Island Peak (6,189 m) is one of the most interesting trekking peaks in Nepal, which is located in Sagartmatha National Park, on one of the spurs of the huge southern wall of Lhotse (8,516 m).
Climbing Island Peak is no ordinary trekking. On the way to the summit there are snow-ice fields, crampons and ice-axes on the railings, stairs through cracks (maybe), and at the end - 150-200 meters of steep ascent and work with a jumar. Such ascent is much more interesting than a simple "stomping" and Island Peak will serve you as an excellent preparation for the following ascents to the higher and more technical peaks.
All the necessary skills of mountaineering (hiking with crampons, work with an ice-axe, a jumar and a belay device) will be taught by our teamleader just before the peak.
In case of bad weather we have two reserve days for climbing the peak!
IMPORTANT: previous climbing experience above 5,000m is required to climb Island Peak. Such peaks may be:
Climbing Island Peak will give you access to more technical and high-altitude programs such as:
The closest alternative to Island Peak is climbing Mera Peak (6461m), the highest trekking peak in the Himalayas. Technically it is easier, but the altitude is almost 300 meters higher.
You'll combine the legendary Everest Base Camp trek (5,340 m) and climbing Island Peak (6,189 m), one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal.
Its summit offers magnificent views of the Klumba Valley and Everest.
On the mountain you will work with a rope and jumar, and move in the crampons.
Every day we ascend to a new altitude and make radial hikes so that the body adapts faster.
The program includes several reserve days in case of bad weather, which will greatly increase the chances of a successful ascent
We will not cancel the ascent, even if there is only one participant in the group.
You are advised by manager Dmitry with extensive personal experience in climbing.
Accompanying by the best Kuluar teamleaders, who have extensive experience as a technical and high-altitude climbs around the world (the Alps, Central Asia, Nepal, South America).
During the work of the club we have developed an algorithm, which allows us to organize the programs of the highest quality. You can see this for yourself by applying for participation.
The possibility of substantial savings on equipment, going on a climb with Kuluar.
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied.
At the airport you will be met by our teamleader or our Nepalese assistant. We advise you to arrive in the morning, or a day earlier, so that you have time to rest after the trip, check and buy the missing equipment. In Kathmandu you can buy almost everything you need, from boots to down jackets, inexpensively.
Early rise and take the first flight to Lukla. Here we are met by a local guide and porters. We spend an hour and a half in Lukla to repack the bags, drink tea and go to Phakding. The day is not long - only 8 km and 200 m altitude drop.
We gently gain altitude by hopping over bridges from one bank to the other of the Dudh Kosi River. In the Monjo village we take the permissions and hike to Sagarmatha National Park. Soon we will see the famous Hillary Bridge from which we start the steep ascent to Namche Bazar. We drive slowly up to the Sherpa capital, have lunch, stay at the lodge and walk to the monument of Tenzig Norgei, the first Sherpa to climb Everest.
To give our bodies time to adapt to the new heights in Namche, we do a day hike. This does not mean that we will sit in place - quite the opposite. Today we will visit the famous Everest View Hotel, trek through Kumjung village where Bigfoot scalp is kept, climb up to Hillary Memorial (4000 m). All day we will be accompanied by views of the highest peaks of the Himalayas - Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Nuptze (7861m), Ama Dablam (6814m).
A short hike to Tiengboche, which is where the most revered Sherpa monastery is located. We will try to get to puja and ask the gods for a successful ascent of Island Peak.
Along a beautiful path that winds through the rhododendron forest, we descend to the bridge over the river, after which a long ascent begins. Throughout the day we will be accompanied by views of Everest and Lhotse, but the most beautiful is Ama Dablam, the dream peak for many climbers. Gradually we will leave the forest area and come to Dingboche village, where we will spend the night.
We continue to gain altitude and move towards the Everest base camp. We will spend the night in Lobuche and we will definitely hike along the moraine of the famous Khumbu icefall.
In 2-3 hours we will reach the Gorak Shep village, which is located at an altitude of 5160 m. We have a short rest and hike to the Everest base camp. In spring it is full of tents and climbers, but at other times it is empty. But you can hike up close to the seracs (ice towers) of Khumbu. It's a very atmospheric place.
