Island Peak Climbing - 17 Days

About Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak Climbing is one of the most famous peaks to climb, perfect for beginner climbers. Island Peak is also climbed by mountaineers for acclimatization before pushing towards 8,000 meters plus mountains. Located in the Khumbu region between Lhotse and Imja Glaciers, Island Peak stands 6,189 meters from the sea level and is an extension of Lhotse Shar. This peak was first climbed in 1956 by a team preparing to conquer Everest. 

Island Peak Climbing 17 Days is an adventurous journey that lets you explore the beauty of the Khumbu region and the rich culture of Sherpas. During the trek, you walk through beautiful villages, where you get to see the daily lifestyle of locals. The trail offers stunning sceneries and panoramic views of Himalayan mountains like Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m), Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Mt. Thamserku (6,623 m), Mt. Kondge (6,187 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m), etc. Get in touch with us to know more about Island Peak Climbing cost or to clear any other queries.

Variation & Custom Itinerary

If you have some extra days in your hand, then you can add Everest Base Camp Trek or Everest Three Passes Trek in the journey. Both of these packages will make the journey more adventurous. Likewise, we also offer the tailor-made option for Island Peak Climbing package. You can custom create your Island Peak Climbing itinerary as per your needs and requirements. 

Highlights

  • Scenic and thrilling flight to Lukla
  • Get to see range of flora and fauna while trekking through Sagarmatha National Park
  • Explore Namche Bazar
  • Experience culture and lifestyle of Sherpa
  • Hike to Everest view Hotel to witness stunning views of snow-capped mountains
  • Visit the oldest monastery of Khumbu region, Tengboche monastery
  • Scale Island Peak
  • Get to see breath-taking sceneries and panoramic views of Himalayan mountains

Itinerary

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Land at the Tribhuvan International Airport, where one of our team representatives will pick you and take you to the hotel. After quickly informing you about the day program, he will leave you to rest for a few hours. Later, in the late evening, you meet with other team members over welcome dinner.

  • Hotel
  • Welcome dinner
  • Kathmandu

You take a scenic and short flight that leads to the Lukla airstrip. Upon landing here, you meet with the rest of the crew members who join you along the journey. The trail descends through a forested path following a stream from Lukla and takes you to Phakding for a night stay.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Phakding

The trail goes through lush pine forests along Dudh Koshi River. Passing by Jorsale and Monjo villages, you gradually ascend through Sagarmatha National Park. If the weather is clear, you can see striking views of Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. Before reaching Namche Bazar, you cross several suspension bridges and small villages.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Namche Bazaar

This is a rest day in Namche Bazar. You will go on a short hike and explore the village today. After having delicious breakfast, you hike up to the Everest View Hotel from where you can see stunning views of snow-capped mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, etc. You can also continue your hike to Khumjung village, where you can visit the Khumjung monastery known for housing the head of the Yeti. Later, you visit Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Namche Bazaar

The trail from Namche Bazar passes by Phunki and ascends towards Tengboche. Trekking through lush forests of pine and rhododendron, you reach this village. Here, you visit the oldest and the biggest monastery of the Khumbu region, the Tengboche monastery. From the back of the monastery, you can see fantastic views of snow-capped Himalayan mountains.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Tengboche

Leaving Tengboche behind, the trail ascends to Dingboche. On the way, you can see stunning sceneries and mountain views. The trail will take you to Pangboche village from where you pass by many stupas & mani walls to reach Pheriche. Further, walking towards the Imja Valley you reach the confluence of Lobuche river and descend. The trail then steeply ascends and takes you to Dingboche.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Dingboche

This is your second rest day. You go on an early morning hike to a nearby viewpoint from where you get to see a gorgeous sunrise along with high mountains like Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Cholatse, Mt. Taboche, Lobuche Peak, etc. Later, you descend back to Dingboche and spend the rest of the day exploring around the village.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Dingboche

Enjoying excellent views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Tawache, Nuptse, and Lhotse, you begin moving towards Chhukung Valley. The trail passes through stone walls fields and Imja Khola Valley. Trekking through glacier moraines, you reach Bibre and continue walking to reach Chhukung Valley. Later, in the day, you can hike up to Chhukung Ri from where you can see wonderful views of mountains like Island Peak, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Everest, etc.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Chhukung valley

After having a warm breakfast, you ascend steeply to the south and then to east to enter the main trail to Imja Valley. The trail continues along the bank of Imja Khola and following the route to the north, you ascend towards Island Peak Base Camp. The trail will be tough today. Further, walking on the Lhotse glacier moraines, you reach Island Peak Base Camp.

  • Camp
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Island Peak Base Camp

Today, the trail ascends to the Island Peak High Camp. It is going to be a short day. From the base camp, you walk uphill on a snowy path enjoying the tempting surrounding view. 

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • High Camp

It is a big day. You begin pushing towards the summit super early in the morning. The trail includes crevasses and technical sections as well that you cross with the support of your team leader. Upon reaching the top of the Island Peak, you get to witness breath-taking views. Later, you drop down to base camp and continue walking towards Chhukung village.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Chhukung

Following the same trail, you move towards Tengboche. The trail descends through small villages and dense forests. You also walk along a river enjoying beautiful views.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Tengboche

From Tengboche, the trail descends to Namche Bazar through small villages and dense forests. You will be retracing the path. On the way, you get to see the superb landscape and snow-capped mountain views.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Namche Bazaar

The trail from Namche Bazar steeply descends through dense forests, crossing numerous bridges. You pass by Monjo and Phakding villages and ascend along a forested path to reach Lukla

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Lukla

After having a warm breakfast, you take an early morning flight back home. During the flight, you can see stunning aerial views of the Khumbu region. Upon landing at the airport, you move to the hotel. The rest of the day is leisure.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast only
  • Kathmandu

Today is an extra day in Kathmandu. Explore nearby places of the hotel and visit the local market. There are many restaurants and cafes, where you can dine in and enjoy the day. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner with the team members.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast & farewell dinner
  • Kathmandu

This is the end of your adventurous journey in Nepal. Today, one of our team members will drop you at the airport for your flight back home.

