About Island Peak

Island Peak, also known as Imja Tse, is a popular climbing destination in the Everest region. The peak lies in the upper region of Khumbu and at the heart of the Himalayas and Sherpa villages. It is considered a beginner's peak. This makes it suitable for climbers looking for a simple, easy climb as well as an introduction to Sherpa culture.

Your adventure starts with arrival in Kathmandu, where time is spent exploring the city and securing necessary permits and equipment. The next day you will take a short flight to Lukla, the starting point of the trek. The trek begins with a 3-4 hours walk from Lukla to Phakding, followed by a trek to Namche Bazaar, a famous Sherpa town, where you will spend an extra day acclimatizing and visiting nearby villages and landmarks as well as exploring Sherpa culture and customs. You will get to visit the famous Everest View Hotel, from where you can get an amazing view of Everest, Ama Dablam, and a few other mountains. The route continues through Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche, with gradual acclimatization at Dingboche.

Your trail follows a path similar to that of the Everest Base Camp. In fact, in this trek you will get to visit the EBC on your way before climbing Island Peak. As with EBC trek, the trail gradually climbs through rugged landscapes, with paths winding alongside the Dudh Koshi River rivers and through small charming villages and farms. As you reach higher, the landscape transforms from lush greenery to rocky terrain, with snow-covered mountains and icy expanses becoming more prominent. The air grows crisper, and the views become increasingly spectacular, with majestic mountains like Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse coming into view.

Before reaching the base camp of Island Peak, you will take a quick hike to Kala Patthar and the Everest Base Camp, both places which offer you different views of the tallest mountain on earth. After enjoying these views, you will head back to Lobuche. The next day you will go to Chhukung and the day after that you will reach Island Base Camp, upon which you will start preparing for your climb. The following day you will summit this beautiful peak. The base camp serves as the starting point for the climb, where climbers spend time practicing essential skills such as ice axe use and rope techniques. The climb to the summit involves navigating rocky trails, crossing glaciers, and ascending steep sections with the help of fixed ropes. The summit attempt starts early in the morning, with climbers reaching the top in a few hours to experience breathtaking views of Everest and surrounding peaks. The final ascent is challenging, requiring determination and careful effort, but the reward is unmatched—a panoramic vista of some of the highest peaks in the world, stretching as far as the eye can see. The sense of accomplishment at the top, combined with the serene beauty of the surrounding mountains, makes every step of the climb worthwhile.

After summiting, the descent follows pretty much the same route back through Chukkung, Lobuche, Pangboche, Namche Bazaar, and finally Lukla, from where you take a short flight back to Kathmandu before heading toward your main destination.