellow participants and discuss our trip to Aimway Tours office.

Overnight in Kathmandu

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu – Lukla (2,800m/9,184ft) and then trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) – 40 min flight/ 3 – 4 hour trek

After breakfast, our airport representative will transfer you to the domestic terminal (TIA) for an early morning flight to Lukla. After flying over breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach Lukla Airport (Tenzing – Hillary Airport). This one of the most adventurous heli route in the world culminating in a landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains.

Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet our rest of crew members and start our trekking through the rhododendron forest to reach Phakding. To assist with acclimatization, we only have a short hike today.

Overnight in Phakding

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04: Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft) – 5 – 6 hours

After breakfast, we walk through magical pine forest and then walk through Dudh Koshi River to complete our trek to Namche Bazaar. On the way, we witness the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6,608m) on our right and also enjoy the magic of pine, fir and juniper forests. If the weather is clear, we even get the glimpse of Mt. Everest and Lhotse – Nuptse ridge. We continue walking until we reach Sagarmatha National Park, Namche Bazaar – the gateway to Mt. Everest and major hub of the Khumbu region. Today we cross five suspension bridge and the last one is known Hillary Bridge. We walk uphill from Hillary Bridge to Namche Bazaar.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05: Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization

Today is our first scheduled acclimatization. Health experts suggest to stay active and walk around instead of being idle.

We can choose to walk around the Namche’s village and visit Sherpa people and their culture or we hike up to Everest view hotel and enjoy the close view of might Everest. We also visit local museum that displays the local floral and faunal species as well as the history of the Mt. Everest region.

For trekkers we want to hike furthermore, we hike to Khumjung village (5 – 6 hours). Here we visit Edmund Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery which houses the scalp of Yeti.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06:Namche Bazaar – Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft) – 5 – 6

After breakfast, we head towards Tengboche. We make an easy hike from Namche to Phunki. Upon arrival at Phunki, we climb towards Tengboche which houses the largest monastery of Everest region. Located at the heart of Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Sites), It offers 360 degree panorama of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. The monastery opens at 3:00; if you are lucky you will be able to witness ongoing religious ceremony.

Overnight in Tengboche

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07: Tengboche – Pheriche (4,200m/13,776ft) – 4 – 5 hours

We explore monastery in the morning and enjoy taking pictures and surrounding landscapes. We then climb down for half an hour through the forest before crossing a river. Then we trek uphill and climb higher; gradually we will find landscapes becoming drier. We then walk through the traditional Sherpa village of Pangboche before reaching Pheriche – a stunning village located on a riverside. Here we will see beautiful helipad that is used for helicopter rescues during emergencies.

Overnight in Pheriche

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08: Pheriche – Lobuche (4,930m/16,170ft) – 5 – 6 hours

After breakfast, we start an easy hike to Dugla. Then we trek uphill through steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier and then walk through the boulder strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara. Here we find an assortments of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American Mountaineer) and 10-time Everest expeditioner Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese mountain guide) who paid his life on a mission to climb Everest. Then we continue to climb on Khumbu Glacier moraine and find ourselves amidst of giant peaks – Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal.

Overnight in Lobuche

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09: Lobuche – Gorak Shep (5,170m/16,961ft), explore Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,594ft) – 6 – 7 hours

Today we walk on a trail to Everest Base Camp through vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we walk across the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. The path onward might be misleading, we suggest you to follow the lead of Sherpa cautiously. The walk is challenging due to thin air at higher elevation. Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp, we can see tents of mountaineers that glow in bright colors against the monotony of the gray sorrundings (especially in the spring). We can see the outstanding view of Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori mountains. We trek back to Gorak Shep for comfortable night.

Overnight in Gorak Shep

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Gorak Shep – Kala Patthar (5545m/18,192ft) and trek back to Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft)

Today we start pre-dawn hike amidst of pre-dawn of darkness and cold temperatures (-10 – 14 C). The trail route often encounter chilly winds which are quite common. Popular peaks like Lingtren, Khumbutse and Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to broadcast itself. Upon arrival at Kala Patthar, we witness 360 degree view of Mt. Everest. We take pictures and enjoy the magnificent panorama of mountains before returning back to Lobuche for comfortable night rest.

Overnight in Lobuche

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Lobuche – Kongma La (5,535m/18,159ft) – Chhukung (4,730m/15,518ft) – 6 – 7 hours

After breakfast, we trek via Khumbu Glacier to Kongma La Base Camp (5,000m/16,404ft). We ascend to Kongma La Pass which is one of the difficult section of the trek. In the Kongma La, we can see the cairn wrapped in the prayer flags to mark the pass. Then we climb down gradually to Imja Khola valley followed by another downhill walk to Chhukung – a small summer settlement. Upon reaching Chukkung, we get our equipment checked to ready ourselves for climb.

