Island Peak, also known as Imja Tse, is a beautiful mountain peak in the Khumbu region of Nepal. At an elevation of 6,189 meters (20,305 feet), it’s one of the most popular climbing peaks in the world. Island Peak climbing is not just a trek, but an adventure that allows you to experience the thrill of climbing a Himalayan peak.
The journey to Island Peak starts with the famous 12 Days Everest Base Camp trek, which is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. The trek takes you through beautiful villages, lush forests, and stunning mountain landscapes. However, the most common way to get to the starting point of the Everest Base Camp trek is by flying from Kathmandu to Lukla.
Unfortunately, due to recent events, the Lukla airport has been closed, which has led to a surge in the number of trekkers who want to undertake the trek to Everest Base Camp without taking a Lukla flight. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed guide on how to do the Everest Base Camp trek without taking a Lukla flight, and then move on to the Island Peak climbing adventure.
The Everest Base Camp Trek without Lukla Flight
If you’re looking to undertake the Everest Base Camp trek without Lukla flight, there are two main routes to choose from – Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek or Phaplu to Everest Base Camp trek.
Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek
The Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek is the classic way to reach Everest Base Camp before the construction of the Lukla airport. The trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Jiri, which takes around 8-9 hours. From Jiri, you’ll follow the trail to the town of Namche Bazaar, which is the gateway to the Khumbu region.
The Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek takes around 20-21 days to complete, and it’s an excellent opportunity to see the traditional villages, interact with the locals, and experience the local culture.
Phaplu to Everest Base Camp Trek
The Phaplu to Everest Base Camp trek is another route to Everest Base Camp that avoids the Lukla flight. Phaplu is a small town in the Solu region of Nepal, and it’s connected to Kathmandu by a road. From Phaplu, the trek follows the same route as the Lukla flight trek and joins the main trail at the village of Lukla.
The Phaplu to Everest Base Camp trek takes around 18-19 days to complete, and it’s a less strenuous route compared to the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek.
Island Peak Climbing
Once you reach Everest Base Camp, you can continue your adventure by climbing Island Peak. The Island Peak climbing adventure takes around 19-20 days to complete and requires technical climbing skills. Here’s a day-by-day itinerary of the Island Peak climbing adventure.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
The Island Peak climbing adventure starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. However, since Lukla airport is closed, you’ll have to fly to Phaplu and drive to Salleri to start your trek. From Salleri, you’ll trek to Phakding, which is a small village on the way to Everest Base Camp.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
From Phakding, you’ll trek to Namche Bazaar, which is the gateway to the Khumbu region. Namche Bazaar is a bustling town with shops, restaurants, and lodges.
Day 3: Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
You’ll spend a day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize to the altitude. During this day, you can explore the town and visit the local museum, which provides information on the culture and history of the region.
Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
From Namche Bazaar, you’ll trek to Tengboche, which is home to a famous Buddhist monastery. The trek takes you through beautiful forests and offers stunning views of the Himalayan mountains.
Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche
From Tengboche, you’ll trek to Dingboche, which is a small village located at an altitude of 4,410 meters (14,468 feet). The trek offers breathtaking views of the Ama Dablam and Lhotse mountains.
Day 6: Dingboche (Acclimatization Day)
You’ll spend a day in Dingboche to acclimatize to the altitude. During this day, you can take short hikes to nearby hills to enjoy the stunning mountain views.
Day 7: Dingboche to Chhukung
From Dingboche, you’ll trek to Chhukung, which is the base camp for the Island Peak climbing adventure. The trek takes you through a beautiful valley and offers views of glaciers and mountain peaks.
Day 8: Chhukung (Acclimatization Day)
You’ll spend a day in Chhukung to acclimatize to the altitude and prepare for the Island Peak climb. During this day, you’ll receive a briefing on the climb from your guide and practice your climbing skills.
Day 9: Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp
From Chhukung, you’ll trek to the Island Peak Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). The trek takes you through rocky terrain and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 10: Island Peak Base Camp to High Camp
From the Island Peak Base Camp, you’ll trek to the High Camp, which is located at an altitude of 5,600 meters (18,372 feet). The trek takes you through steep and rocky terrain and requires technical climbing skills.
Day 11: Summit Day
On this day, you’ll wake up early in the morning and start your climb to the Island Peak summit. The climb takes around 8-10 hours and requires technical climbing skills. However, once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Himalayan mountains.
Day 12: Island Peak Base Camp to Pangboche
From the Island Peak Base Camp, you’ll trek back to Pangboche, which is a small village on the way to Everest Base Camp. The trek takes you through beautiful forests and offers stunning views of the mountains.
Day 13: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
From Pangboche, you’ll trek back to Namche Bazaar, which is the gateway to the Khumbu region. The trek takes you through beautiful villages and offers stunning views of the mountains.
Day 14: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
From Namche Bazaar, you’ll trek back to Lukla, which is the end point of the Island Peak climbing adventure. The trek takes you through beautiful villages and offers stunning views of the mountains.
Day 15: Lukla to Kathmandu
On this day, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla and spend the rest of the day exploring the city and its attractions.
Conclusion
Island Peak climbing is an adventure that allows you to experience the thrill of climbing a Himalayan peak. Although the Lukla airport is closed, you can still undertake the Everest Base Camp trek without taking a Lukla flight. The Jiri
