In the heart of Everest mountain range, facing the extraordinary South face of Lhotse, the ascent of Island Peak, 20,305 feet asl, reveals a magnificent panorama : Makalu, Baruntse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam, Holy mountain of Sherpas' land.
This beautiful trekking peak will be the high point of a superb trekking through Khumbu, from Lukla to Everest base camp, passing by Gokyo Lakes and Cho La pass, 17,782 feet. So, even if you are not a climber, you can join this programme : the footpaths leading to the summits of Gokyo Peak, 17,585 feet, and Kala Pattar, 18,192 feet, will make you share the joy of reaching a summit, and, on Island Peak ascent day, a Sherpa will guide you till Lhotse base camp.
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Climb Island Peak
Seen from Chukkung, above Dingpoche, Island Peak does indeed resemble an island in a sea of ice, and was first climbed in 1953 by a team of climbers, including Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, preparing himself for the ascent of Mount Everest, which he climbed a few months later with Edward Hillary.
The ascent is grade: Alpine PD, though a short steep part of the final ridge, equipped with fixed ropes, should be quoted AD. Starting from Base Camp, Pareshaya Gyab, height 16,800 feet, a footpath goes up till the height 18,300 feet. From there, a easy climb through rocks lead to the glacier. The route goes first left on the glacier, avoiding seracs and crevasses, and then turns right till the steep snow slope leading to the summit ridge, climbed with the help of a fixed rope (300 feet climb, gradient 45 degrees). The ridge itself is a classic climb, except a steep part (grade AD) equipped with a fixed rope.
Our Mountain Guide will place the fixed ropes with the help of a skilled high-altitude mountaineering Sherpa. Our Mountain Guide will rope on with two or three climbers. The other climbers will be in self-governing roped parties, advised and supervised by our Mountain Guide.
To register to this trekking peak programme, you must have carried out a few ascents on Snow gullies and ridges, Alpine Grade PD or AD, as the Three Mont-Blancs route or "Courtes" ridge (in the Mont-Blanc group), Zinalrothorn or Dent Blanche (in Switzerland), and thus apply correctly the basic techniques with crampons on ascents, descents and crossings.
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Our specific assets on this programme:
- guiding by a very experienced IFMGA French Mountain Guide during the whole programme, equipped with a first-aid kit and a hypobaric chamber
- assistance of a High Altitude Sherpa Guide, very experienced in high altitude ascents, during the ascent of Island Peak
- equipping with fixed ropes on the technical parts of the ascent
- our local correspondent takes out an insurance policy for the whole Nepalese team (High Altitude Sherpa Guide, Sherpa Guides, cook, kitchen-boys, porters)
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Guide and Nepalese Team
Your French Mountain Guide is qualified worldwide as IFMGA Mountain Guide, and speaks fluently English, with a near-native comprehension.
He has soon guided many trekkings and ascents in Nepal. He is used to guide groups of English-speaking hikers, which represent 30 % of our clients in Nepal.
Equipped with a first-aid kit adapted to high altitude tours, and a hypobaric chamber, your French Mountain Guide makes sure you are safe, and makes work together the Nepalese team :
- a Sirdar, Sherpa guides, a cook, kitchen-boys, and porters during the whole tour
- a high-altitude Sherpa guide joins the team during the ascent of Island Peak
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Route:
Day 1: Flight to Kathmandu, regular flight.
Day 2: Landing in Kathmandu. Welcome in the airport by our local correspondent. Transfer to hotel in private bus or taxi. During the afternoon, visit of Swayambhunath sanctuary. Night in hotel.
Day 3: Flight Kathmandu - Lukla, 9,350 feet, trekking to Phakding, 8,760 feet
Early transfer in private minibus or taxi from hotel to airport. Flight in twin-engine aircraft to Lukla, with a superb wiew on Himalaya range. In Lukla, we meet the local team (Sirdar, Sherpas guides, cook and kitchen-boys, porters). We begin our trekking with a descent to Chutrawa, 8,200 feet, facing the famous peak of Karyalang, 21,920 feet, and the Khumbila, 18,900 feet, the Holy mountain of the protective God of Khumbu valleys. Camp.
Duration of walking: 3 hours.
