Island Peak Climbing is an extended package involving a peak in the Himalayas. Island Peak Expedition is a 20-day program in the eastern Himalayas of Nepal, Khumbu region.
Island Peak Climb with EBC Trek is designed for adventure-seeking travelers with some experience in high-altitude trekking. Island peak with Everest Base Camp is the most adventurous package out there and offers a unique blend of trekking and climbing in Himalaya.
If you have done treks in the Himalayas and are looking to take your experience to the next level, we highly recommend Island Peak climbing with the Everest base camp trek package. You will be reaching great heights during the climbing and an experienced mountain guide guides the journey, you will be in safe and reliable hands with Outfitter Himalaya.
You must be fit and have some high-altitude experience to join the Island peak Expedition. The Island Peak Summit requires a good level of physical fitness and endurance. If we consider technical difficulty, Island Peak is one of the most accessible mountain peaks in the Himalayas.
Island peak climbing is beginner-friendly expedition in Nepal. Even though the technical difficulties are minimal, the climb is very physically demanding, so you have to be solid and fit. The overall journey takes you very close to Nepali culture and traditions.
You will learn about Sherpas and other mountain communities closely as you trek through different villages. Along the trail, you will cross suspension bridges, trek through lush forests, and stop at ancient monasteries for blessings.
Island peak climbing Itinerary has two parts: trekking and climbing. Both are equally exciting and rewarding. The trekking part lets you experience and understand the mountain lifestyle. You will acclimatize before ascending to Island Peak base camp and above.
The trek takes you to the base of the world's highest mountain, Everest base camp, and further hikes to Kala Patthar (5,545 m). After trekking to Everest base camp (5,364 m), we head to Chhukung Valley and ascend to Island Peak base camp. From Chhukung village (4,730 m), our climbing part begins.
We will climb slippery glaciers and cross ice headwalls to reach the summit using fixed ropes and other climbing gear. Our mountain guide will help you navigate strenuous parts, and the supporting crew will ensure that all the tents and meals go smoothly.
There are many attractions during the Island peak Climbing and find some of the highlights below.
We'll take you on a guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. You will visit monuments like the Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and some of Nepal's ancient temples, palaces, and courtyards.
There is no better way to learn about Nepali art, architecture, culture, and history than visiting these places.
Our friendly guide will tell you all about these tourist sites and the myths related to them. You will also be exploring local markets surrounding these places.
Sagarmatha National Park begins from Monjo village, on the way to Namche Bazaar from Phakding. The park goes up to the top of Mt. Everest, and you will trek inside it. The Sagarmatha National Park protects the flora, fauna, villages, mountains, and river valleys.
While trekking through dense forests, you will not encounter any wild animals, but you can expect to see exotic birds and numerous vegetation. Likewise, in the upper part of the trail, you will navigate through glacial moraines, glaciers, and snow headwalls.
During the Island peak climbing with the EBC Himalayan journey, you will spend nights in many beautiful Sherpa villages. Your first night will be in Phakding village, followed by the famous Namche Bazaar and Tengboche.
Further up; spend nights in villages like Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is the last settlement before the Everest base camp, and Chhukung village is the last settlement before the Island Peak base camp.
The villagers are very welcoming and will treat you like their family. Get to experience the mountain lifestyle and come across their daily lifestyle. Apart from Sherpas, you will also meet with other communities like Bhotiyas, Limbus, Rais, etc.
Along the Island peak climbing trail, you will encounter many monasteries and stupas. Khumjung Monastery, Tengboche Monastery, and Pangboche Monastery are some religious places you can visit during the trip. These three are the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region.
Island peak climbing has two acclimatization days and multiple side hikes. You will hike to Hotel Everest View, Nangkartshang Peak, and Kala Patthar. All these are viewpoints and offer breathtaking mountain panoramas,
Before climbing Island Peak, you will trek to the lap of Mount Everest and hike to Kala Patthar. Adding the trek to EBC makes this package very special. You will tackle the two most famous parts of the Khumbu region in one trip. Likewise, a hike to Kala Patthar offers a stunning sunrise and helps you acclimatize.
