Island Peak and Everest Base Camp 18 Days

Island Peak and Everest Base Camp 18 Days

Island Peak or Imja Tse (6,189m / 20,305 ft) lies in the center of the Everest Region of Nepal and is the most popular of Nepal's 33 designated trekking peaks. It's a great summit for first time climbers who are looking for something a little more challenging then the Everest Base Camp Trek and a good peak to start with for those with more mountaineering ambitions in Nepal. While Island Peak is used by many to gear up for higher and more precipitous peaks to come after, the climb is, by itself, extraordinarily scenic and endlessly exhilarating! Our professionally-developed climbing itinerary maximizes the sightseeing possibilities (which include Everest Base Camp and the hike to Kala Pathar) while factoring in ample time for acclimatization and a reasonable pace.

DAY 1 - KATHMANDU: ARRIVAL DAY

Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft

Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital and cultural hub of Nepal! We'll be waiting with a warm greeting and easy transfer to your hotel. Take a rest after the long flight and explore Thamel the hub of Kathmandu.

DAY 2 - KATHMANDU: PREPARATION

Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft

Today our team will meet with you in the early afternoon to review the gear you have brought and to take you to the gear rental shop. We will make sure you have quality climbing boots that fit well before you head off to the mountain. Plan on an evening briefing on last-minute specifics about your trek and an early lights-out: you have a big day ahead.

DAY 3 - KATHMANDU TO LUKLA FLIGHT AND PHAKDING

Altitude: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) & 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding)

Walking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours) *

Flight time: 35 min

After a short morning flight to Lukla, you'll be introduced to your guide and porter. Kick off your trek with an easy walk through Chaurikharka village and descent towards Dudhkoshi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the bank of the Dudhkoshi River until Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), where we will be staying for the night to acclimatize. Enjoy your free time in Phakding, a popular stopping point.

Note: Lukla Flights may depart and return to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. Ramechhap airport is a 4 hour drive from Kathmandu so we will get started for the airport around 3 or 4 am.

DAY 4 - PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft

Walking Distance: 10-12km (5-6 hours)

We'll have breakfast in Phakding before gearing up for the trek to Namche Bazaar, the biggest sherpa village in Nepal. Our trail takes us first over the Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Kosi River (spotting Mani stones along the way!) en route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it's uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. It's a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you'll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty.

DAY 5 - NAMCHE BAZAAR: REST AND ACCLIMATIZATION DAY

Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft

At this point, we take a well-deserved break! Today will be spent resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the lofty altitude. There's an optional 2 hour hike to Everest View Point, an uphill walk that will help speed acclimatization. Otherwise, spend the day exploring Namche Bazaar. Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals' marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment.

DAY 6 - NAMCHE BAZAAR TO TENGBOCHE

Altitude: 3,870m/12,684ft

Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)

Breakfast in Namche Bazaar fuels us for another day of trekking towards Everest Base Camp today! Breathtaking views of the Himalayas - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde - are some of the highlights not be missed. A short drop takes us to the riverside, then it's across the river upwards through the forest pass. Brace your legs for a continual uphill trek at this point, alternating between a gradual grade and some seriously steep ground! Our destination, Tengboche, is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region. Its views, which include Ama Dablam, are legendary. We'll stop in on the Tengboche monastery, which is one of the largest in Khumbu. Nourish your spirit with a guided tour of the monastery grounds, followed by chanting and prayer with the resident Buddhist monks.

DAY 7 - TENGBOCHE TO DINGBOCHE

Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft

Walking Distance: 11km (6 hours)

Our trek today kicks off with a walk through the rhododendron forest to Deboche followed by a bridge over the raging Imja Khol River. We'll pass the valley wall and then traverse the plains to Pangboche village, the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. Enjoy a great opportunity to observe a typical Sherpa village and have lunch with the locals! The intrepid can brave a brief hike to the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest in the area. Our afternoon trek will be a difficult one, as the landscape gives way to dry, deserted mountains and we hike towards Dingboche.