Overnight in Chhukung

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Alternative: If you do not wish to climb Kongma La Pass, you can follow the Dingboche route to Chhukung.

Day 12: Chhukung – Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m/17,060ft) – 3 – 4 hours

The trekking trail to Island Peak Base Camp is fairly steep. First we ascend south and then turn east to the main line of the valley. We then take a winding path below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Next we walk on a pleasant trail along a streamside. The climbing route to the Amphu Labtsa lies to the southeast. A zigzag route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines takes us to the wide valley on the SW side of Island Peak.

Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13: Pre-climb training on Island Peak Base Camp

Today we stop at Island Peak Base Camp to train and prepare ourselves for next day’s training. Your climbing leader will provide you the climbing training on peak climbing techniques and the proper ways of using climbing gears such as ice-axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender etc. We strongly believe that some training experience will boost your confidence, stamina and climbing skills which as a result helps you to scale the summit successfully. We spend day resting and hiking around.

Overnight in Island Peak Base Camp

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Island Peak Base Camp – Island Peak Summit (6,189m/20,305ft) and back to base camp – 10 – 12 hours

Today we wake up early (12 – 1 AM) and take breakfast before starting our climb. It is important to summit the peak before noon because in the afternoon the strong winds might disturb your climbing. The trail climbs high up from the base camp for several hundred meters and climb through the grassy trail before encountering the boulder strewn trail. As we ascend high up the hill, we witness the number of narrow slope and then enter a steep rock channel. We climb the rock gully. We climb through the rock steps before we reach on the right side of the gully. The climbing route then follows a ridgeline and goes through the snout of the summit glacier. Your climbing guide will fix the rope when required. The length of rope is nearly 350m. The length of rope depends on the season and crevasses. There are two new crevasses which are approx. 3 and 4 meter long. We will use ladder to cross the crevasses. After enjoying some moments and taking pictures, we climb down to Island Peak Base Camp where our rest of rest will be waiting for us.

Overnight in Island Peak Base Camp

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Island Peak Base Camp – Pangboche (3,985m/13,074ft) – 5 – 6 hours

Today we make an easy downhill hike to the lower altitude. We follow the same route back to Pangboche via Khumbu Khola and Orsho and Shomare village. We also take different trail to visit Gompa in Upper Pangboche – the oldest monastery in Khumbu region. You can also a regular trail to Pangboche. Pangboche is picturesque village with spectacular view of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtaiga, Kongde and Imja Tse river.

Overnight in Pangboche

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16: Pangboche – Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft) – 4 – 5 hours

From Pangboche, we trek back to Tengboche via Imja Khola and forest of rhododendron and pine. You can visit the nuns at the Tengboche monastery. After lunch, we walk through the hillside covered by rhododendron and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, we follow the Dudh Koshi gorge climbing down through the pine forest before reaching Sansa. Keep your eye out for wildlife – mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants etc. which passing through the forest.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17: Namche Bazaar – Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) – 6 – 7 hours

The trekking trail climbs down steeply to Lukla via charming forest and rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridge and its tributaries, we reach Lukla. Here we celebrate with our porters as they are not travelling to Kathmandu.

Overnight in Lukla

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)

After breakfast, we take an early morning flight to Kathmandu after long mountain journey. In Kathmandu, we take a rest day or do some souvenir shopping. If you want to explore any other sightseeing spots, you may do that today.

In the evening, there will be farewell dinner hosted by Aim Way Tour to celebrate the successful completion of our journey.

Overnight in Kathmandu

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 19: Final Departure

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. Our airport representative will drop you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure.

Cost Exclude

• Airport pickups and drops in private vehicle
• Star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
• Teahouse accommodation during the trek
• Tented camp in Island Peak Base Camp
• All meals (B,H,D) during the trek and climb
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• All the ground transportation as per itinerary
• Two Way Flight (Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu)
• An English speaking, experienced and well-trained trekking guide (leader), climbing guide and assistant guides
• Porter (2 climbers: 1 porter)
• All the staff salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation
• Down Jacket (to be returned after the trip)
• All the necessary formalities and paper work
• All the trekking permits and Island Peak climbing permit
• Camping stuffs – tents and kitchen
• Medial Kit (carried by your trek leader)
• All the government and local taxes

Cost Include

• Nepalese entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
• Travel Insurance
• Personal nature expenses – alcoholic beverages, shopping, tipping and more
• Tips for guide, porter and driver
• Services not included in “Included in Cost” section