The summit day starts very early. You will wake up between 2:00 and 3:00 AM to push towards the summit of Island Peak. There will be a guide with you. Leaving the Island Peak base camp, you will scramble along a rock ridge to a glacier.
The route then goes above a rocky hill and follows a steep snow path to the headwall. The summit is above the headwall. The guides will fix the ropes and ensure the trail's safety. Before the summit, you will climb a 60 to 70-degree face for about 150 meters.
On this Adventure, you will see countless hills, peaks, and mountains. As the elevation increases, the grandeur of the Himalayas will open to you. There will be times when you will be standing face-to-face with some of the highest mountains in the world.
Before the mountain gets prominent, the lush green landscapes will tease you as you trek from one village to another. You will hike to viewpoints to observe the best mountain panoramas throughout the Island peak climbing with EBC trekking.
Snow-capped giants like Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Makalu (8,481 m), Kanchenjunga (8,56 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Island Peak (6,160 m), Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), Cholatse (6,440 m), Pumori (7,161 m), and numerous others are seen during Island peak climbing.
Before you begin Island peak climbing, our team leader will give you pre-climbing training at the Island peak base camp. The training involves route briefing and teaching how to properly use climbing gear like crampons, harnesses, fixed ropes, and ice axes. You will also learn to understand the guide's instructions during climbing. This training will boost your confidence.
We have designed a 20-day itinerary to summit Island Peak. Island Peak climbing itinerary also includes trekking to EBC, as the trek to EBC helps gain altitude, and there is a high chance of success on the summit of Island Peak. So, you can reach the Everest Camp and summit the Island using the same program.
Island Peak climbing begins with a scenic and thrilling flight to Lukla. From Lukla, you trek towards Phakding and ascend through Sagarmatha National Park to reach Namche Bazar. The trail then passes through lovely dense forests and takes you to Dingboche via Tengboche. At Tengboche, you visit an ancient monastery.
Further, you pass by several villages, reach Everest Base Camp, and hike up to Kala Patthar. You then move to Chhukung Valley and gradually ascend towards the Island Peak Base Camp. From here, following the steps of your Sherpa guide, you scale the Island Peak and reach its top.
The team of Outfitter Himalaya will welcome you at the airport on your arrival day. They will take you to the hotel we have booked for you and help you with check-in. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them.
We will spend the morning visiting some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Day Trip is guided by one of our experienced and friendly tour guides, who will be with you to explain the monuments. You will visit the Monkey Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath Temple.
Later, the mountain guide will introduce himself and brief you on the program. We then proceed with final packing and last-minute shopping.
The Lukla flight sets the right mood for this adventurous venture in the Himalayas. Depending on the air traffic, we will fly to Lukla either from Kathmandu domestic airport or Manthali airport.
If the flight is from Manali airport, we drive to the airport around 2:30 AM at dawn to arrive right on time for the flight.
Once you land at the Lukla airport, our supporting crew (porters) will join the group. We will load the duffel bags and begin trekking towards Phakding village for the night stay. The trail descends to Dudh Koshi River and passes by Ghat village. From here, it is a short walk to Phakding. On the way, we'll cross many suspension bridges.
From Phakding village, the trail goes along the northern bank of the Dudh Koshi River. We get to see mountains peeking through tall trees. We will trek through rhododendron forests, crossing numerous suspension bridges on the Dudh Koshi River. Just after Monjo, there is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge.
From here, we gradually ascend to Namche Bazaar, following a steep uphill route.
Today, we will go on a short hike around Namche Bazaar and spend the rest of the day here acclimatizing. We will hike to Hotel Everest View, from which we will have the first view of Everest, along with Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. We will visit the Hillary school and an ancient monastery called Khumjung and return to Namche Bazaar.
Similarly, in Namche Bazaar, we can also visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery. Namche Bazaar is the most significant Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu region. Spending an extra day here will allow us to observe the villagers' daily lifestyle.
We leave Namche Bazaar today and trek to Tengboche village. The trail offers a stunning panorama of mountains like Nutpse, Lhotse, Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. From Namche Bazaar, the trail descends to Phunki Tenga. From here, it ascends to Tengboche village. In this village, we'll visit the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region, the Tengboche Monastery.
The view of Mt. Ama Dablam is exceptionally fantastic from here.
