Everest Base Camp and Island Peak climbing

On a surface note, the Everest Base camp with Island peak climbing will begin from the famous Lukla airport. You ought to catch a flight back from Kathmandu to land at Lukla. You will start your trek from Lukla by heading toward a place called Phakding.

After a night’s stay at Phakding, you will head to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest. Namche Bazaar is a popular tourist destination not only due to its proximity to Everest but also its culture. After arriving at Namche, you spend another day exploring Namche and Syanbohe and acclimate. The following day you head to a place called Tengboche with an uphill hike from Namche.

You will then head towards the village of Periche, passing through the hamlet of Dingboche. You will spend another day for acclimatization here in Periche before leaving for Lobuche the next day. From Lobuche, you will hike uphill to the first main destination of the trip at Everest Base Camp, passing Gorak Shep. After a visit to the Everest base camp, you will return to Gorak shep to sleep.

The next day you then head for Kalapatthar viewpoint and trek to the night’s destination at Lobuche. From Lobuche, you continue your journey to reach the Island peak through Chukkung. The next day you will reach Island peak base camp from Chukkung and stay in tents for the night.

The following day you will trek towards the high camp of the mountain and prepare for your climb. You will also rest for the day to accommodate the high altitude. After that, you will finally ascend to the top of Island peak, then descend back to base camp. You will be taken back to Lukla on a short helicopter flight from base camp. Your Everest Base Camp Island peak itinerary ends with another flight taking you back to Kathmandu from Lukla.

Such a unique and interesting itinerary brought by Life Himalaya trekking comes with a great deal. Let us show you more of what we have to offer.

Suitability of the Everest Base Camp with Island Peak climbing around the year

Trekking within the foothills of mountains or mountain expeditions in Nepal is always the most convenient during spring and autumn. These seasons fall from April to May and September to November, respectively. These seasons’ dry and temperate climate is among the many reasons for their suitability. Treks and expeditions are also possible in monsoon and winter but are not recommended. Let us go into this in detail.

Spring

Spring in Nepal lasts from April to May, bringing a quaint and temperate climate. The landscapes get more vibrant due to the clear blue sky, giving you immaculate views. The season’s vegetation becomes vibrant green, the flowers bloom, and wildlife gets more active. Trekking the remote trails of Nepal will be the best due to these reasons.

The chances of rainfall or snowfall are also at a minimum during these seasons, making for a hassle-free trek. Moreover, Nepal’s near year lies in the month of April, which makes for a festive environment. The spring season also brings in a lot of trekkers worldwide to Nepal and is a good time to socialize.

Monsoon

The monsoon or summer months of June, July, and August makes for a very uncomfortable trip. The weather will be very hot and humid, and trekking or mountain climbing is very inconvenient this time. You will find insects and infectious animals during the trek. Along with that, the monsoon rains make the trails very slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.

The monsoon treks might also be hampered by closing off of lodging business during the off-season since spring and autumn are considered trekking seasons. So, business close during monsoon or winter due to a lack of customers. Finding accommodation will also be a struggle this time.

Autumn

Autumn, like spring, is Nepal’s peak trekking and climbing season. It also has very favorable temperate weather with fewer chances of rain and snowfall. With the monsoon rain just gone, the skies will be clear and blue resulting in beautiful landscapes.

Although the nighttime temperature might get a little cold, the daytime trekking temperature is very suitable. Autumn also brings festivals of Dashain and Tihar in Nepal and a joyous environment. The Sherpa settlement of the Khumbu region celebrates the Mani Rumde festival during autumn. The Tengboche monastery has a huge celebration to commemorate the festival. Hence doing the Everest Base Camp and Island peak trek during this season is a great idea.

Winter

Winter brings the harshest climate in the Himalayan trails of Nepal. So it would be no different for the Everest region to have such a climate during winter. Winter falls during the months of December to February in Nepal. These months have a freezing climate with temperatures almost always below negative degree celsius.

The trails will be very slippery, and the chances of snowstorms and avalanches will increase. Although the Island peak climbing is very simple, snowfall and slippery rocks might make it difficult. Moreover, the winter season again closes down tea houses making accommodation facilities difficult.

Accommodations and food are available on the Everest Base camp and Island peak

Accommodation and food facilities vary based on the place you are traveling to. The same applies to your Everest Base Camp Island peak trek. The lower altitude regions have hotels and lodges with comfortable beds and attached bathrooms. A wide range of food is also available in the lower region’s lodges and hotels. However, since the transportation facilities in remote areas are scarce, the resources there are also limited.

The higher altitude region’s primary mode of accommodation is local tea houses. They provide you with twin bedrooms and communal restrooms. Communal dining halls are there in every tea house where trekkers sit together, dine and socialize.

