Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek (2024)

Best Time to Travel

Spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are considered the best seasons for Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek. The weather stays stable and clear during these times, which makes it ideal for trekking and climbing. The days are warm and the nights chilly. On the downside, however, these are peak seasons, and the trails get crowded and busy.

Spring is the most popular climbing season in Nepal. During this season, the weather is warm, and there is less snow on the mountains, making climbing easier. While trekking, you enjoy breathtaking views, as the verdant hillsides are covered with wildflowers, including rhododendron blooms.

The second season preferred for climbing is Autumn. With the end of the wet monsoon season, which clears the skies of dust and impurities, one can enjoy crystal clear views during this season. Timing your climbing around October will allow you to experience the most important festival in the Everest region, Mani Rimdu. This festival is held in the monasteries of Tengboche, Chiwong, and Thame.

Timing this climbing during the monsoon or late winter season is not recommended as the precipitation and snow make climbing risky.

Lukla Flight

Your trip to Island Peak and Everest Base Camp Trek starts from Kathmandu then flying to Lukla on day 3. The easiest way to reach Lukla (2,840m), the starting point of your Island peak adventure, is via a flight. One of the highest and most extreme airports in the world, flying to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla has its own challenges. The chief among them is the weather.

The airport is built on a narrow plateau, over a cliff. Navigating the plane along the short and narrow runway is difficult when strong winds whip across the mountains. Surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world, the weather here is unpredictable and changes frequently. It would be clear and sunny one minute, and the next moment the clouds will appear, and everything will turn hazy. Flights operate only when the weather is stable and visibility clear.

The chances of your Lukla flight getting canceled cannot be ruled out. If this happens, your climbing may get extended by a day or two. A contingency day is included in your itinerary, but we recommend you keep additional buffer days so that you may not miss your international flight.

If there is a long delay due to bad weather, we will secure a space for you on a helicopter flight. The cost for the heli flight is not included in the trip price and should be borne by you.

Due to congestion at the Kathmandu airport during the high season (spring and autumn), flights to and from Lukla now operate from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. The airport lies 132km (4hrs 30mins drive) from Kathmandu.

However, airline companies operate their first and last flights directly from Kathmandu and Lukla (KTM-LUKLA-KTM). If you book your trip early, we can try to secure a place for you on the direct flight to or from Lukla. It will be easier and more comfortable to fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa, instead of making that additional journey to Ramechhap.

Helicopter Flights to Everest Region will operate from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

Entry Permits and Requirements

The permits you need for the Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek are

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
• Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
• Island Peak Climbing Permit.

While individual trekkers can get permits for trekking, climbing permits can only be obtained by government-registered trekking agencies. So one needs to book a climbing with a registered agent to get the climbing permit.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Office in Kathmandu or at the park’s entrance gate in Monjo by paying NRS 3,000. For citizens of SAARC countries, the fee is NRS 1500. You need to fill out the permit form and show your passport or a copy of your passport.

To get the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit, you need to be in Lukla. You have to pay NRS 2,000 for the permit at the rural municipality counter, which lies at the edge of the village.

If you are planning to trek from Jiri, you will be required to pay the Gaurishanker Conservation Area Project Entry Permit fee of NRS 2,000. The permit can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board’s office in Kathmandu before the start of your trek.

The climbing permit fee for Island Peak varies according to season.

1. The permit fee for Spring (March to May) - USD 250
2. The permit fee for Autumn(September to November) – USD 125
3. Off seasons (December to February and June to August) – USD 70

You won’t have to worry about queuing up to get the permits as the company, or our guides will arrange all the permits for you.

Altitude Sickness & Acclimatization

Acclimatization on Island Peak and Everest Base Camp Trek is very important. Your body needs time to get used to thin air which can be done by resting at a lower altitude before reaching a higher elevation.

