Island Peak is a mountain peak in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal, located in the vicinity of Mount Everest. It is considered a popular climbing destination, as it offers a challenging climb to the summit, which stands at an elevation of 6,189 meters (20,305 feet) above sea level. The trek to Island Peak typically involves a combination of trekking and mountaineering skills and requires proper acclimatization, physical fitness, and technical equipment.
The peak was named “Island Peak” in 1951 by members of a British mountaineering expedition due to its appearance as an island in a sea of ice when viewed from Dingboche.
Climbing Island Peak requires a combination of trekking and mountaineering skills, as well as proper acclimatization to high altitude. The trek to the base camp of Island Peak is a popular and scenic journey that passes through the famous Namche Bazaar and Tengboche, before reaching the high-altitude village of Dingboche. From here, the climb to the summit involves a steep ascent over rocky terrain, snow, and ice.
Island Peak is a popular destination for trekkers and mountaineers, as it offers a challenging and rewarding climb, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. The best time to climb Island Peak is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons when the weather is more stable and the conditions are ideal for climbing.
This walk is designed by Nepal Planets Treks and Expeditions and is for adventure lovers who are full of life and physically fit. We welcome you at any time and hope you enjoy your Himalayan trip with us in 2023 or 2024; we offer the best price and discount for your adventure trip to Nepal.
If you are fit and healthy and have a limited time, you can skip the EBC and Kalapather treks and just do Island Peak.
We will meet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, greet you, and drive you to your hotel or our hotel, where you will check in, be refreshed, and go for an evening walk around the hotel (our hotel is a major tourist attraction in the Thamel area). After a welcome dinner, we will brief you about your treks and climbing overnight in Kathmandu.
Early morning 15-minute drive to a domestic airport, and we fly from Kathmandu to the tiny airstrip at Lukla for about 40 minutes of scenic flight; you will have time to stroll around, while the guide sorts and divides the loaded baggage to be carried by porters. Depending on the time of arrival in Lukla, a guide will manage the lunch location. We then take an easy walk to Phakding village for the overnight stop and spend the rest of the time strolling around the village for local knowledge.
After breakfast, we’ll hike up the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice on small suspension bridges before reaching Monjo and the Sagarmatha National Park’s entrance gate. When entering the National Park boundary, we descend, and a gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river to Jorsalle village, the last village till Namche Bazaar. Namche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region.
We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the altitude of 3,440 m (11,283 ft). You have a full day of leisure or visit Everest View Point hotel for a wonderful panoramic view or stroll around the market if Saturday can see many people shopping to fulfill their daily needs in the Saturday market and only one shopping market in the surrounding areas. You can also go to the Sherpa Museum to learn about Sherpa culture and mountaineering history before strolling back to your hotel for the night.
Today we start our trek with a pleasant walk and descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper, and rhododendron, coming to a lovely spot at Deboche (3,650 m) with magnificent views. The path is gradual up to the Pangboche village, and from here onwards the lush vegetation and tree lines vanish. Our progress up the ridge can be seen in the Dingbuche valley, and if we continue down to the river, we will arrive in Pheriche. This is the windiest valley, and afternoons are better spent inside a hotel.
Today we rest for acclimatization at Dingbuche valley, You may have a full day of rest or there are some places where you can hike for a day up to the Nagarjuna peak (5,050 m), from where you can see the breathtaking views of High Mountain, including, towering Mt. Lhotse, Amadablam, Mt. Makalu, Island Peak, and many more overnight at Dingboche.
Today the trail diverts to the north, the path is flat for an hour and gradually ascends for another hour. After a pleasant walk through the meadow, you will reach Thukla, from where you can view Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. Thukla is a good place for a few minute’s break after a strenuous climb, and here you can also see a number of the unfortunate climbers’ monuments, who died in expeditions around the mountain in this region. Our journey continues for another hour to Lobuche, where we will spend the night.
After breakfast, we continue our trek to Gorekshep on a windy and rocky path with a wonderful view of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Nuptse, and other magnificent peaks. After check-in at the lodge and lunch, our adventure continues towards Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Icefall. The trail passes through rocky dunes, moraines, and streams until you reach the base camp. During the high expedition season, climbers gather in Everest Base Camp to prepare for the summit of Everest. We explore the base camp and its surroundings before returning to Gorekshep for the night.
Your guide will arrange a time for this morning to start the early hike up to Kala Pathar for the most wonderful sunrise views of Mount Everest. It takes about 2 hours to reach this hilltop (the famous viewpoint). This small peak offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam, along with the entire mountain range of the Khumbu Himalayan range. After a few hours here, we hike down to Gorekshep for breakfast before continuing on to Dingboche for the night.
Today, we head further on to the steep way, climbing the southern part, then turning east to the main line of the valley. Continue your pleasant walk along a streamside path to the Big Rock. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis crossing route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking Island peak. We’ll reach Island Peak base camp and overnight at a tented camp.
After breakfast and packing our camping stuff, we’ll head on to the High Camp, from where we start our climb. As you climb the hill, you will see that the slope narrows and the path enters a steep rock channel nearby, where we’ll overnight at camp.
We begin our ascent early in the morning, through the rock gully. 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 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 100-meter (330-foot) snow and ice slope (40-45 degree angle) on which the guides will fix a rope. Three rope lengths lead from the top of this slope along a sharp summit ridge to the summit. You can celebrate success and bravery by reaching the summit, and then descend all the way to Chhukung or Dingbuche for an overnight stay at a teahouse.
Trek down to Tengboche for lunch or Phungithanka, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river, trek onwards to Sanasa and re-track to Namche Bazaar for an overnight stay.
We’ll have a long and final day trek back to Lukla after a long trekking trip today. We trek back, enjoying the lush green scenery around us and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village. After your arrival at Lukla, you have time to stroll around the areas, and your guide will re-confirm your flight ticket and let you enjoy the last celebratory dinner with your crew member.
After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, our guide transfers you to your hotel. You may have time to relax after a long journey, take a breath, and rest at your hotel after ending your Himalayan trip with us.
It’s also a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla. On this pleasant day, you may spend the entire day at your leisure, or you may extend your extra trip with us at an additional cost or time to explore Thamel for last-minute shopping, and in the evening, the company will meet you for the farewell dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.
We wish you a wonderful Himalayan adventure with us!
#: Summit shoe 1, Walking shoe 1, Crampon 1, Summit Glove (Mitten) 1, Normal gloves 2, Summit Snow goggles1.
#: Glacier glasses 1, Ice axe 1, Harness 1, jumper 1, Carabiners (normal) 3, Sleeping bag (-30C) 1, Down filled Mattress 1, Summit socks 2/, Normal socks 3, Climbing bag (40 ltr) 1, Helmet 1/Down jacket1.
#: Down trousers 1, 8 fingers, descender 1, Headlamp (Icon or Spot), Gore-tex jacket 1.
#: Gore-tex trouser, Fleece jacket 1, Fleece trouser 1, Screw Gate Carabiner 1, Balaclava (windstopper) i, Thermos bottle, Baselayer (woolen) 2 (set), Water bottle normal 1.