The most common food served on the Nepali trekking trail is “daal bhaat tarkari.” It is basically a meal consisting of rice, lentils, and vegetable curry with pickles. You might also get the Nepali delicacy mo:mo: a dumpling served with a spicy sauce called achaar. Chowmein is also another popular food found in lodges and tea houses of Nepal. The food will be quite hygienic and fuel you with enough energy required for your hikes.

We will spend two nights in the tented camp at Island peak base camp. And our crew will make the basic food for our travelers. Porter will carry the necessary gadgets and food for camping.

The Difficulty Level of the Everest Base Camp Trek and Island Peak Climbing

The difficulty level of the trip can be broken down into two phases, the trekking, and the climbing phases. The trekking part of the journey is moderately difficult and quite suitable for novices too. Trekking any mountain trail is an exhausting task, but despite that, the trek is still doable.

Among the four levels of trekking difficulty grades, EBC trek falls under grade three level difficulty. Meaning it falls among the second most strenuous category of a trek, mainly due to walks to high-altitude places. Such a high degree of difficulty can be mitigated by planning the trek in the appropriate season.

On the other hand, the climbing of the Island peak needs to be seen from a different lens. As per the French grade of climbing difficulty, the Island peak climb falls under the PD+ category. In other words, it has minute problems and is moderately difficult. The expedition requires a climb from the regular southeast climbing route. After a strenuous trek from Lukla to base camp, only you can start the expedition.
The act of both climbing and pre-trekking should be in mind while evaluating the difficulty of the Island peak expedition. Although moderately difficult, you do not need to fret about it. Your success in climbing mostly depends on your mental attitude, physical preparation, material preparation, and proper planning.

Risk factors of the Everest Base Camp and Island Peak climbing

Altitude sickness

Our trek and peak climbing require travel to very high altitude places, this will increase the likelihood of cases of altitude sickness. Altitude sickness’ primary symptoms start from an altitude of 3000 meters above. They resemble flu-like symptoms like nausea, headache, blurred vision, etc. This is also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and can happen in the lower altitude part of our trek.

The further up we go on our trek, altitude sickness could take a more dangerous turn and result in conditions like HAPE and HACE. HAPE and HACE are worse forms of altitude sickness resulting from the fluid secretion in the lungs and brain. Altitude sickness could quickly turn from being a minute manageable condition to life-threatening and so being cautious about it is very necessary.

We have separated days for acclimatization in order to mitigate altitude sickness risks. Our professional guides are also present to help you with the possible occurrence of such a condition. Moreover, for your own safety, we suggest you hydrate yourself to prevent the likelihood of altitude sickness. Avoiding caffeinated drinks and sleeping pills is also essential to mitigate their risks.

The Technical mountain climb

Climbing a mountain might be a very intimidating thing to pursue. The bizarre PD+ category of mountain climbing will add to this intimidation. Moreover, mountain climbing requires passing through various glacial moraines. This also expedition requires you to do the Island peak climb with Everest Base camp trek beforehand. To summit the Island peak, you will have to face many crevasses and harsh trails too.

However, despite these worries, our team will guide you well enough to summit the mountain successfully. Our professional guides take care of all your fears and questions about the climb. Climbing the mountain requires technical types of equipment like ice axes, crampons, and fixed ropes. You need to get these types of equipment for your expedition, but do not fret if you cannot use them. Our team will give you pre-climbing lessons on the use of equipment and climbing training.

Risks brought by weather

The Himalayan trails of Nepal are notorious for having very unstable weather. These risks occur mostly during off-season trek but could persist any time of the year. Unstable weather in the Himalayas causes weather issues like snowstorms. Snowstorms could cause risks of avalanches and risk life-threatening dangers. Freezing cold due to such occurrences could cause health hazards like frostbite or worse cases of HAPE or HACE.

Similarly, there are risks of crevasse openings and slippery trails in warmer climates due to melted snow or rainfall. These risks could result in accidents or falls and cause grave injury. So risks brought due to weather are very persistent in the Khumbu region.

Hence, planning your Everest base camp and Island peak climbing during the proper time of the year is essential. Only a trek in a suitable season will give you stable weather and good trekking conditions.

Long walks and walking hour

The Everest base camp and Island peak trek is a long journey. You need to walk at least 3 to 4 hours minimum every day to finish your trip. The walk will not be as smooth as on plain land. You need to go through many steep trails and gain altitude. There will be many glaciers, crevasses, uneven trails, and slippery slopes along the way. Doing this for almost two weeks will be very tiring.

Most EBC treks combined with Island peak climbing have a very long itinerary, at least 15 days’ worth. But for convenience, we have curated a package that covers this trip in less than 14 days. We cut our trekking days short by returning back through a helicopter flight to Lukla. The trekking and climb will be exhausting to some extent, but our package is a great alternative to the regular over 18 days long trek.

