Island Peak Climbing & Everest Base Camp Trek

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in a private car. Take rest and try to get over the effects of jet lag. A brief session regarding our further program would be conducted. Explore the neighborhood. We will meet in the evening for welcome dinner. Catch up on some much-needed sleep and prepare yourself for the next day.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the domestic terminal of the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu early in the morning. At the airport you will catch a flight to Lukla. Upon arriving in Lukla, enjoy a breakfast, then embark on your trek to Phakding. The trail from Lukla descends on a wide trail northwest in the Dudh-Koshi Valley. We can see the mesmerizing valley covered with pine and rhododendron forest. You might see yaks as you walk on the banks of the Dudh-Koshi River. The trekking is easy and we follow the river's course. Rest and relax in Phakding. Note: Flight is subject to weather conditions. Sometimes, flight might be delayed or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Start the trek after breakfast. The trail will lead us through the pine and rhododendron forest along the Dudh Koshi River across many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. Continue the trek to Monjo where we will register and buy the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit at the check post located at this point. From Hillary Bridge, one of the bookmarks in EBC trek, start uphill trek to Namche Bazaar. This is quite difficult trek and will test your physical fitness. Then the trail will meet the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. We still need to walk uphill to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading center of this region. Arrive in Namche Bazaar. Check in hotel and enjoy the scenic Namche Bazar and splendid view of Kongde on the front, Kusum Khanguru and Thamserku at back.

This day is for acclimatization. Go for a hiking to the Hotel Everest View (3,880 m) located at the Syanboche Ridge after breakfast. It is about two and a half to three hours uphill treks. This point offers magnificent views of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku, Mount Kusum Kangaroo along with other surrounding mountains in the Khumbu region. You can have a drink on the terrace of the hotel while savoring the panoramic vista. After spending some time there, return to the hotel in Namche Bazaar.

After breakfast, we ascend out of the village and follow a path above the Dudhkoshi River enjoying the spectacular views of Mount Everest, Mount Nuptse and Mount Lhotse. We descend through the villages of Kyangjuma and Sanasa, and then through the forest of blue pine to the deep gorge of the Imja Khola until we cross the Dudhkoshi River again at Phungi Tenga (3,250 m). We make another about two hours ascent on a switchback trail to the ridge of Tengboche. Upon your arrival at Tengboche, enjoy your tea soaking into the nature and the amazing views of the surrounding mountains. You can visit the Tengboche Monastery that is the largest and most popular monastery in the Khumbu Region. In clear weather, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the giants of ice in the Khumbu, peaks such as Kongde Ri, Taboche, Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku.

After breakfast we start downhill trek to Deboche for 30 minutes and cross a suspension bridge over the Imja Khola. We continue the trek descending through the rhododendron forest along the Imja Khola. We pass by a bridge on the Imja Khola again and then a long Mani stone wall to enter the village of Pangboche (3,930 m). This will take around one hour from Deboche. The village of Pangboche is characterized by old juniper trees and houses the oldest Gompa in the Khumbu region, over 350 years old. After Pangboche continue the trek to Shomare through the summer pastures for one hour. Continue the trek again to reach the bridge over the Imja Khola (4,135 m) and continue your short ascend to reach Dingboche. After walking for around two and a half hours of from Shomare we will arrive at Dingboche (4,410 m). Dingboche is the highest permanently inhabited village (even in winter) in the Khumbu Region. Highlights: Close-up view of Ama Dablam soaring overhead from Dingboche

You spend the day with a hike to Nangkartahang Peak also called Nagarjuna (5083m). You have to walk for around four hours to reach the peak. This point offers the majestic views of the mountains Ama Dablam, Makalu, Barunche, Chopolo II and Merapeak. It will take around two hours to be back to your hotel.

Today, we will ascend past the tree line. The trail follows a high path above the Pheriche Valley to the Khumbu Glacier River. You can stop for a lunch break at the hamlet of Thukla (4,620 m). On the way at Thukla Pass (4,830 m), you will find numerous memorials erected to pay homage to the Sherpas killed during expeditions to the Everest. Again, continue the uphill trek, which has several memorials to Sherpas killed on expeditions to Everest. Then the trail will lead you through the moraine of Khumbu Glacier with views of Kalapatthar and Mount Pumori. Walking further leads us to Lobuche nestled high in the Himalaya, a major trekking stop along the trail to Everest Base Camp. Highlights: Feeling the altitude above the tree line; Amazing view of Mount Nuptse, Cholatse Peak and Tobuche Peak.

Today is the big day and is a very long and hard day. Follow the trail on the moraine hills of the Changri Glacier along the western side of the Khumbu Valley where Mount Pumori will accompany you. It is a three-hour uphill trek and you are at Gorakshep. Check in a teahouse and take a lunch break. After the lunch break, we walk across the sandy flat land at Gorakshep and ascend the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier for another three hours to reach the Everest Base Camp. From the Base camp we can get the splendid close-up views of the mountains Nuptse, Everest South Shoulder, Changtse, Lingtren, Khumbutse and Pumori. After a short photo stop, we retrace our steps to Gorakshep for overnight. Due to its windy weather, we won’t spend more than 30 minutes for photo shooting. We then head back to Gorakshep which will take around two hours.

