Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak Scenery

People undoubtedly enjoy the Island Peak journey together with the welcoming local Sherpas and their unique and traditional lifestyle. The natural beauty of Island Peak includes pine woods, historical monasteries, and Gumbas, waterfalls, and rivulets, stunning Rhodorendrons, wildlife such as snow leopards, snow pheasants, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr. Similarly, the majestic perspective of the Himalayas above 7000 and 8000 meters will mesmerize you and fill your heart and soul with joy and wonder.

The trek to Island Peak also takes through rural areas where Tibetan and Nepalese customs will be exposed which date back hundreds of years. Through the charming settlement of Dingboche, the route offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Khumbu.

Island Peak Climbing is one of the most popular climbing adventures in Nepal that takes people shortly to Kala Patthar (5600 meters) and Island Peak (6189 meters). Situated in the Everest region, this Island Peak Climbing allures thousands of adventure seekers every year to its premise with the promise of a spectacular view of Mount Everest and other Popular mountains like Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Ama Dablam, etc.

Trip Highlights:

• Spectacular views from the summit of Island Peak (6,189).
• Views of the majestic mountains in the Everest region, including Mount Everest, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Makalu, etc.
• Experience the distinctive and traditional culture and way of life of the Sherpa.
• The colorful Namche Bazar, traditional Khumjung, Pangboche village, and nature-filled trails.
• Views of breathtaking glaciers of the Everest region and the glacial lake (Imja Lake).
• A fantastic climbing experience for beginners that is comparatively easy despite its adventure.
• Discover the exotic vegetation and wildlife of the Sagarmatha National Park.
• Trekking through the forest, grassland, and high pass with a unique experience.
• Trek through the natural beauty of high peaks, stunning alpine rhododendrons, pine woods, and several monasteries.

Island Peak Climbing Short Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 meters).

Day 2: Fly to Lukla (2,800 meters) and then trek to Phakding (2,652 meters): 40 minutes flight, About a 3-4 hours trek.

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters): About 5-6 hours of trek.

Day 4: Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters): Exploration day/ Acclimatization Day.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870 meters): About a 5- 6 hours trek.

Day 6: Tengboche to Pheriche (4,200 meters): About 4-5 hours trek.

Day 7: Pheriche to Lobuche (4,930 meters): About a 5-6 hours trek.

Day 8: Lobuche to Gorakshep (5170 meters) hike up to Everest Base Camp (5364 meters): About 6-7 hours trek.

Day 9: Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5545 meters) and back to Dingboche (4500 meters): About a 7-8 hours trek.

Day 10: Chhukung to Island Peak base camp (5,200 meters) via Chukung: About a 3-4 hours trek.

Day 11: Acclimatization day/ Pre-climb training on Island Peak Base Camp.

Day 12: Island Peak base camp to Island Peak (6,189 meters) trek back to base camp: About 10-12 hours trek.

Day 13: Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche (3,985 meters): About a 5-6 hours trek.

Day 14: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters): About 4-5 hours trek.

Day 15:  Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800 meters): About a 6-7 hours trek.

Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu (1,300 meters).

Day 17: Final Departure.

Best Time To Trek:

The spring months of March, April, and May, as well as the fall months of September, October, and November, are the ideal times to climb Island Peak. During these months, the path will be dry and safe. Moreover, the views of the mountains are brilliant under the blue skies. Because of the favorable weather and safe terrain, spring and autumn are the finest seasons in terms of difficulty. The trekking routes are likely to be filled with people since many people come to trek during these seasons.

Whereas, Summer and winter are the least popular periods to climb Island Peak since they are the off-seasons. Winter Season because of the bitter cold, and Summer because of the wet, slippery trails, and poor vistas.

However, each person has a different desire and ideal time for trekking in Nepal. For further information, see our blog post on the Best time to trek in Nepal.