Day 4: Phakding - Namche Bazar, 11,280 feet
The footpath will first pass through the small villages of Chumoa and Jorsale, 9,202 feet. Jorsale is the Entry Gate of Sagarmatha National Park. Through pine forests, with nice water-falls, the footpath leads us to the impressive suspension bridge of Namche Bazar, built over the wild river Dudh Khosi. A steep ascent, offering a first glimpse on Mount Everest, brings us to Namche Bazar, main village of High Khumbu. Namche Bazar has a famous open-air market each Saturday, with merchants coming from Tibet with their yaks carrying loads through the high pass of Nangpa La, 18,750 feet asl!. Camp.
Duration of walking: 5 hours and a half.
Day 5: Namche-Bazar - Khumjung, 12,435 feet
To acclimatize smoothly, we just make a two hours walk to Khumjung, after a visit to the Sherpa culture + Everest conquest museum of Namche Bazar. Khumjung is a very old Sherpa village, with two monasteries, where Sir Edmund Hillary, first climber of Mount Everest in 1953 with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, created a school and a hospital (Kunde). Afternoon rest. Camp.
Duration of walking: 2 hours.
Day 6: Namche-Bazar - Dole, 13,255 feet
Facing us, Ama Dablam, 22,499 feet, one of the most beautiful peaks of the world, with Matterhorn and Alpamayo (South America). Our footpath goes through the slopes climbing to Khumbila, and reaches our first pass, Mon La, 13,035 feet. Steep descent to Phortse Drangka. We leave the valley going to Everest, we are now in Gokyo valley. Just at the limit of the tree-line, we reach the mountain pasture of Dole, 13,255 feet. Camp.
Duration of walking: 5 hours.
Day 7: Dole - Machermo, 14,470 feet
The footpath goes through small yak mountain pastures : Khele, Lhabarma, Luza. Wiew on many small waterfalls. Camp at Machermo, facing Kyajo glacier. Afternoon rest.
Duration of walking: 3 hours and a half.
Day 8: Machermo - Gokyo Lakes, 15,580 feet
Gokyo Lakes, which draw many hinduist pilgrims, will be reached today. Passing through the small hamlet of Pangkhat, the trail offers a superb wiew on Cho Oyu, 26,715 feet, on the Tibet border. After a 3 hours walk, the footpath goes along the three Lakes of Gokyo : Longpongo, Taoche, Dudh Pokhari, standing in the center of a splendid mountains' circus. Camp. Afternoon rest.
Duration of walking: 4 hours.
Day 9: Ascent of Gokyo Peak, 17,585 feet
Leaving the camp at dawn, we will easily and slowly climb the path going up to Gokyo Peak, higher than Mont-Blanc. From the top, fantastic wiew on the immense Ngozumba glacier, and on 123 different peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. Back to the camp for a afternoon rest.
Duration of walking: 4 hours.
Day 10: Gokyo Lakes - Nyimagawa, 16,570 feet
After a short descent to Longpongo lake, all our caravan goes through the glacier of Ngozumpa, on the moraines and screes which hide the ice. We will discover very nice small glacial lakes. Lunch on the other bank of the glacier, by Dragnag. In the afternoon, steep ascent to install our camp by Nyimagawa, just underneath the Cho La pass. Camp.
Duration of walking: 5 hours.
Day 11: Nyimagawa - Cho La pass, 17,780 feet - Dzonglha, 16,105 feet
A wild stage, beginning by one hour and a half on the steep snowy footpath leading to Cho La pass. From the pass, superb wiew on Dzonglha valley and lake, and on the impressive North face of Jobo Lhaptshan, 21,128 feet. Descent to Dzonglha, with a short and easy walk on the Cho La La glacier. Camp. Afternoon rest.
Duration of walking: 3 hours and a half.
Day 12: Dzonglha - Lobuche - Gorak Shep, 17,025 feet
Starting from Dzonglha, the footpath follows the hillside till Lobuche, in the Everest valley, close to Khumbu glacier. Wiew on Nuptse, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam. In this mineral scenery, a stony path leads to Gorak Shep, the highest mountain pasture of the valley, with its famous "sand-beach" (SURPRISE !), just underneath our next aim, Kala Pattar. Camp.
Duration of walking: 5 hours.
