Island Peak Climbing is an expedition of glacier travel, snow and ice climbing and trekking in the Khumbu region which goes through some tiny ethnic Sherpa villages with Sagarmatha National Park.
Climbing Island Peak also known as Imja Tse offers a great opportunity to experience the worlds’ impressive mountain range allowing high altitude climbing and create unforgettable memories. It can bring energy and enthusiasm for you to attempt other technical mountain climbing in the Himalaya. So, it is considered to be the climbing peak for beginners.
Maximum Altitude: 6189m / 20305 feet
Technical Level: Trekking Peak
Climb Duration: 1 Day
Location: Khumbu Region, Nepal
Best Time: March to May and September to November
Day 1: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding
Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Day 3: Acclimatization day
Day 4: Trek to Tengboche
Day 5: Trek to Dingboche
Day 6: Trek to Lobuche
Day 7: Trek to EBC via Gorakshep
Day 8: Hike to Kalapathar and back to Lobuche
Day 9: Trek to Chhukkung via Kongma La Pass (5540 m)
Day 10: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp
Day 11: Climbing Island Peak Base Camp and back to Base Camp
Day 12: Contingency day
Day 13: Descent to Pangboche from Island Peak Base Camp
Day 14: Descent to Namche Bazaar from Pangboche
Day 15: Descent to Lukla from Namche Bazaar
Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu
The adventure comes to end in the 14 days from the trip beginning as you fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla. While the trip actually begins from Kathmandu to Lukla flight from where your trek begins. On the second day, you will arrive at Namche Bazaar – the biggest Sherpa town in the region where you will spend 2 nights for acclimatization and exploration of the local markets and their lifestyle just getting familiar with the locals.
By continuing the trek, you trek moves towards EBC and Kalapathar (the best viewpoint of the Everest) passing few sherpa villages. Meanwhile, you get to enjoy the marvelous view of Ama Dablam mountain. The trip also includes Everest trekking just to ensure you are ready to endure and challenge the high altitude. Subsequently, you will get to experience wonderful moments just close to the Mt. Everest (8848m), and other skyscraper worlds tallest mountains. In between the trail, you will spend your overnight at Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep village. Meanwhile, you will be preparing for your Island Peak Climbing adventure of the high altitude.
After trekking in Everest Base Camp and hiking Kalapathar, you will cross a high alpine pass – Kongma La enjoying the stunning view and reach Chhukkung village. Kongma La Pass is among the 3 highest passes in the Everest region.
Throughout the trekking, you will be staying at teahouses. A teahouse is that which serves basic foods and accommodation. Most of them look traditional and monastic communities.
All accommodation is on a twin-shared basis while sometimes you need to stay in the dormitory in case of a lack of the required rooms. Tea houses also provide a single supplement on an additional cost, but it is hard to get a single room above Namche Bazaar.
In the teahouses, you often get limited meal options to choose from. You can taste Nepali foods, Indian Continental as well as continental cuisine. If you go through any tour operator, most of them provide one menu item only.
Although it is considered to be a non-technical peak, the altitude of and steep wall at the end of the peak is a challenge for the climbers. But, basic mountaineering and rope handling techniques along with good physical fitness are required to attempt for climbing the Island Peak.
With the change of time, Island Peak Climbing has been a little bit technical because of the recession of Glacier. Hence, you can experience the bad impact of Global Warming here in the Island Peak.
No, you can’t see the top of Mt Everest from the Island Peak summit as it is covered behind Mt Lhotse. Nevertheless, you will have an awesome view of Mera peak, Ama Dablam and Lhotse.
You can trek in the Everest region at any time. There is no restriction if you are entering the region legally. But climbing a high altitude peak is different as it brings safety concern as well. Harsh weather conditions might be uncomfortable and challenging for those who are trekking in EBC while it could be horrible for Island peak climbers. Hence, it is best if you plan the trip for the best time and for Island Peak Climbing, the safe and best time are September to November and March to May.
During this time, the weather becomes clear; you will find pleasure temperature with most of the Sunny days.
In addition, you may also like to know the best time to travel to Nepal.
Before beginning the trip, one should prepare the required packing list for the trip. Considering on Island Peak Climbing, you should bring both trekking and climbing equipment for Island Peak Climbing.
For a detail list of trekking gears, click here.
Here is a list of personal climbing gears:-
Here are a few lists of questions and answers related to Island Peak Climbing:-
The height of Island Peak is 6189 m above the sea level.
It can be achieved in 10 days. However, I don’t suggest it because of the risk of high altitude. In order to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you can add trekking to Everest and have proper acclimatization days, which will lengthen the trip to 15 days.
Yes, you need trekking and climbing permit to climb Island Peak. By the way, all peaks of Nepal requires a permit to climb. In order to obtain Island Peak permit, you need to go through an authorized trekking or climbing agency who is a member of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Definitely, it is a must as you are climbing above 6000 m because there is a risk of altitude sickness. So, you are required to have proper insurance that covers emergency helicopter rescue evacuation.
It costs around $3000 USD to climb Island Peak as you need to hire a climbing guide and take a permit to summit this peak. But these all depends upon the package offered by the agency. Without obtaining Island Peak Climbing permit, you can not go to the summit of this peak and to obtain the permit, you should go through a climbing agency.
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