Island Peak Climbing

The standard itinerary previously organized directly from Kathmandu has changed. We will now need to wake up early around 3:00 AM for a 3- to 4-hour drive to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. During the peak trekking seasons—autumn (September 25 to November 30) and spring (March 1 to May 31)—all flights to Lukla operate out of Manthali Airport instead of Kathmandu.

From Manthali, we will take a scenic 25-minute flight to Lukla (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), widely considered one of the most beautiful air routes in the world as you fly alongside mountain peaks and land on a hillside airstrip. At Lukla Airport, the primary gateway for Everest region treks, we will meet the rest of our crew before beginning our trek with a gentle walk to Phakding Village, passing through Chaurikharka Village, viewing Mt. Khumbila, and visiting local monasteries along the way.

Today is one of the most talked-about legs of the trek: the journey into Namche Bazaar. We begin by walking through a beautiful pine forest along the Dudh Koshi River, passing through Chumoa on our way to Monjo, the official entrance to Everest National Park.

After crossing a high suspension bridge, we pass Jorsale village and trek alongside the convergence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. The path to Namche is very popular, so you will regularly pass locals, fellow trekkers, and steady lines of yaks and porters. The trail is famous for its long, steep, and continuous uphill climb that leads right to the prime heartland of Sherpa culture—Namche Bazaar. About an hour before reaching town, we will get our very first view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse. We will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

We wake up to another spectacular morning, enjoying incredible sunrise views over the breathtaking mountains right from our room. Before we head out, let’s clear up a common misconception about "acclimatization day." Acclimatization is not a rest day! After the steep climb to Namche Bazaar, you won't be spending the day lounging at the lodge or shopping. To help your body adjust to the higher altitude, our team will take you on an active day hike to explore the true charm of the area.

After breakfast, we will take a gentle hike up to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880 m. From there, you will enjoy stunning panorama views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and more.

After breakfast at our lodge in Namche, we set off for Tengboche. The trail begins with a gentle climb to the top of Namche, where we are rewarded with majestic views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. From there, the path is easy with smooth, gentle ups and downs as far as Kyangjuma. Any fatigue fades away as the surrounding Himalayan peaks make every step exciting.

From Kyangjuma, the trail descends toward the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing a suspension bridge, we begin a steady uphill climb through rhododendron forests to reach Tengboche (3,870 m / 12,696 ft). Tengboche offers breathtaking, close-up views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Ama Dablam and is home to Tengboche Monastery—the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region.

Tengboche is another incredible place to wake up early to spectacular sunrise views of the surrounding mountains. As the morning begins, peaceful chanting from the monks at the monastery fills the air, creating a truly serene atmosphere.

As we set off, the iconic peak of Mt. Ama Dablam towers gracefully to our right. The trail descends through rhododendron forests to cross the Imja River before winding past traditional chortens, stupas, quiet villages, local tea houses, and farmers working their fields. It is a relatively easy walk overall. After crossing the Pheriche Pass, a short, gentle uphill trek leads us into the valley, giving you a tangible sense of how well your body is adjusting to the higher altitude. We spend the night in Dingboche (4,410 m / 14,468 ft).

After breakfast take a short day hike up to Chhukhung (4750 m / 15,580 ft) and back to Dingboche.

Today, as we head toward Lobuche, you may notice some shortness of breath due to the high altitude, but there is no need to panic—this is completely normal.

The trail starts out gentle from Dingboche to Thukla. From there, we face a steep 1-hour climb up the Thukla Pass, which can be tiring, but the path smooths out once we reach the top. We will pause at the pass to see the poignant memorials dedicated to fallen climbers before continuing on to Lobuche, our destination for the day.

The trail to Gorak Shep leads us through rocky, rugged terrain with incredible views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori, and other surrounding peaks along the way. Upon arriving in Gorak Shep, we will drop our bags, enjoy a quick tea break, and set off for Everest Base Camp.

The hike to Base Camp is strenuous due to the thin air, so please follow your guide closely and keep a steady pace. We will cross rocky moraines, glacial debris, and small streams before finally reaching Everest Base Camp (5,364 m / 17,598 ft). During the spring climbing season, the area is dotted with colorful tents setup by expedition teams. After soaking in the views and exploring this iconic site, we will head back to Gorak Shep for the night.

We start early in the morning before dawn, dressing warmly to handle freezing temperatures (-10°C to -14°C) and strong winds. As we hike, giant peaks like Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse surround us, with Mt. Everest gradually coming into view.

Reaching the summit of Kala Patthar (5,545 m) rewards us with an unforgettable, 360-degree close-up view of Mt. Everest and the surrounding Himalayan giants. After taking photos and enjoying the stunning panorama, we head down to Gorak Shep for breakfast before continuing our descent to Dingboche for a well-earned night's rest.