Day 1
Arrival
Arrive into Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Depending on your arrival time you can relax or go sight-seeing around Kathmandu.
Khumbu Peaks - Chukkung Ri, Pokalde, Island Peak Guided Itinerary
Climb the three Peaks of Pokalde, Chukkung Ri and Island Peak - a guided mountaineering expedition in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The Khumu Peaks trip is a minimum 21 days when you include days in Kathmandu and has 17 days on trek. 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 to initially climb Chukhung Ri for one of the great views of the south wall of Lhotse and then the Kongma La pass with it’s views over the Khumbu Glacier; we then move on to Pokalde with its panoramic view over the great divide in the Khumbu valley and all are lovely objectives on their own with breathtaking views. Island Peak is the final highlight of the trip, a classic 6000m peak which was climbed by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing back in 1953 as their training peak for Everest. In fact the route you climb is exactly the same as what they did. Island Peak is technically more demanding than the other two but you will be well acclimatised and mountain fit by this time. 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 as 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.
Route mini map
Trip snapshot
Days20
DistanceFlexible
Total climb5655 m
High point6189 m
What this trip is like
Climb the three Peaks of Pokalde, Chukkung Ri and Island Peak - a guided mountaineering expedition in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The Khumu Peaks trip is a minimum 21 days when you include days in Kathmandu and has 17 days on trek. 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 to initially climb Chukhung Ri for one of the great views of the south wall of Lhotse and then the Kongma La pass with it’s views over the Khumbu Glacier; we then move on to Pokalde with its panoramic view over the great divide in the Khumbu valley and all are lovely objectives on their own with breathtaking views. Island Peak is the final highlight of the trip, a classic 6000m peak which was climbed by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing back in 1953 as their training peak for Everest. In fact the route you climb is exactly the same as what they did. Island Peak is technically more demanding than the other two but you will be well acclimatised and mountain fit by this time. 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 as 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.
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
Rest day in town. Possible drive to Ramechhap** – see ‘Lukla Flight’ details below.
Day 3
Flight to Lukla
Flight to Lukla, and 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. Initially follow the valley to Monjo where you enter the National Park, then cross the river a few times and start a long unrelenting path uphill, with one spectacular bridge spanning a deep gorge. Leave the coniferous forest behind, and arrive at a huge natural amphitheatre with the houses spread around the sides.
Day 5
Acclimatisation day
This is an acclimatisation day which you can rest or enjoy the sights and sounds of Namche, the major trading centre of the Khumbu. Nowadays there are also many equipment shops, internet facilities, banks, post office, cafes, bars, lodges and hire shops.
Day 6
Deboche
Walk to Deboche which is near the famous Thyangboche Monastery. The path out of Namche is initially steep and then opens out into a high valley, passing through villages like Pangboche before negotiating two steep hills. After this it is a short walk to the beautiful rhododendron glade where you will find the lodge.
Day 7
Dingboche
A gradual gradient up to Dingboche. The path skirts 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.
Day 8
Rest and acclimatisation day
This is another rest and acclimatisation day. In the neighbouring village of Pheriche it is important to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association to listen to the daily lecture on high altitude health, and get a check from the medical staff if required.
Day 9
Chukhung
Today we have a relatively easy day as we continue on up the Imja valley on easy ground to the village of Chukhung (4730m). Here you can check any rental gear you will need.
Day 10
Chukhung Ri Peak
Early start to climb the nearby peak of Chhukhung Ri, 5550m. It is a staight forward walk but the increase in altitude will soon start to tell. From the top look down to the four different glaciers that all approach our start at Chukhung and marvel at the giant south face of Nuptse.
Day 11
Pokalde Base Camp
Walk to Pokalde base camp, next to a small lake on this high plateau. Bring sleeping bag and mat and climbing gear for Pokalde.
Day 12
Pokalde Summit
Pokalde summit day via the Kongma La where we will be able to peer down the steep gully to the Khumbu glacier. We then follow the ridge line up to the summit. Descend back to Chukkung.
Day 13
Island Peak Base Camp
Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (Pareshaya Gyab), a small area in a narrow valley alongside the lateral moraine of the Imja Khola lake. We will have a refresher/ training on the use of fixed lines and personal movement on ice and plan our clothing and equipment for our ascent. Camping.
Day 14
Rest and training day
Rest and training day at Island Peak Base Camp
Day 15
Island Peak Summit
Summit day. Descend back to Chukkung.
Day 16
2nd Summit day
2nd summit day and descend to either Chukkung or Deboche
Day 17
Return to Namche Bazaar
Trek to Namche Bazaar optional via Khumjung.
Day 18
Lukla
Trek to Lukla
Day 19
Flight day
Fly to Kathmandu / Ramechhap
Day 20
Delay day
Flight delay day
Day 21
Departure
International flight home