Island Peak, located in the Everest region, is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal. Everest Base Camp with Island Peak is an easy climb suitable for beginners, so anyone with little mountaineering skills can climb the mountain. For many mountaineers, it is a course of acclimatization before heading to the summit of higher mountains like Mt. Everest or Mt. Lhotse. Climbing Island Peak can be a great addition to your usual trekking adventures. Did you know our Island Peak Climbing Via Everest Base Camp? Yes, that's right. You can now do both in a single journey. Read along for more.
The Island Peak, with a total elevation of 6,165 meters, is popularly known as Imja Tse Peak and is a part of Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), the world's fourth-highest mountain. The Island Peak stands up to the north of Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m), Mt. Buruntse (6,770 m), Amphu Lapcha (5,245 m), and Ama Dablam (6,856 m) lie to the south. It is situated near the Chukung glacier, primarily between the Ama Dablam and Mt. Lhotse ranges.
The mountain was named the "Island Peak" in 1953 by British climbers in the Mt. Everest Expedition as it resembles an island over a sea of ice when seen from Dingboche. It was later named "Imja Tse Peak" by the government in 1983. The peak was first climbed by the same British team in 1953 while summiting Mt. Everest. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa was one of the team members during the expedition. According to statistics, approximately 300 groups attempt to summit Island Peak each year.
It is the most sought-after peak among many adventurers seeking a wild adventure in the Himalayas. Just as much as the climb is adventurous, it's equally cultural. During the Island Peak Climbing Trip, you will stay at numerous pristine Sherpa hamlets, visit tranquil monasteries, learn about their unique culture, customs, and traditions, eat excellent local food, and discover the various biodiversity.
The 16 days climb to Island Peak is paired with trekking to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. We have built an itinerary that includes arrival and departure days to and from Nepal a full-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, a leisure day in Kathmandu, and a trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. It includes a whole list of varied events that will, without a doubt, give you the authentic taste of calm alongside adventure that the Everest region is known for!
Island Peak Climbing with Ebc Trek for 16 days in spring and autumn is available for booking at Outfitter Nepal! We offer group and private departures to Island Peak. Find the list of the dates that are open for booking, and do let us know if you want a private group departure or given dates are not suitable for you and you need another date. We are ready to depart for the Island Peak on any date. Come join us on this epic adventure in the Everest region.
Best Features of Everest Base Camp with Island Peak
- Climbing 6000+ meter peak in the Everest region
- Great panoramic Himalayan views from the summit of Island Peak
- Scenic mountain flight to and from Lukla
- Acclimatizing at Namche Bazaar while learning about the Sherpa culture
- Paying a visit to the ancient Tengboche Monastery
- Trekking to Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Glacier
- Unforgettable views of high mountains and Khumbu Ice Fall
- View of Everest and other neighboring mountains from Kala Patthar
- Hiking in the wilderness of Sagarmatha National Park
- Sightseeing tours of historical UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
What to Expect from Everest Base Camp with Island Peak in Spring and Autumn?
The 20-day Island Peak Climbing starts with a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. But before that, we have a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The trekking journey begins once you land in Lukla. We trek through Phakding to Namche Bazaar, then Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche, and finally reach Everest Base Camp. We also take a morning hike to Kala Patthar to observe the glorious Himalayan sunrise over Mt. Everest and the surrounding mountains.
The Island Peak climb continues further by a returning trek to Thukla and then to Dingboche. We trek to the Island Base Camp via Chhukum and finally climb through a mountainous section to Island Peak Summit. After an excursion around the peak, we retrace our steps back to the base camp, then to Pangboche, Namche, and finally get back to Lukla via Phakding and then fly back to Kathmandu. You have a leisurely day in Kathmandu to rest before you fly back to your home country.
Why Combine Island Peak with Everest Base Camp?
Combining an Island Peak Ascent with a trek in the Everest region is the best way to acclimate and prepare for the climb. An ascent of Island Peak is best prepared by trekking to Everest Base Camp as it goes as high as 5364 meters and a further 5545 meters at Kala Patthar. This provides for adequate acclimatization before heading toward the Island Peak Summit at 6165 meters.
Trekking to EBC before ascending the summit also allows you to stay longer in Khumbu and explore the region thoroughly. It's not every day you get to be in the Everest region, so why not make the most out of it when you're there? You can explore the Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Glacier, and witness the mesmerizing Khumbu Icefall. The panoramic vistas of mountains and the full face of Mt. Everest shining in the golden rays of sunshine are worth hiking up to Kala Patthar.
Which route do we follow for EBC Trek with Island Peak Climbing?
There are two ways to begin the ascent of Island Peak. One is from Island Base Camp, located at 5,087 meters (16,690 feet). Another well-liked choice is to hike up to High Camp, which is located at about 5,600 meters (18,400 feet), in order to shorten the effort and duration required for summit day. We start from the base camp as there are chances of water scarcity at the High Camp and sleeping difficulty at a higher altitude. It is essentially a trek from base camp to high camp; however, a few rocky steps immediately above high camp demand moderate scrambling up through a wide-open gully.
Glacier travel starts at the gully's summit and progresses up a challenging snow and ice slope. The guides will set up fixed ropes from here for the arduous climb of approximately 100 meters (330 feet) to the summit ridge. Due to the high ascent, the summit climb is a little challenging. Furthermore, despite the fact that Mount Everest is only ten kilometers to the north, the view will be obstructed by the huge Lhotse wall, which rises 2,300 m (7,500 ft) above the peak. However, the breathtaking view of the Himalayas from the top is priceless.
How much does EBC with Island Peak Cost in Spring and Autumn?
The Outfitter Nepal's Island Peak Climbing package, which also covers a trek to Everest Base Camp, ranges between US$ 2000 and US$ 2600. For a group of 5 to 8 people, the cost of peak climbing goes to be around US$ 2000 per person, while for a group of 2 to 4, it cost around US$ 2250 per pax. If you are a solo trekker, the cost turns out to be US$ 2600 for our standard Island Peak Climbing Package with EBC.
The package can be customized according to your convenience. However, the overall cost will alter if you want to add better accommodation and other amenities. Trip customization is possible with Outfitter Nepal with prior notice. Likewise, if you want to add more side trails to your itinerary, we are thrilled to help you with that as well.
Major attractions of EBC Trek with Island Peak
A daring flight to Lukla
Lukla, the starting point of the Island Peak Climb, is only 30 minutes away from Kathmandu by flight. It takes a lot of grit to stay on the short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. It will be a breathtakingly gorgeous and thrilling flight. This spectacular flight is one of the best experiences of the Island Peak Climb.
What is it about this flight that makes it so thrilling? It is, in fact, Lukla Airport's landing strip. It features one of the world's shortest runways at 525 meters (1,729 feet) and one of the world's highest airports at 2,845 m (9,334 feet). When you consider the runway's steepness, which dangles off the side of a mountain, it's bound to give you an adrenaline rush!
Wilderness in the UNESCO World Heritage Site
The trail to EBC and Island Peak travels through Sagarmatha National Park, which offers a diverse range of climate zones and vegetation. From Monjo onwards, you hike through Sagarmatha National Park, which is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. This national park is also a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The route includes several ascents and descents, as well as crossing several streams and dense woodlands. Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga, and Gyachyung Kang can all be seen during your journey through Sagarmatha National Park.
Namche Bazaar, the mystical Himalayan village
The Island Peak Climbing route passes through Namche Bazaar, which is a significant stopover. If you wish to discover Nepal's Himalayan region and mountains, this is the place to be in! Even before you reach Namche Bazaar, you can catch the first glimpse of Everest! At 3,500 meters above sea level, Namche Bazaar serves as the starting point for treks to Everest and other Himalayan peaks. It's a lively market town that sells everything from trekking and climbing gear to Tibetan souvenirs. Namche is well-known for its yak cheese and butter.
The Everest region's gateway, Namche, also serves as a memorial to previous climbing expeditions and provides information on Sherpa culture and way of life. Nestled on the side of an arch-shaped mountain with panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks from all locations in the valley, Namche was formerly an important trading center in the Khumbu region. To adapt to increasing altitude, trekkers frequently stay here for several days. It goes without saying that your stay in Namche will be memorable.
Tengboche Monastery and its spiritual significance
The Tengboche Monastery is the main attraction for trekkers, mountaineers, and everyone else along the Island Peak trekking route. This historic monastery, which is also a significant religious holy site in Khumbu, offers spectacular views of Mt. Ama Dablam and the surrounding Himalayas. Guru Rinpoche blesses all the pilgrims and guests who enter this sacred location.
The Tengboche monastery was built in 1961 but was destroyed by the 1934 earthquake. In the same year, the monastery was renovated. The monastery, however, was completely destroyed by fire in 1989 and had to be rebuilt. Despite these tragedies, the Tengboche Monastery remains the oldest and largest in the Khumbu region.
A hike to Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp is located at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier, surrounded by some of the world's most famous peaks. The base camp is a must-see for climbers from all over the world. Thousands of trekkers visit the base camp and other Nepalese circuits each year, even though they don't attempt to summit the peaks. In and of itself, reaching Everest Base Camp is an outstanding achievement as it is at the foothill of the world's highest mountain (8,848 m). Everest Base Camp offers stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains and glaciers, though you can't see the summit of Everest from here.
Kala Patthar with clear views of the Everest
Kala Patthar is a fantastic vantage point for seeing Mount Everest's face, which is not visible from the base camp. Kala Patthar, a mountain crest that offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains, is a short hike from Gorakshep. You can see one of the most beautiful views of Everest and Ama Dablam from Kala Patthar. Similarly, as the light rays reach the summit, the sunrise vista of the Everest peak is stunning. Thus, Kala Patthar is considered the best viewing location in the Everest region.
Witnessing the Sherpa's unparalleled culture
Sherpas are among the uniquely cultural Nepali Indigenous groups. Sherpas have earned respect for delivering clients to the summit of Mount Everest, one of the world's most hazardous destinations. The Everest region was extremely remote until adventure trekking was introduced.
Along with being brave souls in the Himalayas, Sherpas are also true to their culture. They follow traditional Tibetan Buddhism that has been passed down to them for centuries. Get to know the authentic Sherpa culture en route to Island Peak.
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