Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing — 19 Days

Spend the day sightseeing in Kathmandu, with time set aside for trek preparation. Your visits fit around the briefing, equipment checks and arrangements for the journey into Khumbu.

We review the route, flight arrangements and climbing equipment with you. Check boot fit, warm layers and rental needs. Confirm the sightseeing stops, transport, entry fees and guide arrangements in your quotation, then organise your kit before tomorrow’s departure.

Your mountain journey begins with a flight to Lukla at 2,860 m. Depending on airline operations and the season, the flight may depart from Kathmandu or Manthali Airport in Ramechhap.

After landing, you meet your trekking team and begin walking towards Phakding. The trail passes village homes, prayer wheels and forested slopes, with downhill stretches and shorter climbs along the way. Sections follow the Dudh Koshi River, introducing you to the valley you will explore over the coming days. We spend the night in Phakding.

We follow the Dudh Koshi through villages and pine forests, passing Benkar and Monjo before entering Sagarmatha National Park. Your guide handles the permit checks along the route.

Suspension bridges connect the valley trails, followed by a sustained uphill walk towards Namche. This final climb is the most demanding part of the day, so we allow time for breaks. Namche’s shops, lodges and houses spread across the hillside, making it an important trading town and a useful place to spend the next two nights.

Around 3,880 m if visiting Hotel Everest View

We stay another night in Namche and take a shorter hike above the town. A usual option is the trail towards Hotel Everest View, where clear weather offers views of Everest and nearby peaks.

Your guide chooses the walk according to conditions and how the group is feeling. Afterwards, we return to Namche for the night. The afternoon gives you time to rest, visit the shops or stop at a café before continuing towards Tengboche tomorrow.

Leaving Namche, we follow the hillside trail before descending towards Phunki Tenga. Mountain views accompany sections of the walk, while the river marks the low point before the climb to Tengboche.

The uphill trail passes through pine and rhododendron forest. Once we reach the village, you can settle into the teahouse and explore the surroundings. Tengboche’s Buddhist monastery stands against the mountain backdrop of Ama Dablam. If it is open to visitors, your guide explains the visiting customs before you enter.

We descend through forest towards Debuche, cross the Imja Khola and continue through Pangboche. As the route gains height, the trees become fewer and the valley opens into slopes with low vegetation and stone buildings.

The trail passes Somare before reaching Dingboche in the Imja Valley. Today brings a noticeable gain in sleeping altitude, so we keep a steady pace throughout the walk. After checking into your teahouse, the remaining afternoon is available for rest before tomorrow’s acclimatisation hike.

Our second acclimatisation day includes a hike above Dingboche followed by another night in the village. The usual direction is towards the Nangkartshang viewpoint, with the turnaround point determined by conditions and the group’s progress.

The hillside gives you a broader view of Dingboche and the surrounding valley. We then return to the teahouse, leaving the afternoon for rest and preparation. Tomorrow, the route continues towards Lobuche, where the terrain becomes increasingly rocky and glacial.

We leave Dingboche and cross open ground towards Thukla. After a break, the trail climbs more steeply to the memorial area above the village. The stone memorials commemorate climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives in the mountains.

Beyond this section, we continue beside the Khumbu Glacier towards Lobuche. Uneven ground and increasing altitude make the walking more demanding, even where the gradient eases. We settle into the teahouse and prepare for tomorrow’s journey to Everest Base Camp.

We start from Lobuche and follow the rocky trail towards Gorak Shep. After a break, we continue to Everest Base Camp, crossing uneven glacial ground along the Khumbu Glacier.

Reaching base camp brings you into the landscape used by Everest expedition teams. During the spring climbing season, tents and expedition activity may be visible. At other times, the glacier and surrounding mountains define the visit.

After spending time at base camp, we retrace the trail to Gorak Shep. Tonight’s stop puts us close to the starting point for tomorrow’s Kala Patthar hike.

Gorak Shep–Kala Patthar–Lobuche–Dingboche

Kala Patthar viewpoint, approximately 5,545 m

We make an early start for Kala Patthar. The climb above Gorak Shep is steep in places, and the altitude makes it demanding. In clear weather, the viewpoint offers close views of Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and the surrounding Khumbu peaks.

After the hike, we return to Gorak Shep for breakfast and continue towards Dingboche. The route passes through Lobuche and the Thukla area before returning to the Imja Valley. It is another substantial walking day, ending with an overnight stay at a lower elevation.

From Dingboche, follow the Imja Valley towards Chhukung. The stage still gains height, crossing open ground with views towards Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island Peak when the weather allows. Walk steadily as the altitude increases.

We reach Chhukung and settle into a teahouse for the night. The afternoon gives you time to rest and organise your personal climbing equipment. Discuss any remaining kit questions with the team before tomorrow’s approach to base camp, where practical preparation precedes the attempt.

Leaving Chhukung, follow rocky trails towards Island Peak Base Camp. The approach crosses open ground and moraine below the mountain. Although the walking stage is shorter, the altitude adds effort. We reach camp and settle into the tents.

Your climbing guide leads equipment checks and practical preparation, including crampons, an ice axe and rope systems. Check your boots, harness and warm layers, then organise your kit for the early start. After dinner, rest before tomorrow’s planned summit attempt.

Approximately 10–12 hours or longer for the climb and return to Chhukung

Island Peak summit, approximately 6,189 m

Rocky approach, glacier travel, steep snow or ice and fixed-rope sections

We start before dawn, following the climbing guide over rocky ground towards the glacier. Warm clothing, headtorches and correctly fitted equipment are essential for the long ascent and descent.

The route involves glacier travel and fixed ropes on steep snow or ice before the summit ridge. Your guide assesses conditions and progress throughout. If continuing becomes unsuitable, we turn back rather than force the attempt.

After the attempt, descend carefully to base camp and continue to Chhukung for the night. Save energy for the full return; reaching the summit is never guaranteed.

From Chhukung, follow the Imja Valley down to Dingboche and continue towards Pangboche. The trail returns through familiar villages as we lose height. After the demanding climbing day, maintain a steady pace and allow time for breaks along the route.

Trees become more common as we descend through the valley towards Debuche. The final approach to Tengboche includes an uphill section, despite the overall loss of altitude. Settle into your teahouse and rest, with monastery visits depending on your energy, local access and time.

Leaving Tengboche, descend through forest towards Phunki Tenga. After crossing the river, the trail climbs again before following the hillside towards Namche, with mountain views when the weather allows.

This stage combines descents with uphill sections, so there is still effort ahead as we return to the lower valley. Once in Namche, check into your teahouse. The rest of the afternoon gives you time to rest, visit nearby shops or organise your belongings before tomorrow’s final walk to Lukla.

Our final trekking day follows the route down from Namche through Jorsalle, Monjo and Phakding. You cross familiar suspension bridges and return through the forested sections of the Dudh Koshi valley.

The approach to Lukla includes uphill stretches, so there is still some effort ahead after the main descent. On arrival, we check into the teahouse for the last night in the mountains. The evening gives you time to organise your belongings and spend time with your guide and porter team.

We prepare for the return flight from Lukla. Depending on the operating schedule, you may fly directly to Kathmandu or land at Manthali Airport and continue by road.

After reaching your hotel, the remaining time is free for rest, shopping or exploring nearby areas. We share a farewell dinner in Kathmandu, bringing the trekking programme to a close. Flight timing remains dependent on weather and airline operations.

Your 19-day EBC Island Peak Climb ends today. After breakfast, you prepare for your onward journey. Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a final walk nearby before leaving the hotel.

Our representative accompanies you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure.