The first Island Peak Expedition was executed in 1953 as part of a training exercise by a British team that later went on to summit Everest. The tradition still stands strong as climbing Island Peak helps to learn basic mountaineering skills and gauge one’s fitness level. However, Island Peak Expedition isn’t just for Everest aspirants. It is the go-to trekking peak for adventure enthusiasts of all ages.

Climbing Island Peak requires relatively little technique and can be climbed by anyone who is reasonably fit.

Island Peak (6,189 m) is rightfully named because of its appearance as an island in a sea of other snow-capped mountains. The peak is is an extension of the southern ridge of the Lhotse and is located above the Chhukung Glacier between Ama Dablam (6856m) and Mount Lhotse.

Our Island Peak expedition starts by flying over the green lush valleys to Lukla. After landing at one of the most dangerous yet exciting airfields in the world, you will start the trek via Phakding and Monjo to Namche Bazaar, the largest settlement in the upper Khumbu region. With the mountains to keep you company, you will gradually acclimatize as you pass through the traditional Sherpa villages of Tengboche, Pangboche and Dingboche.

From Dingboche, the trail forks west to Chukung Ri, climbs steeply up to a river basin and then is flat to Island Peak Base Camp. You will then ascend along the South East slopes in tight switchbacks to the high camp (5,500 m). Thereon, the trail crosses a rocky section, which is adorned with cairns, onto a ridge till you reach the Imja glacier (5,800 m). Following the glacier, you arrive at the foot of a 100 m steep slope which leads to the summit, on the right.

The view atop the Island peak is mesmerizing. You will be welcomed by a panorama of Himalayan giants; Lhotse, Nuptse, Baruntse, Amadablam, Everest and the other surrounding peaks.

Keep Walking Nepal offers experienced and professional guides, premium equipment and excellent service. Join our guided Island Peak Expedition as part of our extended family for an adventure of a lifetime.

Trip Highlights

• Climb Island Peak (6,189 m) for a spectacular panorama of the Himalayas
• Adventurous and exciting flight to Lukla; the gateway of the Himalayas
• First-hand experience for mountain climbing aspirants and beginners
• Experience local culture, religion and customs with native guides
• Experienced and professional guides, premium equipment and excellent service

Trip Grade - Hard

Trip Summary

• Day 1 :Arrive at Kathmandu
• Day 2 :Guided Tours & Preparation
• Day 3 :Fly to Lukla (2,820 m; 30 min) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 4 hrs)
• Day 4 :Trek to Namche (3,440m; 7-8 hrs)
• Day 5 :Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel)
• Day 6 :Trek to Debuche (3,820m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 7 :Trek to Dingboche (4,410m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 8 :Trek to Chukung (4,730m; 2-3 hrs)
• Day 9 :Excursion to Chukung Ri (5,460m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 10 :Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (4,970m; 3-4 hrs)
• Day 11 :Climb to High Camp (5,600m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 12 :Summit Island Peak (6,189m) and backtrack to Base Camp; 6-7 hrs
• Day 13 :Backtrack via Chukung and Dingboche to Pangboche (3,985m; 7-8 hrs)
• Day 14 :Backtrack to Namche; 5-6 hrs
• Day 15 :Backtrack to Lukla; 6-7 hrs
• Day 16 :Fly to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening
• Day 17 :Full day at leisure (Contingency day)
• Day 18 :Trip concludes

Daily Movements

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu

Our representative will pick you up at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Depending upon what time you arrive, you can enjoy a full day at leisure. In the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner with Keep Walking Nepal family.

Look out for the KEEP WALKING NEPAL board behind the railing once you exit the airport terminal.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (D)

 

Day 2: Guided Tours & Preparation

You will embark on a guided tour of two UNESCO world heritage sites; Pashupatinath Temple, the temple devoted to Lord Shiva – the god of creation and destruction, and Boudhanath Stupa – a Buddhist shrine worshipped by Hindus & Buddhists alike.

In the afternoon, your trek guide will brief you about the upcoming days and preparation requirements.

Overnight at Hotel Hotel (B)

 

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2,820 m; 30 min) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 4 hrs)

You will drive to Kathmandu Domestic airport for an adventurous early morning 40m flight to Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary Airport (2,800m). The flight is an adventure in itself.  In clear weather, one is rewarded with the first glimpse of Everest.

