Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Summit - 21 Days

Welcome to Nepal! Arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport, ready to start your adventure. Our representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. You will rest and relax in the assigned hotel after checking in. The rest of the day is free to explore the bustling streets of Thamel, enjoy the local cuisine, and prepare for the adventure ahead. This day will allow you to adjust to the environment of Nepal and prepare for the scenic adventure ahead.

We will take a preparation day dedicated to final preparations for the great weeks ahead. We will use this time to gather our last-minute essentials and attend to all the logistical requirements. We will meet our dedicated trekking guide for a detailed briefing about the trek and the Island Peak summit. If the time permits, we will take you on an evening tour of the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site around Kathmandu. Overnight will be in a hotel.

The Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Summit adventure will begin today. We will take an exhilarating early morning scenic tour from Kathmandu to Lukla. Lukla is a gateway to the Khumbu region. After landing in Lukla, we will meet our local crew and have a quick breakfast together. This initial day will consist of a mild walk of about 3-4 hours to Phakding. On our way, we will also get the first views of the farsight of the Khumbu peaks. We will reach Phakding and rest in a mountain teahouse.

Our trek today will present a bit of a challenging but rewarding section of the trek. We will continue along the Dudh Koshi River. We will cross the Dudh Koshi river several times via the iconic suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge. We will have our permits checked in Monjo. The final stretch today will involve a steep ascent upon reaching Namche Bazaar. Namche is known for its warm hospitality and some modern amenities. We will rest here for an overnight stay in a lodge.

We will take a break and spend a day acclimatizing our bodies. This day is essential for a safe and successful trek to the highest altitudes ahead. We will participate in a soft hike, which will help us adapt to the thinning air better. Options include a trek up to the Everest View Hotel. This will offer a world-class view of Everest. Alternatively, you can choose to stay back and explore the Namche Bazaar and its offerings. At the end of the day, the day is all about exploring and adapting. Overnight in a lodge.

We will begin our trek again. The trail today will begin with a scenic traverse along the Dudh Koshi riverbed. This trail will offer us awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas, including Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. The path will then descend steeply to the river before a significant challenge through rhododendron forests. We will have our destination at Tengboche Village. Tengboche is a very famous village for its Tengboche Monastery. This spiritual center is highly devoted by the locals. We will attend the evening prayer as well. Overnight in a teahouse.

From Tengboche, our trek descends through quiet rhododendron forests to the village of Debuche. We will cross a few suspension bridges before the alpine terrain starts transitioning. The trail climbs past a few mani walls and opens up into a vast alpine valley. We will be rewarded with the striking Island Peak and formidable Lhotse views. The day will conclude upon the arrival in Dingboche, which is a picturesque settlement of stone walls and high snowy peaks. Overnight in a Dingboche teahouse.

To ensure a safer progression of the trek, we will take our second acclimatization day in Dingboche. We will have a side hike to the challenging Nangkartsang peak at approximately 5100m. The peak will reward us with the majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the world. Makalu, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam will be in sight at their full flow. The rest of the day will allow our body to successfully adjust to the thinning air in this tranquil and wide-open landscape of yak pastures. Overnight in a teahouse.

We will begin our trek again today. Today, our trek will involve a steady ascent. We will pause at the Everest Memorial Stupas at Dughla. This is a poignant site dedicated to climbers who lost their lives in the Himalayas. The path will follow the lateral moraines of the Khumbu Glacier. We will be surrounded by peaks like Pumori and Nuptse. We will reach a small settlement of Lobuche for an overnight stay.

Today, our morning trek will take us along the rugged terrain of the Khumbu Glacier’s moraine to Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is the final small settlement before the Everest Base Camp. After resting for a few minutes in Gorak Shep, we will head towards Everest Base Camp. The iconic site will welcome us with colourful prayer flags fluttering against the backdrop of the Khumbu Icefall. We will soak in the celebratory moment. We will return to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved rest.

Today is a big day. We will start with a pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar is a renowned viewpoint to view the best vantage for Mt. Everest. The cold morning ascent is entirely worth it for spectacular sunrise views over Mt. Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. This is a true highlight of our entire journey. After soaking in the panorama, we will get back to Gorak Shep and begin the long descent to Pheriche. We are strategically positioning ourselves for the Island Peak section. Overnight in Pheriche.

