Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350 M) and transfer to hotel
You will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport and be welcomed by one of our representatives. He will guide you to your hotel. In the evening, you will meet with a tour guide in the hotel lobby. He will brief you about the day 2 program.
Day 02: Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trek preparation
You will go on a guided sightseeing tour to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will visit one of the holiest temples of Hindus, the Pashupatinath temple. Nearby this temple is located the largest in Nepal, Boudhanath stupa. After visiting these places, you will head to Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening, you will meet with your guide who will brief you about the trekking program.
Day 03: Drive to Manthali, fly to Lukla (2840 M) & trek to Phakding (2652 M)
In the early morning around 2-3 am, you will take a 4 hours drive to Manthali Airport, Ramechap with your guide. And after breakfast, take a short thrilling flight to Lukla where the rest of the staff will be waiting for you. This flight offers magnificent views of the Himalayas. From Lukla, you will trek to Phakding village through the forested trail passing through numerous Sherpa villages mainly Cheplung, and Nurning with a superb view of Mt. Khumbila, Kongde, etc.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazar (3440 M)
After having breakfast, you will head towards Namche Bazar. On the way, you will pass by several villages like Jorsale and Monjo. Monjo is the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park. From here, you will trek through the national park crossing several small streams, rivers, alpine woods, and small settlements. After crossing the last bridge, you will ascend all the way to Namche Bazar. Upon reaching Namche Bazar, you will be welcomed with excellent views of Mt. Thamserku (6623 M) and Kongdi Ri Himal (5115 M).
Day 05: Acclimatization day and explore around Namche Bazar
Today is an acclimatization day in Namche Bazar. You will spend the day exploring the village and its nearby areas. You will wake up early and go on a hike to Syangboche Airstrip or Everest View Hotel for a stunning view of Mt. Everest (8848 M) and the surrounding mountains. Later in the day, you will visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery.
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3870 M)
Today, the trail will take you to the largest and oldest monastery in the Khumbu region, the Tengboche monastery. After having breakfast, you will trek towards Phungki Tenga which will be our lunch camp. From Phungki Tenga, you will ascend to Tengboche through the huge Rhododendron forest with an opportunity to encounter the wildlife. Later in the evening, you will visit the Tengboche monastery where you will have deep insight into the culture of the locals. Moreover, from the back of the monastery, fantastic views of Mt. Everest (8848 M), Mt. Ama Dablam (6812 M), and many other mountains can be seen.
Day 07: Trek to Pheriche (4240 M)
With the Himalayas resting behind, a short morning visit to the monastery in Tengboche is a perfect thing to do after breakfast. Then, you will descend for about half an hour through a forest before crossing a river and trekking uphill. You will walk past a traditional Sherpa village of Pangboche before reaching Pheriche, a beautiful village at the edge of a river where you can see a small helipad used for helicopter rescues during emergencies. You can take a class with a mountain specialist in a medical clinic at Pheriche.
Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4920 M)
After breakfast, you will start with an easy walk towards Dugla then up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, and ascend Chupki Lhara. You can see stones with prayer flags representing the memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 10-time Everest summiteer Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese mountain guide) who died while climbing Everest. The trail then continues to the Khumbu Glacier moraine with impressing views of peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal.
Day 09: Trek to Gorak Shep (5160 M) and hike to Everest Base Camp (5340 M) and back to Gorak Shep
In the morning, you will begin trekking towards the lap of the world's highest mountain, Mt. Everest. The trail gradually ascends following a rugged path. On the way, you will get to see an amazing view of the Khumbu glacier. You will arrive in Gorakshep, have lunch, and hike to Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching EBC, you will observe the irresistible landscape and numerous snow-capped mountains. After spending some time at the base camp, descend to Gorak Shep.
Day 10: Early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5545 M) and trek to Lobuche (4940 M)
You will take an early morning hike to Kala Patthar for the amazing 360-degree views of the Himalayas. The viewpoints offer a stunning view of Everest (8848 M), Nuptse (7861 M), Lhotse (8516 M), Khumbutse (6636 M), and many other peaks of the Khumbu region. Then, you will hike back to Gorakshep and continue trekking down to Lobuche.
Day 11: Trek to Chhukung (4730 M) via Kongma La pass (5535 M)
Early in the morning, you will start your trek to Chhukhung via Khongma-La Pass (5535 M), cross the Khumbu Glacier, and continue to gradually ascend towards Kongma-La Pass. The top of the pass provides magnificent views of different Himalayan ranges. After spending some time, you will descend to Chhukhung passing by several small lakes.
Day 12: Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5200 M)
Today, the trek to Island Peak Base Camp will be on a vertical trail. You will climb south then turn east to the mainline of the valley then walk on a zigzag path below the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Next, you will continue walking on a smooth trail along a rivulet. The route to the Amphu Labtsa lies to the southeast. A crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines will lead you to the base camp of Island Peak.
Day 13: Island Peak Base Camp to Island Peak summit (6189 M)and back to Base Camp
After having breakfast, you will start the climb around 1 am to reach the summit before noon because the wind current is strong afterward. The trail continues past the base camp for several hundred meters before the steep hillside. The path soon turns to grass before becoming rocky. As you climb uphill, the slope narrows and the trail enters a steep rocky area. You will then climb the narrow rock gorge which is not difficult, but there will be several short steps to climb before reaching the right side. The route then follows a ridgeline, which takes you to a thrilling traverse onto the summit glacier then a steep slope will lead us to the summit ridge. Both fixed rope and man rope will be used for the climb. You will use a fixed rope after successfully climbing on rock. Recently, two crevasses have been formed approximately 3 and 4 meters long and you will use ladders to cross them. After spending some time enjoying the summit views and taking pictures, descend back to Island Peak Base Camp where you will celebrate the successful climb with all the team.
Day 14: Contingency day for summit in case of bad weather
Bad weather can result in withdrawing from the summit climb because it is very dangerous. We would like to keep 1 day as a contingency day.
Day 15: Trek to Pangboche (3985 M)
Today, the trek will be easier as well be descending down to low altitudes. The trail will pass through the wide valley of Khumbu along with beautiful Sherpas like Orsho and Shomare. If you want, you can also take a different trail to visit a Gompa in Upper Pangboche which is one of the oldest in the whole Khumbu region.
Day 16: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 M)
After breakfast, you will trek down to the Imja Khola and to Tengboche through the forest. You will take lunch at Tengboche and could visit the monastery if you would like. Then you continue through the lush forest of rhododendron and juniper. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending through the pine forests till Sansa. After passing a Chorten, you will reach Namche Bazaar.
Day 17: Trek to Lukla (2800 M)
From here, you will trek through a forested trail and pass by small villages to reach Monjo. Then, you will begin descending steeply and cross a suspension bridge. Further, the trail will pass by colorful prayer flags, chortens, mani walls, and small gompas. Trekking through lush forests of pine & rhododendron, small villages, and crossing various streams, you will reach Lukla.
Day 18: Fly to Manthali and drive Kathmandu (1350 M)
In the morning, you will fly back to Manthali after a delicious breakfast and then drive to Kathmandu.
Day 19: Extra day in case of flight cancellation due to bad weather
In the case of flight cancelation or delay due to various unexpected circumstances like bad weather, political strike, or natural calamities, we always keep one extra day as a security/reserve day.
Day 20: Final departure
You will have breakfast and check-out of the hotel as per your flight time. One of the members of our company will drop you at the airport and bid you our last goodbye to you.
