Island Peak Climbing
Trip Overview
Island Peak Climbing is a popular mountaineering program in Nepal as ascending the Island Peak is more easier comparative to other expeditions. Expediting an Island Peak is famous nowadays as it offers the stunning scenery as well as giver adventure lover a chance to explore Everest Base Camp. Island Peak (6189m) is one of the main climbing peaks of the Everest region with an impressive and highly glaciated west face that rises from the Lhotse Glacier. As Island peak is located between the Lhotse and Imja glaciers, Island Peak is also called Imja-tshe in local language. Island Peak Climbing offers the spectacular and picturesque scenery of the Khumbu region and the Chhukung valley. Being one of the “trekking peaks” with very little technical aspects, Island peak is not difficult to undertake for the beginners. With proper and enough acclimatization, Island Peak climbing- 14 days can be successfully completed.
Island Peak climbing starts from a scenic flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. The scenic flight offers to observe many snow-capped mountains of the Khumbu region of Nepal along with the World’s highest mountain Mt. Everest. Upon arrival at Lukla, trek to Phakding and to Namche Bazar. Passing through many beautiful villages like Tengboche, Dingboche, Chhukung, leads us to Island Peak base camp and ultimately to climb Island peak. Exploring the culture and tradition of local Sherpa people and observing the monasteries, colorful prayer flags, chortens and Mani walls makes the journey memorable. Following the route, the trail descends from Island Peak to Chhukung and Namche Bazar. From Namche Bazar, the journey continues to Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu. The stunning views of snow-capped mountains including Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, etc and the culture and traditions of local Sherpa people are the main highlights of Island peak climbing.
Proper documentation should be prepared while conquering Island Peak as we need to take permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). The experience you will get after successful completion of Island peak climbing worth your efforts when you observe the stunning views of the Khumbu region, Chhukung valley and majestic views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, along with many glaciers. Come, join with Moonline Tours P. Ltd for successful expedition of Island Peak along with lots of beautiful memories.
Highlights:
- Scenic mountain flight from/ to Kathmandu- Lukla.
- Famous Sherpa village of Khumbu region; Namche Bazar.
- Buddhist monasteries, gompas, mani walls, and chortens.
- Amazing views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
- Stunning view of Khumbu region and Chhukung valley.
- Climb Island Peak.
- Entering Sagarmatha National Park.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1338m/ 4390 ft.)
Welcome to the land of Himalayas, Nepal. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet and greet our representatives from Moonline Tours P. Ltd and transfer to the hotel. Short description of Island Peak climbing enroute. Check-in at the hotel. If you have time, roam around kathmandu for self-exploration and relaxation.
Overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 2: Fly to Lukla (2800m/ 9184 ft.) and trek to Phakding (2652m/ 8700 ft.)
Take an early morning flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. The scenic flight offers the stunning and panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, including Mt. Everest. The flight is thrilling as it lands on the steep mountain runway. Upon arrival at Lukla, trek to Phakding. From Lukla, the trail ascends uphill and walking along the bank of Dudh Koshi river leads us to the Sherpa village of Phakding at an elevation of 2652m. Roam around local market and monasteries in the evening.
Overnight at Phakding.
Walking Time: 3 to 4 hours.
Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/ 11283 ft.)
From Phakding, the trail ascends uphill. Passing through several bridges and walking along the bank of Dudh Koshi River leads us to Monjo; the gateway of Sagarmatha National Park. After completing documents at the check-point, the trail continues through the forest of blue pine and rhododendron forest leads us to Namche Bazaar; a famous sherpa village of Khumbu region. Roam around local market in the evening.
Overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Day 4: Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization day- Hike to Everest View Hotel
Acclimatization is very important if you are travelling from lower altitude to higher altitude. Acclimatization is the process of adopting the change in climate and altitude. Since today is acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar, short hike to Everest View Hotel to observe the best view of Mt. Everest along with Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam etc. Return back to Namche Bazar and explore the local market and monastery.
Overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Day 5: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860m/ 12660 ft.)
From Namche Bazaar, the trail ascends uphill through the dense forest of blue pine, silver fir and rhododendron along with a chance to observe wildlife like Blue Sheep, Musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, etc. Following the trail leads us to Sansa village from where you could get the amazing and stunning views of himalayas. The steeper uphill trail leads us to the village of Tengboche at an elevation of 3860m. Tengboche is famous for the biggest Buddhist monastery of Khumbu region along with Mt. Ama Dablam as its background. Enjoy the close-up view of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu, etc. Explore around the village of Tengboche in the evening.
