Island Peak is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal. In fact, the mountain is locally known as Imja Tse. Locals called the peak Island, due to the fact that the peak appears like an island in the icy belt of the Imja Tse valley. Island Peak is a challenging climbing peak, but not too technical.
After your arrival, we’ll have a gear check with you and make all the necessary preparations for the permits. The Island Peak adventure begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Your trek continues to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital. In this bustling mountain town, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day hike to the famous Everest View hotel.
Next, the trail takes you to the Buddhist monastery of Tengboche. Leaving Dingboche, we’ll veer off the busy Everest Base Camp trail to the remote Imja Tse valley. Upon reaching Chhukung, you will enjoy the remote wilderness of the Khumbu region. Here, we can hike up Chhukung Ri for acclimatization. As a reward, the views are amazing and a prelude to the summit views to come.
Further up the valley, Island Peak base camp is located at an altitude of 5100 m near the huge Imja Lhotse Glacier. Here, you’ll learn how to use the jumar for ascending and descending.
The final ascent to Island Peak begins with a scramble up a rocky gully to a ridge where you put on crampons. Next, we rope up for the glacier crossing, heading towards the south ridge. While the route across the glacier is easy-angled, it can be crevassed in places. Snow and ice cover the base of the headwall for 100 m. The climb is as steep as 45° before you arrive on the airy summit ridge.
At last, the summit awaits. At the top, you can enjoy fabulous views of Lhotse Shar, Makalu, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam. Usually, in the afternoon, we want to be back at base camp. After the descent and after a break, you will return to the lodge in Chhukhung. From here, we’ll head back to Lukla, passing beautiful Sherpa villages and the impressive Tengboche monastery. Finally, a flight back to Kathmandu ends your Island Peak adventure.
Our itineraries are designed to be flexible. If you would like to modify this plan, let us know, and we will work with you to create a personalized trip.
Day 1: Arrival Nepal; pick up at the international airport and drop off at a hotel in Thamel Kathmandu
Day 2: Final preparations for the Island Peak climb
Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu / Ramechap to Lukla (0,5 hrs.) and trek to Phakding (2640 m – 3 hrs.)
Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 5: Resting day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. Optional day hike to the Everest View hotel
Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (3867 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4260 m – 4 hrs.)
Day 8: Trek to Chhukung (4720 m – 3 hrs.)
Day 9: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5150 m – 6 hrs.)
Day 10: Island Peak (6189 m) ascent and overnight in Chhukung (11 hrs.)
Day 11: Contingency day Island Peak
Day 12: Trek to Phunge Tenga (3250m – 7hrs.)
Day 13: Trek to Jorsale (2805m – 6 hrs.)
Day 14: Trek to Lukla (2800 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 15: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu / Ramechap (0,5 hrs.)
Day 16: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu
Day 17: Departure; pick up from the hotel and drop off at the international airport
During the trekking season prices may rise. The final price depends on the trekking season, group size and, if applicable, the cost of the local transfers.
Cost includes:
– Pick up and drop off from Kathmandu International Airport to the hotel
– Return flight Kathmandu/ Ramechap to Lukla and transfer to and from the domestic airport
– 4 nights hotel room in Kathmandu; breakfast included
– Teahouse room during trek
– Free use of tent equipment at base camp, including one dome tent for two persons and a light sleeping mattress; dining tent, tables & chairs; toilet tent; cooking equipment
– 3 meals per day; breakfast/ lunch/ dinner. At Base Camp: including tea/coffee/ hot chocolate/ hot water
– Licensed and certified mountain guide. Well experienced and English speaking
– Experienced and certified climbing Sherpa
– Porter service for carrying luggage; 12 kg per person
– Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for the mountain guide, climbing Sherpa, porters and cooking staff
– Climbing gear including: climbing harness, crampons, ice axe, helmet, climbing ropes, and a jumar
– Radio set during climb
– First Aid kit
– Free use of one waterproof bag
– Sagarmatha National Park entrance fee, Island Peak climbing permit, TREK card and local taxes
– Support of the Sherpa Heritage Trails head office in Kathmandu
Cost excludes:
– International flight to Kathmandu
– Nepal entrance visa
– Personal clothing, climbing gear and personal medical kit
– Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
– All other beverage bills, hot shower, internet services, laundry, and battery charge during trek
– Personal travel and climbing insurance
– Rescue operation charge in case of an emergency
– Any cost of hotel/ teahouse/ transport related to the member terminating earlier than the scheduled itinerary from the expedition/ trekking
– Any cost that arises due to a change of itinerary, like health issues, flight delay, natural calamities, etc.
– Gratitude and tips for the mountain guide and porters
