Island Peak Climb

Today we discover the highlights of Katmandu and the valley. We adapt the programm to your interests and desires and what you have seen before. Usually, we go to Pasupatinath on the bank of the Bagmati River, where the most important Hindu temples and burning ghats of Nepal are situated. In Bouddhanath we circumambulate together with Tibetan and Nepali Buddhist pilgrims the whitewashed stupa. Our sightseeing usually ends in Patan, the city of Beauty, an astonishing center of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture.

We drive to Tribhuvan Domestic Airport to connect our fly to take our flight to Everest region. After breakfast in Lukla (2 850 m) we start trekking through beautiful settlements to join soon the main trail in Churi Kharka. We follow the east bank of the Dudh Koshi- the River of Milk- where you witness the typical Nepal terrace culture, slate roofed houses and views on Kusum Kangaru (5 579 m). We reach Phakding (2 640 m) after 3 – 4 h gentle walking.

Today we make a challenging hike to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m), situated at 6-7 hours walking from Phakding. We climb up along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi to the tiny village of Toktok. We get our first glimpse of Thamserku peak (6 608 m) and reach Benkar (2 710 m). The cliffs above the village are decorated with huge paintings of Buddhist deities. We cross the colorful suspension bridge and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo (2 840 m). After Jorsale we follow the riverbank over gravel, climb through a pine forest and cross the Dudh Kosi by a big suspension bridge. Then we face a continuous zigzag ascent of 2 hours through dense pine forests. In the early evening we reach the vibrant center of Namche Bazar, on of the most attractive settlements of Solu-Khumbu district.

Rest day in Namche. Optional walk to the Sherwi Khangba Sherpa Culture Museum or dayhike to the Hotel Everest View in Khumjung village (3 700 m) and Khundi Hospital in Khundi Village, the first hospital build in Khumbu Region by Sir Edmund Hillary and Himalayan Trust in 1966.

Trek to Tengboche (3 860 m), 5-6 hour long hike from Namche Bazaar. The first part of trail is a winding smooth path which offers fantastic views on Mount Everest (8 848 m), Thamserku (6 618 m), Ama Dablam (6 814 m). After the trail goes down to the riverbank and then we make a strenuous 2 hour ascend to Tengboche. We walk through rhododendron forests where musk deer and Himalayan ‘tahr’ or mountain goat live. At the rest place you can enjoy the views towards Kantega mountain (6 783 m). Tengboche, is famed for the Buddhist Tengboche Monastery (where you can attend the daily puja), Cafe Tengboche and the view point.

Trek to Pheriche (4 240 m), 5-6 hours walking from Tengboche. We descend through conifer and rhododendron woods to Debuche a small village with a Buddhist gompa, a nunnery and a the small health post of Kunde hospital. After crossing the suspension bridge the trail climb along beautiful white painted stupas to Pangboche (3 860 m). We take our lunch in the next village Shomare (4 010 m). We pass Orsho and climb to a small ridge topped by stupas and memorials to lost climbers. After crossing the Khumbu river we reach Pheriche ( 4 240 m) where we spend the night

Leaving Pheriche, the trail meanders up the open valley, assuring beautiful vistas over Tabuche Peak (6 495 m) and Cholatse (6 335 m). We walk gently through the valley until the glacial stream in Dughla (4 620 m). After our lunch camp in Dugla (4 620m) the trail goes directly up the gravely terminal moraine of the Khumbu glaciers for about one hour. The trail leads to a row of memorial monuments of lost climbers and sherpas. The trail then drops a little and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche.

The ascent to Gorak Shep (5 160 m) becomes steeper and rougher as we cross several moraines. Soon we see the peak of Pumori (7 145m). We also have our first views at Nuptse (7 864 m), Kala Patthar (5 545 m) and Mount Everest. At the right side you look over the Khumbu Glacier, an enormous tongue of ice which marches down the slopes of Everest. We reach Gorak Shep by lunchtime and trek to Everest Base Camp in the afternoon. In total we hike 7 hours today.

Early morning we climb to Kala Pattar – the Black Rock – located at 5 545 m an marked by a tangle of prayer flags. At this viewpoint – one of the most astonishing views on earth – you have a 360 degree panorama of Himalayan giants from Pumori and Lobuche West to Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. We return back to Gorak Shep via the view points of the ice lakes of Pumori and Everest. After breakfast we return in 4 hours back to Dingboche (4 410 m)

We ascend gently in 2 h to the remote village of Chhukung (4 730 m), the last settlement before Island Peak Bace camp. From here we enjoy magnificent sights at Island Peak (6 189 m), Amphulapche (5 663 m), Baruntse and the white ice lake of Imja Tsho. After lunch we climb 5 hours smoothly over the moraine to the base of Island Peak. Here we set up our base camp and prepare for the climb ahead of us.

Today we make a 3 hour long hike to High Base Camp camp. We ascend grass and scree slopes until we reach a tent platform at 5 600 m . After establishing our camp we enjoy the superb amphitheater of mountains.

We get up early in the morning and continue up a rocky gully before traversing to the right. We gain elevation up the rocky ridge before coming to the base of the glacier. Here we rope up and continue up the glacier until the South ridge is reached. We follow this superb ridge to the summit where outstanding views of Lhotse (8 516 m), Makalu (8 463 m), Ama Dablam (6 814 m) and Baruntse (7 129 m) are revealed. We return Base Camp for the evening.

We rise early, disassemble our camp and continue back down the valley to the village of Chukkung. We arrive there by lunchtime, relax and enjoy our summit success.

We descend to Pangboche (3 930 m) via Dingboche village in app. 5 hours.

Today you hike from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m). We descend 5 – 6 hours.

We start this 6 hours during trek with a streneous descent from Namche Bazaar to the Dud Kosi (hard work for the knees), after the path climbs up to Monjo and then runs easily to Benkar, Phakding and Lukla.

After breakfast we fly in about 40 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu. Arrive at Tribhuvan Airport and transfer to hotel.

On this last free day you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy more sights in Kathmandu: you can make a daytrip to the splendid five storied Nyatapola Temple and exquisite woodcarvings like the Peacock window in medieval Bhaktapur, climb the long stairs to the stupa of Swayambhunath (Monkeytemple) or visit the sleeping Vishnu at Budhanilkantha. You can also shop, relax and drink coffee in the bakeries of Thamel or the Garden of Dreams. Traveltimes Treks recommends you plan one extra day at the end of your trekking in case in case of delayed schedules during your travel.

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport. We hope you enjoyed your expedition!

Extra days:
If you wish to stay longer in Nepal: Traveltimes Treks can offer you plenty of suggestions, we can arrange rafting and safari trips, helicopter flights, mountain biking, multi day tours to old historical city of Bhaktapur, the mountain stations Nagarkot & Dhulikhel or retreats in the serene monasteries of Namobuddha and Kopan.