The Island Peak Trek is the ideal trek that enhances your technical mountaineering abilities and gain insight into the inner workings of a Himalayan expedition. The approach to Island peak is the incredible fusion of trekking and climbing starting on the traditional Everest trail which requires you to have right training and prior high altitude experience.
The trek starts with a 5 hours drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap and a short flight to Lukla which follows the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route. It offers an opportunity to explore the stunning glaciers, and the iconic view of Mt. Everest and other towering peaks.
The trekking route involves long, steep climbs, and descents, and trekkers should be physically fit and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. It's important to acclimatize properly to the altitude and to carry appropriate trekking gear and equipment. Overall, the trek is an unforgettable adventure that offers trekkers the opportunity to experience the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Everest region while testing their limits.
This trek lasts for 16D/15N but if you want to make it short then you also have the helicopter return option when you return to Chukkung on Day 12
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up by our representative at the airport and taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek. If you have an early arrival, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel.
From 20th March 2020 due to heavy congestion, all flights to and from Lukla depart from Ramechhap airport, 130km, a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu. It means now it’ll take an extra day to get to Lukla from Kathmandu though the flight price is the same.
Kathmandu - Ramechhap via Road - Lukla via Air - Chheplung - Ghat - Phakding - Jorsale - Monjo
You should travel to Ramechhap from Kathmandu to catch your Lukla Flight and follow the same route for returning to Kathmandu. At 4 am, you’ll have to take a bus ride to Ramechhap which is around 5 hours and breakfast will be on the way.
After you reach Ramechhap, you’ll take a flight to Lukla from Manthali Airport which lies at an altitude of 439 m above sea level and is located at a distance of 132 km east of Kathmandu. Lunch will be after we reach Ramechhap. A flight to Lukla is the most unpredictable part of Everest Three Pass trek itinerary and if the flight takes place as scheduled, you’ll reach Lukla in the evening or else you’ll need to wait for the next day to proceed to Lukla. There are several airlines operating flights to Lukla; Tara/Yeti Air, Summit Air,etc. and you can choose the one you like. Moreover, the best views of the mountains can be seen on the way to Lukla.
After having quick meal, the trail starts from Lukla and descends to the Dudh Kosi River in Phakding. The first day gets difficult due to the cold, high altitude and backpacks. You will get the view of picturesque Sherpa villages, Tibetan Scriptures engraved Mane Walls and Chhortens and monasteries throughout the trails. Chhortens are like temples and often have relics of buddha in them. You’ll reach Monjo exploring the trail and have dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Monjo - Jorsale - Namche Bazaar
The trek from Phakding continues after breakfast, along the Dudh Kosi River, passing through pine forests and crossing several suspension bridges to Monjo. In Monjo, there is a national park checkpost. We will cross the river twice and reach Larcha Dovan, the confluence of two major rivers in Everest Valley and lunch will be in any small hotels or restaurants on the way. Here, we will cross the most iconic suspension bridge and follow a steeper trail to the historic trading town of Namche Bazaar which is surrounded by scenic mountains. From Phakding it's an 8 hrs trek and from Monjo, it's about 5-6 hrs. Dinner will be at Namche Bazar and rest for overnight.
Namche - Khumjung - Khunde - Namche
You will take a rest day to acclimate at the high altitude. You can hike to the Everest View Hotel for a panoramic view of the Mt. Everest with delightful breakfast and tea or coffee. Then hike to the beautiful sherpa village of Khumjung and Khunde, have lunch there and return back to Namche via yak farm above Syangboche Airport. There is a newly opened Himalayan Museum and Sustainable Park in Syangboche. You can also explore the town, visit the local markets and Sherpa Cultural Museum if time permits. Make sure to charge all your electronic devices in Namche from there on you’ll have to pay extra for charging. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Namche Bazar – Kyangjuma – Leushyasa – Phungi Thanga – Tengboche – Deboche – Milinggo – Pangboche
After having breakfast early in the morning, you’ll start your trek to Pangboche, which is a very challenging day in Everest Base Camp Trek. You will cross Shangbouche Airport and Shangbouche Hill on this walk to get to Tengboche and continue the trek to Pangboche. You will need to hike for roughly 8 - 9 hours to reach Pangboche. It is a base camp for climbing Ama Dablam, which is close by and about 3 kilometers northeast of Tengboche in the Imja Khole valley. Pangboche also boasts the best view of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Amadablam. Mt. Everest peeks out a little on top of Mt. Lhotse. You will be staying overnight at a hotel.
