Island Peak

Having our breakfast, we first move towards the domestic terminal of TIA to catch the first flight up to Lukla. Observing the green hills from the top itself, we then enjoy mountain flight seeing mountains right out of the window. Twin Otter plane will drop us at one of the scariest airports of the world within an hour. Spending some time at Luka, we start walking towards Phakding. We get to see a beautiful lifestyle and amazing beauties at Lukla. We officially begin our Island Peak Climbing Trek. We will have porters to climb our logistics upon necessities. We walk for around 3 to 4 hours until we make it to Phakding. Phakding is a small village located at a height of 2652 meters. Overnight at Phakding.

Our full day of Island Peak Trek begins from this day. So, we walk through beautiful pine forests that further walk along with the Dudh Koshi River. We shall then come across Mt. Thamserku at our right. There will be beautiful pine, fir and juniper forests throughout our journey. So, we get to see clear Mt. Everest upon having good weather. There will be Hotse Nuptse ridge and then standing behind. We walk further and enter Sagarmatha National Park. This day we get to cross different suspension bridges, and also cross Hillary Bridge. This bridge is said to be the highest bridge. We have to walk for around 5 to 6 hours in total till we reach Namche Bazaar. Located at 3440 meters, it is a trading town and capital of Khumbu regions. You can buy some genuine Tibetan arts here. Overnight at Namche Bazar.

We start this day of Island Peak Climbing ascending above Namche on this day. Initially we climb steeply. We walk further with increasing altitude and then reach Khude for our lunch. There is a small clinic that we can visit upon necessity. Else, we can simply visit around to see how health service is being provided in such a place. Khunde is said to be the twin village of Khumjung, and both are important places of Island Peak Expedition. After lunch, we shall hen walk further enjoying amazing views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Lhste Shar, Nuptse, Peak 38 along other mountain ranges. This place has less population and is said to be a major destination for trekkers of the region. They say it Sherpa’s capital and is a wealthy region of Nepal. As we walk for 5 – 6 hours this day, with increasing altitude up to 3970 meters, we spend overnight at Khumjung.

We begin this day of our Island Peak Expedition by walking the village over steep trail till we catch the main trail. Once we get the main trail heading towards Island Peak Base Camp we climb up to Mongla Pass, located at the height of 3972 m. It is obvious to start hydrating as we already have gained height. Beautiful Mt. Amadablam’s view would be something mesmerizing from here. We then continue our Island Peak Climbing journey descending downward towards Dudh Koshi River. We get to see a few tea houses at the top of the pass and from there we can get some refreshments around. Porters below their teenage would be carrying heavyweight here. Walking further we reach Phortse Tenga, located at a height of 3680 meters. Phortse would be an example of explaining how ecotourism is conducted. Overnight at Phortse.

On this day of Island Peak Expedition, we set our plan to walk for the next 5 to 6 hours. We start our Island Peak trek by climbing up to the ridge of the village. We then visit Tengboche Monastery. Namche and Khumjung would look amazing from this place. We then walk further over the mountain range from here we descend downwards for around an hour. After having lunch, we shall then reach an amazing viewpoint that has rhododendron trees. We then cross the suspension bridges, and then walk downwards. There we get to see thar, yak, eale and pheasant which should generate the vibe that you have made it to Pangboche. There is an old monastery to visit around. Overnight at tea house of Pangboche, at the height of 3930 meters.

As we have to gain more height this day, we must gain enough calories. We start our Island Peak Expedition this day by descending downwards till we cross the river. After that we incline upwards till Cholungche Kharka. We then pass through amazing pine forest observing views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse. Continuing our Island Peak Climbing trail, we then climb up to Ama Dablam base camp. This would be an amazing trek to the base camp of one of the best places. We will then reach the Ama Dablam base camp – base camp of one of the most beautiful mountains. Relaxing and spending some there we hall then walk steeply down towards the river. After crossing the river we then reach Pangboche. Overnight at Pangboche.

The taste of breakfast will certainly add flavors of Mountain air, as we get to see spectacular morning view of Everest. After breakfast, we shall head back towards the main trail to Shomare, where we will take rest. Further walking ahead will lead us to terrain, where we can feel changing the Alpine zone with much lower vegetation and very few trees. Having lunch, we further walk for around a couple of hours across old glacier moraines to the village and then reach Pheriche. Since this trek won’t be too long, we can have our lunch at Pheriche. It’s so good to relax at the chair in front of the tea house and watch the blue sky, eagles flying high as if they are planning to be above the mountains. We shall have our dinner at Pheriche. Overnight at Pheriche. Pheriche is a small place to stay, and the only major stopping point until Lobuche.

We are already halfway to the Island Peak Expedition journey. But, there are amazing sides of Island Peak Climbing to face around too. So, this day we start with easy walk till Thukla. There might be snow on the ground, or the ground might be weight making the ground muddy. Sunny weather mixed with cool temperatures will create the next unique experience. We walk further across the high place above heriche and then rach Thekla. Walking further on our Island Peak Tek, we come across slopes and the continue up to Khumbu Glacier moraine where we shall find ourselves with beautiful peaks of Khumbutse, Pumori, Lingtren and Mahalangur Himal. After walking for around 5 to 6 hours we then finally make up to Lobuche at the height of 4930 meters. Overnight at Lobuche.

Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp are two important regions that Island Peak Expedition counts at. So starting this day of Island peak, we pass through Indian army mountaineers memorials at first. We then watch amazing views of Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, etc and observe the glacier along with icefall across the Island Peak Trek of the day. We might have trouble breathing this day as we reach higher altitudes this day. Gorak Shep will be around, where we shall have our lunch. Continuing further, we reach the trail up to Everest Base Camp and then finally return to Gorak Shep. There will be a lot of frozen lakes around the Base Camp and then. Khumbu icefall will be around providing an amazing view of Everest Base Camp. We then walk back to Gorak Shep and spend our night at tea house there.

Island Peak Base Camp wold move with the next adventure-filled up day. This day, we start our trek and hike from the early morning. We try our best to capture the sunrise view of the mountain range and then move ahead. We reach Kala Pattar after steep climbing till we go around for a couple of hours till we reach flat land. Here, Nepal Government set a record by conducting at highest altitude meet about Global Warming back in 2009. We continue our trail of Island Peak trek till e rach Kala Pattar. We see that we are close to Mt Pumori, and observe the close view of Mt. Everest there. Having our breakfast, we then observe views of mountains around and then return to the trail we came through till we reach our ultimate destination Lobuche. This day, we trek for around 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at Lobuche.

This would be the next adventure-filled up day around. We begin the trek climbing Khumbu Glacier. We pass through Kongma La Base camp, the hardest part of Island Peak trek. However, cairn wrapped in prayer flags will drastically reduce down our tiredness. We reach the height of 5535 meters, and then have the closest view of mountains from this height and then try our best to tackle with the altitude. e then get down gradually to Imja River valley, to have lunch. Further, we keep descending until we make it to Chhukung. There is the next shorter route from Kongma La Base Camp too. We shall then have the closest view of mountains from the height, from where we shall get ourselves ready to have a final climbing mission. Then, we will have our dinner and spend overnight at Chukhung valley. This is the place where trekkers and mountain climber stay overnight to clench the Island Peak Base Camp. There is a lodge for your sound sleep. You will be sleeping at a height of 4730 meters this day.

This day we set our target to Island Peak Base Camp climbing at the height of 5200 meters. Although this day of Island Peak Climbing would be as shorter as 3-4 hours of trek, it would be equally challenging. We begin walking towards Island Peak Base Camp through a fairly steep trail. We start climbing south catching the man line that faces towards east and then continues our trail below the southern flank of the moraine from Lhotse Glacier. Further continuing walking over the easy trail, we hen follow over the stream on the side. Gradually, we find that the route to Amph Labtsa will face towards the South East. And, since this trekking trail ill be at higher altitude we won’t give much pressure to our body, but rather walk with relaxation taking enough rest. Finally, by the next four hours, we make it to Island Peak Base Camp. We shall try to take some pre climbing training as preparation of the next day and then. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

What would be worse if we opt for Island Peak Trek, and don’t make it to Island Peak? After getting enough training and familiar with the altitude of the place, there will be guides who will provide effective peak climbing techniques in effective ways to make use of gears like boots, harness, ice axe, ascender, etc. e ascend to High Camp after lunch to get our body equipped with growing altitude and then. Gradually we climb upwards from Island Peak Base Camp and finally make it to Island Peak. That would be the ultimate aim of this entire Island Peak Expedition anyway. Having experienced the peak’s memory at 5400 meters we then return to Island Peak Base Camp for dinner. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

An important day in entire Island Peak Trek’s itinerary. It is wise to start the trek from early morning before sunrise with meals on the way. Climbing the peak, we first reach the narrow bridge which will take us to the glacier. We make use of rope and training before the day to climb up. The trail will take us beyond base camp for a few hundred meters and then we strike off the steep hillside. We then follow the sandy path initially and then walk further observing grass turning strewn. Further climbing, we see slopes narrow till the trail enters steep rock channel. And then the entire trek will be straight forward trekking and tiresome. With all our ear on, rope up we cross the glacier and then make it to the summit. It’s okay to have chocolates and energy drinks to retain energy as we have to walk further to Chukkhng valley. Observing amazing mountains, we walk further till we reach the valley. We trek for around ten hours this day and then reach to Chukhung valley at the height of 6200 meters. Overnight here itself.

Mountains have unpredictable weather. And hence weight not know how will weather treat us. So, it’s wise to keep a spare day just in case if we could not make it to summit the previous day. Or, even if we did, we can stay at the base camp with enough rest that our body would require. You can read books, or watch movies if you have your chargeback p from the base camp itself. A coffee with it, and a sip of it right below the mountain would be a different experience anyway.

Waking up late, and being lazy is acceptable on this day of Island Peak Climbing. So, it would not matter even if we wake up late killing the previous day’s tiredness. And then we continue our Island Peak trek moving out of Chukhung valley. We first cross rhododendron forest and then gradually reach Tengboche. As we will reach their early, we shall have our lunch after we reach the valley. And, once in Tengboche – don’t just miss apple pie of the bakery. There are monasteries to visit around. Overnight at Tengboche.

Let’s have a different experience on this day of Island Peak Climbing. So, how about joining morning prayers at the monastery? So, after the prayers, we then walk bidding farewell o Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam ad Thamserku’s view. We walk further till we reach Namche Bazar. It is okay to visit Everest View Point this day to give a final farewell to Everest. We trek for around six hours this day and finally spend overnight at Namche itself.

We now walk the route we travelled but in reverse. We leave Namche with almost ending of Island Peak Climbing trip. Observing the lifestyle and morning life of people we walk for 6-7 hours in total this day. We cross several suspension bridges, pass from Sagarmatha National Park entry point and then ultimately reach Lukla. Overnight at Lukla.

We give formal farewell to our Island Peak Expedition Trip taking first flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. We shall take rest at Kathmandu, and then set up our plan for our flight back home with entire memories of Island Peak Climbing. A memory of a lifetime.