Island Peak (Imja -Tse) is one of the most famous climbing peaks in Nepal. It stands in the Everest Region, reaches a height of 6,189m and is popularly known as Island Peak, a name given to it by Eric Shipton’s party in 1951, as the peak resembles an island in a sea of ice when viewed form Dingboche. Later in 1983, the peak was given the Nepali name Imja - Tse. Island peak was first ascended in 1953 by a British team as part of their preparations for climbing Everest. Tenzing Norgay was one of the members of the first ascent team. The peak is actually part of the south ridge of Lhotse-Shar and forms a semicircle of cliffs that rise to the north of Nuptse, Lhotse, Middle Peak and Lhotse-Shar.

Expeditions to Island peak can either go by road to Jiri and then by trail to Solu-Khumbu or fly to Lukla. A day’s trek from Lukla takes you to the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. Another day’s trek reaches the town of Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest’s base camp. The best idea from here is to continue to either Everest Base Camp or Kala Pattar, at 5545m, from where there is a famous view of Everest. Either trek is good for acclimatizing before the climb of Island Peak. One very good trek for acclimatizing is to walk along the Gokyo valley, then to cross the Chola pass, visiting both Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp, before moving on to Chhukung. From there a 5-hour trek reaches Island Peak Base Camp at 5200m. The camp is in a small valley with Island Glacier on the right. From Base Camp we climb steeply up to 5500m – the climb takes about 3 hours – and set up a high camp. From there the climb is rocky at first, then across a glacier, with crevasses, to reach a final steep ascent to the summit. Ropes are fixed for the final summit climb.

Summary of Island Peak Climbing

Fact of Island Peak Climbing

	Title:	Island Peak (Imja-Tse) Climbing
	Category:	Highly Adventurous
	Grade:	Strenuous & Difficult
	Total Days:	18 Days
	Group Size:	2 to 12 Pax
	Departure Date:	Everyday During the Season
	Maximum Elevation:	6,189m. (19,800ft.)
	Transportation:	Flights Only
	Accommodation:	Lodge /Tent (Camping) Trekking
	Trekking Hours:	Approximately 5 to 7 hrs. Each Day.
	Best Season:	Sep. to Nov. / March to May
	Trip cost:	USD 1937.00

Day to Day Outline Itinerary

Day 01.	Arrival at Kathmandu, Transfer to Hotel, Welcome Dinner
Day 02.	City Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Hotel
Day 03.	Fly From Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (2646m), Overnight at Lodge
Day 04.	Trek to Namche Bazaar (3446m), overnight at Lodge
Day 05.	Acclimatization in Namche Overnight at Lodge
Day 06.	Trek to Tyangboche Monastery (3867m) overnight at Lodge
Day 07.	Trek to Dingboche (4400m) overnight at Lodge
Day 08.	Trek to Chhukung Village (4700m) Overnight at Lodge
Day 09.	Trek to Island Peak Base Camp (5200m) overnight at Camp
Day 10.	Trek to Island peak High Camp (5500m) overnight at camp
Day 11.	Island peak summit (6189m) Overnight at Base camp, Camp
Day 12.	Trek to Dingboche (4300m) Overnight at Lodge
Day 13.	Trek to Tyangboche Overnight at Lodge
Day 14.	Trek to Monjo Overnight at Lodge
Day 15.	Trek to Lukla Overnight at Lodge
Day 16.	Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
Day 17.	Free Day in Kathmandu, Hotel, and Farewell Dinner
Day 18.	Transfer to International Airport and fly back to Home

Trekking Season for Island Peak Climbing

March to May & Sep. to November is the best seasons for attempting Island Peak Climbing and December, Jan & Feb are consider as a good Trekking months. The weather is sunny and warm, although the nights are cold and temperatures can fall to freezing. Weather can change rapidly and be unpredictable. Please note that when climbing to Island Peak, you will be moving from warmer climates at low levels to conditions of well below freezing. Be prepared for all eventualities! Summer (June, July & August) is finest temperature and trekking can be done without any problem.

Equipments Check List for Island Peak Climbing

The following basic equipments checklist should help you with your packing before you traveling. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your equipments to a minimum while you are in the Trekking. At the start of the trek your packed trek bag should weigh not more then 20 kg.

Climbing Equipments are require to follows:

Trip Cost Includes

Trip Cost Excludes

Pre - Meeting Before Trip

Prior to all our expeditions and treks, we host a Pre-Trip meeting here in Kathmandu on the 2nd day of your itinerary starts in the morning during the breakfast and introduced your trek Leader mean time and it will provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the your trek and to introduce you to other team members.

