Nepal’s possession for 8 out of the 14 world’s top mountains makes it one of the best places for trekking in the world. The diversity in landscapes has given lots of options of adventures and sports to choose from during your holidays. 

One among the many popular trekking and climbing destination in Nepal is the Island Peak. 

Imja Tse peak which is well-known as the Island Peak lies in the Sagarmatha National Park of eastern Nepal. It is a 6189 m high mountain of the Khumbu region. Every year, thousands of trekkers come to Nepal to go for Island Peak trekking and expedition. 

Island Peak climbing is one of the most popular climbing in Nepal. This is a nineteen days trekking in the lap of the great Himalaya region. You will receive the true sense of adventure and thrill through this journey. The peak appears as an island in a sea of ice when viewed from Dingboche.

Some of the Highlights of the trek:

  1. City tour in Kathmandu.
  2. Exploring the  Tengboche monastery architects, Sherpa villages and their local lifestyle.
  3. Trekking to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar for a spectacular view of Mt. Everest.
  4. Summit to one of the greatest and difficult peaks the Island Peak.

 The journey starts from a scenic flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. The flight is probably 30-35 minutes long rewarding you with a dramatic view of the landscapes. Lukla is a very famous village and is also the gateway of the Everest region. The trekking starts from Lukla to Phakding on the first day.

Phakding is a small village with facilitative lodges and tea houses. As you commence trekking in the trail to reach Phakding, you will walk through the banks of Dudhkoshi River.

The destination for overnight stay on the second day of trekking is at Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is a happening village, always full of activity and crowd. It is also the heartland of Sherpa Culture. Majority of the inhabitants in the Mountainous region are the Sherpas. Same goes with the Namche Bazaar as local Sherpas inhabit the village. 

You will encounter many breathtaking beauties of the great Himalayan ranges view at the back as you walk along the Island Peak Trail. You will be astonished with the traditional Sherpa villages and architectures, vegetations, plants and animals etc on the way. Overnights during the trekking will be spent on lodges.

The best 10 reasons to choose Island Peak are:

Lukla Flight

The 35 minutes flight to Lukla is probably the best starter to your adventure in the Island Peak climbing. Flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla from Kathmandu is the shortest and most popular way to commence the trek. You will be enchanted by the excitement as soon as you board the flight.

As the flight takes off from the airport in Kathmandu, you will be in the middle of lush green hills and magnificent mountain sights in no time. The rapid change in altitude within no time will take you to your first thin air of the trek.

Island Peak Climbing takes you closest to the roof of the world, Mount Everest. Being able to fly so close to the Everest feels like a dream. It is a kind of a memory you will cherish for a lifetime. Abiding to the demanding topography of Lukla is a rustic airport. The specific airport has a short runway dropping towards a gorged valley at the end.

Panoramic view of the mountains from the top of the Peak

The top of Island peak offers spectacular scenery of the Khumbu region and the Chhukung Valley. This adventurous journey will reward the trekkers with an opportunity to delight themselves with the astonishing mountain views. The huge south face of Lhotse and the wonderful view of the Ama Dablam Peak will be seen from the highest point of the Island Peak.

Your visit during the spring or autumn will offer you with the best views of the mountains  with clear blue skies, ardent rays of the dazzling sun and snow-capped mountains. 

Scenic trail

The tail of this trek passes through beautiful forests full of rhododendron, magnolia, birch and pines. The most common reason to choose Island Peak expedition would definitely be the scenic views it offers. The enticing view that the top of the peak rewards you is heaven-like and unreal. The view on every climb you ascend is jaw-dropping.

The trails are crowded during the peak season such as summer and autumn. But during the off season, there is not much crowd.The walk through green lush forest with the Himalayan backdrop adds up a positive thrill to the climb.

Namche Bazaar

Among many highlights of the Everest region Trekking, Namche Bazaar is another famous highlight. It is a popular mountain town and a happening city in the lap of the Himalayas. Namche Bazaar provides a gorgeous view of mountain peaks like the Kongde RI, the Thamserku and the Everest from its territory.

