Island Peak Climbing

An early morning flight to Lukla (either from Kathmandu or Ramechhap) starts the day. After an epic 45-minute mountain flight, you will land at Lukla.

Our porters will collect your baggage, and you will set off for a light, 3-hour introductory trek to Phakding.

Your first morning in the Everest region introduces you to the true beauty of this region. The blissful sunrise and an energizing breakfast should prepare you for the day’s trek to Namche Bazaar.

The trek to Namche takes 5 to 6 hours. The route passes through the Dudh Koshi River with a few ups and downs, and the villages of Monjo and Jorsalle.

From Kathmandu (1,400m) to Lukla (2,860m) and Namche (3,440m), the altitude gain has been quick. It's now time to acclimatize to the Khumbu region's weather and altitude with a side conquest.

The day trip to the renowned Everest View Hotel is a popular choice. Similarly, the villages of Khumjung and Kunde also attract trekkers and climbers acclimatizing in Namche. You can visit the Edmund Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery, the latter renowned for housing the skull of the Yeti.

Today's trekking trail features scenic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. You will first trek around the side of the valley and then descend approximately 300m/984 feet to the Dudh Kosi River, passing through several villages.

Reaching Tengboche requires a steep uphill climb of 700m/2,296 feet in the final phase. Home to the renowned Tengboche Monastery, we can visit the monastery in the afternoon to observe the ceremony.

The trail winds through birch, conifer, and rhododendron forests with tranquil mountain views. You will descend to the village of Deboche, cross the Imja River, and trek up to the village of Pangboche, also probably visiting the Pangboche Monastery.

Moderate trekking through the Imja Valley leads to the confluence of the Lobuche River. You will descend into the river and climb up to Dingboche to be finally greeted by the village's stone walls and fields of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes.

Our Island Peak Climbing itinerary includes an additional acclimatization day at Dingboche. 

Today, we will ascend to 4,900m/ 16,000 feet for some of the most beautiful views of the eight-thousanders: Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Lhotse. Ascending to this altitude and sleeping lower at Dingboche provides the perfect acclimatizing opportunity for your trip.

You'll have the entire day for yourself after lunch in Dingboche. Feel free to stroll around or sleep in.

The itinerary till here followed the well-worn path of the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. You will now deviate from the classic trail and head on a 2-hour trek to Chhukung. We will first transition into the Imja Valley with detailed views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam.

We will then progress towards Bibre, a camp utilized by yak herders that features scenic landscapes featuring step rocks and the snow-covered south face of the pyramidal Island Peak. A 30-minute hike from Bibre will take us to Chhukung, our final destination for the day.

The trek from Chhukung to Island Base Camp takes around 5 hours. After ensuring that your harness, crampons, Jumar, and all climbing equipment are properly fitted and prepared for use, you can rest at base camp for the remainder of the day. You should also attend a training session to use the equipment properly and climb a nearby wall to prepare. You will sleep in a tent today.

Waking up at 12:30 am is not easy, but it is what it takes to summit Island Peak at sunrise. You will ascend in darkness with head torches. This part is slow and light.

After reaching the high camp, you will have to scramble to an open gully. The final stretch to the summit is the hardest and requires climbing with fixed ropes and the Jumar technique.

Although rare, weather conditions may cause the first summit attempt to be postponed. In this case, having a spare day on the itinerary allows you to undergo your attempt on the second day.

If your summit attempt is successful on Day 10, you can either use this day to trek and explore more sites in the Everest region or descend early for your eventual flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

The trek back from Dingboche to Namche follows the same picturesque route. Remember to hydrate well and control the pace, as descending has its own set of challenges and is not always easier than the ascent.

We will have to reach Lukla to confirm the flight booking back to Kathmandu. Once you reach Lukla early, this may be the time to celebrate with a beer or two and share your epic adventure stories with other trekkers and climbers resting on their way up.

Irrespective of whether you booked a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu or Ramechhap, the return trip will always take you straight to Kathmandu. Sublime Trails will shuttle you from the airport to your hotel.

If you wish to tour the valley of Kathmandu with its rich cultural and historical heritages, we can arrange for a guided tour.

The day will be filled plentifully with seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan.