Island Peak Climbing
- 15
days
Island Peak Climbing offers the right challenges for budding climbers looking for their first major Himalayan summit. Island Peak, also known as 'Imja Tse,' is an ideal peak for experienced climbers looking for an acclimatization ascent before climbing an 8000m or 7000m mountain.
With few technical sections and a straightforward route, the mountain can be scaled in a day without having to camp out on its slopes.
The trail to the Island Peak Base Camp leads you through traditional Sherpa villages and stunning alpine scenery. Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries and stay at quaint teahouses run by Sherpa families.
Throughout your journey, you will be able to view 6000, 7000, and 8000-meter peaks. Experienced trekking, as well as a climbing guide, will lead you to your destination and bring you back safely.
The trip's price depends on the type of services chosen by our clients and the group size. The cost of each trip we organize is different because we see travelers as individuals having their own particular needs and preferences.
Get ready for an incredible journey tailored to your interests and preferences, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly adventure or a luxurious getaway. Leave the planning to us as we take care of all the details, ensuring your dream trip becomes a reality. You can relax and focus on creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever.
Theodore Bennett
|
November 18, 2022
John Fisher
|
November 14, 2022
Finn Hunter
|
November 14, 2022
Hudson Pearce
|
October 22, 2022
Austin Webb
|
October 08, 2022
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,593ft) and Trip Preparation |
| Day 2 | Fly to Lukla (2,840m/9,316ft) and trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,561ft) - 35 minutes flight and 3 to 4 hours trek |
| Day 3 | Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,284ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 4 | Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization Day - (3,440m/11,284ft) |
| Day 5 | Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860m/12,661ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 6 | Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m/14,465ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 7 | Trek from Dingboche to Chukkung (4,730m/15,519ft) - 3 to 4 hours trek |
| Day 8 | Acclimatization: Climb Chukkung Ri (5,546m/18,196ft) and trek back to Chukkung, afternoon check climbing equipment - 3 to 4 hours trek |
| Day 9 | Hike Chukkung to Island Peak Base camp (5,100m/16,728ft) and Pre-Climb training at Island Peak Base Camp - 3 to 4 hours trek |
| Day 10 | Ascend Island Peak Base Camp to Island Peak Summit (6,189m/20,305ft) and back to the Chhukung -11 to 12 hours trek/climbing |
| Day 11 | Contingency Day |
| Day 12 | Trek from Chhukung to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,284ft) - 8 to 9 hours trek |
| Day 13 | Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,840m/9,316ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 14 | Fly to Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - 35 minutes flight |
| Day 15 | Final Departure |
Island Peak is the peak to climb if you plan to summit Mount Everest or an eight thousand meter peak. An ideal peak for budding climbers and alpinists, climbing Island Peak offers the right challenges to hone your skills and build your confidence. Rising to a height of 6,189 meters, Island Peak, locally known as Imja Tse, is a popular trekking peak in the Everest Region. The first group of climbers to ascend this peak in 1953 were Tenzing Norgay, Alf Gregory, Charles Wylie, and Charles Evans. The credit of naming this peak Island Peak goes to British explorer and mountaineer Eric Shipton. The name was given as the mountain looked like an island standing alone is surrounded by a chain of mountains.
Categorized as a trekking peak by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Island Peak is a popular destination for the novice as well as experienced climbers. As the summit can be climbed from the base camp within a day, most climbers prefer to use it as acclimatization or practice climb before tackling an 8000 meter giant like Mount Everest. The peak is also one of the best mountains for introductory Himalayan peak climbing.
Though previous climbing experience is unnecessary, it would be advantageous if one has done some climbing before ascending Island Peak. The climb is physically strenuous, and one has to be in top physical condition to make the ascent. Grueling ten-plus hours of continuous walking and climbing are needed to make it to the summit and back on summit day.
You will be walking on ice, rock, and snow attached to a man rope. Ladders will be used to cross crevasses. The ascent up the 300m ice wall before reaching the summit is the toughest and the most technical section of the climb. Here you will have to climb up using ascenders on a fixed rope. The descent down this section is also tricky, and you have to be extra careful while rappelling down. A walk on an exposed ridgeline brings you to the summit. From the Island Peak summit, you can enjoy the views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Baruntse, and other mountains. Even though Mount Everest lies close to Island Peak, it is not visible as the massive wall of Lhotse hides the mountain's view.
The route to Island Peak follows the common Everest Base Camp Trek route. The only difference is, from Dingboche, you take the trail to Chukkung instead of walking further to Lobuche. The Island Peak Base Camp lies a few hours' walk from Chukkung. You spend a day attending pre-climb training at the base camp. Practice your abseiling, belaying, and rappelling skills using jumars, karabiners, and descenders during the training.
Your trip begins with a flight to Lukla. The flight to the narrow airport surrounded by mountains is a memorable experience. You will meet your porter and other staff at the airport. After sorting your luggage and handing over your heavy stuff to your porter, you start your trek. The trail goes past the Dudh Koshi River Valley and the Sherpa villages of Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Chukkung, and Pangboche. Your stay in these villages will give you an insight into Sherpa's way of life and culture.
The trail is dotted with Buddhist religious shrines and prayer wheels. The metal bridges and trees along the route are strung with pretty and colorful prayer flags. You visit the most important Buddhist monastery in Khumbu at Tengboche– Tengboche Monastery. Enjoy the first view of Mount Everest on the trail to Namche Bazaar. The villages and the trekking trail are located within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You get to enjoy phenomenal views of the Himalayan mountains and nature while trekking.
Island Peak Climbing is not only a climbing adventure but a wonderful Himalayan trekking adventure as well. The trekking trail is well maintained and easy to walk. No technical maneuvers are needed while trekking. On the trail, you will be spending your nights at teahouses run by Sherpa families. These are like large and cozy family homes. At Island Peak Base Camp, you will be staying in a tented camp.
Island Peak trek and climb offers a fine Himalayan mountain climbing and trekking experience. The only criteria needed to complete is trip is physical fitness, a high level of endurance, and mental balance.
You can also combine Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek. Or, if you want to trek to Chhukung by yourself and receive our climbing assistance from the mountain base, we have climbing options 'Island Peak Expedition from Chhukung.'
Route Map for Island Peak Climbing 15 days
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, our representative from Third Rock Adventures will receive you and drive you to the respective hotel. After check-in and getting refreshed, you'll visit our main office.
You'll attend a small meeting where your guide will discuss the upcoming trip. After that, you can stroll around the nearby places, and if you missed any of your gear and equipment, you could get here. If not so, then you can roam around and get the vibes of Nepali culture and traditions. After a timely meal, you can return to your hotel and prepare for tomorrow's trek.
Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Your trip starts with a flight to Lukla. It is one of the highlights of your adventure as the tiny plane flies between tall mountains and makes a heart-stopping landing on the narrow runway of Tenzing Hillary Airport. The airport is located on a steep cliff.
You will meet your porters and start your trek. The first day's trek takes you from Lukla to Phakding, a small Sherpa village located on the banks of the Dudh Koshi River. Your rest for the night is at a local teahouse.
Overnight in Phakding at Teahouse.
Today's trek is tough but filled with spectacular views. You will be rewarded with the first glimpse of Mount Everest. From Phakding, the trail goes continuously uphill to Namche. At Monjo, you enter the Sagarmatha National Park, a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cross the highest suspension bridge in Khumbu, the Hillary Bridge, before reaching Namche.
It is carved deep against the side of a mountain overlooking the Tawache, Kongde Ri, Tawacahe, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse. Namche is known as the Sherpa capital and is an important commercial center in the Everest Region. Traders from as far as Tibet visit Namche for trading opportunities. Head to a local teahouse and relax.
Overnight in Namche at Teahouse.
Namche Bazaar - Gateway to the Everest region and sherpa capital of the Khumbu region of Nepal
You spend a day in Namche Bazaar acclimatizing. Namche is like a tiny developed town with all the facilities except a road. The settlement has a vast array of shops selling various items, restaurants, bakeries, budget and luxury lodges, ATMs, banks, money exchange centers, health posts, and even a dental clinic, the only one in the Khumbu Region.
