Day 04 - Rest Day in Namche Bazar
Day 05- Tengboche
Day 06 - Dingboche
Day 07 - Chhukung
Day 08-Island Peak Base Camp
Day 09- Summit and Back to Chhukung
Day 10- Lobuche
Day 11 - Gorakshep
Day 12- Pheriche
Day 13- Namche Bazar
Day 14 - Lukla
Day 15- Kathmandu
Day 16- Free day or option for Bad weather
Day 17- Departure to your home
Day to Day Itinerary
DAY 01 Arrival Kathmandu -1,350m/4,428ft
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (KTM), you will be greeted by a representative from Friendship World Treks. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Friendship World Treks display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel. After check in, you can take a rest, hang around in the city, visit our office - it all depends upon your interests and condition. In the evening we will organize a "Welcome Dinner" at an excellent traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal. Included meal: (D)
DAY 02: Kathmandu - Lukla [2,800 m/9,184 ft]- Phakding [2,652 m/8,700 ft]: 35 min flight; 3-4 hours trek
Early morning after breakfast, we get transferred to domestic airport and fly to Lukla. After an adventurous 40 minutes flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. At the airport, we meet our other crew members. We get time to stroll around while the guide divides and manages baggage to be carried by porters. We start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities, take a side trip to a nearby monastery. Overnight in Phakding. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B,L,D)
DAY 03: Phakding -Namche Bazaar [3,440 m/11,283 ft]: 5-6 hrs
Trek starts in the morning after breakfast. The walk today is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill with multiple crossings over Dudh Koshi River and magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675ft) from the Benkar village. Cross some more bridges and reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where our trekking permits are checked in order to keep record of trekkers and local trekking staffs as well. A descend and a gradual walk brings us to Jorsale, the last village until Namche Bazaar. The walk is enjoyable through the river bed and we reach Hillary Suspension Bridge. Now, as we climb up hill towards Namche Bazzar, closer and magnificent sight of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks, Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other fabulous mountains are viewed closer, we stop at the Chautara here to admire the view. Finally, we reach the colorful village of Namche Bazzar, the main gateway of Khumbu region. Overnight in Namche Bazzar. (B,L,D)
DAY 04: Namche Bazaar [3,440 m/11,283 ft]: Acclimatization Day
This is first scheduled 'acclimatization' day for this trek. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or carry out relaxed exploration of Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazzar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Visit the Tourist Visitor Center near the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters and observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. We also take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung and climb up to famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel, a Japanese scheme to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on Earth. The Khumjung valley surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak of Khumbila hosts a well known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. Visit Hillary School which is at the same site. After having lunch and spending some time in Khumjung, walk back down to Namche Bazzar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.(B,L,D)
DAY 05: Namche Bazzar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft) - 5 to 6 hrs walk
After breakfast in Namche, we start our trek towards Tengboche enjoying superb view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. Our trek follows on the gradual trail with few ups and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great Himalaya. Along the way we can spot wild lives like pheasant, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The trail goes gradually down up to Kayangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sansa which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The track then follows through the pine forests and after we cross the prayer flags festooned bridge over Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch at Phunki Thenga we then have a little tough climb steep up through the pine forests while before we reach Tengboche. Tengboche is a great place for close up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest and it has a biggest Buddhist Monastery all over in Khumbu region. We visit the monastery the same day at around 3 p.m. to witness the ceremony in the principal and popular monastery of Everest region. Over night stay at lodge in Tengboche.(B,L,D)
DAY 06 Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m/14,300 ft): 5 to 6 hrs
Mountains as a backdrop, the monastery in Tengboche looks spectacular more in the morning. We snap pictures of the monastery and the sceneries around and as usual start the day journey. We choose the upper trail for better views to visit Pangboche village and its ancient Monastery. We pass through several Chortens and Mani walls and small villages. We enjoy lunch with fantastic close-up views of Ama-Dablam. In the afternoon, go north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. From here onwards the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley. The valley ahead will begin to open up as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River, we descend into the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche On arrival in Dingboche, we enjoy the beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect the barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Overnight in Dingboche. (B,L,D)
DAY 07 Dingboche to Chhukung [4,730m/15,518ft]: 3-4 hrs
The walk is pleasant as we leave Dingboche through stone walled fields and alpine landscape. We take the trial from Dingboche through Imja Khola valley to land raven by glacier moraines amidst towering formidable mountains. We walk leisurely as our schedule for today is only 3-4 hours trek. While walking through the valley, Lhotse towers on our left and Ama Dablam on our right. After walking about 3 km, we reach at yak herdman place called Bibre. Straight ahead, beyond a terminal moraine wall, soars the Island peak (Imja Tse), a most popular trekking peak. The pyramidal Imja Tse looks awesome with its step rocky and-icy south face. The trail ahead is intersected by icy streams. We reach Chhukung in about half an hour from Bibre. There are glaciers and massive snowy mountains all around the place. We might choose to hike to the rocky knoll of Chhukung Ri which offers stunning views of Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu and several others including Baruntse. Overnight in Chhukung.(B,L,D)
DAY 08 Chhukung -Island Peak Base camp [5,200m/17,060ft]: 3-4 hours
The path from Chhukung leads fairly steep way climbing south then turning east to the main line of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. We continue short pleasant walking along a stream side. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A cries-cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp. (B,L,D)
Pre-Climb Training: After lunch, our guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques and using climbing gears such as ice axe, climbing boot and crampons, harness, ascender, etc and on how to go up and down using ropes. Although it is not mandatory to have prior training experience for Island Peak Climbing, we believe that some training experience will boost up your confidence and climbing skills; thus increasing the chances of scaling the summit as well as to fully enjoy the experience.