Day 13: Gorak Shep - Everest Base Camp, 17,715 feet or Kala Pattar peak, 18,192 feet - Dingpoche, 14,295 feet
From Gorak Shep, we can either ascend Kala Pattar, the classic wiewpoint on Everest from which is taken the famous photo showing Everest, South pass, Lhotse and Nuptse, or hike to Everest Base Camp, near the Ice-Fall. After this ascent of Kala Pattar or this trekking to Base Camp, we come back to Lobuche, and then go down Everest valley till the beautiful village of Dingpoche. Camp.
Duration of walking: 6 to 7 hours.
Day 14: Dinpoche - Chukkung, 15,580 feet
Morning rest in Dingpoche, and a short afternoon hike to Chukkung mountain pastures, standing close to the confluence of four glaciers. Facing us, the impressive South Face of Lhotse, 10,000 feet high. Closer, the Island Peak, our trekking peak. Camp.
Duration of walking: 2 hours.
Day 15: Chukkung - Pareshaya Gyab (Island peak base camp), 16,800 feet
The path from Chukkung to Pareshaya Gayb goes up on old moraines crests. Installation of Base Camp, setting up of roped parties, and last check-up of the equipment for tomorrow ascent. Afternoon rest. Camp.
Duration of walking: 3 hours and a half.
Day 16: ascent of Island Peak, 20,305 feet
We leave the camp at night, and climb a easy footpath till the height 18,300 feet. From there, a easy climb through rocks lead to the glacier. The route goes first left on the glacier, avoiding seracs and crevasses, and then turns right till the steep snow slope leading to the summit ridge, climbed with the help of a fixed rope (300 feet climb, gradient 45 degrees). The ridge itself is a classic climb, except a steep part (grade AD) which may require a other fixed rope. From the top of Island Peak (named Imja Tse in Sherpa language), fantastic wiew on the very near faces of Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Descent by the same route to Pareshaya Gyab. Camp.
Duration of walking and climbing: 8 to 10 hours.
Day 17: extra day to climb Island Peak
Day 18: Pareshaya Gyab - Shomare, 13,285 feet
We come back to Chukkung and Dingpoche, and then go down to Shomare, folllowing the Sherpas route in Everest valley. Camp.
Duration of walking: 5 hours and a half.
Day 19: Shomare - Pangboche - Namche Bazar, 11,280 feet
In Pangboche monastery, where was kept for a long time the "Yeti's scalp", we will thank Gods to have allowed us to climb closer to their Altitude Kingdom. After Pangboche, the "mountain pastures footpath" is following the hillside of Ama Dablam's slopes, dominating the canyon of Imja Khola. Travel agencies are unaware of this narrow footpath, snaking through nice forests and pastures, which was rediscovered by one of our groups in 1997. You will just meet there a few Sherpanis looking for firewood, and one sheperd watching over his yaks. The footpath leads to Tengpoche monastery. The famous buddhist monastery was entirely destroyed by fire in January 1989, and then rebuilt thanks to donations from the whole world buddhist community. The wild mountains surrounding these so worshiped Holy places enlarge the exceptional nature of this site. In the afternoon, we go down through a forest of Himalayan pine-trees and rhododendrons till Phunki bridge (where you will admire prayer wheels driven by a small stream). The footpath goes up to Thashingo, and then follows the hillside till Namche Bazar. Camp.
Duration of walking: 6 hours.
Day 20: Namche Bazar - Lukla, 9,350 feet
Boosted by all our new red blood cells, we rush down the footpath going to Sagarmatha National Park gate, in Jorsale. Later, Lukla's footpath leads us through the first villages we saw two weeks ago : Gumila, Phakding, Choplung. The high peaks disappear behind the hills. In Lukla, we will pass our last night in tents. Fiesta with all our Nepalese friends will be organized. Camp.
Duration of walking: 5 hours and a half.
Day 21: Flight Lukla - Kathmandu
With a strong emotion, we leave our friends of the Nepalese team who took care of us during this tour. Flight in twin-engine aircraft to Kathmandu, with a superb wiew on Himalaya range. Transfer to hotel in private bus or taxi. Installation in hotel. Free afternoon to visit Kathmandu, and bargain souvenirs. Night in hotel.
Day 22: International regular flight leaving Kathmandu
Free morning in Kathmandu. In the beginning of the afternoon, we prepare our luggage. By mid-afternoon, transfer in private bus or taxi to Airport. Take-off by the end of the afternoon.
Day 23: Landing home.
