Island Peak climbing, 6,189 meters, is a popular destination for climbers who are dreaming of high mountain expeditions and are interested in harvesting mountain climbing experiences in life. In fact, Island Peak is a popular training peak for those who are attempting high mountain expeditions because a lot of the skills required at Island Peak for crossing crevasses with ladders, using jumars on a fixed line, or climbing must be prepared perfectly with every climbing equipment and technique.
As our experiences in the high Himalayas, we make a genuine and perfect itinerary including a trek from Gokyo Valley to Island Peak climbing. Our main purpose is safety, security, and a successful mission in the Himalayas. The gradual ascent up the Gokyo Valley, Gokyo Ri 5,380m excursion, Chola Pass 5,420m, Khumbu Valley, Kalapatthar excursion 5,545 m, Everest basecamp hiking 5,360 m, and possibly Kongma La Pass 5,535m, allows forexcellent acclimatization and which enhanced the experience on the Island Peak Expedition.
Table of Contents
The detailed Itinerary for Climbing Island Peak 6,189 Meters
Island Peak Climbing
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu international airport, greeted with a flower garland and transfer to the Hotel, and evening trip briefing at your hotel
Day 02: Kathmandu to Phakding 2600m, 3 hours
Drive a couple of hours very early in the morning to Ramechap airport by car and take a short flight to Lukla (2800m). Your trekking supporting staff are waiting for you in Lukla, they will come to collect you at the airport counter and take you to the lodge for breakfast. At the same time, we make an introduction, then start slowly trekking via Chaurikharkha, Kyangzoma, Ghat to Phakding village (2640m) for overnight.
Day 03: Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3440m' 5-6 hrs
We commence our trek to Namche Bazaar through the Dudh Koshi River bank. Today we will cross so many suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. The zigzag trail leads us through Banker, Monjo, to Jorsalle. Jorsalle is the check post of Sagarmatha National Park and trekking permits. Thamserku, Kusumgaru, and Kwongde Mountain are visible all day long today. The Khumbila Peak stands over the Namche Bazaar. We follow the uphill trail from the riverbed of this V-shaped valley, where the rivers Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi meet each other. Now we begin a steep ascent to Namche Bazar. We make a quick stop just over the shoulder of the steep up after one and a half hours of walking from there, you will have the 1st excellent view of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m). Then it takes approximately 45 minutes to arrive at Namche Bazaar. Below the Namche Bazaar, there is also a check post for checking your permits.
Day 04: Acclimatization day
Acclimatization day is considered an ideal day for altitude acclimatization in this place. After breakfast, just go higher around the museum. There is a very nice viewpoint including the statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and rounding mountain views such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, Nuptse, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kusumkangaru, Kwonge Peak, and Thame Peak. It would be the best morning ever in your travel time, then follow the steep climb up to the world’s highest airstrip airport, “Syangboche”. Turn right across the Everest View hotel to Khumjung village for a day excursion, visit the monastery which is still preserving a yeti’s head, then get back down to Namche by the side of the Khumjung school, or if you want to go to Khunde village, you can continue climbing and take a direct way to Namche bazaar from Khunde.
Day 05: Namche Bazaar to Dole 4200m, 6 hours
It is an easy flat trail until Sanasa through birch, pines, and fir trees with fine views of the mountains. From Sanasa, it climbs for one and a half hours up to Mongla Danda, then descends to Phortse Tanga. A well-known and typical ancient Sherpa village phortse is nicely visible along the way. There is a dense alpine forest of fir, rhododendron, birch, alpine bamboo, and pines between Phortse Tanga to Dole. The trail is scenic and mostly gradual uphill through the alpine forest.
Day 06: Dole to Machhermo 4700M, 6 hours
Scale up the way slowly to the ridge, from there you will see a giant mountain wall standing in the forehead is Mt.Cho Oyu 8201m. The trail is not steady; however, it is gently ascending through Luza. Today, you will see a lot of yak pasture fields. In the former time, people from Khumjung, Kunde, and Phortse used to bring their animals into this valley; thus still the land ownership is highly belongs to those people from the same village. Finally, we will arrive by clearing one hill lap to another into a fish-shaped valley in Machhermo village.
Day 07: Machhermo to Gokyo Lake 4750m, 3 hours
Gokyo Lake 4750 meter
We have a short walk today. We will arrive at Gokyo by lunchtime. After lunch, we climb up the glacier edge for exploration. On the way, a little settlement called Fanga village appears. There was a big avalanche of devastation in 1996. The trail crosses the rocky, narrow hill near the glacier and turns around the valley towards the lake. There are many beautiful lakes in Gokyo Valley. Behind the lakes, there is a big glacier lying, which is spreading from the bottom of Mt. Cho–oyu. After walking slowly around the rocky corner, you will reach the third lake, where you are staying overnight at 4750m.
Day 08: Gokyo Lake to Thangnak 4700m, 7 hours
: Explore Gokyo Ri early in the morning, which may take three hours up and down. Gokyo Ri is one of the best viewpoints that offers a panoramic view of Mt. Everest 8,848m, Lhotse 8,516m, Lhotse Shar 8,383m, Makalu 8,481m and Cho Oyu 8,201m and several other mountains such as Mt. Pumori (7161m), Ngozumba, Gyazungkhang, Tawatse, Cholatse, Mt. Changste (7550m), Mt. Lingterin (6679m), Mt. Amadablam (6856m), Bharuntse, Thamserku (6723m), Kantega( 6685m), etc. And a huge Ngozumba glacier and a fine view of the local Lakes. Descend to the lodge for breakfast, then start the trek to Thangnak by crossing a huge Ngozumba glacier. Overnight at Thangnak 4700m.
Day 09: Thangnak - Chola pass 5,420m - Dzongla 4800m, 8 hours
Chola Pass 5420 meters
The trail follows a small river stream into the deep mountain valley. It crosses several hillocks, glacier moraine to the Chola Phedi. Ascending over the rocky part takes almost a couple of hours. You frequently meet other trekkers who are coming from the EBC trek on this cliff. There was a big problem with ascending and descending during a heavy snowfall, but it is much easier now by fixing steel strings around scary and riskier places. You must carry a picnic packet for the day, as it is an important day over 5,420m, Chola pass. After the pass trail crosses a big part of the ice field and gradual descent to the Small settlement of Zhongla.
Day 10: Dzongla to Gorakshep 5,170m, 7 hours
Start your trek just after your breakfast. The views are very honorable, such as Mt. Chola tse, Tawatse Peak, Lobuche Peak, Nuptse Peak, Amadablam Peak, Chola Lake, and a wide alpine pasture field. The Khumbu legendary trail meets at the memorial site that comes across Pheriche village downtown. Pheriche is a famous Highlander village with a Rescue center and comfortable lodges. Follow the trail that gradually climbs toward EBC. Within some hours of ascending, you will arrive in Lobuche (4900m) and make your lunch here. It takes almost 3 hours of a demanding walk through Gyazungkhang glacier, the rocky gregarious moraine trail, and the giant longe bed of Khumbu glacier to the right side. Mt. Pumori, Nuptse, Gyzungkhang, and Ngozumba are towering Mountains. A wide and big glacier and the Khumbu Icefall will be enormously visible during the tour. Overnight at Crowed and the ultimate place, Gorakshep.
Day 11: Gorakshep- Kalapatthar- EBC- Lobuche 4900m, 7 hours
Start climbing up to the Kalapatthar very early in the morning with a flashlight for nice sunrise views. It takes approximately one and a half hours. You can see enormous spellbound views from Kalapathhar. Mt. Everest is very nicely visible from Kalapatthar. Mt. Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, a wide range of Everest basecamp, Khumbu icefall, a long range of giant Khumbu glacier, Mt. Makalu, Bharuntse, Amadablam, Tauche, Thamserku, and a complete Himalayan glacier covering landscape are visible. Pumori base camp lies just below Kalapatthar with gleaming Glacier Lake. Descend to the hotel for breakfast and prepare your baggage for the porter. Porters will descend to Lobuche earlier, while you will make a side trip to Everest base camp in the afternoon with a picnic package. Get back to Gorakshep for a drink or soup, then descend directly to Lobuche for overnight.
Today is another important day for crossing Kong Ma la, 5,535m, pass. The trail is quite tough till the pass, then it is easy descending until you reach Chhukung.
Day 13: Chhukung Rest day or Preparation for climbing peak, check and manage climbing gears.
Day 14: Chhukung to Island peak basecamp 5,300m, 4 hours
Your Island Peak expedition team starts with a completed outfitter preparation, such as tents, food, a cook, a helper, and a climbing guide. You will arrive by lunch at base camp, some rest, then the whole of the afternoon is for climbing training with your climbing guide.
Day 15: Island Peak 6,189m Summit and back B.C. or Chhukung
Normally, climbing starts at 2:00 AM from base camp or according to your conditions. It takes approximately 12 hours of walking all the way up to the Island Peak summit and down to base camp. If you have time, then better to descend to Chhukung overnight will be more comfortable rather sleeping in a tent in base camp.
Day 16: Contingency time
A spare contingency day should our summit attempt be in any way delayed due to bad weather or the need to rest for another day. If not needed, it will be added on as an extra free day in Kathmandu.
Day 17:Chhukung to Tyanboche Monastery, 6 hours
Easy walk down via passing the legendary villages Dingboche, Pangboche, to the highly respected holy Tyangboche Monastery for overnight
Day 18:Tyangboche to Monjo, 6 hours
Return down to Namche Bazaar and descend to Monjo for an overnight at a comfortable hotel.
Day 19:Monjo to Lukla, 5 hours
Easy descent to Lukla and farewell dinner together with your trekking crew. Give thanks for the hard work of this mission come true with some presents or TIPS.
Day 20:Lukla - KTM and free noon time
Take a morning flight to Manthali and drive back to KTM, free at noon. And farewell dinner with your trip organizer.