Our trail will branch into the Imja Valley as we make our way towards Island Peak. The walk today is relatively short and less strenuous than the previous days. Along the path, we will be treated to dramatically striking views of Ama Dablam ridges and the towering south face of Lhotse. Our trail will gradually climb until we reach Chhukung, which is a small but strategically important settlement known for the gate of Island Peak. Overnight in a basic teahouse of Chhukung.

We will leave Chhukung and follow a faint but increasingly defined trail through the Imja Valley. We will head directly towards Island Peak. The climb will be steady and gradual. We will be offered superb views of the surrounding small peaks. Imja Tse and Amphu Lapcha will be directly above us. The Island Peak Base Camp is established on a flat area next to the Imja Glacier, surrounded by the towering ridges. After settling up the camp and enjoying the hot meal, we will immediately prepare for the essential climbing training session. Overnight in the tents.

This is a critically important day dedicated entirely to pre-summit training and acclimatization. Our guides will conduct a thorough practice session covering the essential technical skills needed for the summit. This includes using harnesses, crampons, ice axes, ascenders (jumars) on fixed ropes, and practicing abseiling techniques and crucial glacier safety protocols. This training is designed to significantly boost confidence and readiness for the summit push, which will begin shortly after midnight. The afternoon is for rest and recharge.

This is a big day. We will start at midnight, around 1 and 2 am, with a headlamp-lit climb. We will first ascend the rocky terrain and cross the glacier using ropes. Our guides will navigate you using fixed ropes and jumars. We will reach the Island Peak Summit at dawn; the views from the peak are magical, encompassing Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. After savouring this victorious moment, we will execute a descent back to the Base Camp and continue down to Chhukung.

We have kept this as a contingency day for the weather-related issues. In case of unforeseen circumstances, this day will serve as a necessary safety margin for the summit push. If we push the summit to the scheduled day, we will use this day to rest and recharge ourselves. We will explore the area around Chhukung before we begin our descent back to Lukla.

We begin our enjoyable descent today, following the route along the Imja Khola back towards lower altitudes. The air will feel significantly thicker and stronger as we rapidly lose elevation from Chhukung. We arrive at Pangboche, one of the oldest and most historically significant Sherpa villages in the region, which is also famous for housing a believed relic of a Yeti. The comfortable, lowered altitude makes the day very pleasant, and we'll spend the night interacting with locals and enjoying a hearty meal.

Today’s trek will largely retrace our earlier steps. We will pass the serenity of Tengboche Monastery for the final appreciation of its setting. We will continue our enjoyable descent through the dense forests. The familiar path back to Namche Bazaar will be passed. The downhill nature of the trek will make us returning to Namche Bazaar a pleasant visit. We will be offered comforts like hot shoes and bakeries. This will be a perfect evening to enjoy. Overnight in a lodge.

This will be the final day of our Everest Base Camp with Island Peak. We will retrace our steps all the way back to Lukla. We will follow the Dudh Koshi river while crossing the last of the suspension bridges through the pine forests and the vibrant Sherpa villages. Arriving in Lukla by the evening will mark the official and wonderful completion of our epic trek. We will return to Lukla and celebrate the wonderfully completed trek. Overnight in a teahouse.

It is the final day of our trek. We will board a flight back to Kathmandu, leaving the Khumbu region behind. We will be greeted by the breathtaking aerial views. Upon landing in Kathmandu, you will be transferred back to your hotel. It is a reminder of our enduring trek, which is now successfully over. The evening will be set for the celebrations and reflections on your Everest Base Camp and Chola Pass trek. Overnight in a hotel.

Your remarkable adventure and stay in Nepal come to an end today. We hope you had a wonderful stay in Nepal and hope you loved the company of Nepal Travel Experiences. Depending on the flight schedule, we will have a final stroll around the market for quick shopping or a temple visit. As you leave, we will carry the unforgettable moments we shared. We wish you would come back to Nepal again. See you again. Farewell and safe travels!