Photo: Geetangey ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
A first 6,000er beyond Base Camp.
Island Peak, or Imja Tse, rises among glaciers below Lhotse and is widely considered the most logical first 6,000-metre summit: the walk-in along the Everest Base Camp trail provides acclimatisation, and the peak itself takes one day of fixed ropes and crampons. We go via Kala Patthar, then Chhukung and base camp at 5,087 m. Eighteen days for those ready to move from trekking to real altitude.
- 6,189 m beneath the Lhotse face
- Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp on the way
- The hundred-metre headwall on fixed ropes
- The Chhukung valley and Imja lakes
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Preparation
Kathmandu, expedition start
Arrival in Kathmandu at 1,400 m. Gear check with the guide, rental boots tried on, permits arranged.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 2 · 8 km, 3 hours
Lukla to Phakding
Flight to Lukla at 2,840 m and a descent along the Dudh Kosi to Phakding at 2,610 m. Eight kilometres to loosen the legs.
Overnight: Lodge in Phakding - DAY 3 · 11 km, 830 m of ascent
Namche Bazaar
Through Monjo and the park gate, then the steep climb to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m. About 11 km and 830 m of ascent.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 4 · Acclimatisation to 3,880 m
Acclimatisation: Khumjung
Up to the Everest View hotel at 3,880 m and on to Khumjung and its monastery. Back to Namche for the night.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 5 · 10 km, 5 hours
Tengboche
A traverse to Phunki Tenga and the 600 m climb to the Tengboche monastery at 3,860 m. Evening prayers beneath Ama Dablam.
Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche - DAY 6 · 11 km, 550 m of ascent
Dingboche
Via Pangboche to Dingboche at 4,410 m, 11 km. The last trees fall behind.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 7 · Acclimatisation to 5,000 m
Nangkar Tshang
An acclimatisation climb of Nangkar Tshang to 5,000 m, back in Dingboche for lunch.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 8 · 8 km, 530 m of ascent
Lobuche
Via Thukla and the memorial pass at 4,830 m to Lobuche at 4,940 m. Eight kilometres, 5 hours.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche - DAY 9 · 12 km, 7–8 hours
Everest Base Camp
To Gorak Shep at 5,164 m and on to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m over the Khumbu moraine. Back to Gorak Shep by evening.
Overnight: Lodge in Gorak Shep - DAY 10 · Kala Patthar 5,644 m, 18 km
Kala Patthar and down to Dingboche
Sunrise on Kala Patthar at 5,644 m, then a long descent via Lobuche and Thukla to Dingboche at 4,410 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 11 · 5 km, 3 hours
Chhukung
A short walk up the Imja valley to Chhukung at 4,730 m, 5 km. Climbing gear checked after lunch.
Overnight: Lodge in Chhukung - DAY 12 · Acclimatisation to 5,550 m
Chhukung Ri
Up Chhukung Ri at 5,550 m for the view of Island Peak and the Lhotse south face. Back to the lodge to rest.
Overnight: Lodge in Chhukung - DAY 13 · 8 km, training
Island Peak Base Camp
Along the Imja glacier to base camp at 5,087 m, 3–4 hours. Fixed-rope training after lunch: jumar, abseil, crampons.
Overnight: Tent, base camp 5,087 m - DAY 14 · Summit 6,189 m, 12–14 hours
Summit day on Island Peak
Away at 1:00. A rock gully to the ridge, the glacier roped up and the hundred-metre headwall of up to 50 degrees on fixed ropes to the summit at 6,189 m. Eight to nine hours up, then down to base camp.
Overnight: Tent, base camp 5,087 m - DAY 15 · 18 km, 1,150 m of descent
Reserve and descent to Pangboche
Reserve day for the summit. If it is done, we descend via Chhukung and Dingboche to Pangboche at 3,930 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Pangboche - DAY 16 · 15 km, 6 hours
Namche Bazaar
Via Tengboche back to Namche at 3,440 m, about 15 km. Bakery, shower, first beer.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 17 · 18 km, 6 hours
Lukla
Down to Lukla, 18 km. A farewell dinner with porters and guides.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla - DAY 18 · Flight, transfer
Flight out and home
Morning flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap, transfer to the hotel and an evening departure. If the Lukla flight is delayed, an extra Kathmandu night is arranged.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights
Lodges on the trek and tents at base camp
Three meals a day on the route
Certified climbing guide per 3 participants
Flights Kathmandu — Lukla — Kathmandu
NMA climbing permit, Sagarmatha park and municipality fees
Porters, group ropes, tents, kitchen
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Rental of 6,000 m boots, crampons, harness
Meals in Kathmandu
Helicopter evacuation, to be covered by insurance
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need experience sleeping above 4,000 m and basic crampon skills; jumar and fixed-rope work we practise at base camp. Ivan runs two rock-and-ice sessions before the expedition.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.