Island Peak Expedition

Overview

The Island Peak Expedition is a popular mountaineering adventure in the Himalayas of Nepal. Island Peak, also known as Imja Tse, stands at an elevation of 6,189 meters (20,305 ft) and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including Mt. Everest.

The expedition starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, followed by a trek through the beautiful Khumbu Valley. Along the way, you will pass through traditional Sherpa villages, monasteries, and lush forests. As you ascend higher, you will acclimatize gradually to the altitude.

The climbing portion of the expedition requires technical skills, including the use of crampons, ice axes, and ropes. The summit day starts early in the morning to ensure a safe ascent and descent.

It is a challenging but rewarding experience, allowing you to witness the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas and achieve a significant mountaineering feat.

It is important to note that proper physical fitness, good equipment, and thorough preparation are essential for a successful and safe expedition.

Day to day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destinations, you will be received by a representative of the travel company at the arrival gate who will then transfer you to your allotted hotels. If time allows, you can either visit the city or relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N at Hotel.

Day 2: Familiarisation walk & trek preparation day

Today after breakfast, meet with the guide and walk around Thamel for familiarization. Today we will also examine your trekking gears and help you pack for the trek. In the evening there will be a group discussion for you to attend to discuss the upcoming trekking and climbing plans. O/N at Hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (35 min) and trek to Phakding (2652m) [3-4 hrs]

Ideally, we will arrive in Lukla between 7–9 am, so that you can have breakfast and start walking mostly downhill for a relaxed walk on your first day. The total hike should take 3-5 hours, depending on if you will travel to Phakding or Monjo. If you go to Phakding (2,650m/8,694ft) it will be about 3 hours walking and if you are going to Monjo (2,850m/9,350ft) it will take approximately 5 hours. If we are going to Monjo, we will have lunch in Phakding and then continue to Monjo, arriving in the afternoon. When you arrive, you will check into your room and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and starting the acclimatisation process. Make sure you keep well hydrated; drinking 3 to 4 liters of water a day is essential all the way through the trek. 9km/5.6 miles to Phakding or Monjo will be 13km/8.8 miles.

Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) [6-7 hrs]

For the first couple of hours you will get to cross some of the famous suspension bridges, while gradually moving up-hill towards the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, the official entrance to the Everest Region. You continue downhill for a short time before it levels out to flat ground on mixed terrain. The trail then follows the river to the final high suspension bridge before you begin the long ‘Namche Hill’, which can take 2 hours, to reach the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. The total for today’s trekking is usually 6 hours long with plenty of breaks and rest along the way. From Phakding to Namche is 11.3 km/7.02 miles.

Day 5: Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar

Today is one of our acclimatization trek days. As you trek up behind Namche Bazaar, the trail is quite steep and you can feel the lack of oxygen while you ascend 460m/1,509ft to Shangbouche Airport, then cross the runway and head another 100m/328ft up to Shangbouche Hill at 3,900m/12,795ft. We will enjoy the stunning views and relax for 30-45 minutes before returning back to Namche. This trek is an essential part of the acclimatisation process and usually takes approximately 4 hours. 3km/1.8 miles.

Day 6: Namche to Tengbuche (3867m) [5-6 hrs]

Today we will hike towards Tengbouche, at 3,900m/12,795ft. After ascending out of Namche, the first 2 hours are relaxed walking, traversing the left hand side of the valley, high above the valley floor. The trail then descends down toward the river for our lunch stop. From here it will take 2–3 hours to hike up the long hill to the town of Tengbouche. This is a gradual but long ascent and the total time will be 5-6 hours of hiking today. 12km/7.5 miles.

Day 7: Tengbouche to Dingbuche (4358m) [5-6 hrs]

From Tengbouche, we will travel to Dingbouche, at 4,400m/14,436ft. The trail starts down-hill and continues very gradually up and down hills before crossing the river and gradually head up hill towards Pangbouche for lunch (Pangbouche was one of the villages on the trail that suffered most from the recent earthquakes), which usually takes 2-3 hours. From there it is a gradual up-hill trek towards the Imja Valley looking towards Island Peak and an hour later arriving in Dingbouche. The total trekking time today will be 5-6 hours. 12km/7.5 miles.

Day 8: Acclimatisation day

Today, we spend another night in Dingbouche to further the acclimatization process. From here we will aim to reach the height of 4,900m/16,076ft, gaining 500m/1,640ft, in this acclimatisation trek which should take approximately 3 hours. We will enjoy the views and rest for about 30-45 minutes at the high point before dropping back down for lunch and an afternoon of relaxing. 3km/ 1.86 miles and 500m/1,640ft of ascent and descent.

Day 9: Dingboche to Chhukung (4750m) [3-4 hrs]

Today we would be taking a pleasant walk leaving Dingboche behind following the trail via Imja Khola valley with magnificent views of the Himalayas en route. We will be having a relaxed walk of just 3-4 hours today. As we walk through the trail we can see towering peaks of Mt. Lhotse on our left and Mt. Ama Dablam on our right. Walking further we reach a yak herdman’s place called Bibre. As we take further steps we can see the Island Peak (Imja Tse) which is one of the most popular trekking peaks of the region. We will cross some icy streams en route before we reach Chhukung. Approximately, thirty minutes of walk from Bibre takes us to Chhukung. We can view the scenic view of glaciers and massive mountains all around us. You have all the choice today whether you want to have a relaxing time resting in Chhukung or hike to the rocky knoll of Chhukung Ri that offers stunning views of Mt. Lhotse, Island peak, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Makalu and other Himalayas. Overnight we stay at Chhukung. 5km/3.1 miles.

Day 10: Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5200m) [3-4 hrs] and climbing preparation

We will follow the trail climbing steadily towards the south of the valley and later continue turning east. The trail then continues along the southern edge of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. We will be having a relaxed walk via Imja and Lhotse glacier moraine to the Base camp of Island peak. Upon reaching the base camp our guides will conduct the training session on peak climbing skills and using climbing gears like ice axe, climbing boot and crampons, harness, ascender, rope handling etc. Although it is not mandatory to take any training for Island peak climbing, it provides basic techniques on gear handling and techniques that help in successfully climbing the peak. Overnight, we stay at Island Peak Base Camp. 5km/3 miles approx.

Day 11: Island Base Camp – Summit Island Peak (6189m) – Chhukung (4750m) [8-10 hrs]

Today is the climax of our trip. We will be summiting the Island peak. We began our climb early in the morning a few hours after midnight. We begin by climbing a rocky ditch. This is not difficult but still the short rocky steps may create some problems. We will then follow a ridgeline which leads to an exciting traverse through the snout of the summit glacier. We need the rope support to go up through the glacier as it contains several crevasses. Our guide will help you in fixing the ropes wherever necessary. A vertical snow hill leads us to the summit ridge. After summiting the peak, we take pictures of scenic beauty from the peak and descend down to Chhukung for the overnight stay. We have all the reasons to celebrate the night today.

Day 12: Extra day

Extra day to summit Imja Tse (Island) Peak just in case of bad weather. If we don’t need the extra day we can start trekking down today.

Day 13: Chhukung to Namche Bazaar (3420m) [8-9 hrs]

We gear up for a long day trekking today. We trek through Imja Khola to reach Pangboche village. We will also visit the famous monastery in Pangboche which is believed to be the oldest in the Khumbu region. We then descend down the trail via a green landscape filled with pine forest. The trail further leads to an uphill climb to reach the village of Tengboche. We pay our visit to the Monastery and descend down to Dudh Koshi River. We climb the hillside and entered Namche Bazaar. Overnight, we stay in Namche. 20km/12.42 miles.

Day 14: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2860m) [6-8 hrs]

We will be wrapping up our trekking expedition today.  Leaving Namche Bazaar behind we descend down the rocky trail crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. As we walk the trail becomes more smooth and easy. We find the environment really warm and cosy compared to previous days of our expedition. We can feel the fresh air blowing from the Himalayas that makes our expedition more energetic and vibrant. We pass through a beautiful forest filled with Rhododendron, pine trees and different natural vegetation. We get to snap beautiful mountains and the panoramic views on our way. We will be pleased passing through Sherpa villages that offer a unique blend of Sherpa culture and tradition. Upon arrival at Lukla we conclude our long expedition and have a relaxing time with our friends and crew members. Overnight, we stay in Lukla. 22km/13.7 miles.

Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu (1300m). 35 min flight

Today your legs get a break as you only have to trek to Lukla Airport and fly back to Kathmandu, which is only about 10 minutes walking. Overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.

Day 16: Departure to the Airport

Today, we will send you to the Airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.