• Hike to Everest Base Camp
•  Panoramic view from Kalapatthar aka Everest viewpoint
• Experience Khongma La Pass
• Summit Island Peak at 6,189 m
• Island peak is the most popular trekking peak
• Take in views of Imja Lake, a small glacial lake at the base of Island Peak.
• Tented overnight accommodation at Island Peak Base Camp
• Experience climbing in the Himalayas

Today you will be briefed on your island peak climb by our team. You can ask any questions you still have at this point.

Departure from Kathmandu by domestic flight is early in the morning. The flight is interesting as you pass over fields, hills, and mountains. Lukla airport is called the Tenzing Hillary Airport after the first two men to summit Everest in 1953. Flying into this high-altitude airport is exhilarating.

Once you land and the gear is unloaded, you head off for a 3 to 4-hour trek to Phakding, where the first overnight stop is. You should be Phakding by lunchtime, but because of the altitude – Phakding sits at 2,651m/ 8,697ft – and the very early morning start, we do not push on today.

It is necessary for everyone to take an acclimatization day before pushing on and up. But acclimatization doesn’t mean lazing around; the best way to acclimatize is to be active. On this day, you can visit the village of Khumjung, where Hillary set up a school for Sherpa children. There is also a health post he was involved in setting up.

Leaving Namche with its busy restaurants, shops, and expedition groups, we feel we are entering another country. Here there are signs of Buddhist worship everywhere. As we near Tengboche Monastery along a dust switchback trail, there are shrines, mani walls (prayers carved into stones), and prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

From the monastery itself, the views are stupendous – a whole panorama of mountains. Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse are on display. When you have soaked up enough of the mountain vista, you may wish to light some butter lamps and meet some monks if the time is right.

Time-wise, this looks like a short day, but the trail is challenging, so be prepared.  Follow the Imja Khola (river) and over desolate fields to Dingboche, the highest Sherpa settlement.  We arrive by lunchtime, so there is plenty of time to relax and stare at the mountains, particularly Ama Dablam.

Again, we take a day to acclimatize to the increasing altitude. As mentioned, it is best to be active these days, so we recommend visiting Nangkar Tshang Peak, where there are great views of Makalu. This hike will take 3.5 to 5 hours, there and back.

Today we retrace our steps to Lobuche, where we stop again for the night. And again, take in the wonderful views from this simple settlement.

Today there is another day for acclimatization to the high altitude. Sitting above Chhunkung village is Chhukung Ri peak. By climbing this peak, our bodies become acclimatized. Some scrambling is required near the peak’s summit, but the views are amazing, and we can see Ama Dablam and Amphu Labsa peaks. Climbing back down, we retrace our steps to Chhukung, where we spend the night.

Following the glacial moraine from Chukung, then hiking down to the runoff from Imja Lake, the trails go between some hills before coming out on a sandy plain right at Island Peak and Lhotse.  From here, walk to Island Peak Base Camp which views the Imja Valley.

The afternoon is spent preparing for the climb!

Following the same route through the valley of Khumbu Khola, today is a much easier day on the body as the altitude gets lower.

We pass Orsho and Shomare villages – both Sherpa settlements.  Depending on the group’s interest, we can visit the gompa in upper Panchoche or take a different trail to reach Pangboche.

Pangboche is a lovely village surrounded by mountains: Everest in the north, Ama Dablam, Kangtaiga, and Thamserku in the east, and to the south, the Kongde range.  We can also see the Imja Tse River flowing through a fertile valley.

Today we retrace our original steps – was it really only two weeks ago? We trek down to Lukla and our final night in the Everest Region.

An early morning flight gets us back into Kathmandu by lunchtime, giving us plenty of time to do any last-minute shopping before having a celebratory dinner.

Our staff will ensure you get to the airport on time if you have an international flight. If you are staying longer in Nepal, perhaps you would like to take another trek or tour with us. Just ask!

• Local transfers for your international flight x 2 (arrival/ departure)Scheduled mountain flights as listed in the itinerary; weather delays are possible.
• Local transfers for your domestic flight x 2Scheduled mountain flights as listed in the itinerary; weather delays are possible.
• Kathmandu Lukla Kathmandu FlightScheduled mountain flights as listed in the itinerary; weather delays are possible.
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Local Entry PermitsWe arrange this trekking permit for you before departure, so there is no paperwork on your side.
• Peak Climbing Permit
• We arrange this trekking permit for you before departure, so there is no paperwork on your side.
• Guide for 15 days
• Licensed, English-speaking local guide, with salary, insurance, meals and lodging all covered.
• Porter for 14 days
• One porter carries up to 20 kg for two trekkers, added during checkout.
• Climbing guide for 3 days (Island Peak Base Camp / return to Base)
• Licensed, English-speaking local guide, with salary, insurance, meals and lodging all covered.
• 2 nights accommodation in a Kathmandu (Hotel Dream Nepal or similar)
• Twin-sharing rooms in local mountain teahouses along the trail.
• 13 nights accommodation in mountain teahouses
• Twin-sharing rooms in local mountain teahouses along the trail.
• 2 night tented accommodation at Base Camp and High Camp
• Twin-sharing rooms in local mountain teahouses along the trail.
• Packed lunch on the summit day
• Three meals a day, chosen from the teahouse menus while on the trek.
• All cooked meals when camping with complementary hot water, tea and coffee
• Three meals a day, chosen from the teahouse menus while on the trek.
• Staff insurance and necessary ground transport for support staff
• Your policy must cover emergency helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 m.
• 14 x set breakfasts, 15 x set lunches and 15 x set dinners while on the trek
• Three meals a day, chosen from the teahouse menus while on the trek.