ISLAND PEAK VIA EBC

  • DURATION20 Days
  • DIFFICULTY-LEVELVery Strenuous
  • GROUP SIZE1-14

Highlights

  • A thrilling flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
  • Walk by Sagarmatha National Park to reach Namche Bazar
  • The famous Namche Bazar
  • Experience the rich culture and tradition of Sherpa
  • Visit ancient Tengboche monastery
  • Reach Everest Base Camp
  • Hike up to Kala Patthar to witness 360 degrees of Mt. Everest
  • Scale the Island Peak

Trip Overview

Escape Nepal offers Island Peak climbing holiday in Nepal, Island Peak (6,160 m.) is also famously known as Imja Tse peak in Nepal and Island peak is one of the popular peaks in Nepal for climbing. Usually, the Island peak is combined with major trekking destinations in Everest region including Everest Base Camp, Chola pass Trek or High passes Trek, Island peak has long been popular for climbing ever since Nepal was first opened to the outsiders and its route was then discovered back in 1950s. The official record shows that Island peak was first climbed by the British team in the course of preparing to climb the world’s highest peak--Mt. Everest (8,848 m) in the year 1953, and it is also said that Tenjing Norgey Sherpa was also one of the team members for climbing of the peak for the first time.

The Island peak previously known as Imja Tse was said to have named as ‘Island peak’ in 1953 by the British National, Eric Earle Shipton who was one of the member of the team then who were climbing for the first time. The peak was said to have named as ‘Island peak’ because the peak then was like and still is like an Island in a sea of ice, when you have views of this very peak from Dingboche. Island peak climbing trip is popular not merely for having summit on the pinnacles of majestic Himalaya in Nepal alone but for sneaking awesome up close views of hosts of Himalayas located in the Everest region including that is of Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m) also known to be Lhotse Shar as well as of Mt. Nuptse I (7,861 m), Mt. Nuptse II (7,827 m), Nuptse Shar (7,804 m), Nuptse Nup I (7,784 m), Nuptse Shar II (7,776 m), Nuptse Shar III (7,695 m), the Nuptse in fact is connected with a long ridge to Mt. Lhotse. And, Island Peak is also regarded to be a part of Mt. Lhotse itself.

In course of ascending up on the Island peak, you will happen to pass snow-filled rocky hills, boulder, slippery ways, using ice axe, crampons and other necessary equipment you continue hiking on the ice filled ways and finally beating up the strong wind and challenging snow-filled path, you will reach on the pinnacle of the Island peak, from where you will be amazed with seeing paradise of snow, undoubtedly the stunning vista of Mt. Lhotse shar which is raised still tall to the north, while on the south-west, you will glimpse the sight of Mt. Makalu (8,463 m) and Ama Dablam (6,856 m), Mt. Buruntse (6,770 m) and Amphu Lapcha (5,245 m) and host of other Himalayas like strongly built wall. Although, if you encounter enormous challenges while crossing the path, you will immediately forget all as you are amazed with dazzling views of the majestic mountains, awesome scenes and sceneries including that is of glaciers, glacial lakes and so forth.

Technically, the Island peak is regarded to be one of the most difficult and challenging peak for climbing but undoubtedly, it is the peak which offers you utmost adventure and lifetime experience, not merely of peak climbing alone but you will also have an opportunity to explore the distinct culture and rituals as well as the lifestyles of legendary Sherpa, Rai who are residing alongside of the trail. And, undoubtedly, as you pass through green jungle, you will happen to spot numerous of flora and fauna, as well as explore around the Buddhist monastery and more. All these features are crystal clear why Island peak climbing trip is popular and special climbing trip in Nepal. Escape Nepal team have carefully designed the itineraries of Island peak climbing with adequate of stoppages for acclimatization which will ease you have summit to this very peak successfully and have first time experience.

We at Escape Nepal have combined the Island peak climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek however we can combine it with Chola pass, Gokyo Valley trek or even with the Everest High pass trek, or if you just want to climb the peak directly without combination on any trek in Nepal, that is possible so, please do write us with your interests and time you have then we will offer you best itinerary that suit for your island climbing holiday in Nepal.

