Island Peak Climbing

Island peak also called Imja Tse at an altitude of (6,189 meter/ 20,305 ft.) is one of the challenging climbing. Island peak is one of the majestic peak in Everest region. Island peak climbing is generally non-technical peak climbing however requires some snow climbing skills and good physical fitness. This peak climbing is perfect mixture of trekking through Khumbu villages, experiencing the unique Khumbu culture, climbing challenging peak. This peak climbing offers the most spectacular view of mighty mountains like Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and many more. On climbing the peak you will get close up view of mountains in Everest region.

Island peak climbing starts from Lukla as you take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla you will trek through the classic Everest Base Camp trekking trail passing the village of Dingboche and Namchebazaar. You will spend one day each in these village acclimatizing yourself for the climb. From Namche bazar on climbing for three days through the rugged terrains, chortens, mani wall, you will climb low mountain of Pokalde which provides sensational view of Khumbu valley and other mountains in the vicinity. From Pokalde you will ascend through rocky valley up to the ridge where you will need to use crampons and rope to cross the glacier towards southern ridge. The route above the glacier is relatively easier but be careful of crevasses. Climbing 100 meter up of snowy and icy, 45 degree steep climb you will reach summit ridge of Island Peak. The summit of Island peak offers spectacular view of the west face of Mt. Makalu, north face of Baruntse and Ama Dablam, Lhotse.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrived in Kathmandu (1,400 m).

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley (Optional).

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,860 m) and then trek to Phakding (2,640 m).~ 30 minutes flight and 3 hours trek

Day 04: Trek to Namchebazaar (3,440 m).~ 4-5 hours

Day 05: Acclimatize in Namchebazaar.

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3,860 m).~ 5-6 hours

Day 07: Trek to Periche (4,280 m).~ 4-5 hours

Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4,930 m).~ 4-5 hours

Day 09: Trek to EBC and back to Gorek Shep (5,180 m).~ 5-7 hours

Day 10: Trek to Kalapatthar (5,545 m) and back to Lobuche (4,930 m).~ 6-8 hours

Day 11: Trek to Chhukung (4,900 m) via Kongma La (5,540 m).~ 7 hours

Day 12: Trek to Island Base Camp (5,210 m).~ 4 hours

Day 13: Climbing training in Base Camp

Day 14: Summit to Island peak (6,189 m) and back to base camp (5,210 m).~ 10-12 hours

Day 15: Trek to Pangboche (3,985 m).~ 5-6 hours

Day 16: Trek to Namchebazaar (3,440 m).~ 4-5 hours

Day 17: Trek to Lukla (2,860 m).~ 5-7 hours

Day 18: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,400 m).~ 30 minutes scenery flight

Day 19: Departure day.

More Information

Meals:
When you travel to the new place for your holiday, food is most concern part of travel. While, traveling with Yarsa treks, you can experience the delightful cuisine of typical Nepali food, continental food, Italian food, Chinese food and different international cuisine. You will be suggested by your guide for good food during your trip. During the trek do not order many dishes and waste food; they have to cater more trekkers before they run off stuck. It is very hard and takes week or more for caravan and porter to brings the food in these altitude places. You will take lunch in route side, breakfast and dinner will arrange in the same lodge/Tea house.

Drinking Water:
During the trek you can get the bottled water but it is hard to dispose plastic and it will be the big problem for environment. We will provide purified mineral water during trek. In tea house you can get bottle water and mineral water in additional cost. It will better to drink mineral water rather than bottled water.

Accommodations:
We provide you best 3 star hotel in Kathmandu with best location. During the trek tea house is main accommodation for trekkers. A tea house is combination of lodge and restaurant. In the tea house lodge are fairly basic, some tea house you can get separate room but in the high altitude rooms are spare with two beds with blanket and little additional furniture.  There will be large dining room where you can get the warm by Bukhara stove. In the tea house there will be the solar electricity but these days most of the tea houses have electricity for charge Camera, Mobile phones and other small appliances.

Things to take:
This is very active trip we can’t stay in same place. You can take very light and necessary things. You will get porter he will carry maximum 30 kg it means 2 trekkers=1 porter. Porters are allowed to carry maximum 30 kg of your stuff. Porter will carry your necessary stuff in duffel bag.

Altitude Map & Route Map:
Yarsa Treks will provide you complete route map and altitude map. At the end of the trip we will provide you Yarsa Treks T-shirt for the memory of trekking with us.

