
Island Peak
This is a fantastic opportunity to extend your trekking and mountaineering skills in the majestic Himalayas.
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Price$3,995
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Duration21 Days Door to Door
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Activity Level Challenging
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Elevation6189m | 20,305 ft.
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Travel Dates 9 October 2021 to 30 October 2021
Overview:
Island Peak is a veritable smorgasbord of hiking, climbing and cultural exploration, ideal for those that are keen to bridge the gap between trekking and expeditions. Not only will you be able to flex your snow and ice climbing muscles and skills, but you will also summit to 6189 metres.
Imja Tse, better known as Island Peak, is a mountain in Sagarmatha National Park of the Himalayas of eastern Nepal. The peak was named Island Peak in 1953 by members of the British Mount Everest expedition because it appears as an island in a sea of ice when viewed from Dingboche.
The expedition provides some of the most spectacular scenery of Himalayas in the Khumbu region, while also providing excellent training for those wanting to summit Mount Everest.
Skill Level
Intermediate levels of fitness are required that include crossing crevasses on ladders, ascending ice walls, climbing with crampons and even abseiling down an ice cliff!
- Conservation/National Park fees and all Government taxes
- All trekking and climbing permits
- Four nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on bed and breakfast basis (twin beds sharing). Single supplements can be arranged at an additional fee
- Half-day world heritage sites tour with guide and private transport
- All airport/hotel/airport transfers
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
- Domestic airfares (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu) and domestic airport taxes
- All accommodation and meals whilst on the trek and on the climb
- Hot drinks – tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice and boiled water
- A highly qualified personal Sherpa guide who has summited Everest and other Himalayan peaks multiple times
- Experienced Nepali trekking guide
- Assistant Guides as required
- Porters as required
- Insurance for all Nepalese staff and special insurance for the Sherpa climbing guide
- General first aid kit
- Tents and other communal climbing gear
- Stoves and EPI gas for high on the mountain
- Freeze dried food for high on the mountain
- All climbing hardware, ropes, snow bars and ice screws for the technical sections on the mountain
- Celebration Dinner after the climb
- International airfares and departure taxes
- Items of a personal nature – personal gear, telephone calls, laundry etc.
- Travel and Medical Rescue Insurance
- Staff/ guide gratuities
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu, besides those mentioned above.
- Alcohol, soft drinks and mineral water
- Personal medical expenses, medical and evacuation insurance
- Any costs arising from flight cancellation/ delays, political disturbance or natural disasters.
- Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
- Day 2 Kathmandu
- Day 3 Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding (2800m)
- Day 4 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
- Day 5 Namche Bazaar
- Day 6 Trek to Tengboche (3870m)
- Day 7 Trek to Dingboche (4410m)
- Day 8 Dingboche
- Day 9 Trek to Lobuche (4930m)
- Day 10 Trek to Gorak Shep (5160m)
- Day 11 Trek to EBC (5310m)
- Day 12 Trek to Chukung (4743m)
- Day 13 Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (4970m)
- Day 14 Summit Day (6160m)
- Day 15 Spare day in case of bad weather
- Day 16 Trek to Pangboche (3930m)
- Day 17 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
- Day 18 Trek to Lukla (2800m)
- Day 19 Fly to Kathmandu
- Day 20 Kathmandu
- Day 21 International Departures


A variety of clothing is necessary for the trip. You will need clothing for around Kathmandu, trekking in the humidity and heat, and to protect you from the cooler temperatures in the mountains. This list is designed to help you choose the right gear for the demands for this trek and is the minimum requirement. These items are mandatory for survival in the mountains, so ensure you have everything on the list.
The emphasis on equipment necessary for mountain travel follows two simple tenets: lightweight and functional. The items you choose to take should be lightweight, dependable, and adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions. The quality of the equipment you choose has a lot to do with how warm, dry, and safe you will remain, so be critical of quality and the proper fit of clothing. Comfort lends itself to a more enjoyable experience!
The layering system outlined below is usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder, bring one extra medium layer (such as a vest), which will be ideal for extra warmth around camp. When making the final decision as to what goes into your pack, remember that it’s a fine art of taking just enough clothes and accessories to do the job, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably will not use.
Cotton clothing must be avoided because it dries very slowly and is a poor insulator when wet. Instead, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that “wick” the sweat and moisture away from your skin to keep you much warmer.
