- Length
- 14 days
- Highest point
- 6,189 m
- Difficulty
- Extreme
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- Starts
- Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–8 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House / Base Camp
Island Peak (6,189m) is Nepal's most popular trekking peak — a technical but achievable summit reached via the Khumbu, combining the thrill of a Himalayan climbing expedition with iconic EBC trail scenery.
- Island Peak (Imja Tse, 6,189 m) — Nepal's most climbed 6,000 m peak; achievable for fit trekkers
- Summit panorama: Lhotse South Face, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Makalu — all within arm's reach
- Pre-acclimatisation via Chhukung, Dingboche, and Chhukung Ri (5,550 m)
- Technical mountaineering: fixed ropes, crampon-equipped glacier approach
- Combined EBC and Kala Patthar option — maximum Khumbu experience
- 85%+ summit success rate with NMA-certified climbing guides
- High camp overnight (5,650 m) — true alpine expedition experience
The climb, day by day
Day 1Arrive Kathmandu — Welcome Briefing1,400 m
Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel. Evening welcome dinner with your lead guide covering the expedition plan, gear check, and permit documentation.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 2Fly Kathmandu to Lukla — Trek to Phakding2,652 m
Early morning flight to Lukla (2,860m), the gateway to the Khumbu. Trek down through pine forest along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding for overnight.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Phakding to Namche Bazaar3,440 m
Cross suspension bridges over the roaring Dudh Koshi River and climb steeply through rhododendron forest to Namche Bazaar, the bustling Sherpa capital of the Khumbu. First views of Everest en route.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Acclimatization Day — Namche Bazaar3,440 m
Rest and acclimatize. Hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and local market.
- Distance
- 6 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Namche to Tengboche3,867 m
Trek past Khumjung village and descend to the Dudh Koshi valley before climbing to Tengboche monastery, one of the most sacred sites in the Khumbu with spectacular views of Ama Dablam and the Everest massif.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Tengboche to Dingboche4,410 m
Descend through rhododendron and juniper forest to Pangboche, then cross the Imja Khola and climb to Dingboche, a high-altitude settlement surrounded by stone-walled fields used for potato and barley.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Acclimatization Day — Dingboche4,410 m
Acclimatization hike up to Nagarjun Hill (5,083m) for spectacular panoramas of Makalu, Lhotse, Island Peak, and Cholatse. Critical for adjusting to altitude before the climb.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Dingboche to Chhukung4,730 m
Short but important acclimatization trek up the Imja Valley to Chhukung, a small yak-herding settlement beneath the imposing south face of Island Peak. Study the approach route.
- Distance
- 7 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp5,087 m
Trek up the lateral moraine to Island Peak Base Camp, set among boulders at the foot of the glacier. Gear check, crampons fitting, rope techniques briefing with the climbing guide. Early night.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Camping
Day 10Base Camp to High Camp5,600 m
Climb the moraine and navigate the lower glacier to High Camp, perched on a rocky platform below the final headwall. Review summit day plan and rest.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- High Camp
Day 11Summit Day — Island Peak 6,189m — Return to Base Camp6,189 m
Pre-dawn start (midnight–1am). Cross the glacier, ascend the fixed ropes on the steep headwall, and push for the summit at 6,189m. Stunning views of Lhotse, Makalu, and Baruntse. Descend back to Base Camp and on to Chhukung.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- Climb
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Chhukung to Namche Bazaar3,440 m
Long descending day through Dingboche and Tengboche back to Namche Bazaar. Legs tired but spirits high. Celebration dinner with your team.
- Distance
- 20 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 13Namche to Lukla — Fly to Kathmandu1,400 m
Final trek down to Lukla following the Dudh Koshi River. Afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel, free evening in Thamel.
- Distance
- 19 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 14Departure Day1,400 m
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels and congratulations on your Island Peak summit!
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- B
- Night
- –
The price includes
- NMA-certified senior climbing guide + assistant climbing Sherpa
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Island Peak climbing permit
- Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
- All teahouse accommodation on approach + high camp tent
- 3 meals per day on trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Climbing equipment use: rope, ice axe, harness, crampons
- Altitude illness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal climbing gear (crampons, harness, helmet)
- Tips
The 14-day Island Peak Climbing itinerary is our accelerated option for experienced trekkers who have prior Khumbu altitude experience and want to attempt Imja Tse (6,189 m) in the shortest viable timeframe. The route follows the classic EBC approach to Namche and Dingboche for acclimatisation, then branches to Chhukung and Island Peak Base Camp (5,087 m) — skipping the Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar extension included in the 18-day version to gain 4 days on the schedule.
Island Peak is a genuine technical climb: the upper mountain involves crampon work on glacier ice, jumar ascent on 45-60 degree fixed ropes, and a narrow summit ridge. The 14-day schedule reaches high camp with adequate altitude adaptation for trekkers who arrive with recent 4,500+ m experience. For first-time Khumbu visitors, the 18-day version's additional acclimatisation days at Dingboche and the EBC approach provide a meaningfully safer margin.
All climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, jumar, helmet), high camp tent, -20°C sleeping bag, Lukla flights, and one climbing Sherpa per two trekkers on summit day are included.
Best for: Trekkers with prior Khumbu experience (above 4,500 m in past 12 months). Best seasons: October–November and April–May. Summit altitude: 6,189 m.