Island Peak & Everest Base Camp

Island Peak & Everest Base Camp

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Location: Nepal, Asia

Altitude: 6,160m

Grade: Challenging

Fitness level: Very good

Route: Lukla – Namche Bazaar – Pheriche – Gorakshep – Base Camp – Island Peak

Travel period: March to June, September and October

Duration: 22/23 days

Pat Falvey Irish and Worldwide Adventures limited is bonded and fully licenced by the Irish Commission for Aviation Regulation, TA0791.

Dates Island Peak 2024

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Description


Our Island Peak & Everest Base Camp expedition offers an amazing adventure, trekking through the Khumbu region and the foothills of the Himalaya, the highest mountain range in the world. The Himalaya contain eight of the 14 eight-thousanders either entirely or sharing a border with India or China. Their names alone inspire awe – Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri I, Manaslu and Annapurna I.

Our adventure begins in Kathmandu, a city full of vivid colour, endless festivals and ancient culture. Having experienced the vibrancy of Nepal’s capital we take a 30-minute flight to Lukla in a region where some of the world’s highest mountains rise majestically into the sky.

Our trekking starts in Lukla from where we make our way deeper into this wonderland where mountains project like massive pillars from deep, river-gorged valleys. We trek along narrow paths etched from the steep hillsides in this mystical mountain region which stretches across Asia, from Indus in the west to the Brahmaputra in the east.

The trekking and the views are spectacular as we make our way ever higher, stopping in traditional villages and visiting local tea houses and Buddhist monasteries en route. Seven days after starting our trek we reach Everest Base Camp where we mingle with other trekkers and climbers whose sights are set on the summit of what the Neapalese call Sagarmatha (Forehead in the Sky) and what is known to the Tibetans as Chomolungma (Mother Goddess of the Earth).

At Base Camp we will be in a place that, for centuries, has been the setting for epic feats of exploration and mountain climbing. Here we are in a cathedral of majestic mountains where, according to the people who live in the valleys below, the gods reside. When you turn your gaze on Everest, the highest of them all, there is definitely a sense of being in the presence of something extraordinary.

We begin our trek to the base of Island Peak, also known as Imja Tse, staying in tea houses en route. Once at Base Camp, we set up camp and prepare for the climb which will take us to the summit of the 6,160m peak, first reached in 1953 as part of a training exercise by a British expedition team which went on to reach the summit of Everest afterwards. Island Peak offers an easy technical if physically demanding challenge for climbers who wish to progress from trekking and hillwalking to general mountaineering on one of the most attractive high-altitude trekking peaks in the Himalaya. You will need to have experience and knowledge of scrambling, use of crampons and ice axe and rope skills to complete the climb.

At the summit, there are magnificent views of Makalu’s West Face, Baruntse’s North Face, Ama Dablam’s North Ridge and the imposing Lhotse Shar, which towers 2,300m above Island Peak’s summit. After returning to Base Camp we make our way back to Lukla and take a return flight to Kathmandu. There you will have a few days to explore and immerse yourself in the energy of that captivating city, savouring its tastes, sounds and unique atmosphere.

ITINERARY


Day 1: Depart Ireland

Fly from Dublin Airport to Kathmandu.

Day 2: Arrive in Kathmandu

Overnight in city centre hotel.

Day 3: Fly Kathmandu – Lukla (2,860m)

Trek to Phakding (2,610m). Overnight in Phakding. 

Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 5: Rest day

Rest day with acclimatisation trek to 3,800m.Time to chill out and explore the village. Overnight in Namche Bazaar. 

Day 6: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Dingboche (4,410m)

Overnight in Dingboche. 

Day 7: Trek from Dingboche to Pheriche (4,371m)

Overnight in Pheriche.

Day 8: Rest day

Rest day in Pheriche with acclimatisation trek to 4,500m.

Day 9: Trek from Pheriche to Lobuche (4,940m)

Overnight in Lobuche.

Day 10: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,164m)

Overnight in Gorakshep.

Day 11: Trek from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp (5,364m)

Return to Lobuche (4,940m). Overnight in Lobuche.

Day 12: Trek from Lobuche to Dingboche (4,410m)

Overnight in Dingboche.

Day 13: Trek from Dingboche to Chucking (4,730m)

Overnight in Chucking.

Day 14: Trek from Chucking to Island Peak Base Camp (5,080m)

Overnight at Base Camp.

Day 15: Acclimatisation day

Acclimatisation day. Trek to 5,600m.

Day 16: Summit attempt

Summit attempt and trek to Chucking.

Day 17: Trek from Chucking to Dingboche

Overnight in Dingboche. 

Day 18: Trek from Dingboche to Monjo

Overnight in Monjo.

Day 19: Trek from Monjo to Lukla

Overnight in Lukla.

Day 20: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu

Day 21: Free day

Day 22: Depart Nepal and fly to Dublin

Day 23: Arrive in Ireland

DATES


2024

23rd of March – 13th of April

5th of October – 26th of October

PRICE


Land-only €5,000 Contact us for details of inclusions and exclusions. Please note booking your own flights is subject to airport transfer costs. This includes your internal flights.

