Island Peak Climbing

A representative of Mission Nepal Holiday waits your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport with play card of company name for welcoming you to the land of Himalayas. When you arrive at airport you will be greeted by representative and transferred to your hotel as per itinerary. After short rest in hotel, you can visit Thamel (tourist hub of Kathmandu) and at evening, you can enjoy the welcome dinner (typical Nepali meal) hosted by Mission Nepal Holiday with cultural songs and dance. You spend your night at hotel.

Today we explore four UNESCO world heritage sites; Pasupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa. After having breakfast at hotel, first we visit Pasupatinath Temple which is the pilgrimage site of Hindu, offer opportunity to learn birth, death and reincarnation of Hindus. The temple is built in pagoda style with four doors of silver where Lord Shiva is worshipped. Then, we drive to Bouddhanath Supa which lies just 2 kilometer north of Pasupatinath Temple. Bouddhanath is the ancient and biggest stupa as well as pilgrimage site of Tibetan Buddhist people. It is surrounded by many temples and gompas and it symbolize the journey of people from birth to death. After visiting Bouddhanath, we drive 9.5 kilometers to Swaymbhunath Stypa. It is also a famous pilgrimage site of Buddhist known as the ‘Monkey Temple’, offer peace and freedom to the whole world as well as magnificent view of Kathmandu valley. Our last destination of day tour is Kathmandu Durbar Square which is the best place for exploring traditional architecture of Nepal. On this place, we visit Kumari Ghar; living Goddness, Taleju Temple, King Mahendra Memorial Museum, Hanuman Dhoka, Kasthamandap, Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, Tribhuvan Museum, Mini Pasupatinath Temple and so on.

Today is the most exciting as well as memorable day of our journey because of flight to high altitude and world’s dangerous airport, Tenzing- Hillary. After having breakfast at early morning, we transfer you to Kathmandu Domestic Airport for grabbing the first flight to Lukla which takes only 30 to 35 minutes. During fly on the 4500m altitude, we enjoy breathtaking views of mountains; Mount Everest in front of us, different beautiful villages, landscapes and lush valleys. When landing at the Lukla airport, we start our trek through stone- paved descending trial. We reach Chheplung village after short walk then slow descent with forests and beautiful landscape to reach Phakding. We spend our night at Phakding village.

After having breakfast at Phakding, we hike through beautiful pine, fir and juniper forest and follow the Dudh Koshi River to reach Namche bazaar; Gateway to Mount Everest, entrance to Everest National Park and ancient trading hub. After 1 hour walk, we can enjoy the view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m) on right side and sacred Khumbila peak. If weather assists us, we can catch the glimpse of Mount Everest peering over the Lhotse- Nuptse ridge. Our trek passes through different Sherpa villages; Chumoa, Manjo and Jorsale. Today, we cross five suspension bridges when crossing Hillary (last bridge) bridge, trial is uphill, a steep ascent from here brings us to Namche Bazaar. We stay overnight at lodge of Namche Bazaar.

Today is the first acclimatization day of Everest region and take rest from walking and climbing and adapting with decreasing oxygen level in the air. On this day, there are three options for us; first option is to climb up to famous Syangboche airstrip for visiting Syangboche Monastery and Everest View Hotel which offer magnificent view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Amadablam, second option is to hike up to Khumjung, Thame and Kunde village which need longer walk (5-6hrs.) where we visit Khumjung Hillary School and Khumjung Monastry and third option is to explore Namche Bazaar Where we can visit traditional Sherpa life, mountaineering museum, restaurants and lodges, market and flora and fauna available in this region. We spend our second night at lodge in Namche Bazaar.

After breakfast, we leave Namche Bazaar and hike to Tengboche. After short walk with old-fashioned settlement and along Dudhkoshi River, we reach Punki. Crossing Dudhkoshi River near the Punki Tenga brings us to Imja Khola Valley then trek ascends towards Tengboche which takes 2 hour. In Tengboche, we explore Tengboche Monastery (open at 3:00pm); largest monastery of Khumbu Region and famous monastery for celebrating Mani Rimdu Festival, a huge Statue of Lord Buddha, traditional musical Instruments, intricate wall printing and attire of the local monks. This village located on Everest National Park, greeted us by panoramic view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Amadablam Kongde and Thamserku. We stay overnight at lodge of Tengboche.

We enjoy the view of sunrise over mountains at early in the morning, take breakfast at Tengboche village and trek to Dingboche. We descend downhill in the easy path through birch, conifer and rhododendron forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche; traditional Sherpa village. We cross Imja Khola before reaching Pengboche, visit Pangboche monastery and hike to Pheriche village; located on river side. Then we descend along bank of river and begin climb up to Dingboche. We spend our night at lodge.

Today is the second acclimatization day of our journey, take rest from the walk and climb. We have two options; fist on is hike up the Imja Khola to Chhukung; small Sherpa village or Nagarzhang Peak, offer wonderful view of Island peak, Lhotse, Amadablam and Amphu Lapcha Pass; return back to lodge and another option is hike to the hill behind Dingboche, explore the village and return back to lodge for adjust with altitude after acclimatization hike. We spend our second night in Dingboche.