For an acclimatization hike, you walk up to Shyangboche located above Namche and visit Hotel Everest View, a popular viewpoint in Everest Region. Enjoy close-up views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Mount Everest, and Thamserku from the hotel's deck before heading to Khumjung, a historic Sherpa settlement. Pay a visit to the Hillary School established in 1961 by Sir Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust. There is also a monastery with Yeti's scalp, the abominable snowman, Later hike back to Namche.
Overnight in Namche at Teahouse.
From Namche, you proceed to Tengboche. The first of the trail is on even ground. Later you descend and again climb up. Before you enter Tengboche, you walk past an alpine meadow filled with grazing yaks and wonderful Ama Dablam views. The most famous landmark of Tengboche is the Tengboche Monastery. It is the most important Buddhist monastery in Khumbu. The monks allow visitors inside the monastery, and you can check out the assembly hall and the main altar. You can also enjoy close-up views of Ama Dablam, as the mountain lies close to the settlement.
Overnight in Tengboche at Teahouse.
Tengboche Monastery- Tibetan Buddhist monastery The Largest Monastery in the Everest Region
The air starts to get thinner as you cross the 4000 meters mark, and walking becomes just that little bit difficult. Walk at an easy pace, and don't try to rush. Drink lots of water. By the time you reach Dingboche, you have left the tree line behind, and the landscape is a lot sparser and desolate than at the lower reaches. The village is a tiny picturesque settlement lined with stone walls separating the fields. Make your way to a local teahouse and take a rest.
Overnight in Dingboche at Teahouse.
Proceed to Chukkung. Though it is a short walk from Dingboche and Chukkung, you start feeling the altitude. Enjoy enticing views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Chukkung Ri, and Makalu en route. On reaching the settlement, head to a teahouse and have your lunch. Explore the area around the settlement or sit at your lodge and enjoy the view of the mountains from the porch.
Overnight in Chukkung at Teahouse.
Chukkhung Village - Final equipment and gear check Point for Island Peak Climb
Let your body adapt to the thin air by hiking to Chukkung Ri, a hill located next to the settlement. Rising to a height of 5550 meters, Chukkung Ri is the ideal hill for an acclimatization hike. If the day is clear, you can enjoy the views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. No technical climbing is required, and you can easily hike up and down without any difficulty.
After returning to the lodge, there will be final equipment and gear check. You can check out the mountaineering rental gear outlet and get a few things you need if you have trekked without your personal climbing gear. Please note that climbing boots of size 12 and above are rarely available here or at the rental shops in Kathmandu. So if your feet size is 12 or +12, you should bring your climbing boots.
Overnight in Chukkung at Teahouse.
Camping and Pre-Climb training at Island Peak Base Camp
Leaving Chukkung, you hike to the Island Peak Base Camp. It is an uphill hike, and the trail goes past the Lhotse and Imja glaciers. The scenery is bare and stunning. After a brisk hike, you reach the Island Peak Base Camp, where you will be making your summit push. Tents will be already pitched by the time you reach the base camp. You will be sleeping in a one-person tent. Leave your stuff at your tent and attend a pre-climb training after lunch. Here you will get to practice your rappelling and belaying skills under the watchful eye of your guide. He will also demonstrate how to use a karabiner, ascender, ice axe, harness, etc.
Have an early night because you need to wake up around midnight to get ready for your summit push tomorrow.
Overnight in Base Camp at tented camp.
Island Peak Summit
Start as early as 1 AM. The team needs to be on the slopes climbing as early as possible to avoid the clouds and strong winds that rush in late in the afternoon. The climb is belay device grueling and tough. As you will be spending much of the day climbing, you carry a packed lunch and some snacks with you.
After hiking for a while, you reach High Camp. From this point, it takes around 3 hours to ascend to Crampon Point, the place where you put on your crampons as the trail gets icy and slippery. Man-ropes will be tied for the safety of the team from 5700m onwards. Following a narrow ridge, reach the base of Imja Glacier. From the glacier, enjoy a beautiful sunlit panorama of Makalu, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Mera Peak, Chamlang, and other peaks. The slope tilts at an angle of 45 to 50 degrees making the ascent not too technical. The guides will fix the ropes at the glacier. The massive Lhotse appears close as you reach the summit of Island Peak. Climbing a vertical wall before reaching the summit is the toughest part of the climb. You will have to climb up past the anchor points by attaching and detaching your harness on the fixed line.
