Climbing Island Peak in Nepal presents the chance to conquer Imja Tse, a towering peak at 6,187 meters within the lively Khumbu Himalayan range. This mountain attracts both amateur adventurers and experienced climbers, offering them a significant sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
The journey of climbing Island Peak from Chhukung commences with a trek to the charming village before proceeding to the base camp of Island Peak—a dual exploration of nature and challenge.
Reaching the summit of Island Peak is a significant accomplishment and offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world. Standing at the top, you’ll feel as if Lhotse, Nuptse, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, and Makalu are right within your reach, creating an amazing spectacle before you.
After this achievement, our route will lead us to cultural sites like Pangboche – a traditional Sherpa village – Tengboche known for its intricately decorated Tibetan monasteries; and Namche Bazaar – the Sherpa Capital and cultural center of Khumbu.
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)
An early morning journey to Lukla by air offers a unique and thrilling experience, with the runway situated at a high elevation on the hillside of Lukla town, providing breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The trek to Phakding entails walking through lush green landscapes and enjoying stunning vistas of Kusum Kangraru.
Hiking to Namche (3,440m)
We trek along the Dudhkoshi River trail, passing through Alpine forests and reaching a pass named Lurch Do Van. After crossing a suspension bridge, we reach Namche Bazaar, a historic town in Nepal frequented by Tibetan traders for centuries. Nowadays, Namche is a bustling modern city with internet cafes and a wide range of local shops offering both imported and locally-made goods. We will stay in Namche for 2 nights to acclimatize to the altitude.
Acclimatization Day
Today is a day for your body to adjust to the high altitude, helping to prevent altitude sickness. You can take in the charm of Namche and explore its offerings, from delicious food to stunning mountain vistas. If you're up for it, consider taking a hike around town—passing through Syangboche provides breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Amadablam and Lhotse. Another option is visiting the local Sherpa museum to learn about traditional Sherpa culture.
Trek to Tengboche (3,860m)
Today, you can take a straightforward trail that offers stunning views of Mount Everest and then descends into the Dudhkoshi Valley towards Punki Thangka. Once in Punki, continue your journey uphill to reach Tengboche village, home to the renowned Tengboche Monastery - the largest monastery in the Everest region. Spend the night at Tengboche.
Trek to Dingboche (4,410m)
Going through the stunning woodland, crossing Imja Khola, and journeying through Pangboche village (3,900m). The monastery in Tengboche is ideally situated against the backdrop of the Himalayas to take in the breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Afterward, we descend into Debuche, cross the Imja River, and ascend towards Pangboche. We descend into the valley and start our ascent to Dingboche. This trekking day is the most captivating as you will be descending less than on other days.
Acclimatization Day
Today marks the second acclimation day, during which we will embark on a 6-hour hike to reach an elevation of 5,100m. Similar to the first acclimatization day, this is aimed at helping your body adjust to the altitude. Our route will take us up Nagerjun Hill, situated in the Chhukung Valley near Dingboche village. We will ascend during the day and then sleep at a lower elevation at night. Throughout our trek, you can enjoy stunning views of peaks such as Lobuche East (6,119m), Lobuche West (6,145m), Taboche Peak (6,367m), Thamserku (6,608m), Kangtega (6,685m), and Ama Dablam (6,856 m). From the summit, there's also a panoramic view that includes Mt. Makalu, which stands as Earth's fifth highest mountain.
Trek to Chhukung (4,730m)
We descend using a slightly altered path from Lobuche to Dingboche before making a gradual climb into the Chhukung Valley.
Island Peak Base Camp (5,087m)
Departing from Chukkung, we embark on a leisurely journey through the Imja Valley, tracing the moraines that cascade from Lhotse (measuring 8,501 meters) toward the sandy expanse of Pareshaya Gyab. Along this route, revel in breathtaking vistas of Ama Dablam dominating the horizon. After an afternoon arrival at base camp today, which is just a short distance away, enjoy the crisp mountain air during a 4-hour walk. For the next two days, accommodation will be provided in tent camps with freshly prepared meals by a professional cook.