At Lukla, you meet the rest of your crew. The porters will take your duffel bag and will meet you at the lodge (this will continue throughout the trek).

Once out of Lukla, you will descend past small fields and cozy little wooden houses with vegetable gardens; all with a picturesque mountain backdrop. Along the way, you might encounter some pack animals as they are the only means of goods transportation up and down the mountain.

Along the way, in clear weather, one can catch views of the ice-covered 6000m high Kusum Kanguru. The trail is marked by impressive black mani stones painted with Tibetan inscriptions and a large stupa which indicates our destination for the day, Phakding, is nearby.

Overnight at guesthouse in Phakding (B, L, D)

 

Day 4: Trek to Namche (3,440m; 7-8 hrs)

After breakfast, you will continue on the undulating trail across suspension bridges over raging streams, past small hamlets and fields to the little hamlet of Monjo for lunch.

Shortly after Monjo, you will arrive at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hike is beautiful with beautiful pine forests, raging rivers, and mountains in the backdrop. Another hour and we cross the milky river (Dudh Koshi) – over an iconic suspension bridge hanging a 100m above the river bed.

Once across the bridge, you will definitely feel the mountain as you climb the steep uphill to Namche. The trail is frequented by porters carrying humongous loads and trains of pack animals.  In clear weather, Everest is also visible.

After the 600m vertical ascent in about 4 – 5 hours, you will arrive at Namche, the Sherpa capital of Khumbu.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B,L,D)

 

Day 5: Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel)

An important rule for a successful trek is successful acclimatization. Following the mantra, you will spend a second night in Namche but visit higher grounds to adapt our body.

We suggest an hike early morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) and enjoy a breathtaking 360 panorama of Everest, Taboche, Thamserku, Kongde Ri and Ama Dablam.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B,L,D)

 

Day 6: Trek to Debuche (3,820m; 6-7 hrs)

Leaving behind the bustling town of Namche, you will head east high above the raging Dudh Koshi river.

You will climb over open slopes, a few houses and sparse pine forest and then descend to the river again at Phunki Tenga to cross the Imja Khola. The trail now sharply ascends through mixed pine and juniper forest to Tengboche.

Tengboche monastery, largest in Khumbu, was completely destroyed by fire some decades ago but has been completely restored thanks to donations, especially from abroad. The double top view of Kongde Ri with the monastery in the front is picture-perfect. The monastery houses art, a large Buddha statue and musical instruments and robes of the Lama.

After a short rest, you will descend through Himalayan Birch, pine & juniper forest to the Deboche, your stop for the night.

Overnight at guesthouse in Debuche (B,L,D)

 

Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4,410m; 6-7 hrs)

After breakfast, you will continue on the trail along the Imja Khola and cross a suspension bridge to a breathtaking view of Ama Dablam’s twin towers.

You will continue to ascend towards Pangboche past mani stones inscribed with mantras. The village monastery is said to have the skull and legs/hand of a yeti but has been recently stolen so that they are unfortunately no longer visible. However, the monastery is quite worthwhile. Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lobuche Peak, Pumori, and many other giants give one the justified feeling of walking among the highest peaks in the world.

As you ascend the change in vegetation is dramatic. You will continue up to the traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche (4350 m). The village is one of the highest permanently inhabited places in the world. The stone houses are spread far apart between the fields. Along the way, we walk along one of the most famous peaks of the Himalayas: the Ama Dablam, so famous for its peculiarly tilted shape.

Overnight at guesthouse in Dingboche (B,L,D)

 

Day 8: Trek to Chukung (4,730m; 2-3 hrs)

This is an easy day as you only ascend 320m over 4.5 km.

There are two trails out of Dingboche. The left trail leads to Thukla and eventually Everest Base Camp while the right trail to Chukung runs alongside the river further down the valley through the village and past some of the last structures on the outskirts of Dingboche.

As you are above the treeline, the landscape is primarily rocks and scree fields and boulder-strewn meadows with short scrubby bushes. Along the trail, the south of Ama Dablam is prominent and further along the stunning views of Lhotse and Nuptse greets you upfront. You will also find a memorial stupa dedicated to those who had lost their lives climbing Lhotse’s south face.

While the village of Chukung is a small settlement and isn’t much to look at, it sits in an  amphitheater of Himalayan giants to all sides – Ama Dablam, Taboche, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Island Peak, among others – completely surrounding the valley village.

