The Island Peak Climbing is an exhilarating adventure that combines trekking through the legendary Khumbu region with an alpine climb to Island Peak (6,160 m). This journey offers breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, rich Sherpa culture, and the ultimate challenge of summiting one of Nepal’s most popular trekking peaks.
Imja Tse, well-known as Island peak (6160 m), is a peak located in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal, Everest - Khumbu region. The peak was named as Island peak in 1951 by Eric Shiptons Party since it appears as island in a sea when viewed from Dingboche. The peak is actually an extension of the ridge coming down off the south of Lhotse shar. The treks to Island Peak at 6160 meters reward us with mesmerizing views of Ama Dablam, South Face of Lhotse and Makalu. This peak lies in the Everest region and the trek starts from Lukla and ends in Lukla as well.
The Island Peak Climbing is a perfect blend of adventure, challenge, and stunning Himalayan scenery, making it an ideal choice for aspiring mountaineers. Standing at 6,160 meters, Island Peak offers a thrilling yet achievable climb, providing a true alpine experience with glacier crossings, fixed rope sections, and breathtaking summit views of Everest, Ama Dablam South face of Lhotse, and Makalu. It serves as an excellent introduction to high-altitude mountaineering, requiring basic technical skills while remaining accessible to fit trekkers. Additionally, the journey through the Khumbu region allows for full immersion in Sherpa culture, visits to historic monasteries, and acclimatization on the renowned Everest Base Camp trek. Whether as a standalone climb or preparation for higher peaks, Island Peak promises an unforgettable Himalayan adventure.
This adventure is perfect for trekkers seeking an iconic Himalayan journey with the added challenge of a peak climb!
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our correspondent who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Once checked in, we will arrange a pre-trip meeting where we will brief in short about the trek, answer any queries you have and meet your trekking guide as well. After the short brief, you can relax and spend rest of the day at your leisure.
Stay overnight at the Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.
This day after an early breakfast at the hotel, we will meet our guide and drive to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport for a 35-minute scenic and adventurous flight to Lukla in the Everest region, weather permitting. Upon landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2840 m), we will rest briefly, meet our Sherpas at the lodge, and begin our trek. The three-hour walk to Phakding (2610m) will take us through Lukla Bazaar, offering unforgettable views of terraced landscapes, river valleys, Sherpa villages, and up-close perspectives of some of the world's highest mountains.
Stay overnight at a lodge in Phakding.
This day we will have breakfast in early morning and head towards Namche Bazar. At the beginning of the we have to walk straight uphill path which is a low-rise and we will cross the Dhud Khosi river several times. After walking about 1.5 hours we will reach Monjo village (2835 m). Then we will continue our trek with a steep zig-zag path from where we will observe one of the curves of Mount Everest. After almost 5 to 6 hours of walking we will reach Namche Bazar, the capital of Sherpa people. The first view of Namche Bazar with the stupa, monastery, lodges and the beautiful gates is amazing. Stay overnight at Lodge.
Today will be the acclimatization day in Namche Bazar. As trekking in higher elevations can lead to altitude sickness, we have to make sure to acclimatize so that our body can adapt with increasing elevation.
In the morning, we will have breakfast in the hotel and get ready to hike for about 4 hours to the monastery above Namche Bazar, then after we will go to Syangboche and Khumjung village and finally to the luxurious hotel at highest altitude: Hotel Everest View. From the hotel, we can see first view of Mount Everest, and other beautiful Himalayas like: Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse and so on.
Today’s hike will serve us for acclimatization and where we will enjoy magnificent views of Everest. As we return back to Namche Bazar, in the afternoon we will have free time to wander around and visit the markets, purchase trekking equipment’s (if needed), local handicrafts and so on around Namche Bazar. Stay overnight at Lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning. We will start by walking through the straight uphill trials until we reach Mongla Pass (3972 m) which takes about 3 hours. This is a wonderful place and from where we can see the beautiful view of Mount Amadablam and the Tengboche Monastery. Here we will stop for a while to acclimatize, and continue to descent to Phortse Tenga for about 1 hour. From there we will have to walk ascending uphill trial for about 2-3 hours to reach Dole. On the way we can see the yaks passing by, waterfalls, cross small wooden bridges. Stay overnight at Lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and head toward Machermo. As soon as we leave Dole, we will have to walk through the steep climb up to 4000 m from where we can see view of Dole and landscape nearby. Then after we will pass through the towns of Labharma and Luza until will reach Machermo after walking for four and half hour. On the way we can see beautiful view of mountains. Stay overnight at Lodge.
