A Complete Guide to Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak is one of the most popular trekking peaks in the Khumbu region that takes you to a height of 6189m above sea level. Among others, this peak is the most used trekking peak in Nepal with its views, success rates, convenience, and many more. This is a combined journey that will reach the base of Mt. Everest, the tallest peak, and turns to Island Peak.

Trekkers take a high-altitude hike to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar and stand beneath the frozen summit of Mt. Everest. Returning to Dingboche, they take the alternative route for Island Peak Base Camp via Chhukung leaving the main trail of Everest Base Camp. Be Well prepared at Base Camp, put gear, and follow every step of your guide to the summit of this splendid peak.

Upon reaching there, experience a beautiful enthrill mountain flight, walk past mountainside Sherpa villages, high mountain passes, glaciers, gushing rivers, beautiful lakes, diverse flora, and fauna acclimatize yourself in the high elevations.

You will be taking to the destinations ensuring ample acclimatization days that will enhance your body adapts well to the rarefied air. While reaching there, you will get a rest at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche and take some acclimatization hikes around before heading to the upper lands.

We keep your safety as our number one priority and we do double-check your all climbing gear and equipment before heading above Base Camp. We make sure that safety procedures are in place at the start and during the trip.  During the pre-climb training at the Base Camp, you will get valuable input from our experienced guides.

Is This Trip Suitable For You?

• Island Peak Climb is for experienced hikers with solid physical fitness and endurance level. If you have the following things, this trip is suitable for you.
• Island  Peak Climbing is for experienced trekkers having sound physical fitness and endurance level.
• No previous climbing or high mountain climbing experience is required but trekking in the alpine lands such as Everest Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, and Thorong La is much beneficial. Doing so, you feel comfortable and confident and get basic ideas about the trip already.
• Even first-time climbers having no previous climbing knowledge can ascend the Island peak easily.
• You need to walk 5-6 hours each day while trekking and while climbing ( on a summit day), you need to push 10-12 hours.
• You need to walk passing the glaciers, deep river valleys, yak pastures, and lush woods, making several ascends and descends.
• Travelers having knees, heart, or Lung problems, need to consult their physician before booking this journey.

Geographical Location of Island Peak

Towering 6189m above sea level, popular as Imja Tse, the Island peak sits in the Everest region of Nepal. Looking from far away, this snow-capped peak looks like an island rising tall amongst a sea of ice in the middle of the Chhukung Valley. Thus it got its name Island Peak.

Most people choose Island Peak Climb adjoining with Everest Base Camp Trek. Reaching Everest Base Camp before climbing Island Peak becomes the best acclimatizing practice and demands 7-10 extra days for that. While spending that time in the mountain, i. e. at a high altitude, your body will be adapted well to the thinner air there.

Island Peak Climbing Route

Your real journey of Island Peak Climbing will begin once you land at Tribhuvan International Airport. From the same airport or Manthali Airport, you will take another flight to Lukla and begin your trek. From here we head towards Island Peak Base Camp following the same route as the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route. From Dingboche, you will leave the main trail of EBC and catch the course of Chhukung, and walking further, you reach at the base of Island Peak. Confronting extensive 40-45 degree incline climb takes you to the summit for examining 360° amazing perspectives from high elevations all through mammoth stands including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and numerous others. Therefore, retracing the same earlier-developed chain comes to an end.

Brief Itinerary for Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak Climbing can be done either by combing Everest Base Camp Trek or without it. Here are two different itineraries which you can choose according to your need and interest.

