Island peak climbing

You’ve come to Nepal to set foot upon the summit of the impressive Island Peak—but first, we have to reach the Khumbu region, where Imja Tse and other Himalayan giants can be found. We’ll board a short flight to Lukla first thing in the morning, enjoying a scenic flight over the beautiful spectacle of Nepal’s highest mountains. When we arrive in the bustling town of Lukla, we’ll link up with our trekking and climbing crew before shouldering our backpacks and setting off in the direction of Phakding. Today’s trek should only take three or four hours of hiking, and it’s the perfect introduction to high-altitude trekking in Nepal. Tonight’s accommodations will be in the best available teahouse or guesthouse in Phakding.

Please note: renovations and schedule changes have altered some flight plans at Tribhuvan International Airport, and your flight to Lukla may depart from Ramechhap Airport instead. Should this affect your itinerary, we’ll handle any necessary adjustments to your schedule.

We’ll climb higher into the Himalayas of Nepal this morning, setting out from Phakding and following the winding watercourse of the Dudh Koshi river. Our path today leads through shaded groves of evergreen trees and across daring bridges suspended dramatically above cold mountain waters. We’re beginning to explore the Sagarmatha National Park, which is named after Mount Everest. After about six or seven hours of trekking, we’ll find ourselves pulling into Namche Bazaar. This colorful trading hub is sprawled against a steep hillside, and it’s an important business center for many Sherpa locals. After checking out Namche’s excellent bakeries and cafes, we’ll enjoy the rest of the day at our leisure and spend the night in one of the town’s many guesthouses.

Acclimatization is an important part of any trek in Nepal, and taking the time to adjust to higher elevations is the only way to avoid the complications of altitude sickness. For that reason, we’ll spend another night in Namche Bazaar—but fortunately, there’s plenty here to keep us busy. The town has an excellent selection of shops and cafes, and you can’t go wrong with a visit to its Sherpa Culture Museum. It’s also a good idea to spend two or three hours hiking to the nearby Hotel Everest View, which offers spectacular views of Nuptse, Lhotse, and—of course—the incomparable Mount Everest. After enjoying this amazing panorama of Himalayan peaks, we’ll return to Namche for a second night.

We’ll depart from the mountain amphitheater of Namche Bazaar this morning, trekking north to see a memorial dedicated to Tenzing Norgay. We’ll also pass through a few villages on the way to Tengboche, and we’ll earn striking views of mountains like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku. Mount Everest itself will also be revealed as we ascend higher into the mountains, arriving at Tengboche after about four hours. There are plenty of lodges and even a bakery here, but the star of Tengboche is undoubtedly its monastery: the oldest and most active in the region. Make sure to visit and get a good look at its wonderful collection of artwork and statuary before turning in for the night.

Our path this morning leads through gentle forests where we might be fortunate enough to spot wildlife like musk deer or even the furry Himalayan tahr. As we move further into the Khumbu, we’ll soon pass through Pangboche, where we can refuel with tea and snacks before making the final push to the larger community of Dingboche. As we approach the village where we’ll spend the next two nights, we’ll get a view of Ama Dablam that’s nothing short of astounding. Dingboche itself also offers an unparalleled look at both Lhotse and Island Peak, where your mountain climbing expedition in Nepal will soon begin.

Before you’ll be ready to climb Island Peak, you’ll need another day to acclimatize to the altitudes of the Everest region. But just as it was in Namche, acclimatization doesn’t necessarily equal rest—and we’ve got a great hike in store for you. Reaching the viewpoint at Nangkartshang will only take about two or three hours, but you’ll be rewarded with a splendid look at the peaks of Cholatse, Chhukung, and Makalu when you arrive. The nearby village of Pheriche also offers an interesting diversion, and it’s easy to spend a few hours enjoying its views of Taboche and Ama Dablam. This afternoon, we’ll return to Dingboche and watch the sun set over the mountains.

Today’s hike trends gradually uphill amongst scenery of impossible beauty. We’re well above the tree line now, and the views of mountains like Taboche and Cholatse in every direction are positively stunning—but be sure to bundle up, as the lack of tree cover means that there’s little to protect us from the brisk Himalayan winds. You can expect to encounter Buddhist chortens, frozen streams, and even rocky glacial moraines in the few hours it’ll take us to reach Chhukung. The village itself is small, but the mountain views here are better than ever; Chhukung is surrounded by the peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak. Make sure to get plenty of rest tonight, as our attempt on the mountain begins tomorrow morning.

