Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) and trip preparation

If you have a day flight, you will be lucky enough to glimpse the Himalayan mountains from the flight before landing. Our representative will be at the airport waiting for you at the terminal. He will drive you to your hotel and help you check in. Take a rest, and later on, if you feel like it, stroll around Thamel, a lively tourist hub.

Late afternoon or evening you will meet your guide who will brief you about your upcoming adventure. You can go through the gear and equipment list and rent or buy any item that’s not with you. There are plenty of rental shops in Thamel from where you can rent gear and equipment. Have an early night as we will be leaving early tomorrow..

Overnight in Kathmandu.

DAY 2 Fly to Lukla (2,840m/9,318ft) and trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft) - 35 minutes flight and 3 to 4 hours trek

During peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu to Lukla may be redirected to Manthali due to traffic congestion. To catch the early morning Lukla flight from Manthali, we’ll pick you up from your hotel around 12:30 am and drive you for about 5 hours to Manthali Airport. The subsequent 20-minute flight from Manthali will take you to Lukla.

If you want to avoid the Kathmandu-Manthali-Lukla route, you can book a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla. The cost is approximately 550 USD per person when the expenses are shared among five individuals.

In December, January, February, June, July, or August, you will directly fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. After breakfast, we’ll take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for an exhilarating 40-minute flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges.

After your exciting and scenic flight, you will land at the Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla. The trek begins from Lukla, passing through Chaurikharka Village.

Once your plane lands, meet your porters and the rest of the crew. Sort out your luggage and pack for the final time before hitting the trail. Make your way out of the colorful Lukla bazaar and descend the trail to Phakding. Do walk carefully as there will be mule trains and yaks sharing the trail. Cross a metal suspension bridge and arrive at the riverside settlement of Phakding. Head to a teahouse where your rooms have been booked. Rest and afterward explore the village or make your way down to the Dudh Koshi Khola (Milky River) and take pictures of the scenic valley. Later, head back to the teahouse and take a rest.

Overnight in Phakding.

DAY 3 Trek to Namche (3,440m/11,286ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek

Namche Bazaar – Gateway to the Everest region and sherpa capital of the Khumbu region of Nepal

The walk to Namche is filled with magnificent views. For the first time, you get to see Mount Everest and a host of other mountains. Walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River, you take a trail decorated with mani stones and prayer flags. These are placed at various places on the trail by Buddhist monks to safeguard and protect the travelers from negative forces. The path goes through a forest of juniper, pine, and rhododendron. En route, you cross five metal suspension bridges, including the Hillary Bridge over the Imja River.

Make your way across the Sagarmatha National Park and hike up to Namche, the Sherpa capital. Carved like a bowl on the side of a mountain, Namche is one of the prettiest and most important Sherpa settlements in the Everest Region.

Overnight in Namche.

DAY 4 At Namche Bazaar : 1st Acclimatization Day (3,440m/11,286ft)

Spend a day acclimatizing in Namche. A bustling town lined with high-end as well as budget lodges, shops, restaurants, bakeries, and the only ATM beyond the 3000m mark, Namche is the economic heart of the Khumbu region. Traders from all over Khumbu converge in Namche Bazaar to buy or sell food items and other commodities.  Start your day early and walk up to the Sagarmatha National Park for a sunrise view. Watch the sunrise over the snowy summits of Mount Everest, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam.

After breakfast, takes an acclimatization hike to Hotel Everest View through Shyangboche. It is a steep ascent filled with incredible views of some of the highest views in the world. Hotel Everest View, which was at one time the highest hotel in the world, offers 360-degree views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Mount Everest. After enjoying the splendid views, head down to Namche. If you still have the stamina, you can trek further to the historic village of Khumjung. Visit the Hillary School, the first school in the region established by Sir Edmund Hillary. At Khumjung Monastery, you can view the scalp of a Yeti, the abominable snowman.

Overnight in Namche.

DAY 5 Trek to Tengboche (3,860m/12,664ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

Tengboche Monastery- Tibetan Buddhist monastery The Largest Monastery in the Everest Region

Take a scenic walk to Tengboche, a small Sherpa settlement. The Tengboche Gompa, the most important Buddhist monastery in the Everest Region, dominates the skyline of this small settlement. Your teahouse lies close to the Gompa. You can visit the monastery and witness the monks praying and chanting. Send out a silent prayer for the success of your expedition and seek blessings from the monks. The Sunrise and sunset view of Ama Dablam from Tengboche is not to be missed. Keep your camera ready for this magnificent sight.

