Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing

On the first day of the Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Climbing Trek, you will arrive in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel. 

After settling at your hotel, you will attend a pre-trek briefing where our guide will provide you with all the necessary information about the trek. They will also check your trekking equipment and ensure that you have everything you need for the trek. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and clarify any doubts about the trek.

On this day you will embark on a scenic sightseeing tour of the historical Kathmandu City with your tour guide. The tour begins with a visit to Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, located atop the hill. You will climb the 300+ steps to reach the top, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. Swayambhunath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sacred Buddhist temple that dates back to the 5th century.

Next, you will embark on a short drive towards Bouddha to witness the largest spherical Stupa in the world of Boudhanath. It is a sacred Buddhist site and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. Afterward, you will drive towards Pashupatinath, a revered Hindu site in the entire country. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world for Hindus.

If time permits, you will also explore a few of the other UNESCO heritage sites around Kathmandu City, like the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is a historical site and houses the ancient royal palace of the Malla and Shah Kings of Nepal. 

You will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, which is the starting point of your trek. The flight to Lukla is an adventure in itself as the small plane takes off from the Kathmandu airport and flies over the breathtakingly beautiful Himalayan mountain range, providing stunning views of the snow-capped peaks. After landing at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, you will meet your trekking crew and start your trek towards Phakding. 

You will also pass through the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard. After around 3-4 hours of trekking, you will reach the small village of Phakding, where you will spend the night at a teahouse. You can explore the village and interact with the friendly locals, who are known for their hospitality and unique culture. 

 

You will trek from Monjo to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is a bustling market town and the gateway to the Everest region. As you trek, you will be surrounded by the beautiful Himalayan mountain range, including peaks like Thamserku and Ama Dablam.

After around 5-6 hours of trekking, you will reach Namche Bazaar, where you will spend the night at a teahouse. Namche Bazaar is a vibrant and lively town with many shops, restaurants, and bakeries. 

You will take a rest day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize to the altitude. This is an important day as it allows your body to adjust to the high altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Namche Bazaar is a lively town with plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants, so you can spend the day exploring the town and soaking up the local culture.

You can also take a short hike to the nearby villages to get some exercise and enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalayas. In the evening, you can attend a traditional Sherpa cultural show to learn more about the local customs and traditions.

Must-visit attraction in Namche Bazaar is the Namche Monastery, also known as the Thami Monastery. This ancient monastery is believed to be over 300 years old and is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region. The monastery houses several sacred relics and offers a peaceful atmosphere for meditation and reflection.

As we leave Namche Bazaar, we will walk along a trail that offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. We will also pass through forests of rhododendron and pine trees, which are home to various species of wildlife, including the musk deer and the Himalayan thar.

After walking for a few hours, we will reach the village of Phunki Tenga, where we will stop for lunch. We will then cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and begin our ascent towards Tengboche. Tengboche is a small but picturesque village that is home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, which is one of the largest and most important monasteries in the region. The monastery is also the spiritual center of the Khumbu region, and it is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at the tea house and retire for the night, as we prepare for the next day's trek towards Pheriche.

 

After having breakfast at your tea house in Tenboche, you will start trekking towards Pangboche village. You will cross the Imja River and then ascend towards the village. This village is known for its ancient monastery, which is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region.

After exploring the monastery and the village, you will then head towards the small settlement of Shomare, where you can take a short break and have some refreshments. From Shomare, the trail descends to the river and then climbs up to the village of Orsho. From Orsho, you will continue your trek towards Pheriche. The trek will take you through beautiful rhododendron forests and past several small villages. You will also have stunning views of the Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge.

After a good night's sleep in Pheriche, we will take a rest day to acclimatize properly. It is crucial to take these rest days to let our bodies adjust to the high altitude and prevent altitude sickness. On this day, we will go for a short hike to a higher elevation and then descend back down to sleep at the same elevation as the previous night. This helps our bodies to adjust to the altitude gradually.

Pheriche is a great place for acclimatization as there are many hiking options to choose from. One popular option is to hike up to Nagarjun Hill (5,083m), which offers spectacular views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Makalu, and other nearby peaks. During our acclimatization day, we will also have the opportunity to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic, where we can learn more about altitude sickness and its prevention.

On this day we will leave Pheriche and start our trek towards Lobuche. The trail gradually climbs up and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We will cross the Khumbu Khola river and pass through Dughla before reaching a steep uphill climb towards the Khumbu Glacier moraine. The trail can be challenging at times, but the breathtaking scenery will make it all worth it.

Along the way, we will come across several memorials of climbers who lost their lives attempting to summit Everest. The most prominent of these memorials is the one dedicated to Scott Fischer, a well-known mountaineer who perished during the 1996 Everest disaster.

The village offers stunning views of the Khumbu Glacier and the surrounding peaks, including Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega. We will spend the night at a teahouse in Lobuche, preparing ourselves for the next day's trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp. This day's trek is relatively short compared to the previous days, allowing us to acclimatize to the altitude and take in the breathtaking scenery.

The trek to Gorakshep will take us approximately 3-4 hours, and the trail will be challenging with some steep uphill sections. Once we reach Gorakshep, we will drop off our bags at the lodge and continue on to Everest Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of 5,364m/17,598ft. The trail from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp is relatively flat but can be strenuous due to the high altitude.

When we arrive at Everest Base Camp, we will be rewarded with stunning views of the Khumbu Icefall and surrounding mountains. We will have some time to explore the area and take photographs before heading back to Gorakshep for the night. Once we return to Gorakshep, we will have dinner and spend the night at the lodge, preparing for our next day's adventure.

The trek to Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep is around 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) and takes about 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace and level of fitness. While the distance may not seem very long, the altitude and terrain make the trek challenging. The ascent to Kala Patthar involves a gradual incline at the beginning, but becomes steep and more strenuous as you near the top. The descent back to Gorak Shep is also steep in some sections, and requires caution to avoid slipping on loose rocks or gravel.

The trek to Lobuche is relatively easier, with a gentle ascent and descent along the trail. However, the altitude can make it more challenging for some trekkers, so it's important to take breaks and drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.

Leaving Lobuche village behind, trek will begin their descent from the moraines and make their way towards Kongma La Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in the Everest region, standing at an elevation of 5535m.

Crossing the Khumbu Glacier, trekkers will begin their uphill climb towards Kongma La Pass, which can be quite challenging to cross. However, the stunning views of the surrounding mountains from the top, including the ChhukungRi (5550m) and Chhukung Glacier, make the effort well worth it.

After soaking in the beauty of the surroundings and taking some well-deserved rest at the pass, trekkers will begin their descent along the snowy and rocky trail to reach Chhukung village, which is located at the base of the ChhukungRi.

You'll begin your ascent up the steep southeast trail that leads to the entrance of the Chhukung Valley. The climb is steep, but the stunning views of the surrounding mountains make it worth the effort. 

As you continue trekking along the path, you'll come across a turn that leads to the Amphu Lapcha Pass, which has an altitude of 5,845 meters. However, you'll take a different route and head north towards the Lhotse glacier moraines. As you trek towards the Lhotse glacier moraines, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountains that surround you, including Lhotse and Ama Dablam.

The trail can be rocky and uneven, so it's important to watch your footing and take things slowly. After a short distance from the Lhotse glacier moraines, you'll arrive at the Island Peak Base Camp. The Island Peak Base Camp is a remote and peaceful place, surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Himalayas. The evening is spent resting and acclimatizing to the altitude, as well as enjoying a warm meal prepared by our experienced sherpa team.

Today is the big day, and you will make your way to the summit of Island Peak. You will wake up early, at approximately 2 am, and have a hearty breakfast to fuel your body for the challenging climb ahead. Afterward, you will prepare your backpack and gear and begin the climb towards the summit.

The initial ascent is relatively easy, and you will make good progress towards the peak. However, as you get closer to the top, the trail becomes steeper, and you may encounter difficulties crossing the numerous crevasses on the glacier. Your experienced guide will assist you in navigating the challenging terrain and ensure your safety at all times.

The trail continues along a ridgeline towards the exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but the stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, including the Mt. Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), and Makalu (8475m), make it all worth it. As you reach the top, you can relish in the magnificent sights of the pristine Himalayan peaks that surround you. The panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers is truly awe-inspiring and makes all the effort and hard work worthwhile.

After spending some time at the summit, you will begin your descent back towards Chhukung village. The descent can be challenging, and you will need to be careful and take your time to avoid any accidents. You will use your trekking poles to support yourself and take frequent breaks to rest and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains.