NEPAL ISLAND PEAK CLIMBING (with Everest Base Camp)

OVERVIEW
In the valleys of Khumbu & Imja, Everest and other massive peaks of the Eastern Himalayas dominate the skyline. Beautiful, multi-hued prayer flags, and intricately carved mani stones line every hilltop, rock wall and trail side, singing prayers for everyone's well-being. With eight of the worlds ten highest peaks, Nepal is loaded with spectacular mountains vistas. Everest Trek in justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain (8,850m) but also for its friendly Sherpa people, picturesque villages, great variety of cultures and traditions, colourful festivals and monasteries. The flora and fauna are other ornaments of the Sagarmatha National Park. The story of the yeti is still a mystery in the world from the Khumbu region. So, must be why it has been selected among world's 20 Journeys of Lifetime by The Observer, UK. Beautiful, multi-hued prayer flags prayer wheels and intricately carved Mani stones line every hilltop, rock wall and trailside singing prayers to the gods with every breeze and every passing traveller...

ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel

Day 02: Full day guided sightseeing inside the Kathmandu valley. Join us for the welcome dinner at evening. Hotel Overnight

Day 03: Flight: Kathmandu (1,310m) - Lukla (2,840m). Trek to Phakding (2,610m). (2-3 hours).
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Lukla. The flight into Lukla is a lifetime experience, in itself.  The airfield is on a slope and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 60 meters!
Meet with your sirdar (Trekking Guide) and the rest of the crew. You will need to identify your luggage, which is to be made into loads, and then while you have lunch your crew will load these onto pack animals or get it ready for your team of porters. After lunch, trek for a few hours along the Dudh Kosi River to the village of Phakding 2,610 m & Camp or Lodge overnight.

Day 04: Trek Phakding to Namche (3,440m) (5-6 hrs).
The trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley to Jorsale, where the trail officially enters the Sagarmatha National Park.  There is an entrance station just beyond the village where trekking permits are checked and National Park fees collected.  Continue along the trail, crossing the Bhote Kosi River to begin the steep climb up to Namche Bazaar 3,440m the administrative centre of the Sagarmatha National Park and the hub of Sherpa society.  Remember to look out for glimpses of Mt. Everest from the trail on the way to Everest! Overnight the Camp or Lodge.

Day 05: Rest day at Namche for acclimatization.
You will explore the surrounding of Namche this day, Namche Bazar Rest and acclimatization. Namche is the famous picturesque Sherpa village and we have rest in the afternoon to enjoy walking round the village and visiting the Sherpa museum. Overnight Camp or Lodge.

Day 06: Trek Namche to Tengboche (3,860m) (5 hrs).
Tengboche Monastery (3,860m) 5hrs walk. We walk with beautiful view under the soaring peaks of Thamserku and steadily descend to the Imja Khola and lunch at Phunki along a very pleasant trail. Here in Phunki, we see series of water driven prayer wheels. After lunch 2 hrs ascent will take us to Tengboche Monastery (3,860m) surely is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Overnight Camp or Lodge.

Day 07: Trek Tengboche to Pheriche (4,312m) (5 hrs).
Pheriche (4,260m) 5 hrs walk. We move forward up to Imja Khola valley Pangboche (3,900m) and lunch. After lunch we visit the Monastery and look at the Yeti scalp. We again move to the summer village of Pheriche (4,260m). Superb scenery at all time. Overnight Camp or Lodge.

Day 08: Trek Pheriche to Lobuche (4,920m) (4-5 hrs).
Lobuche (4,920m) 4 hrs walk. We move up a small ridge and contour around the base of Khumbu Glacier and lunch at Dhugla (4,600m). After lunch, we take a steep ascent to the terminal moraine of the glacier from where the views are stunning. We continue again along the moraine and camp at the foot off the Lobuche Ice Fall (4,930m). Overnight Camp or Lodge.

Day 09: Trek Lobuche  to Gorakshep (5,140m) (4 hrs).
The actual distance is not so far for this day but we wake up in the early morning and move forward to Gorek Sherpa where we take a rest.

Day 10: Hike up to Kalapatthar / Everest Base Camp / Retrace your steps to Lobuche (4,920m) (8 hrs).
This day, we climb Kala Patthar. From here we have a steep ascent up to the top of the Kala Patthar top. The actual distance is not so far but we take it very slowly to make up for the altitude. This top (5,545m) is a hard pull but the view from the top surpasses anything you can imagine. All around us flows, huge glaciers and the creaking of the mobile glacier ice only disturbs the silence of these altitudes. The mountains of Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m) and Khumbutse (6,623m) separate us from Tibet and just over the Lho La pass we see the huge rock of Changtse (7,750m) in Tibet itself. But Sagarmatha, or Mt. Everest the queen of them all towers over everyone. This is the roof of the world. Continue to the Everest Base Camp. We return at Lobuche for the stay overnight.

Day 11: Trek to Chhukung (4730m / 7 hrs)
Trek east from Dingboche into the Chhukhung Valley. Chhukhung (4730 m) lies directly under an incredible rock wall that links Nuptse with Lhotse.  From here you will also have magnificent views of Amadablam (6856 m.), probably the most photographed mountain in Nepal.

Day 12: Island Peak Base Camp (4 hrs)
Trek along the Imja Khola to Pareshaya Gyab, a pleasant site by a small lake with fine views of the Lhotse Glacier and Nuptse-Lhotse wall. You will reach the Base Camp of Imja Tse today.  Once camp has been set up you will be free to get your climbing gear in order and get organised for your ascent of the peak tomorrow, weather permitting. 

Day 13: Summit Island Peak (6160m)
Weather permitting, you will begin your climb today. The day's climb will continue through high camp on a col. at 5,700 meters. You will start early for the summit. The going gets difficult once you reach the bottom of the steep icefall below the summit. Great care and caution must be exercised while scaling the wall to emerge on the ridge leading to the summit. After the summit, descend to the Base Camp. 

Day 14: Extra Day / Summit / Return to Chhukung (4730m).
We keep this day extra just in case weather or any condition will change the summit plan early on. Return back to Chhukung 

Day 15: Trek to Namche (3,440m) (4 hrs).
The trail descends steeply and another steep climb to Namche Bazaar. Camp or Lodge Overnight

Day 16: Trek Namche to Phakding (2,610m). (3-4 hours).
Down along the gorge of the Dudh Kosi to the small village of Phakding. Overnight Camp or Lodge. 

Day 17: Phakding to Lukla (2,840m) (3 hrs).
Trek further to the mountain airstrip at Lukla to catch your return flight to Kathmandu. Weather permitting your trekking crew might prepare a farewell treat for you. You would be expected to join in the singing and the dancing! Overnight Camp or Lodge at Lukla.

Day 18: Flight: Lukla (2,840m) - Kathmandu (1,310m). Hotel Overnight.

Day 19: Free day to explore, and enjoy Kathmandu. Hotel Overnight.

Day 20: Final Departure.