Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Climbing is the most popular Everest Trail that takes us to the Base Camp of the Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak of the world and onwards to Island Peak. We drive to domestic airport for the scenic flight to Lukla from where we start on our foot. We walk on a classic route through several Sherpa villages such as Namche, Tengboche, that is famous for Tengboche Monastery, Dingboche, Dughla, Lobuche, Gorakshep and finally reach Everest Base Camp on the 9th day. Next day we hike to the viewpoint of Kala Patthar, the highest point in this trek at 5,545 meters, enjoy the sunset over Everest and experience the wonderful mountain scenery. After KalaPatthar we head on for our climb to Island Peak where we stay for 3 nights during climb.
After Island Peak Climbing we walk back to Lukla and board flight to Kathmandu fwhere weFinally, wrap up with a Farewell Dinner at one of the traditional Nepalese restaurants in Thamel recalling the memories and sharing the experience of the Everest Base Camp Trek with a delicious traditional Nepalese meal and Nepalese Cultural dance program.
On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, a representative from Eve Holidays will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the DudhKosi. We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night.
Overnight: Lodge in Phakding
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Phakding, we cross through suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. You then take a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, you get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market, a meeting place for the traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, you can do a strenuous day walk to a higher altitude, coming back down to Namche for sleep.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start our trek further to Tengboche. Tengboche is famous for its celebrated monastery, the largest in the Khumbu where lots of visitors come for traditional yoga and meditations. From Tengboche we can see nice views of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse and Mount Ama dablam.
Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trek from Tengboche to Pheriche is a popular segment of the Everest Base Camp trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It typically takes around 4 to 6 hours to cover the distance, depending on individual pace and conditions.
The trail offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, including Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, among others. It passes through beautiful landscapes, including rhododendron forests, Sherpa villages, and high-altitude terrain.
Overnight: Lodge in Pheriche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and others. It passes through high-altitude terrain, rocky paths, and sometimes icy sections, so proper trekking gear and caution are essential.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach GorakShep (5,170 meters), the site of the 1953 expedition’s base camp. Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. For those visiting base camp in the spring, it is a chance to meet teams making an ascent of the mountain. Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend some time wandering through it and getting a sense of what it must be like to be camped here for two whole months, whilst attempting the mountain.
Overnight: Lodge in Gorakshep
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
For watching sunrise over Mount Everest, today we start very early when it is dark outside and cold chilly wind hits your face. The climb takes between 2 and 3 hours and can be hard work, but the effort is rewarded by the classic view of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori immediately above. We retrace our steps to Lobuche.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The route from Lobuche to Kongma La Pass to Chhukung is a challenging and less-traveled trail in the Everest region of Nepal. It involves crossing the Kongma La Pass, which is one of the three high passes in the area, along with Cho La and Renjo La.
This trekking segment typically takes around 6 to 8 hours, depending on weather conditions and individual pace. The trail involves steep ascents and descents, rocky terrain, and potentially icy sections, especially near the pass.
Once you cross Kongma La Pass, you’ll descend towards the village of Chhukung, which is situated in a picturesque valley surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks.
Overnight: Lodge in Chhukung
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trek from Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp is part of the popular Island Peak (Imja Tse) climbing route in the Everest region of Nepal. Island Peak, standing at an altitude of 6,189 meters (20,305 feet), is one of the most sought-after trekking peaks in the Everest region.
The trek from Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on individual pace and trail conditions. The trail involves ascending gradually along rocky terrain and moraines, with stunning views of surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Once you reach Island Peak Base Camp, situated at the foot of the mountain, you’ll prepare for the climb ahead. Climbing Island Peak requires technical climbing skills and proper equipment, including crampons, ice axes, and ropes.
Overnight: Tented Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start our pre climb training. Our guides will provide training in various technical climbing skills such as using crampons, ice axes, ropes, and harnesses. They learn techniques for ascending steep terrain, traversing glaciers, and navigating crevasses. Training at the base camp includes acclimatization hikes to nearby high points to help climbers adjust to the altitude and thin air.
Overnight: Tented Camping at Island Peak Base Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rising with the stars at the break of dawn, between the hours of 12 to 1 am, we fuel ourselves with a hearty breakfast, bracing for the ascent that lies ahead. Timing is paramount; we aim to conquer the summit before noon to avoid the highland winds that can pose a challenge later in the day. Departing from the base camp, our journey unfolds along a path that ascends gradually, traversing sandy terrain before yielding to grassy slopes and then rugged boulder-strewn trails. As we ascend, the landscape narrows, leading us into a steep rock channel where we navigate a series of manageable rock steps before emerging on the right flank of the gully. Following a ridgeline, we embark on a thrilling and exposed traverse to reach the glacier’s edge, where our guides expertly secure ropes to aid our progression. Negotiating a steep snow slope, we ascend to the summit ridge, relying on a combination of fixed ropes and hand ropes for safety. The length of the fixed rope, typically 350 meters, is adapted to seasonal conditions and the presence of crevasses, which we traverse with the aid of ladders. At the summit, amidst awe-inspiring vistas, we capture cherished moments through the lens and revel in our triumph. Descending to the Island Peak Base Camp to celebrate our success.
