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As per the Civil Aviation Association of Nepal (CAAN) decision, flights to and from Lukla airport will be operated from MANTHALI airport, Ramechhap for the upcoming Autumn season 2022. The Civil aviation association of Nepal (CAAN) has acquainted that there is rapid accession of traffic blockage at Kathmandu Airport and the Lukla sector is believed to be the busiest domestic flight sectors of Nepal. Flight to Lukla is one of the most occupied flights during the trekking season in Nepal and to avoid the traffic congestion and minimize the workload of TIA, they’ve drawn a conclusion i.e. all the flights to and from Lukla are rerouted from Kathmandu Airport to Manthali Airport, Ramechhap again.

The Chief of Tribhuvan International Airport has informed that all the airlines have prepared for their morning flights to Lukla via Ramechhap. So, if you’ve already booked a trek to Everest region with us within the period above mentioned, make sure that you are prepared for a flight to Lukla via Ramechhap (Manthali airport) instead of Kathmandu. So, we would like to request all our admired guests who have confirmed trips in Everest region to have this information updated: We’ve to drive to Manthali Airport from Kathmandu at 2 am (approx.) to catch the flight from Manthali to Lukla.

Another reliable and a bit expensive option is going for a helicopter upgrade and flying to Lukla straight from Kathmandu. The Kathmandu helipad area will not be affected and you can have Helicopter flight to Lukla from 6.30 am onwards. The upgrade could cost you a top up of USD 350-500 per person depending on the payload and availability of the flights.

  • Duration:2 Nights 3 Days
  • Max. Altitude: 6189m
  • Group Size: 1-8
  • Activity: Trekking & Climbing
  • Pick Up: Dingboche / Chhukung

About Short Island Peak Climbing

Short Island Peak Climbing is an interesting and challenging add on climb for any of your Everest region trekking. It starts and finishes at Chhukung village, where Annapurna Foothills experienced Sherpa Climbing Guides will meet you, check your climbing gears and brief about the climb. Before you attempt the climb, however, you must be properly acclimatized. If you have trekked to Everest Base Camp, 5357m, and Kala Patthar, 5545m from Jiri, Phaplu or even Lukla, you will be acclimatized. You might even want to include a nearby pass such as Renjo La, 5338m, or Cho La 5420m or Kongma La Pass for good measure.

Island Peak captivates the interest of experienced and aspiring climbers alike. Standing on the summit of Island Peak, 6189m, you are surrounded by the entire Khumbu Himalaya, including Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Middle Peak and the unclimbed Lhotse Shar. To the East, are the frozen waves of the Lhotse Shar Glacier, Cho Polu, 6734m, and the perfect pyramid of Mt. Makalu, 8475m.

Island Peak Climbing is rated ‘challenging’; and a good level of physical fitness is essential, with previous climbing experience a huge benefit on the mountain. Its highly glaciated West Face rises from the Lhotse Glacier up to a technically straightforward ridge; this is a perfect place for novice climbers to develop the skills of climbing on snow and ice at high altitudes. From Chhukung village, the trail follows the moraine of the massive Lhotse Glacier, then the Imja Tso Khola (river) to Island Peak Base Camp, 5100m.There are slabs and boulders to clamber over to reach high camp, 5500m.

After high camp there are more rocks and scree at first, then we get to Crampon point, where we put on our climbing gears. Couple of places we need to walk on the Ladders to cross the Crevasses section. Then we walk on the flat section before the final push. There is a 300 meters ice headwall and a snowy summit ridge before we get to the summit of Island Peak, where magnificent views await us.

The customized Island Peak Climbing takes 2 Nights and 3 Days , making it one of the shortest and least expensive climbing packages offered. We suggest spending one night at Island Peak Base Camp and one night at High Camp for better acclimatization and higher chances of making the summit.

The 5 Days Island Peak Climbing is totally customizable. Trekkers can start the climb from Chhukung village. It is highly suggested that the trekkers are well acclimatized before they come to Chhukung. Everest Base Camp Trekking, Khumbu Three High Passes Trekking, Gokyo Valley etc. are few treks that trekkers can do to acclimatize before the climb.


Planning to climb Island Peak in 2022 and 2023

Guaranteed Departures ... Please get in touch for further details

Highlights of Short Island Peak Climbing

  • a perfect introductory 6000m peak to your mountaineering expereince
  • Island Peak is a challenging and interesting trekking peak in the Himalaya of Nepal
  • stunning view from Island Peak summit
  • all necessary equipment and climbing gears is included in our package
  • experienced and qualified Sherpa Climbing Guide during the climb
  • well managed and supported base camp and high camp with all the required logistics
  • Spend one night at Base Camp and one night at High Camp before summit push

Itinerary

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Day 1: Meeting at Chhukung, 4,710 m / 15,452 ft

Today, you will reach Chukung. You will enjoy the spectacular view of Island Peak on the trail. Our climbing guide will check all the climbing equipment when you reach Dingbuche or Chukung to make sure that you have everything you need for your safety and comfort.

