13 Feb 2025 Nabin Baniya
Island Peak Himalayas Climbing: Everything You Need to Know
Overview
Island Peak, alternatively known as Imja Tse, is an exciting and foreboding sign of adventure for climbers all over the planet. The Island Peak, located in Nepal’s Everest district, is an exciting and foreboding icon with a mix of challenging routes and breathtaking beauty that is one of a kind. Island peak Himalayas climbing is recently the most loved and famous climbing adventure in the Everest region.
You can climb the mountain in a day without camping on its slopes because it has a simple path with few tough portions. Island Peak Climbing is a great place to begin your climbing journey.
Ascending fixed ropes, traversing crevasses, and arriving at a breathtaking summit ridge are all part of the actual climb. It frequently serves as a stepping stone for more complex Himalayan adventures or is paired with the Everest Base Camp trip.
Along with vistas of majestic peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, the trip includes a trek through the famous Khumbu Valley. Traditional Sherpa settlements and breathtaking mountain views may be seen along the path up to the Island Peak Base Camp.
Usually, the trip begins with a flight to Lukla, then a trek through Tengboche, Dingboche, Chhukung, and Namche Bazaar. The ascent combines difficult snow/ice climbing, glacier crossing, and walking.
Highlights of Island Peak Himalayas Climbing
- Opportunity to engage with the Sherpas, the most resilient mountain dwellers in the world.
- Technical portions that improve inexperienced climbers’ climbing abilities.
- Island Peak’s top provides unmatched 360-degree views of some of the most famous Himalayan peaks.
- Could see religious rituals and celebrations in the area.
- Landscapes that range from glacial mountains and rocky mountain routes to verdant woodlands and terraced farmland.
- See breathtaking sunrises across the Himalayas as they are illuminated by golden light from high camps and summits.
Permits for Island Peak climbing
Climbing the Island Peak is a goal shared by all mountain lovers. The Island Peak Himalayas is a popular destination for climbers each year. Permits are required as you must pass across several restricted areas.
Understanding the procedures required to get the required permits is crucial to ensuring a seamless experience. To go to the Island Peak, the trekkers must secure the three permits. Only expedition groups climbing with a certified firm are granted peak climbing permits, while solo trekkers are granted trekking permits.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
Sagarmatha National Park was created in 1976. In 1979, this national park was designated a Natural World Historic Site by UNESCO. Permits for Sagarmatha National Park are necessary if you intend to go to the Khumbu area of Nepal.
Monjo near the park’s entrance is the source of the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. Alternatively, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in Kathmandu can provide national park permission.
With the exception of nationals of SAARC nations, who pay NRP 1500, all trekkers must pay NRP 3000. Adults must pay a fee to enter Sagarmatha National Park; however, children under ten years old receive admission free of charge.
Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
Upon the decentralization of the nation in 2018, this new type of permission is required to be carried out while accessing the whole Khumbu area. This permission promotes infrastructure and local development initiatives, improving the well-being of the communities in which they are located.
This permission is available when you arrive in Lukla or Monjo. Trekkers can get this permit at Lukla or Monjo by paying Rs 2000 in Nepalese currency. Keep in mind that trekking from Jiri requires an extra permit.
Island Peak Climbing Permit
The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) is responsible for issuing island peak climbing permits. In addition to helping local communities, these fees aid in the management and conservation of the area’s natural resources.
The climbing permit costs USD 250 per climber in the spring and USD 125 in the autumn. In the winter and monsoon seasons, it costs just USD 70 per person. When submitting an application for an Island Peak climbing permit, you must have specific documentation.
The following documents are listed so that you can be ready in advance:
- Photos the size of a passport
- A copy of your passport
- Nepali rupees (NPR) to cover the permission fee
- Forms for applications
- Insurance for travel that covers helicopter evacuation
Why Island Peak Climbing?
