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Thamel, Kathmandu
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Island Peak, also known as Imja Tse, is a prominent peak in the Khumbu region of Nepal’s Himalayas, renowned for its accessibility to climbers with intermediate experience. Standing at 6,189 meters (20,305 feet), Island Peak is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal. Its allure lies in its relatively straightforward climbing route and its spectacular views, making it a coveted objective for mountaineers seeking to experience high-altitude climbing without the extensive technical demands of larger peaks. The name “Island Peak” was coined by Eric Shipton in 1951 due to its appearance when viewed from a distance; it rises dramatically above the surrounding glacier, resembling a ship’s mast rising from the sea. This visual impact has contributed to its allure and popularity among climbers.
The climb is typically part of a broader trekking itinerary that includes acclimatization treks around the Everest region. Most climbers undertake a journey that starts in Kathmandu, followed by a flight to Lukla, and then a trek through the Khumbu Valley to base camp. This trek is not only a preparation for the ascent but also an opportunity to experience the rich Sherpa culture and stunning landscapes of the Himalayas.
The standard climbing route begins from the Island Peak Base Camp, which is usually set up at around 5,000 meters (16,404 feet). From base camp, climbers ascend to a high camp located at around 5,600 meters (18,372 feet). The route to the summit involves crossing a glacier, navigating a steep snow and ice slope, and eventually climbing a rock face to reach the summit. The final push to the summit involves a challenging but manageable climb with the use of fixed ropes.
The climbing conditions on Island Peak are generally less demanding than on some other Himalayan peaks, which makes it an excellent choice for those looking to advance their mountaineering skills. The peak does not require advanced technical climbing skills, but climbers should be proficient in the use of crampons and ice axes. The ascent typically involves a few days of acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness and to ensure climbers are physically prepared for the climb.
The summit of Island Peak offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan giants, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Nuptse. This spectacular scenery, combined with the sense of achievement from reaching the summit, provides a rewarding experience for climbers.Despite its relatively accessible nature, Island Peak is not without its challenges. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, with the potential for sudden storms and high winds. The physical demands of high-altitude climbing, combined with the technical aspects of the ascent, require climbers to be in good physical condition and to have a solid understanding of mountaineering techniques.
Overall, Island Peak remains a popular choice for climbers seeking to experience the thrill of high-altitude climbing in the Himalayas. It serves as an excellent introduction to peak climbing in this region, offering a rewarding adventure with stunning vistas and a manageable climbing route. The peak stands as a testament to the beauty and challenge of the Himalayas, providing an unforgettable experience for those who reach its summit.
As soon as you disembark in Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu, you will be received by the representative. About half an hour drive through the bustling streets of Kathmandu will convey you to the hotel. A brief explanation of the itinerary package will be followed by the welcome dinner which will be served in your honor.
Today after breakfast we will start the tour to Kathmandu including famous UNESCO world heritage sites. We will have a choice to do some preparation of trek starts next day morning. Overnight at Kathmandu.
It takes 30 minutes of pleasant flight through the mountains to make it to Tenzing- Hilary Airport at Lukla which is enlisted as the most dangerous airport in the world considering the location, altitude and topography. Once we land at the airport, we will get engaged in the thrilling trekking whereby we will take walk for about 3hours to arrive at Phakding Village where we will be staying overnight.
We will walk along the Dudh Kosi River and pass through Himalayan Pine and Deodar Cedar forests to make it to Namche Bazaar which is the hub of Everest Region. Namche Bazaar is the Trading Post in between Tibet and Nepal where salt, dried meat and other consumable and textile items are bartered. We will stay overnight in a guesthouse at Namche.
Acclimatizing is a necessary step that helps in synchronizing your body movements with the high altitude of Namche. Experts recommend a gentle walk for proper acclimatization. So we will walk freely through the busy market area of Namche. If you feel like exploring more, we can arrange a brief visit to Local Village around Namche that offers views of Everest and Lhotse among many other mountains.
A walk of about 5 hours begins with the path that overlooks mountains and wildlife views. We will descend to Kayangjuma and move through Sansa to cross the bridge at Dudhkoshi River which will take us to Phuki Thena. Bit further from Phukui Thena is located Tengboche which holds the largest Monastery in entire Khumbu Region.
Early in the morning, we will set out to observe the scenic views of Tobuche peak, Ama Dablam, Nuptse and other peaks. Later, we will walk past several pretty small settlements lined with chortens and Mani Walls to reach to Pangboche Village. To the north of Pangboche is located Pheriche which is a small Sherpa village with its diverse culture adjoining to Khumbu Glacier. We will stay overnight at Pheriche.
On 7th day, we will enter the Imja Valley. We will lower down to Lobuche River and choose the upward path to Dingboche. Proceeding further through the Khumbu Khola Valley, we will walk past Dusa to Phulung Karpo. The route offers the exotic views of majestic Pumori Mountain. We will cross the wooden bridge over the stream to Dugla and head to Chupki Lhara. Descending through the glacier, we will make it to Lobuche where we will enjoy the exotic views of Nuptse, Pumori, Khumbutse and several other mountains.
We will begin our trek by following the rocky path. We will enjoy the pleasant views of the pool of Khumbu glacier and icebergs. Crossing Thangma Riju, we will pass through Changri Glacier to Gorak Shep Lake where we will be staying overnight. Everest Base Camp is located nearer to Gorakshep Lake.
Early in the morning, we will begin our trek by walking back to Lobuche where we will take our first stop. From Lobuche, we will follow the rocky path to Dughla and later proceed further to Dingboche. We will stay overnight at Dingboche.
The trek begins early in the morning. We will walk along the valley before following the raised path. About 2hours of walk will be enough to take us to Chhukung Valley which is located at 4730m altitude. It is the valley that exists near to the base of Island Peak. We will stay overnight at Chhukung.
After having breakfast, we will climb from the southern edge of the valley and head east. We will follow the rocky terrain and arrive to the cross route through Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines. The trail will take us to Island Peak Base Camp where we will stay overnight.
We will hike further up to High Camp from the Island Peak Base Camp. It takes about 4hours of perilous ascent to take us to High camp of Island Peak. Once we reach to the high camp, we will begin the preparation for the next day to reach to the summit. We will stay overnight at the tented camp.
It is the day that we finally arrive to our ultimate destination. Once we conquer the summit, we will enjoy the gratifying views of Pumori(7161m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m), Lobuche (6145m), Cho Oyu (8201m) and then lower down to the Island Peak Base Camp where we will celebrate our victory and stay overnight in a camp.
After early breakfast, we will leave Island Peak and take a return trip to Pangboche. We will pass through the downward trail and pass the stream at few places over suspension bridge. Later we will arrive at Pangboche village where we will be staying overnight.
The next day, we will begin the downhill trek from Khumjung to Namche Bazaar (3440m). Namche is the beautiful place where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of nature. Enroute, we will visit the monasteries. We will stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.
The trek continues further downhill as we reach Lukla after almost seven hours of trek. We will be staying in Lukla for the rest of the day and prepare ourselves to board a flight back to Kathmandu the next day.
It takes 30minutes of scenic flight to take us back to Kathmandu. Once we arrive at the airport, we will drive through the busy streets of Kathmandu to reach to the hotel where we will stay overnight.
We hope you had a wonderful time with us. we will drop you to the airport for your final departure from Nepal. We wish to see you soon in future.
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