Island Peak climbing is an exciting journey in the Khumbu region of Nepal that offers incredible views of Mt Everest (8848 m) and other ranges of snowcapped peaks. Island peak (Imja Tse 6189m) is the most popular climbing peak in Nepal.

Climbing island peak is a great adventure for beginners (amateur climbers) and also to the hardy mountaineers. Observing from Dingboche, the mountain has a similar appearance as that of an island in the sea of ice so named as Island peak by Eric Shipton in 1952.

Island peak with Everest base camp includes trekking to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar before the climb, allowing proper acclimatization, with enough rest days for practice. The adventure starts with a short flight to Lukla and then heading higher to the nice villages of Everest region, visiting monasteries and interesting Sherpa cultures of Buddhist religion. After summiting Island peak, you will trace down to Lukla to finish the journey by flying back to Kathmandu.

Anyone, even without prior experience can climb this peak depending on how strong their self-motivation and passion is. Spring and Autumn season are the best times to climb the Island peak.

Island Peak Climbing Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 02: Preparation day with sightseeing tour

Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2860m and trek to Phakding 2610m

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m

Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche 3860m

Day 07: Trek to Pheriche 4371m

Day 08: Rest day at Pheriche for acclimatization

Day 09: Trek to Lobuche 4940m

Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep 5164m and Everest Base Camp 5364m

Day 11: Trek to Kala Patthar and to Chukhung 4730m

Day 12: Trek to Island / Imja Tse Peak Base Camp 5087m

Day 13: Rest day at Base Camp

Day 14: Trek and Climb to High Camp 5600m

Day 15: Climb Island Peak 6189m and return to base camp

Day 16: Trek to Dingboche 4410m

Day 17: Trek to Tengboche

Day 18: Trek to Monjo 2835m

Day 19: Trek back to Lukla

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu and rest

Day 21: International departure

Island Peak Climbing detailed itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Namaste and Welcome to Nepal. Our Nature lovers representative will receive you at the arrival section of Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to the respective hotel. At the end of the day, Welcome dinner is served with your climbing team. Our guide/leader will brief with information regarding Island peak climbing. 

Day 02: Preparation day with sightseeing tour

This day is the preparation day. The company needs different sorts of document for peak climbing. Our staff will be busy on that, you can spend your day on sightseeing. Kathmandu is best place for sightseeing. You can visit beautiful world heritage sites. Some of major sites around Kathmandu valley are Patan Durbar square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Basantapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swoyambhunath Stupa, Bouddhanath Stupa and many more.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2860m and trek to Phakding 2610m

Early morning breakfast for the early flight to Lukla. After the breakfast our team will drop you to airport. This 30 minutes flight cross over green lush forest and snow-capped mountains. Therefore, this flight is the most scenic and panoramic you have ever taken. After landing in Lukla, you will start short trekking to Phakding. This will help for acclimatization in sudden change in altitude. Stay overnight in Phakding. 

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m

The day to enter Sagarmatha National Park, also listed as World heritage site. The trail follows the Dudh Kosi River. The walk leads to the wood of pine and rhododendron following the view of snow-capped peaks. Eventually crossing some bridges and the walk progress to the Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar, the gate way of trekking route in Everest region, is the massive village with modern facilities like ATM machine, café, banks, shops and stores, restaurants and many more. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization

Namche Bazaar is perfect spot for acclimatization. After morning breakfast, a short walk to National park headquarter with a museum. The spot got the amazing views of AmaDablam, Thamserku, Kangtega,Kwangde, Khumbila, Lhotse along with Mt. Everest. There are numbers of activities you can do in Namche Bazaar. As mentioned before, Namche Bazaar is the last camp with modern facilities. So, if you have anything to buy as unfinished, have your job done in Namche Bazaar.

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche 3860m

After a quality day in Namche Bazaar, the trail leads to uphill through the pine and rhododendron forest. The walk offer you the fantastic view of Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku and Kwangde peak. After a lunch break at PhungeTenga, the trail leads all the way through forest to the Tengboche Monastery, a holy place as the high lama (Ringpoche) resides here. A scenic spot has the best view of Ama Dablam, Kangtenga, Thamserku, Kwangde and Mt. Everest. Overnight stay in Tengboche.

Day 07: Trek to Pheriche 4371m

The morning view from Tengboche is something else. After the breakfast the walk leads downhill towards bridge of Imja Khola. After the bridge the ascending way leads to the Pangboche village. Pangboche village is the last permanent village before Everest Base Camp. Houses are made of stone. Slowly the walk leads to the open exposed area which shares the stunning view of Ama Dablam. Leaving tree line behind you will reach Pheriche in No time. Overnight stay in Pheriche.

Day 08: Rest day at Pheriche for acclimatization

As the altitude gains rapidly onward, rest day is provided for the safe and enjoyable trek. Rest day or acclimatization day helps to acclimatize well to reach Everest base Camp and Island Peak climbing. A short hike on the ridge offers you the stunning view of Mt Makalu, 5th highest mountain of the world, Amphu Labtsa along with Island peak.