Health & Fitness:
Island peak climbing is not much difficult but you should have good physical, stamina, positive energy for summit. You don’t need huge climbing experience but you need to know the knowledge of climbing equipment. Before the summit there will be the pre-ice climbing training in the Island peak base camp; training will let you know how to use climbing equipment. For Island peak climbing you needs to walk usually 5-7 hours of everyday and 10-12 hours in summit day. So, our advise you that you prepare yourself jogging or walking every day around 2 months before your trip. For Island peak you have to walk in high altitude and remote villages. For successful summit you must have potential will power, physical fitness, stamina and positivity inside you. You need to consult with doctor or let us know about your physical condition before your climbing trip.

Climbing:
During the trip we will provide you an experienced, English speaking and license holder climbing guide. For the main guide, assailant guide and necessary Sherpa crew we need to know your group size then we will define the crew member that you need for the climbing trip. We are concern about your safety so we will arrange the necessary staff and Sherpa for your trip; if anybody becomes ill during the trip we still go as planned. Let you know group should be 2-12 people for the successful climbing trip.

Suitable Time to Trek:
For Trekking to the high altitude we should concern about the weather condition. Autumn (Sept-Nov) and spring (March-May) is the best season for trekking in Himalayas. Trekking in summer and Monsoon (June-Aug) is affected by rain. You can also trek in winter but tempters could be most harsh for most trekkers.

Trip Dates/Cost:
Check available start date in our site and for cost please contact us for your departure date.

Important notes:
If you’re confused to pack up your necessary things just see in the check list tab. Bring light and necessary things. You will need medium size bag to carry your daily usable stuff. The weather is subject to change in high altitude so layered clothing is recommended throughout the trek.

Note: We can customize trip as possible client’s time frame. We are delighted to take you Himalayan region according to the itinerary.

Day 01: Welcome to Kathmandu (1,400 m).
Today we will receive you from International airport and assist you to the hotel. After getting rest and refreshed visit handicraft market in Thamel and rest overnight.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley (Optional).
Today is your free day so we take you to the some UNESCO world heritage site such as Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. After sightseeing prepare for tomorrow and rest overnight.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,860 m) and then trek to Phakding (2,640 m).
Today after breakfast we fly to Lukla for 30 minutes. During the flight you can see the more than 15 majestic view of Himalaya, after dramatic landing in Tenzing Hillary airport you will meet your crew than after some arrangement we trek to Phakding for 3 hours through Dudh Koshi River. Next we will reach beautiful green Dudh Koshi valley Phakding and explore around and rest overnight.

 Day 04: Trek to Namchebazaar (3,440 m).
Today we trek for 5 hours all the way to Namchebazaar. We fallow the Dudh Koshi River and pass several Sherpa villages with the majestic view of Ama Doblam, Khumbila and other snow capped peaks. After passing forest and ascend to reach Monjo where all your document will be checked before enter to Sgarmatha (Everest) National Park. Next walk through the rhododendron forest of National park and ascend steeply to reach Sherpa’s biggest settlement Namchebazaar. Explore around and rest overnight.

Day 05: Acclimatize in Namchebazaar.
Today is rest day in Namchebazaar but you should active instead of lazy. Visit the colorful market, hike to the viewpoints also you can visit cultural Khumjung village and back to hotel, it take 1-2 hours to reach Khumjung village. After visiting some place of rest overnight in Namchebazaar.

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3,860 m).
Today we walk for 4-5 hours all the way to Tengboche. If we are lucky, on the way we can see the Thar (mountain goat). After passing Themserku lodge site again walk through the forest and descend to Dudh Koshi River and cross the suspension bridge. Next we ascend through pine and rhododendron forest to reach Tengboche. Here we will visit famous Tengboche monastery with the splendid view of Everest, Ama Doblam and other Mahalangur peaks. After exploration prepare for tomorrow trek and rest overnight.

Day 07: Trek to Periche (4,280 m).
Today we trek for 5 hours to reach Periche. In the morning we visit the Tengboche monastery with the backdrop view of Mountains. We walk through forest and descend to cross the river. Next we ascend high hill and landscape becomes drier and pass through cultural Sherpa village Pangboche to reach Periche. Explore around or take class about climbing and rest overnight.

Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4,930 m).
Today we trek for 5 hours all the way to Lobuche. We ascend steep terminals moraine of khumbu Glacier and reach Chupki Lhara where we can see array of stones with prayers flag for the memory of Scott Fisher and Babu Chiring Sherpa 10 times’ summit of Everest. Next passing moraines and walking through Khumbu glacier will lead us to Lobuche. Observe the majestic view of highest mountains and rest overnight.

Day 09: Trek to EBC and back to Gorek Shep (5,180 m).
Today we walk for almost 7 hours. We trek through rocky path to reach world highest mountain’s base camp and observe colorful tented camp and the towering view of Nuptse, Khumbutse and Pumari. Next, we trek back to Gorekshep and rest overnight.

Day 10: Trek to Kalapatthar (5,545 m) and back to Lobuche (4,930 m).
Today early in the morning we trek to Kalapatthar (5,545 m) to see the spectacular view of Everest, Nuptse, Ama Doblam, Makalu and other peaks. From here we will observe the most spectacular view of sunrise over Mt. Everest and other highest peaks. After magnificent view we trek back to Lobuche and rest overnight at Lobuche.

Day 11: Trek to Chhukung (4,900 m) via Kongma La (5,540 m).
Today we walk for 7hours to reach Chhukung. Today is most difficult part of our trekking, we walk through Khumbu Glacier and reach Kongma La base camp (5,000 m) and ascend to Kongma La (5,540 m). Next we descend from Kongma La to Imjha valley and another descends to small summer settlement Chhukung. In Chhukung we check our climbing equipments for ultimate climb over Island Peak. Rest overnight.

Day 12: Trek to Island Base Camp (5,210 m).
Today we trek for 4hours to reach Island base camp. We start climb from south and turn towards east to the main line of valley and we walk pleasant trail along the streamside. Crossing the route through Lhotse and Imjha Glacier, moraine leads us to wide valley southwest side of Island peak. Rest overnight in Island base camp.

Day 13: Climbing training in Base Camp.
Today our climbing guide gives you the training and proper way of using climbing equipment such as ice axe, climbing boots, crampons, harness, ascender, rope etc. it is not necessary for complete training to climb Island but it will help you to built the confidence and increase your climbing skills. We spend our day hiking to high camp and back to base camp for rest overnight.

Day 14: Summit to Island peak (6,189 m) and back to base camp (5,210 m).
Today is our ultimate climbing day to Island peak (6,189 m). We will wake up early in the morning around 2 am because we should reach summit otherwise strong wind be the barrier for successful summit.  Trail moves beyond the base camp for several hundred meter and steeply ascend to walk through sand and then grassy path. As we climb up the hill trail slop becomes narrow and trail enters to step rock channels. Next we climb the rock gully which is not difficult but several shot rock step to climb before we emerge right side of the gully. We fallow the ridgeline to reach exhilarating of summit glacier. To reach top of the glacier we need rope and guide will fix the rope where ever necessary. A steep snow slope will lead us to the top of the Island Peak (6,189 m). We see the breathtaking view of peaks around us and take some picture and back to base camp where your crew will be waiting for you to celebrate your successful summit.

Day 15:Trek to Pangboche (3,985 m).
Today we trek walk for 5-6 hours the way to Pangboche. Walking to Pangboche is easy trek, we descend to low altitude and walk through Cultural village Orsho and Shomare or we can take other trail to visit different monasteries. Next, trail will lead us to Pangboche which is surrounded by scenery view of Everest, Ama Doblam, Themserku and other peaks. Explore around and rest overnight.

Day 16: Trek to Namchebazaar (3,440 m).
Today we trek 5-6 hours back to Namchebazaar. We descend to Imjha River and ascend through forest to reach Tengboche. After Tengboche we walk through forest and descend to Dudh Koshi River and again ascend through forest and pass through several villages. Lastly final descend to reach Namchebazaar. You can call your family or friends to give news for your successful summit. Rest overnight at Namchebazaar.

Day 17: Trek to Lukla (2,860 m).
Today we walk for 7 hours to reach Lukla and this will be our last trek in Khumbu region. We descend steeply and reach Monjo and walk along the Dudh Koshi river with the magnificent mountain view behind us. After crossing some suspension bridge we will reach Lukla. Here you can celebrate your crew because your crew will not going with you to Kathmandu. Rest overnight at lodge.