    Today we trek to Island Peak Base Camp which takes 2 and half hour approx. The path climbs steeply toward the South and turns East following the valley along the moraine from the Lhotse glacier. We continue a short yet pleasant walk along the river side which leads to Big-Rock. From this point, a 40 minute climb will take us to Island Peak Base Camp. We set up tents at base camp for eating and staying overnight.

    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Camping

    Today, it is a very important day to acclimatize. After Breakfast, our Sherpa climbing guide will give you a short training on peak climbing techniques and using climbing gears such as ice axes, climbing boots and crampons, harnesses, ascenders and on how to go up and down using ropes, After Lunch, we head up the steep hillside towards the Island Peak High Camp, 5600m. At the beginning, the path is sandy but soon it turns rocky, before becoming boulder strewn. The slope arrows as you climb up the hill, entering a steep rock channel. 

    • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
    • Camping

    We have to start early in the morning to climb through the rock channel. Although it is not difficult, there are many short rock steps to be crossed before you come across the other side of the channel. Then the trail leads to the ridgeline where you traverse the snout of the summit glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses which leads with little difficulty to a 100m snow and ice slope (40-45°) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge will take you to the top. After enjoying the summit 6189m/ 20,305ft view, you will descend all the way to Chhukung.

    • Breakfast and Lunch

    Since we cannot guarantee favorable weather for the scheduled summit day, we have allowed an extra day in the schedule. If we are unable to summit the Island Peak on due to bad weather or some other reason, such as someone in the group having acclimatization problems, it is useful to have an extra day. If the trip goes smoothly, and we do not need this spare day, we will continue our return journey to Lukla.

    Note I: Our previous experience shows that two nights and three days program is sufficient to climb Island Peak. In case you would like to stay more than two nights and three days in Island Peak Base Camp, you have to pay additional USD 100 Per Person / per day.

      What's Included

      • Accommodation during Camping ; Meals during 2 Nights/ 3 Days camping (breakfast, lunch, dinner, juice, fruit, tea and coffee)
      • Certified Climbing Sherpa Guides (Nepal Mountaineering Association. Trained/License Holder).
      • All Logistics at Base campa and High Camp, all Camping Equipment required during the trek, sleeping tents/mattresses, kitchen tent, kitchen equipment
      • Climbing rope, Ice screws, Snow bar
      • Necessary staffs, porters and Team
      • Trek Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation.
      • Personal insurance for Nepalese staff.
      • Island Peak Climbing Permit
      • Island Peak climbing certificates issued from the respective body of Nepal Government
      • Spending a night at Island Peak Base Camp and a night at High Camp before your summit push
      • All required Personal and Group Climbing gears and Equipments

       

      Personal Climbing Gears includes:

      • Mountaineering Boots
      • Crampons
      • Harness
      • Ice Axe
      • 2 x Tape slings
      • 2 x Screwgate Karabiners
      • Descender / Abseil Device (Jumar)
      • Prussic Loops
      • Helmet
      • More about Personal Climbing Equipment and Gears

      What’s Excluded

      • Personal Travel Insurance of any kind.
      • Any expenses at the Tea House ( Chhukung)
      • Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu Airfare (can be arranged upon request)
      • Tips for guide, porters and driver (customary).
      • Any personal expenses not mentioned in above services.

      Departure Dates

      FromToStatusPrice  
      Start Date30 Mar, 2023End Date01 Apr, 2023AvailableUS$ 800

      Departure Note:

      Guaranteed- We already have trekkers booked for those dates and you can join the group.

      Available - The date is available to book and once you confirm your trip it will be guaranteed.

      Limited - The departure date is filling fast and only limited seats are available to join.

      Closed- The Trip cannot be booked on that specific date. Contact us for customized dates.
       

      The departure dates are your arrival dates in Nepal.


      We have set dates for departure to the Short Island Peak Climbing. So, pick your preferable date and let the adventure begin.

      If the date you prefer is not listed on our departure dates then you can contact us directly to book the trip on your own desired date.

      We have listed the price up to 08 trekkers at maximum. If you are more than 08 trekkers, then please feel free to contact us for amazing discounted group price and further booking process.

      Private Trips to Short Island Peak Climbing is possible. Contact us to design your own private trips with you loved ones.

      Solo Trips: Single trekkers are always welcome to join the climb. On your arrival at Kathmandu, you’ll have a single room in Kathmandu Hotel as per your requirement and have to share a room at the local teahouses during the trekking.

      Useful Info

      Island Peak Climbing Packing List:

      “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Alfred Wainwright

      Are you planning your dream trip to the Himalaya of Nepal? Make sure you have packed well for your hiking, trekking and climbing experiences in Nepal. The time period of your visit also determines your packing list. The best trekking seasons for beginning your Island Peak Climbing are spring and autumn. During these seasons, maximum flow of trekkers can be witnessed. Weather during spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November) are likely to be mild with clear blue sky and outstanding mountain views. But nights can get freezing cold at higher elevation. So, packing appropriate clothing, gear, and equipments for your Island Peak Expedition is a must for lifetime memorable trekking and climbing experience in Everest region of Nepal.

