Island Peak and Everest Base Camp Nepal 6189m

Island peak is billed as one of the beautiful trekking peaks in Nepal, and is an amazing objective to reach. We trek up the beautiful Khumbu valley to Everest Base Camp, a unique experience in its own right and allow optimal time for acclimatisation and full immersion into this Sherpa homeland. An expedition to Island Peak highlights the many fascinating aspects of Nepali life and tradition and culminates in an ascent of one of Nepal's finest mountains. The ascent is suitable for those with a good trekking background who possess a basic knowledge of Alpine climbing skills.

We start in the vibrant city of Kathmandu where our senses will be delighted by the vast blend of religions, cultures and scenic experiences. We stay in the relative tranquil haven of a centrally located hotel, so even though the city literally vibrates around us a relaxing time can be found by those wanting to recover from the flight or those wanting to explore the city a little at the time.

On the next day we fly to the spectacularly located mountain town of Lukla (2,800m) from where our trek into the Khumbu valley begins. We follow an ancient route that will take us through tiny villages, remote valleys, impressive monasteries and over high mountain passes. The views grow more spectacular daily until we are rewarded with stunning views of Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Lhotse and the mountain scenery of the Khumbu region.

After a strenuous few days our efforts will culminate in an ascent of the non-technical Kala Pattar (5,550m) from whose summit the world's highest mountains lie, literally, at one's feet. Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and a distant Makalu emphasise this truly spectacular panorama. We then drop back down the valley before climbing up towards Island Peak, our ultimate goal.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart the UK
We will meet at Heathrow and set off for Kathmandu.

Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and check into our hotel located in the heart of Kathmandu where we are met by an amazing blend of cultures, religions and people. Great souvenir shopping and Durbar square with its numerous temples and markets are nearby. During the rest of the day you will have an opportunity to settle after your flight.

Day 3: Lukla (2,800m)
An early morning flight into Lukla, from where we begin our trek into the Khumbu region. The views from the plane are amazing, providing dramatic scenes of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing we meet our ground crew and begin a 3-4 hour trek to Monju (2,835m), our night's resting place.

Day 4: Namche Bazaar (3,400m)
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing this roaring river on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu region.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar
Today is a rest and acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is the Sherpa capital and a bustling village cramped with markets and traditional Sherpa houses. We will leave on an early morning hike to the Sherpa museum from where we can see views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world) and the beautiful Ama Dablam. The Sherpa Museum houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyles and a fabulous photography display. The rest of the day is for private exploration of this enchanting place.

Day 6: Deboche (3,800m)
From Namche Bazaar, we trek along the contour of the hills, with amazing views into the deep and lush valleys below. Our route will take us through Thyangboche, the spiritual centre of the Khumbu.
At Thyangboche resides a famous monastery. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a giant sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. We may spend some time here before our trek continues downhill into rhododendron forests, taking us to our secluded accommodation at Deboche.

Day 7: Dingboche (4,300m)
The trek continues along the roaring glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We cross another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climb to Pangboche amongst thousands of Mani stones. From Pangboche the route winds high above the valley floor, passing through various Sherpa settlements until we reach our resting place for the next couple of days, Dingboche.

Day 8: Dingboche (4,300m)
This will be a valuable day to acclimatise and allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere now we have gone above 4,000m. There is the option of a light hike up the valley for a wider variety of photos and views of the spectacular 6,000m peaks of Tawoche, Cholatse, Island Peak and the 8,000m wall of Lhotse. On a clear day one may see Mount Makulu, another giant above 8,000m and the 5th highest mountain in the world.

Day 9: Lobuche (4,900m)
From Dingboche the trail traverses through farmlands and meadows. We will stop in Dzugla, (4,570m) for lunch before continuing along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Today we pass by the stone memorials to climbers who have died on the mountains around us. Look carefully to find touching memorials to famous mountaineers. We follow the trail to Lobuche and camp just below the terminal moraine of the tributary glacier.

Day 10: Gorak Shep (5,410m) and Kala Pattar (5,550m)
An early morning start brings us closer to our two objectives.
We wind our way through the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier to our accommodation at Gorak Shep, situated at the base of Kala Patthar. This was the original Base Camp used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their successful ascent of Everest, before the Base Camp moved closer to the mountain on the edge of the Khumbu Icefall.
From Gorak Shep we ascend the non-technical Kala Patthar (5,550m) and are rewarded for our efforts by unbeatable views. From this lofty perch we can clearly see the summit of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. This is simply an amazing panorama and we'll allow ample time to savour the rewards of our efforts.

Day 11: Everest Base Camp (5,346m)
Today we will journey towards our goal, the Base Camp of Mount Everest, located at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. This can be a long day but the satisfaction of having achieved our objective will make this all the more worthwhile. We'll spend the day at Everest/Lhotse Base Camp, giving you a chance to thoroughly explore this historic area, before returning back to Gorak Shep.

Day 12: Descent to Dingboche (4,410m)
Today we follow the route back down the Khumbu valley to Dingboche in readiness for the next phase of our expedition.
At Dingboche the members of the team who are not continuing on to Island Peak will be heading down to Lukla (2 days away) and on to Kathmandu for their well-earned celebration. They can choose to either await the return of the Island Peak team who will arrive in Kathmandu 4 days later (hotels, meals etc. for these 4 days will be an additional cost), or take their return flight to the UK. The EBC group costs are different to the island peak clients costs.

Day 13: Chukkung (4,730m)
Today is a relatively easy hike up the valley to Chukhung, which is the last village en route to Island Peak. This will be our base for the next couple of nights to allow us to gather our strength and acclimatise further before arriving at the base of the mountain.

Day 14: Island Peak base camp (4,970m)
A six hour trek takes us closer to our destination. This will be our base where we launch our attempt on the mountain.

Day 15: The summit of Island Peak (6,189m)
Starting in the early hours after a light breakfast of tea and biscuits we climb up a rocky gully before traversing to the right. Soon we reach the glacier where we rope up until the South ridge. Then we follow this beautiful alpine ridge to the summit. Finally the end result of our hard work. The summit of Island Peak! It is time for those well-earned hugs and backslaps and letting those cameras turn red hot as we capture the splendour around us. The summits we have come to know so well during our ascent take on a totally different perspective and a little time is spent taking in the 360 panorama.
Then we leave and head down to base camp for a short rest before continuing down to Chhukung.

Day 16: Contingency Day
Contingency day in case of bad weather, we built in an extra day for the summit. If this day is not utilised as a contingency day, then it will be used as a free day in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Thyangboche (3,860m)
Descend back down the Khumbu Valley to Thyangboche.

Day 18: Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Back down to what will seem after all our time in the hill the booming city of Namche. Get ready for all those luxuries you may have missed.

Day 19: Lukla (2,840m)
Our last day on the trail, we hike from Namche to Lukla. We stay overnight in Lukla and enjoy a very welcome beer.

Day 20: Kathmandu (1,350m)
The scenic morning flight back to Kathmandu gives us one last chance to say farewell to the mountains.
We will have the day to explore, go shopping, visit the palaces and markets. An enduring favourite destination is the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or perhaps we will join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal; we will also visit the most famous Shiva temple in Asia.

Day 21: Kathmandu
This is a day to explore Kathmandu some more and is built into the program in the event that the flights don?t leave Lukla the previous day. This can happen due to poor weather, grounding the planes.

Day 22: Flight to UK. This is either a morning flight which will bring you back to London Heathrow in the evening or it is an overnight flight therefore arriving back in the early hours on the Saturday 28th.

Day 23: Arrive UK