Early rise and at 5 am we go on the first ascent in our program. Kala Pattar is a small peak in the scale of the Himalayas and has no technical difficulty. But it has the most beautiful views of Everest, and that's what everyone goes for. For us it will be a good acclimatization before the higher and more difficult Island Peak. By 9 a.m. we will go down to the lodge, have breakfast and go back up to the Mountain. We'll spend the night in Lobuche and try to book the so-called "Pyramid".
There are two options. If the group will be strong, full of energy and desire - we can go through Kongma La Pass (5535 m). We will pass through Khumbu moraine and in front of us there will be long ascent and then equally long descent.
An easier variant, which we usually use, is going down along the familiar path to Dingboche and crossing to Chukung. Smooth good trail without big drops.
In the evening we check our gear before climbing Island Peak.
Along the huge southern wall of Lhotse we will go to the base camp of Island Peak, and then climb to the summit camp. Some groups go on the summit directly from the base camp, but this makes the ascent much more difficult.
This is it! The long-awaited day of climbing Island Peak, the main goal of our mountain trip to Nepal!
We get up early and leave after dark. The first part of the route is up a steep rocky couloir. In about 2-3 hours we will reach the snow - ice plateau. Here it is already necessary to put on crampons. On dangerous parts of the trail through the plateau there are handrails, which we will surely use. On the way there are cracks, through one of which, most likely, there will be a ladder. Carefully, without any sudden movements we will pass through it.
Here we can see the summit, it is not far away. The hardest obstacle is left to be overcome - the steep snowy ascent leading to the summit ridge. Along the ropes, using jumars we gradually reached the ridge, and then the summit!
Yay, we did it - we climbed Island Peak! Depending on the weather and how we feel we will spend up to an hour on the summit, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and relaxing.
We descend carefully to the high-altitude camp, have lunch, and continue our descent to Chukung. Only here we can congratulate each other on the Mountain and relax a little. Ahead of us is the way to Lukla, but for us it will not be very difficult.
First reserve day in case of bad weather on the mountain.
Trekking to Pangboche - it already has real electricity (not just solar panels) and even a bakery with coffee.
We take the familiar trail to Namche Bazaar. This town will seem like Las Vegas after the modest villages in high mountains
A long (18 km) trekking to Lukla.
Morning flight to Kathmandu. The plan is to be at the hotel at about 11-12 am and the rest of the day can be spent buying souvenirs and walking around Kathmandu.
The second day, which can be used as a backup. If everything went according to plan - today we explore the sights in Kathmandu. Depending on whether you have already been in Nepal program may be different, everyone will find the most interesting option. Standard - Swayambhunath Temple (monkey temple), a Hindu temple complex Pashupatinath (where cremations are carried out), the world's largest Buddhist stupa Bodnath. If you want, you can go to the suburbs of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, where the first capital of Nepal was located.
We recommend that you take evening flights. That way you'll have another half day to spare, and even with a slight shift in the program we'll make it all.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, teamleader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. Decisions of teamleader are binding and not subject to discussion.
Visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border, the cost of visa for 30 days - $50. Detailed instructions on how to apply here >>.
To get a visa you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
Climbing Island Peak opens up many peaks for you. We recommend:
You should buy tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek. The most convenient way to fly with AirArabia and FlyDubai, you should use their websites to buy tickets. You can buy tickets with AirArabia and FlyDubai on their website. On boarding you'll need the credit card, with which the tickets were paid for - don't forget it! Round trip tickets cost from $500-$600. Another great option - Turkish Airlines, it's a little more expensive, but many times more comfortable.
To find the cheapest tickets you can use the form below:
Thanks to the fact that we sleep and eat at the lodges, the backpacks on the route will be relatively light. Besides there is always a possibility to hire a porter, that's why we strongly recommend all the participants. He will carry the main part of your luggage (up to 12 kg), and you will carry a small rucksack with warm jacket, water, documents and money.
The best way to prepare for the mountain climbing is running (about 10-12 km 2-3 times a week), squats, cardio exercises, which will not only increase your endurance, but also train your legs for the daily walks. The better you are physically fit, the easier you will tolerate altitude, acclimatize and enjoy the program and the scenery around you more.
For more tips and advice, see the article "Physical preparation for mountain hiking."