You have the rest of the day at leisure, and if weather permits can catch up on some washing as well.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 9: Excursion to Chukung Ri (5,460m; 4-5 hrs)

Chukung to Chukung Ri hike is tough as you will ascend over 800m under 3 km over steep and uneven terrain.

After breakfast you will follow the northern trail to Chukung Ri. Following a river crossing, the first portion of trail is comparatively easy as you follow the sandy path through the valley with Nupste and Lhotse towering out in front of you. Soon enough though the trail steepens but you will just have some breathtaking views of the a couple nearby glaciers, lakes and rivers to keep you company. Also, you will also have uninterrupted views of Ama Dablam and several other surrounding mountains as you wind your way up the trail.

At the top, you will be greeted by Nuptse and Lhotse peaks straight out and never-ending glaciers, lakes, and mountainsides to your right and left. Behind you will have the Chukhung Ri ridge, with Ama Dablam out behind it, as well as glacier and mountain views surrounding you.

After taking in the views and some pictures, you will backtrack to Chukung for lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 10: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (4,970m; 3-4 hrs)

From Chukung you will follow the north-east trail.

Initially the trail marks a steep ascend along the south and takes a twist at the Lhotse glacier, and then follows moraine on a easy ascent till a huge rock. Thereon, the trail zigzags to pass Imja Tsho and opens in a wide valley. To the southeast of Island Peak lies the base camp where you will set tent and rest for the night.

While the trail doesn’t offer much, the views of the Himalayan panorama ahead is spectacular.

Overnight at tented camp (B, L, D)

 

Day 11: Climb to High Camp (5,600m; 5-6 hrs)

You will follow the trail beyond base camp for several hundred meters before bending steeply off to the left above the Lhotse Shar moraine.

Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder strewn. As you climb, the slope narrows and the path enter a steep rock channel.

Overnight at tented camp (B, L, D)

 

Day 12: Summit Island Peak (6,189m) and backtrack to Base Camp; 6-7 hrs

After some tea, we’ll start our summit push around 2 am.

Leaving High Camp you traverse up a steep rock gully before reaching the start of the glacier where you need to put on your crampons. The route follows a ridge line, which leads to an exposed traverse onto the snout of the glacier. The most difficult part of the climb is probably the final steep section up the head wall before you reach the summit ridge.

The head wall itself is a 300m climb with a slope of between 40 and 50 degrees. Your climbing Sherpa will have you rope up for the ascent. There only a few crevasses that need to be crossed and one ladder is placed across a difficult section. At the top you will be welcomed by a panorama of Himalayan giants; Lhotse, Nuptse, Baruntse, Amadablam, Everest and the other surrounding peaks.

You will have plenty of time to take some pictures and take in the views. You will then descend down all the way to Base Camp which will take about 3-4 hours.

Overnight at tented camp (B, L, D)

 

Day 13: Backtrack via Chukung and Dingboche to Pangboche (3,985m; 7-8 hrs)

You will backtrack all the way to Dingboche via the same route and stop for lunch. After lunch, you will backtrack further to Pangboche where you will stop for the night.

Overnight at local lodge at Pangboche (B, L, D)

 

Day 14: Backtrack to Namche; 5-6 hrs

You will backtrack to Namche and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at local lodge at Namche (B, L, D)

 

Day 15: Backtrack to Lukla; 6-7 hrs

Backtracking to Lukla on the famous ‘Nepali Flats’, your journey in the homeland of the Sherpas will have come to an end. Alas, its your last day with your crew of Sherpas and porters, and rightfully calls for a celebration.

Overnight at local lodge at Lukla (B, L, D)

 

Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening

Bidding farewell to your crew, you will fly back to Kathmandu, where Keep Walking Nepal’s diligent staff will be waiting for you.

The rest of the day is at leisure. We recommend a  quick shower and a visit to the laundromat. In the evening, we will go on a group dinner to celebrate your adventure.

 

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B, D)

 

Day 17: Full day at leisure (Contingency day)

You have the whole day at leisure to explore Kathmandu valley. This extra day also ensures a contingency plan, in case flights out of Lukla are hampered due to inclement weather.

In the evening there will be a farewell dinner by Keep Walking Nepal to celebrate your achievements.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 18: Trip concludes

A KWN representative will accompany you to the Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight back home.

(B)

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