Duration: 16–20 days (including trek & acclimatization)
Best Season: Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Sep–Nov)
On your 16-day Island Peak Expedition you will not only reach the summit of the magnificent Island Peak but also experience trekking in the most coveted Everest region. Island Peak also called Imja Tse by the Nepalese is a popular choice among novice climbers who wish to begin their mountaineering journey by summiting Island Peak and then move on to other peaks. The mountain was named “Island Peak” in 1952 AD due to its striking location in the middle of the Chhukung valley, like an island on a sea of ice. Island Peak has an impressive, highly glaciated west face that rises from the Lhotse Glacier which is a bit tough to do; however, the magnificent views from the summit are certainly a fitting reward for your efforts.
Why It's Popular
Island Peak offers a perfect introduction to Himalayan mountaineering.
It is often used as a training peak for Everest, Lhotse, or other 8000ers.
Crampons, ice axe, fixed ropes, jumar (ascender) use
40–60° ice/snow slopes on summit day
Glacier travel with potential crevasses
You Need To Know:
Basic mountaineering skills are recommended (training offered by some guides)
Fitness is critical due to high altitude and long summit day
Altitude Profile
Place
Altitude (m)
Notes
Kathmandu
1,400 m
Capital of Nepal
Lukla (flight in)
2,860 m
Start of trek
Namche Bazaar
3,440 m
Main acclimatization town
Tengboche
3,867 m
Famous monastery
Dingboche
4,410 m
Acclimatization stop
Chhukung
4,730 m
Last village before base camp
Base Camp
5,100 m
Setup for summit attempt
Island Peak Summit
6,189 m
Snow/ice climbing required
🗓️Sample 18-Day Itinerary
Day
Itinerary
1
Arrive in Kathmandu
2
Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,610 m)
3
Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)
4
Acclimatization in Namche
5
Trek to Tengboche (3,867 m)
6
Trek to Dingboche (4,410 m)
7
Acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak
8
Trek to Chhukung (4,730 m)
9
Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5,100 m)
10
Rest/Climbing training at Base Camp
11
Summit Island Peak (6,189 m), return to Chhukung
12–15
Trek back to Lukla
16
Fly to Kathmandu
17–18
Buffer/rest days or sightseeing
🎒 Essential Gear Checklist
Mountaineering boots (B2/B3)
Crampons, harness, helmet
Ice axe, jumar (ascender), belay device
Down jacket, thermal layers
Sleeping bag (-20°C), headlamp
Sunglasses (glacier-rated), gloves
Altitude & travel insurance (highly recommended)
💰Cost Breakdown (Estimate)
Item
Cost (USD)
Permits & fees
$350–500
Flight (Kathmandu–Lukla)
$432–500 (RT)
Guide & climbing support
$800–1,200
Lodging & meals (entire trip)
$600–800
Gear rental (if needed)
$100–300
Total
$2,282–$33000
Note: Joining a group expedition is usually cheaper than going solo. If you want to join with Us we can make in better price for you feel free to contact us.
🩺Altitude Sickness & Acclimatization
Follow "climb high, sleep low"
Include acclimatization hikes (e.g., Nangkartshang Peak)
Drink 3–4L of water daily
Diamox (acetazolamide) may help but consult your doctor
Watch for symptoms: headache, nausea, insomnia, dizziness
✅Who Can Climb Island Peak?
✔ Fit trekkers with good stamina
✔ Some prior trekking experience at high altitude
✔ Willingness to learn basic mountaineering skills
Accomodation
We will be staying at 3-4star hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights), standard tea houses during trekking (9 nights) and tents when climbing (4 nights). Most tea house accommodations will only have shared toilet facilities. For tent accommodations, a 4 season sleeping bag and foam mattress will be provided. In climbing sections, toilet facilities will be provided with necessary natural preservation. All accommodations are on twin-shared basis. However, a single room will be provided on request and by paying a single supplement of USD 350. Also, understand that there are several places that do not allow single room accommodation. On paying single supplement, you will get a single room in Kathmandu but sometimes it is feasible only up to Namche Bazaar.
During Trekking Time ( Lodges)
During Climbing time ( At Island Peak Base camp/ high camp)
MEALS During our Island Peak Expedition, we can enjoy traditional Nepali, Tibetan, Indian and the more common continental cuisines. A welcome dinner, a farewell dinner and breakfast will be provided during your stay in Kathmandu. During trekking/climbing, breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay the night. Similar arrangements can also be made for dinner. Lunch will be taken en route to the next destination. During climbing session, hygienic, freshly-cooked food will be provided.
PHYSICAL CONDITION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Island Peak is not a technical peak but you will still require a good stamina to summit it. No prior climbing experience is required; however, having some knowledge on using climbing equipment will still be an asset. You will also need to have ample high altitude trekking experience. There will also be a pre -ice climbing training for participants in the Island Peak base camp. The training will mostly be about using climbing gears such as ropes, ice pick, harness, and crampons.As 14-days Island peak expedition itinerary takes you to the summit very fast, it is recommended only to those who have sufficient high altitude trekking experience and good health.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
Spring ( March-May)
Autumn ( September-November)
(March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for this trip. Although Island Peak can be climbed during winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.
