Lobuche East and Island Peak Climbing

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu Airport pickup and transfer to hotel.
Itroductions 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 02: 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 Tibet or similar (B).

Day 03: Flight Katmandu to Lukla trek to Phakding  (2.652 m)/ 35 min flight and 3 – 4 hours trek
Early morning flight by small twin otter to Lukla (2,800m. After final preparations, the trekking starts passing Chaurikharka village, and makes a descent towards the DudhkosiGhat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the precise bank of the Dudhkosi River until the lodge at Phakding is reached. This first day is short for acclimatisation reasons. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3.440 m) / 5 – 6 hour
The trail crosses the Dudhkoshi River through a long suspension bridge then the trail leads you crossing side by side along the river to Hilary’s Suspension Bridge. The trail further climbs from here to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft). Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 05: Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar 
This is an essential acclimatising day 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. 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, there is a colourful market each Saturday. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Dole (4.200 m) / 7 – 8 hour
The route starts by climbing up to the Shyangboche airstrip. Just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel, a Japanese scheme to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on Earth. We walk down a little further, and turn left to climb stairs and then walk through the forest of birch and junipers. We will reach the beautiful village of PhortseTenga, a tiny village with only few teahouses. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 07: Dole to Machhermo (4.470 m) / 5 – 6 hour
The trail climbs to Labharma and Luza. The path is steep in most of the places as it climbs through scrub junipers. Cross one more branch ridge and we will come to a wide valley and arrive at Machhermo. This is the village where it is believed that a Yeti killed several yaks and attacked Sherpa women. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 08: Machhermo to Gokyo (4.870 m) /3 – 4 hour
Today we will finally arrive in Gokyo. From Machhermo, it is a vertical climb up to the moraine from where the stream comes to a small lake. We can enjoy the views of wood ducks here. The trail follows the valley past the second lake and finally up to the jumble of rocks and boulders and reaches isolated Gokyo Lake. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 09: Rest and Acclimatisation with climbing Gokyo Ri (5.357m)
The views around Gokyo are tremendous. We have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful isolated Himalayan scenes by exploring around and early morning climb to GokyoRi (5357m/19,216ft). It is a two -hour climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view of Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawachee. We will take this easy day for rest and acclimatisation. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 10: Trek to Dragnag (4.700m) Approx. 4 hr
We cross Ngozumpa Glacier, the valley floor.  After an hour and a half we reach Yak Huts where we rest and have lunch.  After lunch we continue on a steep trail and camp at the foot of the pass. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 11: Crossing Cho La (5.420m) and trek to Dzong La (4.830m) / 7 – 8 hr
In the early morning, we ascend steeply to the Cho La (pass).  As we near pass, we reach Snow Line and a high round traverse (large snowfield) before descending steeply over rock to the Yak pastures at Dzongla.  The difficulty of crossing will be determined by the weather and snow conditions. We carry ropes, crampons, and ice picks in case it’s necessary to use them. But the views are absolutely stunning. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 12: Lobuche High Camp (5.270m) / 5 hr
After breakfast, we take a slow walk over the gradual descend to Thukla for lunch and after lunch we ascend up to the base camp of Lobuche Peak for the overnight stay in a tented camp. Our climbing guide will introduce the cook and the porter who brings all the camping equipment and the food for the climbing period. Overnight at camping site (B,L,D)

Day 13: Lobuche Summit (6.119 m) / 10-12 hr and trek to Thukla (4.620 m)
Our mountain guide will wake you up at 2 in the morning and prepare you for the summit hike. The chef provides breakfast and the required packed lunches, which you will need for the day trip to the summit. We set off at around 4 am to the summit. Our ascent route begins over boulders, rocks, and smaller rock steps. There is some easy rock climbing to be overcome here. This is followed by a snow flank to the foot of the south-east ridge. The climb is 45-60 degrees steep in places and there are fixed ropes on the difficult passages. We should reach the summit at about 9-10 am in the morning. After about one hour resting on the peak, we return to base camp. After lunch we will descent to Thukla. Overnight at teahouse Camping site or lodge (B,L,D).

Day 14: Rest and Reserve Day 
We have scheduled this reserve day to increase your chances to reach the summit. Overnight at camping site /teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 15: Trek to Chukhung (4.730 m) – 6 walking hr
We descend down with gradual downhill slope to Dingboche for lunch. After lunch we continue in an easy flat trail to Chukhung for the overnight stay in a lodge there. Chukung is just beneath Island peak and Ama Dablam towering over this tiny village. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B, L,D)

Day 16: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (4.970 m) / 4 walking hr
Today our staff will set up the camp and we slowly walk up to the high camp. We have to spend the night in tents as there are no any lodges available. Overnight at camping site (B, L,D)

Day 17: Summit Island Peak (6.189 m) and trek to Chukhung / 10- 12 walking hrs
Shortly after midnight we start the ascent. First, we go over a narrow and rocky path and then continue along a talus slope to the edge of the glacier at 5,800m. Harnesses and crampons are prepared here and we slowly climb to the wall foot (6,000m). From here, the installed fixed ropes help us up the 45 degrees steep snow flank. The last 30m key point is 60 degrees steep, and then we’ve done it, we’re at the top!  Amazing views of Makalu, Lotse, and numerous 7,000m peaks and the hard climb will be long forgotten. Then we go back down the ascent route to base camp. After a break, we continue to Chukhung from 4,900m. Overnight at lodge (B, L,D)

Day 18: Rest and Reserve day
If the weather is not optimal on the day of the summit climb, we have scheduled this reserve day to increase your chances to reach the Island Peak summit. Overnight at camping site/lodge (B, L,D)

Day 19: Trek to Tengboche (3.875m) – 6 hr
Today we contour down from Chukung to Tengboche and visit the famous Buddhist monastery there. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 20: Namche Bazaar / 5 walking hrs
After breakfast we descend to Imja Khola and take an easy uphill trail to Namche. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 21: Trek to Lukla (2.800m) / 6 walking hrs
We take an easy trail through Sherpa villages to Lukla and enjoy a farewell party with our Sherpa crew. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D)

Day 22: Fly to Kathmandu
Transfer to hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel Tibet or similar (B)

Day 23: Free day in Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel Tibet or similar (B)

Day 24: Fly back home
Transfer to Kathmandu airport / Farewell (B)

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