Island Peak Climb without EBC

When you arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, one of the airport representatives from Nepal Hiking Team will welcome you and escort you to the hotel. Then, you will check into the hotel, and relax at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

We will fly to Lukla from Kathmandu on this day. As we reach Lukla lying 2860m high, we will start trekking slowly to Cheplung village where the beautiful glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a holy peak appears. We will then pass lush background and the arresting views of Kusum Kangraru will mesmerize us before we reach Phakding. 

Departing from Phakding, on this day, we will trek to Namche Bazaar taking approximately 6 hours. The eye-catching settings on the way will completely allure anyone. Upon reaching close to the Jorsale Village, we will enter Sagarmatha National Park.

Then, we will walk on an uneven trail; traverse several suspension bridges; and a thick forest of pine and cedar trees. After a challenging climb, we will reach Namche Bazaar, the major set in the Everest region which is surrounded by snowy peaks and where Sherpa people reside. Namche was long ago a trading post for Tibetan and Nepalese traders.

We have an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar on this day. We can explore around Namche Bazaar or hike to Everest View Hotel to capture stunning views of Everest, Tawache, Amadablam, Lhotse, and more. We will also visit The Everest Photo Gallery and The Sherpa Culture Museum while returning back to Namche Bazaar. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

From Namche, we will move rather close to the arresting views of Mount Everest. After that, walk down to the Dudh Koshi Valley from where we will make way to the Dudh Koshi valley to get to the Tengboche. It is located at the height of 3860m. Apart from visiting famous Tengboche monastery, you will be rewarded by the serene background of Mount Amadablam, Mt. Everest and many other peaks. 

From Tengboche we will walk for approximately 5 hours to reach Dingboche. We will move down to Debuche and go across another suspension bridge over the Imja River. Also, we will climb to Pangboche which is set lying between massive Mani stones. From Pangboche, we will make way to the appealing Sherpa settlement - Dingboche. It is named as 'summer valley' which bestows stunning views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak etc. 

This would be your second acclimatization day that requires about 6 hours of trekking to an altitude of 5100m. After breakfast, you ascend Nagerjun (5100m), a hill located on the flanks of the Chhukung valley directly above Dingboche.

The main aim is to climb high and sleep low. The footpath becomes steep at times, resulting in a physically strenuous day. Ascending the hill could take up to 5 hours at altitude. From this altitude there are good views of Lobuche East (6119m), Lobuche West (6145m), Taboche Peak (6367m), Thamserku (6608m), Kangtega (6685m) and Ama Dablam (6856m). On a clear day, you could even see Makalu, the world’s fifth highest mountain, including great views of the Pheriche Valley.

After a short rest, you start the descent back to Dingboche and the walk at altitude takes about 2 hours. After lunch, take a well-deserved rest, as afternoon temperatures could drop rapidly as the sun sets over the mountain tops. You will also spend a second night in Dingboche. 

From Dingboche, it takes around 6 days to reach Island Peak Base Camp. We will begin slowly following the Imja Valley which rewards with awesome views of Ama Dablam. Also, we will follow the moraines that pour from Lhotse lying 8501m high to the smooth flat area at Pareshaya Gyab. Then, finally, we will arrive at Island Peak Base Camp which lies at the elevation of 5240m. Overnight at tented camp, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

On this day you will also get training from our veteran guides on peak climbing skills and using climbing equipments such as ice axe, crampons, harness, etc as well as ropes. Learning the skills improves your confidence to reach at the summit of the peak.

This is the most important day of the trek as we will reach at the peak of the Island Peak lying at the height of 6189m. We will begin early in the morning since we need to walk for approximately 11 hours on this day. We will go up to the rock gorge to reach at an edge line, which leads us to the muzzle of the glacier. Then we will get to the top of the Island peak. Reaching at the top and discovering the amazing views will remain in your memories forever. After that, we will return back to the base camp. Overnight at camp.

There is no such guarantee that we can get a favorable weather on our planned day for the summit (day 13), so this day is used as a contingency in case we are unable to summit the Island Peak on day 13 due to bad weather condition or some other reasons.

If the weather gets exceptionally unfavorable, we will have to wisely postpone the program of summiting the peak. Sometimes, somebody in the group may get some problems acclimatizing as well, or may not be well enough to make the ascent; the day can be used in that condition too. If the trip goes smoothly, we do not need this spare day. 

Leaving the mountains behind us, our descent takes us through various towns of Orsho, Somare and Pangboche, Tengboche then Phungki Thanka and complete steep to Kyangjuma, and easier trail to Namche. 

The trek continues along the Dudh Koshi River to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla, where you will catch your return flight to Kathmandu the next day. 

You will be delighted by the mountain views for the last time while flying from Lukla to Kathmandu on your 30 minute flight. As you reach at Kathmandu airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. 

The airport representative from Nepal Hiking Team will transfer you to the Kathmandu International Airport around 3 hours before your scheduled flight from where you will depart.