Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek - 19 Days

Our tour (sightseeing) starting from Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath Stupa and Pashupathinath. Which are all world heritage sites. Durbar Square in front of the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom. Swayambhunath is a known as the Monkey Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupa in the world and Pashupatinath Temple is the one of the most import places for all Hindus. 

Flight from Kathmandu into the mountains and the town of Lukla. From there a gentle downhill walk to Phakding or Jorsale along the edge of the Dudh Kosi River. Easy, well-used, busy path of porters and yaks, surrounded by forest on the sides of the valley.

Today the trail takes us through forest, traditional village with their ploughed fields and yak pastures. We cross Dudh Koshi River and pass Chumoa and Monju village before reaching the entrance of the Everest National Park. After lunch, we pass the Jorsale village and walk alongside of the Dhdh Khosi and Bhote Koshi River, crossing a suspension bridge and on a step trail reach Namche Bazar. Namche Bazar, this is the largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu Region.

Today is an acclimatization day to allow our bodies to adjust to the high altitude. We can tour Namche Bazar which is the primary town of the Everest or Khumbu region has government offices, ATMS, shops, restaurants, coffee bean café and colourful market. If you are interested in a hiking, there is an opportunity to spend a few hour hiking around the area. We can trek Khumjung village and we also visit the Hillary School and monastery which houses a yeti scalp. Some of the mountains on view today are Kwangde, Kangtega, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dabblam and of course Mount Everest.

Today, there are not many steep ascents and descents today which gives plenty of the time to concentrate on photography. The trek until Phuki is an easy walk. Form here we ascend towards Tengboche village which house the very famous Tengboche Monastery which is the biggest monastery of the Everest Region. Which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery is blessed with panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Thamserku. The Tengboche Monastery open at 3:00pm, if we reach there by 3 o’clock we can observe a Buddhist religious ceremony.

We’ll climb to the village of Pheriche (4,288m), not far from Dingboche (a village en route to Island Peak). Pheriche has become famous for its high-altitude research center. The center attracts world-renowned physicians who acquire data to analyze the effects of high altitude on human physiology. During our stay, we’ll visit the research center and learn more about the effects of high altitude on Himalayan climbers.

Above Pheriche, the character of the terrain changes, and we’ll begin to understand the starkness of the high alpine landscape. This trail passes through a famous memorial that honors the many Sherpa who lost their lives in the high mountains. Our path climbs the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier and continues to the settlement of Lobuche (4,940m), where we’ll spend one night. Lobuche is located on the flank of an old lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier.

This is an exciting day. Today, we ascend and descend mostly on a glacier path. The trail takes us for about 3 hours over boulders and rough terrain to the small settlement of Gorakshep. As we reach the base camp, we enjoy the incredible melt patterns and admire the gently rounded ice towers on the upper part of the Khumbu glacier. The Everest Base Camp is stunningly beautiful. We can enjoy amazing views of Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori mountains from the base camp. After soaking in the beauty, we walk back towards Gorak Shep where we spend the night.

We have to wake up early morning the walk up to Kala Patthar. It is dark outside with a cold temperature and chilly winds. Than reach to Kalapatthar from where the views of Everest are simply the best views you can possibly get. At 5,545m this is the highest altitude we can trek in Nepal without requiring climbing permits. Its name means black rock, and it is more of a ridge than a mountain. After spending some time at the summit of Kala Patthar, we walk back to Gorak Shep. After lunch we descend to Lobuche.

After moving Dingboche. On our walk, we will be surrounded by Lhotse and Ama Dablam mountains. Later, beyond Bibre village we see Island Peak soaring above us. The trail ahead is intersected by icy streams. We reach Chhukung, a small settlement in about half an hour from Bibre. From here, directly across the valley is the fantastic Ama Dablam and the Amphu Labsa mountains.

The trek to Island Peak Base Camp is on a fairly steep trail. First, we climb south then turn east to the main line of the valley. We then walk on a winding path below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Next, we continue walking on a pleasant trail along a streamside. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island Peak.

We begin our pre-climb training today after breakfast. Our guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques and the proper ways of using climbing gears such as the ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, etc. The training will also include using ropes to go up and down. Although it is not mandatory to have prior training for Island Peak climbing, we strongly believe that some training experience will boost your confidence and climbing skills to increase the chances of scaling the summit as well as to fully enjoy the experience. Usually we will be climbing on rock surface for up to around 5770m. After that, we climb on ice and use ropes when necessary. However, the use of the rope and the length depends upon the season and the crevasses. We can spend the rest of the day hiking to high camp and back or resting for the next day’s climb.

Today's the big day. We wake up early today at around 12 to 1 am and have our breakfast before beginning our climb. Prepare to get started before the thin light of dawn as we make our ascent with head lamps, scaling the rocky trail up. Our timing is superb: we'll drink in a glorious Himalayan sunrise atop a shining glacier and prepare for the tough, ultimate climb. A brief trek against a plateau of virginal snow brings us to the steep, precipitous final headwall. Time to put those climbing skills to use! The scramble for the summit is arduous, but you'll never be more proud of yourself! After a brief, triumphant time at what feels like the top of the world, it's (carefully!) downwards towards the charming village of Chukhung.

Today’s walk will be a much easier as we descend to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, we pass through the beautiful Sherpa villages Orsho and Shomare. We can also take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche, which is believed to be the oldest in the Khumbu region or take the regular trail to reach Pangboche. Pangboche is a scenic village surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south and the Imja Tse River flowing through the wide fertile valley.

The trail descends quite considerably today. We lose approximately 2,000 feet in elevation today and walk on a trail with a lot of ups and downs. We descend through a hillside filled with rhododendron and juniper trees and cross a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. We descend rapidly through pine forest where we can easily spot mountains goats, pheasants and other wild animals and birds common to the area. This is a long day of walking, made harder by the hard hiking the day before. But push on because a good dinner and a hot shower await.

It is mostly a downhill trek on a trail alongside the Dudh Koshi River. We cross several suspension bridges, pass by several monasteries and villages before reaching Lukla. In the earlier part of the day, take a good final look at the magnificent Himalayan Mountains, and say goodbye to the Khumbu Valley and Mount Everest. Then put your head down as we make a final long ascent into Lukla.

This morning says goodbye to Mt Everest and the Khumbu Region as we board our flight back to either Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping. If we want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu, we may do that today. Our guides can help you with both souvenir shopping, sightseeing. Evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey.

Our adventure in Nepal ends today.  After breakfast, our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight.  Should you be staying longer in Nepal or have a late flight, please note hotel check-out time is 11 am.