This day after having breakfast we will head towards Gokyo from Machermo. We will continue to the Gokyo walking through some straight and ascending trials. We can see beautiful views of Himalayas on the way and cross some small bridges too. And before we reach Gokyo we see the 1st Gokyo Lake and then from there we walk straight trial for about 1 hour and reach Gokyo valley.
We have to pass through the Gokyo lake to reach lodge in Gokyo. We will have lunch in Gokyo and then we can explore around the glacier and lakes in the afternoon. Stay overnight at Lodge.
Today in the early morning we will wake up to trek to Gokyo Ri (5360 m). We will have to walk straight uphill trials for about 3 hours to reach Gokyo Ri. Upon reaching Gokyo Ri we can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Himalayas like Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, Mount Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and so on. After enjoying the view from Gokyo Ri, we will descend back to Gokyo in lodge. And then we will have breakfast in Gokyo and rest for a while. After having breakfast, we will continue the trek to Thagnang. We will have to walk little uphill and then descend and walk through the glacier trials for about 40 minutes and then again walk uphill and straight trials to reach Thagnang. Stay overnight at Lodge.
This day is very important as we will be crossing the Chola Pass. Today we will wake up early in the morning and have our breakfast. Then we start the trek with a steep climb uphill, and after walking about 1.5 hours we reach a pass at 5000 m from where we can see the Chola Pass. We continue climbing for about 3 hours in the rock and then we will cross the Chola Pass, (5330 m). We will rest for a while in Chola Pass from where we can see the Choyu and many other mountains of more than 7000 m. After resting for a while in Chola Pass, we will descend back through a long valley until we reach Dzonglha. Stay overnight at Lodge.
This day after having breakfast in Dzongla we will start trekking to Gorakshep, which is the final destination to reach Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp. Also, Gorakshep is the last point where there are lodges. On the way can see mesmerizing close view of mountain on the right side as we pass Dzongla. We begin to trek for about 3/4 hours walking through the uphill trials until we reach Lobuche. We will rest for a while in Lobuche and from there we will continue our trek to Gorakshep. We continue the trek walking uphill and then some rocky trials also walk on the left bank of the glacier until we reach Gorakshep. From Lobuche, we will have to walk uphill for about 1 hour and then walk through the rocky ways for about 2 hours to reach Gorakshep.
Upon reaching Gorakshep we will have lunch and then prepare to trek towards Everest Base Camp which takes about 1 hour straight ascending trial. As we reach Everest Base Camp (EBC), the most awaited destination of our trek, we can see mind blowing views of Mount Everst, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse and so on. We can also see climbers getting ready for Mount Everest Expedition as there are many tents in the base camp. After enjoying and celebrating the view in EBC we will return back to Gorakshep which takes another 1 hour. Stay overnight at Lodge.
In the morning (4-5am) we will begin our hike to Kalapathar and walking uphill trial for about 2.5 hours we will reach at Kala Pathar (5550 m). From the top, we can see panoramic 360 view of Everest Range. We can see amazing view of tallest mountain of the world, Mount Everest followed by other mountains: Mount Nuptse, Mount Lhotse, Mount Pumori, Mount Ama Dablam and many more. As we ascend towards Kalapathar we can see mount Pumori right straight to our sight which gives the feeling like we are climbing Mount Pumori. We will celebrate and capture our success climb to Kalapathar and then after enjoying the scene we will return back to Gorakshep which takes about 1.5 hours. Then after we will have breakfast in Gorakshep. After that we will get ready to descend back through the same way towards Dingboche. Stay overnight at Lodge.
