Itinerary

Departures & Availability

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Gears And Equipment

Trip Information

The beginning of the journey towards Island Peak.

You will arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport by 3 pm, at least one day before your trip departure. If, in case, you missed the online trip briefing, it will provide us time to conduct an in-person trip briefing. You will need at least one overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu, but this package does not include this cost. On the trek departure date, you will take a 40-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

Island Peak Climbing package includes Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu flights.

Free Airport Transfer

We understand that navigating around in a new country is difficult. So, Friendship World Trek provides free airport to hotel transfer during arrival and hotel to the airport transfer during departure on any flight for valuable clients who have booked Island Peak Climbing with us. When you arrive at Kathmandu airport, you will find our representative holding a pamphlet with your name on it. After greeting you, they will present you with a garland as a welcome gesture and take you to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Accommodation details during Peak Climbing

This 14-day trek includes 13 nights lodge to lodge stays at trekking regions where you will stay at the best available lodges. We provide you with five nights of twin-sharing rooms with private attached bathrooms at Lukla, Namche (3N), and Phakding, and seven nights of twin-sharing accommodation at Tengboche, Dingboche (2N), Chhukung (4N). You will be staying in a camp/tent at Island Peak Base Camp for a night.

You will need at least two nights’ hotel stay in Kathmandu, one before the trek start and another after the trek. Our Island Peak Climbing package does not include these accommodations because Kathmandu has a range of hotel choices to appeal to different tastes and budgets.

You can use hot showers and Wi-Fi at lodges for an extra cost.

The Meals

Island Peak Climbing consists of trekking all over high elevations in addition to climbing Island Peak. So, your body needs enough nutritious food. During Island Peak Climbing, we will provide you with plenty of tasty, hygienic, and nutrient-rich food.

We will provide you with 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches, and 13 dinners during the trek.

Some of the popular menu items are –

Breakfast – Local Tsampa porridge, Eggs, Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French toast with Jam, Butter, Cheese, Honey Tibetan bread or Chapati, Pancakes, Muesli Breads, Fruits, Vegetables, Hot drinks (varieties of teas and coffees, hot chocolates, etc.)

Lunch – Dhal, Bhat, & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Vegetable curry, Potatoes, Vegetables, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni dishes, Tenduk, Spaghetti Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta, Salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Desserts (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), etc

Dinner – Dhal, Bhat & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Macaroni, Tenduk Spaghetti, Noodles Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Potato items, Vegetable and Salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts items (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), Hard Drinks Steaks, etc

The food we will serve you will be fresh, hygienic, tasty, and nutritious. The menu consists of traditional local, Asian, and Western cuisine almost everywhere, but the choices get limited as you ascend.

We recommend you take fresh vegetables and lots of liquids like green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup (must) at high altitudes.

Though plenty of non-veg items are available in trek regions, we won’t recommend them because the meat in trek regions may not be hygienic and healthy. Similarly, we highly encourage you to avoid dairy items, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, and hot chocolates.

All personal bills (alcoholic, hot (tea/coffee), and cold drinks) in tea houses/lodges or cafes except standard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with seasonal fruits) are excluded from the package.

Best time for Island Peak Climbing

The weather is a crucial factor to consider when deciding to undertake Island Peak Climbing. During spring and autumn, the sky is crystal clear from dusk till dawn, there is no rain, and the temperatures are just right. The magic of clear azure skies provides the most spectacular vistas. Here is a brief description of the weather at high altitudes during different seasons.

March to April

It is one of the best seasons to hike/climb Island Peak. You will enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas ranges and glaciers. From March, the weather starts to warm up. The flora and fauna dormant throughout the winter come back to life, feeding, and breeding in the sun-kissed temperatures. Temperatures may start increasing from the mid of March, and with clear skies, snow mountains look their best.

Temperature – Around 18°C during the daytime, around -12 °C at night

May to June

It is also the perfect time for trekking, right before the rainfall. The monsoon starts in Nepal at the end of June and lasts till mid-August. The mix of spring and summer makes climbing very enjoyable during these months.

Temperature – Around 25°C during the daytime, around -5 °C at night

July to August

The monsoon rain gets intense from July to August at altitudes below 3500 meters. Due to visibility problems, flights to Lukla have a high chance of getting canceled at the trek start or end. The trails can get wet and slippery. Climbing Island Peak gets challenging but not impossible.

Temperature – Around 27°C during the daytime, around 5°C at night

September to October

It is also one of the perfect seasons for Island Peak Climbing. As the monsoon ends, a perfect trek season sets itself. At high altitudes, the temperature goes up to 20 degrees in the daytime and falls to 5 degrees at night.