Day 18: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,400 m).
Today we fly taking the beautiful memory of Everest region. After reaching Kathmandu our airport representative will receive and assist you to hotel. You will be free for half day so you can buy some memorial stuff or handicraft. At evening we will arrange farewell dinner in Nepali restaurant with cultural show.

Day 19: Departure day.
Today is ending day of your adventure in Nepal. Yarsa treks will drop you to International airport for your final departure.

Service included in cost

• Airport pick up and drop off service by private car/jeep.
• Tourist standard accommodation in Kathmandu with BB plan.
• Lodge / tea house accommodation service during trekking.
• Tented camp during climb.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (3 meals) per day during your trekking.
• Sightseeing by English speaking tour guide in Kathmandu.
• Entry fees for sightseeing places in Kathmandu.
• Flight tickets for Kathmandu - Lukla and Lukla-Kathmandu sector.
• An experienced English-speaking trekking guide and climbing guide.
• Necessary trekking porters to carry your luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
• All trekking permits
• A comprehensive medical kit
• All government and local taxes

Service excluded in cost

• Visa fee for Nepal entry
• International flight tickets
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
• Your Travel and rescue insurance
• Your Personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry service, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc.
• Tips for guides and porters
• Anything other not mention in cost include section

This list of equipment will help you to bag pack for your trip. You can check the list while packing your bags.  These lists may require vary or little according to the season and your trekking duration. The weight is limit for 15 kg (33 pounds), we suggest you to carry only the valuable things. Your luggage will be carry by porter but you require carrying bag pack with important and valuable things on your own.
(For climbing you need to take some personal climbing tools)

Important Documents:

1. Valid Passport, 2 passport size photos
2. Airlines tickets
3. Separate photo copy of your passport
4. Visa form (easily access in Nepal airport)
5. Insurance paper
6. Cash/credit card/ATM/Machine card for withdraw, checks

Head Wear:

1. Sunhat or Scarf
2. Ear cover Light balaclava or fleece hat  (wool or synthetic)
3. Sunglasses with UV protection
4. Head torch with extra bulbs

Upper Body Wear:

1. Cotton T-shirt and thermals
2. Fleece Jacket
3. Down Jacket or vest
4. Wind proof and water proof shell jacket (Breathable fabric)
5. Light weight thermal tops

Lower Body Wear:

1. Light weight cotton pant
2. Water proof and breathable fabric pant
3. Hiking trouser and woolen trousers
4. Thermal bottoms
5. Non-cotton underwear 

Hands Wear:

1. Gloves
2. Light weight fleece gloves
3. Waterproof and polar fleece liner  

Feet Wear:

1. Thin inner socks
2. Thick warm wool socks
3. Comfortable hiking Boots
4. Cotton shocks and gaiters
5. Running shoes and sandals 

Personal Climbing Tools:

1. Ice-Axe
2. Harness
3. Crampons
4. Descender and Ascender
5. Plastic Mountaineering boots
6. Helmet
7. Screwgate Karabiners (2 lock, 2 Unlock)

Essential things for Climbing:

1. Snow Bar
2. Ice Hammer
3. Rope
4. Ice Screw
(Either you can bring, otherwise company will provide you)

For sleeping:

1. Fleece sleeping bag Liner
2. Down sleeping bag 300 DC

Accessories Equipment:

1. Sleeping bag
2. Trekking Bag/Duffel Bag
3. Large plastic Bag (for keeping things dry inside trek Bag)
4. Trekking poles (optional)
5. Water Bottle or Camel Bag etc.

Medicines: 

1. Water purification tablets or filter
2. Anti-altitude sickness pills
3. Anti headache pills
4. Stomach antibiotic
5. Skin-blaster repair kit
6. Cold pills
7. First aid tapes and plasters
8. According to health prescription
9. Anti-Diarrhea pills

Personal Huygens:

1. Tissue/Wet wipes/Toilet roll
2. Anti Bacterial hand wash

Toiletries:  

1. Quick dry Towel
2. Toothbrush and paste
3. Multipurpose soap
4. Face and body moisturizer
5. Female Huygens product

Extra Items: 

1. Guide Book
2. Diary and pen
3. Swimsuit
4. Voltage converter
5. Plug adapter
6. Cigarette lighter and Match box
7. Campus and Gps (optional)
8. Small alarm clock
9. Digital camera with extra cards and batteries
10.Small folding Knife etc.