Overnight in Tengboche.

DAY 6 Trek to Dingboche(4,410m/14,469ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

From Tengboche, you head to Dingboche, descend a forested trail, and cross a couple of suspension bridges. En route, you cross a couple of Sherpa villages, including Pangboche, the village with the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. As you ascend higher, the tree line vanishes, and you enter a rocky and barren landscape. The gain in elevation leaves you a bit breathless.

Dingboche is where many trekkers start feeling the effects of high altitude. Once you reach the settlement, head to a teahouse and take a rest, keep yourself hydrated by including plenty of fluids in your diet. Dehydration leads to AMS (acute mountain sickness), so do take good care.

Overnight in Dingboche.

DAY 7 At Dingboche : 2nd Acclimatization Day (4,410m/14,469ft) - 4 to 5 hours trek

Dingboche Village

You spend your second acclimatization day at Dingboche. This is a small farming village with few houses and fields with stone walls. This settlement lies at a trail junction that forks towards Everest Base Camp and Island Peak. This is a popular overnight stop for climbers and trekkers.

For your acclimatization hike, you ascend a hill that lies right above Dingboche. Locally known as Nagarjun Hill (5,100m), this hill is also called Nangkartshang Peak. This hike is important as this ascent will acclimatize your body for the tough high altitude ascents in the coming days. It is a straightforward climb with no technical maneuvers.

Nagarjun Hill is one of the best viewpoints in the Khumbu region. Enjoy 360-degree views of Lhotse, Cholatse, Kantega, Ama Dablam, and Makalu. You can view the entire Ama Dablam peak from the base to the summit from the vantage point. You also get a close-up view of Island Peak, Imja Tse, Imja Glacier, and Cholatse. After soaking in the views and taking pictures, you head down to Dingboche. Take a late afternoon stroll around the village.

Overnight in Dingboche.

DAY 8 Trek to Lobuche (4,910m/16,109ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

Keeping your pace slow but steady, you walk through the Khumbu Valley and reach Thughla. At Thughla Pass, you visit the memorials of mountaineers who lost their lives climbing Mount Everest. The ones dedicated to Rob Hall, Scott Fischer, and Late Babu Chhiri Sherpa (the daredevil Sherpa who climbed Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen and spent 22 hours at the summit) are covered with prayer flags and khatas (scarves offered as a mark of respect). Jon Krakauer has detailed Hall and Fischer’s ill-fated Everest expedition in his best selling book “Into Thin Air” and the movie “Everest.” The trail evens out, and we follow a rocky moraine to Lobuche.

There are only a handful of teahouses in Lobuche and you follow your guide to the teahouse where your rooms have been booked. Lhotse and Nuptse appear very close.

Overnight in Lobuche.

DAY 9 Trek to Gorak Shep (5,140m/16,864ft) and hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,598ft) - 7 to 8 hours trek

View form Gorek Shep

Today you have a long and tiring walk ahead. But the hike is filled with thrilling moments as you reach the base camp of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain. Leaving Lobuche, we follow the ablation valley beside the Khumbu Glacier and head up. The walk proves to be difficult because of the altitude gain and thin air. Gorak Shep lies below the dark mound of Kala Patthar. We head to our teahouse, take some rest and refreshments and continue onwards to Everest Base Camp. We walk on the moraine crest and carefully make our way through rubble and loose stones.

The Everest Base Camp lies beneath the spectacular Khumbu Icefall. Colorful tents of expedition groups dot the grey and frozen landscape. Take photographs and spend some moments taking in the views before retracing your steps to Gorak Shep. Spending a night at Gorak Shep is crucial for acclimatization before you head onward to Island Peak for your big climb.

Overnight in Gorak Shep.

DAY 10 Hike to Kala Patthar (5,550m/18,2019ft) and trek to Lobuche (4,910m/16,109ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

Kala Patthar – Most popular viewpoint in Everest region

We wake up early and hike to the most popular viewpoint in Everest Region, Kala Patthar. While the summit of Mount Everest is not visible from Everest Base Camp, one can view the rocky summit of the world’s tallest mountain from Kala Patthar. 7,000 and 8,000-meter peaks surround the viewpoint. Enjoy a 360-degree view of Pumori, Nuptse, and Lhotse.

After taking pictures and soaking in the views, it’s back to Gorak Shep. Have some refreshments, carry your bags, and head onward to Lobuche.

Overnight in Lobuche.

