6189m/20305ft

•	Arrays of high snowcapped mountains
•	Mountain flights
•	Dramatic landscapes & lush mountain valleys
•	Buddhist culture & tradition
•	Warm, friendly people & genuine highlander hospitality
•	Everest National Park, world heritage

TRIP PROFILE

Mode of trekking :	Teahouse/lodge & camping
Trekking grade :	Adventurous
Climbing grade :	Alpine PD
Trip duration :	22 days
Trekking period :	17 days (Day 03 to Day 19)
Highest elevation:	Summit of Island Peak 6189m/20305ft

Introduction:

Island Peak looms over a river valley in the Khumbu Region, above Chhukung village, a summer settlement, surrounded by three glaciers. It offers a worthy challenge to experienced winter mountaineers, competent in using ice axe and crampons and is technically straightforward. The most difficult section is a mixed rock and ice wall at a slope of around 45º leading to the narrow summit ridge. The climb will be undertaken towards the end of the trek when everyone will be fully fit and properly acclimatized.

Our trek starts from Lukla after a spectacular mountain flight from Kathmandu. We first make our way to Namche Bazaar where we halt for two nights then head to the high valleys through Sherpa heartlands and mountain settlements with tremendous panoramic of amazing snowcapped Himalayan peaks. We shall walk up to Kala Pattar (5545m) for the classic view of Everest southwest face then walk to the Everest Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Finally we head for the Imja valley and Island Peak Base Camp, where camp will be established, surrounded by stunning scenery beneath the immense Nuptse-Lhotse wall towering above 3000m/.

From Island Peak base camp then descend along the Imja Khola to Dingboche and head back to Namche Bazaar, passing through Pangboche and at Thyangboche visit the Buddhist monastery, after descending the hill from Namche, following the Dudh Kosi valley to Lukla with a spectacular mountain flight back to Kathmandu.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day	Destination	Altitude	Activity
Day 01:	Kathmandu	1336m/4383ft	Arrival & hotel transfer
Day 02:	Kathmandu	1336/4383	Leisure day
Day 03:	Lukla	2800m/9186ft	Mountain flight from Kathmandu
	Phakding	2652m/8701ft	3-4 hrs trek
Day 04:	Namche Bazaar	3440m/11286ft	5-6 hrs
Day 05:	Namche Bazaar	3440m/11286ft	Rest & acclimatization
Day 06:	Thyangboche	3867m/12687ft	5 hrs trek
Day 07:	Pheriche	4243m/13920ft	5 hrs
Day 08:	Lobuche	4928m/16168ft	5 hrs.
Day 09:	Gorakshep	5160m/16929ft
	Everest Base Camp	5357m/17575ft
Day 10:	Kalalpathar	5545m/18192ft
	Dingboche	4358m/14298ft
Day 11:	Chhukhung	4730m/15518ft	3-4 hrs.
Day 12:	Island Peak (Base Camp)	4970m/16306ft	3 hrs
Day 13:	Base Camp	4970m/16306ft	Rest & excursion
Day 14:	High Camp.	5400m/17717ft	Trek & Climb. 2-3 hrs climb.
Day 15:	Island Peak	6189m/20305ft	Climb to the Summit.
Day 16:	Dingboche	4358m/14298ft	5-6 hrs.
Day 17:	Thyangboche	3867m/12687ft	4-5 hrs
Day 18:	Namche Bazaar	3440m/11286ft	4-5 hrs.
Day 19:	Lukla	2800m/9186ft	6-7 hrs
Day 20:	Kathmandu	1336m/4383ft	Mountain flight from Kathmandu
Day 21:	Kathmandu	1336m/4383ft
	Free day.	Options:	Mountain flight or sightseeing tour
Day 22:	Kathmandu	1336m/4383ft	International departure

Trip dossier:

Day 01: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Arrival
Welcome to the Himalayas! Our staff will receive you at Kathmandu’s international airport and transfer you to the hotel. At the hotel our guide will brief you about Kathmandu city, the hotel you’re staying, some do's and don’ts and other things that you might require to know. Also a briefing about tomorrow’s half-day sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu city.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 02: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Sightseeing
A half-day guided tour of Kathmandu. Visit places of cultural, religious and historical importance and experience the sights and sounds of the city. Kathmandu is a medieval city, with quite a history, where myths and legends blend seamlessly and modernism and traditional coexist in stark harmony. The city has lots to offer to keen visitors.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla & trek to Phakding. Approx:
Day 03: LUKLA 2800m/9186ft & PHAKDING 2652m/8701ft
30 min flight and 2.5 to 3 hrs trek
A memorable 30-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, flying parallel to Himalayan ranges with sweeping panoramic view of snow-capped peaks. Lukla has the most amazing Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) airstrip in Nepal and is quite a dramatic place. You will have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the baggage loads to be carried by porters. Lunch will be served at Lukla or en route to Phakding. Trek to Phakding is mostly a gradual uphill walk with a pleasant view of Kusum-Kangru (6369m/20,895ft) and goes over a suspension bridge.
Overnight in lodge at Phakding near the banks of Dudh Koshi river.