There will one or two crevasses depending on the weather. A ladder will be used to cross the crevasses. Hold on to the rope and follow the ridgeline till you reach the summit. Spend some time at the summit enjoying the views of the mountains and taking pictures. Later descend to the Chhukung via Base camp. It is a long descent. Be careful of your footing. Once you reach the Chhukung, rest your tired legs, and celebrate your achievement.
Overnight in Chhukung.
An extra day in case you are not able to summit as planned due to bad weather. This day can also be used for emergencies such as canceled or missed flights, delays due to minor injuries or bad weather, etc. If you can stick to your schedule and everything rolls as planned, then you can use this additional day exploring a Sherpa village en route
It is downhill from Chhukung to Pangboche, one of the oldest and highest permanent Sherpa settlements in the Everest region. The village is home to the oldest Buddhist gompa (monastery) in the Khumbu Region.
You are leaving Pangboche and head down to Namche Bazaar. At Namche, you can enjoy the creature comforts you had been missing the last few days – hot shower, good coffee, baked items, tasty meals, etc. Pamper yourself fully and have a blissful night's sleep.
Overnight in Namche at Teahouse.
You retrace your steps back to Lukla. It's a long descent and you pass through the same landmark you had crossed a couple of days back.
At the teahouse, it's a time to celebrate the completion of your journey with your climbing crew. The Sherpa guides and porters will party with you and make your last night in the mountains an evening to remember. There will be songs, dances, and endless rounds of Chhyang (local liquor). In the end, thank your guides and porters for taking you up in the mountains safely and sharing your journey with a handsome tip.
Overnight in Lukla at Teahouse.
Lukla Airport
Your adventure is over. Catch a flight to Kathmandu and bid the mountains a goodbye, with perhaps promises to return in the next season.
You will be driven to the airport three hours before your scheduled departure. In case you wish to explore more of the Himalayas, do let us know. We can arrange a trip for you to the destination of your choice.
Daily departure available for peak season, from March to May and September to November. Please contact us for date, price and more information.
To climb Island Peak, you need the following permits:
Peak climbing permits are only given to government-recognized trekking agencies. Therefore if you want to climb Island Peak, you need to book your trip through a licensed agency. While trekking permits are given to independent trekkers, peak climbing permits are only given to expedition groups climbing with a licensed agency. The Island Peak climbing permit fee as per the season are as follows:
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can be obtained from Monjo at the entrance of the park. A form should be filled out, and the passport or a copy of your passport shown to get the permit. The fee is NRP 3000 for all trekkers, except citizens from SAARC countries, for whom the fee is NRP 1500.
Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit costs NRP 2000, and it can be obtained from the rural municipality counter at Lukla.
We will take care of all the permits when you book your trip with us.
You will get a climbing guide with more than 20 years experience. He is a Sherpa, a local of Khumbu who lives in the mountains and knows it very well. He has under his belt several ascents to Island Peak and major peaks like Mount Everest, Manaslu, etc. Our climbing guide is a trained mountaineer and a licensed mountaineering guide. With him by your side, you can be assured of a perfectly safe ascent. The guides and assistant guides will pitch up tents and look after your needs while camping at Island Peak Base Camp.
Every 2 climbers will have 1 assistant guide to look after them. They will be following the instructions of the chief climbing guide. For every 4 trekkers, there will be an assistant guide assisting them personally. One porter will carry the luggage of 2 clients. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed 15 kg, as the porter can only carry a weight of 30 kg.
On the Lukla-Chukkung-Lukla trail, you will be guided by an experienced and licensed trekking guide with more than 10 years of experience. They can communicate in English and have received training on wilderness first aid and crisis management.
The trail up the mountain is rocky, snowy, and icy at some sections. You will have to walk on glaciers and ice. There are crevasses that will have to be crossed using ladders. Technical climbing is required to reach the ridgeline before climbing up to the summit.
The trekking trail from Lukla to Island Peak Base Camp is well maintained and in good condition. You walk on gravel and stone footpaths. No technical climbing is required during the trek. It is an easy up and down walk on well-trodden paths.
