Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek – 21 days

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. Complete instructions are given in the afternoon. In the evening you are invited for dinner with your mountain guide. Overnight at Hotel Tibet or similar (D).

Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation for the trek
Today we explore Kathmandu with a local city guide. The day is flexible and is designed according to what you would like to see. The most popular places and attractions are generally Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple with an area for burning the dead, Swayambhunath – also known as the ‘Monkey Temple’, the Boudhanath stupa, Durbar Square and Thamel – the main tourist centre of Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel (B).

Day 3: Early flight to Lukla (2.840m) then trek to Phakding (2.610m) – approx. 5 hours walking
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for the early morning flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla. This is a truly spectacular beginning to the trek as we fly over the rolling foothills of Nepal with the huge Himalayan peaks visible to the north. On arrival your guide will arrange porters and then begin the trek following the Dudh Khosi valley to the village of Phakding. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3.445m) – 5 to 6 hours walking
Today there is a long and steep climb up to the trading town of Namche Bazaar. Halfway up the hill we are rewarded with our first views of Everest and Lhotse. Namche is the largest town in the Khumbu and has superb views of Thamserku (6.648m), Kwangde (6.220m) and Khumbila (5.700m). Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 5: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
This is the first of two essential acclimatizing days in Namche Bazaar to help your body adapt to the gain in altitude as we climb higher but return to sleep lower. Today we take a morning walk up the steep ridge line above Namche Bazaar. As the trail climbs we get good views of the main Everest Base Camp trail which we will be walking over the coming days. At the top of the ridge the trail then contours round the hillside to the Everest view point. The views on this walk both going up and down are spectacular. On the way back we have lunch next to the interesting Sherpa Culture & Everest Mountaineering Museum which is well worth a visit. After lunch we return to the lodge and in the afternoon you can relax or explore Namche Bazaar. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 6: Namche to Deboche (3.770m) – 5 hours walking
Straight through Namche’s town, join the main trail emerging onto a precipitous canyon wall  above the Dudh Kosi. Continue to a junction in the trail then descend to the river, crossing the bridge at Phutenga, 2 hours from Namche.  Ascend steeply up a forested ridge to a saddle, a little less than 2 hours away. Thyangboche’s monastery lies here with its spectacular views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku & Tobuche. Our lodge at Deboche is 15 minutes walk away from Tengboche. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 7: Deboche to Pangboche (3.930m), afternoon walk towards Ama Dablam Base Camp (4.800m)- 6 to 7 hours walk
After a descent to the Imja Khola, we cross the river and climb gradually to the village of Pangboche. On arriving at the lodge we will have an early lunch then start the walk towards Ama Dablam Base Camp. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 8: Pangboche to Dingboche (4.350m) – 5 to 6 hours walking
Trekking past the Gompa, at Pangboche, are the summer yak pastures and here lies no doubt as to the Spartan lives of Sherpas. Beyond this, it is as well to understand that overnight sleeping facilities can reflect the harshness of our surroundings. Much of the walking in this area is of comparatively gentle gradient, although a leisurely pace is anyway recommended due to the high altitude. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 9: Acclimatization day walk to Chukhung Ri (5.550 m) and back to Dingboche
A second acclimatization day, with optional hikes to Nagajun Hill (approx. 5.050m) or Chukung Ri at 5.550 m, with fine views of Ama Dablam, Makalu and other peaks, interspersed with lakes and glaciers. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 10: Trek to Lobuche (4.931m) – 5 hours walking
From Dingboche the trail contours above Pheriche and on towards the moraine of the Khumbu glacier and then across to Dughla. From Dughla the trail goes directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier before turning left just past the climber and sherpa memorial. From here the route descends a little and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche, Tawache and Nuptse are particularly spectacular from Lobuche, towering almost two kilometres directly above you! Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 11: Trek to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep (5.160m) – 8 to 9 hours walking
After an early start we follow the trail along the western side of the broad Khumbu valley. The conical peak of Pumori soon comes into view, it is on a lower ridge of this mountain where we will go tomorrow for the Everest view point of Kala Patar. The trail makes a short descent to the sandy area at Gorakshep. It should take between 2 to 3 hours walking to get to Gorakshep from Lobuche. After a light lunch, those in the group who would like to walk to Everest Base Camp, will head off for the 5 to 6 hour return trek. The trail is mainly on rocky moraine before crossing over on to the glacier. There is a dramatic view of the infamous Khumbu icefall from the Base Camp. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 12: Trek to Kala Patar (5.545m) and return to Pheriche
In the morning we climb up to the summit of Kala Patar, it is definitely worth it for the great views of Everest plus the other Himalayan giants of Pumori, Lhotse, Changtse and Nuptse. The best vantage point for viewing Everest and the surrounding peaks at sunrise; as if not just Everest but the entire world is breathtaking. After walking up Kala Patar we return to the teahouse at Gorakshep for lunch. We then start our descent and return to the thicker air of Lobuche in the afternoon. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 13: Trek to Base Camp of Island Peak 4.970m – 5 walking hrs
Today our staff set up the High camp and while we slowly walk up to the high camp. We have to spend the night in tent as there are not any lodgestic facilities at the high camp. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 14: Reserve day in High Camp
We keep this day free as a reserve day to have better preparation for the confirmed summit. If our clients are not well fit, this free day helps to cover the weak situation and if the weather is not favorable for the summit, our clients have more chance to summit as we have extra day for the summit. Overnight camping (B,L,D).

Day 15: Summit climbing and return to Dingboche – 8 walking hrs
Our staff will wake you up at around 2 a.m. and offer you tea before ascending for the summit. We should reach the summit of Island peak at 6.190m around 8 to 10 a.m.. After the summit we will descend to the high camp for having our lunch. Then we will descend to Dingboche for the overnight stay at the lodge. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 16: Trek to Tengboche village (3.860 m) – 6 hours walking
After leaving Dingboche we cross a bridge over the Khumbu River and then rejoin the trail that we took to Dingboche just before entering Tengboche village. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 17: Tengboche to Monjo – 6 to 7 hours walking
On leaving Tengboche we descend steeply through birch and rhododendron forest to the Dudhi Khosi. After crossing the river there is a steady walk up to the Mong La pass at 3.963m. From here we descend to Tashinga where we join the main Base Camp trail again. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 18: Return to Lukla – 5 hours walking
From Monjo we carry on the descent of the Dudh Khosi valley through the villages of Phakding, Ghat and Cheplung. At Chaurikharka we start ascending the final hill of the trek to reach Lukla. On getting to the Sunrise Lodge you can relax and enjoy your last evening with the Sherpa guides and wonderful porters. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 19: Fly to Kathmandu
Transfer to hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel Tibet or similar (B)

Day 20: Free day in Kathmandu.
Overnight at hotel (B).

Day 21: Fly back home
Transfer to Kathmandu airport / Farewell

We reserve the right to make program changes due to special events, force majeure, or weather conditions.