Island Peak Aggressive Climb 15 Days

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will help you check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city and we will have a welcome dinner in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

An expedition trip to Nepal involves more preparation than average trips abroad. We take care that you are not ill-equipped, exhausted, and unable to cope with climbing all the way. So, today we'll take you to Balaju, a nearby natural rock climbing spot where you will be given a climbing course to provide you opportunities to practice and learn to use rope, harness, ice ax, crampons, etc.

Or you can opt for sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley if you feel you don’t need the course. Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning flight from Kathmandu International Airport to Lukla Airport and trek to Phakding. Descending above farmlands we pass through Sherpa villages Chheplung, Ghat and Sano and Thulo Gumela and shrines and monasteries of Drangdrak Gompa and Pema Choling Gompa with breathtaking views of sacred mountain Kumbila and sister summits Kusum Kanguru peaks. Overnight at guesthouse.

Heading for the Namche Bazar, we cross through the hamlet of Zamphute and Tok Tok to see dazzling Thamserku glistening in the sun. Passing through the scenic Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, we reach Utche Choling Gompa on a bluff abutting the Dudhkoshi river and further we make our way between the bluff to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Crossing through the last village of Jorsale, a steep stepped path leads us to an amazing high bridge over the Dudhkoshi River gorge. Beginning the final steps uphill slowly we reach heights of Namche from where we can have a first look at Mount Everest, peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge and finally after about 1.5km we reach Namche Bazar. Overnight at guest house.

From Namche, we take the easy level trail that cuts around the ridge from Chhorkung to reach the end of a bluff which is a viewpoint over a grand panorama of peaks, from Thamserku to Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest. From here we reach Kyangjuma (3550m) and a short walk from there takes us to an important trail junction at Sanasa (3600m) from where we take the trail to Tengboche that runs gently downhill towards the river. This trail drops gradually to Lawichasa and on our descending way, the thumb-like peak of Ama Dablam soars into view above the trail. From Lawichasa a narrow trail branches north to reach Tashinga (3380m) and now the trail drops down on steep stone steps to Phunki Thenga (3250m) and then to a bridge. From the bridge, the trail climbs past some water-powered prayer wheels and begins a sustained climb through a forest of tall, mature rhododendrons. We might see musk deer and Himalayan tahr among the trees to eventually follow the path that reaches a kani and a pair of chortens marking the start of Tengboche village which is scattered across a wide, grassy saddle below a crescent-shaped ridge covered by scrub pines and rhododendrons. The focal point of Tengboche is the famous Tengboche monastery. Overnight at guesthouse.

From Tengboche we follow the trail through a forest of conifers and rhododendrons, keeping an eye out for monal pheasants and musk deer. Reaching Debuche village we visit Debuche Gompa and a small Buddhist nunnery on the east hillside. The trail continues through dense forest to reach Milinggo and then drops steeply to a suspension bridge over Imja Khola. We cross the bridge and climb the hillside opposite to a white stupa with Buddhist eyes and after a hundred yards we see a stupa that crowns an exposed bluff, mirroring the soaring tower of Ama Dablam at the end of the valley. East of the stupa is a footprint of Khumbu’s patron Saint Lama Sange Dorje. We soon reach Pangboche village that has the oldest monastery in Khumbu, Pangobche Gompa founded by Lama Sange Dorje. Following the Imja Khola the trial climbs towards the village of Shomare and crossing the treeline beyond this village we are walking up rolling arid stretch, an alpine terrain with patches of scrub and isolated pastures and fields and the yak grazing. Crossing through the yak pasture and herdsmen’s stone huts at Orsho and Tsuro Wog, we turn right where the trail descends to a point near the confluence of Imja Khola and Khumbu Khola. Finally climbing a low ridge we reach the sprawling settlement of Dingboche. Overnight at guest house.

Today we follow an epic trail along the Imja Khola to Chhukung, a small summer settlement nestling among ridges of the moraine. Mountains and glaciers surround Chhukung from all sides. It is here where we do any final preparations for the challenge. Overnight at guest house.

The path from Chhukung is fairly steep, climbing south then turning east to the main line of the valley. It then winds along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. Continue a short pleasant walk along a stream 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. Stay overnight in Island Peak Base Camp in a tented camp.

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 we climb the hill, we will see that the slope narrows, and the path enter a steep rock channel. Stay overnight in Island Peak High Camp in a tented camp.

We start the climb to rocky gully early in the morning. It is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before we 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. We need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses. It leads without difficulty to a 100m snow and ice slope 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. After enjoying the summit views we descend all the way to Chhukung for the night stay. Overnight at guest house.

The trail makes a gradual descent through scrub junipers and around mani stones as it follows the hillside. The trail passes many mani walls in deep rhododendron forests where crossing after the Imja Khola, the trail climbs many carved mani stones to Pangboche. Pangboche Gompa is the oldest in Khumbu; a visit will be well worth it. Walk down to the valley from where the trail is shallower through alpine meadows. Followed by climb gradually up to Tengboche where the biggest monastery lies in the whole of Khumbu. Overnight at guest house.

From Tengboche, we move towards Phunki Tenga and now descend to Sanasa and Kyangjuma and then finally to Namche Bazar. Overnight at guest house.

Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla retracing the way we came up. Overnight at guest house.

We fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu and check-in to a hotel. This is a leisure day that can be used for buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family or exploring the city. In the evening, you will be invited to join a farewell dinner where we can review our great photos and share experiences of the trip. Overnight at hotel.

If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drives in national parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours etc. Otherwise, farewell!