The best seasons to climb Island Peak are spring (March to May ) and autumn (September to May ). During these seasons, the sky remains clear, and the weather is generally good. The conditions are ideal for climbing during these seasons as there is little or no snowfall, blizzard, or precipitation. The days are warm and sunny most of the time, while the nights are cold.
Climbing during the summer and winter seasons is not recommended because of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and stormy weather.
Climbing Island Peak can be physically draining, but it is not that difficult to climb. It is the ideal mountain for novice climbers to scale before they progress onto something big. It is also the perfect Himalayan peak for climbers trying to summit a Himalayan peak for the first time. Mountaineers aiming to climb Mount Everest usually choose trekking peaks like Island or Mera Peak to practice their climbing skills. Climbing on ice, rock, and snow with technical maneuvers and using ropes to belay and rappel down on Island Peak gives them the added confidence.
Though it is not technically challenging, one should bear in mind that climbing Island Peak can be physically challenging. On the summit day, you will be walking and climbing non-stop for more than 10 hours. Only those who are physically and mentally fit can complete this challenge.
Previous climbing experience, while not necessary, can be an added advantage as the ascent to the summit will be a lot easier for you.
You should start training seriously for your climb 2 or 3 months before your trip begins. Include lots of endurance and stamina-building exercises. Hectic Cardio sessions, weight lifting, and long hiking or trekking with a heavy backpack on rough terrain will prepare you for your Himalayan adventure. Also, try climbing stairs and wall climbing to build up your muscle strength.
It is compulsory to have insurance for climbing Island Peak. Your insurance should cover the cost of emergency rescue and evacuation and medical bills, among other losses (lost baggage, canceled flights, accidents, etc.). Please make sure that your insurance has a provision for high-altitude rescue above 6000 meters. The highest elevation you will reach is 6189 meters, and your insurance should have coverage for high-altitude mountain rescue and evacuation for that much altitude.
It is very important to get your body acclimatized while walking at high altitudes. While the altitude affects some people as low as 2000 meters, some feel it at 3000 or 4000 meters. We have added acclimatization days in your itinerary for your body to adapt itself to the thin air before you climb Island Peak.
Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS symptoms include headache, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, breathlessness, etc. If the altitude starts affecting you, taking a Diamox might help.
We recommend keeping your body hydrated by drinking water frequently and including warm fluids in your diet. Stay away from alcohol and avoid smoking if you are a smoker. If the symptoms do not go away even after taking medication, you should move to a lower elevation and wait for your body to get normal. If your condition worsens, our guide will arrange an evacuation by air. A helicopter will fly you to a hospital in Kathmandu to receive advanced medical care. One should take the necessary precautions to ensure that the condition does not worsen.
Himalayan Rescue Association has clinics at Lukla, Namche, and Pheriche that offer medical aid for minor ailments. Our guides always carry an oximeter with them, which they use to find out the oxygen level in your blood.
The chart below shows how the level of oxygen in the atmosphere diminishes as you gain altitude.
|
Altitude |
Oxygen Level |
|
1000m/3,281ft |
88% |
|
2500m/8,202ft |
73% |
|
3000m/9,843ft |
68% |
|
3500m/11,483ft |
64% |
|
4000m/13,123ft |
60% |
|
4500m/14,764ft |
57% |
|
5,000m/16,404ft |
53% |
|
5,500m/18,044ft |
50% |
|
6,000m/19,685ft |
47% |
|
6,500m/21,320 ft |
43% |
If there is an injury or illness while on the mountains needing advanced medical care, a rescue and evacuation operation will be put into action. An air ambulance will be called, which will transport the injured or sick client to a clinic in Kathmandu. For a high-altitude mountain rescue and evacuation, your insurance should offer rescue coverage up to 6,189 meters (the highest elevation you will reach).
While trekking, you will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at teahouses. Breakfast and dinner will be at the teahouse, where you will sleep overnight, while lunch will be taken at a teahouse on the trail.