Island Peak lies at an altitude of 6,189 meters. Though a dwarf compared to Mount Everest (8,848m), Island Peak is higher than the tallest peaks in four continents - Africa, Europe, Australia, and Antarctica. You will be walking to the world’s highest destination, Everest Region, where the views are incredible, but the environment, harsh and unforgivable. Here the air is thin and trails treacherous. You should be cautious at every step as one small mistake may cost you your life.

One of the main concerns of this climbing adventure is altitude sickness. As you go higher, the oxygen level in the air decreases, and it gets difficult to breathe. To let your body get used to the thin air, you need to walk slowly, steadily and keep your body hydrated. If you try to hasten and walk fast to reach your destination in less time, chances are you may suffer from AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness.

AMS symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc., are seen at elevations above 2,000 meters. Usually, these symptoms occur once you reach Namche or beyond Namche.

Taking Diamox and a good night’s rest may work for mild cases. Drinking plenty of fluids (water, tea, soup, etc.) and keeping your body hydrated will also help keep the sickness at bay. One should take the necessary precautions to ensure that the condition does not worsen. But if the symptoms worsen, one may have to return to a lower elevation and get medical help.

There are clinics at Lukla, Namche, and Pheriche which offer basic care for minor ailments. In the worst-case scenario, an air evacuation will be arranged, where the patient will be flown to Kathmandu to receive medical aid. AMS, if untreated or ignored, can take your life.

Our experts have included two days in the itinerary for acclimatization and a contingency day for summit delay or emergencies. You will be spending extra days at Namche (3,440m) and Dingboche (4,410m) to acclimatize successfully before trekking further.

The chart given below will give you a rough idea of the oxygen level in the atmosphere on the trail.

Drinking Water

It is important to keep your body hydrated on the trail as dehydration also causes AMS. One should drink at least 3-4 liters of fluids daily.

We dissuade you from buying bottled water as it adds up to the thrashing problem in the mountains. Moreover, like everything else, bottled water is also expensive in the mountains.

We highly recommend you to carry a reusable water bottle with you, one that can hold hot water on your whole trip to Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek.

You can use one with a steri pen or an inbuilt filtration system like LifeStraw.

You can also use water purification tablets to treat the water. While the water in the mountains tends to be pure and without impurities, it’s better not to take chances and filter or treat the water before drinking.

Using chlorine or iodine tablets to treat the water may alter its taste. You can add flavored electrolyte powder (readily available at pharmacies in Kathmandu) to mask the bitter chemical taste. Adding electrolyte to your drinking water may also be beneficial as the minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.) you lose while walking gets replenished.

Teahouses offer boiled drinking water at an additional cost. It can cost anywhere between 1 USD to 4 USD. Up to Namche, you may have to pay around 1 USD per liter or pot (every teahouse uses a different sized pot). The price increases gradually as you climb higher. You pay the highest for boiled water at Gorak Shep, i.e., 4 USD.

While climbing, drinking water will be treated and boiled by the kitchen staff.

Internet Connectivity

Despite being the world’s highest inhabited region, internet connection (though erratic and irregular at some places) is available in the Everest Region.

You can connect with your loved ones while trekking, post updates, and upload pictures on social media. Wi-fi is available at all teahouses. While it is free at some cafes in Lukla and Namche, most teahouses will charge you extra for using their Wi-Fi hotspot.

It will be cheaper and easier to get a sim card (preferably Ncell) in Kathmandu and purchase internet data that could last you for your entire trip. Ncell offers 3G connectivity up to Everest Base Camp (5364m).

Everest Link, another local internet provider, also offers paid internet access on the trail. You can purchase the username and password at any of the teahouses or shops along the trail.

For emergencies, our climbing guide carries a satellite phone. Even if there is no network, our guides will contact us in case there is an emergency.

