Extreme

Grade

Extreme

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Destination

Nepal

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Max. Altitude

6189 Mt

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Duration

21 Days

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Activity

Peak Climbing

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Accomodation

Camping + Tea House

Overview

We materialize your dreams – Explore with local experts

Island Peak is located at the heart of Khumbu region which is recognized as a moderate Climbing peak of Everest area. Island Peak was the name given to the mountain in 1952 by Eric Shipton’s who thought it to be reminiscent of an island in a sea of ice. It was renamed “Imja Tse” in the early ’80s, though its original name is still more popular. Our Island peak climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek can also be very interesting to the climbers who are planning to attempt even higher altitude peaks afterwards. Island peak climbing fulfills the dream of the climbers who are seeking the thrill of adventure and wish to widen their experience towards peak climbing & expedition.

This wonderful trek takes us to the heart of the Khumbu.We follow the expedition route to Everest Base Camp and make an ascent of Kalapathar (5550m) for close up views of Everest and the surrounding Peaks.We then move on the Imja Valley to the base of Island Peak (6189m). Climbing this peak is challenging as we scramble on rock,ascend a snow face and then tackle the fnal ridge.For those who are well acclimatised,determined and have the energy, the views from the top provides some of the most striking scenery in the entire region.

TRIP ITINERARY

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.After your checkin the group leader will set a time for your trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organise a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Today, you will visit BodhnathStupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the Hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the “ghats”. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be handed over with your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given. Meals included: B

In the early morning you will take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m) with breath taking views of the Himalayas.The flight time is about 40 minutes and    you will land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing you will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load your trekking equipment. You will begin the trek by walking through the Lukla village and join the main trail to the Everest Valley. The walking is easy today with great views of KusumKhanguru. We trek through small villages of Thadokoshi  andGhat. After passing through Ghat (2550m), it is only a short walk to Phakding. Meals included: B, L, D

From Phakding you will head towards  the valley for Namche Bazaar following the DudhKoshi river. You get  spectacular views of Mt.Thamserku from Benkar.From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m), the entrance of  Sagarmatha National Park. After lunch, its fairly an easy walk till we get to the last suspension bridge. The views of Lhotse, Nuptse and Tawache come into views for the first time, You now make a steep ascent to get to Tope Danda where you  have photo opportunities of Everest  Nuptse and Lhotse. We now make a gradual climb to get to Namche Bazaar. Meals included: B, L, D

(Acclimatisation Day) We have an extra day today for you to Acclamatise.You can either go for a hike to Syangboche or do other optional walks around Namche.The stunning vista includes a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest.The afternoon is free to wander through Namche. You can enjoy the bakeries, surf the internet or buy souveneirs,etc. Meals included: B, L, D

On today’s walk there will be opportunities to spot local wildlife including the beautiful Danfe pheasant, himalayanthar (mountain goat) and musk deer. From Namche Bazaar, you will climb towards the park headquarters and follow a contouring trail high above the DudhKosiriver. Above Namche the route to Thyangboche becomes visible and is a fairly easy hike to PhungiTanga.This is where we have lunch .After lunch you will ascend, initially steeply, through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forests to get to Thyangboche.The views of Everest,Amadablam,LhotseKhantega and Thamserku are breathtaking.In the late afternoon we go and visit the Monastery to join the daily prayers with the Monks. This is one of the best spots for sunset. Meals included: B, L, D

After breakfast we descend through the alpine forest to get to Debuche. You might be lucky enough to come across Mountain Goats and the Musk deer as it is mostly seen here.After crossing the ImjaKhola the trail gradually climbs up with views of Amadablam to the village of Pangboche.we stop for a night here.In the afternoon you will visit the monastery ,known to be the oldest in the khumbu valley and start heading  towards a ridge below Tawache for your acclimatization. Meals included: B, L, D

Today you will have a pleasant walk, ascending gradually high above the ImjaKhola River and passing the tea houses at Shomare and Orsho before crossing the river to get to the lodge at Dingboche. The scenery is spectacular and although Everest disappears behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge here but you get stunning views of Amadablam and Island Peak.Today you will be completely above the tree line and the temperatures could drop quickly.The nights could be freezing from here on and you might start to feel the altitude from here.it is important to take notice of your trek leader’s advice and recommendations regarding rest and fluid intake. Meals included: B, L, D

Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. The walls protect crops of barley and potatoes from the cold winds. It is occupied mainly through the monsoon months, when large numbers of yaks are brought here to graze in the valley pastures. There are plenty of options for your acclamatisation,you can climb nakarsang or take a walk through the chukungvalley.The views are fantastic with Makalu,the 5th highest mountain coming into sight and other mountains surrounding you.The afternoon is free for you to explore Dingboche. Meals included: B, L, D

In the morning you will ascend the small ridge behind the village above Pheriche Valley. From the chorten at the top, Taweche and Cholatse (6440m) make  a striking scene. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of Cho La dominate the skyline. The walking is now generally flat on wide-open fields. Late in the morning you will cross the KhumbuKhola at Dughla (4620m) and take a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of Khumbu Glacier. In the afternoon, there will be a solid and quite steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, you will pass a line of memorial cairns, built in memory of Sherpas and other climbers who have died on the various Everest expeditions .

From here the view is spectacular – Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m), Khumbutse (6623m) and, across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550m) can be seen at the head of the valley whilst Everest remains hidden behind the towering walls of Nuptse and Lhotse. You will then follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuje, arriving early afternoon. Today will be tiring but the fantastic scenery makes it all very worthwhile. Meals included: B, L, D

Today we start early for Gorekshep following the broad valley that runs parallel to KhumbuGlacier.A gradual ascent enables you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of ChangriNup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of GorakShep (5160m) – reached after about three hours of walking.

After a quick bite you will gear up appropriately and head off towards the Everest Base Camp. The trek to the base camp will take you around three hours and if trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, you will almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here.

From Everest Base Camp you won’t get views of Mount Everest, but you will be able to see the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm, which is regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain.

The return journey from the Base Camp to GorakShep takes the same amount of time. You’ll have an early dinner so you can get up early the next day for the awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan giants from Kala Patar. (Trekking: approximately 3 hours to GorakShep, 5 hours round trip to Everest Base Camp). Meals included: B, L, D

Today you make an early start for Kala pathar (5550m) to experience the sensational sunrise views from this amazing vantage point. From the lodge the ascent is quite steep, so you should start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady, rhythmic pace.

Kala Patar is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It is a tough walk because of the altitude, but the 360 degree view from the top will surpass your wildest imagination. It will probably take about two hours to reach the summit from GorakShep.Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, AmaDablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest, the highest mountain in the world, will surround you. About three kilometres away and some 200 metres below, the area of the Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall.

The descent back down to GorakShep is easy and once you have returned to the lodge you will have breakfast and retrace your steps back to Lobuje and to Thugla for lunch.After lunch we cross the khumbukhola and head down the valley to Dingboche for the night. Meals included: B, L, D

After the last couple of tough days, we take it a lot easier today. We leave after a late breakfast to follow the valley, with great views of Island Peak and the spectacular AmaDablam dominating the skyline. We reach Chukkung in time for lunch. In the afternoon we can sit back, relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery. Meals included: B, L, D

After Chukkung we follow the moraines that flow from Lhotse (8501m) towards the sand flats at PareshayaGyab. It is only a short distance from here to Island Peak Base Camp, which we reach in the mid-afternoon.After lunch we walk along the ridge to view the lake Imja Tso. Meals included: B, L, D

We have allowed two days to climb Island Peak. The strategy for the climb will be decided by our trek leader at the time, taking into account the group’s acclimatisation, weather, snow conditions and other factors. The following morning we leave very early for the final climb to the summit. This may take between seven to eight hours, depending on snow and weather conditions. We will fix a rope on the summit headwall for safety on both the ascent and descent. Although it is not a difficult climb technically, the snow slopes are crevassed, the headwall is reasonably steep and a head for heights is useful. To reach the summit, willpower and stamina are required, but the incredible feeling of achievement atop this 6000-metre giant will remain a lifetime memory. The view from the summit is utterly fantastic! AmaDablam, Lhotse, Makalu and Baruntse are the dominant giants rising above a sea of lesser peaks. Given good conditions we should be able to descend on the path from the summit all the way back to Dingboche. Meals included: B, L, D

From Island peak Base Camp you will start heading for Dingboche where you will stop for lunch and  you will cross the KhumbuKhola River and ascend a short steep trail to the top of a small ridge for great views of Imja Valley, AmaDablam and Kantega.

