Island Peak Climbing

Let the adventure begin! Your journey starts with a scenic flight to Lukla from either Kathmandu or Manthali. Due to huge air traffic at peak season, flights from Kathmandu are generally rerouted to Manthali. It takes 5-6 hours to drive from Kathmandu to Manthali. It takes 30 minutes to fly from Lukla from the domestic airport of Kathmandu and 15-20 minutes from Ramechhap’s Manthali Airport to Lukla. Both flights offer stunning aerial views of the Himalayas. 

As trekkers land at the Tenzing Hillary Airport of Kathmandu, the trekking journey begins with a hike to Phakding. The trek takes 3-4 hours, passing through small villages, suspension bridges, and rhododendron villages following the trail alongside the Dudh Koshi River. Likewise, the trail offers astonishing views of Kusum Kanguru. Overnight at the tea house of Phakding. 

The trip to Island Peak continues from Phakding to Namche Bazaar on the second day. The trek begins after a hearty morning meal, walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River, enjoying views of Mt. Thamserku and Khumbila. The trail involves crossing multiple suspension bridges, including the Hillary Suspension Bridge. A few hours of trek takes you to the checkpoint at Monjo to enter the Sagarmatha National Park, where you must check in to continue your trek. The trek continues from Monjo’s checkpost through the pine forest. The final section involves a steep uphill climb but also offers a first glimpse of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest (if the weather is clear). A 6-7-hour walk from Phakding takes you to the day’s overnight point, Namche Bazaar.

As you have reached above 3000m, it’s time for acclimatization to adapt to changed temperatures and high altitudes. On the day, we’ll follow the rule, “trek high, sleep low.” The destination is an acclimatization point for many trekking destinations of the Everest region, including the iconic trek to Everest Base Camp. On the day, you’ll explore the nearby scenic spots, including the Sherpa Museum, Syangboche Airport, Hillary School, Khumjung Village, and the Everest View Hotel. 

After exploring the nearby location, you’ll return to Namche Bazaar and spend the remaining time learning about the local way of life, culture, and tradition. You’ll then spend the night at the same accommodation point where you slept the previous night. 

Have a warm meal at the Namche’s lodge and make your way toward the day’s destination with the fresh energy of the acclimatization on the previous day. The trail begins walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River through a pine forest and rhododendron trees. The trail passes through Kyangjuma, Sansa, and Phunki Thenga. A 5-6 hours trek from Namche Bazaar takes you to Tengboche. Panorama of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Thamserku, and Nuptse will accompany you throughout the journey. Have a hearty dinner and spend overnight at the tea house of Tengboche.

Wake up in the crisp air of the Himalayas and with a chanting the sound of prayers from the Tengboche monastery. Explore the monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region, and attend the daily morning prayer ceremonies. Then, have breakfast and make your way towards Dingboche. The trail initially descends through rhododendron and conifer forests to the Deboche area before crossing the Imja Khola River. After a few hours of trekking, you’ll reach Pangboche, your lunch point. 

Continue your trail from Pangboche; the trial continues from Somare and Orsho before reaching Dingboche. The trail offers magnificent views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Island Peak. The trek from Tengboche to Dingboche takes 6 hours. Have a hearty dinner and sleep peacefully at the tea house of Dingboche.

Day sixth’s journey is short yet rewarding, taking it closer to Island Peak and further into Imja Khola Valley. The journey begins after the morning meal at Dingboche through an open valley with a panorama of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Island Peak. The trek offers a closer perspective of the Alpine terrain through the more barren and sparse vegetation as it gets closer to Chhukung. It takes 3 hours to reach Dingboche from Chhukung. You’ll have lunch and spend overnight at the tea house of Chhukung.

Today is another acclimatization day at the trek to Island Peak. On the day, you can walk around the Imja Valley and get a close-up view of the Lhotse-Nuptse wall. The day is primarily for organizing gear and practicing climbing techniques. Our expert Sherpa Climbing guide teaches you how to use climbing equipment like ice axes, climbing boots, crampons, harnesses, and others. After a pleasant acclimatization day, sleep peacefully at the Chhukung’s accommodation point, being physically and mentally prepared for the trek to Island Peak Base Camp.

Today, you’ll make one step closer to reaching the Island Peak summit. After having breakfast at Chhukung, a grand adventure towards Island Peak Base Camp begins. The journey winds through the Imja Valley. The terrain is rugged, with every step offering stunning vistas of towering peaks, icy streams, and vast moraines. You’ll ascend northwards and follow the valley along the moraine from the Lhotse glacier to the east. The path combines gentle slopes and rocky parts, but the incredible mountain views make every step worth it. 