We at Escape Nepal have included your arrival and departure days to and from Nepal and a day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley, so, Before, we head off to the Island Peak climbing trip; we will first have sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley, explore around its world cultural and religious heritage sites and after having excursion all around, we will have a short flight from Kathmandu airport to Lukla and the actually trekking begin via Phakding, we continue trekking to Namche Bazaar, where we will have one day for rest and acclimatize with high altitude. Next day, we head off to Tyangboche, which is famous place for having amazing views of Mt. Everest and also famous for an ancient Buddhist monastery and after exploring all around we will continue trekking to Pheriche, where you will have another day for acclimatization. You will then continue trekking to Gorakshep, reach at Everest Base camp and then retrace down Kalapattar and climb to Kalapathar then trekking down to Dingboche, and via Chhukung valley, we will finally reach at Island peak base camp and summit to the peak and having amazing mount vistas from the top, we will then retrace down to Dingbuche, Tyangboche, subsequently get down to Lukla via Namche Bazaar and fly back to Kathmandu.

Itinerary

Open All DaysClose All

Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Our representative welcomes you and takes you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you.

  • Hotel
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

Today, you go on a guided sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage sites like Boudhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

The tour guide explains the major events that happened in these sites and also tells the history and stories behind them.

Later, in the day, you prepare for the trek

  • Hotel
  • B
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

After a quick breakfast, you fly to Lukla. This flight is going to be the most thrilling and memorable flight of your life.

On landing at Lukla, you meet with crew members and begin trekking towards Phakding. From Lukla, the trail ascends through dense forests along Dudh Koshi River to Phakding.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 2600
  • Phakding

After having a warm breakfast, continue trekking along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing it several times. The trail further follows Sagarmatha National Park, which is home to hundreds of flora and fauna.

The trail from the national park ascends steeply, and that can be tough. However, steeping your feet in the beautiful Namche Bazar makes you forget the pain you had earlier.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3440
  • Namche Bazaar

This is a rest at Namche Bazar. You spend the day exploring around. You can go on a short hike to Everest View Hotel or Khumjung village. Both places are good for observing excellent views of snow-capped mountains.

Trek back to Namche Bazar, and can also visit Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3440
  • Namche Bazaar

After breakfast at the lodge, you continue trekking towards Tengboche along with enjoying superb views of Mt. Kantega, Kusum Kanguru, and Mt. Thamserku.

The trail further, descends to a river and leads you to Phunki Tenga. From here, you ascend through lush forests of rhododendron and reach Tengboche. You can visit the monastery in the evening.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3867
  • Tengbuche

After having breakfast, you begin trekking by descending through lovely forests of rhododendron. The trail takes you to Imja Khola and crosses a suspension bridge. From here, you walk passing by a long mani wall and reach Pangboche. Further, you trek through summer pastures and reach Dingboche.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 4230
  • Dingbuche

This is an acclimatization day in Dingboche. Explore the village and its nearby area.

You can see amazing views of the north face of Ama Dablam along with Lhotse and Nuptse ridge. Go on a short hike to Nagarjan Peak to acclimatize.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 4230
  • Dingbuche

The trail moves north until you come across a stupa continue the trek and cross a small wooden bridge over a river to reach Dugla.

Further, you ascend and reach Lobuche. You can see stunning views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Tawache, Mt. Pumori, and many other mountains.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 4910
  • Lobuche

Today, you are going to hike up to Everest Base Camp. Trekking on a rocky moraine, you trek to Gorakshep. On the way, you can see views of icy glacial ponds and icebergs.

After a short lunch break at Gorakshep, you continue towards the Everest Base Camp. Spend some time and trek back to Gorak Shep for a night's stay.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 5350
  • Gorekshep

Wake up early in the morning and hike up to the very famous Kala Patthar viewpoint. Upon reaching here, you get to witness striking sunrise along with 360-degree views of Mt. Everest and other surrounding mountains and you return to Gorekshep and have a hot breakfast.

You then trek to Dingboche for an overnight stay.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 5545
  • Dingbcuhe

Leaving Dingboche behind, you trek through the stone wall field and ascend along Imja Khola valley.

You can see wonderful landscapes while ascending. You reach Bibre and cross a cold stream, you reach Chhukung.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 4730
  • Chhukung

The trail gradually ascends to Island Peak Base Camp. The route up to base camp is not technical.

At the base camp, you set up a tent along with other team members and stay overnight. The guide also teaches you basic uses of gears that are helpful to summit the peak in next day.

  • Tented Camp
  • B, L, D
  • 4970
  • Base Camp

Today is going to be a long day. You begin ascending towards the top of the Island Peak. The route to the peak involves many crevasses and technical climbing.