Overnight at Tengboche.
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Day 6: Tengboche- Dingboche (4410m/ 14464 ft.)
Enjoy early morning praying at the monastery and observe the best and mesmerizing close-up view of mountains. From Tengboche, the trail descends downhill passing the Yak grazing village until we cross a wooden bridge of Imja Khola. After crossing the wooden bridge, the trail ascends uphill to Pangboche village and furthermore of uphill trail leads us to the village of Dingboche at an elevation of 4410m. As we have reached at an elevation of 4000m, we may feel the change in climate and altitude. Roam around Dingboche village in the evening.
Overnight at Dingboche.
Day 7: Climb Chhukung Ri (5546m/ 18190 ft.) and trek to Chhukung (4730m/ 15514 ft.)
From Dingboche, the trail ascends uphill that leads us to Chhukung valley. The trail up to Chhukung valley is not difficult and far from Dingboche but the trail steeply ascends uphill to Chhukung Ri. Observe the majestic views of Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Cholatse, and many other peaks. Return back to Chhukung and explore around Chhukung in the evening.
Overnight at Chhukung.
Walking Time: 6 to 7hours
Day 8: Chhukung to Island Base Camp
From Chhukung, proceed towards Island Base Camp at an elevation of 5200m. The trail ascends uphill along the steep trail below southern side of Lhotse glacier and following the zig-zag trail with an amazing view of snow-capped mountains leads us to Island Base Camp. Short description on the climbing gear and how to use them for climbing. As we have reached in the elevation of 5200m, take proper rest to stay fit during your journey. To prepare to summit the Island Peak, remaining day free for self-re;axation and rest.
Overnight at tented camp at Island Base Camp.
Walking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Day 9: Reach the summit of Island Peak (6189m) and return to Chhukung (4730m/ 15514 ft.)
Since we will be at our ultimate destination today i.e at the top of Island Peak, start to walk early so that you could not miss the mesmerizing view of Himalayas in the morning. Following the steep ascend leads us to High Camp. The trail is entirely covered with snow so we need to perform as guided by the guide in order to summit the Island Peak successfully. Furthermore of climbing the steep and rocky ascends leads us to the top of Island Peak. Observe the breathtaking view of Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Nuptse, etc. Observe the view for some more time and following the same trail, return back to Chhukung via High Camp and Island Base Camp. Explore the monasteries and gompas of Chhukung.
Overnight at Chhukung.
Walking Time: 9 to 10 hours
Day 10: Contingency Day- an extra day given in the case that targeted summit day has unfavorable weather conditions to summit
This is an extra day. During mountaineering, due to the weather conditions, we may need to add an extra day in order to observe the best view of mountains. So, if summit didn’t completed successfully on the targeted day, an extra day can be used for the purpose of successful summit of Island Peak.
Day 11: Trek back Chhukung to Namche Bazar
From Chhukung, the trail descends downwards. Enjoying the picturesque scenery, the trail descends downwards leading us to Dudh Koshi River. As we descend, we may feel the change in climate and altitude. Crossing several wooden bridges and passing through the dense forest of blue pine, silver fir and rhododendron forest with a chance to spot varieties of flora and fauna leads us to Namche Bazaar. Remaining day free for self-exploration and relaxation at Namche Bazaar.
Overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Walking Time: 6 to 7 hours
Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Leaving the beautiful Sherpa village Namche Bazaar, the trail further descends downwards. Passing through the forest of blue pine and rhododendron forest leads us to Sansa village; the gateway of Sagarmatha National Park. The trail descends furthermore and walking along the bank of Dudh Koshi River and a gradual ascend uphill leads us to Phakding village. The trail descends as we pass Phakding village and walking along the bank of Dudh Koshi River and crossing several suspension bridges leads us to Lukla, where our trek ends. Explore around Lukla in the evening.
Overnight at Lukla.
Walking Time: 6 to 7 hours
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu
Take an early morning flight to Kathmandu from Lukla as the weather doesn’t remain clear during day time. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Remaining day free for self-exploration and relaxation. Roam around the streets of Thamel for shopping.
Overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 14: Final Departure
Free till departure. Our representatives from Moonline Tours P. Ltd will drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours prior to your departure schedule/time in order to board your onward journey.