DAY 11 Trek to Chukkung (4,730m/15,518ft) via Kongma La (5,535m/18,159ft) - 7 to 8 hours trek

Chukkhung Village – Final equipment and gear check Point for Island Peak Climb

Leaving Lobuche, we cross the Khumbu Glacier and make an ascent up the Kongma La pass. Today we take a packed lunch with us as we pass across an isolated route with no teahouses. The walk is difficult as we make our way past a trail filled with rubble and moraine debris. We walk over boulders and scree and reach Kongma La. Cairns covered with colorful prayer flags mark the pass. The views of the 8 miles long Nuptse and Lhotse walls are stupendous, and we pause for a moment to take in the glorious sight before heading descending to the Imja Khola Valley. We walk past a frozen lake and arrive at the valley before making the final descent to Chukkung. Formerly a yak herder’s camp, Chukkung is now an important stop for climbers en route to Island Peak.

Apart from teahouses and lodges, there are gear and equipment rental outlets from where you can hire good quality stuff. There will be final and thorough equipment and gear check. Good quality climbing equipment and gear are available for hire, and you can rent any item you need. But please do note large sized climbing boots (size 12 and above) won’t be available.

Overnight in Chukkung.

DAY 12 Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5,100m/16,728ft) and pre-Climb Training - 3 to 4 hours trek

island-peak-base-camp

Today’s walk brings us to Island Peak Base Camp. We inch closer to our destination. It is a steep climb, and we take the uphill path that winds below the southern flank of the Lhotse glacier. The trail snakes past a stream and a striking glacial valley. We walk across the stunning Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines before finally arriving at the Island Base Camp. Base camp is located on a grassy slope beside the Imja Glacier. By the time we arrive at the base camp, our crew has already set up camp, and we make our way to our tents.

Pre-climb training will begin right after lunch. We sort our gear for our climb, and the climbing guides will offer special tips on climbing techniques. You can use this session to brush up on your climbing skills. The guides will demonstrate the proper use of a harness, ascender, carabiner, rappel device, ice axe, etc. As part of the training session, you will have to climb up and descend using ropes. This pre-climb training is very important, especially for first-time climbers, as this will boost your confidence level. As the climbing sherpas assigned to your group are seasoned climbers with several years of experience, you will be receiving very valuable inputs from these experts. It’s like being coached by the best mountain climbing experts.

Overnight at tented camp.

DAY 13 Trek from Island Peak Base Camp to Island Peak High Camp (5,500m/18,040ft) - 3 to 4 hours trek

This is another acclimatization day before ascending Island Peak. So, today will be a relatively easy day with a few hours of climbing to a high camp at 5,500 meters. Gradually you will climb steep uphill, and after reaching the top, you will make your way through a steep rocky path and reach the high camp of Island Peak. It is a small campsite with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. You’ll get enough time for a good rest and general preparation for tomorrow’s climb.

Overnight stay in Island Peak High Camp.

DAY 14 Summit Island Peak (6,189m/20,305ft) and return to Chukkung - 8 to 9 hours trek/ climbing

Island Peak – Summit Day

Wake up at midnight and make an early start by 3 AM or earlier. It is important to start as the wind begins to pick up speed in the mountain as the day progresses. We have to make it to the summit before the wind gathers force and halt our ascent to the top. We carry a packed lunch and some energy bars and take the trail away from the High Camp.  From High Camp, it takes around 3 hours to reach Crampon Point. It is called Crampon Point as the route becomes icy, and we wear our crampons from this point. At around 5,700m, we begin to use man rope for safety. We follow a narrow ridge that leads to the base of the Imja glacier. From the glacier, we enjoy stunning sunlit views of Ama Dablam, Makalu, Baruntse, Mera Peak, Chamlang, Cho Polu, Peak 38, and other Himalayan giants. Our guides will fix ropes, and we cross the glacier following the rope line.

The climbing is not too technical as the path tilts to an angle of about 45 to 50 degrees. Depending on the weather and season, there will be crevasses or no crevasses en route. If there are crevasses en route, we will be using ladders (longest 8 meters and shortest 2 meters) to cross them. The number of crevasses may vary as per the weather. We are welcomed by the massive frozen wall of Lhotse’s south face as we reach the summit ridge. The guides will fix the ropes at some sections for safety. We follow the snowy ridge and finally reach the summit of Island Peak.