DAY 8 - DINGBOCHE: REST AND ACCLIMATIZATION DAY

Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft

This is your chance to rest up before the last leg of our adventure! Savor a full day of exploring Dingboche and the surrounding valleys of Chhukung and Imja, the latter of which links with Island Peak, the high passes of Amphu Laptsa, and Makalu Barun National Park. Taking an optional trek to the valleys will pay off in rewarding views, but taking it easy is the most important thing today. You'll need your rest for the penultimate day of ascent tomorrow.

DAY 9 - DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE

Altitude: 4,900m/16,076ft

Walking Distance: 11-12km (6-7 hours)

The next part of our adventure brings over craggy mountain terrain to Lobuche, a small settlement with amazing views of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumari and the Nuptse. Prepare to snuggle up for a cold night, as we are now almost three miles above sea level and the evenings can be downright chilly!

DAY 10 - LOBUCHE TO GORAKSHEP AND EVEREST BASE CAMP

Altitude: 5180m/16,994ft (Gorekshep) & 5364m/17598 (EBC)

Walking Distance: 15km (6-8 hours)

Our day kicks off with an initial, relatively easy trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep. The subsequent, straight trail to Everest Base Camp is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris. On the way to our destination, we'll approach the famed Khumbu Glacier and icefall, located on the slopes of Everest. At the Base Camp, our goal, you'll have the chance (during the spring climbing season) to meet climbers attempting to scale the mountain's summit. Break out your cameras for unbelievable views of breathtaking beauty.

DAY 11 - EBC TO KALAPATHAR AND CHUKHUNG

Altitude: 5,545m/18,192ft (Kalapathar) & 4,730m/15,518ft (Chukhung)

Walking Distance: 16km (7-8 hours)

Today starts with a climb up to Kalapather for some of the finest panoramic views of the Himalayas to be found! Once we finish the morning climb we will head back down the mountain to Dingboche where we break off from the main Everest Base Camp Trail and head towards Chukhung and Island Peak. It's another 5km to Chukhung where we spend the night.

DAY 12 - CHUKHUNG TO ISLAND PEAK BASE CAMP, CLIMBING TRAINING

Altitude: 5,200m/17,060ft

Walking Distance: 5km (3-4 hours)

This morning will start with the relatively short hike to Island Peak Base Camp. It is possible to make the Island Peak summit with no prior climbing experience (assuming sufficient physical fitness), but having past climbs under your belt will make you a stronger and more confident climber. You'll enjoy the summit more if you aren't quite so anxious about the actual climbing! Staff will give you hands-on training on the use of implements like the ice axe and climbing boot, and demonstrate moving up and down on ropes. Get some rest, we push for the summit at midnight!

DAY 13 - ISLAND PEAK: SUMMIT, RETURN TO CHUKHUNG

Altitude: 5,200m/17,060ft to Island Peak (6,189m/20,305 ft) to Chukhung (4730m/ 15518ft)

Walking Distance: 10km (12-14 hours)

Today's the big day! 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.

DAY 14 - CHUKHUNG TO TENGBOCHE

Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft

Walking Distance: 14km (12-14 hours)

We retrace the original steps of our ascent as we make our way back down the mountain again. The fascinating culture of the Sherpas is on display once more - don't miss a peak at the yak-herding stations.

DAY 15 - TENGBOCHE TO NAMCHE

Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft

Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)

The walk from Pheriche back to Tengboche is mainly downhill, although it does, counterintuitively, require an hour scaling a hill. We'll be in Namche by late afternoon and off to bed before our last day on the mountain.

DAY 16 - NAMCHE TO PHAKDING AND LUKLA

Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft

Walking Distance: 16km (6-8 hours)

After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in a proper hotel and, traditionally, a party with your trekking crew: you made it! Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you've accomplished a physical feat of which others only dream. This is your last night on the mountain, which can be bittersweet.

DAY 17 - LUKLA TO KATHMANDU

In the morning, you'll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where your journey both began and ends. You'll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. We'll reunite in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants in town, where we'll be eager to hear your feedback on the trip.

DAY 18 - KATHMANDU: DEPARTURE DAY

It's your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast, and then take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu. We'll make sure you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport with plenty time before your flight home. At this time, we'll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell, armed with warm memories and gorgeous photos to show your loved ones.
* All distances and time estimates are approximate.