Pangboche - Shomare - Dingboche
We will ascend to Dingboche village, summer settlement of Sherpas who also have home in Pangboche. The final village in the Everest region, Dingboche is 9.1 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Tengboche monastery and is authentic traditional Sherpa village in Everest region. The river directly flows from the charming mountain of Island Peak on the east side. Because of the high altitude, the climate of Dingboche is always cool, rainy in the summer and dry and cold in the winter. We will have lunch on the way and dinner at Dingboche where you can try Churpi (Hardened cheese), dried fruits, and other Nepali food items.
Dingboche - Dugla(Thukla) - Lobuche
Lobuche is 8.4 kilometers (5.2 miles) away from Dingboche. The trail leaves Dingboche and travels through the unique Dugla valley and the Khumbu valley. We will stop in Douglas for lunch and a lengthy rest. Normally, it takes 2 hours to get here. After that, it would take you another three hours to walk across Thukla Pass to the Everest Memorial and then descend to Lobuche.
Lobuche - Gorak Shep - Everest Base Camp - Gorak Shep
You'll trek to Gorak Shep and then hike to Everest Base Camp on the rocky ridges of Khumbu Glacier. Upon reaching the base camp monument, you may take photos and videos with surrounding views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Lho La in Nepal Side and Mt. Chnsgtse in Tibet. EBC is an iconic destination and a major milestone for adventurers and trekkers all over the planet. However, the trekking groups are not allowed to stay overnight at the base camp; you'll need to descend later to Gorak Shep for sleep.
Lobuche - Thukla - Dingboche - Chhukung
In the early morning,you will have breakfast and start the trek from Lobuche to Chhukung crossing Kongma river via Dingboche and Thukla village. The trail offers you great scenery and mountain views throughout the trek. Chhukung is the lodge village which serves trekkers and climbers situated on the southern slopes of Lhotse and Nuptse, Cho Polu and Baruntse on the west and Mount Ama Dablam on the north. Dinner and overnight stay will be held in Chhukung.
Day 10
Trek from Chhukung (4700m) to Island Peak Base Camp (5050m)
Chhukung - Island Peak Base Camp
The trail starts from Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp. The Imja river flows on the left fork of Chhukung Valley. Even if there isn't enough vegetation, you may still view some breathtaking Himalayan landscapes and take in the region's unique atmosphere. After passing Imja, the zigzag route continues to Lhotse Glacier before opening up into a valley. The base camp is located southeast of Island Peak. You camp there and spend the night.
Island peak, also known as Imja Tse, became well-known after the British expedition in 1953. The peak, when viewed from Dingboche, seems like an island in a sea of ice. The crucial part of the trek starts at midnight considering that you have to get to the peak before it gets too windy and foggy in the late afternoon. Climbers will have to navigate icy slopes, glaciers and crevasse crossing on ladder. You ascend around 1,100m through rocky terrain and ice, being extra careful following the steps of the guide. You descend and return back to Chhukung.
Day 12
Chhukung to Pangboche(3940m/12926.51ft)
The trek ends here and starts the return trek. You also have the option to fly out by helicopter from Chhukung to Lukla which will shorten your itinerary or else you follow as per the itinerary guidelines.
Pangboche - Milinggo - Deboche - Tengboche - Phungi Thanga - Leushyasa - Kyangjuma - Namche Bazaar
We will start after breakfast and reach the most important Tengboche monastery in couple of hours. We will visit the monastery and then continue a 400m descent to Phunki Tenka, cross the Imja river and continue uphill for another 300m reaching the upper trails of Namche. We will have lunch along the way.
Namche - Lukla
It’s a long and final day of trek back to Lukla. It is about 20 km but mostly downhill with occasional uphill climb. The last couple of hours is uphill climb. We will retrace our steps on the left bank of Dudh Koshi river passing through lush forests and villages of lower Khumbu valley en route to Lukla. It will take about 8-9 hrs. Dinner and overnight stay at Lukla.
You’ll need to fly back to Ramechhap and drive to Kathmandu. After reaching, we will transfer you to a hotel. In the evening, you can go shopping for souvenirs, trying Nepali or Newari Cuisine (Ethnic group and native people of Kathmandu Valley. We will organize a farewell program for you to create memories with us.
If your flight is in the evening, we will take you for sightseeing in one of the Buddhist stupa; Boudhanath/Swayambhunath which is also listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, Our representative will receive you from the hotel and drop you at the airport for your return journey back home.
ESSENTIAL GEARS
MEDICINES
SNACKS
HYGIENE PACKS
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