You will be surprised to find a variety on the menu. Most of the teahouses serve similar dishes. Some common dishes include pasta, spaghetti, noodles, Tibetan bread and noodle soup, momos (dumplings), hash browns, porridge, chappatis or flatbread, apple pie, pizza, macaroni, etc. Dal-Bhat, the traditional Nepali food consisting of rice, curries, lentil soup, pickle, and poppadum, is the most filling as you get extra refills.
It is better not to have meat as meat served on the trail is not fresh. The Sherpas do not kill animals because of their religious belief. So the meat for consumption is brought into the region from the lower hills by porters or mules. Without any refrigeration, the meat could easily turn bad. Our guides will also serve seasonal fresh fruit during lunch or dinner.
While camping at the Island Peak Base Camp, you will be served hot and energy-giving meals by our staff. There will be plenty of hot soup and broth to give you energy for your summit challenge.
You can get a reusable water bottle to store your drinking water. You can fill it from a natural water source or at the teahouse where you have your meal. The teahouses charge a fee (1 to 4 USD depending on the teahouse location) for boiled drinking water. A water filtration device like Steripen or Lifestraw can be used to filter your water. Iodine and chlorine tablets are a cheaper option if you don't mind the smell. You can also bring a small thermos to store hot drinks as it gets pretty cold higher up above the tree line.
During your trek, you will stay overnight at local teahouses run by Sherpa families. The rooms have twin beds which two travelers can share. If you need a single room, you will have to pay extra.
The rooms are not insulated and can get pretty cold at night. Layer your sleeping bag with the blanket provided by the teahouse to stay warm. The only room with a heater is the communal or living area, where all the guests congregate. You can warm yourself with the wood or yak dung heater before retiring.
Up to Namche, it's possible to get rooms with attached washrooms and hot showers. But as you go higher, you will find teahouses with only basic amenities. As there are not many teahouses at high altitudes, the facilities provided may be utilitarian. You may have to share a common toilet and bathroom. Some teahouses have their toilets outside the main building. Do remember to take enough toilet rolls.
A single one-person tent will be provided while camping at Island Peak Base Camp.
Except at Island Peak Base Camp, there is electricity throughout the trail. The teahouses charge extra for recharging your electronic devices. There are only charging ports available, and this can be taken up fast during the high season. It is best to travel with a power bank with a high capacity to power up your devices during your trip.
There is a mobile as well internet connection on the trail. The network may be irregular at times because of the mountainous terrain. You can purchase a local Simcard from Kathmandu with enough internet data to use on the trail. Teahouses use charge extra for using their WIFI hotspot.
Carry enough local currency to pay for your drinks or snacks, hot showers, etc., on the trail. You should also have enough money with you to tip your porters and guides after your trip.
It is mandatory to tip your guides and porters. If you are able to reach the summit, the guides should be offered an additional summit bonus together with the tip.
The following is a comprehensive list of the items you will need during your trip.
You need a good fitting climbing boot graded B1, which can fit snugly into your crampons. You can get B2 or B3 graded boots if you are planning to do more climbing in the future. If you want to keep your feet warm, you can wear 8000-meter triple boots.
Climbing boots can be rented from the gear and equipment rental outlet at Chukkung village. Please remember climbing boots of size 12 or above are not readily available at the rental outlets in Chukkung or Kathmandu. If your feet size is 12+, you need to bring your climbing boots from home.
If you are flying into Lukla from Kathmandu, it takes around 30 minutes to reach the Sherpa settlement. If you fly from Manthili Airport in Ramechhap, it will take only 15 to 20 minutes to reach Lukla.
Because of the congestion at the Kathmandu Airport, Lukla flights have been diverted to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, which lies about 4 hours' drive from Kathmandu.
As private airlines make their first and last flights to Lukla from Kathmandu, we will try to get you a departure from Kathmandu. But this will be possible only if you make an early booking.
Lukla lies deep in the mountains, where bad or foggy weather is quite common. The flights to Lukla get canceled frequently due to bad weather. If our flight gets canceled, your trip will get extended. We have included a contingency day in the itinerary for such an emergency, but sometimes it takes more than two days for the weather to clear up. Thus, we urge you to keep buffer days for emergencies.
Helicopter companies do offer emergency flights when big aircraft are not able to fly. To secure a seat on a helicopter, you need to pay an extra fee.