Trekking through rhododendron forests, we will reach Deboche. From here, the trail goes to Pangboche village. Walking along a downhill trail, we descend to Imja Khola. From here, it is an uphill walk to Dingboche village. Today, the view of Island Peak and Lhotse stands out.
Before reaching Dingboche, we will walk past mani stones and terraces.
Our second acclimatization day is in Dingboche village. These halts will allow your body to adjust to the elevation and reach Everest base camp.
Today, we'll hike to Nangkartshang Peak. The track is rugged and steep, but a breathtaking mountain landscape awaits us at the end.
From Dingboche onwards, the trail becomes rugged and more remote. After breakfast, we leave Dingboche and walk uphill to a ridge.
From here, we will cross a glacial moraine and gradually ascend to Thukla. The trail continues past memorial statues and leads us to Lobuche village.
On this day, we will reach Everest base camp and trek to Gorak Shep from Lobuche village by following the Khumbu Glacier via the glacial moraine. The trail then goes to EBC via a boulder-filled steep track. Towering mountains dominate the skyline. As we reach Everest base camp, we can see many mountaineer tents. Likewise, we can see the Khumbu Icefall right before our eyes.
After spending some time at the base camp, we will return to Gorak Shep for the night.
We'll hike to Kalapattar early in the morning, before sunrise. The hike will be fantastic, and the mountain scenery will be equally enchanting. We can see numerous mountains from Kala Patthar and an outstanding view of Everest.
After enjoying the view, we will descend to Gorak Shep and have breakfast before leaving. Following the same trail back, we will drop at Lobuche village.
The trail then ascends to Thukla and descends to Dingboche village.
From Dingboche, we have two routes to Chhkung village. We can cross the Kongma La pass (4,910 m) or take another route without a pass. The trail offers an awe-inspiring mountain landscape today.
Leaving Chhukung village, we will ascend to the Island peak base camp. The climbing route is steep and trodden. We must navigate through rock blocks, and the trail involves 40 minutes of straight climbing to the base camp.
Upon reaching the Island Peak base camp, the supporting crew will set up the tents and prepare meals for us. Later in the day, the team leader will brief the climbing program and give us pre-climbing training. We will learn to understand the guide's instructions during the summit push.
Similarly, the team leader will teach us to correctly use the climbing gear for the island peak climb.
We have a big day ahead of us today. We will be pushing toward the Island's peak summit on this day. The island peak is the extended ridge from the Lhotse Shar's south end. To reach the summit, we must navigate slippery glaciers and ice headwalls.
Leaving the base camp at dawn, we'll follow in the footsteps of our Sherpa guides and climb onto a rocky ridge. From here, the glacier walk begins. We use fixed ropes to reach the summit. From the top of the Island peak, we can see the surreal view of the Himalayas.
After admiring the view, we will follow the same path back to base camp. We'll clean the base camp before leaving it. The trail then descends to Chhukung village and retraces its path back to Dingboche.
We have kept an extra day in case we do not get the summit window on the day we plan to reach Island Peak. The weather in the Himalayas is very unpredictable. So, having an extra day will give us room to not compromise on our safety and choose the best possible summit day.
Leaving Dingboche, we first drop down to Tengboche village. The trail descends through rhododendron forests and beautiful villages. From Tengboche, descend to Phunki Tenga and ascend to Namche Bazaar. The mountain views and little interaction with the passers will keep us going.
The trail from Namche Bazaar to Lukla is the same as before. We trek alongside uneven hillsides and steeply descend. Further, we walk through dense forests, crossing numerous bridges and settlements to Phakding. From here, the trail gradually ascends to Lukla.
It is time to return to Kathmandu. We will take the earliest possible flight. Upon landing, the guide will drop you off at the hotel. You have the remaining day free in Kathmandu. Take plenty of rest and have your cravings. Visit the spa and relax.
We have another full day in Kathmandu, which is also reserved in case the Lukla flight is delayed or canceled. Today is also your last day in the city if there is no delay or cancellation on our flight.
We highly recommend visiting Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square on this day. We can also arrange a guided sightseeing tour for you. Spend the day doing whatever you like. Explore local markets and have local food. Window shopping in Thamel sounds good, too.