Packing Checklist for Island Peak Climbing With EBC Trek

Here’s a basic checklist of the essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Island Peak climbing and EBC trek:

• A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
• Rucksack or daypack (30 liters) with waterproof cover
• Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
• Hard Shell Trousers
• T-shirts or shirts
• Down jacket
• Wind/ waterproof light jacket
• Fleece jumper or jacket
• Inner Thermal (top and trouser)
• Socks and underwear
• Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap, or balaclava
• Inner and outer gloves
• Summit Mittens (warm insulated gloves with safety straps)
• Headlamp, power bank, and extra batteries
• Sun protection cream, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
• Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries
• Water bottle and water purification tablets
• Gaiters
• 5 Season Sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner
• Pee Bottle

Climbing Equipment:

• Climbing Boots(insulated stiff-soled, ideal for high altitude)
• Crampons that fits your climbing boots
• Climbing Helmet
• Ice Axe
• Carabiners (lockable and non-lockable)
• Prussiks
• Harness
• Jumar or ascending device
• Descending or belay device
• Tape Sling

These are only some of the essential items. We will provide the mountaineering equipment. But please do note climbing boots of large size (size 12 and above) is not available at the rental outlet from where we rent our gear and equipment. If your shoe size is 12 and above, please bring your own climbing boots.

If you want to use your own personal climbing gear, you can bring it from home.

Most of the trekking equipment is available on hire in Kathmandu. You can keep your baggage light by only packing the essential items and renting or buying the rest in Kathmandu. Shops in Thamel offer branded as well locally made gear and equipment.

You can leave your spare luggage in your hotel’s storage room. It is completely safe and free. But do make sure to lock your luggage before leaving it at the storage unit.

Guide(s) & Staff Arrangements

Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek takes you to the highest trekking trail in the world and one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal.

It is important to have an experienced guide with you while climbing and trekking. A guide who is experienced and has an in-depth knowledge of the mountain will enrich your experience and keep you safe and secure.

When you book with us, we pair you up with our best climbing guide, who has more than 20 years of experience in mountain climbing. Our guide has climbed many 8,000 and 7,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest. He has guided several groups to the top of Island Peak numerous times.

There will be one chief climbing guide or leader to ensure a successful summit attempt, and every 2 climbers will be aided by 1 assistant guide. A pre-climb training at the Island Peak Base Camp will be used to warm up and help you get helpful tips from our guides. This training will especially help novice climbers hone their climbing skills.

While trekking, you will be guided by our trekking guides. Our guides have experience of more than 10 years and have a vast knowledge of the area you are visiting. They have completed the trekking guide course and have the required government license to work as mountain guides. They can communicate in English and have received training on wilderness first aid and crisis management.

A chief guide or trek leader will lead the trek. For every 4 trekkers, there will be an assistant guide assisting them personally. One porter will carry the luggage of 2 clients. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed 15 kg, as the porter can only carry a weight of 30 kg.

We believe in the ethical treatment of our staff. All our Guides and Porters are provided with weather-appropriate gear and clothing to battle the harsh weather in the mountains. Before the start of a trek, we ensure that our mountain guides are fully insured. They are given fair wages and treated with respect.

We seriously follow the guidelines set by IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) and offer assistance to porters to develop other skills. A portion of the booking fee goes to fund the education of our field staffs’ kids.

Travel Insurance

For Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek, you need a good travel insurance policy that offers you coverage for all activities and altitudes included in your itinerary. You reach an altitude of 6,189 meters, and your travel insurance should offer you suitable coverage up to this elevation.

Though we take your safety as our number one priority, we cannot rule out mishaps and emergencies that may occur at this altitude. There is less oxygen in the environment, and trekkers usually suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness, proving to be fatal if not treated on time.

Walking and climbing in a treacherous mountain environment also expose you to physical injuries. Therefore make sure that your insurance covers the cost of all injuries and emergencies that you can face during this trekking and climbing adventure.

Your insurance policy should especially cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and hospitalization in case of an accident or medical emergency, as these happen to be quite expensive. Check for vaccination requirements as some travel insurance policies makes it mandatory to immunize yourself before you leave your country.

Before you decide on a policy, be mindful and don’t forget to read the fine print. It would be advantageous for you to choose a company that offers insurance cover on domestic and international flight cancellations and lost or stolen baggage.

