Island Peak

After arrival at Kathmandu International Airport an ‘Region Treks’s representative will take you to your hotel in town. You will be briefed about your trek and there will be time to walk around in the vicinity of the hotel. Evening meal. There will also be a chat regarding accommodation and meals during the trip.

After breakfast we offer a guide for a tour of the Kathmandu valley with visits to the Pashupatinath Temples, Durbar Square and the Boudhanath Stupa. If preferred you can have a free day.

After breakfast transfer to Kathmandu Airport for the half hour flight to Lukla: one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in the dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by giant peaks. After a brief rest we start the walk through Lukla with its many shops to the nearby village of Chaurikharka visiting a school and monastery on the way. Meeting staff and porters, evening meal and overnight stay in Buddha Lodge.

After early breakfast we trek along the undulating trail up the marvelous Dudh Kosi valley with a break in Phakding. Onwards mainly uphill through various small settlements, across bridges and past tea houses to Monjo.

Soon after breakfast we enter the Everest National Park (access formalities will be completed by your guide). The trail follows the Dudh Kosi crossing it several times to the Hillary Bridge festooned in prayer flags. There the steep and relentless climb to Namche begins; usually a rest is taken at the spot where Everest can be seen for the first time. Namche Bazar with its many shops, tea houses and hostels is the true heart of the Khumbu district.

You have a choice to rest, stroll through the village or take part in an easy walk to Chor Camp and its museum with views to Everest and many other remarkable peaks.

The undulating trail leads across rhododendron slopes past the Tenzing Memorial Stupa to Sanasa, then down and across the Imja Khola to zig-zag up to Tengboche with its famous monastery.

A visit to the monastery may be possible in the morning. Then we trek slightly downhill to Debuche through rhododendron and a variety of birch and conifer forests. After that across the Imja Khola to Pangboche where tremendous views open up towards Everest. Through Shomare to Pheriche we may visit the small hospital there.

Initially a gentle uphill stretch to Duglha at the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier followed by a steep climb towards the Chupki Lhara stone memorials for climbers perished on Everest. Once on the Khumbu moraine the view opens to Pumori and other great peaks to soon arrive in Lobuche. Please inform your leader about the preferred alternatives for Day 10 and Day 11 !

Alternative 1: We trek through the former Gorak Shep Lake after which route finding becomes difficult through the moraines - it is important to follow the leader exactly – to Everest Base Camp for a rest : many colourful tents between Nuptse and Pumori (Everest is not visible from here). Return to Gorak Shep. Alternative 2: as the sunset view from Kala Patar is more spectacular than the sunrise one we recommend to visit this top in the evening.

Alternative 3: early start, cold and wind a possibility, to climb Kala Patar with its 360 degree panorama which includes Pumori close by and, best of all mighty Everest and Nuptse. Down to Gorak Shep and on to Lobuche. Alternative 4: trek to Base Camp today and return to Gorak Shep. Both groups from there to Lobuche. Please discuss the alternatives for Day 12.

Down and across the Khumbu Glacier and strenuously up to the Kongma La Pass with its cairn draped in prayer flags. Down past some small lakes to the small summer settlement Chukung. Alternative: an easier route avoiding the high pass leads via Dingboche to Chukung.

The route leads up eastwards to the winding trail between the Lhotse and Imja Glacier moraines close to the Imja Lake. Camp in the wide valley between Island Peak and Amphu Laptsa.

To boost your chances of success and enjoyment your leader will provide basic training of crampon, ice axe and the use of ropes during ascent and descent. After this training session you may wish to go further uphill or rest.

A very early start is important to avoid the common afternoon winds in the summit region. Shortly after leaving camp the trail goes up grassy and boulder strewn slopes. After a rocky gully and further rock steps we follow a ridge which allows a traverse onto the summit glacier. Steep snow slopes take you to the top ridge. If required fixed ropes and ladders to cross some crevasses may be used; if need be the party will be roped up. After a rest on top and having taken in the stupendous views we descend back to camp by the same route.

Down the Khumbu Khola through beautiful Dingboche, across the Imja Khola to scenic Pangboche where we may visit the Gompa in the upper village.

We trek downhill and cross the Imja Khola, through forest to Tengboche where we visit its famous monastery. Many zigzags down through rhododendron to cross the roaring river to Sanasa and almost level along the slope past the Tenzing Memorial Stupa to Namche Bazar

We return mainly downhill by the trails taken on the way up. Near Monjo we check-out of the Everest National Park (the guide will do this) to reach Lukla. It may be possible to stay overnight in ‘Buddha Lodge’. It is customary to tip porters & guides.

After breakfast to Lukla Airport for the flight back and transfer to accommodation in town. The rest of the day is free: you either take a break or enjoy the town with its many shops and sights. In the evening we celebrate our successful trek with a farewell dinner.

After breakfast we will take you to Kathmandu International Airport about three hours before your scheduled return flight.