      A strategically way of packing will be keeping in mind that your stuffs will be packed in two bags. One will be the daypack that you carry every day on your trek. Pack your daypack as light as possible by carrying only the essentials so that you can relish your moments in wilderness freely. Pack anything you may need each day during your hike in your daypack. Other bag will be your duffle bag which will be carried by your Porter from the very beginning of your trek till the end.

       

      Upper Body:

      • Warm beanie hat
      • Tubular Headwear (buff)
      • Sun Hat or Cap (cap and buff all fit under your hood)
      • Polarized Sunglasses with UV protection
      • Headlamp (Black Diamond / Petzl) with spare batteries
      • Sunscreen with factor 50+
      • Upper Body (Core body):
      • 3 Light and trekking weight thermal tops
      • 3 T-shirts or cool-max trekking shirts
      • 1 Fleece Jacket or pull over (Merino, soft shell)
      • 1 Waterproof shell jacket with hood (lightweight, breathable)
      • 1 Down Jacket

      Lower Body:

      • 2 Thermal base layers (merino or polartec power dry)
      • 2 Pairs trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts.
      • 1 Heavy weight hiking trousers (wind proof soft shell for warmth at higher altitude)
      • 1 Waterproof/ Rain pants
      • 2 Light Hiking shorts
      • 2 Fleece Pants
      • 4 Under wears (merino)

      Hands:

      • 1 Lightweight gloves or liner gloves
      • 1 Pair shell gloves (Gore-Tex)
      • 1 Waterproof outer glove

      Feet:

      • 3 Warm Trekking socks (smart wool)
      • 3 Pairs of liner socks
      • 2 Pairs of thick/ warm socks
      • 2 Thick wool socks to wear at night in lodges
      • Trekking Boots (waterproof, ankle support with rigid sole)
      • Lightweight Rubber Shoes / Trainers / Trail Runner to wear at the Tea Houses

      Accessories:

      • 1 Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches) 40 - 50 Liters
      • 2 Water bottle or camel bag, 1-liter (one with an insulated cover is recommended)
      • Large duffle bag (and a lock as the porters will carry this)
      • A pair of adjustable Trekking Pole
      • Camera with extra battery
      • Sleeping bag (- 15 C depending upon trips)
      • Sleeping Bag liner
      • Ear Plugs
      • Portable Solar Charger
      • Smart Trekking Watch

      Personal First Aid Kit:

      Please do note that our trekking guides will be too carrying the first aid kit with them especially for the guests and the entire team as a whole. Still, we suggest the following items to be carried with you while trekking in the Himalaya of Nepal.

      • Personal Medication
      • Diarrhea Stopper (e.g. Imodium)
      • Paracetamol Tablets
      • Small Swiss Army knife (which has knife, scissors and tweezers)
      • Diamox for altitude (consult your doctor about this)
      • Water Purification tablets or drops
      • Blister kit / Zinc Tape
      • Hand Sanitizer
      • Dressing Gauze
      • Antibiotic Cream

      Client Reviews

      Island Peak Climbing Commitment

      - Smith, United States

      We recently hired AFTREKS to summit Island Peak … we summited and returned safe. 

      So by the most basic measure the trek was a success. Of course these trips are not only about the "what" but the "how". 

      The "front office" of this operation, in our case Ngima Nuru Sherpa, MD of AFTREKS, that liases with clients helping with planning and organizing the tour really does a very good job of attending to all your pre-trip enquiries and small important details. Very confidence inspiring and helpful indeed !! 

      The "back office" of this operation are your trekking guides in the hills who are basically freelancers who have been 100% paid in advance before your journey even begins. 

      Here there are the management issues and disconnect one might expect from remote staff. 

      I have traveled in Nepal before and have some decades of experience in the countries of SE Asia running businesses so I was careful to meticulously plan our journey and communicate our plans months in advance. Effectively I took on the management job of the trek which actually helped alot but didn't save us from every pitfall arising from ineffective communication/coordination between the "front and back office". 

      I note with interest the negative review below. I can completely understand how it happened. It didn't have though.

      Fellow trekkers, AFTREKS is a great little company that is growing and learning so, by all means, give them a chance. But also realize you have to prepare a bit more, plan a bit more, do a bit more and, most importantly, keep your wits about you while in the hands of "the back office" and run your trek the way you want ! 

      After our trek, we took Ngima and Tashi to a very nice lunch to just express exactly the above (with illustrative details) businessmen to businessmen so they can hopefully improve their operations from our feedback for future trekkers which may someday include us ! 

      The trekking business and the entire solu khumbu valley are changing very rapidly with such amazing access to the outside world via the internet. 

      Good hearted local operators like AFTREKS need to stay on their toes and keep improving their services to help their company thrive, help the region succeed and bring more satisfaction and understanding for the passionate tourists that visit this fantastic country.

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