Island Peak & Everest Base Camp
Trek 18 Days

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

Altitude: Kathmandu 1,400m/4,593ft
Walking Distance: N/A | Arrival Day

Welcome to Kathmandu, the vibrant capital and cultural heart of Nepal! Upon your arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, we’ll have a briefing to go over final details of your trek. Be sure to get an early night’s rest – a big adventure awaits!

DAY 2 – FLIGHT TO LUKLA AND TREK TO PHAKDING

Altitude: Lukla 2,860m/9,383ft to Phakding 2,610m/8,563ft
Flight Time: 35 minutes from Kathmandu
Walking Distance: 8km | 3-4 hours

Flight Time: 15 minutes from Ramechhap *
Drive Time: Approximately 4.5 hours from Kathmandu to Ramechhap *

You and your guide will take an exciting short flight to Lukla. The journey starts with a gentle walk through Chaurikharka village and a descent toward Dudhkoshi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the banks of the Dudhkoshi River, leading to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), where you’ll spend the night to begin acclimatizing. Use your free time to explore this popular stopover village.

Note: Due to airport upgrades in Kathmandu, flights to Lukla can operate from Ramechhap. The drive to Ramechhap starts around 2 am, and the return trip takes 4-6 hours, depending on traffic.

DAY 3 – TREK FROM PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

Altitude: Phakding 2,610m/8,563ft to Namche Bazaar 3,440m/11,283ft
Walking Distance: 10-12km | 5-6 hours

After breakfast in Phakding, the trek continues to Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa settlement in Nepal. The trail crosses the Dudhkoshi River via suspension bridges and winds through lush pine forests to Monjo, where you’ll enter Sagarmatha National Park. After a permit check, the route descends to the river before climbing uphill to Namche. Along the way, you’ll cross the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge and catch your first glimpses of Everest.

DAY 4 – REST AND ACCLIMATIZATION IN NAMCHE BAZAAR

Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,440m/11,283ft
Walking Distance: N/A | Rest Day

Today is a rest day to adjust to the altitude. You can opt for a short hike to Everest View Point for panoramic mountain views or explore Namche Bazaar. Visit the Sherpa museum to learn about the region’s culture and mountaineering history or browse the local market. If it’s Saturday, you’ll catch the Hatt Bazaar, a vibrant trading event.

DAY 5 – TREK FROM NAMCHE BAZAAR TO PHORTSE

Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,440m/11,283ft to Phortse 3,840m/12,598ft
Walking Distance: 10km | 6 hours

The trek from Namche offers breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. The day’s destination is Phortse, a picturesque village renowned for its stunning vistas.

DAY 6 – TREK FROM PHORTSE TO DINGBOCHE

Altitude: Phortse 3,840m/12,598ft to Dingboche 4,400m/14,435ft
Walking Distance: 11km | 6 hours

The trail follows the Imja Khola River, leading to Pangboche, the largest Sherpa village in the region. Here, you’ll have a chance to interact with locals and visit the Pangboche monastery, one of the area’s oldest. After lunch, the trek continues through increasingly barren landscapes toward Dingboche.

Note: If snow makes the trail impassable, we’ll use an alternate route via Deboche and Tengboche.

DAY 7 – REST AND ACCLIMATIZATION IN DINGBOCHE

Altitude: Dingboche 4,400m/14,435ft
Walking Distance: N/A | Rest Day

Spend the day exploring Dingboche and nearby valleys like Chhukung and Imja. These areas offer incredible views and connect to high-altitude passes. Alternatively, take it easy and rest to prepare for the next leg of the journey.

DAY 8 – TREK FROM DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE

Altitude: Dingboche 4,400m/14,435ft to Lobuche 4,940m/16,207ft
Walking Distance: 9km | 6 hours

The trek becomes more challenging as you ascend. After a steep climb to Dungla, you’ll pass memorial stupas honoring climbers who lost their lives on Everest. The path then leads through rugged terrain to Lobuche, a small settlement offering incredible views of nearby peaks.

DAY 9 – TREK FROM LOBUCHE TO EVEREST BASE CAMP AND RETURN TO GORAKSHEP

Altitude: Gorakshep 5,164m/16,942ft to Everest Base Camp 5,364m/17,598ft
Walking Distance: 15km | 8-9 hours

Today is the highlight of the journey! We start with a relatively easy trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep, followed by a more challenging hike to Everest Base Camp. The path includes rocky dunes and moraine fields formed by accumulated glacial debris. Along the way, you’ll get an up-close view of the famed Khumbu Glacier and Icefall. At Base Camp, if it’s the spring climbing season, you may meet climbers preparing to summit Everest. Be sure to capture some stunning photos. In the evening, we return to Gorakshep for some well-deserved rest.

