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Island Peak Climbing - 22 Days

Trip Facts

General trp informations
Group Size
Min. 2 Pax
Trip Grade
Technical/Challenging
Accommodation
Tea house, Camp
Max. Elevation
6165m, Summit
Meals
Full Board during Trek/Climbing
Transportation
Flight/Private Vehicle
Best Season
Sep-Dec, Mar-May

Trip Highlights

  • Scenic mountain flight to and from Lukla.
  • Visit Namche Bazaar.
  • Unforgettable views of high mountains of Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam and many more with Imja glacier and lake.
  • Summit Island peak (6,119 m).
  • 360-degree mountain views from the summit of Island peak.
  • World heritage site Everest Trek.

Island Peak is the dream peak for trekkers who want to climb higher mountains. Those who come for world’s famous trek on their bucket list Everest Base Camp draws excitement by this popular peak. It’s locally known as Imja Tse; stands at an elevation of 6,165 m (20,226ft) the most famous Himalayan peak.

Located on top of the Chhukung glacier between Ama Dablam and Lhotse mountains, it was in 1956 when the summit of Island Peak was first climbed by Swiss team making as a training and preparation for Mount Everest expedition. Since then, hundreds of climbers have successfully climbed this peak as it is technically but not too challenging and doesn’t need any previous climbing experience. Explicitly this Island peak climbing offers an exhilarating climbing experience beyond simply trekking in Nepal.

If you are a new beginner in climbing, and you have a wistful dream to climb higher peaks above 6000m in Nepal, then your early best option could be Island peak.

This peak offers you a moderate technical aspect. You can climb it with little endurance and stamina that you have.

It has been posing as the most popular choice for mountaineers from across the world. Hundreds of climbers are attracted each year to summit it.

Actually, this peak was named Island peak by English alpinist Eric Shipton in 1953, because for Eric this peak looked like an island in a sea of ice when it is seen from Dingboche.  Later on, it was also called Imja Tse Peak in 1983.

Climbing Island peak is possible along with the Everest base camp. A 16-day trekking trip can be planned for this trip. All expeditions to Island peak begin after reaching Lukla.

All climbers generally have to stay an extra night at Namche Bazaar for acclimatizing. Then they need to go through the acclimatization process at the base camp.

From the top of the Island, the beautiful peaks of Lhotse, Makalu, Bruntse and Ama Dablam can be seen which may be a captivating and soothing sight for a travel lover.

 You need to take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport and trek through villages to reach the base camp for Island peak.

Both spring and autumn are considered good for climbing Island peak. So, during spring, the months of March to May and during autumn, the months of September to November are good for climbing.


Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,350m / 4,429ft)
Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2,820m / 9,251ft) & trek to Phakding (2,640m / 8,861ft) – 04 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazar (3,440m / 11,286ft) – 06 hrs.
Day 04: Namche Bazar for acclimatization and excursion (3,440m / 11,286ft)
Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3,860m / 12,664ft) 05 hrs
Day 06: Trek to Dingboche (4,260m / / 13,976ft) – 05hrs
Day 07: Trek to Chhukung (4,730 m/15,518 ft): 3-4 hrs
Day 08: Another Acclimatization Day, Climb Chhukung Ri (5,546m /18,195ft) and back to Chhukung: 3 – 4 hrs
Day 09: Trek to Island Base Camp (5,200m /17,060ft) – 04 hrs
Day 10: Climb to Island peak summit (6,189m / 20,305ft) and to Base Camp 08 hrs.
Day 11: Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche (3,985 m/13,074 ft) 5-6 hrs
Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazar (3,440m / 11,286ft) – 06 hrs
Day 13: Trek to Lukla (2,820m / 9,251ft) 05 hrs
Day 14: Fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu & transfer to hotel (1,350m / 4,429ft)
Day 15: Final international departure

1

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, a representative of Bodhi Adventures with marigold garland will greet you; who will take you to your Hotel. After checking in, your guide will brief for trip preparation and also to meet your crew. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali Restaurant where we will be able to enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine with a brief cultural program.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

2

After breakfast, we will be taken to the domestic terminal of TIA for an early morning flight to Lukla.

But if domestic airport is not open for Lukla flight then you’ll taken very early morning drive to Manthali airport of Ramechhap. After a flying above the breathtaking green and white mountains, you reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. Upon your arrival at Lukla, we meet our other crew members and after some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. We only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities, we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery.

Overnight in Phakding.

3

This day after breakfast we walk through beautiful pine forests and then along Dudh Koshi River ending our nature-filled journey at Namche Bazar. Along the trail we pass by small Sherpa villages like Monjo where your entry permits are registered. We experience the serenity of pine, fir and juniper forests throughout our journey. If the weather is clear, we may even catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge after crossing Hilari Bridge. We continue uphill walking until we reach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, Namche Bazar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading center of this region. Along the day we cross five suspension bridges, with Hillary Bridge upon Imja khola being the highest.

Overnight in Namche Bazar.