Today is considered to be the climax of our trip. We will wake up in the wee hours to start the two-hour uphill trek to Kalapatthar aiming to arrive before sunrise. The trail is made up of a series of steep switchbacks that eventually leads to the summit. We will spend 30 minutes at the viewpoint of Kalapatthar to observe the spectacular view of sunrise and the golden mountains like Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and Amadablam. On top of this, we can enjoy the views of the ice world such as Changri Glacier and Khumbu Glacier along with the Everest Base Camp in the distance. Kalapatthar which constitute the foothill of the Pumori is blown by a strong wind. With an unforgetable memory, we will return to our lodge. After having breakfast at the lodge, we will descend towards Dingboche. Note: Please note that the walk to Everest Base Camp and the climb of Kalapatthar are both tough. Sometimes we may change the order in which we tackle the walks depending on the group's ability and weather conditions.

In Dingboche you’ll be surrounded by impressive peaks like Ama Dablam, the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge, Taboche, and Cholache. Today, your trek to Chhukung starts with a gentle walk through fields enclosed by stone walls and the valley of Imja Khola. As you continue, you'll traverse glacier moraines, with the majestic presence of Lhotse and Ama Dablam mountains around you. Moving past a small village, the prominent Island Peak comes into view. The trail ahead is crisscrossed by icy streams, leading you to Chhukung, a small settlement. In Chhukung, you’ll have mesmerizing views of Ama Dablam and the Amphu Lapsa Mountains, situated directly across the valley. In the afternoon, a Sherpa guide will brief and train you on peak climbing and on using climbing equipment like ice axes, climbing boots, crampons, harness, etc.

From Chhukung, you head northward, tracing the valley along the moraine from Lhotse Glacier in the east. A brief riverside hike brings you to a huge rock, from where it is 45-minutes ascend to reach an Island peak base camp. There you’ll find already set tented camp. In base camp, there will be another training session on the rocks to test all the climbing gears so that you get used to it while using it early next morning.

Start as early as (at around 12 or 1 AM) possible to avoid a strong afternoon wind. It is a tough climb, as you will be spending much of the day climbing. Carry a packed lunch and some snacks with you. After hiking for a while, you reach High Camp. The trail goes continuously uphill. As the first rays of the sun start to show up, you would be already reached at the Crampon Point. Put on your crampons to protect yourself from the icy and slippery trail that starts from here. Ropes will be set for the safety of the climbing team from 5,700 m onwards. Following a narrow ridge, you will reach the base of Imja Glacier which offers a beautiful sunlit panorama of Makalu, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Mera Peak and other surrounding peaks. The climbing crew will fix the ropes at the glacier. The massive Lhotse appears close as you reach the summit of Island Peak. Climbing a vertical wall before reaching the summit is the toughest part of the climb. You will have to climb up past the anchor points by attaching and detaching your harness on the fixed line. A ladder will be used to cross the crevasses. Hold on to the rope and follow the ridgeline till you reach the summit. Spend some time at the summit enjoying the views of the mountains and taking pictures. Later descend to the Chhukung via Base camp. It is a long descent. Be careful of your steps. Once you reach Chhukung, take well deserved rest, and celebrate your achievement.

An extra day is reserved for some unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather or flight delays.

Today’s hike will be a much easier as you descend to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, you pass through the beautiful Sherpa villages of Shomare and Pangboche. Pangboche is a scenic village surrounded by Mount Everest to the northeast, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtenga to the east, and the Kongde range to the south. Continue your trek towards Tengboche.

Today’s trek takes you on a familiar path to Namche Bazaar, the main Sherpa town of the Khumbu region. After breakfast at your lodge, start your day with a steep descent along the trail to reach the prayer wheels of Phungi Tenga (3,250 m). Here, you will cross the long suspension bridge, before embarking on the last stretch of major ascent of 500 meter of this trekking. After this you will be in Namche Bazar.

After breakfast, we will start the downhill trek to Hillary Suspension Bridge and walk for about one and a half hours. We will pass through the villages of Jorsalle, Monjo, Bengkar, and Toktok. Each of them are about a 30 minutes walk apart. We will then walk for another 45 minutes to reach Phakding. Depending on our apetite, we can have lunch at any of these stops. Along the way, we will cross many suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and its tributaries. By now, we will start to feel warmer as we reach the lower altitudes. We find ourselves seeing completely different views, although we are heading back the same route. The snow-covered peaks which seemed closer yesterday are in the distance. The trail passes through the rhododendron and pine forests at some points and through the Sherpa villages at other points. After walking for around one hour from Phakding, we will reach Ghat and continue the trek to Chheplung for 30 minutes. Finally, another one and a half hours’ walk will take us to Lukla, our destination for today.

Wake up early in the morning with a feeling that you have conquered the Everest Base Camp and Island Peak. We will grab a predawn breakfast and head towards the Lukla airport to take an early flight back to Kathmandu. If the weather permits, you still can have the magnificent panoramic views of the snow giants for the last time from your aircraft. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel. You can explore Kathmandu on your own and go for a shopping spree. Trek ends! Congratulation! You completed your Everest Base Camp Trek & Island Peak Climbing.

We will spend the day exploring the Kathmandu Valley. First, we will visit Swayambhunath also called the “Monkey Temple”. Take in the views of the city from atop one of the most important Buddhist stupas in Nepal. You will be then taken to Patan Durbar Square, one of the medieval period royal palace. After this you will be taken to your hotel. In the evening, join your fellow expedition members for a farewell dinner.

Time to say bye! Have breakfast in the hotel. Spend free time until departure. Our representative will transfer you by private vehicle to the airport for your final departure. We hope you had a wonderful experience in Nepal and wish you will visit Nepal very soon again.