Island Peak climb absorbs breathtaking vistas, including panoramic photographs of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse—a climb that opens out the grandeur of the Himalayas in its full glory. As you ascend, you will not only experience beauty but will observe that climbing through forests, rural communities, and alpine meadows forms a rich journey.
One of its greatest appeals is its ease of access. Several climbers use it as a warm-up for Everest Base Camp, and for that reason, it is an ideal alternative for climbers wishing to practice high-altitude climbing. It is a convenient climb for climbers preparing for a challenging climb.
Preparation for Island Peak Climbing
Island Peak preparation involves both mental and physical preparation. You should begin with cardiovascular exercise—running, hiking, and cycling work well—combined with strengthening training to develop your endurance level.
People should train for a minimum of three to six months of focused training to enhance their fitness level and their level of stamina. You will also want to practice your climb in anticipation of the trip.
Repeated practice in minor hills and with technical gear such as crampons and ice axes will make a significant confidence builder. Don’t overlook mental preparation: high-altitude climbs can require as much mental fortitude as fitness level.
Best season for Island peak climbing
You must familiarise yourself with the time of your trip so that you can make the most of it. Island Peak is best climbed in the spring and fall. Since Everest climbing and the spring climbing season overlap, you will probably run into a lot of expedition teams along the route.
In the spring, the weather is consistent and dry. During the day, the temperature fluctuates between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. When the rhododendron blossoms in the spring, the paths appear lovely.
You may observe the expansive vistas from the summit of Island Peak when the skies clear during this season. The fall season is by far the most popular period to climb the mountain in Nepal since the weather is usually clearer.
The weather during these fall months is almost equivalent to spring weather. You can almost bank yourself in knowing your best weather and climb will fall in these months, even when at times it can become crowded.
Difficulty of Island Peak Climbing
One of the greatest challenges in ascending Island Peak is its high elevation level. High-altitude sickness is a guaranteed danger, and acclimatization is a necessity. Nausea, headaches, and dizziness can arise when one climbs too high in a short period of time.
Island Peak is a friendly peak for novice climbers, but it entails basic techniques of mountaineering. There is a section of glacier in the climb, and it can become tiring and entails careful hiking.
You will have to trek for 6–8 hours a day in order to arrive at base camp. With its steep climbs, frigid temperatures, and high elevation, your mental and physical tolerance will be challenged. The temperature can fall below -20°C (-4°F) at night.
Island Peak Himalayas climbing FAQs
The ideal times for a climb are during the pre-monsoon (April-May) and post-monsoon (September-November) seasons. When the skies clear during these seasons, you can see the vast views from the top of Island Peak.
A few months of consistent cardiovascular and strengthening exercise will be effective; a reasonable level of fitness will be adequate.
Though it is possible, a guide is recommended for security, familiarity with the environment, and direction during the climb.
To accomplish the Island Peak climb successfully, the proper gear and equipment are essential. The following equipment and supplies are suggested for Island Peak climbing:
1. Boots for Hiking
2. Boots for climbing
3. Day pack or backpack
4. Sleeping bag (quality)
5. Headlamp
6. Sunglasses with a sun hat
7. Water bottles
8. windproof and water-resistant jacket
9. Trekking trousers
10. T-shirts
11. Proper gloves and inner layer
12: Baselayers & Bottoms layers
13. water and windproof trousers etc
Just across the ridge between Lhotse and Mount Everest lies Island Peak. You may trek through the Khumbu Valley to get there. To get to Dingboche village, you should trek the traditional route to Everest Base Camp.
It is advised to get travel insurance that covers medical care, liability, lost luggage, emergency evacuation, and injuries. Every activity you want to do while visiting Nepal must be covered by insurance.
Your degree of fitness, diet, cleanliness, frequency of exercise and workouts, immunity, and the way you prepare for the trip all influence how altitude sickness will react.
