Island Peak Climbing

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1,400 m), followed by a pre-trek briefing covering permits, packing, and the trek's acclimatisation schedule. A licensed guide reviews the day-by-day route and checks personal gear against the recommended packing list. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (2,860 m), a 527 m sloped runway with a one-directional approach, takes roughly 25-30 minutes when operating from Kathmandu, or around 20 minutes plus a 4-hour pre-dawn drive when operating from Manthali/Ramechhap in peak season. From Lukla, the trail descends gently through Chaurikharka and along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding (2,610 m), passing prayer wheels and the trek's first mani walls.

From Phakding (2,610 m) the trail follows the Dudh Koshi river, crossing several suspension bridges including the high Hillary Suspension Bridge near Jorsale, before entering Sagarmatha National Park at the Monjo checkpoint. A steep switchback climb through pine forest gains 830 m to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Khumbu's main trading hub and the first mandatory two-night acclimatisation stop.

Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) following the golden "climb high, sleep low" rule. The morning hike climbs to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) at Syangboche, offering the first distant view of Everest's summit pyramid alongside Ama Dablam and Thamserku, before descending through Khumjung village, home to the Khumjung monastery and its Sherpa culture museum. Return to Namche for the second acclimatisation night.

From Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) the trail climbs to Kyangjuma and Sanasa before dropping to cross the Dudh Koshi again, then climbs steadily through rhododendron forest to Tengboche (3,860 m), home to the largest and most significant monastery in the Khumbu. On clear afternoons, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are all visible from the monastery courtyard.

The trail descends from Tengboche (3,860 m) through Deboche's rhododendron and birch forest, crosses the Imja Khola, and climbs steadily past Pangboche, the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, into the drier, high-altitude landscape approaching Dingboche (4,410 m), a farming village walled with stone enclosures for barley and buckwheat.

Second mandatory acclimatisation day, this time at Dingboche (4,410 m). The recommended hike climbs Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) above the village for panoramic views of Makalu, Ama Dablam, and the Dingboche valley, reinforcing the 300-500 m per day net elevation gain rule before pushing higher toward Lobuche.

From Dingboche (4,410 m) the trail climbs past Dughla (4,620 m) and the Chupki Lhara memorial site, stone cairns honouring climbers who died on Everest, before a steady climb along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche (4,940 m), the last village before the final push to Base Camp.

From Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the trail crosses 3.5 km of rocky glacial moraine with the Khumbu Glacier on the right and the icefall rising directly above. At Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), Nuptse's west ridge and Lhotse's south face close in on three sides. Everest's summit is not visible from Base Camp; that view belongs to Kala Patthar, 280 m higher. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

★ Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

Sunrise at Kala Patthar (5,644 m) for the classic Everest summit view, then descend from Gorak Shep and cross the Khumbu valley via Dingboche to Chhukung (4,730 m), the staging village for Island Peak.

★ Kala Patthar (5,644 m)

A moderate climb from Chhukung (4,730 m) to Island Peak Base Camp (5,100 m) beneath the peak's south face, where the climbing team conducts a crampon and ice axe technique check on a nearby practice slope.

Summit day: a pre-dawn start crosses the glacier below Island Peak before a fixed-rope climb up the final headwall to the 6,189 m summit of Imja Tse, with Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam visible on all sides. The full round trip takes 10-12 hours.

★ Island Peak / Imja Tse summit (6,189 m)

Descend from Island Peak Base Camp (5,100 m) back through Chhukung to Dingboche (4,410 m), with noticeably easier breathing as the trail drops below 4,500 m.

A long descending day retracing the trail through Tengboche back to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), with the technical climbing behind the group and only the walk-out remaining.

The final trekking day retraces the route from Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) down through Jorsale and Monjo, exiting Sagarmatha National Park, then climbs back up to Lukla (2,860 m) for the last night on the trail before the return flight to Kathmandu.

Morning flight from Lukla (2,860 m) back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), weather permitting; flights depart early to beat the afternoon cloud build-up typical of the Khumbu valley. Afternoon free for showers, laundry, and souvenir shopping in Thamel, followed by a farewell dinner celebrating the completed trek.

A free day in Kathmandu to rest, return any rented climbing gear (crampons, harness, ice axe), and pack for departure.

International departure from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or onward travel in Nepal.