Trip Highlights
- Visit Kala Patthar for a panoramic view of the entire Everest Range
- Visit many prominent villages of the Khumbu region, like Namche Bazaar and Tengboche
- Visit the revered Tengboche Monastery
- Enjoy the Sherpa culture of the region
- Summit the Island peak
Overview
The 19 Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp is an all-encompassing journey that takes you to the heart of the Khumbu region. If you are looking for an adventure that will present you with all the best features of the Everest region in a go, then this climbing journey is for you!
One of Nepal’s most renowned climbing peaks, the Island Peak is a great beginner’s peak. Surrounded by glaciers, the peak rises from amidst the turquoise sludge, much like an island- hence its name. The journey takes you through many of Khumbu’s famous settlements and villages and offers you dramatic views of the Himalayas.
With a short but endearing flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, you will begin your trip, crossing wonderful trails that go through ethnic Sherpa villages. The journey takes you through Namche Bazaar- one of the most well-known Sherpa towns in Nepal and Tengboche and Lobuche, among many others. Moreover, the journey also takes you to Kalapatthar, one of the best viewpoints in the region from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Sagarmatha range.
Likewise, the trip is also equally opulent in culture. Throughout the journey, you will encounter many monasteries and shrines, Mani stone walls, and stupas. The suspension bridges of the region that you will cross are also covered in colorful prayer flags, and the trip also takes you to the famous Tengboche Monastery.
Similarly, the trip then features the highlight of the journey- summit to the Island Peak. It also requires you to trudge through the high mountain passes of the region, the Kongma La. The journey is also naturally beautiful. The trail cuts through the alpine cedar, maple, and pine forests of the Sagarmatha National Park, one of the natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Join us on this daring adventure that will take you to the vast expanses of the Everest Himal. You will be provided with the best services throughout the trip, from food and accommodation to transportation and guide. So don’t miss out on your chance of conquering a Himalayan peak! The memories of this journey will stay in your mind forever!
Itinerary
You may arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Upon your arrival, you will be taken to your hotel by one of our airport representatives. Overnights stay at the hotel.
This day is reserved for preparing for the trip. You can shop for climbing equipment today or be rented via the many shops situated close to the hotel you are staying at. If you want, you can also have a tour of the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the city- the Pashupatinath temple, the Swayambhunath Stupa, the Kathmandu Durbar square, and the Bouddhanath Temple. Overnights stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Early in the morning, you will have a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The short flight is quite amazing, and you can see wonderful views of the mountain peaks from the plane. The Lukla airport is also quite famous for being one of the most thrilling airports globally, with a short runway located on a Cliffside. Upon landing at Lukla, you will begin your trek to Phakding, one of the famous villages of the Khumbu. Overnights stay at Phakding.
Today, you will be entering the Sagarmatha National Park. Then, passing through smaller ethnic settlements, you will make your way through the alpine forests towards Namche Bazaar. Today, you will also begin to see glimpses of the Everest Mountains, like the Kongdi RI, the Thamserku, and the Ama Dablam, among many others. The journey to Namche Bazaar is quite a climb, as you will be making your way up the Khumbu valley, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. Finally, you will arrive at Namche- the Gateway to Everest. Overnights stay at Namche Bazaar.
This day is reserved for acclimatization. You can spend the day exploring the mountain town and making a short trip to the Syangboche Airstrip located above the town. From the airstrip, you can get wonderful panoramic views of the valley and the town situated on a Cliffside with layered and terraced fields upon which small houses are built. The views of the Everest peak, along with mountains like the Ama Dablam, the Lobuche Himal, the Kongdi RI, and the Thamserku, among many others, also line the horizon. You can also make a short trip to the famous Everest Hotel for tea and amazing mountain sights. Namche also has a Sherpa Culture Museum and an Everest Photo Gallery. Overnights stay at Namche Bazaar.
This is the day where you will trek further from Namche towards Tengboche. It is another prominent Sherpa village of the region, and it also houses the revered Tengboche Monastery. Crossing the rivers, you will make your way through the pine woodlands towards Tengboche, crossing through the valley under the canopies of the Rhododendron trees. Upon reaching Tengboche, you can get wonderful views of the hills surrounding the village, covered in rhododendron trees, and the sight of the Ama Dablam peak from the monastery courtyard just unforgettable. Overnights stay at Tengboche.