From the summit, it becomes clear why the peak is so named. The peak stands alone like an island surrounded by jagged mountains and glaciers. This is a moment of triumph, and we capture this momentous occasion in our camera. Before we head down, we soak in the panoramic views of the highest mountains in the world for one last time. We take time to enjoy the magnificent views of Imja glacier and Lhotse before arriving at the base camp. Evening we celebrate our success with our teammates and crew.

Overnight in Chukkung.

DAY 15 Contingency Day for Summit

A spare day that can be used in bad weather or sickness foils your summit attempt on Day 14. This day can also be used as a contingency day in case of flight delays or cancellations. If everything goes as planned, you can use this spare day to explore a village en route on the trail. You can also walk at a leisurely pace on your return trek. If you would like, you can use this spare day to explore Kathmandu once you get back to the city.

DAY 16 Trek to Namche (3,440m/11,286ft) - 7 to 8 hours trek

We have a long and arduous walk to Namche. But this tiring walk is filled with inspiring Himalayan views. We will find the trail covered with rare Himalayan wildflowers like the Himalayan Edelweiss, Black pea, and Spiny Mountain Poppy if we are lucky. A Himalayan Tahr or a Musk Deer may cross our path. We walk past Dingboche, Shomare, Tengboche and Sansa en route. As we walk through pine and juniper forests, we are greeted with grand views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Everest, and other peaks. Once we get to Namche, we enjoy a hot shower and have our favorite meal.

Overnight in Namche.

DAY 17 Trek to Lukla (2,840m/9318ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek

The final leg of your trek takes you from Namche to Lukla. Tread carefully as it is a steep descent. Once we reach Lukla, we head to a teahouse and rest our aching knees. As this is our last day in the mountains, we celebrate with our crew. There is local brew (chhyang) and Sherpa music to get us in the mood.

Overnight in Lukla

DAY 18 Fly to Kathmandu(1,400m/4,593ft) - 35 minutes flight

Lukla Airport – Regarded as one of the world’s most extreme airport.

After your adventure, it is time to return. From Lukla, you will either fly to Manthali or Kathmandu, depending on the ongoing trekking season. If your trek is in March, April, May, September, October, or November, you’ll likely fly to Manthali, followed by a subsequent drive to Kathmandu. In December, January, February, June, July, or August, you will fly directly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

If you choose, you can bypass the Lukla-Manthali-Kathmandu route. For this, you can collaborate with four other individuals to book a helicopter, incurring an additional charge of approximately 550 USD per person.

If everything goes according to the schedule, you will return to Kathmandu on this day. We hope your journey back to Kathmandu will be relaxing, with no more trails to trek and no peaks to climb. You will probably be looking back at your journey, recreating the unforgettable memories you formed. Your trek package ends at Kathmandu.

• Included standard meal (Breakfast)

DAY 19 Final Departure from Kathmandu

Today is your last day in Nepal. Bid goodbye to the friends you have made. You will be driven to the airport at least three hours before your flight departs. If you want to explore Nepal or extend your trip and visit other Himalayan destinations, please let us know.

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

Island Peak climbing in Nepal

You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. We provide free airport arrival and departure transfer on any flight for trekking guests who have booked Island Peak Climbing with the Everest Base Camp Trek package.

At the TIA airport, you will find our representative holding a pamphlet with your name and our company name. They will welcome you, present you with a marigold garland and take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. You will need at least an overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu, but this package does not cover this.

On your trek departure day, we will take you to TIA to catch a domestic flight to Lukla that lasts about 40 minutes.

This package covers Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flights.

Accommodations during the Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp

Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp includes 15 nights lodge stay in mountain regions at the best available lodges. We provide five nights of twin sharing room with a private attached bathroom at Lukla, Namche (3N), Phakding, and eight nights of twin sharing accommodation at Tengboche (2N), Dingboche, Chhukung (3N), Lobuche, and Gorakshep. You will be spending two nights in camps/tents in the Island Peak Base Camp.

You will need at least two nights of hotels in Kathmandu – one before the trek and another after the trek. However, this package does not include these accommodations.

Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels for all budgets and interests, and we do not want to restrict your choices.

Hot showers and Wi-Fi at trek regions will be available at an extra cost.

The Meals

Your trek takes place at high elevations, near the world’s highest peaks, which means your body needs enough nutritious food. We will arrange plenty of nutrient-rich, hygenic, and tasty food, but you will not have all the food options available in cities.

We will provide you with 16 breakfasts, 16 lunches, and 15 dinners during the trek.

