Island peak climbing has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its physically demanding nature, although it is relatively less technical. If you are physically fit and have the aspiration to reach the summit despite the challenges at high altitude, Island Peak could be an ideal choice for you.
The overall experience of trekking through the Khumbu region includes reaching the base camp of Mount Everest and visiting Kalapatthar, offering stunning views of Pumori, Chyangtse, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Mount Everest itself as well as other majestic mountains.
Island Peak, also called Imja Tse, is a sought-after peak situated in Nepal’s Everest region. It provides a great opportunity for individuals looking to engage in high-altitude climbing that is less technical compared to other more challenging peaks.
Arrival in Kathmandu
Our team will greet you with a placard at the airport and transport you to your hotel in a private vehicle. We'll also have a brief meeting in the evening to discuss the trek.
Flight to Lukla then trek to Phakding (2,652m)
You will be taken to the domestic terminal in Kathmandu, from where you will catch a flight to Lukla. The 35-minute journey is an adventure on its own.
Hiking to Namche (3,440m)
We follow the path through an alpine forest along the Dudh Koshi River, passing the Lorche Dovan suspension bridge to reach Namche Bazaar. This historic trade hub was important for Tibetan and Solukhumbu traders. Nowadays, it has become a modern town with various shops, internet cafes, and more.
Acclimatization Day
Planned as a rest day to allow your body to adjust to the elevation of 3,440 m and prepare for the upcoming days. After breakfast, you will start your hike from Namche Bazaar towards Khumjung, passing through Syangboche (3,720m), which is near a local airport. As you ascend a hill, you will catch sight of Tengboche Peak (6,367m), Lhotse Peak (8,414m), and Ama Dablam (6,856m) for the first time.
Trek to Tengboche (3,860m)
The trail continues into the Dudh Koshi Valley and takes you to Punki Tangka. From there, you will hike up on the right side of the Dudh Koshi valley to reach Tengboche Monastery (3,860m), which serves as the main center for spiritual activities in Khumbu. Although it's a challenging ascent, the views of Mt Amadablam, and on clear days, Mt Everest and its neighboring peaks make it a rewarding experience. After exploring Tengboche Monastery, you'll trek to Diboche and spend the night at Rivendell Lodge.
Trek to Dingboche (4,410m)
You will walk through beautiful woodlands and traverse the Imja Kola River before arriving at Pangboche (3,900m). This day of hiking will be remarkable as you won't decrease in elevation and will enjoy stunning sights of mountains such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and others. After that, you'll proceed to Dingboche, also known as the "Summer Valley."
Acclimatization Day
During the second day of our acclimatization, we will hike up to an elevation of 5,100m. Following breakfast, a 6-hour trek up Nagerjun Hill awaits us. Once at the summit, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Lobuche East, Teboche, Tamsek, Kantega, and Ama Dablam. On clear days, Makalu may also be visible. After a short break there, we will return to Dingboche for an overnight stay and relax after lunch.
Trek to Lobuche(4,910m)
After trekking through a wide valley and visiting the Trekkers Aid Post in Pheriche at 4,240m, we will reach Dughla. The Aid Post is run by the Himalayan Rescue Association and offers medical aid and advice to hikers. Continuing onwards, we will ascend further in altitude, leaving the valley behind as we make our way to Lobuche (4,910m), where yak grazing lands await.
Everest Base Camp (5,160m) and return to Gorakshep
Today you will trek to Everest Base Camp. The elevation gain won't be significant, but the continuous ascents and descents will be tiring. Upon reaching base camp, you can witness the Khumbu icefall, which marks the starting point of the Everest expedition. Afterward, we'll head back to Gorakshep, situated between base camp and Kalapatthar.
Hike to Kalapatthar and Trek to Dingboche
Today we begin our day bright and early, heading out for a hike to Kalapattar, a stunning vantage point offering magnificent vistas of Pumori, Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest, and the nearby peaks. Afterward, we return to Gorakshep for a hearty breakfast while soaking in the awe-inspiring mountain views before making our way down to Lobuche after some rest.
Trek to Chhukung(4,730m)
We descend via a different path to reach Dingboche from Lobuche. Then, we slightly ascend into the Chukkung Valley.