Things to consider for the Everest Base Camp and Island Peak climbing

Permits required

Nepal’s remote Himalayan trail treks almost always require certain permits for foreigners. Our trip to Everest Base Camp with Island peak climbing will require two particular permits. They are Pasang Lhamu rural area permit as well as Sagarmatha National park permit. These permits are imposed in order to allow the region to prosper. The money collected through permits allows pasang Lhamu municipality and the protected area of the national park to prosper.

The Pasang Lhamu rural area permit is a permit imposed for the economic benefit of the municipality. The permit for this costs around USD 20 per person for a week. This cost applies for the first four weeks of travel within the area and increases to USD 25 per person per week.

The Sagarmatha National Park permit is simply an entry permit for the conserved Sagarmatha national park region. It costs around USD 30 per person.

Obtaining these permits is very simple. You can get them typically on Lukla, where you can find an office that issues these two permits. If you do not obtain it from Lukla, you can also get on in Monjo at the Sagarmatha National park’s counter.

Guides and Porters

Having professional guides and porters during your travel to remote trails is essential. If you have guides and porters with you, there is less chance of getting stranded. Guides and porters will be great company for you throughout your trip.
Professional guides help you learn about the history and nature of your travel destination. They are also an essential part of the mountain expedition part of our trip. Guides will be very helpful in fixing your tents and equipment in the high-altitude part of the trek.

Porters mostly help you carry your luggage throughout the trek. They carry a maximum of 20kg-25kg worth of luggage for you. Having someone help you with heavy luggage during such a long and jarring trek will be a great relief.

Travel insurances

It is always clever to get travel insurance while traveling to remote places in a foreign country. Insurances cover various injuries, illnesses, and accidents throughout your combined trip to climb the Island peak Everest base camp trek.

There are many risks to traveling on remote Himalayan trails, especially in high-altitude places. Getting stranded or being a victim of disaster or health hazards needs immediate rescue. Rescues through helicopters are also available in the Everest trails but will cost you a fortune. Getting travel insurance will cover such potential needs. But you cannot get such insurance after landing in Nepal and need to acquire it beforehand in your home country.

Cost of the Everest Base Camp and Island Peak climbing

Primary cost

When you consider the price of the package for this trip, you need to account for various factors. A package will cover various essential elements of the trip like accommodation, food, permits, guides, porters, transportation, etc. The trip costs range from around USD 2000 to USD 2500. The package we propose, however, will cost you a reasonable amount of USD #

Although we cover your trip’s fundamental needs, you need to carry extra cash for miscellaneous expenses.

Miscellaneous expenses cost

The wifi facilities in remote trails might not be good, so you might need to get an internet data packet. There are two popular choices, Ncell and NTC, for it. A SIM card will cost you around USD 2. A data package for the whole trip will cost you around USD 10.

Again the remote trails might not have the best electricity facilities. So, you have to buy a solar battery charger or power bank. You might also get electricity or use generators at lodges by paying a few dollars.

There are no water heating systems on the trail’s outlying areas. You can get a bucket of heated water in the firewood if you want to have a warm bath or need hot water. But this will cost additional money of around USD 2 to USD 3.

Local monasteries and charities expect you to make donations. You can carry extra cash as per your wish to donate to them too.

Our package will cover the daily expenses of guides, porters, and lodges. But they also expect you to tip a little for their service. You can tip around USD 10 for your guides, porters, and service staff at lodges per day. Accommodating trekkers on harsh trails of the Himalayas with scarce resources is tough. Tipping workers throughout the trek would be a very wise decision.

You might want to buy gifts and souvenirs for friends and families. Money for such has to go out of your pocket as per your wish.

We will cover every meal of the trip but if you wish to visit pubs and restaurants in Namche, bring cash on your own. Namche offers you many up-and-coming restaurants and pubs, you don’t want to miss it.

Essentials for your trip

Types of equipment needed for climbing

• Ice Axe
• Waist leash
• Accessory cord
• Ascender
• Microspikes
• Climbing harness
• Two locking carabiners
• Standard carabiners
• Belay device
• Crampons

Garments required

• Breathable, comfortable pants
• Insulated synthetic Pants
• Base layer bottom
• Long sleeve cotton shirt
• Breathable jacket
• Non-insulated pants
• Non-insulated jacket
• Midlayer top

Footwears required

• Gaiters
• Synthetic
• Woolen socks
• Double boots
• Liner socks
• Light trekking shoes
• Handwear for cold climate
• Liner gloves
• Insulated gloves
• Midweight gloves
• Expedition mittens

Headwear

• Buff
• Woolen hat
• Sun Hat
• Ski Goggles
• Glacier Glasses
• Headlamp

Miscellaneous items

• Camera
• Solar power bank
• Water Bottle
• Garbage Bag
• Extra batteries
• Lip balm
• SPF
• First aid kit
• Water purification tablets