Island Peak Climbing - 12 Days

Arrival and Welcome

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Once you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, representative staff from Access Nepal Tours and Trekking will be waiting for you. After baggage clearance on arrival and the visa process, head towards the exit gate. Our team will be holding a company signboard, so you can easily spot them.

Following the warm greetings, you will be transferred to your hotel in a private tourist vehicle. Take a rest or do some last-minute gear shopping around Thamel. We will have a brief pre-trek meeting regarding the safety protocols, itinerary, and route details. If you have any queries regarding the gears, safety guidelines, or suggestions, you can ask them now.

In the evening, we gather for a classic Nepali Welcome Dinner along with cultural performances hosted by Access Nepal Tours and Trekking.

Why Choose Island Peak Climbing?

The Island Peak Climbing is an all-inclusive package filled with adventure. Being beginner-friendly, it offers a one-of-a-kind, thrilling experience. The highest point of Iskand Peak Climbing is 6,189 m. It doesn’t require any technical mountaineering skills and provides the best alpine experience. 

The Island Peak Climbing follows the classic Everest Base Camp Route. Besides the main highlight, the summit of Island Peak, other adventures of this package include: Hiking to Ama Dablam Base Camp and Climbing Chhukung Ri (5.546 m). The Island Peak climbing route is well-established, and even first-time climbers with good physical fitness can do this expedition. 

Similarly, the adventure of Island Peak Climbing is known for offering jaw-dropping panoramic mountain views. During the trek and climbing, these peaks Everest(8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Baruntse (7,129 m), Thamserku (6,623 m), and many more, watch over you.

Island Peak Climbing is the best introduction for first-time, ambitious trekkers. 

Island Peak Climbing Difficulty

Island Peak Climbing is a moderately challenging adventure. Though it is a trekking peak, the altitude gain of over 1,000m in a single push from base camp to the summit makes this climb moderately difficult. However, anyone with great physical fitness can do this climbing. This trek is suitable for first-time climbers. It offers equal thrills and adventure.

 Till the Island Peak Base Camp, the journey is easy. Yet beyond the Base Camp (summit climbing) is difficult due to the rocky moraines and snow terrains. It requires climbers to use crampons, an ice axe, and fixed ropes. Near the summit is the hardest section due to the steep snowy wall. You have to climb using an ascender on a fixed rope. Therefore, good fitness is the major requirement for this climbing. If you have this, then you are a good candidate.

The Island Peak is difficult but has low technical risk. With the help of expert guides and preparation, the success rate is generally high.

Best Time to Climb Island Peak

The best time to climb Island Peak is spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). These seasons are the peak trekking season in Nepal. Due to the warm and stable weather conditions, clear skies, and great visibility, it is best to do this adventure around this time. The best part of climbing in spring is that the trails will be dotted with colourful rhododendron and wild flowers, making the air filled with a sweet aroma. 

Similarly, the benefit of climbing in Autumn is crisp post-monsoon air, dry trails, excellent visibility, and warm temperatures.

Climbing the Island Peak in the monsoon (June-September) and winter (December-February) is not recommended. Lower regions experience heavy rainfalls, muddy trails, leeches, and poor visibility in the monsoon. Likewise, winter brings extreme cold and strong winds. 

Therefore, September-November and April-May are popular climbing windows for these reasons. 

Permits for Island Peak Climbing

The Island Peak Climbing Permits are Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fees, and the climbing permit of Island Peak. All these permits and their fees are included in the package. From applying to obtaining, the process is done by Access Nepal Tours and Trekking.

You can get permits from the National Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. The climbing permit fees vary by season, during peak season, about USD 350, and in summer and winter, about USD 175. 

Accommodation on the Island Peak Climb

All the accommodation throughout the Island Peak Climbing is included in the package. We try our best to provide great comfort and safety to you. The accommodation in Kathmandu is in a twin-sharing basis with private toilets and free hot water and internet.

The accommodation during the trek is are standard room on a twin-sharing basis with toilet on sharing. As you go higher, especially at Dingboche and Chuukung, teahouses are more basic with dorm-style rooms, simple beds, blankets, and shared bathrooms.

During the summit preparation, we will stay in a tent. Because beyond the base camp, there are no teahouses or lodges available. We provide sleeping bags and down jackets free to use (must return).

Dietary Requirements for Island Peak Climbing

Good stamina and energy are crucial for successful Island Peak Climbing. To sustain throughout the journey, our body requires high-calorie and high-carbohydrate meals.

The package includes full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), 3 cups of tea/coffee, and seasonal fruits during the trek. All the meals are organic and locally sourced. The staple dish provided is dal Bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables). It is a very nutritious and balanced, high-energy meal perfect for climbers. Other food options include soups, noodles, porridge, and many more.

Throughout the summit, we provide a cook, a kitchen tent, and all the kitchen essentials. They will cook you three meals a day. During the summit, they will also pack a lunch.

Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine consumption. Drinking these exacerbates dehydration and altitude effects. We suggest you carry your own energy bars, nuts, and electrolyte powder. These energy bars help boost calories during the day. Only drink purified water (we provide sufficient water purification tablets) and wash your hands to avoid getting sick.

