Island peak Climbing Itinerary (20N/21D)
Day 01: Arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport.
Arrivals at Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport, Then welcome by our office representative, and transfer to the respective hotel. After checking in to the hotel, meet our experienced trekking guide then detail briefing about the Trekking. Trekking permit collection as well as other required documents for the trekking. Finally settle down all the payment procedures.
Day 02: Kathmandu full day city Tour.
After the morning breakfast, briefing about the Kathmandu full day city sightseeing. i.e Swoyambhunath, it is one of the holiest pilgrims for Buddhist and Hindus, and it is located at the hilltop in the Kathmandu also popularly known as the monkey temple.
Then after we drive to Bouddhanath stupa, which is also the main important shrine for Buddhist around the world. Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest spherical Stupa of Nepal and one of the largest Stupa in the world. Then finally we drive for Pashupatinath.
Pashupatinath is located nearby Bouddhanth, this temple is one of the major important sacred pilgrim site for the Hindus around the world. And not to forget all above three shrines are enlisted in UNESCO world heritage site. Finally drive back to hotel, then have some rest, prepare for trekking which starts from tomorrow. Overnight.
Day 03: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
Early morning drive to Kathmandu domestic Airport then fly to Lukla, this will take around 25-30 minutes. After Landing at Lukla Airport, we Trek to Phakding. The trek to Phakding is an easy walk for the first day with a mostly downhill leg. The trek will take you through pastoral lands through several small villages and farms. Approximately after 3 hours, we reach Phakding where we spend our overnight.
Day 04: Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) (6-7 hours)
After breakfast trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar, An easy walk today to Monjo will take you through the pine trees and glimpses of distant snow-capped peaks. You will pass through the checkpoint before reaching Monjo where the officials check your permits. All trekkers to this region require TIMS cards and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Fee. After Lunch at Monjo we will head towards Namche . After one hrs walk you will cross the bridge in over Dudhkoshi River and start climbing to Namche. Stay at hotel and lodge.
Day 05 Acclimatization in Namche (3,440m)
This day is for acclimatizing. During the day you can visit Syangboche (3-4 hours) two ways. You can make your days more effective by viewing Mount Everest, Amadablam, Nuptse, Thamserku. Stay overnight at Namche.
Day 06: Trek Namche to Tengboche (3900m) (6-7 hours)
Today we will ascend towards the biggest monastery of the Everest region located at Tengboche. It lies within Sagarmatha National Park which is listed in a UNESCO world heritage site. The trek to Phunki tenga will be easy, but afterward ascending will become relatively harder. The panoramic view of the Himalayas from the monastery shows us a divine universe built under the same range. We can observe a Buddhist religious ceremony. Stay overnight at Tengboche.
Day 07: Trek Tengboche to Dingboche (4380m) (6-7 hours)
With a magnificent view of a rhododendron forest followed by a bridge over the raging Imja khola (River), we ascend towards Dingboche. We’ll pass the valley wall and then the plains to Pangboche village, the biggest settlement of the Sherpa in the region. It is a great opportunity to have a lunch with the Sherpa locals. Stay overnight at Dingboche.
Day 08: Trek Dingboche to Lobuche (4900m) (4-5 hours)
After breakfast we will trek Dingboche to Lobuche, from here on forth, the trek will be gradually more challenging due to the increase in altitude. By trekking steep to the top of a high hill, we will be passing Dughla (Thukla). The company of Himalayas will be on all sides on our trek. After crossing Dughla, the trail passes through boulder-strewn slopes. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we find ourselves facing great peaks. Stay overnight at Lobuche.
Day 09: Trek Lobuche to Gorakshep (5170m), Visit Everest Base Camp (5364m), Back To Gorakshep: 7 - 8 Hours
After Breakfast trek to Everest base camp via Gorakhshep, this will take around 7-8 hours. The distance between Lobuche and Gorakshep is of 4.5 km and will take approximately 2 hours to reach. From Gorakshep, It is approximately 3.4km to the Base Camp and approximetly two and half hours are required to reach Everest base camp from Gorakshep. As we walk for the base camp we can see many Buddhist prayer flags that mark the spot, you will arrive at Everest Base Camp. Excursions around the Everest base camp then return back to Gorakshep. Stay overnight at Gorakshep.
