Island Peak Expedition

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level:  493 m Mulkot

Tour Duration:  Approx. 4 hrs. approx.

Driving duration: 3 hrs. approx. (KTM-Mulkot)

Accommodation: Hotel

9:00 AM: Today you start a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. On this cultural tour, you will experience the numerous colors, sounds, and tastes of authentic Kathmandu and its surroundings. Our experienced tour guides will tell you all you need to know and answer all your curiosities regarding those sites.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

You will take a short drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. This ancient site used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. It incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The prominent sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square are Kumari Ghar or the house of the living goddess.  Kasthamandap is a huge rest house that is said to have been built with wood from a single tree and is the source of which Kathmandu valley got its name. Other sites around Kathmandu Square are the ferocious Kal Bhairab – the red monkey God- Hanuman, hundreds of erotic carvings, temples, and statues dedicated to different deities.

Swayambhunath:

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and centre of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: You take a drive to Mulkot in the afternoon. Mulkot is a small settlement, from where Manthali Airport is just 37 km away (1 hour’s drive).

Altitude above sea level: Lukla (2,840 m), Phakding (2,610 m)

Driving duration: 1 hr. approx. (Mulkot-Ramechhap)

Flight Duration: Approx. 25 minutes

Hiking Duration: 4–5 hours

Accommodation: Teahouse Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Ramechhap airport for a spectacular flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla. Lukla is Nepal’s busiest domestic airport and, for the trekker intent on seeing Mt. Everest, flying here is an essential part of the adventure.

During the flight, you get to see the world’s soaring mountains including  Cho Oyu (8,153 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Gauri Shankar (7,145 m), Menlungtse (7,181 m).

After an exhilarating landing at Lukla, you will set off on the hike to Phakding. You follow the ridge on the bank of milky Dudh Koshi River to the village of Phakding. Dudh Koshi, or Milk River, is named for its chalky color that emerges from all the glaciers up above.

You will follow this river the rest of the day, passing through picturesque hamlets filled with tea houses, suspension bridges, shops, carved Mani stones, prayer wheels, and packed animals.

After passing through the small villages like Chaurikharka and Ghat you arrive at the Phakding which is located right next to the Dudh Koshi River.

Altitude above sea level: (3,445 m)

Hiking time: 6-7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, after a hearty breakfast, you will cross and re-cross the thundering glacial river, named “Dudh” (milk) Koshi (river) due to its color. Sections of today’s walk are through pine forests and cleared areas to reveal cultivated fields, traditional houses, and a variety of crops.  You also cross suspension bridges by following the crystal blue-white water river Dudh Koshi.

About halfway up the hill, you can see the first glimpse of Mount Everest and Lhotse. A few hours of walking will lead you to the Namche Bazaar, crossing a path surrounded by pines. Namche Bazaar is also known as the ‘gateway to Everest ‘and a town of Sherpa ethnicity. This vibrant village is a central hub of the area and food, sundries and even mountain climbing equipment may be purchased here. Also, it is the main trading village in the Khumbu region, and is the historic meeting point for Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans.

It is the largest town in the Khumbu region, surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, and opens out only where it faces the Dudh Koshi. In addition, you can see yaks roaming around the streets with the magical sounds of their bells. You can enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse from the top of the hillside town.

Altitude above sea level: 3,962 m

Hiking duration: 2–3 hrs. Approx. (Hotel Everest View)

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Namche is an ideal place for acclimatization. The places of interest around Namche are remarkable and beautiful. There is plenty to do in and around Namche.  You can take a short walk above the town to get a view of Everest. The trail leading to the hotel is a pleasant walk across a hill. You might spot yaks grazing nearby, or a Himalayan Tahr (wild goat) balancing perfectly on the cliffs.

Hidden on a ridge overlooking the Everest range, Hotel Everest View is an incredible establishment that blends gracefully with its remarkable surrounding. Appreciate the panoramic view of the Everest Region from the iconic Hotel Everest View.

There is also an interesting Sherpa Culture Museum which is well worth a visit.  After exploring, you take a downhill trail back to Namche. Spend the afternoon at leisure.  You can either relax or visit the colorful Namche Bazaar.

Altitude above sea level: (3,870 m)

Hiking duration: 5 – 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we trek towards Tengboche. It is an easy walk from Namche to Phunki. The trail proceeds through Alpine region with a gradual climb to Phunki Tanga through a rhododendron forest. After crossing the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tanga we start steep ascend through the forest to Tengboche legendary monastery of the Khumbu region with awe-inspiring views of Ama Dablam, Kangtaiga, Nuptse, Khumvilla, Konde, and Everest. It is also the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region. We stay overnight in Tengboche.

Altitude above sea level: (4,350m)

Hiking duration: 5 – 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

The trek from Tengboche to Dingboche is about 6 hours walk. We pass through a picturesque village and mountain. We walk on the trail and after descent to the Imja Khola; we traverse the river and ascend slowly to the village of Pangboche. Furthermore, we spend two nights at Dingboche for the acclimatization process. This village is in a cozy location above the Imja Khola and is warmer and less breezy as compared with the neighboring village of Pheriche.

