Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek (6,189m)- 20 days

We complete our customs formalities at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Afterwards, there will be a representative from our company who will take you to your hotel. We can then spend the rest of the day resting. In the evening, we get to try Nepalese cuisine at a welcome dinner hosted by our company. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

After breakfast, we will prepare all the instruments and necessary gadgets for the trip with all the members. After lunch, we drive to Manthali airport, which is located in Ramechhap district, so it is also known as Ramechhap airport, and it faces beautiful views of Kathmandu and Manthali. During the trekking season, flights operate via Ramechhap, while in the off-season, direct flights from Kathmandu to Lukla are available. After reaching Manthali, we will stay overnight in a lodge at Manthali. 

Early in the morning, we fly from Manthali to Lukla, experiencing incredible and beautiful views of Manthali and Lukla. After reaching Lukla, we start to trek to a ridge at 2,800m, before a gradual ascent to the final ridge from where we descend to Surke, following the path toward Phakding. You will trek on the trail cut deep into the steep rocky side of the valley, where you can come across mule caravans making their way alongside you. At the end, the trekking trail joins back onto the Dudh Koshi River valley, and you can see amazing views of the river below as you stand high above on the steep side of the impenetrable valley. Overnight at a guest house or lodge. 

After breakfast at Phakding, we will pass through the famous Namche Bazaar, where altitude gains as the walk progresses morning walk starts following the river and crossing several times to reach Monjo village near Sagarmatha National Park entrance. From here, walk through the river valley and gorge, covered with woodland of tall rhododendrons, pines, and fir trees. After a few hours, we will reach Namche Bazaar, an ideal place for a rest day to acclimatize to the main town/village of Khumbu, where a colourful and exciting Saturday market takes place once a week. 

After breakfast, we went to the viewpoint, just behind the back of Sagarmatha National Park headquarters. The panoramic views of the Everest Himalayan chain, Mt.Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and many more. Then we walk down to the Sherpa cultural centre, where we can observe the gallery and the documentary of Sherpa’s ascending Mt.Everest. We hike up to Everest View Hotel via Syangboche airport, have a cup of tea, and trek to Khyangjuma, where we can see many wonderful mountains as well as not so much crowd, a peaceful place to stay. Overnight at a lodge. 

After breakfast, we started trekking to Tengboche. On the way, mountain goats can be seen. A continual walk through rhododendron forests, we descend about 45 minutes across the river, a place called Phunki Tenga, a small place with few lodges, an ideal place for a refreshing or lunch stop. Then we will climb up to Tengboche all the way to Tengboche through the zig-zag trail. Tengboche is the right place to stay, which is surrounded by white peaks just below the Ama Dablam. Overnight at a lodge.

In the morning, catching super views of high peaks with Mt.Everest, our route descends into forested areas, reaching a metal bridge. We ascend for 30 minutes and reach the gate and enter Pangboche village, this is the last Sherpa permanent village en route to Everest base camp. From here, the walk leads to a barren and arid country where tree lines drop for small bushes of juniper and dwarf rhododendron. The walk leads uphill into a river gorge and finally opens up into a wide glacial valley on reaching Dingboche with many good lodges around, facing views of Island peaks towards the east.

After breakfast, we headed to the destination of Lobuche. We will climb up through a steep route, and after reaching the stupa, the trail is gradual. Then we reach Thukla in about 2-2.5 hours. We have an early lunch there and make a steep climb for an hour to the ridge. There is a memorial for the Everest climbers who passed away during the expedition. After continual walking, we reach the Lobuche and stay overnight at the lodge. 

This is an anticipated day of the trekking trip, and we will begin through the rugged trail which goes on the other side of the Khumbu glacier. After an hour, we walk through a rough rocky trail and reach Gorak Shep through the Italian research centre and Lobuche Pass. After a rest, we hike to Everest Base Camp through the new moraine route. On the way, we can see Pumori, Nuptse, and other mountains in the background. The Everest view is available before reaching Everest Base Camp. It is not that difficult, but the high altitude makes it tough. Then we descend to Gorak Shep and stay overnight at the lodge. 

In the early morning, we hiked to Kala Pathar, which is also a good point of the Everest range. The views of Mt.Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche East, and Pumori in the background, which are just behind the Kala Pathar. The golden mountains during the sunrise period are fabulous, including the top of the world. Then we started to trek back to Lobuche. After reaching Lobuche, we will stay overnight at a lodge. 

After breakfast, we trek via the Khumbu glacier to Kongma La Base Camp (5,000m). The ascent to Kongma La Pass is the most difficult part of our trek today. In the Kongma La Pass, we cairn wrapped in prayer flags to mark the pass. Then we descend gradually to Imja Khola valley, followed by another descent to Chhukung, a small summer settlement. After reaching Chhukung, we also check our equipment to get ready for our ultimate climb. Overnight in Chhukung. 

The trek to Island Peak base camp is on a fairly steep trail. First, we climb south, then turn east to the main line of the village. We then walk on a winding path below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse glacier. Next, we continue walking on a pleasant trail along the streamside. The route to the Amphu Laptsa lies to the southeast. A crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island Peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp. 

We will wake up early today at around 12 or 1 am and have our breakfast before beginning our climb. We must reach the summit before noon because in the afternoon, the strong winds in the highlands might become a barrier to a successful summit. The trail moves up beyond the base camp for several hundred meters before striking off the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder-strewn. As we climb up the hill, we will see that the slope narrows and the trail enters a steep rock channel. We climbed the rock gully. The route then follows a ridgeline that leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. The guides will fix the rope when required. A steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. Both the fixed rope and the main rope will be used during the climb for safety. We use fixed after successfully climbing on the rock. The length of the rope will usually be 350m. However, the length depends on the time of the season and the crevasses. After enjoying the summit views and taking pictures, we descend all the way to Island Peak base camp, where some of our crew are waiting for us. We celebrate our successful Island Peak climb. 

Today’s walk will be much easier as we descend to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola. We pass through the beautiful Sherpa villages, Orsho and Shomare. We can also take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche, which is believed to be the oldest in the Khumbu region, or take the regular trail to reach Pangboche. Pangboche is a scenic village surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kantaga to the east, the Kongde range to the south, and the Imja Tse river flowing through the wide, fertile valley. 

From Pangboche, we retrace our steps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forests to Tengboche. If you are interested, we can also visit the nuns at Tengboche monastery. After lunch at Tengboche, we continue through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi river, our trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests before reaching Sansa. We keep a lookout for wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colourful pheasants, etc., while passing through the forests. After passing a chorten, we reach the army camp at Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar. 

The trail descends steeply downward, so we need to walk cautiously as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast-flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. After we arrive in Lukla, we sketch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. Overnight in Lukla. 

Morning transfer to Lukla Tenzing-Hillary airport for a short sweeping flight to Manthali airport located in Ramechhap district, facing scenic views of mountains, green scenery of hills and farm fields with nice villages and towns as the flight lands at Manthali airport, and drive back to Kathmandu and transport to your hotel.

After the long, exhausting trek, you might have worn out a bit. Today, you can do some relaxation activities or just take some rest and connect with your friends and family back home. You can also just wander down the lively streets of Thamel and Asan and buy some souvenirs. In the evening, your tour officer will pick you up for dinner at one of the cultural restaurants of Thamel. After the dinner, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! We will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.