Accommodation in Kathmandu and Trekking

Accommodations are included in the trip cost and Clan Treks has chosen accommodation options based on the following criteria; standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. There are two styles of accommodation and this depends on the itinerary you choose. During the Island Peak Climbing you will spend four nights at 3-star in Kathmandu and Thirteen nights at the locally best available Tent Camp or Hotel / Lodge in your trekking route. All accommodation is based on twin share, and will provide you single supplement if there is different sex; or Group Leader.

Meals during Island Peak Climbing

All Meal will be provided during the spent on trekking. There are (Nepali, Sherpa, Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cusion) a day will be provided from our own kitchen. Your cook-man offering various different items in a day and will be different each single day menu. Each day dinner and breakfast are used to take in the same Camp, you spend the night. Lunch will be taken on the way to destination.

Trekking Staff:

The Guide is in overall charge of your trip and of looking after you. This is the person you should go to with all problems, concerns and questions. All our guides are highly trained in all aspects of trekking, conservation, and high altitude medicine, first aid and emergency procedures. They are professionals selected for their knowledge and passion for Nepal and its peoples. Remember the trekking guides are local citizens and their English may be basic and limited to trek related topics while the city guide have the excellent English with the broad knowledge of the destination involved. Porters transport your luggage – one porter between every two trekkers.

Clan Treks currently train all their Guides in the following courses and your trek leader will be one of the fully train Trek Leader.

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
• Trekking Guide Training - Nepal Government's Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management & Tourism Training Centre of Nepal.
• Eco Trekking Workshop & Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association Of Nepal)
• English Language
• Conservation & Biodiversity
• Rock & Ice Climbing & Mountaineering (optional) Nepal Mountaineering Association

Acceptance of risk:

The Client acknowledges that the nature of the tour is adventurous and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. The Client hereby assumes all such risk and does hereby release the Company from all claims and causes of action arising from any damages of injuries or death resulting from these inherent risks.

INSURANCE:

It is mandatory that all Clients obtain travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$ 50,000 while travelling with the Company and this insurance must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and emergency evacuation expenses. It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, loss of belongings and all other expenses, which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client. The Company shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects

Climate:

Nepal has a generally temperate climate, however altitude makes distinct variations.

The monsoon sweeps up from India each summer, making mid June to mid September humid and wet. The three other distinct seasons are all suitable for trekking and each has its own advantages. Changing global weather patterns have had their effect on the Himalayan climate making mountain weather notoriously changeable. Always be prepared for a change in conditions and note that if severe or dangerous weather conditions occur your guide’s decision on any course of action is final.

Autumn (September – November): This season offers excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views.

Winter (December – February): This season is noted for occasional snowfall only at higher elevation. Hence it is ideal for trekking at lower elevations, generally below 3000 meters.

Spring (March – May): Different varieties of wild flowers, specially the rhododendrons make the hillside above 5000 meters a haunting paradise during this season. It is mildly warm at lower elevations and at higher elevation over 4000 meters the mountain views are excellent and temperature is quite moderate.

Summer (June – August): Summer months, continues up to mid September making travel wet and warm. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. It is recommended to carry insect repellent when trekking during summer months.

Health:

There are no specific health requirements for entry into Nepal. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as a thorough medical check up can save you from unexpected hazards. Nepal does not require any particular inoculation but Cholera, Meningitis, Tetanus and Diphtheria, Typhoid and Gamma Globulin are some of the vaccinations that should be considered for your trip. Since the remote places of Nepal are not supplied with necessities that are essential for modern medical facilities, it is imperative to make a comprehensive First Aid Box consisting of basic drugs and accessories as part of the paraphernalia for your trip. Modern dentistry is unknown in the hills of Nepal, so it is advised to have a checkup before departure from home. Tooth fillings sometimes loosen in cold temperature and at high altitudes, so it is recommended having them checked

Altitude Sickness:

Altitude sickness often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is particularly an important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevation above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:

• Nausea, Vomiting
• Lose of appetite
• Insomnia/Sleeplessness
• Persistent Headache
• Dizziness, Light headiness, Confusion
• isorientation
• Weakness, Fatigue, Lassitude, Heavy legs
• Slight swelling of hand and face
• Breathlessness and breathing irregularity
• Reduced urine output

These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance of any of the above symptoms, immediately contact your travel guide.

Client Details:

In order for the Company to confirm and guarantee the Client’s travel arrangements the Client must provide all Client details with their final payment as per the dates specified. Client details include passport number; passport expiry date and medical form (where applicable), full name as it appears in the passport you are travelling with, date of birth and nationality.