At 6189m, Island Peak is one of the smaller but challenging trekking peaks that lie in the Everest region in Nepal. The reward for all this exertion is an unparalleled view of Ama Dablam and the south face of Lhotse. The peak sits at the end of Chhukung Valley, accessible from Dingboche taking a short route without proper acclimatization days. So the Island Peak Aggressive Climb itinerary is designed for those who have good physical fitness with prior mountaineering experience but have a limited time frame. You will be given a practical rock climbing course in Kathmandu before taking an exciting mountain flight to Lukla and trek up the Dudh Kosi Valley through series of Sherpa villages from Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche to reach finally Chhukung which we use as our base for making a challenge to the peak. After a day of walking from Chhukung along the Lhotse Glacier, passing the bloated waters of Imja Tsho, we reach the Base Camp to prepare for the challenge. It may take an additional day or two to scale the peak depending on weather conditions. We endeavor the summit (6189m/20306ft) after one night at the High Camp perched on the South West Ridge where magnificent vistas of the Khumbu can be seen from the top.
Package Cost: USD 2360 per person
Duration: 15 Days
Elevation Gain: 6189m
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will help you check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city and we will have a welcome dinner in the evening. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Rock climbing course or sightseeing
An expedition trip to Nepal involves more preparation than average trips abroad. We take care that you are not ill-equipped, exhausted, and unable to cope with climbing all the way. So, today we’ll take you to Balaju, a nearby natural rock climbing spot where you will be given a climbing course to provide you opportunities to practice and learn to use rope, harness, ice ax, crampons, etc.
Or you can opt for sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley if you feel you don’t need the course. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2610m)
Early morning flight from Kathmandu International Airport to Lukla Airport and trek to Phakding. Descending above farmlands we pass through Sherpa villages Chheplung, Ghat, and Sano and Thulo Gumela and shrines and monasteries of Drangdrak Gompa and Pema Choling Gompa with breathtaking views of sacred mountain Kumbila and sister summits Kusum Kanguru peaks. Overnight at guesthouse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Trek to NAMCHE (3420m/11221ft)
Heading for the Namche Bazar, we cross through the hamlet of Zamphute and Tok Tok to see dazzling Thamserku glistening in the sun. Passing through the scenic Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, we reach Utche Choling Gompa on a bluff abutting the Dudh Koshi river and further we make our way between the bluff to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Crossing through the last village of Jorsale, a steep stepped path leads us to an amazing high bridge over the Dudh Koshi River gorge. Beginning the final steps uphill slowly we reach the heights of Namche from where we can have a first look at Mount Everest, peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge, and finally, after about 1.5km we reach Namche Bazar. Overnight at guest house. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5: Trek to Tengboche (3870m)
From Namche, we take the easy level trail that cuts around the ridge from Chhorkung to reach the end of a bluff which is a viewpoint over a grand panorama of peaks, from Thamserku to Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest. From here we reach Kyangjuma (3550m) and a short walk from there takes us to an important trail junction at Sanasa (3600m) from where we take the trail to Tengboche that runs gently downhill towards the river. This trail drops gradually to Lawichasa and on our descending way, the thumb-like peak of Ama Dablam soars into view above the trail. From Lawichasa a narrow trail branches north to reach Tashinga (3380m) and now the trail drops down on steep stone steps to Phunki Thenga (3250m) and then to a bridge. From the bridge, the trail climbs past some water-powered prayer wheels and begins a sustained climb through a forest of tall, mature rhododendrons. We might see musk deer and Himalayan tahr among the trees to eventually follow the path that reaches a Kani and a pair of chortens marking the start of Tengboche village which is scattered across a wide, grassy saddle below a crescent-shaped ridge covered by scrub pines and rhododendrons. The focal point of Tengboche is the famous Tengboche monastery. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Trek to Dingboche (4360m)
From Tengboche we follow the trail through a forest of conifers and rhododendrons, keeping an eye out for monal pheasants and musk deer. Reaching Debuche village we visit Debuche Gompa and a small Buddhist nunnery on the east hillside. The trail continues through dense forest to reach Milinggo and then drops steeply to a suspension bridge over Imja Khola. We cross the bridge and climb the hillside opposite to a white stupa with Buddhist eyes and after a hundred yards we see a stupa that crowns an exposed bluff, mirroring the soaring tower of Ama Dablam at the end of the valley. East of the stupa is a footprint of Khumbu’s patron Saint Lama Sange Dorje. We soon reach Pangboche village that has the oldest monastery in Khumbu, Pangboche Gompa founded by Lama Sange Dorje. Following the Imja Khola the trial climbs towards the village of Shomare and crossing the treeline beyond this village we are walking up rolling arid stretch, an alpine terrain with patches of scrub and isolated pastures and fields and the yak grazing. Crossing through the yak pasture and herdsmen’s stone huts at Orsho and Tsuro Wog, we turn right where the trail descends to a point near the confluence of Imja Khola and Khumbu Khola. Finally climbing a low ridge we reach the sprawling settlement of Dingboche. Overnight at guest house. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Trek to Chhukung (4730m)
Today we follow an epic trail along the Imja Khola to Chhukung, a small summer settlement nestling among ridges of the moraine. Mountains and glaciers surround Chhukung from all sides. It is here where we do any final preparations for the challenge. Overnight at guest house. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 8: Climb to Island Peak Base Camp (4970m)
The path from Chhukung is fairly steep, climbing south then turning east to the mainline of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Continue a short pleasant walk along a stream that leads to what we call Big-rock. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. Stay overnight in Island Peak Base Camp in a tented camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.
Day 9: Climb to Island Peak High Camp (5600m)
The path leads up beyond base camp for several hundred meters before striking off left up the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder strewn. As we climb the hill, we will see that the slope narrows and the path enter a steep rock channel. Stay overnight in Island Peak High Camp in a tented camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Climb to Summit Base Camp (6189m) back to Chhukung
We start the climb to rocky gully early in the morning. It is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before we emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridgeline which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. We need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses. It leads without difficulty to a 100m snow and ice slope on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. After enjoying the summit views we descend all the way to Chhukung for the night stay. Overnight at guest house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Tengboche (3870m)
The trail makes a gradual descent through scrub junipers and around mani stones as it follows the hillside. The trail passes many mani walls in deep rhododendron forests where crossing after the Imja Khola, the trail climbs many carved mani stones to Pangboche. Pangboche Gompa is the oldest in Khumbu; a visit will be well worth it. Walk down to the valley from where the trail is shallower through alpine meadows. This followed by a climb gradually up to Tengboche where the biggest monastery lies in the whole of Khumbu. Overnight at guest house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Trek back to Namche Bazar
From Tengboche, we move towards Phunki Tenga and now descend to Sanasa and Kyangjuma and then finally to Namche Bazar. Overnight at guest house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Trek back to Lukla
Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla retracing the way we came up. Overnight at guest house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu
We fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu and check-in to a hotel. This is a leisure day that can be used for buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family or exploring the city. In the evening, you will be invited to join a farewell dinner where we can review our great photos and share experiences of the trip. Overnight at hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 15: Fly back to home or extend your holidays
If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drives in national parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours, etc. Otherwise, farewell!
Meals: Breakfast
Cost Includes
Cost Excludes
Important Note :
Your safety is of paramount importance to us at Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.
Accommodations:
You will be accommodated in Alpine Hotel and Apartment or similar hotels in Kathmandu, standard tea houses during Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and tents when climbing. Most tea house accommodations will only have shared toilet facilities. For tent accommodation, a foam mattress will be made available. In the climbing section, toilet facilities will be provided with necessary natural preservation. All accommodations in Kathmandu and tea houses are on a twin-shared basis whereas a single tent will be provided to each individual for the climbing section. We can cater to a special request for a single room in Kathmandu by paying a single supplement of USD 310. However, there are several tea houses on the trekking route that doesn’t allow single room accommodation. On paying a single supplement, you will get a single room in Kathmandu however sometimes it is feasible only in the trekking areas of the lower elevations.
Meals:
During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek), you can enjoy Nepali, Tibetan, Indian as well as more common continental cuisines. Breakfast (only) will be provided during your stay in Kathmandu whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be available during the trek and climb. While trekking, breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay the night. Similar arrangements can also be arranged for dinner. Lunch will be taken en route to the next destination. During the climbing session, hygienic and freshly-cooked food will be provided. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Please contact us to customize this package.
Congratulation!