Trip Safety

We ensure the safety of our clients by following all safety protocols during the Island Peak Climbing and Everest Base Camp Trek. This itinerary has been designed by travel experts and veteran guides who have climbed Island Peak innumerable times.

To prevent AMS, the required number of rest days has been added to the itinerary. Our guides always carry a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter (to measure the oxygen level in your blood) with them. The climbing guides assigned to you have climbed several 8,000-meter peaks and have more than 20 years of mountaineering experience. They have guided several climbers to the top of Island Peak and know what steps to take during an emergency. They are well-trained in wilderness first aid and crisis management. To communicate during emergencies, our guides always carry a satellite phone with them.

While climbing, our guides will keep you safe by taking care of all the hard and risky jobs – fixing ropes, ladders, setting up tents, etc. You will only have to follow them and pay heed to their instructions to reach the summit safely.

If a client shows symptoms of AMS and needs to descend to a lower elevation, an assistant guide will escort him/her and will follow the safety protocol. He will closely monitor the client’s condition and take the required steps needed for the client's well-being.

If he/she feels alright after a night’s rest, the guide will escort the client back to join the group. But if the condition worsens, the client will be escorted down to Lukla or get airlifted to Kathmandu for expert medical aid.

A typical day Island Peak Climbing with EBC Trek

Trekking

A typical day on the trail begins with a wake-up call at around 6 AM by your guide. Freshen up and get ready. Pack your belongings and head to the dining area for breakfast by 7 AM. Check your luggage for the final time and fill your water bottle before you hit the trail by 8 AM, along with your guide.

To avoid walking in the heat and enjoy clear mountains' views, you make an early start. En route, there will be short breaks to enjoy the views and take photographs. You stop for lunch at a local teahouse around noon or mid-day. After a quick rest of about an hour or 40 minutes, you get back on the trail and continue till you reach your overnight stop.

Upon reaching the stop for the night, you head to your teahouse, check-in, and have some rest. Tea with some light refreshments (cookies or biscuits) will be served at 5 PM. As the rooms are not insulated, you can warm yourself by the heater or stove in the communal area.

Exchange stories or play cards with other trekkers and sherpas till dinner is served (around 7 PM). After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s trek – the route you will take, difficulty, where you will stop for lunch, etc. Afterward, retire for the night and have a well-deserved rest.

On average, you may have to walk 6 to 7 hours daily. On Day 11, a hike to Kala Patthar for the sunrise view is scheduled. So you will have to wake up before 4 AM to reach Kala Patthar before sunrise. Your guide will share the details of the hike at the post-dinner briefing on Day 10.

Climbing

On Day 12, there will be pre-climb training at Island Peak Base Camp. This training is very important for novice climbers as you get some valuable insights from our guides. You learn how to use the equipment and gear safely and effectively.

You spend a night camping at the Island Peak Base Camp. After the pre-climb training, you can spend the day exploring the Imja Glacier or saving your energy for the summit push by resting in your tent. Our Climbing cook will keep you nourished and hydrated by serving you healthy and nutritious meals. There will be a briefing by the chief climbing guide on the evening before the summit push.

On Day 14, you wake up early at 3 AM. To beat the winds which batter the summit during the day, you make the summit push early. You carry a packed lunch and some energy bars with you to keep you energized. After reaching Crampon Point, you climb up using the man-rope.

From Imja Glacier, a rope will be fixed by our guides, and you climb using the support of the fixed rope. Follow our guides safely to the summit of Island Peak, take pictures, enjoy the magnificent views and descend back to HighCamp. After a brief rest, continue descending to Chukkung. This day is probably the toughest day of your journey as you climb and walk for 9 to 12 hours.

Responsible Travel

Travel responsibly and try to limit any negative impact on the environment. Limit the use of plastic and be mindful about throwing waste in the mountains. When you trek with us, you will be supporting local communities (from the guides and porters to teahouse owners). We, as a company, support sustainable tourism and patronize local businesses. We partner with service providers who work towards saving the environment. As an active member of KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), we make sure that our trips are environmentally friendly.