Some of the popular menu items are –

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

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

The menu includes traditional local, Asian, and western cuisine almost everywhere, but at high elevations, the food choices get restricted. We highly recommend liquids – green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup (must) at high altitudes. Similarly, you should intake fresh vegetables for health benefits.

Though plenty of non-veg items are available in trek regions, we do not recommend them because the meat in such places may not be hygienic and healthy. Similarly, we highly encourage you to avoid dairy items and strongly suggest not to consume alcoholic, 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, dinner with seasonal fruits) are excluded from the package.

Best Time for Climbing Island Peak with Everest Base Camp Trek

The best time for Climbing Island Peak with Everest Base Camp Trek depends on the weather. Though you can get online weather forecasts in the Everest region, it is very difficult to get an accurate prediction.

People trek to Everest Base Camp throughout the year, but treks are easier with clear skies during certain months.

Spring and autumn are great seasons for Climbing Island Peak with the Everest Base Camp trek. During these seasons, the skies are crystal clear from dawn to dusk, the temperature is cool, and there are minimum chances of rain. The magic of clear azure skies provides the most spectacular vistas.

January to February

This time is the coldest time with heavy snowfall, especially during January, so we do not conduct this trek in January. The winter eases in February. The daytime starts getting warm and admirable with clear skies, but the nighttime will be cold. However, it is perfectly fine to trek during February, and we conduct this trip safely in February. However, if you are allergic to extreme colds, we advise you not to trek during these months.

Temperature: 15°C to -15°C

March to April

It is one of the best times for Island Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek. The weather is very favorable, allowing you to enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas ranges and glaciers. From March, the weather starts to warm up, and all flora and fauna dormant throughout the winter spring to life, feeding and breeding in the sun-kissed temperatures. Temperatures start increasing in the mid of March, and with clear skies, snow mountains will look their best.

Temperature: 18°C to -12°C

May to June

These are also great months for Island Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek, just before the monsoon becomes active. Rainfall starts from the end of June and lasts till mid-August. The season of spring and summer makes the trek much more enjoyable.

Temperature: 25°C to -5°C.

July to August

The rainfall hits its peak during this time at altitudes below 3500 meters. Due to heavy rainfall, flights to Lukla may get canceled at the beginning or end of the trek. The trails are wet and slippery. So, Friendship World Trek does not conduct Island Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp trek during these months.

Temperature: 27°C to 5°C

September to October

September and October are favorable months for Island Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek. As the monsoon slowly ends, a perfect trekking climate sets itself. The temperature goes up to 20 degrees in the daytime and falls to 5 degrees at night.

This season is when most trekkers enjoy the most, with clear skies enabling amazing views of the snow peaks and cool temperatures. If you want to get great views hassle-free, it is the best time to trek. Moreover, the two biggest Nepali festivals, Dashain and Tihar, fall in these months, adding a festive mood to the whole nation.

Temperature: 20°C to 5°C

November to December

As winter begins, snow falls start in the Himalayas region, and by December, it gets tough to trek. However, it is perfectly fine to trek in November as November day temperatures are cool with clear skies enabling you to enjoy stunning views of the mountains. Friendship World Trek does not organize this trek during December. 

Temperature: 18°C to -10 °C

The weather in the Himalayas is unpredictable and changes quickly.

Acclimatization during Island Peak Expedition

You must acclimatize for Island Peak Climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek.

Altitude sickness is common among trekkers and needs immediate treatment. During this trek, you will be acclimatizing at Namche Bazaar and Chhukkung.  Island Peak Climbing is a relatively more challenging trek than Everest Base Camp treks.

At Namche Bazaar, trekkers can explore this famous Sherpa town while adjusting to the thin air. We have scheduled second-day acclimatization at Chhukung.

At Chhukung, Sherpa climbing guides will train you to use the climbing gears, ropes, knots, ice axes, climbing boots, crampons, harnesses, etc. Island Peak does not require prior training experiences. Although without a doubt, such training opportunities will boost climber confidence, sharpen climbing skills and increase the chances of scaling the summit.

Our trekking leaders and guides are well qualified and experienced at high altitudes, and they are extensive first aid trained. Your health and safety are important to us, and they are our first priority.

If a trekker gets rigorously affected, the only cure would be to descend immediately. In such cases, your trek leader has the authority to decide whether to descend immediately or continue the trek based on the overall situation.