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for climbing in the Himalayas: spring (April to the end of May) and fall (October to November). If you go in spring, you should be prepared for a lot of snow on the ascent. A big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendron forests, which provide incredible contrasting pictures against the snow-white mountains. In the afternoon in spring the sky is often covered with clouds and at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon it may start raining or snowing. But by this time we usually get to the lodges. Autumn is warmer, there are almost no clouds, the snow is already melted everywhere, and there are significantly fewer hikers on the trail.
Most of the expedition is at high altitude. Daytime temperature will be around +15...+20 degrees, at night it may drop to -15. Rains are rare. Typical weather for the mountain regions is clear morning and cloudy evening.
In Kathmandu we will stay at the Hotel Arts 4*. Standard accommodation in 2-bed rooms.
During the trek we live in lodges, which are tourist shelters with a public shower and toilet (sometimes in the room). Food we order in the same lodge where we live. Rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. Of furniture there are often only beds. Beds are made with linens, but it is recommended to take your sleeping bag and sleep in it. Upon request, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Electricity is available in almost all loggias, but there are rarely outlets in the rooms.
To better understand the living conditions, we highly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our tracks. Click on the name: good lodge in Namche Bazar with a shower in the room, basic lodge in Dole - without shower and with ice in the washbasin, cool rooms at Eco Resort in Gokyo, standard lodge in Chukung, mug of tea after a night in the room in Gorak Shep. Even if you sleep in other localities, the lodges will be about the same level.
Individual accommodation is possible for the entire program, it costs +$250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.
During the ascent we live in tents (we provide).
The menu at all lodges is extremely varied (different types of eggs, pasta, soups, potatoes, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges can be cooked differently and taste completely different! Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, it will take $15-$25 per day to eat normally.
For an example, see some of the most expensive prices on the route in Gokyo Village, and here's a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the Everest trek. On the way to Island Peak, the price order is about the same.
Let's face it, some people like Nepalese food a lot, but there are also those who "don't get it". You can take some bacon and sausage stick with you.
We eat freeze-dried food during the ascent.
These people are porters who carry your things for money. One porter can carry no more than 24 kg. The cost of this service is about $ 20 per day, but you can take one porter for two - it will be twice cheaper! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much they might unload on themselves. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. Porters have their own room in the lodges where they eat and sleep with their friends. The best thanks on your part would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $20-30 to tip the porter and the Nepali guide. For more details about the porter's work, see the article "Porter on the trek - to take or not to take".
Visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border, the cost of visa for 30 days of stay - $50. Detailed instructions on how to apply here >>
To get a visa you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
The currency of the country is Nepalese rupee. The exchange rate is about 100 rupees to one dollar. You can exchange at the hotel reception or at the exchange office, which we have long had an agreement with for a more favorable rate. Teamleader will take you to the right place. It's noteworthy that Nepalis are very careless about paper money - so don't be surprised if you get a bundle of rupees pierced with a stapler - it's quite normal. All expenses en route are in rupees only. Exchange about $300-400 for them before the trek. Bank cards are only accepted at some points in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. Plus, there are big restrictions on ATM cash withdrawals, and the fees are simply robbery. Buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu), not at the sights. Always haggle with the Nepalese; sometimes the price can be discounted several times over.
Everyone probably knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap travel gear. Well, it really is! You can buy a flicer for $5, a down jacket from $30, trekking poles from $10. But you have to understand that despite the tag - it's not branded equipment, but made somewhere in the local basements. There are stores with the original, but prices are the same as ours. In general, do not necessarily carry a whole pile of equipment from home, most you can buy cheap already on the spot. Tourist stores simply unreal number. Read more about equipment in a separate article =>>.
To participate in the program, you need to take good insurance that is valid at altitudes up to 6,500 m, covers mountain hiking, and includes helicopter evacuation. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars. Our insurance recommendations can be found here: "Insurance for Kuluar Hikers".
The cost depends on the number of participants:
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
The total amount of additional expenses not included in the price may be about $ 400-500 + airtickets. We recommend that you bring at least another $200 for souvenirs and other small pleasures.
Full payment for the program is made on the first day of the hike to teamleader in dollars.
To reserve a place in the group you need to make an advance payment of $500. Methods of payment here.
Important! Conditions for refund of prepayment in case of cancellation of participation in the program:
In the case of a withdrawal from the route the money is not refundable.
Friends! We ask very much that you take dollar bills from 2003 and newer. Dollars from the 90's are not accepted in many countries and we sometimes have problems when paying with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all:)
