Island Peak Climbing

Arrival in Kathmandu welcome by Nepalese flowers and transportation to your Hotel, After checking-in at the hotel – leaving for Thamel for necessary purchases of the personal gear needed, fitting of the climbing boots, receiving duffel bags for re-packing personal belongings. Change of the currency: assistance will be provided by “Nepal Social Treks & Expedition”Dinner: regular dinner at a good restaurant without national songs and dances. (Overnight at Hotel

After breakfast at Hotel, sightseeing will start with a visit to Swoyambhunath (monkey temple), and Boudhanath. In the afternoon, meeting with guide and checking the trekking gear. (Overnight at Hotel)

After breakfast at Hotel drive to airport to catch flight to Lukla (2,600m). The Lukla flight is 35 minutes. After arrival in Lukla the trail leads north from the airstrip to the edge of Lukla Plateau. The walk is easy and goes through several villages reaching Phakding (2,800m).The walk is 4/5 hours with a slow relaxed pace.(Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Phakding)

The walk begins following up soft trail passing several villages, beautiful pine forest, then comes to Jorsalee (2800m). From Jorsalee, the trail follows up Dudhkosi River about one hour and climbing slowly up a steep trail to reach Namche. Namche Bazaar is the administrative capital of the region. Historically it was the staging point for trading expeditions to Tibet and its Saturday market remains an important event bringing traders from villages a week’s walk away. An acclimatization day allows for an excursion to Thame. Intricately carved mani stones mark the path to this large valley with a picturesque gompa on the hillside overlooking the valley. The trail up to Namche is steep but after arrival, one can enjoy the first breath taking view of Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,879m) and Lhotse (8,383m). Walking time takes about 6 hours. (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Namche Bazar)

This day is an acclimatization day spent in and around Namche Bazaar. The Khumjung Valley Excursion begins leaving the market place with a steep climbing about one hour to Shyangboche. From the top of Shyangboche, one can see beautiful views of Mt. Everest (8848m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Themserku (6608m), Nuptse (7879m), and Lhotse (8383m). After there, the trail goes downwards to Khumjung, where one can see the Sir Edmund Hillary School and hospital. Walking time takes about 3/4 hours. (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Namche Bazar).

Leaving Namche, the trail descends crossing several villages through a beautiful pine forest up to Phunki Thanga. After that, the trail is a steep climb to Tengboche. A visit to the Tengboche monastery for afternoon Puja can be done upon arrival. Walking time takes about 6 hours. (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Tengboche)

From Tengpoche, the trial ascends a short steep and muddy descend until a suspension bridge then it is ascending till Pheriche. While walking, one passes small villages like Diboche through birches, conifers and Rhododendron forest. After a long walk the trail passes several villages such as Pangboche and reaches Pheriche. Walking time takes about 6 hours.(Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Pheriche)

Leaving Pheriche, the trail leads very soft way up to Dugla (4,620m). After that it ascends for about 2 hours, then flat to Lobuche. Walking time takes about 6 hours.(Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Lobuche)

·From Lobuche, the rail is relatively flat with several small ascends and descends to Gorak shep which is nestled below the summit of Mt. Pumori (7161m.) and the sheer west face of Nuptse. This takes 2 hours. In the afternoon, you will be visiting EBC (5400m) with guide. The tail to EBC takes you along the Khumbu glacier. From here you can observe the blue ice and the Khumbu icefall. This trekking will be an unforgettable experience. Walking time takes about 4 hours (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Gorak shep)

·Excursion to Kalapathar. From Gorak Shep the trail is a steep ascend to the top of a small peak, Kalapathar 5545m meaning “black rock”. From here, we can see Mt.Everest , Mt.Nuptse, Mt.Ama Dablan, Mt.Kantega, Mt.Tamserku, Mt.Tawatse and Mt.Pumori all present themselves in a 360 degree panorama. It’s possible to begin the ascend to Kalapathar very early in the morning and sunrise can be seen over the Himalayan range. After Kalapathar, the trail leads down to Dingbouche.(Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Dingbouche)

·After breakfast, the trail leads uphill to Chhukung (4700m) and steep climb up to Chhukung for 360 views of Himalayas. Chhukung is the entry point for the Island Peak Expedition trip. In Chhukung you will meet the climbing guides and cooks. From this point day trips to Glacier or to Imjatse valley can be done. (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Chhukung)

·The trail leads fairly steep way climbing south then turning east to the main line of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. The trail continues along a streamside leading to what we call Big-rock. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the South West side of Island peak. Here there will be briefings, preparations & tanning about the climb. Overnight in Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m) (Overnight at Tent Camp)

The trail to High camp is steep up and rocky. Along the way, we can see beautiful views of Imja glacier and lake. This walk takes 3 hours.(Overnight at Tent Camp – High camp)

We start the climbing the rock gully to the summit from early about 3am in the morning. This is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridgeline, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty to a 100m(330ft) snow and ice slope (40-45°) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, it is 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. After enjoying the summit views you will descend all the way to Base Camp and then Chhukung. (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Chhukung)

The trail makes a gradual descend through scrub junipers and around Mani stones as it follows the hillside. The trail passes many Mani walls in deep rhododendron forests where crossing after the Imja khola, the trail climbs many carved Mani stones to Pangboche. Pangboche Gompa is the oldest in Khumbu; a visit will be well worth it. (Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Tengboche)

Today the trail steeply descends to the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then continues on an easy natural trail.(Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Namche)

The trail leads back to Lukla (2,840m/9,186ft). On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax, stretch those sore legs and celebrate the completion of your trek.(Overnight at Tea House Lodge – Lukla)

After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, you’ll head to your hotel and then take rest. (Overnight at Hotel)

Departure to onward Journey.