Island Peak Climbing - 18 Days

Our airport representative will receive you and transfer you to your hotel. If time permits, we will hold a short meeting for the briefing of your Nepal trek then introduce you to your guides. We will keep our option open for the remaining day, you may take a rest at your hotel or go around the local market for sightseeing or shopping.

We set off for our Kathmandu sightseeing tour after a delicious breakfast. The capital city itself is a wonderland with natural wonders along with cultural and historical heritage. Today, we will visit four cultural heritage.

Basantapur Durbar Square: A magnificent plaza constructed in fifth centuries has been renovated and expanded multiple time in different time periods. Magnificent palaces, courtyards, statues, temples, and houses make the place a must visit. Get a glimpse of a living goddess, Kumari and receive her blessing.

Swayambhunath: A religious place, Swayambhunath lies on the west of Kathmandu city. A perfect place to gain a deeper knowledge about Buddhism, Swayambhunath consists of a magnificent stupa, temples, ponds, garden, and shrines. Enjoy the view of Kathmandu city from the top before heading to our next destination, Pashupatinath.

Pashupatinath: One of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu, Pashupatinath holds great importance among the Hindus. Stroll around the plaza, check out ancient temples and stupas, enjoy the peaceful ambiance and click pictures before driving to Bouddhanath.

Boudhanath: Drive through Gaushala and Chabahil to reach Bouddhanath. The largest stupa in the world is surrounded by fine restaurants and vendors. Explore temples, gumbas, and shrines while performing kora. By the afternoon, we will conclude our Kathmandu tour then head to the ABC office for a short training session. Here, we will prepare for Island peak Climbing.

Depart after early morning breakfast. Hop into the forty-five minutes exotic flight to Lukla. Cruise near to the world’s highest Himalayan and soar above the deep gorge. After landing, head out from the airport to meet the rest of our crew. We will drink a cup of coffee or tea in the beautiful town surrounded by sparkling alps and green hills. An easy gradual descent through several villages including Chheplung and Ghat will take us to Phakding in around five hours. Walk past the agricultural landscapes, Mani stone, prayers flags while enjoying the view of Kusum Kanguru peak and Kongde peak. Cross the suspension river over the raging river for few times on the way to Phakding. Upon reaching Phakding, we will check into the hotel, change then head out to explore the village set on the bank of raging Dudh Koshi.

Today, we will head to the Khumbu region’s biggest town, Namche Bazaar. This day starts with a hike through few ups and besides Dudh Koshi river. On the way to Monjo, we will cross a suspension bridge and walk through green meadows. A small village Monjo houses few hotels and ancient house. We can take a short tea break and enjoy the vistas of Khumbi – La and Thermasharkhu peak while our one of the team members will get a trekking permit and TIMS (permit can be managed in Kathmandu as well). Tread through a bridge and head to Jhorsalle, our lunch stop, and the last village until we reach Namche Bazaar. Have lunch then tread on the riverbed, cross the Imjatse River then walk uphill while enjoying the vistas of Lhotse, Mt. Everest, Kwangde and Kusum Kanguru. It will take us around three hours to reach Namche Bazaar from Jhorsalle. Namche Bazaar carter all most all the modern amenities possible at this altitude, from international restaurants to cyber cafes and theaters.

We will spend two nights in Namche Bazaar to let our body adjust in the higher altitude. Namche Bazaar is a large town with numerous cyber cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, hotels, restaurants, pubs, post office, health post, and lodges.

We will start our day with a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we can either hike for 2 to 3 hours to Everest View Hotel and sip tea while delving into the beauty of soaring Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, and other peaks or we can walk to Namche hill. From here, we can see bird’s eye view of Namche below and Ama Dablam, Kwangde, Tarmasarku, Tawache, Lhotse and Mt. Everest above and visit the museum. Heading back to Namche, we will have lunch. Spend the remaining time checking out the market.

Our route will take us through an uphill above the Namche bazaar then meanders through green pastures with the soaring mountains on the backdrop. We will walk past woodlands then descent for around one hour to arrive Phungi-Tenga. We will take a lunch break, rest for a while and enjoy the surrounding before continuing our journey. As we pass out of the village, we will come across an uphill blanketed by colorful trees. After following this trail for around two hours, we will reach Tengboche. Popular for Tengboche Monastery, the place does not just offer the up-close view of sparkling mountains but also the opportunity to learn Buddhist culture and tradition.

