Alpine Explore Nepal
Himalayan of Nepal

Island peak with Pass Route

jomsom muktinathThe approach follows the "Everest Base Camp and Gokyo lakes" itinerary, one of Nepal's most famous treks, through the Khumbu Mountains - Sherpa country. After a magnificent mountain flight to Lukla we follow the Dudh Koshi valley to Namche Bazaar. The trail to Gokyo is a gradual ascent up the valley passing through patches of birch and rhododendron forest where the elusive musk deer can sometimes be seen. Through small yak-grazing settlements we reach the Gokyo lakes where we climb Gokyo Peak (5480 m) and enjoy stunning summit mountain scenery that includes Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo. After the Cho La pass, we reach Gorak Shep and climb to Kala Patthar (5545 m) and enjoy an impressive up-close view of Everest. The ascent of Island Peak includes little technical climbing (Alpine Grade: PD). Only the last part, a steep (40 degrees) snow and ice ramp requires the use of fixed rope to reach the summit. The scenery is absolutely breath-taking: Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Buruntse. Our return route passes through Tengboche, a magnificent location with a fascinating monastery, where we rest and savor the incredible scenery, including magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam (6856m), Kantega (6809m), Kwangde (6194m), Nuptse (7879m), and Lhotse (8511m), to name but a few.

Alpine grade PD/AD, Maximum altitude: 6189 m, best season: Spring and autumn   

island peak with pass routeWe climb the South Ridge, which involves grade 1 scrambling up a gully and easy rock to a glacier. We cross this, negotiating some crevasses to a final steep (40°) snow slope (100m) leading to the summit ridge. This can be corniced and leads in about three rope lengths to the summit. There are superb views of the south face of Lhotse, Baruntse and Ama Dablam.     

During the ascent of a trekking peak, the groups are accompanied only by a high mountain guide. We recommend booking a 2nd high mountain guide who will help during the ascent and bring back to the base camp those who are not able to reach the summit. Without the high altitude Sherpa, a whole group could be obliged to return to the base camp just because one of the members is not able to reach the summit.

Island Peak, high passes route details itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu. Airport - hotel transfer.

Day 02: Kathmandu. Day at leisure.

Day 03: Kathmandu - Lukla (2850 m) by plane. 3-hour walk to Phakding (2600 m).

Day 04: Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
in 5h. A tough climb towards the Sherpa capital. Beautiful vistas of the Thamserku (6608 m), the Everest (8848 m) and the Lhotse (8511 m).

Day 05: Namche Bazaar - Thame (3800 m)
en 4 h. Namche Bazaar visit in the morning. Many of the typical mani walls and prayer wheels are spread on the trail to Thame.

Day 06: Thame - Marulung (4200 m)
in 4 h. Visit of the picturesque Thame monastery. Walk on the Bhote Koshi bank, the track is highly frequented by yak caravans coming down from Tibet and heading to the Namche market.

Day 07: Marulung - Rermo Pokhari (4875 m)
in 4 h. Slope gently up through grassy areas. Camp beside the lake.

Day 08: Rermo Pokhari - Renjo Pass (5345 m)
Gokyo (4750 m) in 5 h. Magnificent panorama from the pass: Tengi Ragi Tau, Rolwaling Himal and the small Rermo Pokhari lake on west and Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and the Gokyo lakes on east. Camp beside the lake.

Day 09: Gokyo Peak ascent(5480 m) .

Day 10: Gokyo - Nyimagawa (5050 m)
in 5 h. Crossing through moraines of the terminal spit of Ngojumpa glacier. From Thagna, climb up through gentle and grassy slopes to the foot of the Cho La.

Day 11: Nyimagawa - Cho La Pass (5420 m)
Dzongla (4840 m) in 5 h. The steep trail goes through blocks of rocks. After the pass, we shortly cross an easy segment of the glacier then descend towards Dzongla.

Day 12: Dzongla - Lobuche (4920 m)
Gorak Shep (5100 m) in 6 h. Easy descent on mountainside to Lobuche, then climb up through moraines towards Gorak Shep.

Day 13: Gorak Shep - Kala Patthar (5545 m) - Lobuche.

Day 14: Lobuche - Kongma La (5535 m)
Camp at 5200 m in 5 h. After the pass, we can enjoy splendid altitude lakes and a stunning belvedere of the Ama Dablam. Option to establish a lower campsite at 4750 m.

Day 15: Camp at 5200 m - Island Peak Base Camp (5120 m) in 5 h.

Day 16: Base Camp - Island Peak (6189 m)
Chukung (4730 m) in 9 h. The trail makes a climb to a narrow edge, leading on to the glacier (5900 m). We rope-up now and wear our crampons as the real climb starts. We have a fair 150 m progression onto the crevassed glacier. A fixed rope is set up on a 45° slope, 130 m long, that leads onto the summit ridge, 100 m long. This ridge is wonderfully airy and soon the summit is gained. Standing on the top we have stunning close-up views of the south face of Lhoste (8501 m) looming over us. In the other direction, dramatic views of Ama Dablam, Chamlang, Baruntse. Descent is made by the same route, proceeding the whole way down to Base Camp, then to Chukung.

Day 17: Chhukung - Tengpoche (3860 m)
in 7 h. The largest and most active monastery of Khumbu is located at Tengpoche.

Day 18: Tengpoche - Phunki ( 3250 m) - Namche Bazaar (3440 m) in 5 h.

Day 19: Namche Bazaar - Lukla in 7 h.

Day 20: Lukla - Kathmandu by plane.

Day 21: Kathmandu. Day at leisure. Safety day for your international flight.

Day 22: Kathmandu. Hotel - airport transfer.

The following information will allow you to better plan your budget for tours or treks. A range of costs is given. These costs are dependant on:
  • The mix of Touring and/or general Trekking,
  • The remoteness of the areas visited,
  • The number of guides or porters required,
  • The standard of accommodation required (if there is a choice), 
  • The type of ground transport used,
  • The length of your visit, and
  • The size of your group.

Depending on group size the costs of treks and tours range from:
1 to 3 pax     US$ 68 to 153  P/p per night.
4 to 8 pax     US$ 58 to 138  P/p per night
9 to 14 pax.  US$ 55 to 125 P/p per night.
15 to 20 and above US$ 51 to 107 P/p per night
Single supplement US$ 25 to 60 per night.

Note: The itinerary and cost for Peak climbing, Mountaineering, Tibet, Bhutan and India tours and trek are conditional apply.

Notwithstanding the costs shown above, we can tailor tours to suit almost any budget. Feel free to email us for more information.
 
Note: One tour leader will be free of cost for tours with 15 or more paying guests only. 

Children's bellow three years is free if sharing with their parents. And need to pay if they are participating on the trekking, and above three to nine year children half of the price.

Cost Includes: Accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels in the cites as your choice, basic accommodation in a lodge or tea house or camping (depending on your itinerary and choice) during treks, guides and porters on treks, all land transfers by private vehicle, 3 meals a day on treks, all jungle safaris, all sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all necessary entry fees, permits and airport transfers.
 
Cost Excludes: Personal expenses, domestic air tickets, airport tax, drinks (soft drink, mineral water and alcoholic beverages and hot-shower on the trek), personal insurance, and extra cost due to natural calamities or accidents outside of our control.

Remarks: The cost of the trip determines with the services included during the trip so that it might be varies with the services, hotel and transfer of your wish.

Please note that our guides speak the following English languages and if required we will provide your language spiking guide on extra cost.

Note: Please contact exploretrek@wlink.com.np for more information and prices

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Contact Information:

Explore Alpine Adventure Nepal
P.O. Box: 4546, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4700714 / 4700175 / 4701974
Fax: +977 -1 - 4700970
Email: alpinetravel@wlink.com.np
          exploretrek@wlink.com.np
Skype Address: explore.alpine
MSN Messanger: explorealpine
Yahoo Messanger:explorealpine

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Our Guest Says

SteveAnyon-Smith
18 April 2000

This was my third trek in Nepal, having visited the Annapurna Region in 1995 and with Bharat and Dave in the beautiful and wildlife-filled Langstang Valley in1998. Bharat's company "Explore Alpine Adventure"....
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