Island Peak


The summit ridge of Island peak (Photo: Kipa Sherpa)

Island Peak climb (20 days, 19 nights)

Towering Himalayan peaks from Everest to Amadablam, from Lhotse to Thamserku - on this trip you will be surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world. The main objective of this trip is the summit of Island Peak (6,189 m) also known as Imja Tse in Nepali. The climb of Imja Tse is a great first Himalayan experience for budding mountaineers as for many who have only climbed in North America this would be their first ascent over 20,000 ft.

After a day of exploring the temples, stupas and palaces of Kathmandu, you will take a 25-minute flight to Lukla. Trek through the Sherpa villages of Namche and Pangboche to the Imja Valley. You will then ascend to Chukkung and establish base camp and high camp from where you will attempt to summit Imja Tse. A contingency day is included in the program in case of weather issues. Return to Lukla is via Khumjung, one of the largest Sherpa villages.

 

Itinerary

20 Nov - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. (Dinner)

21 Nov - Kathmandu


Bodhnath Stupa (Photo: Claudine)

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house cityguide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in Nepal. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum. Drive back to Kathmandu. (Breakfast and Lunch)

22 Nov - Kathmandu to Phakding (8,700 ft.)

Early morning flight to Lukla. The short flight is around 25 minutes long. At Lukla, you will meet your porters and other trek staff. After a quick breakfast at a lodge, begin trekking. Today’s trek to Phakding is fairly level. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

23 Nov- Phakding to Namche (11,270 ft.)

Today you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monju. A little past Jorsalle, begins the grueling climb to the largest Sherpa village of Namche. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

24 Nov - Namche (11,270 ft.)

Today is an acclimatization day. You are free to visit the National Park Museum or wonder around Namche town. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

25 Nov - Namche to Tengboche (12,900 ft.)


Tenboche Monastery (Photo: Werner Kurz)

Descend to Phunki Tenga. After lunch, it is all uphill to Tenboche monastery. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

26 Nov- Tengboche to Dingboche (13,950 ft.)

From today, you will start to notice the change in the landscape. Forests give way to arid landscape with shrubs. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

27 Nov - Dingboche (13,950 ft.)

Rest day for acclimatization. Free to go for a day hike or to just relax. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

28 Nov - Dingboche to Chukkung (15,100 ft.)

Short ascent to Dughla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

29 Nov - Chukkung (15,100 ft.)

Another rest day. Optionally you may climb Chukkung Ri . (All meals)

30 Nov - Island Peak Base Camp (16,200 ft.)

Short two-hour hike to Island Peak Base Camp. From today, we will be sleeping in tents for the ascent of Imja Tse. Overnight tents. (All meals)

01 Dec - Island Peak High Camp (17,100 ft.)


Climbers on a fixed line (Photo: Kipa)

Two to three hour hike to high camp. Overnight tents. (All meals)

02 Dec - Summit Island Peak (20,300 ft.)

Summit Island Peak and return to Base Camp. Overnight tents. (All meals)

03 Dec - Contingency day

Contingency day for bad weather. Overnight tents. (All meals)

04 Dec - Pangboche (15,200 ft.)

Descend to Pangboche . Overnight lodge. (All meals)

 
05 Dec - Pangboche to Khumjung (15, 500 ft.)

Descend to Khumjung . Overnight lodge. (All meals)

06 Dec - Khumjung to Lukla (17,400 ft.)


Khumjung village (Photo: Jenny)

Descend to Lukla. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

07 Dec - Lukla to Kathmandu

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Day free. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast)

08 Dec - Kathmandu

Sightseeing in Kathmandu. Visit Swayambhunath, the monkey temple, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (All meals)

09 Dec - Depart for home

Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Day Free.

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

To book the trip, please download and complete the reservation form and send it to us either as an email attachment or by fax.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Fax: + 977 1 4412647

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking this trip. Deposit must be paid by wire transfer. Details will be provided. We will reimburse up to $30 to cover for your wire expenses.  Balance payment is required after arrival in Kathmandu.

Download reservation form here »

Altitude sickness

This trek does involve sleeping and hiking at high altitude. We will, as we do for all high-altitude treks, provide a GAMOW bag for this trip.  A GAMOW bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that looks like an inflatable extra-large sleeping bag. The effective altitude inside the inflated GAMOW bag is about 5000 feet lower than the altitude you are at; it has been very effective in the past in relieving headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness.

GUIDES:


Kipa on the summit of Imja TseThis trek/climb will be led by an experienced team of Nepali guides and staff. Your climbing guide/s, Phu Rinji and Kipa Sherpa have certification from the Nepal Mountaineering Association and have at least 15 summits of Island Peak between them. In addition to multiple ascents of Mt. Everest, both guides have summitted many other 8,000 m and smaller peaks in Nepal and Tibet.

 

 

 

 

TREK RATING:

This trek is rated strenuous and involves trekking at high altitude; highest altitude reached is the summit of Island Peak at 20,300 ft. Highest overnight elevation is 17,100 ft at High Camp. The entire trip involves a lot of up and down (there could be an elevation change of up to 3,000 ft in a day) and involves at least one day of walking for up to 10 hours. A Gamow Bag will also be provided.

Participants must be fairly strong hikers to participate on this trek/climb. Basic technical climbing experience is required - Ice axe arrest, walking on crampons, use of ascenders and descenders etc. skills are required on this climb.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain Treks organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers every year. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us.

WHY BOOK WITH CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN?:

There are over 500 and counting trekking companies in Nepal. We are aware that you have lots of options. But, we believe there are reasons we stand out from our competitors. We've listed some reasons here...

 

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813

Mobile phone: + 977 98410-00724