Climbers during this season enjoy the most, with clear skies and stunning mountain views. We recommend Island Peak Climbing, usually from mid-September until its end. If you come to Nepal in these months, you will also get a chance to observe how Nepalis celebrate their two most important Hindu festivals – Dashain and Tihar.

Temperature – Around 20°C during the daytime, around 5°C at night

November to December

As winter begins, snowfalls start in the trek region, and it eventually gets tough to reach Island Peak. However, November climbs are popular due to sparkling days that allow amazing views. From December, the temperature dips, and there is heavy snowfall in high altitudes.

Temperature – Around 18°C during the daytime, around -10°C at night

January to February

This is the coldest time with heavy snowfall, especially during January. The winter eases in February. The daytime temperatures start to rise, and the skies are blue, but it is still cold during the night. It is fine to trek/climb during February, and we conduct this trip safely in February. However, if you are allergic to colds, please do not trek during these months.

Temperature: Around 15°C during the daytime, around -15°C at night

Acclimatization in Island Peak Climbing Expedition

Altitude sickness is common among trekkers, but it requires immediate treatment. However, altitude sickness is preventable. We have designed the trip itinerary to allow slow and steady ascending, so the body can adapt to the new altitude.

During Island Peak Climbing, we will be acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar and Chuukung. At Namche, you are free to explore this famous Sherpa town while adjusting to the thin air. You will also be acclimatizing at Island Peak Base Camp, where we will climb the ridge to get stunning views of several peaks. You will be taking a lot of rest throughout the expedition. During your rest days, you will spend your time recovering, eating and drinking, reading, relaxing, listening to music, or strolling around.

Friendship World Trek trek leaders/guides are well-trained and experienced at high altitudes. They have completed extensive wilderness first aid training. Your safety and security are of utmost concern to us.

If someone is severely affected due to altitude sickness, the only cure would be to descend immediately. In such situations, your trek leader has the authority to decide whether to continue the trek or descend immediately, based on the overall condition of the trek team.

Level of climbing skills you need

Island Peak requires a moderate level of technical climbing skills. You need to be energetic and physically fit. 

Island Peak climbing is not difficult for beginners. The trip is very suitable for adventurous, motivated trekkers who can walk on snow ridges and trails. If you have any prior climbing experience or simply enjoy trekking, it will help you, but it is not mandatory. However, you must have a fierce determination and desire to climb the mountain. Your climbing leaders are highly trained, and they have fabulous decision-making abilities.

Your age doesn’t matter as long as you meet the health and skill requirements. Generally, people between the ages of 20 to 60 undertake this adventure.

Trip Grade: Fitness level, Medical and Health

Island Peak Climbing is a challenging yet rewarding trek. You will be hiking for about 5 to 7 hours a day, depending on the day’s destination, taking regular breaks to soak in mountain views. The trek routes involve long climbs, steep descents, and steep forward trails, often on rocky paths and forested areas. So, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trek/climb.

We do not recommend this climb for those who suffer from sensitive medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease.

We have medical personnel at the base camp to monitor your health throughout the expeditions, and Island Peak Base Camp contains medical equipment and provisions. All our guides and leaders leading the trek have medical training and know-how to look after you efficiently.

Trekking group/single

We organize groups and private treks. If you have a group, you are eligible for group discounts. The bigger your group, the more discount, you will get. However, you are not entitled to any discount for groups we assemble. We can handle all group sizes and provide one assistant trek lead for groups of 12 or more.

A typical day on trek and climb on Island Peak

Every day, you will enjoy the scenery, click pictures, and explore the local villages. Our experienced, friendly, and qualified guides and porters will accompany you on the trails.

The day begins with an early morning breakfast. Then we pack our bags and set off to our destination between 7 to 8 am, depending on the length of trails to cover. You will trek for 3 to 5 hours before taking a short break for lunch. We will serve you lunch around midday, often at the mid-way to the next destination.

You will be having dinner from around 6 to 7 pm. After dinner, your trek leader will brief you about the next day’s plan. Then before going to bed, you can engage in reading or play fun games such as cards, monopoly, or chess. If available, you might also watch mountaineering videos or learn light Nepali words from our crew.

The itinerary while climbing depends on the climber, weather, and route conditions. We will always pick the safer option. At times, we will have to cross difficult ice rocks through steep snow climbing. For your climb, our highly experienced climbing guides will fix new ropes to ensure a safe ascent.

Communication during the trip

During the Island Peak Climbing Trek, you can use internet service at lodges paying a small service charge. You can contact your family and friends via these lodges, but once we reach high altitudes, we use phones to communicate for safety.

We’ll communicate with all our trek teams through our trek guide at least once a day to ensure the smooth progress of the trek. You can contact our head office for help. You have the option to buy a local sim in Kathmandu, but the mobile signals may not be strong enough at high altitudes.

