Island Peak Climbing

Trip Information

Duration17 Days
Trip Grade Strenuous
Trip Type Peak Climbing in Nepal
Best Time Mar-April and Sep-Nov

Imja Tse is old name of Island Peak. But, Eric Shipton named it Island Peak in 1951. While viewing from Dengboche Eric saw the peak like an island in the vast ocean of snow and ice. So, he named it Island Peak.

The name of the peak was again renamed as ImjaTse but till then the peak gained popularity as Island and even till date it is famous as Island Peak. This peak used to be training site for those who want to climb Mt. Everest. Many climbers exercised here before mastering the might Everest. It was Swiss expedition team who climbed this peak for the first time in 1956.

Climbing Island Peak is a unique experience of life time. It is not just about scaling the peak but an opportunity to learn and combat hardness of life. It is a place from where you see Nuptse, Lhotse, Mt. AmaDabalam, Tawache and Chaloste.

Itinerary

Day 1:Arrival in Kathmandu

Namaste! Info Nepal Treks and Expedition heartily welcomes you in the city of temples—Kathmandu. Our representative will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport. Our intimacy with you begins from here and we will be in your service for 24x7 from this very moment. The representative will assist you with vehicle and drive to the hotel. You can spend some time in hotel and get fresh before roaming around Thamel, renowned tourist spot of Kathmandu.

Overnight in hotel

Day 2:Kathmandu Sightseeing

Your trip to Nepal formally starts from the second day. You will be visiting UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites—Bashantapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath.

Kathmandu itself is a living museum and Bashantapur Durbar Square is jewel of the crown. The site covers more than five hectares area protecting historical and cultural heritage. The site truly portrays ancient face of Nepal and its wealthy culture and tradition. The palace called Hanuman Dhoka is the center of attraction. There are many chowks in the palace.

There are many temples including KumariGhar (house where living goddess resides) in the campus premises of Bashantapur Durbar Square. Pashupatinath is popular site of Hindus where Lord Shiva is enshrined in the form of Linga known as ‘Shiva Linga’. The temple is built in pagoda style and is located in the bank of Bagmati River. It is reported that more than a million Hindus visit here at the time of Shiva Ratri—Lord Shiva’s birthday.

Similarly, Bouddhanath is located on north of Pashupatinath. It is popular holy site of Buddhist. Bouddhanath is a stupa built structure which is largest stupa of South Asia. The stupa is covered by white wall where small statue of Amitabh Buddha is attached. The locality of Bouddhanath is also known as Little Tibet. The surrounding of the site resembles Tibetan culture and tradition.

Furthermore, Swoyambhunath is another popular Buddhist site where more than hundred thousand spiritual based tourists visit every year. Swoyambhunath is a dome like white structure. Many monks like in Bouddhanath pray here counting beads and rotating prayer wheels.

After visiting aforementioned sites we will drive you back to hotel. Here we will introduce you with the guide and other supporting staff who will accompany you in your Island Peak Climbing. You will also hire or purchase essential things required for trekking.

Overnight in a hotel

Day 3:Flight toLuklaand Trek to Phakding

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we drive to Tribhuvan International Airport. Here we catch flight to Lukla. It is a beautiful flight of around half an hour. You will get majestic view of mountains from the comfort of the plane.

In Lukla you are accompanied by your porter and the trekking begins from today. Phakding is our destination today. It is a walk of around four to five hours. It is an interesting walk penetrating rhododendron forests and enjoying snow-capped peaks above you.

Overnight in teahouse

Day 4:Phakding to Namche Bazaar

It is inspiring walk. We will be passing through woods. Following the route of DudhKoshi River we head ahead. Monjo is one of the on the way destinations. It (Monjo) is regarded as entrance gate to Sagarmatha National Park. A couple of hours further walk will bring us at Namche Bazaar.

Namche is quite busy area of Khumbu Region. Majority of the people are Sherpa here. People get here to purchase essential commodities and also to socialize.

You get ample time to roam here. There are few monasteries here where you can pay your visit. Most of the inhabitants of the place follow Buddhism here.

Overnight in Namche Bazzar

Day 5:Acclimatization Day

It is a kind of leisure day. While on trekking this type of rest is essential for trekkers as it reduces the chances of being arrested by high altitude sickness. It helps to adjust your body with increasing elevation and this is known as acclimatization.

