Island Peak Expedition

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OVERVIEW

Introduction:

Island Peak is located in the Everest region of Nepal, on the Nepal-Tibet border. It is the extension of Everest and Mt. Lhotse. Island Peak Expedition is a popular expedition among the novice climbers. They begin their mountaineering journey by summiting Island Peak and then move to other peaks. The journey offers the magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Thamserkhu, Ama Dablam, and many more with the trail blanketed by rhododendron, fir, and juniper and pine trees.

Island Peak was named by Eric Shipton’s party in 1952 A.D. due to its striking location in the middle of the Chhukung valley, like an island on a sea of ice while viewed from Dingboche. It was renamed in 1983 to Imja Tse but still, it is popular as island Peak.

The trek allows the trekkers to get acquainted with the Sherpas and their rich culture along with beautiful villages like Tengboche, Bibre, Orsho, Shomare, and many more. During this trek, the trekkers get to see and visit monasteries as well and if the time is right, they can even attend the religious ceremony. Also, the appearances of mountain goats, snow leopards, and colorful pheasants add a bonus to this trail.

The trek has the only gateway and that is the flight from KTM to Lukla and while on the day of ascending to the summit, it is very important to reach the summit before noon to avoid the strong winds in the highlands.

The trek generated more confidence, dedication, and passion for the climbers for the upcoming expeditions. It offers the most beautiful air-route with glistening green and white mountains while travelling to and from Lukla. As the expedition is not a normal trek, the trekkers get to see the team work of the professional crew members as well.

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ITINERARY

Day 1 – Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800 m) then trek to Phakding (2,652 m)

Pick up the clients in the morning and early B/F in KTM then, 40 minutes flight with beautiful insights of green and white Himalayas from KTM to Lukla. On reaching the Tenzing – Hillary Airport in Lukla, we meet our crew members and start our trek for the day to Phakding through the lovely village of Lukla. It would be a short hike for the day, of about 3 to 4 hours, to assist acclimatization though taking a side trip to the nearby monastery can be taken if interested. Overnight stay in Phakding. Included Meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Early morning B/F, we trek through the beautiful pine forests then, along the Dudh Koshi river and reach Namche Bazaar which is considered the Gateway to Everest. It would be about 5 hours of walking this day. This day we reach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park as well and cross about five suspension bridges with the Hillary Bridge being the highest one. The trek offers the astounding view of glistening Mt. Thamserku lets us experience the tranquility of pine, juniper, and fir forests. Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar. Included Meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Acclimatization: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

This day is separated for acclimatization. But instead of staying idle, we explore the region strolling around the quaint villages of Namche. We can interact with Sherpas here and experience their rich culture. Then we proceed to hike to Everest View Hotel that offers the up-close view of the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest. And while returning from the hotel, we can also visit the local museum where the area’s native flora and fauna and the history of the Mount Everest region are displayed. For a little longer hike, we can walk to Khumjung village for 5 - 6 hours where Edmund Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery are located. Khumjung Monastery is famous for housing the head of the Yeti. Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Trek to Tengboche (3,870 m)

After B/F, we take an easy walk to Phunki and then ascend towards Tengboche. We reach there in about 5 to 6 hours. Tengboche is a village famous for Tengboche Monastery which is the largest monastery in the Everest Region and drapes the panoramic 360-degree view of the glistening Himalayas including mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserkhu. Overnight stay in Tengboche. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Trek to Dingboche (4,360 m)

After enjoying the mesmerizing landscape of Himalayan backdrop in Tengboche, we walk through the lush forests of birch, conifers, and rhododendron then the trail dips down to Debuche, crossing the Imja River and climb the upper trail to Panboche as it offers even more fascinating views of the Himalayas. We visit the Pangboche Monastery and enter the Imja valley, descend to the Lobuche River and climb up to Dingboche. We walked for about 5 to 6 hours this day. Overnight stay in Dingboche. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Trek to Chhukung (4,730 m)

After B/F, we walk through the stone-walled fields, Imja Khola valley then walk in the glacier moraines. During our trek, we will be surrounded by Lhotse and Ama Dablam mountain. We reach the Bibre village and beyond that, we can see the Island Peak rising above us. We reach Chhukung after 3 - 4 hours of walk. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Acclimatization: Chhukung Ri (5,546 m) and back to Chhukung (4,730 m)

