EXPEDITION:
ISLAND PEAK WITH EVEREST BASE CAMP

Island Peak, now officially known as Imja Tse, rises to 6,189 metres above sea level. The southwest summit of Imja Tse was first reached in 1953 during a British expedition that used the climb as a training exercise before their historic ascent of Mount Everest. Our 19-day expedition is tailored for those with prior mountain experience, as the climb is both challenging and demanding. Island Peak presents a superb choice for experienced climbers, offering breathtaking views from the summit that make the effort truly rewarding.

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Kathmandu, Monjo, Namche Bazar, Debouche, Dingbouche, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, Gorak Shep, Kalapatthar, Chhunkung, Island Peak Base Camp, Island Peak Summit, Chhunkung, Namche Bazar, Kathmandu

19 Days

START YOUR ADVENTURE

FROM: £2,450

DURATION: 14 Days

GROUP SIZE: 10 people max

DIFFICULTY: 4

MAX ELEVATION: 5,545m

DAY 1-2

Kathmandu

After arriving at Kathmandu airport, a member of our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, where you will spend your first night.
This afternoon, you will have time to shop in Kathmandu if you need to pick up any last-minute items.
In the evening, you will join us for a welcome dinner and meet your guide for the first time. During dinner, your guide will review the route you will be embarking on.
Those staying an extra night will have an included tour of the UNESCO sites.

DAY 2-3

Lukla > Monjo: 2,652m/8,700ft - 12.5km / 4 to 5 hours

Today, you will fly to Lukla Airport, famously known as the most dangerous airports in the world! You'll start your day early with a bus ride to either Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
Upon arrival, you'll meet the rest of the team, including additional porters and guides, and enjoy some tea and coffee together.
From there, we'll pass through the National Luminary Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate, marking the beginning of our trekking route.
We'll stop for lunch in Phakding and then continue on to Monjo, where we'll spend the night.

Monjo > Namche Bazar: 3,440m /11,286ft - 7.5km/ 4 to 6 hours

Today, after breakfast, we'll depart around 8 am for another day of trekking. Our destination is Namche Bazaar, renowned for being home to the highest pub in the world!
The trail today will be a bit more undulating as we enter the stunning Sagarmatha National Park.

DAY 3-4

DAY 4-5

Namche Acclimatisation

Today, you will wake up at a leisurely time and then head to the Everest View Hotel for your acclimatisation day. This will take a couple of hours. You will stop there for coffee and enjoy the wonderful views.
The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore Namche Bazaar.

DAY 5-6

Today, we will hike to Debouche. Along the way, we will pass through Tengbouche, which is home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region.
After visiting Tengbouche, we will descend into Debouche, where we will spend the night.

Namche > Debouche: 3.820m/12,660ft - 12km / 6 hours

DAY 6-7

Debouche > Dingbouche: 4,410m / 14,468ft - 10km/ 5 to 6 hours

After breakfast, we will embark on today’s trek from Debouche to Dingbouche.
Our route will take us through Pangbouche, where we will pause for a coffee break or lunch.
As we continue our ascent, you may begin to feel the effects of the altitude, which is completely normal.
Upon reaching Dingbouche, we will settle in and spend the next two nights here, allowing time to acclimatise and enjoy the surroundings.

DAY 7-8

Dingbouche Acclimatisation

Today, we will stay in Dingbouche, enjoying a slightly more leisurely morning. We will then hike up to Nangkartshang Peak for acclimatisation.
This ascent should take around two to three hours (5,100m) and will offer incredible views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains.
In the afternoon, feel free to explore the coffee shops and other local shops in Dingbouche.

DAY 8-9

Dingbouche > Lobuche: 4,910m/16,105ft - 12km / 5-6 hours

Today's walk will take us from Dingbouche to Lobuche. Initially, the trek will be relatively easy and flat with a few undulations.
We will stop for lunch or coffee before ascending a steep hill. At the top, we will visit the Everest Memorial Ground, which honours those who lost their lives trying to climb Everest.
From there, we will continue gradually until we reach Lobuche, where we will spend the night.

DAY 9-10

Lobuche > Gorak Shep > Everest Base Camp: 4,210m/13,809ft - 12km / 7 hours

Today is the big day!
We will start by walking from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, which will take around 3-4 hours.
After filling up with a good lunch, we'll continue on to Everest Base Camp. We'll take a ridge walk towards the camp, moving slowly and carefully—there's no need to rush.
Congratulations! We've made it to Everest Base Camp.
We'll stop to take photos to commemorate your incredible achievement. This is a moment to be really proud of.
Then, we'll head back towards Gorak Shep for the night. It's been a long day, and you may feel tired, hungry, and possibly experience altitude sickness, but this is very normal. You'll sleep well tonight!

DAY 10-11

Gorak Shep > Kalapatthar > Chhukung: 4,730m/15,518ft -5-6 hours

Today we will wake up early, before sunrise, and begin our trek to Kala Patthar to witness one of the best views in the world: the incredible sunrise over Mt. Everest.
We will hike to an elevation of 5,545m, which will take around 3 hours.
After reaching this amazing height and enjoying the breathtaking views, we will descend back to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved breakfast. Following breakfast, we will continue our descent to Chhukung where we will spend the night.

DAY 11-12

Chhukung Acclimatisation

Today we will have a rest and acclimatisation day in Chhunkung.
We will conduct a thorough kit check to ensure you have everything ready for your climb.

