Local name Imja Tse, or popularly known as Island Peak is one of the most popular trekking peak in Nepal. It is seen as an island from Dingboche village. The summit is interesting and attractive with a highly glaciated west face rises from the Lhotse Glacier. The summit of Island Peak itself is an extension of the South Ridge of Lhotse Shar separated by a small col. The ridge rising to the south from this point leads to the summit of Island Peak. The extension of this ridge descending south-west is the part of the normal route, which leads to the South Summit. From the summit all the giant mountains of Everest region can be seen are: Nuptse (7,879 meters), Lhotse (8,501 meters ), Lhotse Middle Peak (8,410 meters ) and Lhotse Shar (8,383 meters ) make a semi circle in the north. The views of Makalu (8475 meters) in the east, Baruntse and Amadablam in the south are stunning.
South East Flank & South-West Ridge
Normally, the base camp is set at Pareshaya Gyab (5,087 meters), between Imja Tse and the lateral moraine of the Imja Glacier. A well acclimatization on the base camp to gain strength can make it possible to gain summit and return to the Base Camp in a day. However, most of the climbers establish a High-Camp which helps a safe & successful summit. From the base camp the route skirts south east around the base of Imja Tse and climbs steep grassy slopes and some rocky steps. We climb up on open gully which leads between two ridges to the site of high camp on the left-hand ridge below and to the right of a small hanging glacier (5,280 meters). From high camp, the left hand ridge scrambles across the broad open gully. After crossing this gully, a steep snow and ice ramp leads upward for nearly 100 meters to the summit ridge. There are some difficult climbing near the summit due to steep climbing and also in recent times the snow slopes below the summit has developed some large crevasses making the final ascent to the top difficult.
Grade :
Itinerary:
Day 01:
Arrive in Kathmandu. Receive and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02:
Kathmandu City Tour. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3:
Fly Kathmandu - Lukla - trek to Phakdingma. Overnight at lodge.
Day 4:
Trek Phakdingma - Namche.
Day 5:
Rest day at Namche. A side trip may be made to nearby Sherpa villages.
Day 6:
Trek Namche - Phortse.
Day 7:
Trek Phortse - Dole.
Day 8:
Trek Dole - Machermo.
Day 9:
Trek Machermo - Gokyo – Gokyo ri
Day 10:
Trek Gokyo - Bottom of Cho La.
Day 11:
Trek to Lobuche, Crossing over Cho La Pass.
Day 12:
Trek Lobuche - Kalapattar - Gorakshep.
Day 13:
Trek Gorakshep - Chukung.
Day 14:
Trek Chukung - Island Peak Base Camp. Tent.
Day 15:
Trek Base Camp - High Camp. Tent.
Day 16:
Climb High Camp - Island Peak Summit – back to Base Camp. Tent.
Day 17:
Trek Base Camp - Tyangboche.
Day 18:
Trek Tyangboche - Namche.
Day 19:
Trek back Namche - Lukla.
Day 20:
Fly back Lukla - Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21/22:
Free days. This days are spare days for flight delay/cancellation from Lukla. This days can be used for optional sightseeing/shopping in Kathmandu. On day 22nd evening, a farewell dinner at Nepalese typical restaurante will be provided. vernight at hotel.