On this day, we will be trekking to Pheriche at an elevation of 4,243 meters. Follow the trail descending through pine, rhododendron and birch forest leading to Debuche. Continue onto the same path until we arrive at a bridge over Imja Khola. A gradual climb will take us to Pangboche village with houses constructed using stones. Check out few ancient monasteries and delve into the clear vista of Mt. Ama Dablam. A pleasant walk for around an hour From Pangboche will take us to Pheriche. The village is set below two soaring peaks Taweche and Cholatse.

Tread on the valley for a while then climb a hill leading to Dugla or Thugla. We will have our lunch in Thugla as we won’t find any other hotel or lodge till we reach Lobuche. After a brief rest, we will climb to the Thugla Pass hosting a number of memorable of the trekker who lost their lives while climbing the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest. Continue walking until we reach Lobuche.

It’s going to be a long day so, start early. Have breakfast then walk past the glacial pond and rocky moraine then descend to Gorakshep nestled beneath Mt. Pumori and Kalapatthar. Have lunch, take a brief rest and keep your backpack before heading to Everest Base Camp. It’s not an easy walk but totally worthy. Tread on the rocky dunes and moraine for around two hours to reach the base camp. We will see a number of expedition tent if we are trekking in Spring. Stroll around, take pictures of diverse alps and Khumbu glacier before heading back to Gorakshep.

Start walking in the dark with the help of torchlight and moonlight. Tread on the rocky moraine for around two hours to reach Kalapatthar at an elevation of 5,545 meters. From the viewpoint, we will get a glimpse of Mt. Everest and other peaks. Enjoy the view, capture the moments in your camera and delve into the peaceful ambiance before returning back to Gorakshep. We will have breakfast then head to Chukhung. Walk past Lobuche and follow the same trail for around an hour. The trail splits to Imjatse valley. A brief walk from here will take us to our today’s overnight spot, Chukhung.

After spending a beautiful night in Chukhung, today we will trek to Island Peak Base Camp. Though we will walk for around four hours only, the trek is going to be a little strenuous as we will climb steep hills and walk on the glacier moraine.

Follow the trail leading to the steep climb to South then tread beside Lhotse glacier. Walk past the glaciers and glacial streams to reach Imja glacier. As we move forward, we will come across a dry lake. A brief walk from here will take us to Island Peak Base Camp. As we will reach the base camp by afternoon, we will go out for a short walk and explore the place.

An early start for the demanding trek to Island Peak. With the help of moonlight and torchlight, we will follow the zigzag track for around two hours. The terrain is well marked but due to the dark and snow, we might slip so be careful. Follow the fluctuating trail until we reach the ridge then tread on the leveled snowy land. Using crampons and rope cross the glacier then climb the snowy path. Shortly, we will come across two narrow snowy bridge. We have to be very cautious while crossing them. March on the steep ice wall using the fixed rope to the summit ridge. The 6 to 8 hours of the strenuous walk will be rewarded by vistas of dramatic Lhotse Shar and other Himalayan peaks. Get awe-inspiring view as far as your eye can see. After spending a few moments enjoying the views, retrace our steps to the base camp for overnight stay.

We have reserved the 13th day of tour to tackle with any unforeseen problems. Since the weather in the high Himalayan is highly unpredictable, we need to be extra cautious while panning adventure in such area.

After earning the memory and experience of a lifetime, we will trace our steps back to Dingboche. Walk past the moraine and follow few uphills to reach Chukung. Continue walking on the same trail while enjoying the vista of snowy peaks. We will take a brief rest in Chukung before heading to Dingboche. There are few lodges that carter basic services. Enjoy the vista of mountains, snap pictures and savor the delicious food before taking rest in a nice cozy hotel.

Have breakfast while enjoying the view of Lhotse, Nuptse wall and Ama Dablam. Follow the downhill and walk until we reach Pangboche. Cross the bridge then climb for one more hour to reach Tengboche. Delve into the beauty and feel the peace, the place holds while marching out of the village. Walk downhill covered with meadows leading to Imjatse River. Walk through Phunge Tenga, cross a bridge and march on the steep uphill then downhill to Namche Bazaar.

After spending a sound night in the middle of Himalayan, we will start our last day of the trek. Descent to Dudh Koshi Riverbank and follow the trail meandering uphill and downhill until we reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. A brief walk from here will take us to a small village called Monjo. A gradual climb through beautiful landscapes, streams, rivers, and small villages will take us to Lukla. After reaching Lukla and having delicious, we will bid goodbye to our porters.

We will catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu. The forty-five minutes flight give you the opportunity to glance at the mountains closely for the last time. After arriving Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in, freshen up and head out to check out the local market or you may spend the day taking rest.

If you have to catch the morning flight, our representative will transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport early but if your flight is in the evening, you may spend the day wandering around the colorful market, buy a souvenir and enjoy your last day in Nepal.