DAY 10 – CLIMB KALA PATTHAR AND TREK TO DINGBOCHE

Altitude: Gorak Shep 5,164m/16,942ft to Dingboche 4,410m/14,468ft
Walking Distance: 11km | 7–8 hours

You’ll start very early to hike up Kala Patthar (5,644 m/18,519ft) for the best panoramic sunrise views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. After soaking in the stunning vistas, you’ll descend back through the Khumbu Glacier and past Lobuche to reach Dingboche. The trek combines moderate descents with some rocky terrain and offers incredible Himalayan scenery along the way.

DAY 11 – TREK FROM DINGBOCHE TO CHHUKUNG

Altitude: Dingboche 4,410m/14,468ft to Chhukung 4,730m/15,518ft
Walking Distance: 5km | 3–4 hours

The trail continues through the Imja Valley, gradually ascending to Chhukung. Along the way, you’ll enjoy close-up views of Lhotse and Nuptse, passing glacial moraines and alpine meadows. Chhukung is a small settlement that serves as the gateway to Island Peak Base Camp and provides excellent acclimatization before the climb.

DAY 12 – TREK FROM CHHUKUNG TO ISLAND PEAK BASE CAMP

Altitude: Chhukung 4,730m/15,518ft to Island Peak Base Camp 5,100m/16,732ft
Walking Distance: 4km | 3–4 hours

The trail climbs steadily through rocky alpine terrain, following the Imja Glacier toward Island Peak Base Camp. You’ll see spectacular mountain scenery, including Ama Dablam and Imja Tse, while guides help you prepare for the summit attempt. Base Camp serves as your staging point for climbing Island Peak.

DAY 13 – SUMMIT ISLAND PEAK AND RETURN TO CHHUKUNG

Altitude: Island Peak Summit 6,189m/20,305ft to Chhukung 4,730m/15,518ft
Walking Distance: 10km | 10–12 hours

A very early morning climb takes you to the summit of Island Peak (6,189 m/20,305 ft). The final section involves steep snow slopes, fixed ropes, and glacier travel, offering breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam. After reaching the summit, you’ll descend the same route back to Chhukung. The day is long and challenging but immensely rewarding.

DAY 14 – TREK FROM CHHUKUNG TO PANGBOCHE

Altitude: Chhukung 4,730m/15,518ft to Pangboche 3,985m/13,070ft
Walking Distance: 8km | 5–6 hours

The trek descends through traditional Sherpa villages, crossing alpine meadows and moraine trails. You’ll enjoy views of Ama Dablam and surrounding peaks, passing through the historic village of Pangboche with its ancient monastery. The descent is gentle but scenic, marking the start of your return toward Lukla.

DAY 15 – TREK FROM PANGBOCHE TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

Altitude: Pangboche 3,985m/13,070ft to Namche Bazaar 3,440m/11,286ft
Walking Distance: 12km | 6–7 hours

The trail descends through the beautiful Khumbu Valley, passing traditional Sherpa villages and terraced fields. Along the way, you’ll cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and enjoy panoramic views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and other Himalayan peaks. Namche Bazaar, the main trading hub of the region, offers bustling streets, teahouses, and a chance to rest and celebrate your return trek.

DAY 16 – TREK FROM NAMCHE TO LUKLA

Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,440m/11,283ft to Lukla 2,860m/9,383ft
Walking Distance: 18-20km | 6-8 hours

The final trekking day takes you back to Lukla. Celebrate with your trekking team as you reflect on your incredible journey.

DAY 17 – FLIGHT FROM LUKLA TO KATHMANDU

Altitude: Lukla 2,860m/9,383ft to Kathmandu 1,400m/4,593ft
Flight Time: 35 minutes

Return to Kathmandu by flight. After some well-earned rest, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Note: Flights to and from Lukla can operate from Ramechhap, requiring a 4-6 hour drive to Kathmandu.

DAY 18 – DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU

Altitude: Kathmandu 1,400m/4,593ft

On your final day, enjoy breakfast and some last-minute shopping before transferring to the airport for your departure. Take home unforgettable memories and stories to share. We will be here to guide you on your next Himalayan adventure.