Introduction

The most well-known climbing path in the Himalayas is the ascent of Island Peak, which provides trekkers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience together with sensations, feelings of serenity, and a memory that will last a lifetime. Throughout the trek to the summit of Island Peak, you will be treated to breathtaking panoramas of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. Along the way, you'll get a taste of the majesty of the Nepalese mountains, the power of your own abilities, and the unique atmosphere of Nepal.

Located in the middle of the Nepali highlands, the 6189-meter-tall Island Peak is essentially the southernmost extension of the Lhotse Shar peak. Imja Tse is another name for this peak. Located in the north, it is surrounded by the ice-capped giants of Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Central, and Lhotse Shar, making it seem like an island in the middle of a frozen sea.

Mountain Facts

• Elevation: 6189 meters; 20,306 ft
• Basecamp: 5087 meters
• Location: Khumbu, Nepal (Latitude: 27°55’21”; Longitude: 86°56’10”)
• Range: Himalayas, Mahalangur Himal
• Rank: 2^nd highest trekking peak of Nepal
• Classification: 6000er
• Route: North Ridge

Trip Facts

• Duration: 18 days
• Starts in: Kathmandu
• Ends in: Kathmandu
• Climb Grade: Challenging
• Best Season: Autumn (Sep-Dec) & Spring (Apr- May
• Activities: Trekking & Mountaineering
• Meal Plan: Full Board (B/L/D)
• Accommodation: Hotels, Tea Houses & Camping
• Transportation: Road transportation, Flight & Helicopter

Climbing History

• 1952 – This mountain was named “Island Peak”, by a climbing team of Eric Shipton, due to its striking location in the middle of the Chhukung valley, like an Island on a sea of ice.
• 1953 – First ascent of Island Peak by a British Team as a preparation for Everest.
• 1956 – The main summit was first climbed in 1956 by Hans-Rudolf Von Gunten and two unknown Sherpas, members of a Swiss team.
• 2012 – Expedition Himalaya’s first commercial team successfully summited Island Peak.

Our Island Peak (Imja Tse) Special

• Customizable packages from normal to deluxe
• Highly qualified and experienced climbing guides and supporters’ team
• Full-proof documentation so you don't have worry a bit
• Every attempt to make your summit dream come true
• Heli flights from Kathmandu to Lukla; due to the inconvenience of making the four-hour drive to Ramechap and then taking off from there. Also, weather conditions have lower impact on Heli ride.
• Fixed wing while returning back; Taking a fixed-wing flight out of Lukla is an exciting adventure in itself, and a road trip into the Nepal Himalaya is the best way to take in the region's breathtaking scenery.
• One porter for two clients on sharing basis.
• Sustainable and environment-friendly operation module
• Expedition Himalaya is built on the foundation of social principles; we give back to the Himalayan communities as we make it.

Climbing Route and Camps

Climbing Island Peak does not require any special skills or equipment beyond a good level of physical conditioning. The only abilities required are connectivity, handling a rope, and operating a belay device. As a consequence of this, climbing Island Peak might be combined with a getaway with your significant other or other members of your family and friends.

The ascent is not to be taken lightly, however, as it involves traversing snow and ice fields, advancing in with ice axes along the rope, stepping through cracks, and ending in a steep take-off of 150-200 meters while using a jumar. The ascent to the top of Island Peak and the descent back to Base Camp is the longest and most difficult part of this expedition.

With a history of successful expeditions and high summit achievements, the sherpa staff we provide to accompany you on your journey will not disappoint.

Brief itinerary

Day 01     |     Arrive Kathmandu 1330 M

Day 02     |     Rest / Trip briefing, documentation and preparation

Day 03     |     Heli Flight to Lukla 2845 M and trek to Phakding 2610 M

Day 04     |     Trek to Namche Bazar 3440 M

Day 05     |     Trek to Dole 4200 M

Day 06     |     Trek to Machermo 4470 M

Day 07     |     Trek to Gokyo 4750 M

Day 08     |     Trek to Dingboche 4410 M via Chola Pass 5420 M

Day 09     |     Rest Day at Dingboche 4410 M  

Day 10     |     Trek to Chukhung 4730 M

Day 11     |     Trek to Island Base Camp 5087 M

Day 12     |     Summit Day 6189 M

Day 13     |     Trek to Dingboche 4410 M

Day 14     |     Trek to Namche Bazar 3440 M

Day 15     |     Trek to Lukla 2845 M

Day 16     |     Fly to Kathmandu 1330 M

Day 17     |     Rest Day in Kathmandu 1330 M

Day 18     |     International Departure

Note: Please note that the Weather conditions in the Himalayas can be a big obstruction, even during the best trekking seasons. Bad weather or unsuitable weather conditions will directly affect the flight schedule, resulting in flight delays for a few hours to even a few following days. It is really challenging to travel to Lukla by 3 hours of driving, waking up at 2 am to drive to Ramechap Airport, then taking a 15-minute flight. To be safe, we therefore suggest that you extend your itinerary by a few days or opt for a helicopter rather than a fixed-wing flight to reach Lukla. If a flight is canceled, we'll do our best to reschedule it for the next day the following day (Subject to availability).

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 and 02 Arrive Kathmandu (1330m) and Rest/Preparation

Our team picks up expedition members at Kathmandu's airport, so you don't have to worry a bit at arrival. Members stay in a 5-star Raddison hotel with breakfast for two nights before we departure for our journey. The leisure day in Kathmandu can be used for pre-trip gears preparation. After finishing documentation and gears/ equipment preparation, the team can go for rest at hotel or take a stroll around streets of Thamel and enjoy night life.

Day 03 Heli Flight to Lukla 2845 M and trek to Phakding 2610 M

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then board a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla; the journey from Tribhuvan International Airport to Tenzing Hillary Airport should take around 50 minutes. From above, you may take in the sights of towns and hill stations as well as the stunning scenery below. The journey to Lukla offers some of the greatest opportunities to see the Himalayas.

Your journey to Phakding will start after you reach Lukla. Starting from Lukla's main market, your journey will take you down stone-paved streets, past a variety of charming towns and, in the distance, snow-capped mountains.

Day 04 Trek to Namche Bazar 3420 M

After breakfast we will begin early in the morning and move towards the North along with river banks of Dudh Koshi river. During this day, while moving up to Namche Bazar we will be crossing famous landmark bridge known as Hillary bridge and head towards Monjo where we will be needing to present our permit before entering Sagarmatha National Park.

Day 05 Trek to Dole

As soon as you leave your hotel after breakfast, you'll make the short trek uphill, leaving Sherpa capital and arriving at Syangboche Airport, one of the world's highest STOL airstrips. Keeping on the route to Khumjung, the Khumbu region’s green valley. You'll go to Kyanjuma and Phortse Tenga from Khumjung. After leaving Phortse Tenga, the first hour of the journey up to Dole is spent in a stunning rhododendron grove. Eventually, you'll emerge from the trees onto a little slope that provides a magnificent view of Cho Oyu's imposing south face.

Day 06 Trek to Machermo

The next stop on the journey is the Machermo, which is located beyond Dole. Because the trek on this day is relatively short, we will be stopping at a number of tea houses for frequent breaks. This will help you become more adapted to the environment and prepare you for more ascents at higher heights. It is possible to find a number of breathtaking vistas in the area of the settlement, and there are a number of excellent vantage points from which to see the south face of Cho Oyu. The views of Cholatse and Tawoche are equally breathtaking from this settlement.

Day 07 Trek to Gokyo

The team will start going shortly after breakfast, but due of the altitude, the pace will be maintained slow. You will be traveling along less exposed track with some rugged terrain while crossing a large number of chortens. Once you have made it to the southernmost point of the Ngozumba Glacier, you will begin walking along the glacier's border. Along the route to your tea house, you will be treated to breathtaking vistas of beautiful lakes.

Day 08 Trek to Dingboche via Chola Pass

The team will start going shortly after breakfast, but due of the altitude, the pace will be kept slow. You will be traveling through exposed track with some uneven terrain while crossing a glacier and reaching to the other side. Because there won't be any places to stop for lunch between the ascent and the descent, we will all be given lunch packs to take with us. In order to protect ourselves from the severe winds, we will quickly descend to Dingboche after crossing the pass as quickly as we can.

Day 09 Rest Day at Dingboche  

After making it through Chola Pass, we will arrive at Dingboche and spend the next day here, where we will relax and get used to the altitude in preparation for climbing Island Peak. You have the option to embark on a little acclimatization hike and then spend the full day relaxing.

Day 10 Trek to Chukung

On this day of trekking, the team will move slowly up a gradual ascent toward Chukung. Chukung is not that far from Dingboche. It might only take 2 to 3 hours to get there, and you'll climb about 400 meters. You can rest, get ready to climb Island Peak, and then rest for the rest of the time.

Day 11 Trek to Island Peak Basecamp

For Island Peak Climbing from Chhukung, you will start in the Chhukung Valley. At Chhukung, your guide will communicate to you about the climb, and then you will get ready for the Island Peak Climbing expedition. You will go to the base camp for Island Peak. On the way to Island Peak Base Camp, you have to climb uphill through beautiful glaciers.

Day 12 Island peak summit and back to Base Camp

It's the big day. Today you'll climb Island Peak. Base Camp to Island Peak takes a day. It'll be a long day. From Base Camp, head to Island Peak High Camp. Base Camp to high camp is steep. The tiny rocky steep routes lead to the summit camp. Rock pathways narrow as you proceed. After reaching High Camp, rest before climbing the glaciers to Island Peak. Slowly travel down the path ridge to the glacier front. As you climb to the peak, the guides will help you hook up to the rope and harness. You'll summit Island Peak after climbing steep slopes with ropes and a guide. Summit views are out of this world. From the summit, you can overlook the adjacent peaks and spectacular glaciers. We will return to Base Camp after a while.