As you ascend higher, the greenery disappears, and the surroundings become barren. The final stretch to the base camp involves walking over rocky ridges and glacial streams. After 6-7 hours of walking from Chhukung, you’ll reach Island Peak Base Camp at an altitude of 5,200m.  It is a small campsite surrounded by a stunning mountain vista. Our climbing team will set up tents and cook food for your night’s stay. 

At around midnight, you’ll wake up to the chill of the Himalayan night and begin climbing toward the Summit of the Island Peak. Yet, you’ll start climbing after a quick snack and hot tea and gearing up with crampons, harnesses, ropes, and headlamps. The first part of the climb is a steep and rocky trail leading to High Camp. As dawn seems, you reach the glacier, where the real climbing expedition begins. Using ropes, crampons, and ice axes, you must climb carefully in the section. 

The last section of the journey to Island Peak is the most adventurous and thrilling via a steep and narrow ridge. You’ll use fixed ropes for safety, and with all your energy, you’ll step onto the top of Island Peak. By the time you reach the peak, it’s time for sunrise; appeal to your eye with the spectacular sunrise view over the Himalayan Peaks, which seems almost unreal. This is the moment that makes your every challenge worthwhile. Standing at the top of the peak, one feels a real sense of achievement, and the jaw-dropping close-up sight of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Baruntse, and, of course, Island Peak make the moment even more cherishable. 

After the successful Island Peak Climb, soak in the beauty of the peak and take photos; it’s time to descend—the journey back to Island Peak Base Camp before reaching Chhukung. By late morning, you’ll stop at the Base Camp, have a meal, and continue descending to Chhukung, your day’s overnight point.

Day ten includes an additional day for climbing to Island Peak in case the scheduled summit attempt is unsuccessful due to unavoidable circumstances, including unfavorable weather conditions. As the Himalayan’s weather is unpredictable, this additional day ensures you have another chance to conquer the height of Island Peak so that your 8-days walk won’t get worthless. However, if the summit day is as successful as planned, you’ll take this day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Chhukung Valley. Whether you climb the peak or roam around the village, you’ll spend the night back in the Chhukung Valley.

Wake up with a deep sense of pride, knowing you’ve conquered one of the most iconic peaks climbing in the Himalayas. Have a hearty breakfast at Chhukung and retrace your steps towards Tengboche. The trail initially descends towards the first step. From Dingboche, the trail follows the Imja Khola River and passes through lush fields with a view of Ama Dablam.

After a few hours of trek, the trail gets to Pangboche, where trekkers stop for lunch. Afterward, the trail becomes steeper and leads through a rhododendron forest before reaching Tengboche. On this day, you’ll walk for approximately 6 hours on steep downhill sections. Have dinner and stay overnight at the tea house of Tengboche.

Pack the bags and leave Tengboche after breakfast. The trail begins with a steep descent through rhododendrons and pine forests. It involves crossing the Dudh Koshi River via a suspension bridge near Phunki Tenga.

You’ll have lunch either at Phunki Tenga or Kyangjuma. Before reaching the day’s destination, views of the tip of Everest and the backside of Lhotse will say goodbye to you. It takes 6 hours to reach Namche from Tengboche. Have an evening meal and sleep at the lodge of Namche Bazaar.

Day thirteen marks the final day of the Island Peak climbing Expedition. Right after breakfast at Namche, return through the the Dudh Koshi Valley. The trail descends through Jhorsalle and checks out from the Sagarmatha National Park. Onwards, the trek passes through Monjo and Phakding. At Phakding, you’ll stop for lunch and continue walking toward the day’s destination. 6-7 hours of walking from Namche takes you to Lukla, where you’ll have dinner and a night stay the day.

Saying goodbye to the Khumbu Valley, you’ll board at Lukla airport. If you are on the Island Peak adventure during autumn and spring, you must fly to Ramechhap’s Manthali Airport due to the high traffic at Kathmandu’s airport. It takes 20 minutes of flight to reach Manthali, followed by a subsequent 4-5 hour drive to Kathmandu. If you are climbing in the off-season, you’ll fly directly to the domestic airport in Kathmandu, which takes 45 minutes. Sleep overnight at Kathmandu’s hotel.