You can pay to use Wi-Fi available at lodges/teahouses you will be staying in.

Extra personal expenses during the trek/Climb

This package covers most of the cost during the trek/climb, but it does not cover all costs. Meals and accommodations in Kathmandu are up to our clients, as Kathmandu has all kinds of hotels to fit all budgets and tastes, and we honor your choices.

In addition, all our valuable clients will have to bring personal spending money with them to cover costs, such as visa processing, travel insurance policy purchase, snacks for the trek, alcoholic, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, tips for the trekking crew members, souvenirs, etc. We recommend bringing cash (Dollars) which you can easily exchange for Nepali Rupees as trek regions only accept Nepalese currency.

Island Peak Climbing Travel insurance

This trip grade is most challenging as it entails the risks of high altitude trekking, potential altitude sickness, and other unforeseen events, including sudden climate changes.

Travel insurance is compulsory for the Island Peak Climbing trek. All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate to Friendship World Trek before starting the trek. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation, including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 6000m).

We can recommend insurance companies to help you, but we do not sell insurance policies. Please send us your detailed insurance policy certificate within a week of booking Island Peak Climb.

Trekking members are kindly requested to send their detailed insurance information once they book the trekking. In emergencies, we will use your insurance policy and other informational documents you sent us for a quick rescue and transfer to treatment centers.

Before buying travel insurance, call the insurance company and recheck if they have Heli-rescue and evacuation up to 6000m. Don’t just believe what they say on their website.

Passport and visa Info

All foreigners, except Indians, require a visa to enter Nepal. However, citizens from most countries can get an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport and other immigration checkpoints along Nepal’s borders.

The visa application will require at least a passport of 6 months validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees. The current rate is USD 50 for a 30-day stay. Chinese and SAARC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka) get free visas with some limitations. Children under 10 receive free visas.

Citizens from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan may not receive the visa on arrival, so nationals from these countries will have to contact their local Nepalese embassy.

The Nepal government can change visa rules without prior notice. Hence, for the latest visa information, please visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/.

Money exchange

Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the local currency.

(1 USD = ~ Rs.130 NPR)

You can exchange most major foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all-over Thamel. Some hotels also exchange small amounts of cash.

Legal money exchanges display their exchange rates publicly.

If you have Indian Rupees (INR), please note that only INR notes of 100 and 2,000 are legal in Nepal.

Despite having the security advantage of traveler’s cheques, we recommend you cash exchange to avoid hassles like a lengthy process and high bank commission rates.

You can withdraw cash (in Rupees only) from one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu and Thamel itself. Several of these ATMs are open around the clock. The maximum withdrawal amount is 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing fee using your foreign card.

If you use the money exchange facility at banks and financial institutions, the service fee is about 4% or more, depending on the bank. Trek regions have no banks and money exchange services, so you should exchange your money in Kathmandu, depending on your spending estimates. We estimate that you might require USD 10 to 20 per trekking day.

Most established Asian banks do not accept old, torn, or faded foreign currencies. So, make sure you have new, clean and crisp notes.

How much luggage can I bring to Island Peak Climbing Trek?

The luggage weight limit per trekker is 9 kg. Two trekkers will share a porter, and the maximum luggage weight limit per porter is 18 kg. We never overload our porters. Moreover, we expect you to carry a small backpack with your valuables and important documents in it. You can store your excess luggage at the Friendship World Trek store for free for the duration of your trek.

We will recheck your luggage during the trip briefing before starting the trip to ensure that you have not missed packing crucial things.

Island peak climbing safety

Friendship World Trek guarantees client safety, security, and satisfaction, safety being the utmost concern for us. We will be carrying all the necessary gear, equipment, and first aid kits for the trip. Moreover, we carry the best equipment available in the market. Our leaders and guides have undertaken extensive first-aid training.

You will be climbing with a Sherpa guide who has summited Island Peak multiple times. Island Base Camp has a medical doctor as a staff member. If a participant falls sick due to the altitude, it is entirely up to the trek leader to decide whether to continue the trek or descend immediately. We will be trekking together for group safety.

Responsible travel

We strongly believe that we must save our environment against the adverse effects tourism might bring. Unsustainable tourism activities are detrimental to tourists and the entire tourism industry. So, Friendship World Trek works together with Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize eco-friendly and sustainable treks that meet the expectations of travelers and local communities in tourist regions.

We dispose of the waste properly and encourage trekkers to store items in reusable containers. Furthermore, we try our best to conserve water and not pollute it. It is always better to carry a water bottle instead of packed water. Our effort is to leave campsites in better condition than before our use.

Island Peak Climbing Route Map

Gallery

FAQS