You will then descend to the small settlements at Orsho and Shomare before passing through Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the ImjaKhola River to ascend back to Thyangboche for lunch. In the afternoon you will descend steeply through beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga. After a welcome break and perhaps a cup of tea, you will cross the DudhKosi River and ascend to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa and on to Namche Bazaar, where you will spend the night. Meals included: B, L, D

You will enjoy a leisurely departure from Namche Bazaar with a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar before descending steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the DudhKosi River. You will follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon it is only a short walk via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of KusumKangaru, back to the lodge in Phakding. Meals included: B, L, D

This is your last day of trekking, where it is only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla. You will then have lunch at the lodge and the afternoon is free to wander around, relax. In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with your Sherpa companions. Meals included: B, L, D

You will rise early in the morning today for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred back to the starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do some souvenir shopping or further sightseeing. Your final night in Kathmandu offers you the chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with your travelling companions and newfound friends. Meals included: B

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included. Meals included: B

Includes & Excludes

What is Included

  • All arrival and departure transfer
  • 3 nights in Kathmandu with bed & breakfast
  • Standard guest house/lodges in mountain
  • All accommodation and meals during the trek
  • A half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley including tour guide and monumental fees
  • Domestic flights and airport departure taxes
  • An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide) assistant guide also known as Sherpa, porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter)
  • Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Himalayan Hikers Trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag, cottonliner are to be returned after trip completion)
  • A comprehensive medical kit, with medical oxygen on high altitude trips and PAC BAG (Portable Altitude Chamber)
  • All necessary paper work and permits (National park permit, Climbing permit,TIMS and insurance of the staff)
  • Climbing sherpa
  • Climbing equipment - Harness, helmet, karabiner, Ice - axe, crampons , necessary rope for the climb

What is not Included

  • Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Extra night accommodation/s in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure or early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case you return early from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • * Please note : Please bring your own climbing boots for the climb !

DATES & PRICE

Trip StartTrip EndGroup SizeAvailabilityPrice
03/10/2020 23/10/2020 2 - 14 people Guaranteed Enquiry
10/10/2020 02/11/2020 2 - 14 people Available Enquiry
01/03/2021 21/03/2021 2 - 14 people Guaranteed Enquiry
07/03/2020 27/03/2021 2 - 14 people Available Enquiry
14/03/2021 02/04/2021 2 - 14 people Available Enquiry
03/04/2021 23/04/2021 2 - 14 people Available Enquiry

Gear List

SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST

 

Head:

  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection

Lower Body:

  • Under Garments
  • Hiking shorts
  • Lightweight cotton long pants
  • Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
  • Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Feet:

  • Thin, lightweight inner socks
  • Thick, warm wool hiking socks
  • Hiking boots with spare laces
  • Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
  • Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp

Upper Body:

  • T-shirts
  • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and/or jacket *

Hands:

  • Lightweight gloves
  • Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal)

Accessories:

  • Sleeping bag  *
  • Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
  • Trekking Bags/Duffel bag *
  • Basic First Aid Kit
  • Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry
  • Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
  • Trekking Poles
  • Water bottle (2) or camel bag
  • Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc)
  • Ear Plug (who know some people on group are snoring)

Toiletries:

  • 1 medium sized quick drying towel
  • Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  • Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  • Deodorants
  • Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Small mirror

Personal Hygiene:

  • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  • Tissue /toilet roll
  • Anti bacterial hands wash

Extras/Luxuries:

  • Binoculars
  • Reading book
  • Trail Map/Guide book
  • Journal & Pen
  • Gadgets – music and communication
  • Pencils and small notebooks
  • Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, cards etc

Mountaineering boots (lightweight leather or plasticdouble)

Passport, travel insurance(including mountain rescue)and copies of passport Entertainment (e.g. books,notebook, camera, cards)

Sleeping bag, down jacket,tents and duffel bag, mountaineering ewuipment crampons,Ice axe, Jumar and abseiling device .Climbing harness and helmet Karabiners (3 screw gate, 2snap gate), prussic cord, slings and sleeping mat will be provided by Himalayan Hikers.

 

Please note:

  • The gears  with an asterisk (*) sign are handed out  by Himalayan Hikers as a part of service You can use your personal gears if you prefer to do so i.e. sleeping bag, liner, down jacket.

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