In the late evening, we will gather in a restaurant for a farewell dinner.
As the trip has ended, it is time to fly back to your home. Our airport team will be at your hotel lobby to escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport as per your flight departure time.
We wish you a safe flight and see you soon.
Are the dates offered unsuitable, or do you want to take a private trip? Check availability for your date.
Island peak climbing with the EBC is a strenuous program. This trip no doubt tests your ability to cope with elevation and trivial challenges the Himalayan trail may throw at you. However, you get equally rewarded with a blissful view in return. The trek involves long hours of walking, often in challenging terrains, and the climb requires physical strength and mental resilience. It's important to be prepared for these challenges and to listen to your body throughout the journey.
Every day involves 6 hours of trekking and someday goes above 8 hours of walking. You must be physically and mentally strong to climb the island peak with the Everest base camp trek. There are many ascents and descents through uneven hillsides and dense forests.
The trail gradually ascends to glacier moraines and rocky fields. Once you begin climbing, it will be pure snow climbing and navigating through glaciers and ice headwalls.
Island peak climbing with EBC significantly increases altitude. You will be traversing multiple days above 3,500 meters, which makes your body highly prone to altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can be a serious condition, but with proper acclimatization and care, it can be managed. We will provide you with detailed information and guidance on how to prevent and manage altitude sickness during the trip.
Combining the slow trekking part before going to the Island peak base camp allows your body to acclimatize and lowers the risk of altitude sickness. So, we highly recommend our Island peak climbing with the Everest base camp trek itinerary.
We cannot eliminate altitude sickness from this trip. But with proper measures and care from our supporting team, we will assure you a safe journey. Be attentive to early symptoms of altitude sickness and keep yourself hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.
To ensure your body is ready for Island peak climbing with the Everest base camp trek, you must be able to walk 6 hours a day with a 5 kg weight on you. This adventure involves long hours of trekking in challenging terrains, so it's essential to build your stamina and endurance. Mental preparation is equally important, as you will be away from modern facilities and need to adjust to the high altitude and basic living conditions.
You need some permits to trek Everest Base Camp and Island peak climbing. These are Island peak climbing permits, Sagarmatha National Park entry permits, TIMS (Trekkers information management system) permits, and Khumbu-Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permits.
We will apply for all these permits once you book the Island peak climbing with us.
March to May is the best time to climb Island Peak because of the stable weather and pleasant climate. Depending on the weather, this period can extend to early June.
Likewise, autumn (October to November) is also an ideal time to go on Island Peak Climbing. One thing to know is that the trail is crowded, and spring and autumn are the peak times of the year to explore the Himalayas.
On day 02, you have a professional tourist guide for a day tour in Kathmandu (the tour guide for this day may differ from the trek and climbing guide the next morning) and a trained/certified trekking guide for the whole trek who handles the logistics and guides you. You also have a climbing guide for the climbing period from Chukung to Chukung.
When there are eight or more members in the group, a Sherpa (assistant guide) and porters will carry your luggage. One porter will be for every two members, and a porter carries about 20 - 22 kg.
We provide 19 nights' accommodation on Island Peak climbing and EBC Trek. You stay at a hotel in Kathmandu for four nights, overnight in a lodge on the trek, and in tented camps on the climb for about one night. The lodge is available up to Gorakshep, and from there onwards, the climbing period begins. Lodge offers a twin-sharing room, usually with common/private washrooms, depending on the place.
The dining area is the warmest in the lodge and is also used as a shared space where you can sip hot tea and chat. While climbing, the crew members carry all the tents. We offer high-quality sleeping tents along with dining and washroom tents.
Notes: A hotel upgrade in Kathmandu is available. Luxury 4 -5-star hotels are available in Kathmandu, so let us know if you want to upgrade the hotels in Kathmandu.
We provide 49 meals (19 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 15 dinners) for Island Peak Climbing. Meals are served according to the lodge's menu, which includes Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, and Continental dishes. Among all the options, Dal Bhat is the most affordable and filling, and our crew members cook and serve you a simple meal while you climb.
Likewise, you can also buy bars and snacks on the way, which are not involved in the package cost. Drinking water is available almost everywhere. For extra safety, carry a reusable water bottle and water purification tablets.