Day 04: NAMCHE BAZAAR 3440m/11286ft
5- 6 hrs trek
From Phakding after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river and re-crossing it later we reach Monjo (2835m/9301ft), a small Sherpa settlement. Moving ahead we come to the entrance of Everest National Park at Jorsalle (3096m/11296ft); the last place with shops till we reach Namche Bazaar. A winding uphill trek takes us to the famed Namche Bazaar with its colorful houses located in a natural U-shaped amphitheatre. Today’s trek offers magnificent views of Kwangde, Kusum Kangru, Everest- Nuptse wall, Lhotse and a close view of Taweche.
Overnight in lodge at Namche Bazaar.

Day 05: NAMCHE BAZAAR 3440m/11,286ft
Acclimatization halt
We’ll halt for a day at Namche Bazaar for rest & acclimatization. Option available for a day hike to nearby Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde to view Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Or take a short walk to the Everest National Park office, perched atop a magnificent spot overlooking Namche Bazaar with breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped giants and deep valleys. A nearby museum provides interesting information regarding the Himalayas.
Overnight in lodge at Namche Bazaar.

Day 06: THYANGBOCHE 3867m/12,687 ft
5 hrs trek
The walk is fairly easy for the first half then a 20 minutes climb to the top ridge of Namche Bazaar. Once at the top the trail proceeds with few short ups and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thermasharkhu and Kwangde-ri peak till we reach Phungitenga (3250m/10,663ft). Phungitenga is a small Sherpa settlement with beautiful prayer wheels propelled by water. Silver fir blue pines, rhododendron and some few magnolia and birch trees cover the area. From there a winding trail through the pleasant shaded woods takes us to Thyangboche. The beautiful spot offers an eyeful of Himalayan beauties—Mt. Ama Dablam, considered the most beautiful mountain, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Lhotse Shar—forming an amazing scene.

Day 07: PHERICHE 4243m/13921ft
5 hrs trek
The trail descends steeply through woods, cross the Imjatse Khola then climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. On the opposite side stands Ama Dablam (6856m/22493ft), the most beautiful Himalayan mountain, and is a good spot for lunch. Pheriche is a good 2-3 hour’s walk away, situated beneath the impressive spires of Cholatse (6440m/21129ft) and Taweche (6542m/21463ft).

Day 08: LOBUCHE 4928m/16168ft
5 hrs trek
We continue ascending the wide valley under the gaze of striking Cholatse and Taweche peaks then turn right on a more steep path towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The teahouse at Dughla is a good spot to have lunch, before the steep climb, zigzagging through the boulders.The climb ends where numerous stone cairns are placed in memory of the many Sherpas who died while climbing Everest. The path then becomes gradual and leads to a cluster of houses at Lobuche.

Day 09: GORAKSHEP 5140m/16,865 ft & EVEREST BASE CAMP 5357m/17575ft
3-4 hrs trek to Gorakshep & continue to Everest Base Camp & Khumbu Icefall
During today’s walk the sugar loaf dome of Pumori (7145m/23442ft) lies directly ahead and to the right Nuptse rises sheerly and behind it, remaining elusive to the last moment, is the summit of Mt Everest.

Gorakshep is a small cluster of tea shops on an amazing open flat space (frozen lakebed of sand) below Kalapatthar (5545m/18,200ft). Our trail continues towards Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Icefall. Treading upon the icefall can be quite tricky as trails change each year due to glacial movement, so pay special heed and follow the lead Sherpa. The walk is quite strenuous due to thin air as it passes over rocky dunes and moraine and streams till you reach the base camp but worth it. The base camp is a lively place during the high expedition season.
Head back to Gorakshep for the overnight camp.

Day 10: KALAPATTHAR 5545m/18,192ft, DINGBOCHE 4358m/14298ft
4-5 hrs.
Morning hike of two hours to Kalapatthar, on reaching the top enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding snowy peaks and get the closest view of Mt.Everest. Return to Gorakshep for the walk towards Dingboche.

