Ascending Island Peak: A Quest in the Sea of Ice

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After settling in, you can simply relax, enjoy a peaceful dinner, and unwind before your adventure begins.

Today is focused on preparing for the Island Peak Expedition. After breakfast, you'll attend a pre-expedition briefing with your guides, where the final details will be discussed, including safety protocols, equipment checks, and acclimatization strategies. You'll have time to organize and inspect your gear, with assistance available if you need to purchase or rent any additional items. Once you're ready, take the opportunity to explore Kathmandu.
 

We start our day early with a thrilling flight to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. The short, scenic flight brings us to the Lukla Hillary airstrip, where breathtaking mountain views welcome us to the Himalayas. From the airport, we begin our trek to Phakding along a gentle trail. The path winds past chortens, mani walls, and prayer flags, all vibrant signs of the region's rich Buddhist culture. Following the Dudh Koshi River, we arrive at the village of Phakding, where we settle into our teahouse lodge for the night and enjoy a well-earned dinner.

Today, our trek leads us into Sagarmatha National Park as we make our way to Namche Bazaar. Starting from Phakding, we’ll follow the river, crossing it at various points via suspension bridges. After a quick stop at the national park checkpoint in Monjo, we’ll press on towards our goal. The trail today is challenging, with a steady uphill climb, but we'll take it slow to manage the ascent. We’ll spend the night at a cozy teahouse, where we can refresh and enjoy dinner.

Namche is an ideal spot to acclimatize. As the central hub of the Khumbu Region, it offers everything from government offices and Internet cafés to ATMs, restaurants, and stores. Health experts recommend staying active on rest days, so you might hike up to Thamo or Khunde. Another option is to visit Khumjung village via the Everest View Hotel in Syangboche. Our guides will take you to the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center, where you can dive into Sherpa culture and learn about the first Everest climbers, as well as the region's unique flora and fauna.

Leaving Namche Bazaar, we pass by a chorten honoring Tenzing Norgay Sherpa before stopping at Kyangjuma for a morning tea break. Continuing on, we ascend the high trail towards Phortse, renowned for its potato and buckwheat fields.

The trek to Phortse is relatively straightforward, leading us through Mong La and descending to Phortse Tenga. After crossing the Dudh Koshi River, we face a steep climb to the picturesque village of Phortse, offering an alternative route to Everest Base Camp. Along the way, we are treated to breathtaking views of Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Phortse, celebrated for its natural beauty, remains a hidden gem in the region.

We embark on a journey from the picturesque village of Phortse to the charming tea-house hub of Dingboche. The trail meanders alongside the deep canyon carved by the Imja Khola river, offering breathtaking views as we ascend. Our path takes us on a gentle rise toward Tengboche, where we pause to explore the historic Tengboche Monastery, one of the region's oldest spiritual sites. As the afternoon unfolds, the trek becomes more challenging, with the landscape shifting to rugged, barren mountains. Pressing on, we follow the trail and eventually arrive at the serene village of Dingboche.

We acclimatize in Dingboche to better adapt to the high altitude. The ideal strategy for acclimatization is to hike to a higher elevation and sleep at a lower one, so we’ll spend the day hiking to Nangartshang Hill. This hike offers panoramic views of the majestic Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse as we follow the valley’s path toward Island Peak. The sight of the sun setting over these peaks is breathtaking, and we’ll return to Dingboche to explore the village and soak in its charm. Alternatively, we can hike up to Chhukung Ri, where we’ll be rewarded with views of Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Tawoche Peak, and more. We will spend the night in Dingboche.