DAY 12-13

Chhunkung > Island Peak Base Camp: 5,240 m/17,187 ft - 6 hours

From Chhukung, we follow a trail that leads us into the stunning Imja Valley, gradually making our way to Island Peak Base Camp.
Upon arrival, we'll enjoy a lunch before reviewing essential rope techniques.
The afternoon is yours to rest in your tent, allowing you to recharge before we gather for dinner at around 6 PM, followed by an early night to prepare for the climb ahead.

DAY 13-14

Island Peak Base Camp > Summit(6189m/20300ft) > Chhukung: 4,730m/15,518ft / 9-12 hours

Today, we will wake around 1am for breakfast before beginning our ascent to the summit.
Congratulations on reaching 6,189 metres above sea level!
Savour the breathtaking views from the top before we commence our descent back to Base Camp for a well-deserved lunch.
Afterward, we will continue our journey down to Chhukung for some much-needed rest and celebration.

DAY 14-15

Contingency Day

We have allocated an extra day as a contingency in case of weather or other unforeseen issues.
You have the option to continue descending and take your rest day further along the trail, or to rest in Chhukung.

DAY 15-16

Chhukung > Namche: 3,440 m/11,283 ft - 24km / 7-8 hours

Today, we will continue our descent from Chuukung to Namche, passing through Tengboche. This leg of the journey should take around 7-8 hours.

Once we arrive, celebrate your accomplishment with a beer at the highest pub in the world!

DAY 16-17

Namche > Lukla: 2,800m/9,184ft - 20km / 6-7 hours

Today is our last day of trekking—a bittersweet moment. The trek is around 20km and involves both uphill and downhill sections. We will encourage each other with much needed morale along the way, passing back over the infamous Hillary Bridge.
Once we reach Lukla, enjoy your time shopping and celebrating!

DAY 17-18

Lukla > Kathmandu

Today we will wake up early for our flight back to either Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
If we arrive in Ramechhap, we will have a roughly 4-hour bus journey back to your hotel. Relax and enjoy a very well-earned shower!
Tonight, we will celebrate with evening drinks and dinner.
Tomorrow, you will catch your international flight home.

START YOUR ADVENTURE

JAN

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SEP

The optimal time to embark on a trek in the Everest region is during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons, specifically from late March to early May and late September to early November. These periods offer the most favourable weather conditions, characterised by clear skies, stable temperatures, and relatively dry trails, ensuring both safety and spectacular vistas.

The spring season, in particular, coincides with the climbing season for summiting Everest, providing trekkers the unique opportunity to witness the flurry of expeditions preparing for their ascent. Meanwhile, the autumn season offers stunning, crisp views of the surrounding peaks following the summer monsoon’s departure.

Trekkers are advised to avoid the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall, which can cause landslides and obscure the magnificent landscapes, and the winter season, when temperatures can plummet to perilous levels and heavy snowfall can make the journey treacherous. Thus, timing one's trek within these optimal windows not only maximises the visual splendour and safety of the expedition but also aligns with the peak activity periods on the mountain, enriching the overall experience.

OCT

NOV

DEC

Physical Fitness for Climbing Island Peak

Preparing physically for Island Peak is without doubt essential, the climb is demanding and requires a high level of stamina, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Begin regular exercise at least six to nine months prior to the climb. Focus on activities such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training. Building endurance with long hikes, with a weighted backpack, will help simulate the conditions you'll face on the mountain. Incorporate hill training to prepare for the varying inclines and descents. Additionally, core and leg strength exercises, such as squats, lunges, and planks, will enhance your stability and overall fitness, ensuring you're ready for the rigours of the trek. Please note that we are not fitness experts and everyone is different, you will need to adjust this training plan to suit your body. We also strongly recommend a mountaineering course before embarking on this climb. Prior altitude experience is required.

Suggested Training Plan for Climbing Island Peak

Around 9 Months Before the Climb

Months 1-3:

Cardio:
- Frequency: 3 times per week
- Activities: Jogging, brisk walking, or cycling
- Duration: 30-40 minutes
Strength Training:
- Frequency: 2 times per week
- Exercises: Bodyweight squats, lunges, step-ups, core exercises like planks
- Repetitions: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Hiking:
- Frequency: 2 times per month
- Duration: Half-day hikes on varied terrain, gradually increasing distance and difficulty

Months 4-6:

Cardio:
- Frequency: 3-4 times per week
- Activities: Jogging, cycling, or swimming
- Duration: 40-50 minutes
Strength Training:
- Frequency: 2-3 times per week
- Exercises: Squats, lunges, step-ups, deadlifts, advanced core exercises like hanging leg raises
- Repetitions: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Hiking:
- Frequency: 3 times per month
- Duration: Full-day hikes with elevation gain and varied terrain; start carrying a weighted backpack

Months 7-9:

Cardio:
- Frequency: 4 times per week
- Activities: Jogging, cycling, or interval training
- Duration: 50-60 minutes
Strength Training:
- Frequency: 3 times per week
- Exercises: Squats, lunges, step-ups, weighted deadlifts, advanced core exercises
- Repetitions: 3-4 sets of 12-15 reps
Hiking:
- Frequency: 1-2 times per week
- Duration: Full-day hikes with significant elevation gain and a heavy backpack; simulate conditions similar to those on Island Peak

General Tips:

Flexibility: Incorporate stretching and mobility exercises regularly to maintain flexibility and prevent injuries.
Rest: Ensure you have at least one full rest day per week and listen to your body to avoid overtraining.