Island Peak Climb and Everest Base Camp

Island Peak was named by Eric Shipton, British mountaineer and explorer, who described it as an Island in a sea of ice. Island Peak, known to the Sherpas as Imja Tse, is the ideal first Himalayan climb and a wonderful experience to climb over 20,000 ft. Basic mountaineering experience such as glacier travel, ice-axe arrest, use of ascender and rapelling are REQUIRED for participation. Mountaineering skills will be revised by our climbing Sherpas prior to your climb.

Towering Himalayan peaks from Everest to Amadablam, from Lhotse to Thamserku - on this trip you will be surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world. After a day of exploring the temples, stupas and palaces of Kathmandu, you will take a 25-minute flight to Lukla. Trek through Sherpa villages of Namche and Pangboche to the Everest Base Camp. The first challenge is the climb of Kala Pathar (literally, black rock) at 18,195 ft. Then descend to the Imja Valley, establish base camp and high camp, and attempt to summit Imja Tse. Return to Lukla via Khumjung, one of the largest Sherpa villages and site of the famous Khunde Hospital and the Khumjung school, both legacies of Sir Edmund Hillary.

Our Nepal and Tibet treks and climbs are operated by our sister company based in Nepal - Crystal Mountain Treks - managed by our founder's family. Crystal Mountain Treks has been in business for over two decades and employs only the best guides with a minimum of 15 years experience. We treat our staff with the utmost care and respect. Each staff member is provided high-quality equipment and paid higher-than-average wages. Our clients have commented that our treks provide a better value (we provide more for less) than other companies they researched, comparing services, quality and price. We are happy to provide references of people who have journeyed with us in the past upon request.

Highlights

• Explore monasteries and palaces in the Kathmandu valley for two full days.
• Visit Sherpa villages including the famous Namche village.
• Enjoy daily views of some of the highest mountains on earth including Everest - the highest of them all.
• Bag your first (or second) 20,000ft.+ Himalayan peak.

Day 01 - Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu
Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house city guide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in Nepal. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum. Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Phakding (8,700 ft.)
Early morning flight to Lukla. The short flight is around 25 minutes long. At Lukla, you will meet your porters and other trek staff. After a quick breakfast at a lodge, begin trekking. Today’s trek to Phakding is fairly level. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 04 - Phakding to Namche (11,270 ft.)
Today you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monju. A little past Jorsalle, begins the grueling climb to the largest Sherpa village of Namche. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 05 - Namche acclimatization day
Rest or hike through town. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 06 - Namche to Tengboche (12,900 ft.)
Descend to Phunki Tenga. After lunch, it is all uphill to Tenboche monastery. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 07 - Tengboche to Feriche (13,950 ft.)
From today, you will start to notice the change in the landscape. Forests give way to arid landscape with shrubs. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 08 - Feriche acclimatization day
Additional day at Feriche for acclimatization. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 09 - Feriche to Lobuche (16,200 ft.)
Today is a long day involving a steep ascent to Dughla and a more gradual ascent to Lobuche. Climb directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier into an area dedicated to climbers who have perished on Khumbu's mountains. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 10 - Lobuche to Gorakshep (17,500 ft.)
A short hike to Gorakshep. Begin the climb today by ascending gently through high altitude meadows. Then cross several steep moraines while also walking on an active glacier. Gorakshep is situated on a sandy flat that served as base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. Optional hike to the Everest Base camp. Return to lodge at Gorakshep. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 11 - Gorakshep to Lobuche (16,200 ft.)
Trek to Kalapathar (18,195 ft.). The steep ascent to the top of Kalapathar can take up to 3 hours or more but the view from here is one you are unlikely to forget. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 12 - Lobuche to Chukkung (15,100 ft.)
Descend to Dughla and and take the high route over Feriche to Chukkung. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 13 - Chukkung (15,100 ft.)
Another rest day. Optionally you may climb Chukkung Ri . Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 14 - Chukkung to Island Peak Base Camp (16,200 ft.)
Short two-hour hike to Island Peak Base Camp. From today, we will be sleeping in tents for the ascent of Imja Tse. Overnight tents. (All meals)