Day 13 Trek to Dingboche

You will descend to Dingboche from Chukung by following the path that you took to ascend to it. As you make your way down to Dingboche, take in the wonderful scenery along the way.

Day 14 Trek to Namche

As you make your way down from Dingboche, you may take in the sights around you and see the remarkable shift in landscape that occurs as you go through the terrain. You will be moving from an open, desolate country to an area with Juniper trees that have a pleasant aroma as you make your way there.

Day 15 Trek to Lukla

You'll have one more day to do any activity you choose in Kathmandu—shop for souvenirs to bring back home, take a stroll through the city, have a massage, or even just rest at a spa. During free time, you'll have to pay for everything yourself. Depending on your specific requirements, Expedition Himalaya may arrange for a personal guide.

Your leisure day will be followed by a farewell meal in an authentic Nepali restaurant, complete with a cultural show.

Day 16 Fly to Kathmandu

We will head to Lukla Airport after breakfast and wait for our flight back to Kathmandu. Due to the short duration of favorable weather at Lukla airport, we must remain there until our scheduled departure time.

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, a private tourist vehicle will transport you away to your hotel, where you may unwind in your comfortable accommodation.

Day 17 Leisure Day in Kathmandu

You'll have one more day to do any activity you choose in Kathmandu—shop for souvenirs to bring back home, take a stroll through the city, have a massage, or even just rest at a spa. During free time, you'll have to pay for everything yourself. Depending on your specific requirements, Expedition Himalaya may arrange for a personal guide.

Your leisure day will be followed by a farewell meal in an authentic Nepali restaurant, complete with a cultural show.

Day 18 Final Departure

Our employees or an agent will be present to assist you with your departure. You'll be transported to the airport and offered heartfelt goodbyes in accordance with your flights' departure times.

Before taking off on an international trip, passengers must check in at the airport at least three hours in advance.

Cost Inclusion

• Departure and arrival shuttle to and from the airport and hotels
• Applicable local and government taxes
• Surface transportation on private vehicles
• Bed and Breakfast for 4 Nights’ Accommodation at a Raddison 5-Star Hotel in Kathmandu (Twin sharing basis)
• Accommodation on full board (breakfasts, lunches & dinners) during the road transfers and trek.
• Individual sleeping tent with mattress for base camp accommodation
• Base camp service (shared with group) includes a cooking tent with a chef and a kitchen boy, a dining tent with tables and chairs, a shower tent, a toilet tent, a storage tent, a gas heater, and solar electricity for battery charging
• High altitude foods (packed lunch) during the climb having high calories
• 1 oxygen bottles (4L) for emergency purpose only
• Experienced climbing Sherpa for climbing members during the expedition
• Group medical supplies and a walkie-talkie
• Sherpa's remuneration and load-bearing bonus (this bonus does not include the summit bonus)
• 1 porter for 2 clients on sharing basis
• Climbing equipment, transportation, lodging, food, salary, and insurance for Sherpas and other staff are all provided.

• Heli flights from Kathmandu to Lukla; due to the inconvenience of making the four-hour drive to Ramechap and then taking off from there. Also, weather conditions have lower impact on Heli ride.
• Fixed wing while returning back; Taking a fixed-wing flight out of Lukla is an exciting adventure in itself, and a road trip into the Nepal Himalaya is the best way to take in the region's breathtaking scenery.

• Welcome and Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu at an Authentic Nepali Restaurant.

Cost Exclusion

• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Nepal Visa fee
• Travel & medical insurance including insurance for emergency rescue & evacuation
• Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
• Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, bottled water, bar bills, etc.
• Trekking/Climbing gear (also available on hire)
• Summit Bonus for Sherpa & tips for local staffs ($600+100)
• Cost for the daily weather forecast
• Tips for the staffs as a gratitude
• Any extra cost arising out of natural calamities or cancellation of the program
• All other items not mentioned in the list of ‘Inclusions’

Gears and Equipment

The journey to the 2^nd highest trekking peak of Nepal demands appropriate gears and equipment. Expedition Himalaya suggests to click gears and equipments 

Note: Please note that the Weather conditions in the Himalayas can be a big obstruction, even during the best trekking seasons. Bad weather or unsuitable weather conditions will directly affect the flight schedule, resulting in flight delays for a few hours to even a few following days. It is really challenging to travel to Lukla by 3 hours of driving, waking up at 2 am to drive to Ramechap Airport, then taking a 15-minute flight. To be safe, we therefore suggest that you extend your itinerary by a few days or opt for a helicopter rather than a fixed-wing flight to reach Lukla. If a flight is canceled, we'll do our best to reschedule it for the next day the following day (Subject to availability).