Island Peak is an excellent opportunity to achieve a over 6000 meter Himalayan summit together with an exhilarating trek to the Everest Base Camp and Kalapattar.

Trekking to Kalaphattar gives you the opportunity to fulfill a dream, while taking in some of the most incredible scenery in the Himalayas. Naturally, the trail to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world has become one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas, if not in the world. This is also the main route for Everest Expeditions and for climbing other surrounding peaks, like our goal Island Peak. After one and a half week of trekking you will be physically fit and well acclimatized to try to reach the summit of Island Peak at 6173 m!

We start our trek to Everest Base Camp by a about 45 minute flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and the same day we trek three hours to Phakding. The following day you trek to Namche and spend two nights for acclimatization to avoid high altitude sickness. From here you have spectacular wiev of Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m), Lhotse (8501m), Ama Dablam and Thamserku mountains. During the trek we follow the main Everest Base Camp Trail, the route pioneered and still used by many climbing expeditions. What makes it hard going is the altitude, which may affect your performance, though rest days are built into the trek to help you acclimatize. Most trekking days allow plenty of time to cover the distance at a relaxed pace.

From Kalaphattar one can get a wiev of Everest Base Camp and surrounded by some of the highest mountains on the Earth you will amaze at this incredible mountain scenery. The cultural aspects of the area rest on its intimate connection with Tibetan Buddhism. The biodiversity of the region is now protected by Sagarmatha National Park.

After reaching EBC and Kalapatthar you take on a new challenge! To climb a over 6000 meter Himalayan Peak. We have a few tariningdays before we had for the summit. Make your dream of standing on the top of the world coem true!

Accommodations are available in comfortable teahouses run by Sherpa families en-route. You carry a light back-pack only and walk at your own pace with your guide. Your luggage is carried by porters or yaks.

You will experience the Everest trail and its fabulous culture, history and scenery, but do not underestimate that your efforts will take place at altitude. Good health and a basic good physical condition together with careful pacing and plenty of time to acclimatise is the key to a successful trip.

Some Facts:
Climbing Region     Khumbu Everest Region
Culture     Sherpa Culture
Total duration    18 days
Grade    Moderate
Highest point    Island peak summit 6173 meter
Season    Sep – May
Accomodation     Teahouse / Camping

Day By Day Itinerary:

Day 1    Fly to Lukla (2800 m) trekking around three hours through small villages to Phakding (2600 m). Overnight in teahouse.

Day 2    Trekking to the Namche Bazaar (3440 m). We cross the river Dudh Koshi a few times before climbing up the steep hill to Namche Bazaar (4-5 hours).  Namche Bazaar is the Sherpa capital where you can meet world famous climbers, every Everest expedition go through this village. You find shops selling climbing gear and souvenirs and today you even find internet facilities.

Day 3    Today we have an acclimatizing day since we are all ready at 3440 m. After breakfast we take a about two hour walk up towards Everest View Hotel, from here we have a magnificent view of Mt. Everest. After a cup of coffee we walk to the Kumjung village for lunch and then return back to Namche Bazaar for the evening.

Day 4    Our goal today is to reach Deboche. We also have an opportunity to visit the worlds highest monastery in Tengboche. During the trek you will have fantastic mountain views of Amadablam, Everest, Nuptche, Lotsche and many other over 6000 meter peaks.

Day 5    Today is a short day, trekking up to Pangboche. It will take us about three hours. In order to acclamatise well and get our bodies adjusted to the high altitude we allow plenty of time for our trek and climb about 300 m. in altitude every 24 hours.

Day 6    Today we pass above the tree line on our trek up to Dingboche. We also have a big chance to see wildlife and beautiful birds. We pass by small stupas and enjoy breathtaking views of the 8000 m. peaks. Today is a ones in a life time experience!

Day 7    Dingboche is located at 4350 m. Today we have our second acclimatizing day. We pack a light lunch and climb up to a 5000 m. ridge where you have the chance to see Makalu, Island Peak and Amadablam. After lunch on the top we return to the village for rest and overnight.

Day 8    Today we are heading for Lobuje, it takes about five hours and most of the trek will be up hill. We will be passing by a few monuments of some of the worlds famous climbers that has been buried here. Once we are at Lobuje you will probably feel the altitude a bit, if you have not felt it before. The key to avoid futher trouble is to stay hydrate and drink lot’s of water.

Day 9    We start early today and head up to Gorakshep for lunch. Gorakshep was the base camp when Sir Edmond Hillary and Tenging Norge Sherpa went climbing Everest in 1953. From here we set off for ascending the highest point of our trek, the top of Kalapatthar. It is about five hours trekking to Kalapatthar and back. We stay the night at Gorakshep.

Day 10    Next we leave the Everest Base Camp trek and go on to our new climbing challenge. We head up the Imje Khola Valley to Chhukhung where we meet up with our climbing guide and the Sherpa team.

Day 11    Today we trek to Island Peak Base Camp at 5150 m. The trail crosses the Imje Khola river and follows the valley for approx 3 hours, we can enjoy magnificent views of the south face of Lhotse. Our base camp is by the side of the Imja glacier. In the afternoon our climbing guide will go through how to use climbing equipment and other theory about our climb and ensure that you have the required information and climbing skills to go for the summit.

Day 12     Today we trek to high camp where we will relax and make our final preparations for our attempt for the summit.

Day 13    Ascent of Island Peak, 6173 m. We start at 2 AM from the high camp. We cross the gully above the camp that leads us to the glacier. Here it is time to rope-up and put on our crampons as the most interesting part of the climb begins with the glacier crossing. This is followed by the steep snow slope that leads onto the summit ridge. Reaching the summit we have stunning close up views of the south face of Lhotse. Looking in the other direction, there are dramatic views od several mountains. After spending a short while on the summit of Island Peak ee descend the same route, down to the base camp.

Day 14    We allow one spare day in case of bad weather.

Day 15    We now start our trek down from the mountain, today we trek down to the village Deboche, five to six hours, mostly downhill.

Day16    Today our challenge will be trekking all the way down to the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar. Enjoy beeing back to civilization and have a good cup of coffee and pastry at the café!

Day 17    After breakfast we keep heading down. On our last day of trekking it will take us about six hours to the guesthouse in Lukla. We celebrate our last night on the mountain so it is also a time to say good bye to our support team and Sherpa friends. Our guides will sort out the flight back to Kathmandu for the next morning.

Day 18    We catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu for a hot shower and cold beer! Transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu.
EXTRA!    Additional program: We recommend a few days at Royal Beach Camp after your trek. Relax at the beach, enjoy outdoor comfort and go rafting, kayaking and canyoning! See www.royalbeachnepal.com

What you need to know: