Island peak (6183m) also known as Imja Tse is one of the famous climbing peaks in Nepal, located at Everest region. This peak was first known as Imja Tse peak. The trekking to this particular peak does not only provide enjoyable moment but also some of the magnificient views of Himalayas lying in the Khumbu region including the Mt. Everest (8848m),Mt.Nuptse (7,855m), Lhotse (8,516m), Lhotse middle peak (8,410m) and Lhotse Shar (8,383m) make a semi circle in the north. The views of Makalu (8475m) in the east, Baruntse (7720m), and Mt. Amadablam (6856m) in the south add more charm while having summit to the Peak. The peak was first ascended in 1953 by the British team as part of their preparations for climbing Everest. Tenzing Norgay was one of the members of the first ascent team. This peak is actually part of the south ridge of Lhotse Shar and forms a semicircle of cliffs that rise to the north of Nuptse, Lhotse, Middle Peak and Lhotse Shar. The trekking to this area begins from Lukla, where you will reach by direct flight and through Namchhe, Dinboche, Chukung, you will finally reach to the base camp and after having successful ascend to the peak, you will return from the same route.
Day 01: Kathmandu to Lukla which takes approximately 30 minutes and trek to Phakding.
Day 02: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.)
Day 03: Rest at Namche Bazar for acclimatization
Day 04: Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3850 m.)
Day 05: Tyangboche to Dingboche( 4350m.)
Day 06: Dingboche(4350m.) to Chhukung (4730m.)
Day 07: Rest at Chhukung for acclimatization.
Day 08: Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5087m).
Day 09: Climb to Island Peak (6189m.)
Day 11: Island Peak Base Camp to Chhukung.
Day 12: Chhukung to Pangboche (3985m.)
Day 13: Pangboche to Khumjung (3790m.).
Day 14: Khumjung to Monjo
Day 15: Monjo to Lukla [2800m]
Day 16: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu
Early in the morning you will be driven from hotel to Kathmandu airport, after 30 minutes spectacular flight you will land to Lukla airport (2800m.).You begin your trek to Phakding (2652m.) and you walk for about 2 and half to 3 hrs. While trekking, you head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail to Phakding(2652m.)
This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo(2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri, Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the village monasteries on the way of trekking to Namche Bazaar(3440 m.). Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region and holds a busy Saturday market. There is set a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have reached there by crossing the glaciated Nangpa La.
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.
From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now you have a glimpse of first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru . Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, the trail descends steeply to a bridge over the river Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga (3250m.).The village has an excellent place for lunch and you can take a short rest before making the steep climb to Tyangboche. Although exhausting due to the zigzag path, the trek has numerous attractions like rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds chirping and superb mountain scenery making your trek exciting. Tyangboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region.
You gradually descend through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily up to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite to Ama Dablam [6,856 m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the Gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. As you gradually ascend , you do find thick forests but the trail is full of thorny and juniper bushes. A further two and half hours walk brings us to Dingboche. Here you can see Sherpa people working hard in the agricultural farm.
The trail gradually ascends up to the Chhukung. On the way, you can see summer huts made especially for keeping the livestock's in summer time. Along this, you enjoy the beautiful mountain views in and around the valley.
Crossing the gully above the camp the trail makes a climb for another hour to a narrow ridge, leading on to the glacier. Here it is time to rope-up and put on our crampons as the most interesting part of the climb begins with the glacier crossing. This is followed by the steep snow slope that leads onto the summit ridge. This ridge is wonderfully airy and on reaching the summit we have stunning close-up views of the south face of Lhotse looming over us whilst in the other direction, there are more dramatic mountain views. We descend along the same route, down to base camp.
After descending along the trail to Chhukung, we continue on to Dingboche for lunch. It is then another couple of hours to the lovely village of Pangboche where we'll camp for the night.
Your final day's trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where you can sample some chhang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.
CUSTOM TREK NEPAL
Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 4362946
Mobile: +977 98 511 06243 (Ambir Gurung)
Email: info@customtreknepal.com
