Island Peak Himalayan Expedition April 6-26, 2009
Minimum Age: 21
Cost: $3,195 + international airfare
On this 21 day expedition you will explore the heart and soul of the Himalayas. Our goal is to summit the 20,305 foot Island Peak, located just south of Mt. Everest. This trip will be professionally guided through a private Nepali guiding company. A climbing resume and prior alpine experience is required.
The following itinerary was written by Jagat Llama the director of Independent Trekking:
Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley & preparation for the next day's trip.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Lukla (2860m) - We will fly in the morning for 45 minutes then commence trek to Phakding (2600m) - 4 hours
After a very early start and an early take off from Kathmandu Domestic Airport, a 45-minute flight propels us into the Everest region of Nepal. The landing at Lukla (2800m) is spectacular and on arrival you will be greeted by the trekking crew who will organize the luggage and hustle you off for tea. After a leisurely lunch you will start the trek in earnest, setting off for a gentle walk to Phakding (2800m), 3 hours to the north. The trail leads through Lukla, past hotels, shops and airline offices to the edge of the Lukla plateau where the trail drops to meet the intersection of the Jiri trail at Chheplung. From here the trail follows the Dudh Kosi north through the village of Ghat and then finally to Phakding where you will spend the night.
Day 04: Phakding - Namche Bazar (3446m) - 6½ hours
From Phakding the trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi Valley, staying 100m above the river on it's west bank. The trail leads to Jorsale (2810m) where you enter the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. From here you will continue on an ever-steeping trail to Namche Bazaar (3446m), known simply as Namche. En route you have cross the spectacular suspension bridge high above the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and the Dudh Kosi, and shortly after that you will glimpse your first view of Everest, way off to the northeast. The trail to Namche is steep and long, but eventually you will reach the remarkable Sherpa capital perched high on the hillside and dominated to the east by the immense bulk of Kwangde (6187m).
Day 05: Namche Bazar, one-day rest for acclimatization. Acclimatization is important before trekking higher, and this is a scheduled stop, which will allow you to gradually become used to the effects of altitude - the lower pressure and the thinner air. You can spend the day by taking a side trip to Thami or Khumjung, by visiting the National Park Visitor Center on the hill above Namche or by simply resting and browsing in the shops in the town. Namche is a fascinating place simply to 'hang out' and take in the culture of the mountains, from the trading of visiting Tibetans to the stories of departing mountaineers.
Day 06: Namche Dole (4040m.) 6 hours
This is the easy day, slight climb and explore with hundreds of massive views of the Peaks.
Day 07: Dole Machhermo (4410m.) 5 hours
Day 08: Machhermo Gokyo (4750m.) 5 hours
To day we will enter the Gokyo valley and see clean and beautiful lakes with so many ice-filled peaks around your eyes. It doesn't seem hard because of the massive beauty and romantic valley surrounding us.
Day 09: Early in the morning we leave to see the sunrise and view from Gokyo Ri. The top view point is 5430m, then we head back to the Hotel to have breakfast before we start to move for the next sightseeing trip. We spend an extra day for acclimatization and we can explore the rest of the valley on this day.
Day 10: Gokyo - Thangna (4985m) 3 ½ hrs
Today we have to walk on Glacier trail to reach base of Chola Pass. We have short walk today to prepare for the longer walk tomorrow.
Day 11: Thangna Chola Pass ( 5420) and down to Dzanglha (4843m.) 7 ½ hrs
It is challenging day to cross the pass and it will be the first day at higher altitude for us. But, the benefit is that it will be great practice for Island Peak climb.
Day 11: Dzanglha Lobuche (4930m.) 3 ½ hrs for lunch and we head directly up to Gorakhshep (5200m) another 3 ½ hrs.
Day 12: We will start early in the morning to get Kalapattar. This is the place from where you can see the panorama view of Everest and the view of all 360 degrees of Himalayan ranges and see Nepal's longest glacier; the Khumbu. This is a tremendous sight of the Khumbu Icefall as we stand at the bottom of snowy Pumori at the altitude of 5600m.
When we return from Kala patter we will eat lunch and start our trip to Everest Base Camp. This is a tiring hike through the turnings of ice, rocks and sand. EBC is a wonderful place to touch the ice from the world's highest peak.
Day 13: Gorakhshep - Lobuche 3 hrs downhill. We will have a lunch break and then will head to Dingboche total 6 ½ hours.
Day 14: Dingboche Chhukung (4730m) 3 hrs. It is a kind of rest day because, we walk slowly 2 to 3 hrs and make camp at Chhukung. This day the crews will prepare our necessary camping gear, food, tents and all other necessary equipment for the climb. We will begin our tent trip for the nights we climb Island Peak.
Day 15: Chhukung Imja Tse (Island Peak) Base Camp (5087m.) 5 ½ hours
Today we have to sleep in tents in preparation for the next day climb. Your Climbing Guide will teach you some technical skills (for those who don't have skills) the use of ropes, and other gear during your climb.
Day 16: Early in the morning, we will leave for the Island Peak summit (view) and will be back to sleep in Chhukung this evening. Depending on our time we can make some changes to the climbing schedule.
Day 17: Chhukkung Tengboche (3867m.) 5 ½ hour and spend some time to look around world famous monastery and museum.
Day 18: Tengboche Namche 5 hours
Day 19: Namche Phakding 4 hours
Day 20: Phakding Lukla 5 hours
Day 21: Fly back to Kathmnandu and transfer to your Hotel.