After having breakfast, we leave the Dingboche and start hike to Lobuche. We walk on the shattered and creaking ice and steep terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier; the longest (32km) glacier of Nepal. On the top of this climb we can see stone cairns; built as memories to the Sherpa who have died while climbing Mt. Everest and great view of the mountains covered with snow. We spend our night at Loubche.

Today, we take breakfast at Lobuche and start our trek to GorakShep and Everest Base Camp (EBC). Our first destination is Gorakshep; the small semi- permanent Sherpa inhabitant. The trek passes through rocky ridges, moraine and streams and along Khumbu Glacier with gradual inclined trial. Before reaching the Gorakshep our trial is downhill, on the way, we cross a large moraine of the Changri. When we reach Gorakshep, we take lunch and a brief rest break before heading to EBC. The trial is very rocky and less defined, takes 1 – 2 hours to bring us to the base camp. On the way, we enjoy the panoramic view of Khumbu Range; Amadablam, Pumori and Nuptse on the right side and other mountains. We spend our night at EBC.

On this day, we need to wake up early in the morning and climb to Kalapathar for beautiful sunrise view over the Himalaya. Kalapathar is the famous view point of the Mt. Everest as well as Nuptse, Changtse and Lhotse. After capturing the magnificent view of mountain in mind as well as in Camera, we return back to the Gorakshep and hike to the Dingboche village. From Dingboche, we enter to the Imja Khola valley, that needs 2 hour walk to Chhukung village; beautiful valley settled between Nuptse, Lhotse, Amadablam and island peak which offers close views of these mountain and their glacier. We stay overnight at Chhukung.

We take breakfast at Chhukung and start our trek to Island Base Camp. We follow a moderately steep trial, trek towards south, turn east and enter the main valley to reach base camp. Before reaching Imja Valley, we hike along stream, Imja pass and Lhotse glacier moraine. We take lunch and rest in the valley as well as hike around valley with view of Amphulapcha, Choplu and Baruntse and Imja Tsho (lake). When we reach Base Camp, we can see south western face of Island peak. We spend our night in a tent at Island Base Camp.

Today is the third and our last day for acclimatization and rest from walking. After having breakfast, we begin pre climb training. The professional guide provides training of peak climbing technique, use of implements such as Ice Axe, Climbing Boots, Crampons, Harness, ascender and use of rope to go up and down. The training helps to boost your confidence and climbing skill. We spend the remaining day by hiking to High Camp and resting in the tent for next day climb. We spend our second night in tent at the base camp.

Today is the great day of our life as well as highlighted day of our journey. We wake up at 12 – 1 am to reach summit around noon. The total distance of our day trek is 7 kilometers from the base camp to summit and back to the base camp. We start our 10 to 12 hours climb towards the summit around 1 -2am with head lamp in thin light of dawn. We need minimum 2hrs of walk in a steep green terrain to reach high camp then climb in right side of the rock gully and steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. When we reach summit, we celebrate a success climb, take photographs and spend memorable time with the view of mountains; Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam and Mt. Everest. After that, we descend to the base camp and spend our third night in tent.

Today we leave the Island Peak Base Camp and trek to Pangboche. We hike on easier trial and descend down to lower altitude. We pass through beautiful Sherpa settlements; Orsho and Shormare along Khumbu Khola Valley. On the way we have the option to visit Pangboche Gompa; oldest gompa of Khumbu region in upper Pangboche. When we arrive at Pangboche, we explore the village surrounded by Mt. Everest, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kangtaiga, Kongde range and Imja Tse River.We stay overnight at Pengboche.

We take breakfast in Pengboche and leave for Namche Bazaar. From Pengboche, we steps down to Imja Khola and cross the suspension bridge. After that, we ascend to Tengboche village where we take lunch and have option to visit Tengboche monastery. From Tengboche, we continue our steps down hike to Punik Tenga through Rhododendron and Juniper forest. When we cross the bridge over Dudhkoshi River, we walk along the gorge of this river and descend to reach Sansa. On the way to Namche, we can see wildlife; Mountain Goat, Snow leopard and colorful Pheasants. We pass chorten and reach army camp of Namche. We spend our night at lodge of Namche.

Today is the last day of our trek. We trek breakfast at Namche Bazaar and start our hike along the Dudhkoshi River to reach Lukla. The trial is steeply downwards. On the way, we cross many suspension bridge over Dudhkoshi, pass several Sherpa village and few monasteries. When we reach Lukla, we stretch those painful legs and recall our journey of the last weeks. We prepare for the next day flight and spend night at Lukla.

Today, we catch early morning flight to Kathmandu. The flight is brief but more exciting,which takes 30- 35 minutes. After arriving at Kathmandu, we will transfer you to your hotel for rest. If you want to explore nearest tourist area of Kathmandu and do shopping, guide can assists you. At the evening, you can enjoy the farewell dinner for celebrating the completion of journey hosted by Mission Nepal holiday.

This is the last day of our journey to Khumbu region and Island Peak. A representative of Mission Nepal Holiday will transfer you to the airport, before 3 hours of your flight time. We hope to see you again in your next adventure in the country of Himalayas, Nepal and pray for your nice and safe journey.