Trip Length: 3 days • 2 nights
Activity Levels: Intermediate Mountaineering
Hotels: Premium Hotels, Mountain Lodges, Tented Camp
Elevation Reached
• 20,305 ft
• 20,305 ft
From $2,000/person
Dates & Prices »
Dates & Prices »
Season: Spring, Autumn
A classic Himalayan climbing expedition
Perfect for both new and experienced mountaineers
A Himalayan adventure that combines the iconic trek to Everest Base Camp with a true alpine summit, Island Peak (Imja Tse). Over three weeks, you’ll journey through Sherpa villages, glacier-fed valleys, and dramatic ridgelines to stand atop a great Himalayan peak with sweeping views of the world’s highest mountains. This trip blends immersive trekking, cultural exploration, and a high-altitude mountaineering objective.
Nepal • Start Kathmandu • End Kathmandu Travel & Airport details »
Tour Highlights
- 21 days of trekking and mountaineering across Nepal’s Khumbu region
- Ascent of Island Peak
- Experience Sherpa villages, monasteries, and traditional Himalayan teahouses
- All accommodations and scheduled transportation
- Experienced guides, group climbing gear, logistics from Kathmandu to return
“An amazing trip (to Nepal). It was great to have someone else take care of the details, so all I needed to know was when to be packed up and ready to go the next day. The guides were very knowledgeable and great to hike with.” ~ Marie D., April 2020
DAY 1-12
Kathmandu – Dingboche
Please refer to our Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary for the approach to EBC and Island Peak. We descend the Khumbu Glacier from Everest Base Camp and return to Dingboche for the evening.
Lodge in Dingboche (1 night)
DAY 13-14
Island Peak Base Camp
After breakfast we ascend the Chhukung Valley to Island Peak Base Camp. Base camp is situated on the edge of a glacial moraine in an icy world of massive rock walls and hanging glaciers.
The next day, we climb to high camp, where we rest and prepare for our summit push. We also have the option of climbing Island Peak directly from base camp and using today to rest and refresh our climbing skills.
Tented Camp at Island Peak Base Camp (2 nights)
Activity Strenuous Hiking
DAY 15
Climb to the Summit Island Peak
We wake early and leave camp, climbing rocky, open slopes to a flat area occasionally used as an advanced base camp. We continue up a rock gully before traversing right and climbing a series of rolling benches that lead to a technically easy but exposed ridge just below the base of the glacier. Here we rope up and climb the glacier to the base of a steep snow and ice headwall. We ascend fixed ropes until we can step onto the snowy exposed south ridge surrounded by a panorama of 8,000 meter giants, including Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, and Baruntse. We ascend to the summit, celebrate our success, then descend our route to base camp and on down to the tiny settlement of Chhukung, where we check into a cozy mountain lodge.
Lodge in Chhukung (1 night)
Activity Intermediate Mountaineering
DAY 16-20
Chhukung – Kathmandu
Over the next five days we descend to Lukla and return to Kathmandu.
DAY 21
Departure Kathmandu
Transport to Tribhuvan International Airport for flights home.
Premium Hotels, Mountain Lodges, Tented Camp
Our hand-selected hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.*
NIGHTS 12, 15-18
Mountain Lodges
Over many years of operating in Nepal, we have chosen our favorites of the many Sherpa tea houses which adorn the high mountain valleys of the Himalaya. These simple, but comfortable accommodations are an essential part of what makes Mountain Gurus’ Everest Base Camp Trek so special.
NIGHTS 13-14
Tented Camp on Island Peak
We use the very best four-season mountaineering tents for our high alpine camps and employ experienced camp staff and porters to assist with carrying gear and preparing food and water. Even high in the mountains, we eat and sleep well on Mountain Gurus trips.
NIGHTS 19-20
Hotel Alof in Kathmandu
Chosen for its central location, comfort and convenience, we spend our first and final nights in Nepal at the modern Hotel Aloft in Kathmandu. This hotel serves as our launch point for tours of the capital and our trek, as well as a place of welcome rest and relaxation as our adventure concludes.
*Hotels may vary based on departure.
For most trekkers, simply seeing Mount Everest from Kala Pattar or from the base of the Khumbu Icefall is a dream come true. Island Peak enriches the experience, offering an ideal objective for new climbers and for veteran mountaineers seeking to expand their high-altitude experience or summit their first Himalayan peak.
Nepal
• Start Kathmandu • End Kathmandu
International Destinations
Itineraries reflect the date and time you will need to arrive in country for a program. Mountain Gurus programs begin and end in-country in the destination city. When booking your flight, you will need to account for travel time and crossing the international dateline if needed. It is easiest to give your booking agent the day and time you will need to arrive.
Entry/Visa
Passport must have six months or more validity remaining at the time of entry. American citizens may obtain a visa prior to travel or upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Meals
All meals are provided as per meal schedule.
Gear
A complete clothing and equipment list specific to your trip will be sent to you in a pre-departure information packet upon booking. For your safety and comfort, it is extremely important that you adhere strictly to the equipment list. Request a detailed itinerary.
Things you should know about this trip
When is the best time to climb?
Spring and autumn offer the most stable weather for both trekking and climbing.
How long is summit day?
Typically 8–12 hours round trip depending on conditions and team pace.
Do I need prior mountaineering experience?
Island Peak is an intermediate climb and does require some prior mountaineering experience. Prior experience at high altitude is beneficial. Participants should be able to demonstrate safe footwork and body control in steep terrain. Excellent physical conditioning is required.
Learn more about this tour? Request a detailed itinerary.
Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, gear list, and more. Let us help you plan your adventure.
