Island Peak (6189m) is one of the leading climbing peaks of the Everest area. This wonderful trip takes you into the heart of Khumbu, Gokyo (4750m) and Everest Base Camp (5380m). An ascent of Gokyo Ri (5463m) and Kala Patthar (5545m) is good for acclimatization and gives you magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and many more. You will cross the little used Cho La Pass (5380m) and Kongma La Pass (5535m) before ascending one of the popular peaks of the Everest region.

The mountain was named ‘Island Peak’ in 1952 because of its striking location in the middle of the Chhukung valley, being like an island on a sea of ice. It was renamed ‘Imje Tse’ in the early '80s, though its original name is still more popular. Island Peak has an impressive, highly glaciated West Face that rises from the Lhotse Glacier.

Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu airport and you will be transferred to the hotel by one of our representatives.

Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Day 02 : Kathmandu (1334m): Leisure in Kathmandu, preparation for the trip.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 03 : Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2650m): You will enjoy a scenic 40-minute flight to Lukla (2865m) where you will begin the trek to Phakding. We will trek through the villages of Cheplung (2700m), Thado Koshi and Ghat (2590m). Phakding is a small beautiful village, where comfortable lodges are available.

Overnight: Lodge
Flight Time: 40 minutes
Walking Time: 3 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 1531m

Day 04 : Phakding to Namche Bazar (3440m): This busy trail follows the Dudh Koshi river and reaches Zamphuti where you can see the beautiful view of Thamserku Peak. We then continue to Chomoa where there is an interesting agricultural project to view. We continue on the trail again and climb to Monjo (2850m). Monjo is also the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park and we will complete our trekking permit and National park entry formalities at this point. The trek again continues to Jorsale where we will then begin our ascent to Namche Bazaar after crossing the large suspension bridge along the way. Soon, you will able to view the first proper glimpse of Mt. Everest and other surrounding peaks. Namche Bazaar is known as the gateway to Everest and has very good lodges, several monasteries, shops, bakeries, an army camp, Sagarmatha National Park quarters, and a museum.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +790m

Day 05 : Acclimatization day in Namche (3440m): Today you will have a full day of leisure. If you like, a short walk takes you to the nearby Everest View Hotel where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Everest. You may also be interested in visiting the Sherpa Museum which is a great place to learn Sherpa culture and the history of mountaineering in the area.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 06 : Namche to Phortse Thanga (3810m): The trek starts with a flat trail to Shanasa for about one and a half hours. From here the trail ascends to Mongla hill. At this point the trail continues steeply down to Phortse Thanga for about one and a half hours where we will spend the night. The view of Khumbila and Towche peaks is tremendous on this day and Mt. Everest, Mt. Amadablam, and Thamserku peaks are also visible and are a highlight of the area.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 370m

Day 07 : Phortse Thanga to Machhermo (4470m): The trail begins by ascending steeply through rhododendron forests, passing many Kharkas on its way to Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m), and then reaches Dole. From Dole we will cross a small river and continue ascending to Lhaparma (4330m), and Luza (4340m) and finally, we reach Machhermo. The mountain views from this area are superb.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +660m

Day 08 : Machhermo to Gokyo (4790m): Today the trail ascends all the way to Gokyo. We climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. We soon arrive at the second lake, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La, our route to Lobuche and Everest which we will undertake later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking along the edge of the lake, the scenery is breathtaking. The summits of Cho-Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflect beautifully in their emerald green waters.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 320m

Day 09 : Gokyo-Gokyo Ri (5463m) –Gokyo: We will start early in the morning by hiking to Gokyo–Ri (5463m) for the wonderful mountain scenery including Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, Twache and several other small peaks. This trek takes approximately two hours to reach Gokyo-Ri from Gokyo village. After enjoying the beauty from the peak, we then retrace our steps to Gokyo.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 10 : Gokyo to Thangna (4500m): The route follows across the glacier where there is a small dwelling known as Thangna.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 290m

Day 11 : Thangna to Dzongala (4850m) Via Cho-la Pass (5368m): This is one of the toughest days of the entire trek. Today we cross Cho-La Pass (5368m). The pass is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side where crampons and an ice axe are necessary for negotiating the small icefall at the foot of glacier. The western approach to the pass varies in difficulty depending on the amount of snow. The views offered here are excellent. After crossing Cho-La, the trail steeply descends to Dzongala. From Dzongala you will again enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding peaks.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 350m

Day 12 : Dzongala to Lobuche (4930m): Today will be your shortest day of the trek in order to give your body time for acclimatization. From this point, the trail continues along the moraine from Dzongala affording you splendid views of Kala Patthar and Pumori before reaching Lobuche.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 80m

Day 13 : Lobuche to Gorakshep (5170m): Today’s trek is three hours to reach Gorakshep which is our last stop before climbing to Everest Base Camp (EBC). The trail up to Gorakshep is rocky and windy but offers good views of Pumori and beautiful views of Everest Base Camp. After lunch, when the sun begins to set over Everest, we will hike to the top of Kala Patthar (5545m) which is one of the finest viewpoints in the Khumbu region. As the light begins to fade we will stroll back to our lodge at Gorakshep.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 3 hours
Difference in Elevation: +240m

