One of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal, Island Peak is a varied, challenging and stunning mountain. At 6,189m/20,305ft, it is not the highest trekking peak in the Khumbu valley, but it provides more technical challenges than its near neighbour, Mera.
Also known as the Imja Tse, Island Peak was named by Eric Shipton in 1951 as it seems to float in the middle of the valley when seen from Dingboche. Climbing on this peak was started when the Swiss were practicing before climbing Mount Everest and Lhotse.
Being only 10km distant from Everest enables climbers to take advantage of combining a trek to Everest base camp with summiting a Himalayan peak and an opportunity to have a close up view of high mountains like Nuptse and Lhotse in the north, Makalu in the east and Ama Dablam in the south.
Anyone undertaking this trip should have some basic mountaineering experience including rock scrambling and walking on snow/ice with ice axe and crampons as this demanding climb includes roped glacier travel, basic rock climbing, a steep snow/ice wall on fixed ropes and an exposed final summit ridge.
Trip Facts
Trip: Island Peak
Duration: 16 Days
Region:
Per day walking: 4 – 10 hrs
Elevation: 6189m
Difficulty: Hard
Accommodation: Tea House
Inspire Trek and Travel prices include all internal air and land transportation and all accommodation throughout your stay.
Cost includes:
- 2 nights accommodation and breakfast in deluxe double room in Kathmandu (price based on 2 sharing)
- All teahouse accommodation in Solu Khumbu (price based on 2 sharing) with breakfast from a varied but set menu
- Return flights from Kathmandu to Lukla
- All airport transfers in Kathmandu
- TIMS card (Trekker Information and Management System): Nepal’s trekking card
- National Park entry fee
(2 passport sized photos required) - Sherpa guides and porters, properly insured and equipped
- A comprehensive medical kit, carried by group
Cost does not include:
Please also ensure you can arrange or provide the following –
- International air transport
- Personal travel insurance, which is essential for entrance into the Solu Khumbu
- Nepal visa
- Extra costs due to flight delays either from or to Lukla
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal equipment
- Other expenses of a personal nature
- Recharging batteries, phones etc
- Cost of showers in Solu Khumbu
- Personal toiletries and toilet roll (you must provide your own)
- Optional trips in Kathmandu
- WiFi connection
- Lunches/dinners/tea/coffees/juice etc – please allow about $25 per day for these meals/drinks
- Supplementary snacks
Please note …
… the itinerary trekking times and distances are approximate.
Cloud and turbulent weather are regular phenomena along the Himalaya range. It is therefore possible that domestic flights from Kathmandu to or from Lukla may have to be delayed for a few hours or even cancelled for a day or more.
Fortunately this does not happen very often during the high seasons of March to May or September to November, but you need to plan for this possibility.
As a safeguard, we recommend that you add on a couple of extra days after your trek, before you fly from Kathmandu to your onward destination.
Summary of Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Drive to hotel and overnight stay in Kathmandu
Day 02: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m) / Walk (3 hours) from Lukla to Phakding (2,600m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 03: Walk (4h) from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 04: Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,440m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 05: Walk (6h) from Namche Bazaar to Phortse (3890m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 06: Walk (5h) from Phortse to Dingboche (4,343m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 07: Walk (4h) from Dingboche to Chukhung (4,730m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 08: Chukhung (5h) to Island base camp (4,970m) Overnight stay in camp
Day 09: Walk/climb (4h) from Island base camp to Island high camp (5,600m) Overnight stay in camp
Day 10: Climb (10h) from Island high camp to Island Peak (6,189m) Then back to Chukhung, with overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 11: Walk (7h) from Island base camp to Tengboche (3,800m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 12: Walk (6h) from Dingboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 13: Walk (7h) from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800m) Overnight stay in teahouse / lodge
Day 14: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu Airport pick up, drive to hotel, overnight stay in Kathmandu
Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu Farewell dinner in the evening, overnight stay in Kathmandu
Day 16: Drive to airport, flight back home
Cost per person:
September, October, November £1695
March, April, May £1795