Ascend gradually while getting adequate rest and acclimatization, drinking enough water, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
There is no fixed counting but we can get the correct data from NMA if you like to know.
We can combine the Everest base camp trek and Everest high pass trek with island peak Himalayas climbing. some people also combine with the Gokyo Everest base camp trek whereas some people do just do climbing. we also can see people doing it by combining Loubecha Peak which is another popular and famous climbing peak in Everest.
Accommodation on Island Peak Himalayas Area
Accommodation in the Island Peak Himalayas area is not bad at all. We will be staying in tea houses until chhukung and we will be staying in tent accommodations on base camp. There are two kinds of accommodations in this area: tea house accommodations and tenting accommodations. More about the accommodations in the Island Peak Himalayas area is discussed below:
Tea house Accommodations
Kathmandu on arrival we will be providing a star hotel in Thamel and around Kathmandu. The hotel depends on your needs and we will supply according to your wish at an additional cost. we can provide 2-star, 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star hotels whichever you want to choose. when you start trekking you will be using tea houses along the way until Chukung village. the tea houses on the trek are of different quality and standards. Some of the tea houses have common rooms and some have very good rooms with attached bathrooms, showers, and electric blankets. We can get from USD 3 to USD 200 room for a night to stay. Magic Himalaya Treks company uses this teahouse during island peak climbing.
- Namaste Lodege in Lukla
- Trekkers lodge in Phakding
- Hotel 8848 in Namche
- Tashi Delek lodge in Tengboche.
- Hotel Good Luck in Dingboche.
- Chhukung Resort in chhukung
Tent Accommodations
When you go from Chuukung to the island peak base camp, our team make a tent ready for you and you will be staying in a tent. We have sleeping tents for clients and guides whereas there will be staff tens too. we cook in kitchen tents and serve food in the dining tents. we also set up a toilet tent a bit further from the kitchen and a sleeping tent. our tent accommodations at the Island Peak base camp are good in comparison to the Everest base camp.
Island peak Himalayas climbing Itinerary
Island peak Himalayas climbing can be done with different Itinerary. Magic Himalaya Tres is so flexible that you can customize its itinerary by doing it directly or with a combination of Everest base camp, Gokyo Everest base camp, and Everest three high passes. Here we have mentioned the itinerary in different ways, you can find out which one is suitable for you:
1. Island peak climbing directly
- Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1300m)
- Day 02: Preparation.
- Day 03: Fly Lukla (2880m) and Trek to Phakding (2652m)-3 hrs
- Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3444m)-6 hrs
- Day 05: Acclimatization Day in Namche.
- Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3860m)-6 hrs
- Day 07: Trek to Dingbochea (4243m)-4 hrs.
- Day 08: Dingbocha to Chhukung- 3 hrs.
- Day 09: Chhukung to Island peak base camp (5200m)-6hrs
- Day 10: Preparations Island peak base camp
- Day 11: Island peak summit (6189m) back to base camp
- Day 12: Island peak base camp to Dingboche
- Day 13: Dingbochea to Kyanjuma.
- Day 14: Kyanjuma to Monjo or Phakding
- Day 15: Trek to Lukla
- Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu
- Day 17: Final departure
2. Island peak climbing with Everest base camp
- Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1300m)
- Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation.
- Day 03: Fly Lukla(2880m) and Trek to Phakding (2652m)-3 hrs
- Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3444m)-6 hrs
- Day 05: Acclimatization Day in Namche.
- Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3860m)-6 hrs
- Day 07: Trek to Pheriche (4243m)-4 hrs.
- Day 08: Trek to Laubecha (4940m)-5 hrs
- Day 09: Laubecha to Gorekshep (5170m)-Everest base camp trek (5364m)-Back to Gorekshap-9 hrs.
- Day 10: Gorekshap-Kalapather (5550m)-Dingboche (4360m).8hrs
- Day 11: Dingboche to Chhukung- 3 hrs.