Day 10: Trek Gorakshep to Kalapathar (5550m) then trek back to Dingboche. (7-8 hours)
On this day we wake early in the morning then after the hot tea we trek to Kalapathar. It is the best place for the close view of the Mount Everest, after spending sometime at Kalapathar we descend back to Gorakhshep for the breakfast. After Gorakshep we again trek back to dingboche for our overnight stop.
Day 11: Rest day and preparation day for Island peak climbing at Dingboche.
This day at Dingboche is for rest and necessary preparation for Island peak climbing.
Day 12: Trek Dingboche to Chhukung (4730m) (3.5 hours)
After the hot breakfast, we start our short trek up to the Chhukung and on the way we will see the beautiful Island peak. Arrive Chhukung for the Lunch, and then we will do double check our necessary gears and euipments before heading towards Island peak base camp. Overnight at Chhukung.
Day 13: Trek chhukung to Island peak base camp (5200m) (4 hours)
From this day onwards our actual Island peak climbing adventure starts, on our trail to Island peak base camp we pass through amazing landscape, beautiful mountains views along with Lhotse glacial, finally arriving at Island peak base camp. After arriving at the base camp we will set our camps then enjoy the lunch then after lunch we will have pre- climbing briefings. overnight at base camp.
Day 14: Climb Base camp to Island peak summit (6189m) then descend to Chhukung. (9-10 hours)
We wake up early today at around 2 to 3 am and start our climb to Island peak. It is crucial that we reach the summit before afternoon because in the afternoon the strong winds in the highlands will become a hurdle for a successful summit. The trail moves up beyond the base camp for several hundred meters before striking off the steep hill. As we climb up, we will see that the slope narrows and the trail enters a steep rock channel then we climb the rock gully. This is not hard, but there are many short rock steps to climb before we reach on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridgeline, which takes us to a breathtaking and opened traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. Our Sherpa guides will fix a rope when required and lead you. A steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. There are two newly formed crevasses which are around 3 and 4 meters long. We will be using ladders to cross those crevasses and finally after the long treacherous climb we will arrive at the summit. After enjoying the views from the summit and taking pictures, we climb down all the way to Chhukung via Island peak base camp. On this night we will celebrate our successful ascend to Island peak. Overnight at Chhukung.
Day 15: Trek Chhukung to Phortse (3800m) (6-7 hours)
Today from Chhukung we trek to Phortse passing the beautiful Dinboche village. We will start our trek after breakfast leaving the amazing Island peak far behind us. We will trek for around 6-7 hours pass through dingboche village, Imja River then arrive at Phortse. It is a small beautiful Sherpa village in the khumbu region. Overnight at Phortse.
Day 16: Trek Phortse to Khumjung (3790m) (5-6 hours)
After breakfast at Phortse we will trek towards khumjung. From Phortse the the trail descend up to the Phungi thenga for around 40 minutes then from Phungi thenga the trail ascend for around 2 more hours up to Maun dada. At maun dada we will take some rest then trek 2 more hours up to the khumjung passing sanasa. Overnight at Khumjung.
Day 17: Trek Khumjung to Phakding (2610 m) (5-6 hours)
After Breakfast at Phakding we trek khumjung to Phakding, this is also one of the best trail within this itinerary where we can see stunning views of mountain range, amazing landscapes and beautiful forests. The trekking through the trail will be exciting as well as easier as it will go through the forest of rhododendron and pines. We will pass Monjo after a short walk and then to Phakding. Stay overnight at Phakding.
Day 18: Trek Phakding to Lukla (2840m) (3-4 hours)
The trek from Phakding to Lukla is an uphill walk. The trek will take you through pastoral lands through several small villages and farms. Approximately after 3-4 hours, we reach Lukla where we spend our overnight.
Day 19: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu (25-30 minutes)
Early morning fly Lukla to Kathmandu this will take around 25-30 minutes. Arrive in Kathmandu Domestic Airport, drive to Hotel, and Check in, breakfast then easy day at your own. At evening enjoy typical Nepali farewell dinner. Overnight Kathmandu.
Day 20: Free and easy day at Kathmandu at your own.
Day 21: International Departure.
After breakfast drive to Kathmandu International Airport for your onward journey.