Day 1
Arrival
Arrive Kathmandu. Stay in either the AA Guesthouse or local hotel.
Climb Island Peak (Imja Tse), 6189m Guided Itinerary
Climb Island Peak in the Nepal Himalaya with guiding company Adventure Alternative, professional guiding and sustainable tourism in the Himalayas. The Island Peak expedition is a minimum 19 days when you include days in Kathmandu and has 16 days on trek / climb. We do recommend allowing extra time for potential flight delays getting into and out of the mountains. The gradual ascent up the Khumbu valley allows for excellent acclimatisation, which is further enhanced with a climb up Chukhung Ri (5550m) for a great view of the south wall of Lhotse. There is also the optional extra (see cost tab) of adding on an adventure up the Kongma La pass with it’s classic views over the Khumbu Glacier and a climb of Pokalde (5806m). Our main objective, Island Peak, is the final highlight of the trip and a classic 6000m peak which was climbed by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing back in 1953 as their training peak for Everest. By the time we come to climb you’ll be well acclimatised and mountain fit. During the trip, you will learn and use many skills in safe travel on mountains at high altitude including glacier travel, scrambling and moving on mixed snow and ice terrain. Good alpine skills are a requirement for this trip and if not possible to learn these before you join us them you will have plenty of time to learn and practice them before reaching Island Peak. The summit day on Island Peak does involve crossing a crevassed glacier using a climbing rope, negotiating some ladders across crevasses, using a jumar to ascend a fixed line and then a descender to come back down again (there is no top rope on the abseil) and negotiating a narrow exposed ridge to the summit. Note: some people like to also complete the trek to Everest Base Camp prior to climbing Island Peak. If you would like to do this then add two days to the trip and contact us to arrange. Remember to always allow leeway for the return flight home because the mountain flights in and out of Lukla are often delayed by bad weather. We recommend a minimum of 24 hours but 48 hours is better
Route mini map
Download route GPX
Use this GPX to load the trip route in your mapping app.
Download GPXTrip snapshot
Days19
DistanceFlexible
Total climb4500 m
High point6189 m
What this trip is like
Climb Island Peak in the Nepal Himalaya with guiding company Adventure Alternative, professional guiding and sustainable tourism in the Himalayas. The Island Peak expedition is a minimum 19 days when you include days in Kathmandu and has 16 days on trek / climb. We do recommend allowing extra time for potential flight delays getting into and out of the mountains. The gradual ascent up the Khumbu valley allows for excellent acclimatisation, which is further enhanced with a climb up Chukhung Ri (5550m) for a great view of the south wall of Lhotse. There is also the optional extra (see cost tab) of adding on an adventure up the Kongma La pass with it’s classic views over the Khumbu Glacier and a climb of Pokalde (5806m). Our main objective, Island Peak, is the final highlight of the trip and a classic 6000m peak which was climbed by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing back in 1953 as their training peak for Everest. By the time we come to climb you’ll be well acclimatised and mountain fit. During the trip, you will learn and use many skills in safe travel on mountains at high altitude including glacier travel, scrambling and moving on mixed snow and ice terrain. Good alpine skills are a requirement for this trip and if not possible to learn these before you join us them you will have plenty of time to learn and practice them before reaching Island Peak. The summit day on Island Peak does involve crossing a crevassed glacier using a climbing rope, negotiating some ladders across crevasses, using a jumar to ascend a fixed line and then a descender to come back down again (there is no top rope on the abseil) and negotiating a narrow exposed ridge to the summit. Note: some people like to also complete the trek to Everest Base Camp prior to climbing Island Peak. If you would like to do this then add two days to the trip and contact us to arrange. Remember to always allow leeway for the return flight home because the mountain flights in and out of Lukla are often delayed by bad weather. We recommend a minimum of 24 hours but 48 hours is better
Stay style: Operator-led Nepal lodge or expedition itinerary.
Food and support: Operator-managed meals and trekking-day food pattern.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 2
Rest Day & Briefing
Rest day and briefing in Kathmandu. Possible drive to Ramechhap** – see ‘Lukla Flight’ details below.
Day 3
Flight to Lukla
Flight* to Lukla, walk downhill to Phakding or Jorsale along the edge of the Dudh Kosi River. Easy, busy path, surrounded by forest.
Day 4
Namche Bazaar
Uphill to Namche Bazaar which is the Sherpa capital in the heart of the Khumbu region. Nowadays there are also many equipment shops, internet, bank, post office, cafes, bars, lodges and hire shops here.
Day 5
Acclimatisation Day
This is an acclimatisation day which you can rest or enjoy the sights and sounds of Namche.
Day 6
Deboche
Walk to Deboche which is near the famous Thyangboche Monastery.
Day 7
Dingboche
A gradual gradient up to Dingboche. The path continues along the side of the valley with the river far below on your right and passing beneath the spectacular Ama Dablam. The village sits on the confluence of two valleys and has spectacular views. From here you have views of Island Peak up the Chukkung Valley.
Day 8
Rest & Acclimatisation Day
This is another rest and acclimatisation day. You can visit the Himalayan Rescue Association to listen to the daily lecture on high altitude health, and get a check from the medical staff.
Day 9
Chukkung
Trek up to the village of Chukkung and overnight in lodge. Extra equipment hire is here.
Day 10
Chukkung Ri
Options include a trek up to Chukkung Ri for acclimatisation or camping at the lakes below the summit of Pokalde and a climb of this peak in the early morning. Or a rest day. If the weather is looking good then it may be better to go straight to Island Peak.
Day 11
Pokalde / Island Peak Base Camp
Optional climb of Pokalde and back to Chukkung in the afternoon or up to Island Peak base camp.
Day 12
Island Peak Base Camp
Camping at the lower base camp, preparation of kit, acclimatisation.
Day 15
Deboche
Trek down to Deboche.
Day 18
Weather Day
Additional Weather Day
Day 19
Kathmandu / Ramechhap
Flight* to Kathmandu / Ramechhap, which is always in the morning. Allow at least 24 hours leeway for potential mountain flight delays, preferably 48 hours.
Day 20
Departure
International Flight home. This is the end date of the trip, although additional options remain such as travelling to Chitwan or staying in Kathmandu.