4

This is the day for acclimatization. For acclimatization rather staying idle we do small hiking to Edmund Hillary School in Khumjung village and monastery (a monastery famous for housing the head of the Yeti) and Everest View Hotel to enjoy an up-close view of the mighty Everest on the way back or either way. Or we can either stroll around Namche’s quaint villages or come in contact with the Sherpa people and their rich culture, While in the Namche village or upon returning from the hike to the Khumjung and Everest View Hotel, trekkers may also visit the local museum containing exhibits displaying the area’s native flora and fauna as well as the history of the Mount Everest region.

Overnight in Namche Bazar.

5

This day after breakfast, we trek towards Tengboche. It is an easy walk from Namche to Phunki. Upon reaching Phunki, we ascend towards Tengboche, a village that houses the very famous Tengboche monastery, which is the largest monastery of the Everest region. Located amidst the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of “outstanding universal value”), it is draped with the panoramic 360-degree view of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku and is also the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region. We visit the monastery the same day at around 3 p.m. to witness a religious ceremony.

Overnight in Tengboche.

6

Tengboche monastery is an excellent location for photography lovers because of the Himalayas as its backdrop. We visit the monastery in the morning and take pictures of the amazing landscape. Then we begin our trek by walking through lush forests of birch, conifers and rhododendrons on an easy path. This picturesque trail then dips down to Debuche, crossing the Imja Khola before climbing up to Pangboche (We can either walk in the upper or lower Pangboche trails). We are most likely to choose the upper Pangboche trails as it provides more pristine view of the Himalayas. We also visit the Pangboche monastery. From here onwards, the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley. The valley gradually unfolds as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. We descend into the river and begin the climb up to Dingboche. On arrival at Dingboche, we see a beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone-walls to protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the grazing animals.

Overnight in Dingboche.

7

Dingboche is a summer settlement and here the great peaks of Ama Dablam, the ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse, Tawache and Chalotse surround us. We begin today’s trek to Chhukung by walking thorough stone walled fields, Imja Khola valley before walking in glacier moraines. On our walk, we will be like lap of Lhotse and Ama Dablam mountains. Later, beyond Bibre village we see Island Peak soaring above us. We reach Chhukung, a small settlement in about half an hour from Bibre. From here, directly across the valley is the fantastic Ama Dablam and the Amphu Lapcha mountains.

Overnight in Chhukung.

8

Acclimatization is the main cause of successful climbing so today does for it in Chhukung. We climb to Chhukung Ri (5,546m /18,195ft), which help our body to adjust with high altitude. Chhukung Ri is a peak located directly above the Chhukung village. From the top, we can look directly across the valley for a fantastic view of Ama Dablam and Loboche, Tawotse, Cholatse and other peaks. We descend back to Chhukung to spend the night.

Overnight in Chhukung.

9

The trek to Island Peak Base Camp is on a fairly steep trail. We turn east to the main line of the valley. We then walk on a winding path below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Next, we continue walking on a pleasant trail along a streamside. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island Peak.

Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

10

.

We wake up very early today at around 1 am and have our breakfast before beginning our climb. The trail moves up for several hundred meters before striking off the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder strewn. The trail is a steep slope and tricky in some places. It is important we try our best to reach the summit early because in the afternoon the strong winds hits high lands from south to north might become a barrier for a successful summit. The route follows a ridgeline, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the nose of the glacier. We call it crampon point. We all need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses. The guides will fix a rope wherever necessary. A steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge just perseverance is necessary. After enjoying and experiencing at the summit with magnificent views, and taking pictures. It’s said climbing is optional returning from summit mandatory. We safely descend to all the way to Island Peak Base Camp. We celebrate on our successful Island Peak climb.

Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

11

Today’s walk will be a much easier as we descend to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, we pass through the beautiful Sherpa villages Orsho and Shomare. We can also take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche for Buddhist enthusiast, which is believed to be the oldest in the Khumbu region or take the regular trail to reach Pangboche. Pangboche is a scenic village surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega to the east, the Kongde range to the south and the Imja Tse River flowing through the wide fertile valley.

Overnight in Pangboche.

12

From Pangboche we retrace our steps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forest to Tengboche. If interested, we can also visit nuns at the Debuche monastery. After lunch at Tengboche, we continue through the hillside of rhododendron and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, our trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests before reaching Sanasa. We keep a lookout for wildlife such as Himalayan Tahr frequently seen in rocky side, colorful pheasants, etc., while passing through the forest. After passing a chorten, we reach the army camp at Namche Bazar.

Overnight in Namche Bazar.

13

Today the trail descends steeply downward to Hilari Bridge so we need to walk cautiously as safe climbing is optional but return is mandatory. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. After our arrival in Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences. In the vening Happy Hour with our crews.

Overnight in Lukla.

14

We catch an early morning flight to Manthali after our adventurous journey and we take the jeep to Kathmandu about 4 hours drive or fly directly to Kathmandu airport depending upon Civil Aviation rule of Nepal. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping. If you want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu, we recommend Bhaktapur durbar square. If you fly to Manthali then it’s on the way to visit. Our guides can help you with both souvenirs shopping or sightseeing. There will be a farewell dinner in the evening to celebrate the climbers’ successful summit of the Island peak.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

15

Bodhi Adventures representative will pick you up from your hotel to drop you at the international airport for departure offering Khata – A Good Luck Scarf!


Departure dates

Sorry, No fixed departure dates available!

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