Dingboche is a Sherpa village and a summer settlement, encircled by Mount Ama Dablam, ridge of Lhotse-Nuptse, Chalotse & Tawache.
Today, after having breakfast we can explore and relax around Dingboche for a while. Later, leaving Dingboche, we embark on a scenic trek to Chhukung. Our journey begins as we walk-through traditional stone-walled fields, where locals cultivate barley and potatoes during the short growing season. As we trek further, we will follow the Imja Khola Valley, before entering an area of glacial moraines and in about 3-4 hours we will reach Chukung (4700 m).
Before Chukung, we rech a small village named: Bibre, from there another half an hour trek will take us to Chhukung. From Chhukung, we are treated to an extraordinary panoramic view, with Ama Dablam (6812 m) standing directly across the valley, while the remote and formidable Amphu Lapcha Pass. Tonight, we rest in Chhukung, taking in the solitude and breathtaking beauty of this Himalayan landscape. Stay overnight at Lodge.
This day after having breakfast we will continue ascending to the Island Peak Base Camp (5050 m) which takes about 4-5 hours.
Today we will have to walk through the rugged terrain, glacial moraines & icy streams. As we ascend towards base camp we can see breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Baruntse, and the imposing Island Peak. As we gain altitude, the landscape becomes more barren and dramatic. Upon reaching the base camp, we settle in, acclimatize, and prepare for the challenging climb ahead. Stay overnight at tent.
Today is one of the important days of the journey as we will make our dream come true today. Today’s challenging and rewarding climb begins early, usually around midnight, to take advantage of stable weather conditions. We will ascend through steep rocky paths, glaciers, and a final icy slope leading to the Island Peak summit. Using ropes, ladders, and crampons, we cross crevasses and climb the headwall before reaching the summit of Island Peak (6,189 m). From the top, we are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and Baruntse. After celebrating our achievement, we carefully descend back to Base Camp, where we rest after an exhausting yet exhilarating climb. After taking rest and having lunch we will again descend back to Chukkung. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast in the morning and prepare to descend back with memories and successful summit to Island Peak. Today we will have to descend for about 6 hours to reach Tengboche.
As we descend from Chhukung, retracing our path through the Imja Khola Valley and leave Dingboche. On the way back we can see stunning views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest as we pass through alpine landscapes and rhododendron forests. After crossing the Dudh Koshi River, we will have to do a final uphill stretch lead to Tengboche. Tengboche is one of the famous destinations with old monastery for the travelers, here we can visit the Tengboche monastery and pray with monks in the evening or morning with Lamas. Here, we can enjoy serene mountain views and a peaceful atmosphere before resting for the night. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day we will have breakfast and start the day with beautiful views of Everest and Lhotse. The trek begins with a steep descent until crossing the river in the town of Phumki. We continue going up to Namche Bazar which takes about 3 hours. As we reach NamcheBazar we can explore around buy gifts of souvenir if you want.
Stay overnight at Lodge.
After having breakfast in the lodge, we will descend back towards Lukla through the same trial. As we trek back to Lukla we get to spend the last night in the Khumbu region of Everest. We will descend towards Phakding from Lukla in about 3.5 hours have lunch in Phakding. From here, we will again descend towards Lukla through the zigzag trial in another 4.5 hours. Stay overnight at Lodge.
After having breakfast in the lodge, we bid farewell to the Everest region of Nepal and again take scenic flight to Kathmandu / Ramechhap. Stay overnight at Hotel / Resort.
Free day in Kathmandu for sightseeing / shopping / massage. We can do half day sightseeing in the UNESCO listed World Heritage sites like:
Swoyambhunath: Also known as the Monkey Temple, it offers panoramic views of Kathmandu.
Boudhanath: One of the largest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pashupatinath: A sacred Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River.
Prepare for departure rest of the day. Stay overnight at Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.
Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu before departure. At your scheduled departure time, our correspondent will pick you up from the hotel, transfer you to the airport, and bid you farewell with warm hearts.