Sherpas crossing an Himalayam glacier

Climb Island Peak

Trips/Nepal Peak Climbing

19 days

Island Peak (known locally as Imja Tse) is the most popular climbing peak in the Khumbu region. This is because it's one of the easier peaks above 6,000 m to climb; there's only one technical section of about 100 m, otherwise it's a non-technical climb. Its popularity also stems from the fact that the views from the summit are utterly incredible โ€“ and yes, this includes Everest and Lhotse!

Detailed Itinerary

Island Peak Map

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Your guide meets you at the airport and drives you to the district of Thamel in Kathmandu to your boutique hotel. In the evening your climb group gathers together to enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing. Your guide will also check your gear to ensure everything is as it needs to be for a safe and comfortable trek and climb.

Nepal Kathmandu cityscape hotel view

Day 2: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (3-4 hr)

Catch a thrilling flight this morning to Lukla (2,860 m), the mountainside town known as the Gateway to Everest! From here, you start trekking. The day's trail is a relatively easy one with some ups and downs. You spend your time in a very pretty valley where you're shaded by tall evergreen trees and accompanied by the sound of the Dudh Kosi river. Your first teahouse (lodge) of the trek is in Phakding (2,610 m), a charming riverside village.

Yaks on trail between Lukla and Phakding on EBC trek, Nepal

Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar (6-7 hr)

You continue hiking along a forested trail today. Excitingly, you cross some high suspension bridges, including the famous Hilary Suspension Bridge, which offers breathtaking views up and down the valley. Today's trek is a little more challenging, as you make a big jump in altitude from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), with the final stretch being quite steep. Namche Bazaar sits high above the confluence of two rivers and is the hub of the Khumbu region.

View of Ama Dablam from Nangkart Shank viewpoint, Dingboche, Nepal

Day 4: Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar

This is an important rest day, as your body needs time to acclimatise (acclimate) to the high altitude. Explore some of Namche Bazaar's attractions like the Sherpa Museum and Namche Monastery. You can also take a day hike if you like to one of the remote villages in the area, such Khumjung and Khunde in the Green Valley. On your way back, there's the option to stop for coffee at the famous Everest View Hotel โ€“ we highly recommend this!

Ama Dablam under a starry night sky

Day 5: Trek to Tengboche (5-6 hr)

Today you trek further up the valley to the little town of Tengboche (3,867 m). The trail is more open today, as the trees can't grow tall in the tough environment. This gifts you many views of the magnificent surrounding snow-capped peaks. Tengboche presides on a hill overlooking the meeting point of the Dudh Kosi and Imja Khola rivers. A highlight while here is to visit its working monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in the whole Khumbu region.

Tengboche Monastery, Nepal

Day 6: Trek to Dingboche (5-6 hr)

There's another big jump in elevation on the cards today as you trek up and out of the valley to reach your teahouse in Dingboche (4,260 m), a small, treeless and utilitarian valley village. But while the village isn't much to look at, the surrounding mountains loom large and are utterly glorious! Dingboche has an average temperature of just 1ยฐ C (34ยฐ F).

Mountainscape as seen on trek to Island Peak in Nepal

Day 7: Acclimatisation day in Dingboche

It's important to take another acclimatisation day to ensure your body is adapting well to the taxing altitude. Rest at the lodge with a good book or play games if that's what you need. However, if you're feel bright-eyed and bushy tailed, you could go on a little exploratory hike to not only see more of this storied region but also to help you acclimatise even better.

Female trekker on Everest Base Camp trek near Dingboche, Nepal. Ama Dablam 6,812 m in background

Day 8: Trek to Chhukung (3-4 hr)

Today you head east up Chhukung Valley to Chhukung (4,730 m), enjoying views of Ama Dablam and Lhotse en route. Chhukung used to be a yak pasture, but has since developed into a cluster of lodges to serve trekkers. The village sits alongside the icy upper stretch of the Imja Khola and is nestled at the base of Chukhung Ri, a pointed and dramatic peak.

Pur. Chhukung village and Ama Dablam in snow, EBC trek, Nepal

Day 9: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (4-5 hr)

You trek through moraine today to ascend to Island Peak Base Camp (5,200 m). Once there, we recommend that you take things slowly and rest as much as you can inside of your tent, as you're now above 5,000 m and such altitude must be treated with respect!

Island Peak Mountain Base Camp 6189m in Everest Region of Himalayas, Nepal.

Day 10: Acclimatisation and training at base camp

Today is spent acclimatising as well as undergoing a training session on how to use crampons, ropes and ice picks. The technical section of the summit climb is only about 100 m, though it's steep, exposed and consists of snow or ice. Given the relatively short technical section, Island Peak is often climbed by first-time mountaineers.