Island Peak Climbing Trip Grade: Fitness level, Medical, and Health

Island Peak Climbing is a challenging yet rewarding trek/climb. The hiking will be from 5 to 7 hours a day depending on the destination, taking regular breaks to admire the mountain views. The trek routes involve long climbs, steep descents, and a steep forward trail in the rocky paths and forests.

For Island Peak Climbing, the fitter you are, the more comfortable and enjoyable your journey will be. If you have prior experience, this may be an advantage for you. However, we do not recommend this trek for those suffering from sensitive medical conditions like heart or lung disease.

Trekking group/single

We organize a group as well as a private trek. You are eligible for group discounts if you have your own group. The bigger your group is, the more discount you will get. However, you will not get any discount for groups’ Friendship World Trek assembles. We can handle all group sizes and add an assistant guide for a group of 12 or more. Each team will have a group leader and a guide for every two trekkers.

A typical day on Island Peak Climbing with EBC

Each day you will be rewarded with a unique trekking experience, climbing, enjoying the incredible scenery, taking photos, and exploring local villages. During your expedition, our experienced, friendly, and qualified Sherpa will accompany you while informing you about the places as you trek. We will assign porters to carry your luggage. However, we expect you to bring a small regular backpack with important items.

The day starts with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After a wholesome breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk from around 7 AM to 8 AM, depending on the duration and nature of that day’s walk. After trekking for three to four hours, we will serve you lunch around midday on the route to the next destination. We will rest for an hour after lunch and then continue on the path.

The afternoon walk is generally shorter, about two to three hours. Once you reach our overnight lodge/tea house/tent, you can snack on the extra dietary food and explore nearby places till it gets dark.

You will be having dinner from around 6 PM to 7 PM. After dinner, you can indulge in friendly conversations. The expedition leader/guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. After this briefing, you can read books, enjoy onboard games like monopoly and cards, or watch available mountaineering documentaries. Most foreigners indulge in light and fun learning of the Nepalese language from our crew before heading off to bed for a well-deserved sleep.

Communication during Island Peak Climbing

During the Island Peak Climbing Trek, you can use the internet at lodges by paying a small service charge. You can contact your family and friends from the lodges, but once we reach high altitudes, we will use mobile phones for communication.

We will communicate with all our trek teams through our trek leader at least once a day to ensure all trek members are safe and feel right. You can easily purchase a local sim in Kathmandu, but based on the network, the signals at high altitudes may not be strong enough.

Most of the lodges/tea houses in trek regions have Wi-Fi, which you can use by paying a service fee.

Extra personal expenses

Friendship World Trek covers major expenses during the trek. However, meals and accommodations in Kathmandu are up to our clients. Kathmandu has all kinds of hotels/lodges (both luxury & budget), and you can book most of them online.

All our valuable clients will need personal spending money for visa fees, travel insurance policy purchases, beverages, snacks, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, tips to the trekking crew members, souvenirs, etc. We recommend bringing cash (major currencies), which you can exchange for Nepalese currency. Trek regions only honor Nepali currency.

Battery recharge and water during the trek

Throughout your trek, you can use electricity for battery recharge at the lodges/hotels you will be staying in by paying a small service fee.

You can buy either packed mineral water from local lodges or en route shops. However, some trek regions may not allow plastic bottles. So, we suggest you carry a water bottle and fill it with boiled water available in lodges. If you need, we can provide you with water purification pills.

We advise you against drinking water from rivers, taps, and wells in trek regions, because the water may not be potable.

Travel insurance for Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Expedition

This trip grade is challenging, and it comes with inherent high-altitude trek risks, including altitude sickness and other unforeseen events like landslides.

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

We can recommend insurance companies to help you, but we do not sell insurance policies.

Please send us your detailed insurance information within a week of booking the trek. We will use your insurance policy and other informational documents you sent us during emergencies for effective rescue operations and transfer for emergency medical help.

Before buying travel insurance, call your insurer and recheck if they have Heli-rescue and evacuation up to 6000m. Do not just believe what they say on their website.

Nepal Tourist Visa

All foreigners, except Indians, need a visa to enter Nepal. You can get an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport and immigration checkpoints along Nepal borders. For a visa application, you will need a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport size photo, and visa fees. The current visa fee is USD 50 for a 30-day stay, which you can pay in cash (major currencies).

Citizens of China and the SAARC countries will receive a free visa. However, there are some limitations. Citizens from certain countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan) may not receive an on-arrival visa. If you are a national from these countries, you need to contact your local Nepalese embassy.

Visa information may change without notice. For the most current information, please visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/.

Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek Route Map

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