If you have any dietary needs like vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies, let us know beforehand. 

What to Expect on the Island Peak Climb?

The Island Peak Climbing is a 12-day journey into the beautiful Khumbu region. Things to expect in the Island Peak Climb are:

• Thrilling flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
• Hike through the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route.
• Key stops at popular Sherpa villages (Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Chhukung).
• Breathtaking alpine landscapes, rhododendron forests, high passes, suspension bridges, and Buddhist monasteries.
• Climbing Chhukung Ri.
• Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp and Island Peak Base Camp.
• Summit to Island Peak.
• 360-degree panoramic views of mountains like Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Thamsekru, Lobuche, and many more.
• Adventurous experience of climbing a peak over steep rocks and snow using fixed ropes, crampons, and an ice axe.

Travel Insurance Required for Island Peak Climb

Travel Insurance for Island Peak Climbing is mandatory. Your insurance policy just covered high-altitude helicopter evacuation, emergency rescue, high-altitude medical treatment, trip cancellation, delays, and lost baggage. Make sure emergency helicopter evacuation covers 7,00 m+ because Island Peak is 6,189m, a higher-tier policy is best recommended.

For more details on travel insurance, go through this blog: Nepal Travel Insurance.

How to avoid Altitude Sickness during Island Peak Climbing?

Island Peak Climbing is a high-altitude adventure. This trek goes beyond the 6,000m height. At this height, climbers have a high risk of getting Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The altitude sickness symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. If you experience any of these, inform your guide. They will suggest that you rest or descend depending on your symptoms.

Therefore, each second throughout the trek must be done carefully. Acclimatization for higher altitude treks is key to preventing altitude sickness. We follow a strict acclimatization schedule. Our Island Peak Climbing Itinerary sticks to the “Climb High, Sleep Low” rule, which means during the day we climb at high altitude and at night we return to a lower altitude to sleep. Before any big elevation gain, our itinerary includes one acclimatization day. 

Similarly, drink lots of water (3-4 liters a day). Our guide will carry a first aid kit, which has Diamox (acetazolamide). Throughout the journey, our guide will monitor your physical condition closely. In case of emergency, we will arrange a helicopter evacuation and medical service. We provide professional, experienced, government-licensed, and first aid-trained guides. With Access Nepal Tours and Trekking, you can make it to the summit with ease.

Packing List for Island Peak Climbing

For Island Peak climbing, proper gear is critical. The essential packing list for this climb is given below:

Climbing gear (all required group climbing gears are provided):

• Ice axe
• Crampons
• Climbing helmet
• Harness

Footwear:

• High-quality trekking boots
• Insulated mountaineering boots
• Gaiters
• Multiple thick socks

Sleeping gear (Included in the Package):

• Wind and water-resistant tents
• Sleeping bag rated to –20°C or lower.
• An inflatable or foam sleeping pad 

Clothing layers:

• Thermal base layers
• Fleece or wool mid-layers
• Warm down jacket (provided to use)
• Waterproof-breathable jacket and trekking pants (at least 2)
• High-altitude gloves/mittens
• Hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• High-SPF sunscreen
• personal first-aid kit (provide group first-aid kit)
• Water bottles
• Electrolyte packets and energy snacks (nuts, bars, dried fruit)
• Power bank

How to Prepare for Island Peak Climbing?

Good physical and mental preparation is key to success. Though Island Peak Climbing is beginner-friendly, it still requires great physical condition and strong mental confidence. To improve strength, core muscles, and stamina, we suggest you start doing exercises 2 to 3 months before the trip. Exercises to work out your body for climbing are:

• Cardiovascular fitness: Running, jogging, cycling, swimming. These activities help to build endurance. Start with less intensity and gradually increase, so you can continuously work 5 to 7 hours of uphill hiking.
• Leg and core strength: Staircase climbing, squats, lunges, step-ups, and core exercises. These exercises are very good for your legs. It helps you to walk with ease, carrying a heavy backpack during the trek and climbing.
• Hiking practice: Hiking to hills to simulate trekking conditions. For best results, hike on hilly or uneven trails carrying a backpack.
• Flexibility and balance: Yoga, pilates are good at improving flexibility and reducing injury risk. It helps when trekking on rocky terrain. Improves ankle and hip mobility.
• Altitude training: During the rest day, we have included an acclimatization hike. Try to go for a hike because it helps to acclimate your body to altitude. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Take plenty of rest before the trip and do not skip meals throughout the adventure.
• Mental preparation: Do well-mindness training. Climbing is not easy. You have to spend at the mountains with barely any facilities.

How to Book Island Peak Climbing?

You can book Island Peak Climbing by visiting our official website. To reserve your spot, you have to pay 30% of the total trip cost as an advance. You must require travel insurance to book since it’s mandatory for trekking in Nepal.

Once the booking is made, the remaining amount should be provided within 24 hours of your arrival in Nepal. After the booking is done, the Access Nepal Tours and Trekking team will prepare all the logistics required for Island Peak Climbing. Our package handles all permits, transportation, accommodation, meals, guides, porters, and group climbing gear.