Itinerary Option I: Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek (Recommended)

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu [1338m / 4390ft]

Day 02: Free Day in Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trip Preparation

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,840m/9,318ft) and trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft), Duration: 35 minutes flight and 3 to 4 hours trek

Day 04: Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar [3440m/11283ft], Duration: 6-7 hours

Day 05: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar: Everest View Hotel

Day 06: Trek Namche to Tengboche [3860m/12660ft], Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 07: Trek Tengboche to Dingboche [4410m/14464ft], Duration: 5 hours

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche: Hike to Nagarjun Hill

Day 09: Trek Dingboche to Lobuche [4910m/16105ft], Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 10: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp [5364m/17594ft] & back to Gorakshep [5181m/16994ft], Duration: 7-8 hours

Day 11: Hike Kalapatthar [5545m/18187ft], back to Gorekshep and trek back to Dingboche [4410m/14464ft], Duration: 7 to 8 hours

Day 12: Trek Dingboche to Chhukung [4,730m /15,518ft], Duration: 3 hours

Day 13: Trek Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp [5000m / 16,690ft], Duration: 3 hours

Day 14: Summit Island Peak [6189m / 20305ft ] and return to Chhukung [4,730m /15,518ft], Duration: 9 to 10 hours

Day 15: Contingency Day

Day 16: Trek Chhukung to Namche Bazaar, Duration: 7-8 hours

Day 17: Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla, Duration: 7-8 hours

Day 18: Fly Lukla to Kathamandu, Duration: 35 minutes flight

Day 19: Final Departure

Itinerary Option II: Direct Island Peak Climb

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu [1338m / 4390ft]

Day 02: Free Day in Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trip Preparation

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,840m/9,318ft) and trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft), Duration: 35 minutes flight and 3 to 4 hours trek

Day 04: Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar [3440m/11283ft], Duration: 6-7 hours

Day 05: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar: Everest View Hotel

Day 06: Trek Namche to Tengboche [3860m/12660ft], Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 07: Trek Tengboche to Dingboche [4410m/14464ft], Duration: 5 hours

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche: Hike to Nagarjun Hill

Day 09: Trek Dingboche to Chhukung [4,730m /15,518ft], Duration: 3 hours

Day 10: Trek Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp [5000m / 16,690ft], Duration: 3 hours

Day 11: Summit Island Peak [6189m / 20305ft ] and return to Chhukung [4,730m /15,518ft], Duration: 9 to 10 hours

Day 12: Contingency Day

Day 13: Trek Chhukung to Namche Bazaar, Duration: 7-8 hours

Day 14: Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla, Duration: 7-8 hours

Day 15: Fly Lukla to Kathamandu, Duration: 35 minutes flight

Day 16: Final Departure

Island Peak Weather - What Is The Best Season?

The Everest region, like the rest of Nepal, witnesses four different seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The months from mid-September to early December, and from February to May, are the most popular months for climbing Island Peak. Climbing this peak in the winter months Mid December to January is possible with the extra preparations and proper gear and equipment. Climbing Island Peak is not possible during the monsoon season. What needs to be said is that each trekking season has its excitement and atmosphere for hikers, but if you want to have some assurance about the weather conditions during the trek, be sure to stick to the high season. You can also climb Island Peak in the winter months, but you will need to revise your packing list and prepare for temperatures well below -15 Celsius.

All in all, Autumn ( September to November) and Spring ( March to May) are considered the best season for climbing Island Peak and other trekking peaks in Nepal. But for the expedition of the 8000m peaks, we recommend only the spring season.

Island Peak Climbing Permits

For trekking to Everest Base Camp and climbing Island Peak, you need the following permits:

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit

It is a rural municipality entry permit to enter Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality which costs 2000 NPR (approx. $18)

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

For entering the Sagarmatha National Park, the park that is home to the Mount Everest Region, you need to obtain an entry permit. This permit costs 3000 NPR (approx $27)

Island Peak Climbing Permit

Additionally, you need to get a separate permit for Island Peak Climbing which will be issued by the Nepal Mountaineering Association with the help of your trekking company. Without a valid permit, you are not allowed to climb Island Peak.

How difficult is it to climb Imja Tse (6,189m/ 20,305ft)

Island Peak Climbing is a moderately difficult journey which is a remarkable feat and fascination that requires careful planning and preparation. Compared to Mera and any other trekking peaks, Island Peak is difficult as it involves some technical climbs.

While most of the Island peak climbing is considered moderate in terms of difficulty, the steep ascends, and the foot of the headwall crevasse is challenging. However, this challenge is what makes climbing the Island peak so memorable and exciting. This journey is taken as the best acclimatization practice for climbing high mountain massifs above 8000m.