The Sherpa guide helps you fix the ropes and cross all difficult sections. Upon reaching the top of the mountain, you get to see panoramic views. Later, you descend following the same path and reach Dingboche for a night's stay.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 6189
  • Dingbuche

This is the spare day in case of bad weather and you couldn't make a summit on a scheduled day, then you try this day and if you are successful in summit the peak then you will spend this day/night in Kathmandu.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 4110
  • Island Peak Base Camp

From Dingboche, you retrace the path back to Namche Bazar. The trail ascends and descends through many forests and small villages and leads you to Namche Bazar.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 3440
  • Namche Bazaar

After having breakfast, you trek back to Lukla, today is the last day of the trek. Most of the trail involves gradual descent through forests and small villages. On the way, you cross many streams before reaching Lukla.

  • Guest House
  • B, L, D
  • 2886
  • Lukla

After having an early breakfast at the lodge, you fly back to Kathmandu. Upon landing at the airport, you drive back to the hotel for a night stay, and the rest of the day is free to explore yourself.

  • Hotel
  • B
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

Today is an extra day in Kathmandu to use if you need it during the climbing. Or if there is any delay or cancellation on the flight to Lukla or return

If everything goes as per our planned itinerary, you can enjoy this day exploring more tourist sites in Kathmandu and the local markets. We can arrange some days tours like Bhaktapur - Patan Tour and Dakshinkali - Pharping tour, if you want.

  • Hotel
  • B
  • 1345
  • Kathmandu

This adventure journey has come to an end. It was our pleasure to serve you.

As per the flight departure time, our airport representative drop you at the airport and bid you our last goodbye.

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What's Included

  • All the airport transfers
  • Four nights’ hotel in Kathmandu hotel with breakfast
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu as per the itinerary
  • Standard meals during the trek and climb with hot tea/coffee in breakfast
  • All necessary paper works, National park entry permits, climbing permits, and TIMS permit
  • Flight fare (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu) with domestic airport tax
  • All accommodations in lodges/tea houses during the trek and tented camp during the climbing
  • An experienced, helpful, and friendly guide and porters (1 porter for every two trekkers) for the trek and climbing guide for the climbing
  • Salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transportation, and Insurance for the guide and porters
  • Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service, which will be paid by your travel insurance company
  • Sleeping bag, down jackets, and duffle bag – if Necessary (return after the trek)

What's Excluded

  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Your Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Food (lunch and dinner) while you are in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses and all alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
  • Sweet things like chocolate bars and a hot shower during the trek
  • International airfare
  • Tips for the guide and staff

Useful Information

Permits Required for Island Peak Climbing

Yes, You need to have some permits to trek Everest Base Camp and Island peak climbing. And, They are Island peak climbing permits, Sagarmatha National park entry permits, TIMS (Trekkers information management system) permit, and A permit from Khumbu-Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. We apply and get all these permits for you once you book the Island peak climbing with us.

Island Peak Climbing Itinerary

The Everest base camp trek and Island Peak climbing begin with a scenic and thrilling flight to Lukla. From Lukla, you trek towards Phakding and ascend through Sagarmatha National Park to reach Namche Bazar. The trail then passes through lovely dense forests and takes you to Dingboche via Tengboche. At Tengboche, you visit an ancient monastery.

Further, you pass by several villages and reach Everest Base Camp and hike up to the Kala Patthar. These ascend helps you in acclimatization. You then move to Chhukung Valley and gradually ascend towards the Island Peak Base Camp. From here, following the steps of your Sherpa guide, you scale the Island Peak and reach its top.

Island Peak Climbing Route Map

Island Peak trekking route map shows the Island Peak Climbing itinerary with Everest base camp in the pictorial form.

You can see all the villages where you are stopping for the night stay marked on the Island Peak Route Map. The map is designed precisely including the major facts and highlights in it.

Island Peak Climbing Difficulties

Climbing Island Peak is very challenging. The trail is marked strenuous plus by the expert climbers. The trail includes rough terrain and steep sections. You have to use different shorts of gears to cross the technical parts.

The Island Peak Climbing involves 6 to 10 hours of walking each day. Good health, strong physical fitness, and determination are needed to successfully reach the summit of Island Peak.

Best time to go on Island Peak Climbing

Spring i.e. March to May is the best time to climb Island Peak because of the stable weather and pleasant climate. It can extend to early June, depending on the weather situation.