Day 15, 16 and 17 - High camp and summit
Hike to high camp at 17,100 ft. and start out early to reach the summit of Island Peak (20,300 ft.). A contingency day is included in case of weather problems. Overnight tents. (All meals)

Day 18, 19, 20 and 21  - Descend to Lukla
Descend to Lukla via Pangboche, Khumjung and Monjo. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 22 - Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Day free. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Breakfast)

Day 23 - Kathmandu
Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. Visit Swayambhunath and Bhaktapur Durbar Sqare. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. Farewell dinner celebrations. (All meals)

Day 24 - Final departure
Transfer to airport for final departure. (Breakfast)

Per person Price - 2012

2 - 4 persons: $3,195 USD per person
5 or more persons: $2,945 USD per person
Single Supplement: $200 USD

Per person Price - 2013

2 - 4 persons: $3,395 USD per person
5 or more persons: $3,145 USD per person
Single Supplement: $250 USD

Add $250 USD per person for private departures (for two or more participants; no additional charge for private groups of 4 or more.)

Price includes:

• Expert pre-trip advice and detailed information
• Motivated, well-cared-for staff
• All airport transfers
• Two full days sightseeing in Kathmandu as indicated in the itinerary and entrance fees to monuments.
• 4 nights twin sharing hotel accommodation at Hotel Tibet (3 star) in Kathmandu.
• Round trip airfare: Kathmandu to Lukla
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Lodge trekking as indicated in the itinerary
  
  • Three meals a day
  • Boiled water for your bottles three times a day
  • Guide and staff wages, equipment and meals
  • Guide and staff insurance
• Tents and camping equipment for the climb portion of trek
• Group climbing gear: Main ropes, snow pickets etc.
• Sagarmatha National Park Fee
• Gamow Bag (High altitude pressure chamber)

Price does not include:

• Your international airfare
• Nepal Visa
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal equipment (a suggested list will be mailed to you)
• Travel insurance (Required)
• Other expenses of a personal nature

2012 Dates (24 days, 23 nights):

October 08 - 31, 2012	AVAILABLE
October 22 - November 14, 2012	AVAILABLE
November 05 - 28, 2012	AVAILABLE

2013 Dates (24 days, 23 nights):

April 22 - May 15, 2013	AVAILABLE
May 20 - June 12, 2013	AVAILABLE
October 07 - 30, 2013	AVAILABLE
October 21 - November 13, 2013	AVAILABLE
November 04 - 27, 2013	AVAILABLE

Cannot find a departure that fits your schedule? No problem. Contact us for private departures (two or more participants) for a date of your choosing. For private departures, add US$ 250 per person to advertised trip price; no additional charge for groups of 4 or more.

Available:

Book this trip now as spaces are available.

Guaranteed:

This trip has the minimum sign ups required and is guaranteed to run.

Limited Availability:

Limited spaces are available so please contact us to inquire about the departure status.

Full:

This date is unavailable. please contact us to inquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as part of a Custom Itinerary.

Step 1: Contact Us
Contact us at 1-888-586-7750 or email to confirm availability for your preferred travel dates.

Step 2: Send Deposit and Registration Information
Make a copy of the photo page of your passport. If your trip involves a trek in Nepal, email or send us a passport-sized color photo. Mail a check for $500 per person for Nepal Treks or $1,000 for other journeys (non-refundable deposit), passport copy, photo and completed reservation form.

Our mailing address is:
Grand Asian Journeys
PO Box 608
Indianola, WA 98342
USA

Once we receive your payment and documents we will send you additional details of your trip including travel details, VISA information, packing list, specific trip information and insurance options.

If you are traveling to Bhutan, we are required to book your airfare so an additional payment will be required. Contact us for details.

Cancelation Policy

If you cancel:

• More than 60 days prior to departure; deposit is forfeited, the remainder is refunded
• 60 to 30 days prior to departure, 50% of tour cost subject to refund
• No refunds will be provided for any unused services or cancellations made within 30 days prior to departure