Trek to Island Peak Base Camp(5,087m)
We begin our journey from Chukkung at a relaxed pace, tracing the Imja Valley while enjoying magnificent views of Ama Dablam towering above. Following the moraines that extend from Lhotse (8,501 meters), we arrive at the sand flats at Pareshaya Gyab. From there, it's just a short distance to Base Camp, which we plan to reach in the afternoon. Today's walk will be around 4 hours as we adjust to the higher altitude. For the next two days, accommodation will consist of tented camps and you'll be treated to camp food prepared by our skilled chef.
Climb Island Peak (6,165m) and back to Base Camp
Today is a crucial day as you embark on the final leg of your journey to Island Peak (6,187m). After crossing the gully above the camp, the path ascends for approximately an hour to a narrow ridge before leading onto the glacier. At this point, we will need to rope up and equip ourselves with crampons in preparation for the captivating glacier crossing. Following this, there is a challenging ascent up a steep snow slope that eventually leads us to the summit ridge. The ridge offers breathtaking views of Lhotse imposing south face and other striking mountain vistas in different directions when we reach the summit. We then retrace our steps back down to base camp using the same route.
Extra Day
The day is set aside to account for any unexpected events that may arise on summit day, such as emergencies or inclement weather. If you are unable to reach the peak as scheduled, you will attempt it on this day instead. This extra time can also accommodate climbers who are not feeling well enough to make the summit on the scheduled day. If everything goes according to plan, we will not need this extra day.
Trek to Pangboche(3,985)
Descending from the mountains, we pass through different villages such as Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare, and Lower Pangboche before reaching a suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River. We then gradually ascend through Debuche and on to Pangboche.
Trek to Namche Bazaar
We descend sharply from Pangboche to Phunki Thanka through a lovely forest filled with juniper, rhododendron, and fir trees. After crossing the Dudh Koshi River, we climb up to Trashinga following a refreshing break and maybe enjoying a cup of tea. The path then follows high above the valley to Shanasa, where we have the option to explore Kunde and Khumjung villages before heading back to Namche Bazaar for our overnight stay.
Trek back to Lukla
Tomorrow is our final day of trekking as we will be catching a flight to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Lukla, take some time to reflect on your achievement of summiting the peak. You can wander around and enjoy the surroundings in Lukla or have some drinks. Take the opportunity to express gratitude to your Sherpa companions and enjoy a farewell dinner with them.
Flight to Kathmandu
We will take a morning flight from Lukla, the short 35-minute scenic journey will return us to Kathmandu. Once we land in Kathmandu, transportation will be provided to your hotel. Please understand if the weather does not allow for the flight to take off.
Sightseeing in Kathmandu
We'll spend the day exploring various sights within the Kathmandu Valley, including world heritage sites and Kathmandu Durbar Square. If you have any preferences for specific locations to visit, we can accommodate those as well. In the evening, a cultural dinner at a Nepalese restaurant will be part of our plans.
Departure
One of our staff members will take you to the international airport so that you can catch your flight to the next destination.
Conquering Island Peak and reaching Everest Base Camp was an epic adventure, and Sherpa Village Trek made it all possible. Their experienced guides expertly led us through the stunning Everest region, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trek. The support team was fantastic, always keeping our tents pitched and meals ready at each stop. Highly recommend them for this challenging but rewarding journey!
This combined Island Peak climb and Everest Base Camp trek with Sherpa Village Trek exceeded all my expectations. The guides were knowledgeable and attentive, providing thorough climbing instruction and acclimatization guidance. The porters were incredibly strong and friendly, taking care of our luggage throughout the entire trip. The food at the teahouses was surprisingly good, and Sherpa Village even arranged for a special celebration dinner upon reaching the Island Peak summit. An unforgettable experience!
Trekking to Everest Base Camp and then climbing Island Peak was a physically demanding but truly rewarding adventure. Sherpa Village Trek made the entire journey seamless. Their logistics were flawless, from airport transfers to permits and accommodations. The guides were professional and prioritized safety at every step, even during the technical climb on Island Peak. They provided excellent climbing instruction and ensured everyone felt comfortable using the equipment. A big thanks to Sherpa Village Trek for making this dream adventure a reality!
