Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
Start your Island Peak Expedition with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, touching down on one of the world's most challenging airstrips. From the airport, trek for three hours down to Phakding at 2,652 meters (8,701 feet), getting your legs moving and settling into the rhythm of high-altitude hiking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Trek to Phakding (3 hours)
Landmarks Lukla Airport - Day 2
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Head out for a 5-6 hour trek to Namche Bazaar, which sits at 3,440 meters (11,286 feet). This trading hub is your first real acclimatization stop, and you'll find Sherpa culture on full display with local shops and lodges throughout the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Namche Bazaar (approximately 5-6 hours)
- Explore local culture and Sherpa town
Landmarks Namche Bazaar - Day 3
Namche Bazaar
Stay in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. Walk around town, check out the local shops and monastery, and let your body adjust to the higher elevation. This downtime matters more than it might seem at this stage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
- Explore town and surroundings
Landmarks Namche Bazaar - Day 4
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Trek for five hours to Tengboche at 3,870 meters (12,697 feet), where the famous Tengboche Monastery sits. The spiritual center of the region offers prayer flags, monks, and time to absorb the cultural significance of where you're climbing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tengboche (5 hours)
- Visit Tengboche Monastery
Landmarks Tengboche Monastery - Day 5
Tengboche to Pheriche
From Tengboche, trek for 4-5 hours to Pheriche at 4,200 meters (13,779 feet). The mountain views get sharper as you climb higher, and you'll notice the landscape shifting toward higher altitude terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Pheriche (approximately 4-5 hours)
- Day 6
Pheriche to Lobuche
Trek 5-6 hours from Pheriche up to Lobuche at 4,930 meters (16,171 feet). The scenery becomes more dramatic and exposed the higher you go, and the altitude starts feeling real at this point.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lobuche (5-6 hours)
- Day 7
Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp
Trek 6-7 hours from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, then continue to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). Seeing the base camp itself marks a major milestone, though the real work still lies ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Gorak Shep
- Visit Everest Base Camp (approximately 6-7 hours total)
Landmarks Everest Base Camp - Day 8
Everest Base Camp to Kala Patthar to Dinboche
Start early and head to Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters (18,192 feet) for the panoramic views of the high peaks. Then trek 7-8 hours back down to Dinboche at 4,940 meters (16,207 feet), taking in the raw high-altitude landscape on the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning visit to Kala Patthar
- Trek to Dinboche (approximately 7-8 hours)
Landmarks Kala Patthar - Day 9
Dinboche to Chhukung
Trek 3-4 hours to Chhukung at 4,730 meters (15,518 feet). The mountain views here are solid, and you're getting closer to Island Peak, so the energy picks up as you approach the climbing portion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Chhukung (3-4 hours)
- Day 10
Chhukung
Stay in Chhukung for a rest day to let your body finish adjusting to the altitude. Check your climbing gear, eat well, and spend time getting mentally ready for the summit push ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rest and acclimatization day
- Equipment review
- Day 11
Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp
Trek 3-4 hours from Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp at 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). You're almost there, and the final push to the summit starts happening from this point.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (3-4 hours)
- Day 12
Island Peak Summit
This is the day everything comes together. Summit Island Peak at 6,189 meters (20,305 feet), taking in the full panoramic views from the top. After reaching the summit, descend back down to Chhukung to rest and process what you've accomplished.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Island Peak summit ascent to 6,189 meters
- Descent to Chhukung
Landmarks Island Peak - Day 13
Chhukung to Tengboche
Begin the descent by heading back to Tengboche at 3,860 meters (12,664 feet). Going down gives you a different look at the landscape and time to reflect on the climb and your achievement.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tengboche
Landmarks Tengboche Monastery - Day 14
Tengboche to Namche Bazaar
Trek 4-5 hours from Tengboche back to Namche Bazaar. Take a last look around this Sherpa town before heading to lower elevations, knowing you're on the final leg of the expedition.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Namche Bazaar (approximately 4-5 hours)
Landmarks Namche Bazaar - Day 15
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Trek 7-8 hours from Namche Bazaar down to Lukla. The walk back to the airport gives you time to think through the incredible journey through the Khumbu region and everything you've done.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lukla (7-8 hours)
Landmarks Lukla Airport - Day 16
Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu to wrap up your Island Peak Expedition. Think back on the whole adventure, the views, the altitude, and what you've accomplished over these weeks in the Himalayas.
Included Activities
- Scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