What makes Namche Bazaar more famous is that the town is the gateway to the Himalayas of Nepal. Namche is also the place for acclimatization stay for the trekkers to adjust their bodies to increasing elevation and temperature. It is a beautiful destination providing an amazing aura of the Himalaya serena. The mountainous town provides an important role in the growth of the tourism sector of the Khumbu region.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is one of the World’s Heritage Sites in Nepal, enlisted by UNESCO. It is home to endangered wildlife in the Khumbu region of Nepal. With an elevation ranging from 2845 meters to 8848 meters, it shares sacred Himalayan landscapes.

Some of the significant inhabitants of Sagarmatha National Park are Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, red pandas, langur monkeys, Himalayan thars, and Himalayan wolves. Once you enter the Sagarmatha National Park area, you will encounter all these wildlife including 118 species of birds.

Seto Pokhari- a sacred lake at over 5000m

Seto Pokhari is also one of the highlights of this trek. This is a sacred lake that offers a majestic view of Mt. Barunste. The trail to Seto pokhari is quite comfortable with the spectacular views of the Chamlang and Baruntse mountain. A visit to Seto Pokhari could be a plus point for choosing Island Peak Climbing.

Explore the culture and lifestyle of the world-famous ‘Sherpa’ people

The Khumbu region is resided by the Sherpa inhabitants. Every village has local Sherpas that have their own unique way of living. They are extremely rich in cultures and hospitality.

The Sherpas are also considered as the backbone of climbing. They are the basic providers of food and accommodation for the trekkers and also their hospitality and culture attracts large number of tourists.

The mountains of the Everest region are crafted with art from around the history. They possess events which can be thoroughly seen and understood. Walking past the hills and mountains, you will get to read scripts and arts that are crafted on the walls.

Everest Base Camp and island Peak Base Camp

Island Peak climbing also takes you to the alluring site of the island Base Camp and the Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp is a historical place where dreams come true. The journey to the Base Camp will provide you an amazing opportunity for having fun and learning. Undoubtedly, reaching the base camp will be the best of the trip and something to remember all your life.

Another predominant highlight of this trek/climbing the Everest Base Camp. You will be rewarded with the sight of glacial moraines and sight of the Khumbu icefall at the edge of Khumbu Glacier. The site also displays the Khumbutse and Lingtren mountains.

After exploration of the base camp, we return to Gorak Shep.

Kala Patthar 

Kalapathar is an amazing view point standing  at an elevation of 5545m. The place blesses the trekkers with astounding 360 degree view of the Everest Himalaya range. This is the place where you can view Mount Everest with no doubt.  You won’t require any climbing gear and skill to climb to Kala Patthar.

‘Kala’ means Black in Nepali translation and ‘Pathar’ stands for rock. Therefore, ‘Kala Pathar’ literally stands for black rock and with actually having a giant blackish rock tapered towards the top. This bulky peak-like formation is a perfect vantage for an up close view of Mt. Everest and Pumori.

An early morning hike to Kala Patthar will reward you to experience golden hour. The surreal view of the sunrise from between the greatest himalayan range will throb your heart.

Tengboche Monastery

Walking across the settlements of the Sherpa village will lead you across the oldest settlement of the Sherpa, Tengboche village. This village offers varieties of Monasteries that flaunts a lot of cultural values among the Sherpas of the Everest region.

Also, Tengboche is the terminus site of the “Sacred Sites Trail Project” of the Sagarmatha National Park. This is a circular trail covering 10 monasteries in a clockwise direction before terminating at the Tengboche Monastery. The monastery holds great importance for the inhabitants of this region. 

All the trekkers and climbers visit the monastery upon their arrival at Tengboche village. They visit the monastery in order to pray and seek for blessings by the Buddhist monks before proceeding further up .

Famous Tea Houses and Lodges

The whole region of Island Peak Climbing is covered by Nepal’s traditional tea houses and lodges. They provide you basic accommodation, food and beverage services with traditional meals. 

You may also meet climbers who have just mounted the Everest and request them to share their experience.