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ISLAND PEAK 16 DAYS
 It is no surprise that Himalayan peaks have drawn adventurers, climbers and cultural enthusiasts for nearly 200 years. The stark and rugged terrain, so entwined with the culture of local Sherpa people, offers such powerful experiences that Himalayan travel stands in a class by itself. While many think of travel to the Himalayas as only high altitude climbing or trekking, this is somewhat of a misconception as many beautiful ascents can be made with limited climbing experience. This expedition offers both climbers and trekkers an exciting opportunity to enter the world of the mighty Himalayas.
In order to acclimatize prior to climbing Island Peak (20,305ft/6,189m), we offer a trek through the Himalayan Khumbu. This expedition offers wonderful trekking through the glorious Khumbu region and any fit enthusiast is welcome to join the team. All team members will have the opportunity to summit Kala Pattar (18,187ft/5,545m), a wonderful location to view and photograph Mt. Everest, and then we head for a visit to Everest Base Camp. While climbing team members make the summit attempt of Island Peak, trekking only team members will spend 2-3 days walking in the stunning valleys around Island Peak.
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| Detailed Itinerary |
| DAY 01 |
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla which takes approximately 30 minutes and trek to Phakding. Early in the morning you will be driven from hotel to Kathmandu airport, after 30 minutes spectacular flight you will land to Lukla airport (2800m.).You begin your trek to Phakding (2652m.) and you walk for about 2 and half to 3 hrs. While trekking, you head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail to Phakding(2652m.) |
| DAY 02 |
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about 5 to 5 and half hours. This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo(2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri, Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the village monasteries on the way of trekking to Namche Bazaar(3440 m.). Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region and holds a busy Saturday market. There is set a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have reached there by crossing the glaciated Nangpa La. |
| DAY 03 |
Rest at Namche Bazar for acclimatization and excursion around the places. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. |
| DAY 04 |
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3850 m.) and it takes almost 5 hours. From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now you have a glimpse of first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru . Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, the trail descends steeply to a bridge over the river Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga (3250m.).The village has an excellent place for lunch and you can take a short rest before making the steep climb to Tyangboche. Although exhausting due to the zigzag path, the trek has numerous attractions like rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds chirping and superb mountain scenery making your trek exciting. Tyangboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. |
| DAY 05 |
Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche( 4350m.) which takes about 4 and half hours to 5 hours. You gradually descend through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily up to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite to Ama Dablam [6,856 m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the Gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. As you gradually ascend , you do find thick forests but the trail is full of thorny and juniper bushes. A further two and half hours walk brings us to Dingboche. Here you can see Sherpa people working hard in the agricultural farm. |
| DAY 06 |
Trek from Dingboche(4350m.) to Chhukung (4730m.) and it takes about 2 and half hours. The trail gradually ascends up to the Chhukung. On the way, you can see summer huts made especially for keeping the livestock's in summer time. Along this, you enjoy the beautiful mountain views in and around the valley. |
| DAY 07 |
Rest at Chhukung for acclimatization. |
| DAY 08 |
Trek Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5087m). |
| DAY 09 |
Climb to Island Peak (6189m.) Crossing the gully above the camp the trail makes a climb for another hour to a narrow ridge, leading on 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. This ridge is wonderfully airy and on reaching the summit we have stunning close-up views of the south face of Lhotse looming over us whilst in the other direction, there are more dramatic mountain views. We descend along the same route, down to base camp. |
| DAY 11 |
Trek Island Peak Base Camp to Chhukung. |
| DAY 12 |
Trek Chhukung to Pangboche (3985m.) After descending along the trail to Chhukung, we continue on to Dingboche for lunch. It is then another couple of hours to the lovely village of Pangboche where we'll camp for the night. |
| DAY 13 |
Trek Pangboche to Khumjung (3790m.). |
| DAY 14 |
Trek Khumjung to Monjo |
| DAY 15 |
Trek from Monjo to Lukla [2800m] and it takes about 3 hours. Your final day's trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where you can sample some chhang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience. |
| DAY 16 |
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu |
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