Island Peak Climbing

Namaste & welcome to Mountain Guide Trek of Nepal. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by a representative from Mountain guide Treks (MGT). After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Mountain Guide Treks and Expedition with the Group leader's name display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel. After check-in, if time allows, you will visit the MGT office to meet your trekking leader as well as other participants and for final preparation for the trip. It all depends upon your arrival time. (Overnight at deluxe hotel on BB basis)

Today there will be a pre-trip discussion with our trek & climbing guide and other team members. Mountain Guide Trek will brief you regarding your trek as well as we may have an opportunity to discuss any difficulties regarding our upcoming adventure. The rest of the time you could use it for traveling around the Thamel and shopping for needed equipment and other necessities. (Overnight at deluxe hotel on BB basis)

Early morning you'll be transferred to a domestic airport to fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft). It takes 35 minutes scenic flight to Lukla airport (2,800m/9,184ft) and you will have a tea break, while the guide sort out and divide the load baggage to be carried by porters. The guide will manage the lunch place depending upon the time of arrival at Lukla. The trek starts with a most scenic view of Numbur Himal & Phari. We further on to Phakding passing some Sherpa farm villages. We follow the trail to Dudhkoshi River gradual with a few ups from Thado Koshi, where you can have lunch with a superb view of Kusum-Kangaru (6369m) crossing a short suspension bridge, from here after a short climb brings us to the Ghat village, another 1 ½ hr of gradual walk brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop at the lodge after 3-4 hrs walk and reminder stroll around the village for local knowledge. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

The trek starts in the morning and after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with a few short uphill and downhill and re-crossing the same river again with a magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6608m) from the Benkar village. Trek continues crossing the bridges and reaches Monjo where is the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking permit is checked and keeps the record of all trekkers going to and from this place including the local trekking staff as well. When enter the National park boundary we descend and a gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river, after the bridge Jorsalle village is reached, the last village till Namche Bazaar, from here the walk is pleasant on the river bed till the last bridge over the Imja Tse river is reached, from here the walk is along the winding uphill path to Namche Bazaar, with a magnificent view of Kwangde peak and its other sister peaks towards the east with Kusum Kangaru on the back as you climb higher, view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and the closer view of Tawache peak can be seen from some part on the way to Namche. Finally, we reach colorful houses called Namche Bazaar main gate of the Khumbu region after a 5-6 hrs walk. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

You may have a full day of leisure today for the acclimatization or stroll around the market if Saturday can be seen many people Saturday market for shopping to fulfill their daily needs and only one shopping market in the surrounding areas. Also, you can visit Sherpa Museum as well a great place to learn about Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering, or visit the luxury Everest view hotel & Syangboche airstrip and stroll back to the hotel overnight. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

After strolling around the Namche, today we refreshed, and fairly easy to walk further on. Our walk follows on the gradual path up to Sanasa overlooking magnificent views of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kwangde peak. We descend to Imja Tse River at Phungithanga, a small settlement with a couple of tea houses. The trail leads uphill through the forested path of silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron, and some few magnolia and birch trees get to Tyangboche after a total of 5-6 hrs walk. This is one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Gumba, then the large field with campsites and tea houses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards northeast and more peaks all around you. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

Today start our trek with a pleasant walk and descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper, and rhododendron and coming to a lovely spot at Deboche 3,650 m with a magnificent view of mountains and past the long prayer Mani wall, the path is gradual up to the Pangboche village, from here onwards the lush vegetation and tree lines vanish we enter the right valley of Pheriche for the overnight. It takes 4-5 hrs walk and during the walk may get wind and better to start early. Pheriche has the Himalayan Rescue Association and can visit there anyway after 3 pm. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

Today the trail diverts towards the north, the path is gradual for about an hour as you come to the bottom of the hill wherefrom we start to climb. After a pleasant walk through the ridge will reach Thukla, an hour steep up brings you to the top, where you can view Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest, the spot here is a good place for a few minutes break after the strenuous climb, close to this spot you can also see several memorials of the unfortunate climber's monuments, who died in expeditions around the mountain of this region. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

This early morning we head towards the Gorekshep valley and check in to the hotel. After the breakfast at Gorekshep, we were ready for our adventure to the targeted destination and we continue our trek towards the Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Icefall, the path from here can be misleading, follow the lead Sherpa, every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier, the walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. Everest Base Camp is lively with commotion during the high expedition season. It takes 2-3 hrs to get to base camp and after a grand time here retrace the journey back to Gorekshep. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

