20-Day Island Peak Climb and Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal

20 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Climb Island Peak at 6165m and trek to Everest Base Camp on a rewarding 20-day journey through Nepal's Khumbu Valley. This trip combines a beautiful glaciated H...

Duration: 20 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Hard · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp-South, Lukla, Dingboche, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Phakding, Island Peak, Lobuche, Kala Patthar, Pangboche, Gorakshep, Sagarmatha National Park, Chukhung, Pheriche, Khumjung · Languages: English

About Chukhung

Nepal

Chukhung

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What's Included

Accommodation at a hotel in Kathmandu
Airport pick-up and drop-off upon arrival
Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
All in-country flights to Lukla
All lodging and all meals while trekking
Permits and park entrance fees
Nepali mountain guide, Sherpa guide, and Nepali staff to carry loads

Not Included

International flight, visa, and personal items (equipment)
Wire transfer fee
Meals in Kathmandu
Any bottled beverages while trekking
Option to upgrade to a single room
Trip cancellation insurance or the required medical evacuation insurance
Cost of helicopter transport
Any costs resulting from an early departure from the program

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and Welcome Dinner

We will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner with the team.
2

Day 02

Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

We will visit Boudhanath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, as well as Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. After the tour, we will have a team dinner and prepare for an early morning flight to Lukla.
3

Day 03

Flight to Lukla and Trek to Phakding

We will take a 30-minute flight to Lukla early in the morning, where you will get your first glimpse of the mountains. Porters will be introduced at the airport. Then, after breakfast, we will trek towards Phakding through the Dudh Kosi Valley, crossing a few local-style suspension bridges. You will admire the mountains and the green valley, colourful prayer flags, and stacks of Mani stones along the way. After this 2-3 hour trek, you will have the rest of the day to explore the village in Phakding.
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Day 04

Trek to Namche Bazaar

We will head towards Namche Bazaar. After a short, leisurely hike across several suspension bridges, we will climb to the Sagarmatha National Park entrance, where permits will be checked. Then we will continue climbing for 2-3 hours to Namche. There will be two viewing spots where you can get your first view of Mount Everest.
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Day 05

Acclimatization Hike Around Namche Bazaar

'Climb high, sleep low' is the motto for avoiding Acute Mountain Sickness. Most trekkers show the first signs of AMS in or near Namche. Therefore, the day will be spent hiking higher and returning for the night in order to acclimatize. You will ascend to Syangboche airstrip and then to Khunde Village, passing several chortens. In a monastery lies the purported Yeti Scalp. Climbing further to Everest View Hotel, you will enjoy a 360-degree view of the amazing peaks, including Mount Everest. Then, we will go back to Namche Bazaar.
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Day 06

Trek to Tengboche Monastery

Today we will follow an up-and-down path to Tengboche with excellent views of peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, and Kwangde. We will pass the village of Sanasa, then the trail will drop down towards Phunki Thanga and climb sharply up to Tengboche. The climb passes through forests of rhododendron, pine, fir, magnolia, and birch that begin to thin out as the famous Tengboche monastery comes into view. The area has a few lodges, a bakery, and a monastery. This is one of the best places for a panoramic view of the peaks named earlier.
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Day 07

Trek to Pheriche

We will make an easy descent through the rhododendron forest and cross a bridge over the Imja Khola to Pangboche. The route then continues to Pheriche on a 3-4 hour trek. The Himalayan Rescue Association runs a rudimentary hospital in Pheriche. It opens only in the peak seasons of March-May and November-December. We will spend the night in Pheriche.
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Day 08

Acclimatization Hike to Nagarjun Peak

An 800m climb will take us to Nagarjun Peak at an altitude of 5000m. You will enjoy fine views of the mountains, including Mt. Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world. This hike usually helps with acclimatization. There is also a chance of seeing snow leopards on this 3-4 hour hike. Once you arrive there, you will admire the view from the top and then descend back to Pheriche.
9

Day 09

Trek to Lobuche

The gradual climb to Lobuche will be pleasant as we get closer and closer to the snow-clad giants. After a 45-60 minute hike, we will reach Thukla. There, we will stop for food and continue to a flat area where several memorials dedicated to climbers who died on Everest have been erected. Then, we will climb out of the valley and descend to the yak pastures at Lobuche.
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Day 10

Trek to Gorakshep and Hike to Everest Base Camp

We will pack light for a 2-2.5 hour trek to Gorakshep, which includes both easy and difficult sections. The path winds between boulders and can be rocky and slippery, but you will be surrounded by huge mountains. Along the way, you will see the Khumbu Glacier. After reaching Gorakshep, we will check into a lodge, eat something, and head to Everest Base Camp. Another 1-2 hour hike along the Khumbu Glacier will bring us to the base camp. The yellow tents of the climbers will become visible as we reach EBC. Then, you may look around, take pictures, and write your name on the boulders before returning to Gorakshep.
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Day 11

Climb Kala Patthar and Descend to Dingboche

You will notice at Base Camp that Everest is not completely visible. From Gorak Shep, we will walk down, then up and up again to Kala Patthar. We will climb to Kala Patthar either at sunrise or sunset. It will take 1.5 to 2 hours. From here, you will have the best view of Mount Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse, along with a little of Lhotse. Then we will return to Gorakshep for food and descend to Dingboche.
12

Day 12

Trek to Chukhung

From Dingboche to Chukhung, the trek will be easy and about 2 hours long. Chukhung is a beautiful valley between mountains such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Imja Tse. You will appreciate close views of these mountains and their glaciers. The Imja Khola runs past Chukhung village, where we will be lodging.
13

Day 13

Trek to Island Peak Base Camp

After breakfast, we will trek south, turn east, and enter the main valley. We will walk along the stream and pass the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraine before reaching the valley, where we will camp in tents. From the camp, you will see the southwestern face of Imja Tse (Island Peak). We will review some technical climbing skills and then have an early dinner in preparation for our 'alpine start.'
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Day 14

Summit Island Peak and Return to Chukhung

We will start walking toward the summit around 01:00 to 02:00 am. Reaching High Camp will take about 2 hours, after which we will climb the rock gully. We will follow a ridgeline to the summit glacier and climb a steep snow slope to reach the summit. There, you will get an excellent view of the mountains. After spending some time at the top, we will return to High Camp, Base Camp, and then Chukhung.
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Day 15

Buffer Day for Weather or Health Delays

In case of bad weather or any health problem, we will use this day at base camp or further down on the trail. Whenever you may need this buffer day, you will be able to use it.
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Day 16

Trek Back to Tengboche

From Chukhung, we will walk down towards Pangboche, follow the same trail we took on the descent, and then climb up again to reach Tengboche. After this 4-5 hour trek, we will spend the night in Tengboche.
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Day 17

Trek to Namche Bazaar

We will walk for 6 to 7 hours, retracing our steps back to Namche Bazaar.
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Day 18

Trek to Lukla

We will go for a 6 to 7-hour walk back to Lukla to spend the night. This will be your last day in the mountains, so it will be a good time to relax, enjoy, and celebrate your success.
19

Day 19

Flight Back to Kathmandu

We will take an early flight back to Kathmandu on this final day. Sitting on the right side of the plane, you can take a last look at the mountains. We will say farewell once we arrive in Kathmandu. May you enjoy the rest of your stay in Nepal!
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Day 20

Departure from Kathmandu

Drop-off at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).