Khumbu, Solukhumbu District
Island Peak Climbing
Nepal's most popular trekking peak, above 6,000 metres
Island Peak (Imja Tse) is the trekking peak most climbers cut their teeth on, and for good reason: the approach follows the same Khumbu trail as our Everest Base Camp trek, so the altitude gain is gradual and the villages are the same Sherpa teahouses. The difference comes at Chukhung, where the route turns up onto glacier and fixed rope. A full day of climbing training at Base Camp covers ascending and descending on jumar and figure-eight before the summit push itself, which starts well before midnight to reach the top by sunrise.
- Duration
- 19 days
- Max altitude
- 6,189 m · Island Peak Summit
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best seasons
- Mar – May, Sep – Nov
- Group size
- 2 – 6 climbers
- Route
- Kathmandu to Kathmandu (fly Lukla both ways)
Trip highlights
- Summit a genuine 6,000-metre peak with fixed ropes and a qualified climbing guide
- Same Khumbu approach as Everest Base Camp, with a full climbing-skills day at Base Camp
- Sunrise summit views of Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam
- Small climbing teams, capped at six, with a guide-to-climber ratio built for safety
Island Peak Climbing · 19 days
The route, day by day
This is the exact itinerary our Island Peak Climbing groups follow, built around real acclimatisation, not a rushed schedule.
- 1
Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Lukla → Phakding 2,610 m → 2,610 mThe same first steps as our Everest Base Camp trek, an easy afternoon down the Dudh Kosi to acclimatise.
- 2
Into the Sagarmatha park
Into the Sagarmatha park
Phakding → Namche Bazaar 2,610 m → 3,440 mA long climb through pine forest and suspension bridges, entering Sagarmatha National Park before Namche.
- 3
Acclimatisation day
Acclimatisation day
Namche Bazaar 3,440 mA walk up to the Everest View Hotel for a first sight of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam before sleeping low.
- 4
Along the Khumbu wall
Along the Khumbu wall
Namche Bazaar → Tengboche 3,440 m → 3,860 mA ridge-line trail with full views of Ama Dablam, climbing to Tengboche monastery by evening.
- 5
Into the Imja Valley
Into the Imja Valley
Tengboche → Dingboche 3,860 m → 4,410 mThrough rhododendron forest and mani walls into the wide valley beneath Lhotse and Island Peak itself.
- 6
Second acclimatisation day
Second acclimatisation day
Dingboche 4,410 mAn optional climb to Nangkartshang viewpoint at 5,083 metres, the last major altitude gain before Chukhung.
- 7
Toward the climbing valley
Toward the climbing valley
Dingboche → Chukhung 4,410 m → 4,730 mA short day up the side valley that ends at Chukhung, the last village before Island Peak Base Camp.
- 8
To Island Peak Base Camp
To Island Peak Base Camp
Chukhung → Island Peak Base Camp 4,730 m → 5,087 mOnto moraine and scree above the tree line, making camp within sight of the route up Imja Tse.
- 9
Climbing training day
Climbing training day
Island Peak Base Camp 5,087 mA full day on the training slope with your climbing guide: ascending and descending on jumar, fixed rope, and crampon technique.
- 10
To High Camp
To High Camp
Base Camp → High Camp 5,087 m → 5,600 mA short, steep climb to an exposed high camp, with an early dinner ahead of a pre-midnight start.
- 11
Summit day
Summit day
High Camp → Island Peak Summit → Chukhung 5,600 m → 6,189 m → 4,730 mA pre-dawn climb on fixed rope to the summit ridge, with Lhotse and Makalu on the skyline, then a long descent back to Chukhung.
- 12
Weather contingency day
Weather contingency day
Chukhung 4,730 mA built-in buffer for summit-day weather delays, or simply a rest day if the climb went to plan.
- 13
Back through the valley
Back through the valley
Chukhung → Dingboche → Pheriche 4,730 m → 4,240 mRetracing the trail down the Imja Valley, the descent noticeably easier on lungs adjusted to thinner air.
- 14
Through the forest
Through the forest
Pheriche → Namche Bazaar 4,240 m → 3,440 mBack through Tengboche and the Imja Khola gorge to Namche for a last proper shower.
- 15
Down to the Dudh Kosi
Down to the Dudh Kosi
Namche Bazaar → Lukla 3,440 m → 2,860 mA final full trekking day, retracing the suspension bridges and pine forest back to Lukla.
- 16
Fly to Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu
Lukla → Kathmandu 2,860 m → 1,400 mA morning flight back over the foothills, with a well-earned rest in the capital.
- 17
Flight contingency day
Flight contingency day
Kathmandu 1,400 mA buffer for Lukla flight delays, common enough in the Khumbu that we build it in as standard.
- 18
Free day in Kathmandu
Free day in Kathmandu
Kathmandu 1,400 mA free day to explore Kathmandu, with a farewell dinner to mark the climb.
- 19
Departure
Departure
Kathmandu 1,400 mInternational departure. Airport transfer included regardless of flight time.
Cost & what's included
per person, includes climbing permit and technical guide
$2,650
Included
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu to Lukla flights, both directions
- Sagarmatha National Park permit, TIMS card, and Island Peak climbing permit
- Teahouse accommodation on the approach, tented camp at Island Peak Base Camp
- Three meals a day while on the trail and at Base Camp
- A licensed climbing guide (1 guide per 2 climbers on summit day) and porters
- Group climbing gear: fixed rope, ice screws, snow bars
- First-aid kit and basic oxygen carried by your guide
Not included
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee (available on arrival)
- Travel and evacuation insurance (mandatory for climbing permits)
- Personal climbing gear rental (harness, crampons, ice axe, boots)
- Meals in Kathmandu outside the welcome dinner
- Hot showers, WiFi, and battery charging on the trail
- Tips for your guide and porters
Upcoming departures
| Start date | Spots left |
|---|---|
| October 9, 2026 | 3 left |
| November 6, 2026 | 1 left |
| April 16, 2027 | 6 open |
Don't see a date that works? We also arrange private departures for groups of 2 or more.
Ready to walk among giants?
Tell us which trek and which season. A guide, not a call centre, will write back within two working days.
Plan Your TrekOr call +977 98-0123-4567 , Kathmandu office hours