Climbing a Himalayan mountain is not child's play. You need intelligent planning and good logistics to see you through your difficult journey at a high altitude. We at Third Rock Adventures understand the gravity of walking and climbing on thin air in a treacherous environment and take all safety precautions to ensure that you have a safe climb.
Here are some reasons why you should choose us:
You can book this adventure by filling up the online form on our website. You can also send us an email stating your desire to book this trip. A booking deposit which includes 20% of the total trip cost, should be paid while booking this trip. The deposit will be used to book your airfares, accommodation, etc. You can pay the rest of the amount less than 30 days before your trip starts or after arriving in Nepal.
We accept credit card payment, bank transfer, payment via Western Union, etc. We will send you details of our bank account to send the deposit through a wire transfer.
You can also combine Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek. This will give you additional days to acclimatize while taking you to the most visited spots in the Everest Region – Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
Here are some tips that will ensure a 100% summit success rate.
Read More: Top 10 Tips To Summit Island Peak - Most Popular Trekking Peak In Nepal
This trip is of 14 days. It takes 8 days to reach Island Peak Base Camp. You can reach the summit of Island Peak in a single day. You do not have to spend additional days camping at High Camp for the summit push. It is a straightforward climb from the Island Peak Base Camp to the summit at 6189m and back which can be achieved in a single day.
The cost of climbing Island Peak depends on the total number of climbers in the group. More people means less per pax cost. The cost includes airfare (to and from Lukla), transportation (airport pickup and drop off), permits, staff salary, accommodation, meals, etc.
No, Everest is not visible from Island Peak, However one can enjoy close up views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, and Baruntse from the mountain.
Island Peak rises to a height of 6,189 meters.
Island Peak is a challenging peak to scale. It is definitely not an easy mountain to climb, yet novice climbers who have had some training in mountaineering have been able to reach its summit. You will be walking and climbing for 10-12 hours at a stretch on summit day.
One has to be physically as well as mentally fit to conquer this mountain. There are some sections which need technical skill to get across. You should have had the experience of walking on ice wearing crampons, using an ice axe, abseiling, and belaying. One can expect crevasses that can be crossed using ladders.
You carry a light daypack of around 30litres. You can pack the essential items that you will need on the trail like a camera, sunblock lotion, snacks, water bottle, etc. The porter will carry the heavier stuff. Please note that luggage that you give your porter to carry should not weigh more than 15kg.
Though the previous experience can be advantageous, you can try scaling the peak even if you are a novice climber. The chief requirement is a high level of physical fitness and endurance capacity. You should have practical knowledge of using climbing equipment like harness, jumar, prussiks, ice axe etc. You must also have had an experience of walking on frozen ground and ice using crampons.
Carry a copy of your passport and some passport-sized photographs in case it's needed. Also, have the details of your insurance with you.
From Lukla to Namche, the facilities at teahouses can be quite decent and comfortable. The rooms will have attached washrooms with western-style toilets. Beyond Namche, the teahouses are a bit rustic and fewer in number. You may have commonly shared toilets while some teahouses may have their toilet located outside. Though most lodges or teahouses have western type toilet, there may one or two old lodges with Asian squat toilets. Purchase a few rolls of toilet paper for your trip. You will be needing them in the mountains.
You will be surprised to find a variety of dishes available on the menu. From burgers, pasta, hash browns, to Tibetan bread and fried Mars bars, you will have a range of dishes to choose from. Fried noodles, Sherpa stew, momos, burger with fries, pasta and dal-bhat are some of the popular dishes on the menu. Beverages like tea, coffee, soft drinks and canned juice are readily available.
Our guides have received training in first aid and completed the wilderness first responder course. They can attend to minor grievances or injuries which can be fixed using first aid. But suppose it's a major medical emergency needing specialized care. In that case, an air ambulance will be called and the patient will be airlifted to the city for advanced medical care.
Australia
Australia
Australia
United States of America
Netherlands
Canada
Canada
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
Ireland
Canada
Italy
United Kingdom
Japan
United States of America
Hong Kong, China
Saint Barthelemy
United States of America
Spain
Poland
Italy
Germany
United Kingdom
New Zealand
United States of America
United Kingdom
Romania