Leaving the village, you will make your way up and down the terrace fields towards Pheriche today. The village of Pheriche is situated on a terraced cliffside, much like Namche, and it also features a museum where you can see the skeletal remains of a yeti. Crossing pasturelands small forested areas, you will arrive at the village and be greeted by wonderful views of the Everest peaks. You can also see cattle and yak herds grazing in the pastures here. Overnights stay at Pheriche.
This is a steep trek as you will be gaining elevation today. Going steeply uphill, you will make your way through the sparse tundra vegetation towards Lobuche. As you continue on your journey, you will come across many cairns decorate with colorful prayer flags and small chortens situated at intervals along the path. You will also come across the Himalayan Rescue Association building and cross the Dudh Koshi River valley. Overnights stay at Lobuche.
The trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep is steep. Much like Lobuche, the small settlement of Gorak Shep is also sparsely populated and only has a few teahouses standing on barren snowy terrain. After reaching Gorak Shep, you can rest for a while at a teahouse. From there, you will continue towards Everest Base Camp, making your way through the Khumbu Glacier. The vast glacier is formed with ice and grey boulders floating on a concentrated pool of loose stones. If you were to compare it, you could say that it resembles a lunar terrain instead of terra. Finally, you will arrive at the base camp of Mount Everest. This is where the Everest Expedition begins. After spending some time at the base camp, you will make your way back to Gorak Shep. Overnights stay at Gorak Shep.
This is an exciting day as you will make your way to Kala Patthar, one of the region's best viewpoints. You will make your way to Kala Patthar early in the morning before dawn so that you can see the gorgeous sunrise amidst the Everest peaks. It is a wonderful phenomenon as the sun rises from behind the mountains and changes its color from cold tones to warmer shades. The viewpoint also presents the panoramic views of Mount Everest, Mount Pumori, the Nuptse Himal, the Lhotse Himal, and the Changtse Peak. After taking pictures and enjoying the view, you will walk back to Gorak Shep. After breakfast, you will descend back to Lobuche. Overnights stay at Lobuche.
From Lobuche, you will have a strenuous climb up the mountain pass of Kongma La. It is a steep uphill climb, but the ordeal is worth the trouble as the views of the mountain peak and the valley below are quite mesmerizing from the top. During winters, heavy snow can block the mountain passes, so summertime is the only time when you can cross it. From the top of the mountain pass, you will then begin your descend slowly, going through the angular terrain in slow steps. Finally, you will reach Chhukung, a small Sherpa settlement at the foot of the pas. Overnights stay at Chhukung.
The small village of Chhukung is situated at the foothill of the pass, and you can see glimpses of the Ama Dablam from the village periphery. In addition, there are glacial moraines that flow from Mount Lhotse towards the sandy flatlands at Pareshaya Gyab. From Chhukung, you will steadily make your way to the Island Peak Base Camp, crossing the moraine and trekking through the sparse tundra of the Imja valley. Overnights stay at base camp.
This day is reserved for a training day. Your guide will show you how to use the peak climbing equipment like ice axes and carabineers for tomorrow's ascent up the mountain. You can practice using this equipment today and get properly acquainted with using them in the snow. Overnights stay at base camp.
This is a strenuous day as you will be making your way up the summit of Island Peak. It is a treacherous journey, but you will follow your guide, who will take you through the vast and dangerous snowy terrain to the top. Using your equipment like ropes and crampons, you will steadily make your way to the top. You will have to begin your climb up the mountain early in the morning to make it to the top and back again. Finally, after reaching the summit, you can bask in the accomplishment and then make your way back down. Overnights stay at the base camp.
From the base camp, it is a steady climb downhill through the valley back to Pangboche today. While the climb uphill through the valley was a little strenuous, the trek back is much easier. You can also enjoy amazing views of the mountains throughout the trip and pass through the rhododendron forests once more. Overnights stay at Pangboche.
Making your way back through the terrace fields and passing through the pastures, you will make your way back to Namche once again. It is a steady up and down climb through the valley, and you will also cross many small streams and rivers today. Finally, you will reach Namche. Overnights stay at Namche.
From Namche, you will bid the mountains goodbye as you enter through the woodlands of the Sagarmatha National Park once again back towards Lukla. You will pass through the villages again and enjoy the woodlands at a more leisurely pace. Overnights stay at Lukla.
From Lukla, you will say goodbye to the Everest peaks for the last time and fly back to Kathmandu. Upon landing at Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnights stay at Kathmandu.
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your final departure.
Cost Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- All arrival and departure from the airport to hotel and back on private cars, coach or buses as per the group size.
- Accommodation in tourist standard or 2-3 star class hotels on bed and breakfast basis as well in twin sharing basis rooms. (For single supplement at extra cost)
- Tour and sightseeing around Kathmandu as per the itinerary chosen with city guides includes all entrance fees at places of interest.
