Everest Base Camp & Island Peak Trekking
Reaching the summit of Island Peak will surely be a dream come true for adventurers and thrill-seekers alike. A 3-week challenging feat to reach 6187m, a remarkable accomplishment that leaves you with unforgettable memories and stories to tell for years to come.
Following the Everest Base Camp route, you pass through traditional Sherpa villages, rich in culture and always offering a warm welcome. You will relish the spectacular mountainous views on offer around every corner as you follow sacred rivers and trek through forests thick with pine, bamboo, and rhododendrons in the Khumbu region. You will visit the highest-placed monastery in the world, enjoying Buddhist traditions and rituals, all in the company of the majestic Himalayas.
This trip takes you to the heights of Himalayan peaks, immersing you in snow-capped mountains, glistening glaciers, and roaring sacred rivers.
After reaching Everest Base Camp and the peak of Kala Patthar, it is time to either try out your mountaineering skills or, if you are a novice, the trekking guide will introduce you to the world of climbing, teaching you technical skills to help you reach the summit of Island Peak.
Sleeping under the stars in this Himalayan wonderland, you begin your ascent from Base Camp to the pinnacle of Island Peak, standing amongst the giants of the Himalayas at 6187 meters. Not many places on earth offer such magical views of the world’s highest and most beautiful mountains.
Outstanding, mesmerizing views of Thamserku (6618m), Makalu (8485m), Ama Dablam (6828m), Baruntse (7168m), Lhotse (8501m), Lhotse Shar (8386m), Peak 38 (7590m), Kusum Kanguru (6367m) and the Dudh Kosi Valley are all yours for the taking when you reach the top of Island Peak.
Everest Base Camp & Island Peak Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Stay hotel near Thamel Kathmandu.
Day 2: Sightseeing and last-minute preparations.
Your second day in Nepal is all about culture! visit the many historical, religious, and spiritual sites of Kathmandu including Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple (also known as the Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, and the largest stupa in Nepal, Bouddhanath. Overnight in a Kathmandu hotel.
Day 3: Flight to Lukla (2840m/35 minutes) and trek to Phakding (2610m/3 hours.)
you take an early morning flight between the mountains to the Sherpa town of Lukla. An easy 3-hour trek following the Dudh Kosi River brings you to Phakding. Overnight in teahouse.
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazar. (3440m/5 hours.) (3440m/11290ft)
Crossing suspension bridges, loaded with Buddhist prayer flags and giving way to herds of yaks, you will climb a steep trail through forests of fir, pine, bamboo, and rhododendron until you reach the Sherpa capital and gateway to the high Himalaya; Namche Bazaar. This is an energetic, colorful town where you can enjoy the local food and drink and soak up the atmosphere.
Day 5: Rest/Acclimatization.
You take a day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize your body to the increasing altitude. Early morning, you will hike above the town, and stop for a coffee at the world’s highest hotel (3962m) whilst soaking up the most magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam.
On the way down, you will pass through Khumjung village, the location of the Sir Edmund Hillary secondary school, and a trip to the Sherpa Museum which houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a unique photography display, is worth a visit. Overnight at teahouse.
Day 6: Trek to Tyangboche Monastery. (3860m/5 hours.)(3860m/12660ft) 5 hours
You leave Namche Bazaar and trek for around 5 to 6 hours following the fast-flowing waters of the Dudh Kosi with glorious views of the surrounding mountains. The views become even more dramatic as you approach the holy place of Tyangboche, a traditional site and spiritual center of the Khumbu region where the Rimpoche (Lama Re-incarnate) exists.
The monastery here is the highest in the world and is adorned with incredible ornate wall hangings and houses a twenty-foot sculpture of Buddha and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas; if you are lucky enough you will see the Lamas performing their rituals and hear the divine chanting and music. Tyangboche is famous for its unparalleled panoramic views of Kwangde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, and Everest. Overnight at teahouse.
Day 7: Trek to Pheriche. (4280m/5 hours.)
The day starts with a gentle descent through the rhododendron forest before reaching Deboche. Another hour of gentle trekking takes you across the Imja River passing stones inscribed with Tibetan text describing past great lamas and all that is good about Buddhism.
You then begin a gentle ascent to Pangboche where the landscape will change and the vegetation will begin to disappear. The Imja and Khumbu Khola rivers meet on your journey today, close to Pheriche, and you follow the Khumbu Khola to your teahouse for the night.