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Training:
- Acclimatization trekking : footpaths are wide and safe, built for porters and also for yaks or mules caravans, coming up the high valleys, crossing rivers on impressive suspension bridges. Ascents of Gokyo Peak and Kala Pattar take place on footpaths. Cho La pass : a short and easy walk on the Cho La La glacier.
- The ascent of Island Peak is grade: Alpine PD, though a short steep part of the final ridge should be quoted AD. Starting from Base Camp, Pareshaya Gyab, height 16,800 feet, a footpath goes up till the height 18,300 feet. From there, a easy climb through rocks lead to the glacier. The route goes first left on the glacier, avoiding seracs and crevasses, and then turns right till the steep snow slope leading to the summit ridge, climbed with the help of a fixed rope (300 feet climb, gradient 45 degrees). The ridge itself is a classic climb, except a steep part (grade AD) which may require a other fixed rope.
Our Mountain Guide will place the fixed ropes with the help of a skilled high-altitude mountaineering Sherpa. Our Mountain Guide will rope on with two or three climbers. The other climbers will be in self-governing roped parties, advised and supervised by our Mountain Guide.
To register to this trekking peak programme, you must have carried out several ascents on Snow gullies and ridges, Alpine Grade PD or AD inf., as the Three Mont-Blancs route or "Courtes" ridge (in the Mont-Blanc group), Zinalrothorn or Dent Blanche (in Switzerland), and thus apply correctly the basic techniques with crampons on ascents, descents and crossings.
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Price of the Programme:
* The price includes:
- welcome by our Nepalese correspondent in Kathmandu airport + all transfers airport - hotel
- roundtrip flight ticket Kathmandu - Lukla and airport taxes
- accommodation, twin beds room + continental breakfast, in hotel in Kathmandu (international two stars standards)
- full pension during the tour except lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (4 to 5 EUR for a usual meal). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served hot during the trekking (except cold pic-nic for the day of ascent of Island Peak)
- guiding by a French Mountain Guide from our Company, LE PAYS D'EN HAUT, speaking fluently English with a near-native comprehension, during your tour in Nepal / a Sirdar, Sherpa guides, a cook, kitchen-boys, and porters during the trekking / a skilled high-altitude Sherpa guide joins the team during the ascent of Island Peak
- all the fees and expenses of the French Mountain Guide and the Nepalese team members
- the following group equipment: hypobaric chamber, first-aid kit, survival blanket, map, compass, GPS, altimeter, mountaineering ropes, fixed ropes, snow anchors
- the following equipment for accommodation : wide mountaineering sleeping tents (two participants per tent), individual mattress, a mess tent with table and stools, toilet tent
- all taxes : National Parks entry fees, trekking peak climbing permit
* The price does not include:
- optional insurances GENERALI / EUROPE ASSISTANCE
- your drinks during the days in Kathmandu
- lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (4 to 5 EUR for a usual meal)
- your personal expenses
- the Nepalese team tips
- visa fees
- 1695 Nepalese rupees (exact money) to pay as airport tax at Kathmandu Airport when leaving Nepal. 1695 Nepalese rupees represent around 25 US $.
- your personal equipment
- temples and monasteries visits (in Kathmandu, between 100 and 250 Nepalese rupees for a site : Durbar Square, Bodnath, Swayambunath, Pashupatinath / in Khumbu, you should give 50 rupees to visit Pangboche or Tengpoche monastery, and 100 rupees to visit the Sherpa museum)
- generally speaking, all the expenses not indicated in the paragraph " the price includes "
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* Included in price :
- welcome in Kathmandu airport
- roundtrip flight Kathmandu to Lukla and airport taxes
- accommodation, twin beds room, in hotel in Kathmandu
- full pension during trekking
- guiding by a IFMGA French Mountain Guide, speaking fluently English, during the tour; a Sirdar, Sherpa guides, a cook, kitchen-boys, and porters during the trekking; a skilled high-altitude Sherpa guide for the ascent of Island Peak
- fees and expenses of Guide and Nepalese team members
- group equipment: hypobaric chamber, first-aid kit, group climbing equipment
- accommodation : wide mountaineering sleeping tents, individual mattress, mess tent, toilet tent
- taxes : National Park fees, trekking peak permit
* Not included:
- international flight to Kathmandu
- optional insurances
- drinks, lunches, dinners in Kathmandu
- personal expenses
- Nepalese team tips
- visa fees
- airport tax when leaving Nepal
- personal equipment
- temples and monasteries visits
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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