Island Peak Climbing - 16 Days

The Trekking Guide Team Adventure family welcomes you to the land of the Himalayas. Upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, we will receive and transfer you to your hotel room. You can spend leisurely time exploring the area or rest in the room.

Today is a free day in Kathmandu, so we will prepare for the trek and fulfil our official formalities, starting with the permit. The island peak climbing requires three permits: An island peak permit, Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Local Area Permit. Apart from this, you can also consult your guide to buy or rent the gear required for climbing. The shops around Thamel have plenty of shops to cover your trekking and climbing needs. Spend the rest of your time resting as you start your trek tomorrow.

The Kathmandu-Lukla Flight is one of the scenic flights, during which trekkers can enjoy the views of around 18 different Himalayas and the valley below. Lukla, elevating at an altitude of 2860m, is the gateway to the Everest region. So after landing on Lukla, we will explore the Airport area, soak in the views of the hills and Himalayas, and head on our journey to Phakding.

The Lukla to Phakding trek is mostly downhill, which you can guess from the difference in the elevation. However, you will also walk on a few uphill sections that are not much demanding. You will walk on different trails like dirt roads, stone pathways, and rocky sections, passing through the forest areas. You will pass small villages, Buddhist prayer wheels, encounter mules and yaks, and cross suspension bridges, making your way to Phakding. As you arrive in Phakding, you can enjoy the beautiful sights of the tranquil Dudh Koshi River, surrounded by green hills. 

(NOTE: The flight to Lukla may be diverted from Ramechaap Airport in case there is high traffic problem in domestic flight in high season. In this case you have to get up early at 2 am in the morning and the airlines bus will be waiting for you. It will take you to the Ramechhap airport timely.)

The Phakding to Namche stretch is known to be challenging, in comparison to the previous day's trek, as you will gain elevation and also because of the uphill journey. Initially, you will cross a suspension bridge, get your permit checked at the ticket counter and walk along the stairs enjoying the views of the gushing river, beautiful valley and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Just like the previous day, you will encounter numerous yak and mules carrying goods on their backs.

After walking for 3 hours from Phakding, you will arrive at the Sagarmatha National Park permit counter, from where you will start your downhill journey, cross the suspension bridge, and continue the uphill climb. On the trail onward, you will cross the highest and longest suspension bridge in the Everest region, Tenzing-Hilary Suspension Bridge. From the bridge, it's a 2-3 hour hike to Namche Bazar. Namche Bazar is one of the major attractions of the Everest Region treks for the services and the views it offers. Since you will be staying 2 days in Namche, you can explore this beautiful town in the best way.

Since it’s a rest day in Namche Bazar, we will take a leisurely walk around Namche. During your stay in Namche, you can hike to Syangboche hill to enjoy the majestic views of the Himalayas like Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Kongde, and Nuptse, or hike to Khumjung village and visit the Edmund Hillary School and the old monastery housing the Yeti scalp. Apart from this, you can walk to the Everest view hotel, the highest-altitude hotel in the world. From the hotel, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Nuptse. Almost all trekkers trekking in the Everest region love breakfast in the Everest View Hotel.

After hiking to any of these destinations, you can explore the Sherpa Museum, Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Centre, and Local markets and restaurants around Namche.

The Namche to Tengboche trek is one of the most scenic trails of the Everest region, where you will walk along the ridgeline, enjoying the views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Thamserku. After climbing around 500 steps, walking past the village of Sansa and Pungi Thanga, and crossing the suspension bridge, you arrive at Tengboche. One of the highlights of Tengboche is the Tengboche monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the region.

The Tengboche to Dingboche trek initially passes through the forested trail to Deboche. Further from Deboche, you will walk past the inscribed stones, cross suspension bridges, and enjoy the mesmerizing view of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains. Ahead, we will arrive at the village of Pangboche, offering grand views of the Himalayas. Although the trek from Pangboche to Dingboche is uphill, it is not demanding. You will walk on easy slopes, enjoying the views of Everest and Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Nuptse until you arrive at Shomare, the last village before Dingboche. Walking along the valley and crossing the river, we arrive at Dingboche.

The hike from Dingboche to Chhukung is a relatively easy uphill climb, where you will leave behind the tree line and walk on either rock or meadows with scrubby bushes. On the way, you will enjoy the views of Lhotse and Nuptse and see a memorial stupa dedicated to climbers who lost their lives climbing the Lhotse Shar. After walking past chortens, mani walls, and half-frozen creeks, you will arrive at Chhukung. The village of Chhunkung has a lovely backdrop of soaring peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Taboche.

Today, we will hike to Chhukung Ri, located above the village of Chhukung. The Chhukung to Chhukung Ri hike takes around 3-4 hours and does not require technical expertise. Initially, you will walk on the sandy path and later on the steep ridges with uneven rock and terrain. From the top of the peak, you can enjoy the panorama of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Makalu, Lhotse, Thamserku, Baruntse, Tawache Peak, and Imja Tse.

Today, we will head to Island Peak base camp, walking along the steep and rocky trails. Although the path is tricky at some point, the views of the surrounding mountains and Lhotse Glacier will make it up to you.
After arriving at the base camp, we will do pre-climb training under the supervision of our certified and well-trained guides.

The most awaited day of this trek is finally here. Today, you will summit the island peak and head down to Chhukung. Ascending through the steep slope and rocky trail, you will arrive at high camp. After taking a break in high camp, we will continue our journey to the summit via Crampon Point and Imja Glacier. From Imja Glacier, you will walk on a narrow icy track and continue the climb the vertical wall with the assistance of the rope and harness. Though the wall climb is challenging, you will land on the summit, from where you can enjoy the panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Nuptse, Lhotse, and glaciers.
After celebrating the victory, we will head down to Chhunkung for the overnight stay.

Today, you will trace your way back to Tengboche from Chhukung. As you start your downhill journey to Tengboche, you will cross several suspension bridges, and village settlements, walk on the rocky terrain and watch the shrubs growing into tree lines. Since the trail is the same, you will pass Dingboche, Pangboche and Deboche to arrive at Tengboche.

Bidding farewell to the beautiful Tengboche area, we will head down the Imjatse River and climb the hill to arrive at the village of Sansa. Continuing our journey via the forest area, enjoying the views of the hills and Himalayas, we arrive at Namche Bazar. From Namche, we will enjoy the downhill journey to the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and continue to the village of Monjo.

On this stretch, you will walk past the village of Benkar, Ghat, Phakding, and Chablung to Lukla. On the way, you will also cross a suspension bridge, walk along the dense forest and pass the Pasang Lhamu memorial gate before arriving at Lukla.

In the morning, we will head to the airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, you can relax or stroll down the local market to buy souvenirs. You can also book a private tour around the city if you are flying back home the next day.

(NOTE: The flight to Kathmandu may be diverted to Ramechaap Airport in case there is high traffic problem in domestic flight in high season. In this case your flight will land at Ramechhap Airport and the airlines bus will drop you in Kathmandu.)

Your 16 Days Island Peak trek ends today. If you are flying home, we will transfer you to the airport 3 hours before your flight. However, if you are extending your holiday, we can arrange tours around the city as per your interest.