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Sagarmatha Atlas
Island Peak — Khumbu, Nepal

Peak climb · Khumbu

ISLAND PEAK

Duration18 daysMax altitude6,189 mDifficultyModerate

01 — Overview

Fit trekkers ready for their first real summit; no prior climbing experience needed.

The classic Himalayan first summit. Island Peak (Imja Tse, 6,189 m) delivers a genuine mountaineering experience — glacier travel, a 45–60° headwall on fixed lines, crampons at dawn — while remaining within reach of any fit, acclimatised trekker.

We acclimatise on the Everest Base Camp trail first, then branch into the Imja valley: the summit panorama puts Lhotse's south wall directly overhead.

  • Summit day: headwall, fixed rope, 6,189 m
  • Everest Base Camp + Kala Patthar included in acclimatisation
  • Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu at eye level from the top
  • Full climbing instruction day at base camp

02 — The Route, Day by Day

The line you'll draw on the mountain.

Scroll to walk the route — the profile draws itself as the days pass, and the current altitude follows you.

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Day 1 — KathmanduNow: Day 1 · 1,400 mDay 18 — Kathmandu
  1. Day 01

    Kathmandu → Kathmandu

    Arrival, gear check, climbing permit briefing.

    1,400 m

  2. Day 02

    Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding

    Fly in, walk down-valley.

    2,610 m

  3. Day 03

    Phakding → Namche Bazaar

    The classic climb to Namche.

    3,440 m

  4. Day 04

    Namche Bazaar → Namche Bazaar

    Acclimatisation: Everest View Hotel ridge.

    3,440 m

  5. Day 05

    Namche Bazaar → Tengboche

    Monastery camp under the great faces.

    3,867 m

  6. Day 06

    Tengboche → Dingboche

    Imja valley entrance.

    4,410 m

  7. Day 07

    Dingboche → Dingboche

    Acclimatisation: Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m).

    4,410 m

  8. Day 08

    Dingboche → Chhukung

    Short stage to the Imja valley's last village.

    4,730 m

  9. Day 09

    Chhukung → Island Peak Base Camp

    Into the climbing world: crampon fitting, ice axe school.

    5,087 m

  10. Day 10

    Base Camp → High Camp

    Fixed-line familiarisation, early night.

    5,600 m

  11. Day 11

    High Camp → SUMMIT (6,189 m) → Chhukung

    Alpine start (2–3 a.m.), headwall on fixed rope, summit by sunrise, descend.

    6,189 m

  12. Day 12

    Chhukung → Dingboche

    Rest and descend.

    4,410 m

  13. Day 13

    Dingboche → Lobuche

    EBC extension begins: moraine trail.

    4,940 m

  14. Day 14

    Lobuche → EBC → Gorak Shep

    Touch Everest Base Camp, sleep at Gorak Shep.

    5,364 m

  15. Day 15

    Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar → Pheriche

    Sunrise on Kala Patthar (5,545 m), descend.

    5,545 m

  16. Day 16

    Pheriche → Namche Bazaar

    Long descent to Namche.

    3,440 m

  17. Day 17

    Namche Bazaar → Lukla

    Final trail.

    2,860 m

  18. Day 18

    Lukla → Kathmandu

    Fly back, celebrate.

    1,400 m

03 — Included

  • Climbing permit (NMA), NP entry, TIMS
  • Climbing guide (UIAGM/IFMGA or NNMGA certified)
  • All group climbing gear: ropes, fixed line, crampons, ice axes, helmets, harnesses
  • Base camp & high camp tented support
  • Full board trekking + Kathmandu hotel (2 nights)

Not included

  • International flights
  • Insurance (must cover climbing to 6,000 m)
  • Personal gear (boots, clothing)
  • Tips
  • Lukla flight delay costs