Climbing Island Peak

An easy stage with a gentle gain in altitude. We cross the Dudh Koshi gorge from side to side on suspension bridges. We walk up to Namche Bazaar, capital of the Sherpa people, and enter Sagarmatha National Park. Distance 10 km. ↑ Altitude 3440 m. Walking time 4 hours.

We spend the day in Namche Bazaar and let the body settle into the altitude. We walk through Khumjung village, where the yeti scalp is kept, and up to the Hillary memorial (4000 m). All day the highest peaks of the Himalaya stay with us: Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Nuptse (7861 m), Ama Dablam (6814 m)

We leave Namche Bazaar. A beautiful day through forests of fir, blue pine, rhododendron, magnolia and birch to Tengboche, one of the loveliest places in the Himalaya, home to a Buddhist monastery, a sacred site of ceremonies and meditation. Distance 10 km. ↑ Altitude 3867 m. Walking time: 3-4 hours.

A lovely stage through fir forest and flowering rhododendron (they bloom in spring). As always in the Himalaya, juniper thickets all around. The greenery slowly thins out. We pass bright fields of barley, buckwheat and potatoes, walled in stone against the wind and the wild animals. Distance 10 km. ↑ Altitude 4358 m. Walking time: 3-4 hours.

We reach the start of the Khumbu glacier. Beyond the gorge a fine view opens on Pumori and Nuptse. Night in the village of Lobuche. Distance 9 km. ↑ Altitude 4970 m

In the morning, about 4 hours to the village of Gorak Shep. In the afternoon we go up Kala Patthar, 5645 m, three metres higher than Elbrus, for a 360º panorama of Everest and many other Himalayan peaks. It is also key acclimatisation before Island Peak. Distance 7.5 km. ↑ Altitude 5364 m

A light morning walk to Everest Base Camp. In the afternoon we drop down to the Sherpa village of Dingboche. Distance 17 km ↑ Altitude 5645 m - 4350 m

A week of our journey has gone by and the last two days were the busiest, so we get our strength back before heading for Island Peak. The whole day stays in Dingboche.

A short stage to Chukhung, the highest settlement in Nepal. Here we can rent any gear you are still missing. Distance 5 km ↑ Altitude 4730 m 2 hours

We walk up to Island Peak Base Camp. Night in tents. Dinner and an early night before the climb. Distance 5 km ↑ Altitude 5600 m

We wake at midnight, put on all the gear (crampons, harness, headlamp) and set off. We walk very slowly to keep our breathing easy and save strength. From the summit a panorama opens on the mountains around, Everest and Lhotse among them, this time from the south (we saw them from the west on Kala Patthar). After the climb we go down to Chukhung. Distance 13 km. ↑ Altitude 6165 m

We follow a mountain trail through conifer forest along the gorge. The descent on this and the following days is stretched out on purpose. The way down can in fact be done in two days instead of three. That is a little harder, but if we need a reserve day for Island Peak, this is exactly what we do. Distance 14 km. ↓ Altitude 3867 m. About 4 hours.

We make a long lunch stop in Namche Bazaar. Distance 14 km. ↓ Altitude 2835 m. About 4 hours.

The final stage and the last 13 km of our journey. It takes about 4 hours.

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Transfer to the Thamel tourist quarter. Hotel check-in. The evening is yours in Kathmandu. Nepali music and songs. A walk around Thamel. You can book a session at the best Nepali massage salon (20-30 USD an hour).

If this day is not used as the reserve one, we visit the three great sights of the city: the Swayambhunath temple, the Boudhanath Buddhist complex and the Pashupatinath Hindu complex. In the evening, a last dinner together in a Tibetan restaurant with hot home-brewed Tongba. After dinner we drop into the Purple Haze rock bar. Night at the hotel. If the Lukla flight is delayed, this day serves as the spare one.

After breakfast at the hotel the tour is over. At the agreed time, a private transfer to the airport.