Arrival in Kathmandu
KathmanduArrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.


Summit Island Peak (6,189m) and reach Everest Base Camp on a single 19-day expedition. Kala Patthar sunrise, Chukhung valley approach, summit ridge with fixed ropes. NMA permit and climbing Sherpa included. From USD 2,175.
Island Peak's summit ridge is the highlight: a narrow snow arête with Lhotse's massive south face directly opposite and Ama Dablam behind. The fixed rope section gains 200 meters on 40-50 degree ice. At the summit you stand higher than anything visible except the 8,000-meter peaks.
Combining the climb with EBC and Kala Patthar gives you two summit experiences and one base camp in a single trip. The trek-to-climb transition at Chukhung is seamless.
Island Peak is classified as a "trekking peak" by the NMA, but the summit ridge is real mountaineering. Fixed ropes, crampons, harnesses, and jumar ascending are all part of the summit day. It is the most popular introduction to Himalayan climbing.
Island Peak Climbing with EBC is a 19-day expedition that combines the Everest Base Camp Trek with a summit attempt on Island Peak (Imja Tse, 6,189m), Nepal's most popular trekking peak. The route follows the standard EBC trail through Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche, then branches to Chukhung for the Island Peak approach. After the summit, you return to the EBC trail for Gorak Shep, base camp, and Kala Patthar.
Island Peak Base Camp sits at 5,087m in the Chukhung valley below the peak's south face. The climbing route follows a glacier to the summit ridge at 6,000m, then a steep snow/ice ridge to the top. Fixed ropes are placed by your climbing Sherpa. Basic mountaineering skills (crampon use, jumar ascension) are needed. The summit panorama includes the Lhotse south face, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and Baruntse.
Permits: Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Municipality, and NMA trekking peak permit. All included.
For the EBC trek without the peak climb, the Everest Base Camp Trek is 15 days (USD 1,675). For Island Peak without the EBC extension, the Island Peak Expedition focuses on the climb in 16 days. For a higher summit, Mera Peak Climb Via Zatra La Pass reaches 6,476m in 18 days.
19 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.
Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.
Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.
Fly to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,795 m) from Kathmandu, then trek to Phakding (2,610 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Tengboche (3,880 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Pheriche (4,200 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Lobuche (4,930 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300 m) and return to Gorak Shep, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Early-morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,554 m), approximately 3 hours, then trek down to Dingboche. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Chhukung (4,700 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5,050 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to High Camp (5,350 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Early-morning climb to the summit of Island Peak (6,173 m), then trek down to Chhukung (4,700 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Lukla (2,795 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.
Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.
Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Kathmandu (4 nights), breakfast included.
Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.
Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek, including tents, ropes, and climbing gear.
A government-licensed English-speaking climbing guide, the required number of porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers), and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.
Island Peak climbing permit, Sagarmatha National Park permit, TIMS card, and all other necessary permits.
Flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu, including airport departure taxes.
Surface transfer from Kathmandu.
Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).
All applicable government taxes.
Tourist service charge and VAT.
Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.
Travel insurance (compulsory).
Nepal entry visa fee.
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, laundry, and hot showers.
Personal trekking and climbing equipment.
Tips for trekking staff and driver.
Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.
Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.
Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.
Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.
Summit a 6,189m peak AND reach Everest Base Camp on one trip. Two bucket-list achievements in 19 days.
The summit ridge of Island Peak is real mountaineering: fixed ropes, crampons, and exposure with the Lhotse south face across the valley.
Kala Patthar sunrise on day 14 or 15 gives you the iconic Everest view before the climbing section.
A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.
You want your first 6,000m peak combined with the Everest Base Camp experience.
You have basic mountaineering skills: crampon use, fixed rope ascension (jumar), and comfort on steep snow/ice. No lead climbing required.
You can walk 6 to 7 hours a day for 15 trekking days plus 1 summit day starting at 2 AM.
Prior experience above 5,000m is strongly recommended. You sleep at 5,087m (base camp) before the summit attempt.
Budget is USD 2,175 or higher. Includes NMA permit, climbing Sherpa, and all mountaineering equipment.
The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.
Climbing boots
Harness
Crampons
Ice axe
Tapes and slings
Carabiners
Ice screws
Snow bars
Rock pegs
Helmet
Climbing rucksack
Day bag
Kit bag
Ascenders
Descenders
Base layer t shirts
Long sleeved cotton and woollen shirts
Long wool underwear
Cotton hiking shorts
Warm climbing trousers
Lightweight fleece
Fleece or wool mid layer
Down high altitude sleeping bag
Sleeping pad or thermarest
Light athletic socks and wool climbing socks
Lightweight thermal and insulated ski gloves
Head torch with spare batteries
Waterproof climbing jacket
Down jacket and trousers
Climbing sunglasses
Sun cream
Sun hat
Gaiters
Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.
Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.
Real reviews from real trekkers who have walked this exact route. No curation, no edits.
Prem is a weather god, protector of stomachs, and guide extraordinaire. I cannot speak highly enough of Prem and Mountain Hawk Trekking. He had everything organised and quickly adapted plans when things needed to change. He managed our acclimatisation well, taking us up slowly and monitoring our O2 each day. In years to come I will bring my children to see the beauty of Nepal and I will definitely go with Prem.