ISLAND PEAK CLIMBING 21 days Trip route: Lukla Namche EBC - Island Peak summit - Lukla Activities: Trekking, Rock climbing, Sightseeing, Climbing & Expedition Difficulty: Adventurous to challenging Max Elevation: (6,189m/20,305ft) at summit Trekking Style: Teahouse & Camping Meal: Full board on trek; BB at Kathmandu Accommodation: Hotel/Lodge & tent Transportation: Flight & private vehicle Best Month: Sep - Nov & March May T: +254-721-762080, +254-734-529094 info@alpineadventures.co.ke www.alpineadventures.co.ke
ISLAND PEAK CLIMBING (6,189m/20,305ft) TRIP OVERVIEW This Island peak climbing trip is a great Himalayan experience that includes glacier travel, moderate snow and ice climbing while ascending to 6000m/20,000ft. Island peak is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal in the Everest region. Island peak is located in the Khumbu region, intelligibly one of the most popular and an outstanding destination which offers the best opportunity to experience great Himalayan sceneries. Island peak climbing is a blend of outdoor adventure and cultural exploration and a great way to experience the Himalayan Mountains - the world's most impressive mountain range - and is sure to create lasting memories and provide you with a satisfying sense of accomplishment. After your arrival in Nepal, you will have a day of rock climbing in Kathmandu or you may choose to explore the exotic city before flying into the remote mountain town of Lukla where you begin your island peak trip. Once at Lukla, we follow an ancient route that journeys through tiny villages and remote Himalayan valleys. Along the way, we visit Buddhist monasteries and begin to appreciate the unique mountain culture found in the Himalayan foothills. The views grow more spectacular as we venture up the Dudh Kosi River to Namche Bazaar - the gateway to the Khumbu region at3,440m/11,283ft. We spend a night near the Thyangboche monastery (3,867m/12684ft), where you are rewarded with spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, and Lhotse. A rewarding hike leads to the summit of Kala Pattar- Black rock (5,545m/18,192ft) and provides a truly spectacular panorama of Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) the Mother Goddess of the World(8848m/29,028ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,932ft) and many other popular peaks. Our journey then continues to Imja Tse, also known as Island Peak. It tops out at 6,189m/20,305ft and rewards us with magnificent views of Ama Dablam, the South Face of Lhotse and Everest. From the summit of Island Peak there are stunning views of Lhotse and Makalu, the 4th and 5th highest mountains in the world respectively. The return trek continues to delight adventurous souls with more spectacular mountain views, lush forested valleys, and opportunities to learn about the Nepalese religion and culture.
OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) Day 02: Rock climbing at Nagarjun hill site/ city tour (1,300m/4,264 ft) Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), 3-4 hrs walk Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft), 5-6 hrs walk Day 05: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche(3,867m/12684ft), 5-6 hrs walk Day 07: Trek to Pheriche(4,200m/13,776ft), 4-5 hrs walk Day 08: Acclimatization day at Pheriche Day 09: Trek to Lobuche(4,928m/16164 ft), 5-6 hrs walk Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) & Everest base camp (5,316m/17,437ft) 5-7 hours Day 11: Early hike to Kala Pathar and trek to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft), 7-8 hrs walk Day 12: Dingboche to Chhukung valley (4,730m/15,518ft), 2-3 hrs walking Day 13: Chhukung -Island Peak Base camp (5,200m/17,060ft), 3-4 hours Day 14: Island Peak Base Camp to High Camp (5,600m/18,372ft), 2-3 hours Day 15: High camp to summit (6,189m/20,305ft) to Chhukung Day 16: Trek to Tyangboche(3,867m/12684ft), 4-5 hrs walk Day 17: Trek to Namche (3,440m/11,283ft), 4-5 hrs walk Day 18: Trek to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 6-7 hrs walk Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu Day 20: Leisure at Kathmandu Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu TRIP HIGHLIGHTS Island Peak Climbing provides a variety of standard trails coupled with visits to a number of Sherpa villages and valleys before joining the main Base Camp trail. Alpine Adventures has carefully designed the trekking itinerary to help acclimatization prior to trekking to Kala Patar (5,550m/18204ft) and to Everest Base Camp. This acclimatization schedule has worked wellin the past. During the trip, trekkers happen to see spectacular views of Everest, the highest mountain in the world, and a range of other classic Mountains including Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. AmaDablam, Mt.Kang Tega, Mt. Thamserku and Mt. Pumori.
