Island Peak Climbing With EBC

Quick Facts

Duration:19 Days
Trek Style:Trekking climbing
Group Size:4++
Location:everest region
Trek Starting Point:lukla
Trip Grade:challenging

Meals:Breakfast, lunch, Dinner
Accomodation:tents, Tea house, tourist standard hotel
Max-Altitude:6,189 m
Transportation:tourist coach / domestic flight
Trek Ending Point:lukla
Departure from:Kathmandu

Island Peak (6,189 m): also known as Imja Tse is one of the popular trekking peaks of Nepal for climbing on the Himalayas. Along with the most enjoyable climbing experience, Island Peak presents some of the most spectacular scenery of leading mountains in the Khumbu region.

From Dingboche, the view of this peak gives an impression of an island in a sea of ice. The semi-circular panorama of Everest (8,848 m), Nuptse (7,879 m) and Lhotse (8,516 m) to the north, Makalu (8,463 m) to the east and Ama Dablam (6,812 m) to the south adds more charm in climbing the peak. For many mountaineers, Island peak be the beginning of climbing for bigger mountain expeditions.

For some Island, peak stands for the purpose of acclimatizing before heading to higher elevation climbing. And for Island peak climbing, Kala Patthar or Everest Base Camp Trekking is most suitable to fit your body and mind.

IMG 0293Lobuche peak edited 1 — *Island Peak*

Island Peak offers a slightly more technical climb. The ascent involves a comfortable scramble, an intriguing rock ridge and then onto a wonderful glacier. Onwards, a steep snow headwall leads to a classic summit ridge. From here you are afforded fabulous views of many Himalayan giants, including the immense face of Lhotse and the elegant pyramid of Ama Dablam. The rewarding return journey is via the main Everest trail, with its welcoming and comfortable teahouses and lodges.

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport. Our Staff member meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.

Morning wake-up and breakfast in hotel.
Our guide will meet you in your hotel and brief you about the upcoming Three pass trekking. He will guide you through all the formalities and necessary paper-works required for the three pass trekking.
After that, we do a Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley of famous UNESCO world heritage sites like Boudhanath, one of the largest Stupas in the world; Swayambhunath, a famous monkey temple and Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple complex. Apart from Sightseeing, we also get TIMS card and permits for our three pass trekking on this day. In the evening, we do initial preparation for the trekking.
Overnight at Hotel.

To start our three pass trek, we depart from Kathmandu via airplane for Lukla (2840 m). The flight takes about 35 minutes to reach Lukla airport from Kathmandu. The Lukla flight is one of the most dramatic short distance flights in the world. The Lukla Airport is located on a hill and consists of a single runway that drops off towards its end to the deep gaping valley below. Surrounded by tall mountains and jaded hills, the airstrip at Lukla is quite fascinating and the flight is a thrilling adventure in itself. Upon arrival at Lukla, the changes are immediately felt. The mountainous landscape becomes quite prominent and the air carries a crisp freshness to it, which only Himalayan atmosphere carries. From Lukla, the trekking trail slowly moves towards the Cheplung Village. View of the sacred Mount Khumbila from the village at Cheplung is gorgeous. From there, a gradual walk downwards leads to the village of Phakding. The terrain is amazing and tall hills surround the trail like giant mounds of emeralds. From Phakding, the sight of the Kusum Kangraru Mountain can be seen. The village of Phakding lies in the Dudh Koshi River valley north of Lukla and contains many guesthouses and lodges for the service of tourists and trekkers.
Overnight at Guesthouse.

Note: The weather in Lukla is very unpredictable. Sometimes due to bad weather the flight may be delayed or cancelled. If the flight is cancelled, you will have to return back to the hotel in Kathmandu. The transportation back to the hotel and accommodation on this night is not included. If the weather is clear next day, you will get either 3rd or 4th flight to Lukla. If still the weather is not clear, there will be an option for helicopter flight also. The cost for helicopter flight is not fixed. It will be quoted by the airlines on the same day. You will have to pay additional approx. 150 – 250 USD for the helicopter flight from KTM to Lukla. Although this problem is rare, it is our duty to let you know in advance.

After breakfast at Phakding, the trail further opens out to reach the celebrated mountain town of Namche Bazaar. On the route to Namche, several smaller villages are crossed, like Jorsale and Monjo. Monjo lies north of Phakding and is the entry point of the Sagarmatha National Park. The trail ventures through the national park and finally arrives at Namche. Walking along the trekking route through the Sagarmatha National Park presents many virtues, like its alpine woods, small rivers and brooks and deciduous forests. Thick acreages of Pine and Cedar cover the lands and provide a pleasant atmosphere to trek through. Namche Bazaar, because of its strategic location, is the commercial hub of the Khumbu region. It is located on a mountain side and views of the Thamserku Peak and the Kongdi RI Himal from here are amazing.
Overnight at Guesthouse.

Today we spend our whole day at Namche Bazaar to get acclimatized with the high elevated environment, which is very essential because we ascend much higher during our three pass trek. We explore the beautiful huge secluded bowl-shaped Namche Bazaar. The marvelous sight of Khumbu Mountains like Ama Dablam (6856 m), Thamserku (6608 m) as well as immense vistas of Everest will take away the breath. Additionally, we walk to Thami (3810 m) situated above Bhote Khola River Valley. We also visit the Sagarmatha National park to view the protected floras and faunas.
Overnight at Teahouse.