TRIP START DATES
We will organize this trip on the dates requested by you. Please contact us for your customized departure date.
COST EXCLUDES
Air Fare: International flight airfare
Nepal entry Visa fee
Lunch & Dinner: Lunch & dinner in during the stay in Kathmandu (also in case of early return from Trekking / Expedition than the scheduled itinerary).
Extra night in Kathmandu: Extra nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu. In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from Trekking / Expedition (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
Insurance: Travel and high-altitude insurance, accident, medical & emergency evacuation.
Rescue Evacuation: Medical Insurance and emergency rescue evacuation cost if required. (Rescue, Repatriation, Medication, Medical Tests and Hospitalization costs.)
Personal Expenses: Telephone Calls, Internet, Toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers and any Alcoholic beverages.
Personal Equipment: Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking /Climbing Gears.
Toiletries: Soaps, shampoos, toilet and tissue papers, toothpaste, and other items used to keep yourself clean.
Filming: Special Filming, Camera and Drone permit fee.
Internet Service: Internet facility is not included.
Summit Bonus: Summit bonus for climbing Sherpa.
Tips: Tips for Base camp staffs.
Extra Porter:$25 USD per day for each extra porter (in demand of extra porter).
Extra: Any other services or activities, which are not mentioned in the itinerary.
Any other item not listed in “Cost Includes” Section.
TEAM COMPOSITION
Trekking :-While trekking, we will provide you a fully trained, English speaking, experienced trekking guide. Every 4 members are entitled to 1 assistant guide, also 1 porter for every two members to carry the luggage.
Climbing :-We will provide you a licensed, English speaking, veteran climbing guide. There is also theprovision of assistant guides, for a group size of 2-4 people; there will be 1 main guide and 1 assistant guide. In a group size of 5-8 people, there will be 1 main guide and 2 assistant guides. Finally with a group of 9-12 people, we shall be offering you 1 main guide and 3 assistant guides. Other staff members will include one experienced cook and necessary Sherpa staff, mostly assistants who will assist in setting up camps during the climb.
This arrangement of staff will ensure the safety of each and every member in the group; also if any member falls ill, the trip will still go ahead as planned. Please also note that the maximum number of people in a group will be 12, as this is the optimum size for a successful trip.
Itinerary
Conqueri trek and expedition pvt.ltd representative official will be there at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) to pick you up. You can find him waiting at the arrival door. He will greet you as soon as you see him and then welcome you warmly. Then he will take you to a parking spot where there will be a vehicle to transfer you to the hotel. Enjoying the comfort of a smooth ride and views of the vibrant city, you will soon reach your designated place of stay. Upon reaching the hotel, you can also ask for the official to help with check in procedures if you want to. Then, you can rest for a while to recover from a long and hectic flight. Afterward, you can spend quality time at the luxurious hotel ambiance.
Your flight to Lukla will originate from either Kathmandu or Manthali, depending on the trekking season. In the peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), there is a possibility that flights from Kathmandu to Lukla might be redirected to Manthali Airport due to traffic congestion at Tribhuwan International Airport. To catch a flight from Manthali to Lukla, we will pick you up at your hotel around 12:30 am and take you on a 5-hour drive to Manthali Airport. The subsequent flight from Manthali to Lukla takes approximately 20 minutes.
For those looking to avoid the Kathmandu-Manthali-Lukla route, an alternative is booking a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla. However, be prepared to incur around 550 USD per person to cover the helicopter expenses, provided five people share the cost.
If you are trekking in December, January, February, June, July, and August, you will directly fly to Lukla from Kathmandu. After breakfast, we'll take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for a picturesque 40-minute flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.
The trails begin from the prosperous village of Lukla and reach Phakding. Today's trek will be short and enjoyable as you will also be acclimatizing. In your spare time, you can visit the local monasteries around Phakding and prepare for the long trek the next day.
We begin the six-hour trek along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing several tributaries of this majestic river many times on thrilling suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply, providing you with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar, known as the “Gateway to Everest,” is home to several quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, internet cafes, shops, and a bakery. Namche (3440m) is one of the biggest towns along the Everest trail.
We will spend a day at Namche to adjust to the high altitude. You should not miss visiting the Sherpa museum celebrating Sherpa traditional customs. Further, we will hike to the Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel. From Everest View Hotel, you can see rewarding views of the Himalayas (including Everest) Amadablam, Lotshe, Tabuche peak etc. with a stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks.
After our early morning breakfast, we will begin our trek to Tengboche. On the way, we will enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Amadablam peak. The trail leads us up and down as it becomes challenging, but you’ll enjoy great views of the Himalayas. You may also spot wildlife on the way, such as musk deer, pheasant, and Himalayan tahr.
We will further trek down to cross the Dudh Koshi River. After passing through dense alpine forests, you will reach a small settlement called Phunki Thenga. As you trek ahead from Phunki Thenga, you will eventually get to Tengboche after a steep climb through a pine forest. In Tengboche, you will see the biggest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu Region - Tengboche Monastery.