Likewise, autumn (October to November) is also an ideal time to go on Island Peak Climbing. One thing to know is that the trail is crowded as spring & autumn is the peak time of the year to explore the Himalayas.

Guide and Crew on Island Peak Climbing

You have a professional tourist guide for a day tour in Kathmandu on day 02 (The tour guide for this day may differ from the trek & climbing guide the next morning) and a trained/certified trekking guide for the whole trekking who handles the logistics and guide you. And, you have a climbing guide for the climbing period from Chukung to Chukung.

There will be a Sherpa (assistant guide) when there are eight or more members in the group and porters to carry your luggage, and there will be one porter for every two members, and a porter carries about 20 - 22KG.

Accommodation on Island Peak Climbing

We provide 19 nights’ accommodation on Island Peak climbing. You stay at a hotel in Kathmandu for 4 nights and stay overnight in a lodge on the trek and in tented camps on climb for about 1 or night.

The lodge is available up to Gorakshep, and from there onwards, the climbing period begins. Lodge offers a twin-sharing room usually with common/private washrooms depending on the place. The dining area is the warmest space in the lodge and is also used as a common space where you can sip hot tea and chat. While climbing, all the tents are carried by the crew members. We offer high-quality sleeping tents along with dining and washroom tents.

We provide:

  • Hotel moonlight in Kathmandu: 4 nights
  • Mountain Lodges on Trek: 14 nights
  • Tented Camp on Base or High Camp: 1 night

Notes:

  • A similar category of hotel in Kathmandu is provided if the mentioned hotel is not available.
  • A hotel upgrade in Kathmandu is available. There are luxury 4 -5-star hotels available in Kathmandu so, let us know if you want to upgrade the hotels in Kathmandu.

Meals & Drinks on Island Peak Climbing

We provide a total of 49 (19 breakfast, 15 lunches, and 15 dinners) in Island Peak Climbing. This includes daily breakfast and all three meals a day while on the trek & climbing. You have to pay for lunch and dinner while you are in Kathmandu.

Meals get served according to the menu of the lodge. Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, and Continental dishes can be seen on the menu. Among all the options dal bhat tarkari is the most affordable and filling, and our crew members cook and serve you a simple meal while climbing.

Likewise, you can also buy bars and snacks on the way, which is not involved in the package cost.

Drinking water is available almost everywhere. Carry a reusable water bottle along with water purification tablets for extra safety.

Extra nights in Kathmandu pre or post the Island Peak Climb

Extra night hotel is available at the US $55.00 per night includes breakfast and airport transfers for pre or post Island peak climbing. Let us know if you are planning to arrive in Nepal earlier or stay in Nepal later than the scheduled dates and need extra nights in Kathmandu.

Electricity and battery Charge on Island peak climbing

Electricity is available in Kathmandu, and most of the villages of Island peak till the Chukung village where you can charge your camera/mobile batteries, and you have to pay some fee for it.

We also strongly suggest you take extra batteries to use in case of the unavailability of electricity as it may happen sometime.

Equipment List for Island Peak Climbing

Equipment is very important to have comfortable and successful trekking and climbing of Island Peak in Nepal. You should not pack anything that you do not need for the trek and bring all things that you need for the climb. We have given some ideas that you should not miss while you come for Island peak climbing.

Group Equipment for Island Peak Climb

  • Doman tents and mattress twin sharing basis
  • Kitchen /Dining tents
  • Kitchen equipment
  • Toilet tent
  • Climbing rope: fixed and main rope
  • Harness
  • Crampons
  • Ice-Axe
  • Karabiners: lock/ unlock
  • Ice-screws
  • Snow Bars
  • Rock piton
  • Helmet
  • Ascender (Jumper)
  • Descender (F-8)
  • Tapes / slings

Personal Equipments for Island Peak Climb

  • Climbing boots: plastics boot/or similar quality Need fixed crampons.
  • Long-sleeved cotton /woolen shirts
  • Wool long underwear
  • Long cotton hiking shirts
  • Warm climbing trousers
  • Lightweight fleece
  • Fleece/ wool for climbing
  • Down high altitude sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad (carry mat)
  • Light cotton athletic socks and wool climbing socks
  • Lightweight thermal/ insulated climbing gloves
  • Head torch /batteries /bulbs
  • Waterproof climbing jacket
  • Down jacket /trousers/vest
  • Climbing sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Gaiters