We retrace our journey back to Thugla, after which follows a pleasant downhill trek to Dingboche in the Imjatse valley with great views of the surrounding peaks, including the classic view of Isand Peak.

Day 11: CHHUKHUNG 4730m/15518ft
3-4 hrs trek
Today we take it easy clambering up a trail for about 3 hours to the small settlement of Chhukhung where we’ll camp overnight. The afternoon is spent relaxing and making necessary preparations for the journey ahead. You can go for a hike to enjoy the exceptional surrounding scenery of high peaks and glaciers.

Day 12: ISLAND PEAK (BASE CAMP) 4970m/16306ft
3-4 hrs trek
The path at first climbs quite steeply following the moraine along the main valley below Lhotse Glacier. The trail then follows glacial streams to the snout of the Imja glacier, here the path swings northeast and crosses a dried up lakebed between Lhotse and Imja Glaciers. The base camp will be set up at Pareshaya Gyab.

A well acclimatized party can make the summit and return back the same day to the Base Camp.

Day 13: BASE CAMP 4970m/16306ft
Rest, acclimatization & preparation
We spend the day at Base Camp for rest and acclimatization and to make necessary preparations to sort out climbing gears.

Day 14: ISLAND PEAK (HIGH CAMP) 5400m/17717ft
2-3 hrs trek & climb
From the base camp the route skirts around the base of Imjatse valley then climbs steep grassy slopes and small rocky steps. Occasional cairns are found along the path.

Easy scrambling up an open gully leads between two well defined ridges which will be the site of high camp next to a small hanging glacier at 5280m/17323ft. Care should be taken pitching tents or bivouac to avert an avalanche. Once reaching the high camp we relax and make plans and necessary preparations for the next early morning climb.

Day 15: ISLAND PEAK (SUMMIT) 6189m/20305ft
Climb the summit of Island Peak
From the High Camp we scramble across a broad open gully gaining height, then an easy scramble to the snow-covered glacier above. We continue negotiating crevasses, crossing glaciers and moraines. After crossing a gully, a steep snow and ice ramp leads upwards for nearly 100m/300ft to the summit ridge. The last move on the ridge often proves difficult and many climbers leave a fixed rope in place to aid descent.

The ridge itself is classic and undulates towards the main summit which is reached by a final tricky snow pitch. At the summit awaits a stunning close-up view of the south face of Lhotse (8501m/27890ft) with an impressive dramatic view of snowcapped Amadablam, Chamlang and Baruntse in the far horizon. Descent is made via the same route to the low base camp.

Day 16: DINGBOCHE 4358m/14298ft
5-6 hrs trek
Descend to Pareshya Ghyab, continue further along the easy trail to Chukung. After lunch we will walk for about 3 hours finally reaching the village of Dingboche where we shall camp for the night.

Day 17: Trek to Thyangboche.
4-5 hrs walks.
From Dingboche we descend all the way to the bridge at Pangboche, and then a small climb through the cool shade of rhododendron forest brings us to nice spot at Deoboche, from here another 30 minutes of climb takes us to Thyangboche. In the evening we shall visit the legendary monastery at Thyanboche.

Day 18: MONJO
4-5 hrs trek via Namche Bazaar
An easy downhill walk to the bridge, then a steep climb for a while and to the level path leading towards the village of Shanasha, from where one can take an optional hike to Khumjung and Khunde village before Namche Bazaar.
Another four hours of good walk leads to Monjo via Namche Bazaar.

Day 19: LUKLA
4- 5 hrs trek
The last day of trekking involves a good walk to Lukla. You can walk at your own leisurely pace enjoying the lush green scenery and the amazing view of the surrounding mountains.

Apart from a few short uphill stretches along the way the only long climb will be from a place called Choplung just before reaching Lukla (40 minutes). At Lukla, we’ll have a merry dinner party with the whole Sherpa crew and porters.
Overnight in lodge.

Day 20 KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Flight time: 30 minutes
The flight back to Kathmandu is a offers another chance to have a bird’s eye view of the Himalayas till you land at Kathmandu’s domestic airport where our staff will transfer you to the hotel. Since you have a free day tomorrow please inform our staff if you would like to go for a guided tour of the city.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 21: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Leisure day. Options: mountain flight or sightseeing tour
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go for a short tour of the city in and around Kathmandu Valley or for a scenic mountain flight to view Mt Everest and other Himalayan giants.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 22: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
International departure
As per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from the land of Himalayas.
Farewell and see you again!

Note :Normally, the Lukla-Kathmandu flights are scheduled for morning because of the wind in the afternoon but flights can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason.