Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek 17 Days

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Upgrade your Lodging in Kathmandu and En route to EBC

On the 17 days long journey of our island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek, you will stay in a comfortable double room at a three-star hotel like Hotel Thamel Park or Hotel Manang for just USD 45 per night per traveler.

During the trekking portion, you will rest your tired bodies in cozy mountain lodges en route. However, if you wish to elevate your experience, then we also offer some fantastic upgrade options.

You can choose a single or double room in a four-star hotel in Kathmandu like Hotel Ramada, Hotel Shankar, or Hotel Yatri Suits for USD 95 per night per traveler.

Or, you can go all out with a five-star stay at places like Hotel Yak & Yeti, Hotel Radisson, and Hyatt Regency for just USD 150 per night per traveler.

These high-end hotels of Kathmandu offer you services such as a spa, 24-hour staff attendance, valet parking, in-house gyms, restaurants, AC suite rooms, and many more.

Likewise, in the Sherpa villages, you can also enjoy premium stays at Lukla, Phakding, and Namche at Yeti Mountain Home where you can immerse yourself in the luxurious comforts of a sauna, spa, Jacuzzi, and more in the midst of high Himalayan environment.

When in Debuche, you can go for the fabulous stay at Rivendell Lodge, and when in Dingboche, you can opt for the fantastically comfortable two nights in Hotel Bright Star in Dingboche.

If you are interested in these luxurious options, just let us know in advance, and we will turn your Himalayan climbing adventure into something truly special!

Helicopter Charter between Kathmandu and Lukla

We are also excited to present to you the fantastic chance to upgrade your trip between Kathmandu and Lukla with the exclusive and luxurious helicopter charter flight.

For a small extra fee, you can either choose to take a heli flight from Lukla to capital or from capital to Lukla. Or, you can go for the round way Heli flight too.

The thrilling charter heli flight will enable you to continue on with your Island peak climbing with EBC adventure even when the weather isn’t great or even if there is high air traffic in TIA.

It means you can skip the long waits, the early sleepless morning and you can surely forget about the crowded small aircraft. Plus, you can simply sit back and enjoy the grandeur of the high behemoths from the large personal windows.

And don’t forget, you can also fly directly from Gorakshep to Kathmandu by helicopter, so you won’t have to circle back the same trails.

Right Time for island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek

You can take part in our Island peak climbing with EBC trek any time of the year depending on your comfort, fitness, and experience level. But if you are a beginner and this is your first Himalayan peak in Nepal, it is best that you aim for the spring (March-April) or autumn (September-November) seasons.

These times are fantastic for enjoying the unique beauty of the Khumbu Valley. In spring, you can feel the cool air, see the blooming rhododendrons, and walk along the stunning natural landscape.

The thermometer also hovers around 16 to 17 degrees Celsius of mild heat, with longer days and clearer skies that reveal amazing mountain views.

Autumn, on the other hand, offers a different vibe with the warm colors of fallen leaves and a serene atmosphere around the monasteries. You can also engage in long-standing festivals like Mani Rimdu at Tengboche and Pangboche Monasteries.

Most importantly, these seasons provide the most constant and driest weather needed for any successful Himalayan expedition.

As for the winter climbing between December and February, you should be an experienced climber. The cold can be intense, and you need to know how to handle your gear in the thick snow.

As for the summer of June, July, and August, the heavy floods and landslides often isolate some villages of Khumbu so it is not the best time to climb.

Island peak climbing with EBC: Level of Difficulty

The Island Summit is rated as 2B according to the Alpine rating system. It means the way to the summit has some lengthy rocky sections and icy patches.

There are also short rock walls and ice slopes that can be as steep as 50°. When you compare it to Mera Peak, Island Peak is technically tougher. Additionally, to reach the peak, the usage of fixed ropes, jumar, carabiner, crampons, ice axe, and handrails may be needed as the climbers will have to ascend the summit ridge for about 200 meters with a 150-meter elevation gain.

Likewise, the glacier of the Island peak has become somewhat crooked and has modified a lot. There are ladders and railings set up, making the journey thrilling but definitely risky.

We can’t also forget about the Everest base camp trek and the climb up to Kala Patthar, which are both moderately tough. Plus, we also have to face the fearsome Kongma La Pass at 5,535 meters that we need to cross to get from Lobuche to Chhukung.

Thus, our island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek is surely challenging for which excellent physical health, strong mental resilience, and determination are needed.

Can a new climber engage in our island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek?

Island Peak will be the best choice for those who are new to climbing but not new to high-altitude trekking. If you have already taken the EBC trek or Annapurna circuit trek, you must have therefore tackled the jagged ridges and high mountain passes of around 4000 and 5000 m.

This makes you eligible to participate in our Island peak climbing with EBC trek as you will precisely know what the conditions will be when tackling the Kala Patthar and the Kongma La Pass.

As for climbing the Island Summit, if you have training in rock climbing, or possess some basic mountaineering skills such as using ice axes, rope walking, and harnesses, then you are a perfect candidate for our small expedition.

However, do not disappoint if you are not quite there yet as you will have the technical training at the base camp of the summit under the vigilant eyes of our skilled climbing guide.

And for those who have not started their trekking journey yet, we advise you to begin with the Everest Base Camp trek only. Then, you can progress to Island Peak climbing with Everest base camp trek.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

From the third day of our island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek, we will be above 3000 m elevation which will gradually increase ultimately concluding at the 6000 m mark of the Island summit.

We will be at and above 5000 m altitude for a few days and our maximum altitude of sleeping will be 5200 m at the base camp of the summit itself. Therefore, it is normal to feel some mild acute mountain sickness normally known as AMS or sickness of altitude.

To help everyone adjust, we have planned rest days at Namche and Dingboche followed by almost an entire day of regeneration at base camp before we attack the summit.

Even with these measures, however, you may still feel a bit tired, and experience muscle cramps, blurry vision, a bit irritated, and headache which are the starting signs of AMS.

If you start to notice any of these signs in you, make sure to tell our guide right away. He has not only full training but also experience and wisdom to handle such situations.

He may administer you Diamox for swift acclimatization or Ibuprofen for headaches. If you don’t feel your condition improving, then our guide may head you down to a lower altitude until you are properly adapted to the environment.

We always encourage our trekkers to stay hydrated by drinking at least 500 ml to 1 liter of water before each day’s hike. You should also pack extra water in your backpack for the journey.

Besides water, it is also important to maintain your sugar level and electrolyte balance so you can bring along some dried fruits and salty snacks too. You should also add lemon, honey, ginger, and garlic to your meals.

Training and Necessary preparation

The Island Peak and Everest Base Camp trek are both doable by beginners. However, when these two adventures are combined in one single trip along with the challenging Kongma La Pass, then the overall difficulty increases significantly.

So, it becomes very essential that you get ready before you set off for our Island peak climbing with EBC trek. If you think that you can handle more than you actually can, you may run into some difficult circumstances.

Thus, you should begin by figuring out what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can train effectively and boost your fitness. You should grab every chance of going on different hikes be it short or long.

Even if the weather is not favorable, you should encourage yourself to go hiking so you will be prepared for the mountains and their climate in Nepal.

If not possible, then you can hit the climbing gyms in your area and concentrate on enhancing your endurance. At home also, you can practice some moderate endurance workouts like squats, cycling, pull-ups, jogging, and push-ups.

You should not forget about mental prep too so consider meditation or yoga to help cultivate a good vibe and positive mindset.

Alternate Approach to island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek

If you are looking for a different approach to our Island peak climbing with EBC, you may want to skip the part of hiking to Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp.

This way, you can only concentrate on conquering the summit and you will also omit the necessity of overcoming the Kongma La Pass. This alternative approach will also cut down your hiking days and limit your time at high elevations.

If you are already a pro at climbing and searching for a more tougher challenge, then you can also approach the summit from its northern ridge. If you opt for this route, you will have to walk over the glaciers above the Imja Tse and Lhotse Shar.

It means you will need more technical skills to navigate over crevasses and sharp inclined slopes. Or, you can just go on with our suggested travel program and add three more days to explore the Gokyo Lakes.

Sleeping and Eating

When in Kathmandu, you will stay in the double sharing room of a fine three-star hotel such as Hotel Thamel Park, Hotel Manang, or such category.

During the trekking part, we will offer you the best mountain tea houses in all the overnight Sherpa Villages. When you reach the tent camp of the Island Peak, our company will offer you durable and wind-resisting tents (dining, sleeping, and latrine), mattresses, along with all the kitchen gear.

As for meal arrangements, you can look forward to breakfast in Kathmandu every morning and three meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) at the shelters en route.

During the climbing period, our kitchen team will take care of setting everything up for you and cooking your meals too.

Transportation

We will organize a private ride for your airport pick-ups and drop-off services between TIA and your lodging in Kathmandu. We will also handle your flight arrangements between Lukla and Kathmandu.

If there is a diversion to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, a private transfer will be ready for your 4-hour road journey.

Permits Required for the Island peak climbing with EBC

For island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek, we will need to get a permit to climb the summit from NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) which costs between USD 250 and USD 280 per climber.

On top of that, there is also a USD 500 garbage deposit that we will have to pay to NMA which will be refunded later as per their rules. We will also need a few other extra permits: one from the local municipality for the Khumbu area and another for Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park.

The costs have already been incorporated into our total package fee while all the paperwork will be handled by our guide.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive and proper travel insurance is a must for our island peak climbing with Everest base camp trek. Without your insurance policy copy, no obligatory permits will be provided to you.

Travel insurance is also very essential for your safety throughout the trip since there are various risks involved even for experienced climbers and hikers.

There are the chances of severe AMS, injuries, and accidents that may require helicopter evacuations that can be very pricey if you are not insured.

Plus high mountain conditions are often prone to rockfalls, blizzards, avalanches, and other natural calamities which can require search and rescue operations.

With travel insurance, you will be fully covered for all these unseen expenses. If something goes wrong, your insurer will look after all medical help, and transfers, and pay for everything from doctor visits to medications.

If you need to stay in the hospital but can’t fly home, they will also pay for your hotel. And, with added options, you can also secure yourself from theft, flight and trip postponement, and baggage and gear loss as well.