DAY 09 Island Base Camp- High Camp-summit Island Peak-Base camp -Chhukung: 8-10 hours
Island Peak Ascent (6,189m/20,305ft): We begin our climb early in the morning, generally around 1 AM. In the beginning, we climb the rock gully. This 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 ridge line, 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. The guides will fix a rope wherever necessary. A steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. After enjoying the summit views, and taking pictures, we descend all the way to Chhukung for overnight and to celebrate on our success Island peak climb. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: CHHUKUNG (4730m) - LABUCHE 4930M, (6 to 7 HRS)
Note: If we do not like to undertake the Kongma La pass, instead of following the Chhukung to Kongma La pass route, we can follow another route via Dingboche to Lobuche.
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks
of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and
climb more steeply towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier.At
the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as
memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing
Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to
eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche. Overnight.
Trekking via Khumbu Glacier to Kongma La Base Camp (5,000m/16,404ft) continues ascending to Kongma pass the ascend is difficult part of our trek today. After gaining the Kongma La, we see cairn wrapped in prayer flags,-marks of the pass. Then we descend a gradual walks up the Imja Khola valley to Chhukung, (B,L,D)
Day 11: LABUCHE TREK TO GORAKPSHEP 5170M, (2 AND HALF HRS) KALAPATTAR (5500M) - GORAKSHEP 3 HRS, TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP 5300M AND BACK TO GORAKSHEP AND OVERNIGHT
Gorakshep We continue our trek along the Khumbu Glacier. We will reach our destination quiet early but you can spend rest of the days for acclimatization & preparation for the next day adventure and Hike to Kalapatthar or Everest base camp and Overnight at Gorakshep.
Day 12: GORAKSHEP - KALAPATTAR (5500M) - TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP 5300M AND BACK TO PHERICHE 4280M (7 HRS)
Wake up early morning. The sunrise colors begin to appear on Everest, we make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar [5554m]. And trek back to Gorakshep for Breakfast. We eat our breakfast and then continue to Everest Base camp (5300m).Walk to base camp and back would requires about 5-6 hours, following the Khumbu glacier, sometimes on moraine and sometimes on the glacier itself. The walk is especially interesting for the views of the 15-meters high series of ice, a feature peculiar to Himalayan glaciers. The base camp of the highest mountain in the world is mostly inhabited by several expeditions all over the world. After Ebc, Today is downhill most of the way, as we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has a trekker’s aid post here and it is quite interesting to visit. Overnight.
Back to Pheriche for overnight
Day 13: PHERICHE –NAMCHE 3450M, (7 HRS)
we continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Khumjung. Overnight.
Day 14: NAMCHE - LUKLA 2840M, (7 HRS)
From Phakding the trail descends steeply to the village of Jorsale. Passing the villages of Phakding (2640m) From Khumjung we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki where there are water driven prayer wheels, then climb and contour around the hillside to Phakding. From Phakding Passing the villages of Phakding (2640m) and Choplung, we reach Chaunrikharka and the trail that cuts up to the airstrip at Lukla. Overnight.
DAY 15: LUKLA- KATHMANDU
Early morning flight to Kathmandu from Lukla. End of Trek.
DAY 16 Farewell Friend
You are saying good bye to the mountains as your adventurous trip in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Friendship World Trekking will take you to the airport. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.(B)
The Trekking and climbing cost is $2615 Per Person.
The Flight ticket cost is $358 Per Person (Both way) (Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu.
Trip Cost Includes
Friendship World Trek has a philosophy with trip inclusions: as much as possible expenses is included so that customers know the total cost of the adventure trip up front
• All airport/hotel transfers
• 3 Nights Hotel in 3 Star Hotel in Kathmandu on B & B.
• Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight and departure taxes
• Teahouse/Lodge and tented accommodation during trekking and climbing session
• Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during the Trek and Climbing.
• All ground transportation as per the itinerary program by private vehicles
• All necessary staffs with experienced English speaking climbing and trekking Guide,other helpers as per requirement for the climbing section including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
• All necessary paper works; trekking permits and Island Peak climbing permit and Peak Bonus
• Friendship World Trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map
• Group Mountaineering climbing and camping equipment for climbing part -very high quality North Face or Mountain Hardware tents for camping and kitchen, dining, toilet tents, mattresses, kitchen equipments
• Travel and rescue arrangements
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• Exclusive Medical Kit Bag
• All government and local taxes
Climbing Gears in Chhukung / Equipments.
Trip Cost Does Not Include
• Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 20 kg luggage, cargo charge is around $2.5 per kg)
• Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
• Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)
• Personal climbing equipments
• Personal climbing guide if requested
• Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
• Tips for guides and porters