After fortifying ourselves with a hot breakfast, it’s time to set out for Island Peak. We’ll have a steep climb ahead of us, but we’ll take our time and enjoy the marvelous scenery that surrounds us on all sides. Island Peak Base Camp is situated at just over 5,000 meters in elevation, where the air is thin and the mountain views are sublime. When we arrive at the site of the base camp, our team will set up our tents for the night. You’ll have some time to reacquaint yourself with the climbing gear you’ll need for tomorrow’s ascent, and then it’s early to bed. Our climb begins first thing tomorrow morning, even before the sun has risen, and you’ll want to get plenty of rest.

The day has finally arrived—it’s time to test your mettle against the skyscraping heights of Island Peak. We’ll set out around midnight, following the beams of our headlamps as we begin to trace a path along the mountain’s glacier. After reaching High Camp, we’ll navigate the technical parts of the climb to approach the summit and enjoy astounding 360-degree views of Makalu, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and more. Finally, we’ll make our way back down the mountain, reveling in our accomplishments as we trek all the way back to Dingboche. With nine or ten hours on our feet, this is easily the longest day on our Island Peak climbing itinerary—but it’s also sure to be the most unforgettable.

Now that we’ve successfully climbed Island Peak, we’ll turn away from the heights of the Everest region and begin descending back into a world where juniper shrubs and other greenery begin to reassert themselves on the environment. This is a long day on the trail, but our burden is made easier by the fabulous views of Mount Everest and Ama Dablam that accompany us for most of the day. Since we’ll be retracing our steps through the mountains, we’ll pass through some familiar villages like Tengboche, where you’ll have another chance to appreciate its lovely monastery. After about six or seven hours of hiking, we’ll arrive in Namche Bazaar, tired but satisfied!

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the tranquil surrounds of Namche, we’ll grab our gear and begin the final stretch of our trek in the Everest region. We’ll start by descending steeply along a rocky decline, although there are a few uphill sections to tackle as we cross back and forth over the tumbling waters of the Dudh Koshi river. After experiencing the stark beauty of the barren mountainsides, the lush forests and swiftly flowing rivers along this part of the trail offer a welcome change of scenery. Before you know it, we’ll be making a short ascent to Lukla itself, where our adventure began many days ago. If you’re looking to celebrate your accomplishments on the trail before settling in for the night, you’ll have plenty of options—Lukla is well known for its quirky selection of pubs and restaurants.

It’s time to bid a fond farewell to the highest mountains of Nepal’s Himalayas. Our flight from Lukla takes off early this morning, before cloud cover and winds affect flying conditions. As before, this scenic flight over the Himalayas takes only about half an hour, and you’ll touch down in Kathmandu with plenty of time left in the day. Whether you choose to rest in your hotel or explore the shops, restaurants, and cultural sights of the city, the remainder of the day can be enjoyed at your leisure. You’ll have one more full day to see Kathmandu’s many World Heritage sights tomorrow, so it’s not a bad idea to catch up on some well-deserved rest.

The Kathmandu Valley is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, which reflect the region’s ancient history and vibrant mingling of different cultures. Travelers to Nepal’s capital city are often awestruck by the way in which Hindu and Buddhist influences mingle freely at sites that are sacred to both religions: the twin stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, for example, or the ancient temples and palaces at Kathmandu Durbar Square. You’ll get to see all of these during our guided tour of Kathmandu, as well as the stunning Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath, which sits alongside the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. We’ll also find the best restaurants serving both authentic local flavors and inspired world cuisine—all told, you couldn’t ask for a better day in Kathmandu.

From the rich cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley to the soaring alpine heights of Island Peak, we hope you’ve enjoyed this incredible trekking and climbing expedition in Nepal. Today, our team will transport you to the Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your outgoing flight. At Iconic Himalaya Adventure, we’re thrilled that you’ve chosen us to curate your adventure in the Himalayas, and we trust that you’ve had the experience of a lifetime. When you’re ready to return to Nepal for another unforgettable sojourn in the world’s tallest mountains, we’ll be waiting for you!