Island Peak Climbing Difficulty And Challenges:

At such an elevation, climbing Island Peak is challenging. The initial ascent is particularly less complicated. Over 5000 meters above, you will walk across difficult terrain. So, how tough is it to climb Island Peak in Nepal? If you have the technical skills and arrive in great physical shape, Island peak is reachable for the majority of people. Most individuals can surely reach their peak if they make the necessary preparations. Spending more time in the mountains and on the trek will make climbing an Island peak simple even though it is not that easy. So, give yourself the best chance to reach the top and return safely.

However, you must adjust to the reduced oxygen levels further down the route. It becomes riskier and more difficult to climb Island Peak if you choose to do so on fewer days. For this reason, Mission Himalaya Treks & Expeditions offers climbers a 17-day, acclimatization-friendly itinerary that combines an ascent of Island Peak with a Trek to Everest Base Camp.

Challenges while Climbing Island Peak:

Location

Located in the Everest region, Island Peak stands high at an altitude of 6189 meters. There is only one method to access Island Peak, and that is via the journey through Lukla. We take a straightaway flight from Kathmandu, TIA, to Lukla Airport. However, Island Peak isn't seen until the sixth or seventh day of the climb, when we arrive at Bouche. So, the location itself is the biggest challenge on this trip.

Altitude sickness

There are undoubtedly chances that you may have altitude sickness when you reach the high altitude of 6189 meters at the summit of Island Peak. The moderate symptoms include headache, fever, lightheadedness, and breathing difficulties, whilst the severe ones might vary from vomiting and fainting to serious heart failure.

Therefore, it is essential to maintain acclimatization by adding some downtime to the schedule. Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar, Chukung, and maybe another at a higher altitude are all included in a good Island Peak climbing schedule because it aids the body in adjusting to the shift.

Weather conditions

You might encounter a broad range of temperatures when ascending Island Peak. The temperature ranges from +30°C to -15°C depending on the climbing month. Evenings and early mornings might be chilly, but as the sun rises, things tend to warm up. It will grow colder than normal while it's windy and gloomy outside. Therefore, while climbing Island Peak, you must be prepared for all types of weather.

Technical section

To secure your safety, technical expertise and physical preparation are both required for climbing Island peak indeed. Therefore, be careful to completely understand the technical support training before you leave on this trip. Island Peak Climbing adventure is intended for experienced climbers who have some gear expertise because it has some challenging aspects. Although there will be expert instructions to help you through the technical parts, beginners may still find it challenging.

Trek Route

As we follow the Everest Base Camp Trek paths, you will be aware that a typical day for a hiker lasts 7-8 hours. You may have to walk continuously for nine or 10 hours on certain days. Additionally, the Island Peak route involves traversing a glacier with crevasses, which is difficult in itself and also uses a lot of tools including ladders, jumars, ropes, and slippery terrain.

Preparation for Island Peak Climbing:

Although we rate the Island Peak trek as a beginner's climb, it is by no means a simple ascent. To lower Island Peak difficulty, obviously strength and endurance training should be your primary focus. Any form of cardiovascular activity, including long-distance jogging (10–15 km) three-four times per week, cycling for an hour–two hours, and trekking uphill with 10-15 kg of weight are all recommended. Nevertheless, 1 day before climbing our climbers will teach you some technical parts, the use of trekking equipment, and training skills which will help you to succeed in your mission to Island Peak Summit. (6189m).

Although climbing Island Peak is not an easy thing to do, you can decrease the difficulties and challenges you might face during the trek by spending more time in the mountains, getting used to uneven surfaces, doing exercise, increasing stamina, etc. Altitude sickness while being above 6000 meters is not to be taken lightly.