Day 8: Trek to Lobuche. (4940m/6 hours.)
You start the day with an easy trek over a flat landscape, following the Khumbu Khola for around one hour. Yaks and Naks will keep you company on the way, as this is their grazing land. The next two hours is a steep climb up to Thukla Pass and the memorial site for those who have lost their lives trying to scale to the peak of Mount Everest.
You push on further, up a gentler incline to Lobuche and your resting place for the night. Nearby to your teahouse is an Italian weather station and resource center that you can pay a visit to, you could also climb to a ridge for your first views of the Khumbu Glacier, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar. Overnight in teahouse.
Day 9: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5300m) and back to Gorak Shep. (5170m/8 hours total.)
You will reach Gorak Shep in time for lunch; here you will leave your bags behind and head out over the rocky tracks to Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp is the closest you can be to Mount Everest without mountaineering equipment. You may see a group of people in camp preparing to climb the mighty Mount Everest.
You will then hike back to Gorak Shep for dinner and a well-earned rest. If the weather is clear, sunset views from Gorak Shep are pretty spectacular! Overnight at Teahouse.
Day 10: Hike up to Kala Patthar (5545m) then trek to Dingboche. (4360m/8 hours total.)
A very early start to reach the peak of Kala Patthar for some truly enchanting views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. This peak is arguably the best place to be for unparalleled views of the highest place on earth.
Reaching the peak is a challenging trek up a steep sandy track, but your efforts will be rewarded with some of the best views you will ever see, watching the colors of the sunrise prance atop the snow-capped peaks. You return to Gorak Shep for breakfast and then head out again, descending past Lobuche before reaching Dingboche and your teahouse for the night. Overnight at Teahouse.
Day 11: Trek to Chukkung. (4750m/2.5 hours.)
An easy trek following the Imja River into a deep valley will bring you to Chukkung. The area offers many activities for your free time. You can climb to Chukkung Ri (5559m) or explore the Lhotse, Imja, and Lhotse Shar Glaciers.
Day 12: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp. (5090m/5 hours.)
Lots of “ups and downs” today across the Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, and Imja Glaciers. Along the way, Ama Dablam will be at your side, leading the way to Base Camp. Views of Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Imja Peak, Baruntac, and Island Peak will all be on offer as you walk the glacial path. At Base Camp, you will need to receive expert training from your guides in equipment use, how to walk on the snow, and climbing using the ropes.
Day 13 & 14: Summit to Island Peak (6173m) and return to Base Camp. (5090.)
The next two days all depend on the weather conditions. Your guide may decide it is fine to reach the summit in one day, or they may decide to spend the night at High Camp and attempt the summit the next day. Reaching the summit of this mountain, climbing rocky and icy tracks is a feat not to be underestimated.
What an accomplishment to summit this mountain and stand amongst the giants of the Himalayas. When you reach the top, feast your eyes on the magnificent sights on offer. Makalu, (8485m) Ama Dablam, (6828m) Baruntse, (7168m) Lhotse, (8501m) Lhotse Shar, (8386m) Peak 38 (7590) and the long Imja Valley and Glacier are just some of the beautiful, bewitching views for you to capture and keep with you for a lifetime. After your incredible achievements, you will begin your descent back to Base Camp for another night at camp.
Day 15: Trek to Debouche. (3770/7 hours.)
You join the Imja River and follow it back to the tree line and lower altitudes. You pass through Chukkung, Dingboche, Shomare, and Pangboche before reaching our teahouse for the night in Debouche.
Day 16: Trek to Namche Bazar. (3440m/5 hours.)
You return to the Sherpa capital through the rhododendron and blue pine forests. You will stay again in this lively village in a local teahouse.
Day 17: Trek to Lukla. (2840m/6 hours.)
You trek back along the banks of the Dudh Kosi River to Lukla where will spend your last night in the mountains before returning to Kathmandu the next day. Tonight you can relax, enjoy good food and drink, and celebrate your accomplishment of the last 17 days.
Day 18: Morning Flight to Kathmandu.
Another exciting flight through the mountains back to the capital and overnight in a hotel in Thamel.
Day 19: Leisure day in Kathmandu.
A free day to relax, rejuvenate, and maybe take in some more sights of Nepal and all its rich culture.