After leaving Namche Bazaar the trek takes five to six hours continues along the rushing glacial waters of the DudhKoshi with magnificent views of the mountains that becomes more dramatic as you approach the holy place of Tengboche (3860 m). A traditional site with its wonderful Gompa (monastery) is a spiritual center of the Khumbu region where the Rimpoche (Lama Re-incarnate) exists. The monastery is made of decorated with wall hangings, a twenty feet sculpture of Buddha and the musical instruments of robes of the Lamas. If you are lucky enough you will see the monks performing their rituals and hear the divine chanting and music. Thyangboche known as the best place where panoramic view of Kwangde (6011 m), Nuptse (7879 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Kangtega (6782 m), Ama Dablam (6856 m) and Everest emerge.

Overnight at Teahouse.

Hiking from Debuche, the trail crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola and climbs to Pangboche among thousands of Mani stones holding ‘Yeti Scalp’ in its Gompa. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the picturesque traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche just under AmaDablam with its lovely views of Lhotse (8516 m), Island Peak (6189 m) and Ama Dablam (6856 m). Agriculture is only barely possible in such high altitude places and the lives of the local Sherpa’s are simple by any standards. Much of the walking during this five to six hours trip to reach the altitude of 4100 m is over comparatively gentle gradients, although you proceed at a leisurely pace because of the elevation.

Overnight at Teahouse.

We will spend this day acclimatization on this altitude. We can hike to the surrounding villages for a while but won’t go further higher. Acclimatization is very important and we will allow our body to adapt to the new environment.

Overnight at Teahouse.

Lobuche can be reached by foot and you can continue hiking past frozen rivers where stone houses sit in an icy wilderness of stunning beauty. We can view the Khumbu Ice fall, Pumori (7,161 m) and many smaller peaks from ridge tops on the track.

Overnight at Teahouse.

After leaving Lobuche, the trail to Gorakshep is one of the most beautiful. Trail is mix of stony path and melting glacier surface though we don’t need specific equipment. After 4 hours of walking with a spectacular view of the Himalayas we reach Gorakshep for overnight. After lunch we trek to Everest Base Camp with our light bagpack. A reasonably difficult day walking along the Khumbu glacier and upto Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 5365 m. Everest Base camp it the closest place to reach Mount Everest without mountaineering equipment. You might see group of people attempting to climb massive Mount Everest. Then we hike back to GorakShep. EBC is a side trip, so we suggest you to carry only light backpack (water, chocolate and valuable things).

Overnight at Teahouse.

Another difficult but rewarding day of our Everest Base Camp Trek. We wake up early in the morning and start our hike to Kala Pattar at the elevation of 5555 m. The climb is challenging but the trekker gets the most superb mountain scenery: Everest, the highest point on the planet at 8848 m, towers directly ahead and on all sides emerge the other giants, Nuptse (7879 m), Pumori (7.161 m), Cholatse (6440 m), Lhotse (8516 m) and countless others. Afterwards we make a quick plunge to GorakShep, a tiny village at 5180 m and then trek down to Periche.Overnight at teahouse.

Overnight at Teahouse.

From here we have a short walking day as it is very important to avoid getting affected by the thinning of the air and get acclimatization to climb Island peak. Our guide will give important and useful information about the situation on climbing Island peak and about next day’s activities. Overnight at guesthouse (4710 m).

Overnight at Teahouse.

The path from Chhukung leads fairly steep way climbing south then turning east to the main line of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Continue short pleasant walking along a stream-side leads to what we call Big-rock. The route to the AmphuLapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. Overnight in Island Peak Base Camp (5,200 m).

Overnight at Teahouse.

Island Peak Ascent (6,189 m), from early in the morning will have to climb the rock gully. This is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridge-line, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty, to a 100 m snow and ice slope (40 ° – 45 °) on which the guides will fix the rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. After enjoying the summit views you will descend all the way to Chhukung for overnight.

Overnight at Teahouse.

After difficult but rewarding day of our Island Peak. We walkdown hill to Tengboche via beautiful Pangboche village. On the way down we can enjoy the missing beauty of nature with smooth walk all the way to Tengboche.

Overnight at Teahouse.

Walk down to the valley from where the trail is shallower through alpine meadows. Followed by climb gradually up to Tengboche (3,870 m) where the biggest monastery lies in the whole of Khumbu. The rear of the monastery and continue down until you reach Phunki Tenga. Climb up gradually through a forest. Once you are out of the forest, you will be walking along a ridge from where you can see down on your left some of the deepest gorges of Nepal. In spring, the rhododendrons will look superb making the valley even more beautiful. Reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), for overnight.

Overnight at Teahouse.

Trek back to Lukla along the same trail, although it always looks different coming from the opposite direction on arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of your trek. You can have a good time with two local alcoholic beverages ‘Chang’ or ‘Rakshi.’ Feel free to dance with your crew members in the Sherpa way.

Overnight at Teahouse.

We have now come to the end of our wonderful Island peak climbing with EBC. Today we fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. We have reserved this day for you to gain back your strength and buy some gifts for your loved ones back home. On this day, you can walk around the city and do little shopping or just relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, a staff member will pick you up from the hotel and transfers you to the airport for the final departure. We hope, you had a great time with us and a wonderful experience. We wish you a pleasant and safe flight back home and hope to see you soon again.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

The altitude makes Iceland challenging. The ascent of island Peak will take 2 – 3 days depending on the weather.

There is really only one route to climb Island Peak. The key is to have two nights in Island Peak Base Camp at 5,100 m and use the High Camp at 5,500 m, before going on your summit attempt. We also have 3 nights in Namche Bazaar around 3,500 m on the trek into Everest Base Camp.

Island peak is a difficult climb at an extreme altitude. Before going for the island peak climb, you must understand the risks of going to higher altitude. However, the climbing route is safe because of fixed lines. With strong determination, you will get up to the summit ridge.

6,189 m

Today, doing the ebc with island peak with a trekking company will thus normally cost around USD 2500 – 5500, depending on the final trekking company you choose to go with.

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$ 2200 USD

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Island Peak Climbing with EBC

Quick Facts