Summit day and back to base camp
Today marks the most significant day to conquer the peak of Island Peak (6,187m). After traversing the canyon above the base camp, you will ascend for another hour to reach the narrow ridge that leads to the glacier. Here, it's crucial to secure and put on crampons as you prepare for an exhilarating phase of climbing across the glacier. Then, navigate through steep snowy slopes towards the summit ridges. The ridge offers a refreshing experience with a breathtaking close-up view of Lhotse's south side looming overhead as you approach the peak, along with a more dramatic mountain vista in sight.
Rest Day
We have set aside an extra day for emergencies on Summit Day. The scheduled summit date (10th day) may not always offer favorable conditions, so we will reserve it as a contingency in case of bad weather or challenges that prevent climbing on the 10th day due to various reasons. In cases of severe weather, it is advisable to delay the summit climb from the 10th day to the following day (11th). Some members of the group might need more time to acclimatize before attempting the climb. It's still possible to use this additional day if needed. If everything goes smoothly with your trip, there's no obligation to take a break on this particular day.
Trek to Pangboche (3,985m)
After departing from the mountain, we pass through a range of towns including Dinboche, Orsho, Shomale, and Lower Pamboche. We then cross the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola, move through Debuche, and eventually ascend to Pamboche.
Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
From Pamboche, we descend through the stunning forests of Juniper, Rhododendron, and Fir until we reach Punkitenga. Take a refreshing break with a cup of tea before crossing the Dhudh Kosi River and ascending to Trasinga. The trail then leads up into the valley towards Shanasa. Here, you can explore the villages of Koundé before making your way back to Namche Bazaar.
Trek to Lukla (2,840m)
This marks the end of our trekking journey. We will head back to Lukla, where our trek first started. Cherish this time together as a group to reflect on the trek and celebrate the personal accomplishments of everyone involved. Later in the day, you can take a leisurely walk, unwind, or indulge in a refreshing shower. In the evening, savor a farewell dinner followed by lively drinks and dancing with your Sherpa friends.
Flight to Kathmandu
After departing from Lukla, be sure to take one final look at the Himalayan region. Somewhere in its midst lies the peak you have successfully climbed. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, enjoy a leisurely day strolling through the streets of Kathmandu, indulging in shopping and purchasing souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
Exploration Day
Explore Kathmandu and indulge in some shopping. During the day, take part in a guided tour of several cultural heritage sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore the renowned Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and the Boudhanath stupa. Additionally, visit the revered Pashupatinath Temple to witness Hindu cremation ceremonies. You can also explore the captivating medieval towns and palaces within the Kathmandu Valley before attending a farewell party at an authentic Nepalese restaurant featuring cultural performances.
Departure
A Sherpa Village Trek representative will take you to the airport for your departure.
If you crave adventure and want to expand your mountaineering experience beyond trekking in Nepal, this is the ideal destination. Our expertly crafted itinerary includes extra days for acclimatization in the same town.
One of our most memorable experiences to date! We successfully finished the EBC trek via Gokyo and Chola Pass. On day four, we made the spontaneous decision to include an Island Peak summit, and Sherpa Village Trek handled all the arrangements flawlessly.
The support of the Sherpa Village trek and my guide Ichigo, who arranged the trip flexibly and regularly evaluated my progress, made all the difference. The summit view was breathtaking and the entire trip will be an unforgettable lifetime experience. I highly recommend this company to anyone seeking a remarkable visit to Nepal.
I recently had the amazing chance to summit Island Peak with Sherpa Village Trek, and I can’t speak highly enough of them. From beginning to end, the team provided outstanding service and assistance, making this journey one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. If you’re seeking a reputable company to lead your Island Peak ascent, Sherpa Village is the way to go.