- Day 12: Chhukung to Island peak base camp (5200m)-6hrs
- Day 13: Preparations Island peak base camp
- Day 14: Island peak summit (6189m) back to Chhukung.
- Day 15: Chhukung to Tengboche-7 hrs-6hrs
- Day 16: Trek to Nemchabazar
- Day 17: Trek to Lukla-8hrs.
- Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu.
- Day 19: Rest day in Kathmandu.
- Day 20: Final Departure.
3. Island Peak climbing with Everest three-pass trek
- Day 1: Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1350m)
- Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2840 m) and trek to Phakding – 3 hours
- Day 3: Trek from Phakding (2610 meters) to Namche Bazaar – 5 hours
- Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
- Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar (3440m) to Thame (3820m)
- Day 6: Trek from Thame (3820m) to Marulung (4210m)
- Day 7: Trek from Marulung (4210m) to Lumde (4368m)
- Day 8: Trek from Lumde (4368m) to Gokyo (4790m) via Renjo La Pass (5360m)
- Day 9: Trek from Gokyo (4790m) to Dragnag (4750m)
- Day 10: Trek from Dragnag (4750m) to Dzongla (4830m) via Cho La Pass (5420m)
- Day 11: Trek from Dzongla (4830m) to Gorakshep (5140m)
- Day 12: Trek from Gorakshep (5140m) to Everest Base Camp (5364m) then Descend to Lobuche (4910m)
- Day 13: Trek from Lobuche (4910m) to Chhukung (4730m) via Kongma La Pass (5535m)
- Day 14: Chhukung to Island peak base camp (5200m)-6hrs
- Day15: Preparations Island peak base camp
- Day 16: Island peak summit (6189m) back to base camp
- Day 17: Island peak base camp to Chukung
- Day 18: Trek from Chhukung (4730m) to Tengboche (3860m)
- Day 19: Trek from Tengboche (3860m) to Monjo (2835m)
- Day 20: Trek from Monjo (2835m) to Lukla (2840m)
- Day 21: Flight Back from Lukla (2840m) to Kathmandu (1400m)
- Day 22: Final Departure
4. Island peak climbing with Gokyo Everest base camp Trek
- Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel/ welcome dinner
- Day 02: A Day at Kathmandu for sightseeing and trek preparation.
- Day 03: Early fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2640m)
- Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazar (3440m)
- Day 05: Acclimatization day.
- Day 06: Trek to Phortse Thanga (3600m)
- Day 07: Trek to Machhermo (4410m)
- Day 08: Trek to Gokyo (4750m)
- Day 09: Hike to Gokyo Ri (4750m)
- Day 10: Hike to Nyimagawa (5050m)
- Day 11: Trek to Dzongla (4840m) passing Cho la pass (5420m)
- Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4910m)
- Day 13: Trek to Everest base camp (5364m) and back to Gorakshep (5140m)
- Day 14: Hike to Kalapather and trek down to Dingboche
- Day 15: Dingbocha to Chhukung- 3 hrs.
- Day 16: Chhukung to Island peak base camp (5200m)-6hrs
- Day 17: Preparations Island peak base camp
- Day 18: Island peak summit (6189m) back to base camp
- Day 19: Island peak base camp to Dingboche
- Day 20: Dingbochea to Kyanjuma.
- Day 21: Kyanjuma to Monjo or Phakding
- Day 22: Trek to Lukla
- Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu
- Day 24: Final departure
Conclusion:
Island peak Himalayas climbing is the best thing to do with a bit of challenge. Magic Himalaya Treks is there to help you with any service you want to do. We are well known for trekking for service with safety in Nepal. Come join us for the trip of a lifetime.
Nabin is a seasoned trekking and hiking guide, and the proud operator of Magic Himalaya Treks, Nepal’s premier company for Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek, and other thrilling adventures. With a wealth of experiences and valuable insights, Nabin’s website offers comprehensive information on trekking in Nepal.
