P.O. Box 446, Bartlett, NH 03812 USA
Telephone 603/374-2438
Fax/Voicemail 413/280-0083
E-mail: info@adventuroustrekker.com

Island Peak (20,192 ft.)
Non-Technical Hike up Kala Pattar (18,200-ft) for acclimatization
4 Nights in Kathmandu
18 Days Trekking (3 Days of this will be climbing)
NEPAL

The name Island Peak (20,192 ft.) was given to this mountain in 1952 by Eric Shipton's party. They were on their way to explore the Barun Gorge. Seen from above Dingboche, the mountain does indeed resemble an island in a sea of ice. In 1983, Island Peak was renamed Imja Tse; although for most people, the descriptive name of Island Peak seems to have been retained. The mountain was first climbed in 1953 by a very prestigious team in preparation for the ascent of Everest. The team members were; Charles Evans, Alf Gregory, Charles Wylie and Tenzing Norgay, with seven Sherpas.

This climb offers a moderately adventurous climbing experience, with ample time for acclimatization due to our pre-climb hike to Everest Base Camp and climb of Kala Pattar (18,200 ft.).

All trips to Nepal start in the capital city, Kathmandu. Waiting at the airport for your arrival will be one of our friendly Nepalese staff members. You will be taken to the Thamel District where you'll be checked into one of the many comfortable hotels. After check-in you'll be shown around and a welcome dinner will be planned to get everyone acquainted before the real adventure begins. During your stay in Kathmandu, a guided city tour will be planned and you'll have some free time just to shop and check out life in this magical city.

During our journey, it is likely that we will be traveling alongside world-class climbers on their way to scale the highest mountain in the world. While visiting base camp, you'll have the opportunity to hike up Kala Pattar (18,200 ft.), where many of the finest photos of Mount Everest have been taken. On the way, we'll stay two nights in the village of Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. Namche is considered the trading center for the Khumbu region and every Saturday people walk from miles away (and even from Tibet) to sell their wares here. This is also the hub onto which each trail converges, so yaks and people compete for space in this amphitheater style city.

Next, we hike to Tengboche, home of the famous Tengboche Buddhist monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. The monastery sits in a meadow clearing with mountains surrounding it, a fitting place for such a spiritual gathering place. In the morning you will awaken to the sounds of horns blowing, calling the monks to worship.

Along the way, we'll visit many of the other villages and Sherpa people that live in the Khumbu region, until reaching Everest Base Camp. Once at Gorak Shep, the last village before taking the 6-hour round trip hike to Base Camp, we'll take a rest day, and very early before sunrise we can hike to the top of Kala Pattar (18,200 ft) to watch the sun rise over Mount Everest.

Once finished with the acclimatization stage of our trip, we head back downhill to Dingboche then up the valley to Chhukung. This will be our staging area before we set up base camp for our climb. Early in the morning we will head to Island Peak's base camp in a rocky moraine. If conditions are right, we might move up to advanced base camp, but this isn't necessary to be successful on this climb. On summit day, a very early start (3am) is needed to reach the summit before any clouds arrive to block the incredible view. Once the climb is finished, everyone will return to Chhukung for the night.

After our climb, we'll head back to Namche then onto Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu. Once back in Kathmandu, you will have one full day to gift shop or take in some last minute sights.

On departure day, our staff will escort everyone back to the airport for his or her flight home.

Trek Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
This trip is strenuous due to the high altitudes reached, (average altitude 11,000 ft.) Most people experience little or no affects from the altitude except requiring a slower pace. You will be hiking for 6 - 7 hours each day, over varied & rocky terrain. The pace is moderate, with encouraged rest stops along the way. You should be in good health and fitness to enjoy this trek.

Difficulty of the climb:
Island Peak is considered a "trekking peak," which means the climb doesn't involve a lengthy expedition, but will involve 3 days of camping on the glacier below the summit. Fitness will be key to your success, along with basic mountaineering skills. If you're a strong hiker and have used an ice axe and have done some rock climbing, you shouldn't have much trouble with this climb.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Why you should climb Island Peak with
The Adventurous Trekker:

1. Unlike most of our competitors, we allow you enough time to acclimatize fully for this climb.

2. Our climbing Sherpas are professionals, having climbed most major peaks in Nepal, including Island Peak, many times.

3. We spend more time getting you ready, both mentally and physically, for the climb.

4. We carry the latest in high altitude safety equipment.

5. We pay our staff fair wages, almost always higher than our competitors, and make sure they have appropriate clothing for the area we're traveling to. We adhere to the pay scale and treatment standards set up by the nonprofit watchdog group, Porters Progress.

6. Each group is equipped with a state of the art water purifier, instead of taking the chance with boiled water.

7. Our pricing is inclusive, that means you pay one price which includes virtually everything (exceptions are on the "What isn't Included" list).

8. We can arrange discounted international airfare at no extra charge.

9. The right staff can make all the difference. Our staff is dedicated and has been working with us for the last eight years. Our guides are highly trained and understand western standards and needs. All our guides have been trained and certified as professional guides by the Nepalese Government.

10. Safety is our first concern. That is why we keep our group sizes small, so no one is overlooked if they're not feeling their best. We also bring enough staff along to assure that if you're not feeling well you'll still be taken care of by a highly trained person – one who will be assigned to you presonally. We never leave our members behind during a trek, but instead try to meet them on the return or have them catch back up to us when they're feeling better. You will never be left alone and unattended on an Adventurous Trekker trek or climb.