Altitude above sea level: Nangkartshang ((5,080 m),  Chukung village (4,730 m) Samso Chopo Ridge (5,140 m)

Hiking duration: Optional 3 hrs. Hike to Nangkartshang (View Point), Chukung village approx. 5–6 hrs,  Samso Chopo Ridge 6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

You spend the acclimatization day of your Everest Base Camp trek in Dingboche today, utilized by short hikes to a higher elevation to adapt yourselves to the heights.

Hike to the Nagerjun Hill would be a great option to spend time at Dingboche. Nangkartshang nestled above Dingboche on a hill at the edges of the Chukkung valley. The hike provide the  panoramic views of Lobuche East (6,119 m), Lobuche West (6,145 m), Kangtega (6,685 m), Taboche Peak (6,367 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), and the Ama Dablam (6,856 m).

Alternatively, you can also embark on a couple of hours hike towards Chukkung, a way to Island peak and superb views of Amadablam, Makalu, and accompanying the Himalayas.

Also, you have the option to take a day hike to Samso Chopo Ridge. This hike is one of the least crowded and most picturesque of the trip. The hike provides a chance to witness 360-degree views in addition to the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Though it is a steep, 2,700-foot climb, you will be rewarded with stellar views once you get to the summit, and well worth the effort.

Altitude above sea level: (4,931 m) Lobuche

Hiking duration:  5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After having early breakfast, you start trekking uphill gradually along a plateau of yak herder shelters. The trail offers superb views of mountains like Everest, Cholatse, Lobuche, and Pumari spread out before us in a contrasting and spectacular landscape.

After two and half hours of gradual walk, we will reach Thugla nestled below the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier-the the highest glacier in the world.  From Thugla, the trail goes directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier before turning left just past the climber and Sherpa memorial. The memorial park is for all the people that had lost their lives climbing Everest, some with inscriptions detailing their accomplishments, and others with no more than a simple pile of rocks.

You are now away from the tree line area and into glacial moraine. From here, you caught the first sight of Kala Patthar. The trail now descends slowly and flows to the western side until you reach the valley of Lobuche.

Altitude above sea level: (4,730 m)

Hiking duration:7 – 8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today we take a shortcut from Lobuche to Chhukhung over Kongma la pass (5,528m) after taking an ascent to the moraine over more than six hundred meters wide Khumbu glacier. Even for well-acclimatized trekkers the sharp ascent at 5,500 (18,044 ft) meters with a backpack is quite demanding.

The last few dozen meters are the worst – rising through the stone field, already covered with icy snow. From the pass unbelievable mountain panorama shows off from north to south: Lhotse (8,516 m), Lhotse Shar (8,383 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Baruntse (7,220 m), Ama Dablam (6,814 m) and many others.

A long descent to Chhukhung starts with ninety vertical meters descent through the steep slope to the beautiful nameless lake (5,434 m), which belongs among the lakes in the highest location in the world.

Altitude above sea level: (4,970m)

Hiking duration: 4 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, we trek all along Imja Lake, walking a flat trail and gradual ascent all the way to the Island base camp. We will have lunch at base camp, followed by basic training for tomorrow’s preparation.

Altitude above sea level: (5,600 m)

Hiking duration:3 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we take a steep ascent for three hours to High Camp. We stay overnight in camp.

Altitude above sea level: (6,160 m)

Hiking duration: 9–10 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

You will start early for the summit. The trek to the island peak is a fairly steep trail. Great care and caution must be employed while scaling the wall to emerge on the ridge leading to the summit.

After the summit of Island Peak, you retrace the steps and make the descent back to the Base Camp. After reaching the Island Peak Base Camp, we shall trek back to Chhukung.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Depending on weather conditions, we stay extra days at Chhukhung.

Altitude above sea level: (3,770 m)

Hiking duration: 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today we continue to walk by descending to the lower elevation all the way through the wide valley of Imja Khola, passing through the picturesque Sherpa villages. We move towards Shomare, Pangboche, and finally to Debuche.

Altitude above sea level: 2,610 m

Hiking duration: 7 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we take ascend from Dibuche up to Tengboche. Theb, we take descend all the way to Phunge Tanga. We continue to take ascend to Sanganasa and take descend to Monjo.

Altitude above sea level: (2,800m)

Hiking duration: 5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today after breakfast we walk through a flat and gradual descent trail traversing the four suspension bridges over the fast-flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries.  The trail becomes more level and natural. After a short ascend we reach Lukla where we stay overnight here.

Altitude above sea level: (1,302 m) Kathmandu

Flight Time: 25 minutes approx.

Driving duration: 4 hrs. approx. (Ramechhap-KTM)

Accommodation: Hotel TIbet or similar

Meal: Breakfast

You will have an early breakfast and fly back to Ramechhap from Lukla airport. Once you land at Ramechap airport, you will take a drive back to Kathmandu.

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the wonderful experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.