Meals on Island Peak Climbing:

You will eat a three-course dinner in the lodges or tea houses while your stay in the trekking section. By selecting from the menu, you may sample a variety of cuisines, including Tibetan, Nepali, Indian, continental, Italian, and more. When you camp during the climbing section of your Island Peak climb, the Sherpa guides will prepare nourishing meals for you. Our cooking staff will make hygienic meals to offer you during the camping time when we are at Island Peak Base Camp and High Camp. The meals will be provided fully packed with nutrients, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Accommodations for Island Peak Climbing:

We generally provide twin-sharing accommodations in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu with breakfast. If your group is trekking together, you will have a roommate who is also from your group being of the same gender. You can request a single supplement if you would like a single hotel in Kathmandu and trekking along the way. After landing in Lukla, thereupon the climbing adventure begins. Because you are staying in a rural region far from a city, you won't have access to high-class accommodations during your stay. That doesn't mean, though, that you have to put up with living in a cramped, dirty place.

You will be sleeping in tea houses with twin-sharing rooms in picturesque villages. There will be a clean, connected bathroom in the room. On the Island Peak Base Camp, you and the rest of your company will spend the duration of your climb in tent camps. After ascending to Island Peak, you will stay there for two days before returning to the settlement. Basically, in locations where tea houses or lodges are available, we will offer all available lodging options, while in locations where neither are available, we will offer camping options.

Travel Insurance:

Mountaineering is an adventurous activity that entails inherent risk. The nature of travel suggests that things frequently do not go as planned so we insist that every one of our customers have appropriate insurance. There are numerous different policies available. Your insurance should cover you in the event of emergencies such as theft, loss, medical issues, car accidents, altitude sickness, and, if necessary, ambulance and helicopter rescue costs.

Clients may need to cancel their trip before the start or during the adventure due to unforeseen circumstances, such as injury, family concerns, business commitments, etc. Given these elements, It is preferable to be ready for potential outcomes. Subsequently, online Travel Insurance services are provided by a variety of insurance providers. According to your preferences, you can pick from a large variety of insurance providers for island peak climbing. The most crucial thing to do is to purchase insurance that will pay for the expense of a mountain rescue by helicopter in the event of a serious accident or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Evacuation in Island Peak Climbing:

The Island Peak trail is also quite noteworthy, providing hikers with both magnificence and difficulty. With several ups and downs, winding roads, and rocky, steep slopes, the journey is undoubtedly not easy. During and after the trek, numerous climbers need to be rescued from Island Peak. Helicopter rescue evacuation has historically been the most common technique for saving climbers in distress, and with proper planning, we can see that it has been deployed regularly in mountainous places.

The amenities for helicopter rescue are frequently covered by travel insurance for the majority of hikers. It is crucial to understand the destination of your trip as well as the terms and conditions that have been agreed upon by both you and the insurance provider. In an emergency, climbing instructors and acquaintances should come to their aid and take them to a location that is nearby and safe. The circumstances in this area might not always be ideal for the helicopter to arrive on schedule. Eventually, the flight may be delayed or canceled for a variety of reasons, and one of the most frequent ones is harsh weather. Therefore, self-adaptation and managing your environment to avoid unfavorable situations are essential for this climbing journey.

Permits needed for climbing Island Peak:

You need to obtain a variety of permits before embarking on this expedition. There are frequent security checkpoints placed along the route. However, you must present your permits to pass them. The permits needed for climbing Island Peak, along with their prices, are listed below.

NMA permit fee:

There is another separate Island Peak climbing permit charge set by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). The NMA declares a climbing permit based on the climbing season. Here are the costs for three different climbing seasons.

The spring season is the best time to climb this peak since the sky is still clear and the weather is ideal. Because of the high demand during this season and the high number of climbers, the cost of climbing is 250 USD.

The cost of the climbing permit in the autumn is approximately USD 125. Generally, Autumn offers consistent weather and stunning vistas of the snow-covered mountains.

You can purchase the permits for less money, or USD 70 per person, during the monsoon season and the winter season. However, climbing in Nepal is not recommended during the summer or the winter months.

Required Documents For The Permits:

You must present specific documentation to obtain the Island Peak climbing permits. The following documents are necessary:

• A passport photocopy is required for both of the permits.
• Accurately filled out permit forms.
• Two passport-size photos for both of the permits.
• Travel insurance.