You can visit Sagarmatha National Park today. The park shelters different species of animals and, if lucky enough, you will get chance to see snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Thar, musk deer and blue sheep among others.

It is reported that more than 170 species of birds are found here including Himalayan pheasant known as Danphe. It (Dnaphe) is a national bird of Nepal.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar

Day 6:Namche to Tengboche

We will follow ascending route today. We will be walking in encircled course. It is encircled by Himalayas. The chirping sound of birds on the way fascinates you.

A couple of hours of labour will bring us at Trashinga. From here we follow downhill track. We reach Phunkitenga. We lunch here. Before arriving at Tengboche we cross rhododendron forests and experience uphill walk.

Tengboche is popular for the monastery. Here you see largest monastery of Khumbu Region. The monastery enshrines Yeti Skull along with the statue of Lord Buddha.

Overnight in Tengboche

Day 7:Tengboche to Dingboche

It is a wonderful walk today. We move ahead crossing lush green vegetation filled with rhododendron. Raising your eyes above you get majestic view of mountains. The winding path below gives a kind of glimpse of heaven.

Dingboche is right place to get magnificent view of Nuptse, Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dabalam, Tawache andChaloste. You are almost surrounded by mountains from 360 degree.

Overnight at Dingboche

Day 8:Dingboche to Chhukung

Trail to Chhukung from Dingboche is ecstatic. You witness Nuptse-Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dabalam, Tawache andChaloste frequently on the way. Passing through Imja River and stone walls we carry on. We arrive at a point called Bibre from where Island Peak comes to your sight. It takes around half an hour to reach Chhukung from Bibre.

Overnight in Chhukung

Day 9:Acclimatization day and Climb Chhukung Ri

Despite rest day we will be exploring local area and climb Chhukung Ri. It is situated just above the village of Chhukung. Ama Dabalam and Amphu Labsa Peaks look pectacular from the Ri.

Overnight in Chhukung

Day 10:Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp

We will be walking on vertical track today. At follow southwards direction at first. And, move towards east. This will lead us at Island Peak Base Camp. From the base camp you witness south-west face of the peak. Being here is truly awe-some.

Overnight in Island Peak Base Camp

Day 11:Practicing Climbing training on Island Peak Base Camp

It is a kind of acclimatization day and you will take rest throughout the day. Climbing experts will give you some tips regarding peak climbing. Training session will prepare you mentally and boost up your confidence.

Overnight in Island Peak Base Camp

Day 12:Climbing Island Peak and back to Base Camp

To avoid possible bad weather, strong wind blowing in day time and glaring sun light, we start climbing early in the morning at 2 am. Much awaited climbing begins after the breakfast.

We go through narrow path. With the help of rope we proceed and finally, step on Island Peak.

Overnight in Base Camp

Day 13:Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche

Passing through Khumbu River our journey begins. Two Sherpa villages—Orsho and Shomare—comes on the way. Both the villages are beautiful and rich in culture. At Upper Pangboche we visit a gompa. It is oldest gompa of entire Khumbu Region. Crossing few more villages and enjoying Everest, AmaDabalam, Thamserku and ImjaTse we reach Pangboche.

Overnight in Pangboche

Day 14:Pangboche to Namche Bazaar

After descending down to Imja River the trail ascends. We lunch at Tengboche. We cross DudhKoshi River and arrive at Sansa. Further walk will bring us at Namche Bazaar.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar

Day 15:Namche Bazaar to Lukla

It is not that tough trail. We will walk on up and down path. We cross BhoteKoshi River and arrive at Jorsale. We reach Monjo by noon. Further descend walk along DudhKoshi River bring us at Lukla.

Overnight in Lukla

Day 16:Fly to Kathmandu

Early in the morning after breakfast we catch flight to Kathmandu. It is a wonderful flight of your life as you will witness beautiful mountains from the comfort of plane.

Here in capital you get ample of time to roam around especially, on the streets of Thamel. If interested, you can purchase gifts to your friend and family.

Info Nepal Treks and Expeditionwill offer you farewell dinner tonight.

Overnight in hotel

Day 17:Departure to your country

Your Nepal stay ends from today. Representative of Info Nepal Treks and Expeditionwill drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport three hours earlier to you scheduled flight.

See you next season for another trip!

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