This monastery was founded in 1923, but destroyed twice - first in 1934 by an earthquake and then by a fire in the early 1990s. With the help of the Sir Edmund Hillary Fund, the monastery was restored. With spare time, you can visit the monastery and observe their prayers in the afternoon
We continue trekking uphill to Pangboche, past many chortens, mani walls, and small villages. You can see spectacular views of the Mt. Island peak from the trails. You will be entering the Imja Valley following the Lobuche River and trek on a steeply ascending trail to Dingboche. From Dingboche, we can see the Island peak (6,812m) and Mt. Lhotse (8,516m).
After breakfast, we head east towards the Chukhung Valley, passing through the stone-walled fields of Imja Khola Valley. While walking on the rocky trail, you will get stunning views of Mt. Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Eventually, you will reach your destination, Chhukung. At Chhukung, we check into our lodge rooms and meet our guide, who will brief us about the climb and preparations.
Today is another day for acclimatization. Our Sherpa climbing guide will train you on peak climbing and teach you how to use the ice axes, climbing boots, crampons, harness, etc. Island Peak does not require prior training experiences. However, past climbing experiences will boost climber confidence and increase the chances of scaling the summit.
From Chhukung, we ascend northwards and follow this valley along the moraine from the Lhotse glacier to the east. A short hike by the river leads up to a big rock, and after a 40-minute climb, we reach Island Peak Base Camp. After setting up our tents, you will get short training on peak climbing techniques, including using gear such as ice axes, climbing boots and crampons, harnesses, and rope skills
We start early morning to reach the Island Peak summit before noon to avoid afternoon wind. You will follow our experienced Sherpa guides. First, we will ascend to the rocky ridge before reaching the base of a glacier. Then using ropes, we continue up the glacier to the south ridge and follow this ridge to the summit. From the Island Peak top, you can see outstanding views of Lhotse (27,890 feet), Makalu (27,805 feet), Island peak (22,493 feet), and Baruntse (25,328 feet). After spending some of the best moments at the top, you will return to the base camp, then descend to Chhukung for an overnight stay.
We added this extra day to compensate for summit day if the weather was not favorable on our scheduled summit day. If summit day was successful, we will relax and enjoy staying in the Himalayas. If not, we will use this day to scale Island Peak. We will be spending the night at Chhukung.
Today, you will retrace your steps on the same rocky trail to Chhukung and then to Dingboche. You will descend to Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the famous Tengboche monastery, the biggest monastery in the Everest region, lies.
The trail to Namche Bazaar takes us through forests teeming with wildlife like pheasants, musk deer, mountain goats, or even snow leopards. We will be trekking on the steep slopes and trails with several bends, past prayer flags hung along the way. While heading back, you can click pictures and enjoy the views of the tip of Everest and the backside of Lhotse. After finally arriving at Namche Bazaar, we will head to our lodges and rest.
Our last day on the trekking trails will be rewarding as we return to the Dudh Koshi Valley. The route is generally quite gentle back uphill to Lukla from the Kusum stream. Before rushing to Lukla, the trail heads steeply up to the west. After the first climb, the path reaches a small village, and then we take a left turn up into the trees. The trial ahead leads down to the main trail joining at the sidestream before reaching Toktok Village.
From Toktok, the views will be entirely different. Eventually, you will reach the large town of Lukla, from where you will catch a flight back to Kathmandu the next day.
Evening we celebrate our trekking/ Expedition last day with all of our Nepalese staff to say thank you and distribute some tips collection from group.
At the end of your trek, you will fly from Lukla to Manthali or Kathmandu, depending on the trekking season. If you are trekking in March, April, May, September, October, or November, you'll take a 20-minute flight to Manthali, followed by a subsequent 5-hour drive to Kathmandu. For treks in other months—December, January, February, June, July, or August—you'll enjoy a direct flight to Kathmandu.
For those who want to avoid Lukla-Manthali-Kathmandu, there is an option to book a helicopter. However, this option entails an additional cost of approximately 550 USD each, based on a five-person sharing of the helicopter costs.
We hope your journey back to Kathmandu will be relaxing, as you will feel a sense of accomplishment from climbing Island Peak. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will head to your respective hotels, and you can decide to spend the rest of the day however you like.
Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the airport by one of our staff members from where you will depart.
Gallery
Click the thumbnail to enlarge the photos.
Includes
Airport Pick up and drop International/Domestic
2 nights Hotel in kathmandu ( 3-4 star hotel)
Permits: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, and Island Peak Climbing Permit
Sagarmatha pollution control committee Garbage Deposit
Experienced guides and porters ( 1 porter for 2 clients maximum 30 kg and 2 clients 1 climbing Sherpa) to assist with the climb and logistics
Meals and accommodation during the expedition, including at the base camp tents and along the route
Staff Insurances/ Nepalese who are belongs to trekking and expedition
An arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service ( with your insurance policy cover.). If in case of worst case only
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