Island Peak Climbing – 16 Days

After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team members will wait for you and drive you to the booked hotel. You can meet your guide there and discuss the trekking itinerary for the following days. You can enjoy the Kathmandu city tour in the afternoon. 

If your flight lands in the afternoon, you can rest for a day after lunch or dinner. You can unpack your luggage and pack necessary items in your trekking backpack. If you need to buy the equipment, you can do it the next day.

After breakfast, you can stroll around the Kathmandu Valley the next day. Our guide will take you to many places and buy you entrance tickets if necessary. Enjoy exploring the world heritage sites of Kathmandu. 

You can also get familiar with the lifestyle and culture of local people. While touring the valley, you can try different street foods or go to a restaurant to enjoy the local delicacies. 

You can also complete the shopping for necessary trekking equipment and personal belongings. Get yourself and your family the set of Souvenirs for memories as a token of love. After the tour, have a warm dinner and a sound sleep. 

The next day, we will take an early flight to Lukla. You can enjoy the scenic views of landscapes and mountains from the flight. We will reach Lukla after 35 to 40 minutes of flight. After reaching the airport, our trek officially begins.

We will catch up with Porter before we begin our trek. He will carry all your belongings, and we will head to Phakding together. Crossing a suspension bridge and passing a Buddhist monastery, we will reach Phakding and stay overnight in Phakding. You can enjoy the night view in the village surrounded by mountains. 

The next morning, we will head to the Namche Bazaar, the main entrance of the trekking region. After having breakfast, the trek begins, and we have to walk between 5 and 6 hours to reach Namche Bazaar.

The trails are full of ups and downs. On the way to Sagarmatha National Park, we must cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. We pass through the colorful rhododendron forest, meeting dozens of trekkers along the trail.

After reaching Namche Bazaar, you can enjoy your night stay and prepare to acclimatize here the next day. The night markets of Namche Bazaar are very fun to explore.

The next day, we will acclimatize in Namche Bazaar. On this day, we will acclimatize properly by trekking to nearby places. We will also trek to Everest View Hotel to enjoy the view of Mount Everest. 

During this visit, we will also enter Khumjung Village and learn about the oldest school established by Sir Edmund Hillary. We will stop by Khunde Hospital, also established by Sir Edmund Hillary. 

Next, we can see the Buddhist monastery’s prayers and feel this environment’s serenity. Then, enjoy the traditional dishes of the Sherpa community while exploring the markets. 

Trekking to the Syanboche viewpoint is also an option.

Next morning, we will hike to Tengboche, a village with a traditional Buddhist monastery. We must cross a few steep climbs, passing by small stupas along the trail. This trail takes you to the cultural and religious journey of the Sherpa people. 

This trek starts with the short uphill climb taking you to the Mong La pass. You can enjoy the view of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse from here. After we cross the rocky climb of the pass, we are near Tengboche. You can see the prayer flags along the trail to Tengboche. Tengboche Monastery is the main highlight of this day. 

The next day, we will head to Dingboche. You can enjoy the mesmerizing sunrise from Tengboche Monastery. After enjoying the panoramic mountains along the Imja Khola trail, we will head to Pangbochw. 

Soon, we will reach Dingboche after a 5 to 6-hour walk. After reaching Dingboche, you see the unique landscapes and pasture land. Animal grazing, Potato, and Barley farms will fascinate you. Tonight, we will be resting at Dingboche in a teahouse.

This day takes us on a stunning trek from Dingboche to Chhukung. After breakfast, we begin hiking along the river down the valley on a dirt, rocky, sandy path. Snow-capped peaks surround us, including our first glimpses of the mighty Lhotse and Nuptse. Behind us towers the dramatic backside of Ama Dablam.

As we continue following the river, the views become increasingly magnificent. Eventually, we arrive at the charming village of Chhukung.

After yesterday’s stunning trek to Chhukung, we will take a break to acclimatize and prep for Island Peak. Today our experienced Sherpa climbing guide provides invaluable training on using the essential equipment – from ice axes and climbing boots to crampons and harnesses.

While Island Peak doesn’t require prior mountaineering experience, the hands-on practice builds confidence and skills to boost your summit chances. We’ll also discuss essential mountaineering techniques like fixed line use, ascending/descending on snow and ice, and self-arrest with an ice axe.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned climber, take advantage of this unique opportunity to train with one of Nepal’s best guides before our much-anticipated Island Peak ascent.

The anticipation builds on this day as we trek from Chhukung to the Island Peak Base Camp. We ascend north, following the valley along the dramatic Lhotse Glacier moraine to the east. After a short riverside hike, we reach a distinctive giant boulder signaling our arrival at base camp.

We establish our tents in this remote spot dwarfed by surrounding peaks. Our Sherpa guide then reviews essential mountaineering techniques, ensuring we know how to properly use the climbing gear and ropes.

The big day arrives today – our Island Peak summit attempt! We wake early and follow our expert Sherpa guides up the formidable peak, aiming to summit before noon to avoid perilous afternoon winds.

We begin by ascending the rocky ridge with ropes. Then, continuing roped together, we tread carefully up the steep glacier to the narrow south ridge. We steadily make our way up and follow the ridge, finally arriving on top of the world at 6,189m!

Words can’t describe the joy of gazing down on the mighty Himalayan giants surrounding us – Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, and more. Enjoy the hard-earned views before descending to base camp and back to Chhukung for a well-deserved sleep.

After yesterday’s unforgettable Island Peak summit, we retrace our steps on the rocky trail through the breathtaking valley, passing Chhukung and Dingboche once more. As we descend, the skies open up to showcase the dramatic vistas of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, and Everest. We arrive at the spiritual heart of Khumbu at the ancient Tengboche monastery.

After having a hearty breakfast, we make our way back to Namche Bazaar. We set out early, the crisp mountain air energizing us as we trek. The trail winds steeply with switchbacks past pine and juniper trees, the sound of a nearby river serenading us.

Prayer flags flutter overhead as we pass small villages untouched by time. After a full day of walking, the shops and cafes of Namche Bazaar come into view once more. We head to our lodges, sore muscles reminding us of the last two weeks of life-changing adventure in the mighty Himalaya.

Our journey is coming to an end. We will be heading to Lukla, crossing the same suspension bridges we crossed at the beginning of the trek. Enjoy every moment, as it is the last day of our trek. We will come across Monjo, Phakding, and many small villages on the journey back to Lukla. 

After bidding our farewell to Porter the next day, we will take a flight back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the scenic flight with a view of majestic mountains for the last time. After reaching Kathmandu, our team will pick us up and return to the hotel we stayed at on the first day.

Our team will send you to the airport for your final departure. After reaching the airport, you will bid farewell to us and separate from here. Hope we will be trekking together soon. Have a safe journey to your country.