Day 09: Trek to Lobuche 4940m

After a wonderful rest in Pheriche its time to continue again. The initial part is flat windy valley then the way starts ascending. After walking for an hour you will reach in Thugla. Thugla is the perfect lunch spot for incredible vista of Taboche, Cholatse, Lobuche, Pumori and Ama Dablam. Imagine having lunch under such a magnificent mountains. The trail passes through Khumbu Glacier. On the way you can see the memories of the unfortunate mountaineers and climbers. From there gradual walk to reach Lobuche. Overnight stay in Lobuche.

Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep 5164m and Everest Base Camp 5364m

After the breakfast, starting gentle walk from Lobuche. Ascending for about couple of hour icy trail can lead to Gorakshep. Gorakshep is last stop with lodge before Everest Base Camp. Due to high altitude the stop gains the excellent view of Mt. Pumori, Lingtrin, Khumbhutse and Mt. Everest. After a short break in Gorakshep, journey continues to Everest Base camp. Spending some quality time in Everest Base Camp, again head back to Gorakshep. Overnight stay in Gorakshep.

Day 11: Trek to Kala Patthar and to Chukhung 4730m

Early morning hike to the Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trekking. Black rocky ridge offers you the awesome surrounding of massive mountains and close view of Mt Everest. The journey continues to same trail for an hour and then divert to Chukhung in Imjatse Valley. This is the last settlement before Island peak climbing.

Day 12: Trek to Island / Imja Tse Peak Base Camp 5087m

The real journey to the top of Island peak continues from today. The trail leads to the steep climb towards the Lhotse glacier, following glacial streams to the snout of Imja glacier crossing a dry lake between Lhotse and Imja glaciers to reach at base camp. Overnight stay in Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 13: Rest day at Base Camp

Another necessary rest day for acclimatization. Also important day for checking climbing gears and some rope climbing training as well. Overnight stay in Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 14: Trek and Climb to High Camp 5600m

After the rest day and training day the trail continues to the High Camp. The climbing guide will use ropes on essential spots for climbing. Today will be just short climbing session for better tomorrow and moreover it's the first day of climbing with rope. Overnight stay in High Camp.

Day 15: Climb Island Peak 6189m and return to base camp

A BIG DAY! After final preparation, the trail head to the top of the Island peak. The adventure should start very early in the dawn. Following the snow covered margin between glacier and a base of the top ridge. The climb leads to the stone and ice falling dangers, a steep snow and ice ramp and then to the summit of the Island peak. The top of the Island peak offers maginificent view of the highest mountain of the world Mt. Everest along with Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Ama Dablam, Chamlang and Baruntse. After accomplishment of Island peak climbing, head back to the Base camp for overnight stop.

Day 16: Trek to Dingboche 4410m

After a great experience on summiting, it's time to head back on same route. Nature lovers' team provides pleasant walk and short camp while returning back so that you don't have hard time returning back. The way back has the same stunning views as before on the way up. Overnight stay in Dingboche. 

Day 17: Trek to Tengboche

After the breakfast, you will walk back to Tengboche. The trail is all the way down so don't need to hurry. Enjoying the view on the way and easy walk through pine and rhododendron forest leads to Tengboche in the blink of an eye. Overnight stay in Tengboche.

Day 18: Trek to Monjo 2835m

Today you will walk the same route back inside pine and beautiful rhododendron forest with massive mountain from different angles. You will walk to Monjo, the gateway of Sagarmatha National Park. Overight stay in Monjo.

Day 19: Trek back to Lukla

Final day of the trekking. The trekking ends when you reach Lukla. It's time to say goodbye to your loyal porters and other staffs. By the time you reach Lukla you can relax and rest. Also in the night you can have some fun with your friends. Overnight stay in Lukla.

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu and rest

Finally a remarkable journey end here. Time to fly to Kathmandu and farewell to Everest Region and specially Island peak. Overnight stay in Kathmandu. 

Day 21: International departure

Last day in our beautiful Nepal. As per international flight time our staff will drop you in the Airport for flying back home. Farewell and safe journey.

Island Peak Climbing cost breakdown

Cost Include

• Airport pickups, drops and other transfers
• Flight, Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on BB(breakfast and bed) basis
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu with entrance fees
• Teahouse lodges during the trek and all meals included
• Healthy diets while on island camps
• Seasonal fruits and salads during trekking and camping
• Welcome and farewell dinner at Nepali typical restaurant at Kathmandu
• An experienced trekking guide, climbing Sherpa, assistant Sherpa, porters(1 for 2 trekkers) and their salary plus insurance
• Optional supply: Down jacket, duffel bag and sleeping bag(to be returned afterward)
• Company t-shirt, route maps
• All required trekking and climbing permits
• Best quality tents and kitchen utensils for camping
• Group climbing equipment
• First aid medical kit
• All government taxes

Cost Exclude

• Nepal visa fees, International flight
• Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule
• Travel and emergency rescue insurance
• Other additional services not included above
• Tips to guides and porters

Trip Note

The group’s safety is very important for us. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Even though every effort is made to go as planned, a little change might occur in the itinerary because of weather conditions, health condition of a person, unexpected natural disasters, etc. when you have to flexible.

In event of flight cancellation/delay, in/out of Lukla

Due to bad weather conditions(might even happen in best season), it is very likely that the flight to/from Lukla could be delayed or cancelled so make sure you have a day or two extra in your plan.