Mountaineers make climbing Mount Island Peak Imja Tse , 6,189 m, Nepal

Day 11: Summit push to Island Peak (10-12 hr)

It's time for your summit push! You start the day early. During your summit climb, you traverse Imja Glacier on the southeast side of the peak, utilising your crampons and ice picks. Then, when you finally reach the summit of Island Peak (6,189 m), you enjoy the view of a lifetime: an array of many of the world's tallest mountains! This includes four peaks over 8,000 m, namely Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. The views of the south face of Lhotse and of Ama Dablam are particularly special. After drinking your fill of this showstopper scene, descend back to base camp for the night.

Mountaineers walking among crevasses, towards the summit of Island Peak. Nepal, Himalaya

Day 12: Trek to Dingboche (5-6 hr)

Today you trek back to Dingboche (4,410 m), whose bright blue roofs, prayer flags and yellow-topped stupa provide a warm splash of colour and a sense of welcome after your epic adventure atop a rocky, icy peak. It's time to rest and recuperate by the fire in your teahouse's cosy common room.

Dingboche village in Sagarmatha national park, Nepal EBC trek

Day 13: Trek to Lobuche (5-6 hr)

This morning you hike up to Lobuche (6,119 m), but your body should be able to handle the big elevation jump fairly well by now. Today, as on all days, keep your eyes peeled for the region's hardy wildlife, which includes musk deer, Himalayan tahrs, golden eagles, Tibetan snowcocks and shore larks.

Yaks with colourful loads on EBC trek from Gorakshep to Pangboche, Nepal.

Day 14: Trek to Everest Base Camp then Gorakshep (8-9 hr)

It's an exciting day โ€“ you trek to Everest Base Camp! The hike takes around seven or eight hours, but once all of the legwork is done, you're rewarded with that incredible moment of entering base camp and appreciating this iconic site, with its riot of prayer flags, the majestic Khumbu Icefall to one side, and the dizzyingly high peaks that soar up all around. After celebrating your achievement, turn around and head to the small settlement of Gorakshep for the night.

Trekkers, EBC trek Nepal

Day 15: Trek to Pheriche (5-6 hr)

You rise early to tackle the supremely rewarding hike up Kala Patthar (5,644 m), the so-called 'Black Rock', which offers a wonderfully close vantage point for appreciating the peak of Everest. It's then time to trek down to the quiet village of Pheriche (4,371 m), a small farming community that sits alongside the Tsola River.

Little wooden bridge over the Lobuche River on the trail between Pheriche and Pangboche, Mount Kangtega and Thamserku in the background, Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, EBC, Nepal 2022

Day 16: Trek to Namche Bazaar (5-6 hr)

You trek down to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) today, where you can stock up on snacks and toiletries if you're running low, and you might enjoy eating out at one of the town's many charming restaurants.

Stupa with prayer flags in central Namche Bazaar, EBC trek, Nepal

Day 17: Trek to Lukla (6-7 hr)

This is your last day of trekking! You follow the same path that you hiked on the outward journey, which is a beautiful forested trail that runs alongside the river and also crisscrosses it by way of narrow suspension bridges. You overnight in the town of Lukla, ready for your flight tomorrow morning.

View of Phakding Village and the Dudh Koshi River, Khumbu, eastern Nepal, along the Everest Base Camp trek

Day 18: Fly back to Kathmandu

Today you say goodbye to Khumbu and fly to Kathmandu. While it's a sad day in many ways, your hotel in Kathmandu is ready to comfort you with hot baths and plush towels. Those with the energy might like to explore Thamel a bit, perhaps taking a tuk-tuk ride around the district. Finally, gather together for dinner to relive the adventures of the past two and a half weeks.

Small airplane in flight by Lukla Airport, Nepal

Day 19: Departure day

Depending on the hour of your flight, you might be able to explore some more of Nepal's fascinating capital city. Then, when it's time, head to the airport for your homeward journey, taking with you unforgettable memories of the Himalayas.

View of Kathmandu Valley in Nepal

Inclusions

Price Includes

Domestic flights

Airport transfers

Hotel accommodation before and after trek

Some meals before and after trek

Drinking water for the entire trip

A mix of lodge (teahouse) and tent accommodation during trek

Price Does Not Include

Nepali visa

International airfares

Any luggage in excess of 15 kg on domestic flights

Traveller's insurance

Wi-Fi on trek

Snacks, cool drinks and alcohol

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Gallery

Tents in Island peak base camp Khumjung Nepal. Climbers tent in Island peak base camp Khumjung Nepal
Signpost way to Island peak under Lhotse peak. Signpost way to Island peak (Imja Tse) under Lhotse peak, way to Island peak b.c. - Everest area, Khumbu valley, Sagarmatha national park, Nepal
Two climbers about to summit Island Peak in Nepal.
Misty view along trail of Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla to Phakding and Namche Bazaar, Nepal
Stunning view of winter Himalayan mountain landscape at night at high altitude near the base camp of Island peak Imja Tse