- Domestic air flights as per the itinerary chosen, some with overland drive to reach at the start of treks and on the end, where chartered bus-cars or coach included as per group size.
- Full board on trekking with breakfast-lunch-afternoon refreshment with dinner includes twin sharing rooms in lodge on route treks and long tours.
- Applicable Trekking Information Management Systems permits (TIMS) with Conservation or National Park permits.
- All tour and treks accompanied by guides-staff and porters (either human or pack animals like yaks or mules), all wages, meals, accommodation, transportation facilities with Insurance against medical and accidents.
- In some high altitude treks we provide sleeping bags and down jackets also with comprehensive medical kits carried by our guides and staff.
- Sleeping bags, and down jackets might include depending upon trip cost.
- First Aid and Comprehensive Medical Kit carried by our guides on all treks and climb.
- Special Permits on Restricted Areas Treks.
- If camping on remote areas where all meals included breakfast-lunch-afternoon refreshment with dinner includes twin sharing tents on route treks and climb.
- On climbing peaks, includes peak permits, special summit bonus for guides, with climbing equipment allowance with special insurance for guide only.
Cost Excludes
- International air-fare, Personal medical / travel insurance and Nepal visa fees.
- Expenses of individual nature drinks, laundry, telephone bills, gratitude and meals in city areas Kathmandu and Pokhara as per the itinerary chosen.
- On treks, laundry, recharge of electronic items and hot-showers.
- Personal Trekking-Climbing gear and equipment’s including down jackets-sleeping bags . if not provided by the company as per the trip cost.
- Single Supplement on hotel rooms as well on trek in lodge where clients should inform ahead on booking with extra charge on booking single private rooms where available.
- Emergency evacuation by any means of transportations including immediate Helicopter services if required on accidents, sickness and personal problems.
- Early return from the tour or treks will not be entertainment with refund, where client should borne all the expenses incurred including accompany guide-porters services.
- Gratitude / Tipping at the end of treks and climbs.
FAQ’S (Frequently Asked Questions):
Island Peak is a famous and popular trekking peak to climb, located within high
Khumbu is around Imjatse valley and close to Everest. The grade is PD+ (Per
Difficult and plus) as per French and Swiss Alpine Classification Systems.
A great adventure allows trekkers and climbers to get acclimatized by visiting Everest
base camp, as well as crossing the high Kongma-La pass at 5,535 m high.
Island Peak and Imjatse Himal are the same mountains, the name Island Peak is due
to its location in the midst of Imjatse Himal. The NMA (Nepal Mountaineering
Association uses the name Imjatse Himal rather than Island Peak).
But Island Peak name is more popular than Imjatse Himal, although the same name
for the peak.
As this trek takes you around the famous and popular Everest base camp trail,
where many good lodges and food are available. From Continental, Tibetan, Chines,
Indian, Italian and Nepalese sets of the menu. The rooms are cozy and neat but on
the climb of Island Peak use a tented camp for a few overnights till the climb is
complete. Brown Bear provides two men’s tents, with a different unit of kitchens with
cook and kitchen staff, along with guides and porters.
Depending upon the seriousness of the patient, for minor wounds and sickness,
having self-treatment with the medicines carried by the clients and from Brown
Bear Trail. For critical conditions, the victim should be brought and evacuated to
a safe lower place to the nearest medical post or hospital by the fastest means of
transportation. Some situation requires Helicopter service the fastest means to
bring the sick to Kathmandu for further treatment.
On this trip to Island Peak and Everest Base Camp, all places have the facilities of
electricity power either by hydro or solar energy. Where one can charge their
electronic items by paying a fee per hour for gadgets charged to the lodge owner.
But from Chukung to Island Peak Base Camp for the climb, there will no facilities to
charge your electronic items for a few days. Trekkers need to carry a portable
Solar panels for charging their electronic gadgets till Chukung, Dingboche is
reached at the end of the climb.
The best time and seasons are spring and autumn/fall. Spring starts from March
to May. The spring will be lively and bright with clear fine days most of the time
with longer sunlight hours. Where hills will be alive with wildflowers in full bloom
especially the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. Could get snow-fall
sometimes and light rain around lower areas.
The next time is autumn/fall from September to November, most days are
crystal clear for views and walks. But days are short due to the sunlight hours of
autumn and pre-winter times. Can expect snowfall around high altitudes above
2,800 m high, extra cold with a wind-chill factor.