Early morning our journey continue steep climb to the top after a 2-hour walk at our pace. After reaching the top, you will feel beaming as you achieve the moment that you have been dreaming, of since the beginning of the journey. Top of Kalapathar is a small rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Mt. Pumori, the view from here is beyond imagination as the Everest looks amazing, the panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish, and you feel it's worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world, and can be seen to the south Khumbu glacier sweeps below you, and you can also see the Everest Base camp down below on the moraine of Khumbu glacier and a lot of picturesque scenery. Stroll back to Gorekshep and re-track to Dingboche.  (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

Today, we have a very short day walk and after breakfast, we head further eastern side to 3-4 hrs gentle uphill will reach Chhukung, which is a hidden valley near the base of Island peak. We'll have a full day's rest at the Chhukung and the last place to prepare the camping and check-up climbing gear. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

Today, we head further on to our journey with a steep way climbing the southern part and then turning east to the mainline of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Continue short pleasant walking along a streamside that leads to what we call Big -rock. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. We'll reach Island peak base camp after a 4-5 hrs walk. (Overnight at tented camp on full board basis)

After breakfast and packed camping stuff, we'll head on to the High camp from where we start our climb. Firstly the path leads up beyond base camp for several hundred meters before striking off left up the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder-strewn. As you climb the hill, you will see that the slope narrows and the path enter a steep rock channel nearby where we'll, (Overnight at tented camp on full board basis)

Today is, the day of our destination and as start our climb early morning through the rock gully. This is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridgeline, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty, to a 100m/330ft snow and ice slope (40-45º) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. You can enjoy with success and brave to get a summit and after some picture taking of scenic view will descend to Chhukung. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

This day we most kept for the reserve day for the unforeseen condition as weather problems or weakness then you can take this day as your reserve day and if earlier back then you can take the rest somewhere else around. (Overnight at tea house or tented camp on full board basis)
 

The walk today will be easy heading downhill to a lower elevation from Chhukung the walk is pleasant to Tyangboche. After the Dingboche valley and getting down to the bridge our route descends following the stream towards Pangboche village, and further down to Tyangboche is one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Gumba, then the large field with campsites and tea houses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards the northeast and more peaks all around you. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)
 

Trek down to Phungithanka a small settlement with a couple of tea houses. The trail leads downhill through the forested path of silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron, and some few magnolia and birch trees with great memories after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river trek onwards to the Sanasa and re-track to Namche Bazaar. (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)
 

After a long walk today we'll have a long and last day trek back to Lukla, Firstly we descend the long way before crossing the bridge and further walk to Monju and ten Phakding for lunch. We trek back enjoying the lush green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village. Arrive in Lukla and you'll have time to stroll around the areas the guide will re-confirm your flight ticket and enjoy the last celebration dinner with your crew member.  (Overnight at tea house on full board basis)

The flight time to Kathmandu, are scheduled for the morning normally, but because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. Anyway, we will fly back to Kathmandu and your guide will transfer to the hotel. You may have time to relax after a long journey and take back your breath. (Overnight at deluxe hotel on BB basis)

Today is the last day in Nepal for this trip; you are saying goodbye to the mountains as the journey in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight a representative from Mountain Guide Treks will take you to the airport.

(Useful Info:- Please note that often the Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu flight gets delayed by a few hours or may even be canceled for one, two, or more days due to bad weather conditions. Such conditions may happen even in the best seasons. Therefore, in such cases, you must be prepared for long waits both at Kathmandu or Lukla airports, as this can happen either at the start or end of the trek or even both! We do our extreme to avoid such delays and fix you on the next flight. Still, we suggest you be prepared for possible delays/cancellations, and if possible come with some extra buffer days (1-2 days) at the end of the trip to accommodate such delays. We also organize Heli rescue in such conditions, if it's available and upon request by our clients. In case, the flight delay/cancellation happens at the start of the trip and it goes so long that it disturbs your onward travel schedule, you are free to choose an alternative trip: such as a trek and Climb in the Annapurna, Langtang, or any other regions. If you are not interested in the alternative trip and would rather wait for the trip, you are welcome to wait in Kathmandu for as many days as it takes to get a flight to Lukla)