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT:
- Jumar – one right or left
- Climbing Harness
- Ice axe with leash
- Crampons
- Anti-balling plates
- Crampon rubber protectors
- Walking sticks
- Prussic loops
- 3 Screwgate Carabineers
- 3 Regular Carabineers
- 3 Slings
- Figure of 8 / rappel device
- Climbing Helmet
FOOTWEAR:
- Double-layered boots – Millets / La Sportiva
- Trekking boots
- Running shoes
- Thongs / Sandals
- Gaiters
- Spare boot laces for trekking boots
- 3 pairs expedition socks
- 3 pairs trekking socks
- 3 pairs liner socks
- Toe warmers
TECHNICAL CLOTHING:
- Down jacket
- Down pants
- Gortex longs
- Gortex shell
- 2 pairs trekking pants
- 2 sets thermal underwear – tops & bottoms
- Normal underwear
- 2 long-sleeved trekking shirts
- Thermal suit (optional)
- 2 short-sleeved technical shirts
- Soft shell jacket
- Hard shell jacket
- 2 fleece longs
- 2 fleece long-sleeved tops
HANDWEAR:
- Mitts
- 2 Polartec gloves
- 2 Silk glove liners
- Hand warmers (optional)
HEADWEAR:
- Balaclava – heavyweight
- Neoprene facemask (optional)
- Woollen hat / beanie
- Buff
- Head torch – plus spare batteries
- Sun hat
- Cap
- Goggles – 100% UV & IR
- Sunglasses – with side covers
- Nose guard (optional)
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
- Expedition backpack – 60 – 80 litre
- Trekking backpack – 50 litre
- Sleeping bag – minus 20˚C
- Sleeping bag liner (optional)
- Compression bags x3
- Self-inflatable mattress
- Closed cell foam pad
- Pillow / cushion
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Thermos flask
- Thermos mug
- Knife, fork, spoon
- Nalgene bowl
- Leatherman multi-tool
- Pocketknife
- 2 Water bottles with insulation
- 2 Large plastic bags
- Pee bottle / funnel
- Duct tape
- Baby wipes
- 10 Zip-lock bags
- Sunscreen – maximum SPF
- Protective cream for lips – maximum SPF
- Whistle
- Ear plugs
- Hand sanitizer
TRAVELLING GEAR:
- Large waterproof duffel bag
- Locks
- Shorts & t-shirts
- Mobile phone & charger
- Books
- Passport & travel documents
- 8 Passport photos for visas
- Certified copies of all travel documentation
- Currency / credit cards
- Pens & pencils
- Journal (optional)
- Reading glasses (optional)
- Camera equipment
- Battery chargers
- International adaptors
- Binoculars (optional)
- Playing cards (optional)
- Clean clothes for travelling home
FIRST AID:
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Medication / Prescriptions
- Energy drinks
Visas
Tourist entry visas can be obtained at Tribuvhan International Airport on your arrival in Kathmandu for US$ 25. You need 2 colour photos for your entry visa (bring 5 in total as you will need additional colour photos for trekking permits etc.)
Vaccinations
The following vaccinations are suggested:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus-Diphtheria- Revaccination recommended every 10 years
This training information is intended as a guideline and should be used as such. If you are unsure about anything, please chat to us!
Most importantly, before you embark on any exercise program, please consult your doctor or exercise physiologist to make sure that you are ready for the increased workload.
A focused training program should begin 3 – 4 months before the trip, but working on your base fitness before that is important as it lays a good foundation for the harder work that will follow.
Physical Conditioning
Climbing big mountains requires cardiovascular endurance (via aerobic training), strength endurance (through strength conditioning) and climbing-specific training (i.e. hiking with a pack).
Being in strong physical shape is one of the most important aspects for a successful trek into Everest Base Camp. You should be planning to progressively increase your aerobic training and speed of weekly training hikes to give you climbing-specific conditioning that cannot be matched by any other sort of training.
Cardiovascular Conditioning
Suggested activities include running, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, walking on an inclined treadmill, doing stair stepping or stepmill training, trail running, walking up and down hills, or participating in step aerobic classes.
When first beginning a cardiovascular training program, begin with three workouts (i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) of 30 minutes of sustained activity at a moderate intensity, and build up to 4-5 aerobic sessions of sustained effort for at least 45 – 60 minutes (taking Wednesday and Sunday as rest days, for example).
Be sure to include a 5-10 minute gentle warm-up before working at your target heart rate for the day. For most workouts, choose a level of exertion that allows you to connect a few words together in a phrase, but leaves you feeling comfortably tired at the end of the workout.
Remember to cool down with 5-10 minutes of appropriate stretching of the muscles you used most in your activity, including lower back, calves, hamstrings, hips and quadriceps.
Strength Conditioning
Training with weights, backpacks and gym machines will help you build overall strength, particularly in the lower back, abdominals, upper back, shoulders and legs. Developing strength in your upper back and shoulders will help with carrying a pack and using trekking poles.
The calves, hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes are all involved in ascending and descending steep sections and scree slopes, which will be encountered on our trip.
Before embarking on any weight training, please consult with a qualified gym instructor so that you are well briefed in terms of using the equipment. Most important in strength training is to be sure that you maintain proper form at all times in order to prevent injury or strain.
Climbing Conditioning
This involves hiking steep outdoor trails, going up and down stairs or training on an inclined treadmill. In the months leading up to the expedition, it is important to do some long walks in the mountains.
Remember: All of your training is geared towards giving you the strength and endurance to summit Island Peak, and enjoy every moment!
Ideally, you should have some experience walking with an ice axe, using crampons and doing self-arrest. Your guide will revise the use of all necessary skills, but you do need to have a working familiarity of your climbing equipment beforehand.
This is truly an incredible introduction to climbing in the Himalayas and Adventures Global were superb to work with in this regard.