Day 14 : Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp (EBC-5380m) and trek back to Lobuche (4930m): We reach our goal by trekking to Everest Base Camp at the altitude of 5380m. Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and eventually reaches Base Camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. After celebrating our efforts and photographing the achievement we return to Lobuche for our overnight.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: 240m

Day 15 : Lobuche to Chukung (4710m) via Kongma La/Pokalde Pass (5435m): Today will be a long walking day. In the early morning we will cross Pokalde Pass (5435) and finally reach Chukung. From Chukung you will have a good view of Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Difference in Elevation: +505m Kongma La Pass, - 220m Chukung

Day 16 : Chukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5150m): Today, the trail is a fairly steep climb south, and then it turns east to the main line of the valley. It then winds below the southern flank of the Lhotse Glacier moraine. We continue walking along a streamside to what we call Big-Rock. The route to Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines follows to a wide valley flanking the southwest side of Island Peak.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: +440m

Day 17 : Island Peak Base Camp to Island Peak High Camp (5481m): Today, you will walk towards Island Peak high camp which takes a maximum of three hours, from where you will start climbing the mountain. The trail follows up beyond base camp for several hundred meters before striking off to the left up the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder strewn. As you climb the hill, you will see that the slope narrows and the path enter a steep rock channel.

Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 2-3 hours
Difference in Elevation: +331m

Day 18 : High Camp to Island Peak summit and back to Chukung (4710m): We will set off in the early morning and start ascending to Island Peak (6189m). This is not very difficult, but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridgeline, which follows to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. You need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty, to a 100m snow and ice slope (40-45°) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. After enjoying the summit views we will descend all the way to Chhukung for the night.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: -1479m Island Peak Summit, -771m High Camp

Day 19 : Chukung to Tengboche (3860m): Leaving the mountains behind us, our descent takes us through various villages including Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare and lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River. At this point we ascend gradually through Debuche and then to Tengboche at 3860m. Tengboche is a very famous place in Nepal due to its Buddhist monastery and the superb surrounding mountain views.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 850m

Day 20 : Tengboche to Namche (3440m): We start our trek from Tengboche with a steep descent through beautiful forests of rhododendron, blue pine and silver fir, finally arriving at Phunkithanga, a small settlement with a couple of tea houses. The trail ascends to Tashinga where we cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi and continue along an easy flat trail to Namche Bazaar.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 420m

Day 21 : Namche to Lukla (2865m): On this final day's trek we reach Lukla. This six to seven hour trek takes us through the villages of Jorsalle, Manju, Phakding, Ghat, Thado Koshi, and Cheplung. On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of your trek.

Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 575m

Day 22 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1334m): This morning you will be transported to Lukla airstrip for your flight back to Kathmandu. The 40 minute flight to Kathmandu usually leaves early from Lukla but this depends on the weather.

Overnight: Hotel
Flight Time: 40 minutes
Difference in Elevation: - 1531m

Day 23 : Patan and Kathmandu Durbar Square: Drive from Kathmandu to the neighboring city of Patan to visit a true open air museum which offers pagodas, temples and monasteries. In the afternoon we will visit Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, the old royal palace, and the house of the Kumari (living Goddess) who is the reincarnation of Goddess Taleju (Kali).

Overnight: Hotel

Day 24 : Transfer to the airport and departure

The tour price includes:

1. Transfers airport/hotel/airport
2. Hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing BB basis
3. Transport, guided visits and entry of the monuments in Kathmandu and Patan
4. Domestic flight ticket Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
5. Domestic airport taxes
6. Trekking permit /TIMS, and National park entry fee
7. Peak Climbing permit fee
8. Professional tour/ trekking/ climbing guides, cook and porters
9. Meals Full board during trek
10. Drinks (Tea and Coffee only)
11. Accommodation in Lodge during the trek
12. Accommodation in Camping during the Peak climbing
13. Your international flight re-confirmation
14. All necessary documents and government tax
15. Insurance for all staff (including guide, cook, porters, assistant guide)

The tour price does not include:

1. International Flight
2. International airport tax in Kathmandu- approximately USD 20
3. Nepal entry visa fee USD 40. (Total 30 days from the date of issue) and you may easily obtain your visa upon your arrival in Kathmandu international airport
4. NOTE: You need 2 Passport size photos for the visa
5. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
6. Travel Insurance (compulsory and we strongly advise you to take out to cover accident/repatriation helicopter/medical care)
7. Personnel trekking and climbing equipment
8. Personal expenses such as cold drinks, mineral water, alcoholic drinks, telephone, hot shower, etc
9. Emergency evacuation rescue charge, if needed
10. Personal medical supplies
11. Alternative transportation, in case of flood, landslide, heavy rain, strike, road blockade, etc
12. Tips for trekking staff or bus driver

Special Note:

This Itinerary can be customized according to the duration of your holiday. The Trek can be operated with Lodge/tea house and/or camping accommodation, based on your preference. We have many options for shorter visits based on your interests and budget.

NOTE:The price of the tour will be adjusted according to the group size