  • Breakfast only

Cost Details

  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with bb basis
  • City sightseeing tour in Kathmandu/speaking guide/entrance fees
  • All meals (breakfast, Lunch, dinner) tea, coffee, chocolate during the trek
  • All trek organizational requirements, two men tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, chair, mattress and
  • Local Air fare to destination with airport tax
  • All permits/rope/sherpa’s salary
  • Garbage deposit
  • Certificate after success climb
  • Porters and staffs salary and their insurance and equipments
  • All ground transportation
  • Travel & rescue arrangements
  • Lunch & dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses, Personal equipments for climbing and Sleeping Bag
  • Hotel, food & personal expenses encase he/she have to back earlier then itinerary
  • All kind of Alcohol beverage including mineral water, hot shower and hot water.
  • Expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. In such case extra will be charged as per actual
  • Travel insurance
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Helicopter rescue
  • International air fare
  • Tipping to crew

Useful Information

Island Peak Climbing route

A thrilling flight from Kathmandu will take you to Lukla from where you begin trekking towards the Island Peak. Trekking through lush forests, you will cross many streams and bridges to reach Namche Bazar. The trail from here ascends through fine villages like Tengboche and Dingboche and heads up to the Chhukung valley. You will shortly reach Island Peak Base Camp and gradually ascend towards the summit, following the lead of your Sherpa guide.

Island Peak Climbing map

Get through our Island Peak Climbing map to better understand the trail. You can see the rise of the trail and all the major highlights marked on the map. As we have created our map following our Island Peak Climbing itinerary, you can see all the villages indicated on the map, where you stop for the night. 

Island Peak Climbing difficulty & Altitude Sickness

Climbing Island Peak is difficult if you are not an alpine mountaineer with lots of trekking experience. Island Peak Climbing is known as an easy peak to climb, however you have to be well-prepared to reach the summit. You need to walk 6 to 7 hours a day with 5kg to 7kg weight on your back, which demands strong physical fitness and sound health. Likewise, there will be a few steep, snowy, and rugged paths as well. 

Altitude sickness, a very important thing to be careful and attentive about while going on any high altitude journey. Island Peak Climbing will take you 6,000 meters above the sea level, therefore a well-planned itinerary with ample rest days is needed for successful and smooth climbing. We have designed our Island Peak Climbing package including all the required rest days with a consistent increase of elevation.

Best time to go on Island Peak Climbing

You can go on Island Peak Climbing from March to May, which means in the spring season. This is the best time of the year to go on Island Peak Climbing because of stable weather and warm climate. The trail gets enhanced with diverse species of flora. Another good time to go climbing is autumn from October to November. The weather is favorable with stunning views of the mountains. 

Accommodation & Meals

During the journey, you stay overnight in the lodge in the mountain villages. The accommodation you get will be basic yet fulfilling for some reason. You have to share the room with fellow trekkers because twin-sharing rooms are mostly available. Washrooms may be common or private depending upon the lodge. While climbing, you spend nights in high-quality tents provided by the company. All the members of the team will get separate sleeping tents with shared dining and washroom tents. 

You get three meals a day. In the lodge, meals will be served as per their menu. You can see a variety of options to dig in from Nepali, Indian, Tibetan to Continental cuisine. We advise you to include dal bhat tarkari at least once in your meal per day as it is the most delicious, nutritious, filling, and affordable option. Similarly, while camping, the meals will be cooked and prepared by the crew members. We will carry all the meals and necessities with us. 

Communication & Electricity

You will find the internet in the villages, however as the altitude will increase, the connection will get unstable. Likewise, the cellular network is also available at most parts of the trail. We highly suggest you use a local SIM card for better service. From Island Peak Base Camp, the team leader will use a satellite phone to connect with the team at base camp and in the city. 

Electricity is available in the villages. You can see both hydropower and solar electricity used by the locals. Charging facilities are available in the village, but you may have to pay a few extra bucks to utilize the service. We suggest you carry extra batteries and not completely rely on charging. 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is very important to go on Island Peak Climbing. Travel insurance is for your own safety. You cannot predict events in the high altitude, therefore travel insurance will surely keep you safe in an emergency. Your travel insurance should cover things like airlift, medical bills, hospital bills, flight cancellation, and loss or theft of personal property. We suggest you take out travel insurance in your own country because Nepal does not issue it for foreigners. 

Guide & Porter

During Island Peak Climbing, you will be guided by our professional climber who has climbed Island Peak and several other peaks before. Our guides are certified and licensed by the Nepal government. They are trained for numerous situations from remote survival to rock climbing and first aid. Likewise, you also get accompanied by porters. 

Environmental Contribution

Tourism can be a big threat to nature and the fragile Himalayan environment if not well-planned. We make sure our trips in the Himalayas do not harm it. Therefore, we run eco-friendly and sustainable trips. Likewise, we also work for the betterment of the mountain people. For that, we have established a small organization that supports the education expenses of children from underprivileged families.