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY FOR 21 DAYS ISLAND PEAK CLIMB Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan intl. airport our representative will welcome you and assist you with your transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. You can spend the day as you please, and in the evening you will be treated to a welcome dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu. You will be briefed about your trip and spend overnight at your hotel. Day 02: Rock climbing at Nagarjun hill site/ city tour (1,300m/4,264 ft) Today after breakfast, we will drive 3 km far from Kathmandu to Nagarjun hill site for rock climbing course, this will last for 3 to 4 hours and this is the time for you to learn some of the useful climbing technique along with our climbing experts. Instead, you may take our half day guided sightseeing tours if the city. Evening pre-trip discussion and introduce with our fellow trekking staff for your adventure trip. Over night at Kathmandu. Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), 3-4 hrs Early morning you will take a 40 minute long scenic flight from Kathmandu to a tiny airstrip at Lukla. There you will have time to stroll around, while the guide sort and divide the load baggage to be carried by porters. Your guide will manage a place for lunch depending upon the time of arrival at Lukla. You will then take an easy walk to reach Phakding village for the overnight stop and, in the remaining time, you can stroll around the village to get to know the village and its people. Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft), 5-6 hrs After breakfast we'll continue our walk to the bank of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice through small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo, the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park. After entering the National park boundary we start to descend. The gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River to Jorsalle village, the last village until Namche Bazaar. Namche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Overnight stay at Namche. Day 05: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar resting and allowing our bodies to acclimatize to the altitude of (3,440m/ 11,283ft). You have a full day leisure or you can take a short hike and visit the Everest View Point
hotel for wonderful panoramic view or stroll around the market. If it happens to be a Saturday; one can see the lively & colourful market of Namche as Saturday is marked a typical day for people for shopping. In addition to this, you will have an opportunity to visit the Sherpa Museum, a great place to learn Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. Overnight stay at Namche. Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft), 5-6 hrs Today after breakfast we start our trek with a pleasant walk through the forest enjoying the magnificent view of the mighty peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, AmaDablam, Thamserku and Kwangde peak and the eastern snow-capped mountains. The final trail leads up a steep path through the forests arriving at Tyangboche, one of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya, On arrival, the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak AmaDablam. Over-night at Tyanboche. Day 07: Trek to Pheriche (4,200m/13,776ft), 4-5 hrs Today our trek starts with a pleasant walk downhill through a forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron until we reach the riverside. We cross the river and continue gradually up towards a Sherpa village- Pangboche- where we can stop for lunch and explore the rich Sherpa culture and traditions. Our hike then leads gradually up again towards the ridge of the hill, from where you can see the Pheriche valley. We descend and cross the river and hike for 10 more minutes to reach Pheriche for the night. Here you may join a high altitude sickness seminar conducted by a mountain specialist. This is scheduled every day after 3 pm onwards at the Pheriche clinic. Day 08: Acclimatization day at Pheriche Today we rest for acclimatization at the Pheriche valley. You may have a full day of rest or can hike for up to the Nagarjuna peak (5,050 m) from where you can see breathtaking views of Mt. Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Mt. Makalu, Island peak and many more. Day 09: Trek to Lobuche (4,928m/16164 ft), 5-6 hrs Today the trail diverts north, the path is flat for an hour and gradual uphill for another hour. After a pleasant walk through the meadow we will reach Dongle from where you can view Mt. Chlorates and other peaks west of Everest. Dongle is a good place for a few minutes break before the strenuous climb to the top of the hill. The top of this hill houses memorials of unfortunate climber s monuments, climbers who died in expeditions around the mountains of this region. Our trek continues to Lobuche for an hour for the night. Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) & hike to Everest Base Camp (5,320m/17,450ft), 5-7 hrs After breakfast we continue our trek to Gorakshep through a windy and rocky path with the wonderful views of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Nuptse and other magnificent peaks. After check in at the lodge & lunch, our adventure continues towards Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Ice-fall. The trail passes through rocky dunes, moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. At Everest Base Camp Everest climbers gather to summit during the high expedition season. We explore base camp and its surrounding glacier and return back to Gorakshep for overnight. Day 11: Early hike to Kala Pathar( 5,550m/18,204ft) and trek to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft), 7-8 hrs Your Guide will arrange to start early this morning for a hike up to Kala Pathar for the most wonderful sunrise views of the Everest. It takes about 2 hours to reach this hill top (the famous view point). This small peak offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and AmaDablam along with the entire mountain views of Khumbu Himalayan range. From here we hike back down to Gorakshep, have breakfast and continue our hike towards Dingboche for overnight. Day 12: Dingboche to Chhukung valley (4,730m/15,518ft), 2-3 hrs Today, we have a very short day and after breakfast we head further east to a 2-3 hr gentle uphill to reach Chhukung, which is a hidden valley near the base of Island peak. We'll have full day s rest here. This will be the last place to prepare for camping and climbing gear. Overnight at the hotel. Day 13: Chhukung -Island Peak Base camp (5,200m/17,060ft), 3-4 hrs Today, we head further up a steep path and then turn east to the main line of the valley. We continue a short pleasant walk along a streamside which leads to a big rock. The route to Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A crisis cross route through the Imia and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking of Island peak. We'll reach Island peak base camp and overnight at tented camp. Day 14: Island Peak Base Camp to High Camp (5,600m/18,372ft), 2-3 hrs After breakfast and packing our camping stuff, we'll head on to the High camp from where we start our
climb. As you climb the hill, you will see that the slope narrows and the path enters a steep rock channel nearby where we'll overnight at camp. Day 15: High camp to summit (6,189m/20,305ft) to Chhukung, 8-10 hrs Early morning through the rock gully we start our climb. This is not difficult but there are several short rocky steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route follows a ridgeline, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty, to a 100m/330ft snow and ice slope (40-45 Degree) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. You can enjoy with success and brave to get a summit and after some picture taking of scenic views will descend all the way to Chhukung for overnight at teahouse. Day 20: Leisure at Kathmandu Today is also a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla. You may spend the day at your leisure or we can arrange some additional activities for you. You can explore Thames area for some shopping. In the evening we will meet you for your farewell dinner. Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu Today you are free and have time for last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives depending on your flight timings or further trips/activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onward destination. END OF TRIP Day 16: Trek to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft), 4-5 hrs The walk today will be easy heading downhill to a lower elevation from Chhukung all the way to Tyangboche. Tyangboche is one of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya. The first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Gumbo, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak AmaDablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shard towards north east and more peaks all around you. Day 17: Trek to Namche (3,440m/11,283ft), 4-5 hrs Trek down to Phungithanka, a small settlement with couple of teahouses. The trail leads downhill through the forested path of silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron and some few magnolia and birch trees. We retrace to Namche bazaar for the overnight stay. Day 18: Trek to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 6-7 hrs Today we'll have our last day s trek back to Lukla. We trek back enjoying the lush green scenery around and pass through local Sherpa villages. After your arrival at Lukla you have time to stroll around the area and your guide will re-confirm your flight. Enjoy the last celebration dinner with your crew members! Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) After an early morning flight to Kathmandu our guide will transfer you to your hotel. You may have time to relax after the long journey, take back your breath and rest at your hotel ending your Himalayan trip with us.
IMPORTANT NOTES Our every effort will be made to keep to the proposed itinerary, however as this is adventure travel in a remote Himalayan region, we cannot guarantee it. The health of member, weather conditions can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary. Please note that the flights to and from Lukla are dependent on the weather and delays can happen. If you have to wait in Kathmandu at the beginning of the trip your overnight accommodation is included and you will not have to pay extra for this. In our itinerary one extra day in Kathmandu is included at the end of the trip in case of delays flying from Lukla. If you are delayed longer than this we can help reschedule your international flights however there is likely to be a fee charged by the airline for this. You will also have to pay for all additional costs incurred in Kathmandu such as accommodation and meals.
ISLAND PEAK CLIMBING 21 days Trip Cost Includes: Pickups/ drop, all ground transportation by private vehicle in Kathmandu Twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast at hotel Blue Horizon Welcome & farewell dinner in Kathmandu A day rock climbing course in Nagarjun hillnearest hillside of Kathmandu or sightseeing trip with city tour guide in Kathmandu as per itinerary & monument entry fees All domestic airfares as per the itinerary- Kathmandu- Lukla-Kathmandu 13 days full board of trek and 3 days of Island Peak climbing on Full board of trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) in during the trek Comfortable accommodation on teahouse/lodge during the trek and overnight at tented camp during climbing period Everest trekking permit/island peak climbing permit/s & other necessary fees Necessary group climbing gear &equipments Trekking/Climbing Guide (English speaking, First Aid trained), Sherpa helper, all payments, insurance Nepal Vision Duffle bag and T-shirt Exclusive medical kit bag All government and local taxes Trip Cost Excludes: Nepal Visa fees, intl. airfare & departure taxes Personal climbing equipment (can be bought/hired in Kathmandu or at Namche) Garbage deposit fees US$ 250.00 (refundable) Excess baggage charges Lunch and dinner in city Travel and rescue insurance Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters Tips for driver, guides and porters Any extending trips How to book: In order to confirm your booking, you will be required to pay a 20% deposit of the trip value as it enables us to make pre-trip arrangements on your behalf. The remaining payment will be required before your trip commences. Payment can be made by cash, telegraphic transfer to our bank account or travellers cheques. Please contact us for more information on your mode of payment. CONTACT US TODAY! Alpine Adventures Ltd P.O. Box: 41452, Nairobi, Kenya-00100 Tel: +254 (0) 721-762080/ 734-529094 sales@alpineadventures.co.ke www.alpineadventures.co.ke T: +254-721-762080, +254-734-529094 info@alpineadventures.co.ke www.alpineadventures.co.ke