ISLAND PEAK CLIMBING

From the time you arrive in Kathmandu, the capital and cultural city of Nepal, we will be there at the airport to greet you and take you to your hotel. After arriving at the hotel you will have time to explore Thamel and buy any necessities you require for your trek.

After an early morning start, you will be picked up at the hotel by our guide who will take you to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes around 35 minutes, time enough to take in the spectacular views of the Himalayas. After landing at Tenzing-Hilary airport you will meet your porter who will carry your luggage. You then begin your journey with a relatively easy trek passing a Kani (ceremonial gatehouse) before the trail descends then leads above Kyangma village with its large gompa (monastery) and school. We then continue to Cheplung village where the trail passes through community forest within sight of the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing the suspension bridge you climb across the ridge to Ghat and then passes a school and complex of Mani walls, Chortens and prayer wheels. After a short walk from Ghat, we reach Phakding. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast, the trek crosses several suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River before passing through Tok-Tok, Bhenkar, and Monjo and then arriving at Sagarmatha National Park entrance gate where you will be required to buy a permit. After following the river bed for a few hours and after the last Hillary suspension bridge, there is a steep uphill trek to Namche Bazaar. Namche has a good selection of restaurants, a cyber café, pubs, post office, ATM and banks

This idyllic town is an ideal place for"acclimatization". Health specialists recommend we spend the day being active, rather than sitting idle. From Namche it is possible to take a short hike to Everest View Resort, Thame, visit Khunde or relax and explore Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is the main center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, bakery, and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. A short trek of only a hundred metres will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides will also take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of relics related to the first mountaineers to climb Everest, Sherpa culture and discover the varied plant and animal life of the Everest region. 

The trek continues along the rapid flowing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains (Mt. Everest, Lhoste, Taboche peak, Amadablam. You eventually reach an altitude of 3,800 meters at Tengboche. At the Tengboche monastery are unbelievably ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of various poses of the Buddha and musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. Our group will be taken to observe a prayer ceremony, either in the evening or in the morning, depending on how the trekking goes this day

The trek from Tengboche to Dingboche is only a short distance which we will most likely complete in the afternoon. The last hill into Dingboche, and at this high altitude, is challenging!. The trail then heads to the village of Somare (4020m) and then to Orsho, both of which have lodged. Later the trail divides, with the left trail heading up to Pheriche before crossing a suspension bridge and a steep climb to the village of Dingboche (4460m) with many good guesthouses.

It is sensible to spend another day acclimatizing before heading to higher altitudes. One way of doing this is to hike up to Chukkung Valley (4730m) and on to Island Peak (Imja Tes). Above Dingboche is Nagkartshang Gompa (a strenuous trek takes around 2 to 3 hours), or alternatively head to Pheriche for an afternoon lecture on altitude sickness. The trail to Chhukung leaves Dingboche heading to Bibr (4570m) and is surrounded by fabulous mountain Peaks: Taboche, Nuptse, Lhotse, the enormous flute-shaped pass of Amphu Laptsa Pass, Ama Dablam. Chukkung has several lodges and is the most popular spot for those climbing Island Peak. If trekkers feel better acclimatized they can head up a grassy slope towards the peak of Chukkung Ri (5550m) for a magnificent view of Makalu.

After breakfast, our trek starts with an easy walk towards Thukla before crossing the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and then passing through the boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara where we find clusters of stones with prayer flags placed by Sherpas as a memorial to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer), 10-time Everest summiteer Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese Sherpa mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Mt. Everest. The path then continues to the Khumbu Glacier moraine and before us are many beautiful mountain peaks - Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Mahalangur Himal.

Our trek today takes us to the Mountain Peaks Base Camp passing next to the enormous Gorak Shep Lake. As we continue we see many Indian army mountaineers' memorials. At this stage of our climb the trial becomes confusing, making it necessary to stay close to our guide. At this higher altitude the trek is quite tiring, passing through loose rocky terrain and streams, remnants of old glaziers. were once glaziers until we reach Mountain Peak Base Camp. At Mountain Peak Base Camp is an array of vivid colored tents in contrast to the bleak grey surroundings, most noticeable in spring. From this location we get fantastic views of Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. We will then head to Gorak Shep for a well deserved night’s sleep.

In the pre-dawn darkness and cold temperatures (-10 to -14 C) and potentially cold winds we head off on today’s trek witnessing spectacular views of the towering peaks of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse in the east. It is not until we reach Kala Patthar that we have a panoramic 360 degree views – including the in-your-face view of Everest. This is a photographers dream come true! Tonight we sleep well and rest in Lobuche.

Once again, after breakfast, we trek via Khumbu through ice masses to Kongma La Base Camp at (5,000m/16,404ft). This section of our ascent to Kongma La pass is probably the most difficult part of our trek. Along the way there are many rock cairns draped in prayer flags marking the pass. On our decent we trek through Imja Khola where water from the slopes of Everest collect. After passing through this valley we descend to Chhukung a quaint summer settlement. After reaching Chhukung your guide will check his instruments and our equipment before our final climb to Chhukung. Instead of taking the route through Kongma La pass we may take an alternative route via Dingboche to Chhukung.

A fairly steep trek, initially heading east then south, is ahead of us as we climb to Island Peak Base Camp. is on a fairly steep path. We traverse a winding path on the southern flank of the mountain, before coming to a refreshing easier path alongside a stream. The route to Amphu Labtsa is in the southeast as we zigzag through the Imja Khola through rocky terrain on the south of Island Peak. Tonight we rest up at Island Peak Base Camp. 

Although Island peak does not require technical expertise, it does however require strength and stamina. It does however require some basic skills and how to avoid mishaps. It is essential that we reach the summit before lunch, as in the afternoon it can be extremely windy. The path climbs hundreds of meters from the bottom camp before facing a sharp incline initially on a sandy trail before turning to grass, and finally over boulders. The path eventually narrows before entering a steep rock vale (narrow channel of rock). We finally, after many steps across and through the vale emerge on the other side Your guide, for safety reasons, may fix a rope to each climber to assist in climbing the final snowy slope to the ridge at the summit. The rope may often extend to 350m depending on the season and danger of crevices. Some of these crevices may be 2 to 3 meters across requiring the use of ladders. Once at the summit it is time to take out your camera and capture the magnificent views and get your breath back!. We will then descent to Chhukung, and with your guides, will celebrate our success.

Leaving Chhukung we return on the same path to Imja Khola heading up through the forest to Tengboche. If there is enough interest we can visit the nuns at their Tengboche residence. After lunch at Tengboche we descend along a path surrounded by alpine bush and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi watercourse, our path takes us to Dudh Koshi Gorge taking us through pine forests before finally reaching Sansa. On the way down we should keep our eyes peeled for glimpses of mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, and other wildlife. After emerging from the forest we pass through Chorten before reaching the military camp at Namche Bazaar. Tonight we stay at Namche Bazaar.

The rocky path down is steep and it is advised to be cautious crossing this rocky landscape. We eventually cross the suspension bridges over the rapid flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, where the path becomes flatter and easier to negotiate. After our arrival in Lukla we can stretch our aching legs and blissfully recall the exhilarating experiences of the last few weeks.

Today we take a morning flight to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we can reminisce and can shop for souvenirs. Our guides will steer you in the right direction and where to find some bargains!

Your journey in Nepal involves Associate in the trip finish today! there's nothing to try to however trade emails together with your travel companions and organize your photos. A representative from Sherpa Expedition and Trekking can take you to the airdrome, about three hours before your regular flight. On your means home, you'll need much time to set up your next journey within the marvelous country of Nepal.