Island Peak Climbing (6,189 m)

An early start takes you by road to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, around 4-5 hours from Kathmandu, for the short flight to Lukla. Outside the busiest seasons, flights may operate directly from Kathmandu. After landing and meeting your porters, you begin with an easy walk, mostly downhill, through Chaurikharka and small farming villages to Phakding on the banks of the Dudh Koshi. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in Phakding.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi north, crossing the river several times on suspension bridges, to Monjo and the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. Beyond Jorsale you cross the high Hillary Suspension Bridge and start the long climb to Namche Bazaar, with a first glimpse of Everest on a clear day. Namche, the busy trading town of the Khumbu, has bakeries, shops and comfortable lodges. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Namche.

A rest day here is essential before going higher. In the morning you hike above Namche to the Everest View Hotel ridge (3,880 m) for an up-close view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, returning to sleep at a lower altitude. On the way back you can visit the national park visitor centre and its displays on the culture and wildlife of the Khumbu. The afternoon is free to rest. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in Namche.

An easy, scenic traverse from Namche leads to Kyangjuma and Sanasa, with Ama Dablam ahead. The trail then descends to Phunki Thenga on the river before climbing steadily through pine and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. The village is famous for Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Everest region, where you may be able to watch the monks at prayer in the afternoon. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Tengboche.

You begin on an easy path through birch, conifer and rhododendron forest, dipping down to Deboche and crossing the Imja Khola before climbing to Pangboche. From here the walk is moderate as you enter the Imja valley, which opens out gradually as you approach the confluence with the Lobuche Khola. A short descent to the river is followed by the climb up to Dingboche. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Dingboche.

After breakfast you hike up the ridge behind Dingboche towards Nangkartshang Peak, reaching a viewpoint at about 5,083 m. From here you can see Ama Dablam, Taboche, the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge, Makalu and Island Peak, giving you a first proper look at the mountain you are about to climb. You return to Dingboche for lunch and a restful afternoon. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in Dingboche.

A short, gentle walk up the Imja valley takes you past the yak pastures of Bibre to Chukung, a small settlement about half an hour beyond. The Lhotse wall rises to the north and Island Peak comes into full view. Arriving by late morning gives you time to rest, drink plenty of fluids and, if you feel well, walk up the slopes above the village in the afternoon to help acclimatisation. Walking time 2-3 hours. Overnight in Chukung.

The trail heads east up the Imja valley, crossing the moraine of the Lhotse Glacier and climbing a fairly steep path to Island Peak Base Camp at around 5,100 m. After lunch your guide runs a hands-on training session on climbing techniques and equipment, covering crampons, ice axe, harness, ascender and descender, and how to move up and down fixed ropes. Early dinner and bed, ready for a pre-dawn start. Walking time about 3 hours. Overnight in tents at base camp.

You leave base camp around 1-2 am by headtorch. A rocky trail and a steep gully lead to the crampon point, where you rope up and cross the glacier, sometimes using ladders over crevasses. A steep headwall of snow and ice is climbed on fixed ropes to the narrow summit ridge, which leads to the top and its close view of Lhotse. After descending by abseil, you return to base camp for a break and walk on to Chukung. Total 10-12 hours. Overnight in Chukung.

A long day of descent takes you back down the Imja valley through Dingboche and Pangboche, then through forest to the Imja Khola and up to Tengboche. After crossing the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Thenga, the trail climbs through pine forest to Sanasa and follows the hillside past a chorten to Namche Bazaar. Thicker air makes the walking easier than on the way up. Walking time 7-8 hours. Overnight in Namche.

The trail descends steeply from Namche, so you need to walk carefully, especially on the stone steps. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast-flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level through Monjo and Phakding before a final gradual climb to Lukla. Celebrate your climb with your guide and porters on your last night in the mountains. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Lukla.

You catch an early morning flight from Lukla to Ramechhap and drive back to Kathmandu, or fly straight to Kathmandu when flights operate from there. Mountain weather can delay departures, so allow for some flexibility. Back at your hotel, you can return any hired gear, rest, or head out for some souvenir shopping in Thamel and a celebratory meal. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Your Island Peak expedition ends today. Depending on your flight time, there may be a chance for a final visit to Boudhanath Stupa or a last walk through Thamel. A Nima Adventure representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in good time for your departure. We recommend booking your international flight with a spare day or two in hand in case of weather delays at Lukla.