12/06/2024
Island Peak, also known as Imja Tse, is a thrilling and popular climbing expedition nestled in the heart of the Khumbu region of Nepal.
Island Peak also known as Imja Tse is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal for climbing o You will be then transferred to Hotel. Overnight in Lukla.
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ISLAND PEAK 6189M
Island Peak also known as Imja Tse is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal for climbing on Himalayas . The combination of Everest base camp trek and Island Peak climbing is probably the best trip in Nepal adored by adventure seekers. From Dingboche the mountain is seen as an island in a sea of ice. Imja Tse not only provides an enjoyable climb but also provides some of the most spectacular scenery of Himalayas in the Everest region. Seen from the summit the giant mountains, Nuptse (7,879m), Lhotse (8,501m), Lhotse Middle Peak (8,410m) and Lhotse Shar (8,383m) make a semi circle in the north. The views of Makalu (8475m) in the east, Baruntse and Amadablam in the south add more charm in climbing Island Peak . For many mountaineers climbing Island Peak marks the beginning of climbing on Himalayas to prepare for a big Himalaya expedition in Nepal in the later years. For some mountaineers the peak stands for the purpose of acclimatization before heading to bigger mountain climbing. Trekking to Kaalapatthar or Everest base camp is best suited for acclimatization before proceeding to the climbing on Island Peak . The normal route for climbing Island Peak is South East Flank & South-West Ridge Normally, the base camp is set at Pareshaya Gyab (5,087m), between Imja Tse and the lateral moraine of the Imja Glacier. Proper care should be taken to avoid the possible avalanche in the event of heavy snow fall. For some people reaching to the summit from the base camp is a day activity. However, most of the climbers prefer alpine style camping at high camp which adds the joy of climbing and also helps a safe ascent. Day to Day Itinerary DAY 01 Arrival Kathmandu -1,350m/4,428ft Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (TIA), you will be greeted by a representative from Friendship World Trekking. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Friendship World Trekking display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel. After check in you need to visit the office for preparation of the trip and to meet your crew. 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 Bazar – Rest Day / Acclimatization day in Namche. (Rest Day): We take the day off to allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere before ascending to higher altitudes. The secret of safe acclimatisation is to ‘climb high and sleep low’. It is safe for the more energetic amongst us to hike up the hill behind Namche to the airstrip at Syangboche, or stroll across to the museum behind the police post. Others may prefer to ‘chill out’ and watch cable TV (seriously), or visit one of the lodges for a freshly baked cinnamon roll and tea. Namche is a busy and bustling trading hamlet. 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 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 Peak Base Camp to High Camp [5,600m/18,372ft]: 2-3 hours We move to Island Peak High Camp. 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. Overnight in Island Peak High Camp. (B,L,D) Note: Climbers often find it easier to attempt for Island summit in one push directly from the Base Camp. If you would like to attempt the summit push from the Base Camp, spend two nights at the Base Camp for acclimatization and training. Make an acclimatization climb to the High Camp after taking breakfast on the second day, spend some time there, and come back to the Base Camp. Generally, we take lunch after completing the day hike. It would be also easier for the porters to stay at the Base Camp instead of staying at a higher altitude at High Camp for a long time which might cause altitude problems, climbers too find it more convenient to sleep at a lower altitude of the Base Camp. DAY 10 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 11 Reserve Day for Contingency There is no such guarantee that we can get quite a favorable weather on our planned day for the summit (day 9), so this day is used as a contingency in case if we are unable to summit the Island Peak on day 9 due to bad weather condition or some other reasons. If weather gets exceptionally unfavorable we wisely have to postpone the program of summit the peak on day 9 for toady (Day 10). Sometimes somebody in the group may get some problems in acclimatizing well enough to make the ascent; the day can be used in that condition too. If the trip goes smoothly, we do not need this spare day. (B,L,D) DAY 12 Chhukung to Namche Bazar: 8-9 hours This is a long trekking day. The Imja Khola joins the Dudh Koshi River a little above the Pangoche village. There is a famous gompa at Pangboche believed to have been the oldest in the Khumbu region. Descend out of the alpine dessert and back into landscapes of pine forests. The path leads to a steep uphill climb into Tengboche. Visit the Tenboche Monastery. Making a steep descent leads back to the Dudh Kosi river. The final steep climb traverses the hill side into Namche Bazaar. In case our contingency day remains unused and you want take today trekking in a relaxed manner, we can divide today long trekking into two days. (B,L,D) DAY 13 Namche Bazaar to Lukla: 6-7 hours The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. Although we are traveling the same route down, we feel completely different views. Walk through the Sherpa villages' noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag while we walk through the villages. On arrival at Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile on their faces! Overnight in Lukla. (B,L,D) DAY 14 Fly back- Lukla to Kathmandu We fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The early morning flight drops us at Kathmandu. You can rest and relax throughout the day in your hotel. If get interested to take some gifts home from Nepal for friends and relatives, visit some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods which can be assisted by our guides or you can do it yourself too. If you want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu take the time to do that today! Remember, we will be hosting a fantastic celebration dinner together for successfully completing the adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu.(B, D) DAY 15 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) In some circumstances we could face problem of internal flights to/from Lukla delayed by few hours or canceled for a day or more because of bad weather. Very rarely, but it could happen even in best trekking season also as you know how climate change is effecting our globe. Thus, we always recommend you to add supplement night/s in Kathmandu after your trek if possible (just for incase). If everything runs smoothly, you can enjoy other activities like sightseeing, rafting, wildlife activities, shopping, as you wish in those additional day. However, if you want heli rescue in the state of flight cancellation to/from Lukla-we can organize it. A helicopter charge around USD 5000 and it can lift 4 persons per flight. Trip Cost Includes Friendship World Trekking 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 • Two nights in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu in Bed and Breakfast basis. • Teahouse/Lodge accommodation during trekking and tented accommodation during expedition session • Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight and departure taxes • Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals in mountain • All ground transportation as per the itinerary program by private vehicles • All necessary staffs with experienced English speaking trekking and expedition leader (guide), cook, assistant expedition leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter), other helpers as per requirement in climbing section including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging • All necessary paper works; trekking permits and Island Peak expedition permit • Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Friendship World Trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map • Group Mountaineering expedition and camping equipment -very high quality North Face or Mountain Hardware tents for participants and camping and kitchen, dining, toilet tents, mattresses, kitchen equipments for the expedition section • Travel and rescue arrangements • Welcome and farewell dinner • Exclusive Medical Kit Bag • All government and local taxes 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 $1.5 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 expedition equipments • Personal climbing guide if requested • Optional trips and sightseeing if extended • Tips for guides and porters The Expedition Group For the Island Peak Expedition, there will be one expedition and trekking leader, assistant leader (4 climbers: 1 assistant guide), Sherpa porters for luggage carrying (2 climbers: 1 porter) and other helpers as per requirement in climbing section. This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Island Peak expedition for at least a group of two, and include maximum of twelve people only, as we've found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if you'd like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too. Health & Experience Required Island Peak is not a technical peak but you need good stamina for a long day effort while climbing it. You can climb Island peak without any previous expedition experience and skills of using climbing equipment but knowledge on using equipment and previous experience would be beneficial although not mandatory because a pre-ice climbing training is provided to you in Base Camp to make you skillful on using climbing gears such as ropes, ice pick, harness, crampons. As this 14- day Island peak expedition itinerary takes you to the summit very fast, this itinerary is recommended only to those who have sufficient high altitude trekking experience and good acclimatization health although Island peak itself do not need any previous climbing experience. This itinerary plans you to take straight to Island peak, lead you to successful summit and bring you back to Kathmandu, so you should be well prepared for the trip before embarking it.