This day is set for acclimatization. We climb to Chhukung Ri for 3 – 4 hours as it should help our body adjust to the high altitude. The Chchukung Ri is directly above the Chhukung village. We can enjoy the spectacular view of AmaDablam and Amphu Labsa peaks from the top. We descended back for the overnight stay in Chhukung. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5,200 m)

We climb a steep trail today for about 3 - 4 hours and reach the Island Peak Base Camp. We come across a crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines that lead to a wide valley flanking the SouthWest side of Island Peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Pre-climb training on Island Peak Base Camp

After B/F, the pre-climb training will start. Our certified experienced guides will provide you the training on peak climbing techniques and the proper way of using climbing gears like ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, ascender, harness, etc. You will learn to use the ropes to go up and down. You will develop your confidence and boost your climbing skills after the training. We can spend the rest of the day hiking to high camp and back or take rest for the climb tomorrow. Overnight at the base camp. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Trek to Island Peak Summit (6,189 m)

We would wake up early around 12 to 1 am and have B/F. We begin our trek then because we have to reach the summit before noon to avoid strong winds in the highlands for a successful trek to the summit. The trail to the summit is several hundred meters from the base camp. The path has sandy initials and soon turns green before boulder strews. The guide will fix the rope when required though the trek is not hard. Similarly, the ladders are used to cross the crevasses which are approximately 3 or 4 meters long. After reaching the summit, we would take pictures and enjoy our success and descend to the Island Peak Base Camp. The trek would be of approximately 10 to 12 hours today. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Trek to Pangboche (3,985 m) from Island Peak Base Camp

After B/F, we descend for about 5 to 6 hours to the lower altitudes following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola. We pass through the beautiful Orsho and Shomare villages of the Sherpa community. We can even visit the Gompa in Upper Panboche. Pangboche provides scenic beauty as it is surrounded by mt. Everest to the north, Ama Dablam, Thamserkhu, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south and Imja Tse River flowing through the valley. Included meals: B/F, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Trek to Namche Bazaar

We descend for 4 to 5 hours today, down the Imja Khola, and through the forests to Tengboche. Then we walk through the rhododendron and juniper forest and after crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, we walk through the pine forests and reach Sansa. After passing a Chorten, we reach the army camp at Namche Bazaar and overnight stay there. Included meals: B/F, Dinner
Day 13 – Trek to Lukla

Today we descend for 6 to 7 hours the steep trails on the rocky terrains. After crossing the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and its tributaries, the trail becomes more natural. After we finally reached Lukla. Overnight stay in Lukla. Included meals: B/F, Lunch
Day 14 – Fly to KTM

We take an early morning flight to KTM after B/F and reach KTM. Included meals: B/F

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COST

TRIP INFO

Trek Overview:

Trek Duration: 13N / 6D
Trek Grade: Moderate
Highest Altitude: 6,189 m above sea level
Accommodation: Lodge / Tea House / Tented Camp
Transportation: Overland and Flight
Group size: 2 to 12 pax (maximum)
Best season: Mar-May and Sept-Nov
Per Day Walk: 4 – 6 hours and 10 – 12 hours on the day to reach the summit
Trek Cost: ******

Trek Highlights:

Breathtaking view of Himalayas during the flight to and from Lukla.
Enjoy a close-up view of the mighty Everest from Namche Bazaar; Gateway to Everest.
Panoramic 350 – degree view of the glistening Himalayas including Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserkhu from Tengboche Monastery.
Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung Monastery, and Oldest Gompa in Khumbu Region.
Visit and Experience the wonderful Sherpa culture and scenic local villages.
Walkthrough the beautiful rhododendron and pine forests.
Appearances of snow leopards, mountain goats, and colorful pheasants.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

WHAT IS EXCLUDED

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MAP

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EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

RECOMMENDED GEARS

Here are some necessary trekking apparatus that can be required for accomplishing your trek effortlessly. They are shortlisted below.

PERSONAL AND CLOTHING ITEMS

Accessories and Technical items

Binoculars
Camera
Diaries and Journal to write experiences in words
Books/GPS navigators
Credit cards/ATM cards
Umbrella (if it’s too hot or if it rains)

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