Overnight: Tented Camping at Island Peak Base Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The route from Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche offers a picturesque trekking journey through the Everest region of Nepal. Starting from the base camp, trekkers descend to Chhukung before continuing to Dingboche. From Dingboche, the trail leads to Pangboche, known for its ancient monastery.
Overnight: Lodge in Pangboche
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Starting from Pangboche, trekkers ascend to Tengboche, renowned for its stunning monastery. Descending to Phunki Tenga, the trail then leads to Namche Bazaar, the bustling hub of the Khumbu region. Along the way, trekkers traverse lush forests, cross iconic suspension bridges, and are treated to awe-inspiring views of Everest and its neighboring peaks.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your journey takes you along the familiar path that winds its way through the Dudh Koshi Valley. En route to Lukla, you pass through the picturesque villages of Phakding and Monjo, each offering a glimpse into the daily life and culture of the Sherpa people. You pause to rest and refuel at local teahouses, savoring the warm hospitality and hearty meals that await you along the trail.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the early morning you take off from Lukla airstrip for a spectacular mountain flight back to Kathmandu. After being met at the domestic airport terminal and transferred to your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this wonderful city; shopping for souvenirs, trying out the various restaurants in Thamel or simply relaxing.
You spend the last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today after breakfast you are in leisure on your own. You will be escorted to airport for your flight home at your flight time
Meals: Breakfast
NOTICE:
The Government of Nepal has announced an issue for the flight operation to Lukla. Most of the flights to Lukla will commence from Ramechhap until further notice to avoid the heavy traffic congestion in Kathmandu airport. The airport in Ramechhap is located 130km from Kathmandu (approximately 5 hours drive). Flight to Lukla from Ramechhap airport is almost guaranteed unless the flight is canceled due to bad weather conditions. Such cancellations can occur even in the best time of the year, so please be well informed about the alternatives to Lukla flight cancellations.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
In Kathmandu, you will stay in 4 Star Hotels with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, you stay in teahouses/lodges that generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket. Accommodation are on a twin sharing basis. The accommodation in lodges in trekking routes can be single and double rooms, or a dormitory. The toilets in tea houses provide essential and basic facilities and are usually outside the room. During climbing days you will stay in tented camps. Single supplement will be provided on request and will cost an additional and depend upon availability. Although single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation, it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Hotels in Kathmandu can be upgraded to 5 star in an additional cost.
In Kathmandu breakfast, welcome dinner and farewell dinner are provided. While on trekking and during climbing, we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Usually, each day dinner and breakfast will be at teahouses/lodges where you will stay and lunch will be on the way. We make it sure that the food is hygienic and at the same time suits your palate. Foods cooked in lodges and guesthouses on the way are pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always find hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.
The spring time from March to May and the Autumn months from September to November is considered the best months for Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Climbing
For the Everest Base Camp trek, it’s open to anyone who is fit and healthy and has a habit of walking for a few hours a day. However, trekking at higher altitudes is more physically demanding. It’s beneficial to exercise and jog regularly for several weeks leading up to the trip to improve stamina.
In contrast, climbing Island Peak requires rigorous physical, mental, and technical preparation. Climbers must be physically strong to navigate ice and rock on steep slopes using ropes, snow boots, and crampons. It’s recommended to follow a fitness regimen several months before the climb, incorporating regular climbing practice, hiking with a backpack of 20-25 pounds, and strength training exercises. Cardiovascular training, such as jogging, running, or aerobic workouts, is also essential to enhance overall body conditioning and prepare for the demanding ascent.
All of Eve Holidays trekking itineraries are planned keeping in mind the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Going up at higher altitude too fast causes a medical condition called AMS which is serious enough to kill if neglected. We are well aware that it is essential to allow you sufficient time for acclimatization to minimize the risk. However it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. So we suggest to avoid alcohol and drink enough water and get good night sleep during the trek.
Island Peak is for beginner climbers. So it is also called a trekking peak. You will have to climb steep ascents in the high altitude in the thin air. Some prior trekking experience in the high altitude will help.
March April May and Sept Oct Nov are the best time to trip
This was a too demanding trek for us and at times we felt tired as this was our first trek in such an altitude, but thanks to our trekking guide Shyam who never let us give up motivating us all the time and giving us time to rest. Thanks to Eve Holidays for such a perfect arrangement for us.