Deposit: €500 due at the time of booking

Inclusions:

  • Return internal flights between Kathmandu and Lukla
  • All accommodation is based on twin/treble sharing of rooms and tents (if you require single accommodation, please let us know, and we will advise of additional cost)
  • Everest National Park entry fees
  • All guide, porter and cook fees
  • All meals and fully serviced trek

Exclusions:

  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals en route before and after the final destination
  • Bar bills, tips and laundry
  • Personal gear
  • Medication
  • Insurance liability and hospital costs
  • Our trips are designed to avoid any extra cost to the client. If you choose to leave the trip early, There will be additional expenses.
  • Optional extras

If you wish to arrange and pay for your own flight to Nepal, we will meet you at the airport in Kathmandu. A full refund applies only if cancellation is received and acknowledged 20 weeks or more before departure. For bookings where flights have to be paid for in advance, the flight cost is non-refundable once paid.

PREPARATION & TRAINING


Our Island Peak climb is suitable for most fit people who have some experience of alpine skills. We provide courses at the Mountain Lodge in these skills for anyone who wants to develop these the skills required, hone their existing skills or have them assessed by our instructors.

We recommend that you visit us at The Mountain Lodge to say hello and meet team and we can go through gear. We also provide a good opportunity to get any questions answered, or concerns dealt with, that you may have in relation to the trip. We’ll talk about dealing with altitude and different weather conditions as well as giving tips on gear and general training.

We consider ourselves among the world’s leading experts in high-altitude trekking and pride ourselves on putting together trips that provide the best possible opportunity to succeed. Acclimatisation is key to success and it’s important that you don’t underestimate the time you allow yourself to adjust to your new environment. Pace is key to preventing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and our guides monitor the group at all times for signs and symptoms. Ask your GP for advice on vaccinations, keeping in mind your travel history to date.

Passport/visa
You will need a valid full passport. Please ensure it has 6 months before expiry prior your departure date. In Nepal we obtain our visas to travel in the country. All visitors are obliged to get a visa at Kathmandu airport so please ensure you have four passport-size photos of yourself before we depart (visa fee not included in the trip price).

Money
It is advisable to bring some money in cash for the trip. ATMs are not always reliable or might have a low daily withdrawal limit. Once en route to Everest Base Camp, Euro or US Dollars in cash are the best way to pay for services including porters, tips, etc.

GEAR


Note: All specialised gear that can be hired locally is asterisked.

Clothing:

  • Lightweight long thermal underwear – tops and bottoms
  • Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
  • Expedition-weight long underwear – tops and bottoms, cotton blends are not acceptable
  • Fleece jacket – mid-weight to heavy-weight
  • Fleece trousers – light-weight/heavy pile recommended
  • Parka jacket – down or synthetic parka with hood; expedition-type, needs to fit over all insulation layers (it can get as cold as -25 degrees Celsius)*
  • Jacket – waterproof and breathable; good storm-proof mountain jacket with attached hood
  • Over-trousers, waterproof and breathable

Headwear:

  • Sun hat with good visor and white bandana or buff for protecting your neck
  • Balaclava/facemask – 1, lightweight
  • Wool or pile ski hat
  • Head torch (inc. spare bulbs & spare batteries); suggested: Petzl LED
  • Glacier glasses and ski goggles – 100% UV Cat. 4 preferred, must have side covers; if you wear contacts or glasses, we recommend packing a spare pair of glasses
  • Goggles are very useful in bad weather
  • Sunglasses x 2 – specific to high altitude mountaineering, UV & IR protection

Handwear:

  • Liner gloves
  • Synthetic gloves – 2 pairs, lightweight, pile or polypropylene
  • Waterproof mittens – 1 pair, pile, wool or down*
  • Wind-stopper fleece gloves

Footwear:

  • Light hiking boots or trekking shoes
  • Climbing boots – double plastic or high-altitude/insulated boots required*
  • Sandals
  • Gaiters – O.R. Crocs or similar
  • Socks – lightweight (2-3 pairs), sock liners, warm trekking socks (2-3 pairs)
  • Foot powder 

Climbing equipment:

  • Backpack – at least 75+20 litre; must have ice axe haul loops and crampon attachment point
  • Daypack – 25-35 litre (optional)
  • Waterproof pack cover
  • Ice axe – general mountaineering tool; sizing is important: under 57cm to 70cm tool depending on your height, available for hire*
  • Crampons – step-in Petzl or Grivel; make sure these fit your climbing boots, available for hire*
  • Ski poles – 1 pair collapsible spring bound ski poles*
  • Harness – lightweight web waist with all leg loops opening, Alpine Bod or similar*
  • Carabiners – 2 crabs screw gates, 2 snap gates*

Camping:

  • Sleeping bag – expedition quality to at least -25ºC down preferred, must pack small*
  • Sleeping mat – Ridge Rest or lightweight Thermarest*
  • Pocket-knife – Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool
  • Water bottles – 1 or 2 x 1-litre wide-mouth water bottle, Nalgene
  • Pee bottle – 1 x litre-wide mouth water bottle
  • Pee funnel – (for women)
  • Sunscreen – SPF 30-40
  • Lipscreen – SPF 20-40, at least 2 sticks
  • Sunblock
  • Personal First Aid kit 

Travelling:

  • Large duffel bag with lock
  • Smaller duffel with lock to store excess gear in hotel
  • Plastic bags to line stuff sacks to keep gear dry or a dry bag
  • Padlocks for bags while in transport
  • Travel clothes
  • Travel towel
  • Toiletry bag
  • Camera gear

Miscellaneous items:

  • Travel insurance certificate
  • Passport, visa and copies of all travel and insurance documents
  • Money in Euro of US Dollars
  • Ear plugs and nail clippers
  • Spare boot laces, bulbs, batteries, memory cards, etc
  • Cold water detergent and some toiletries
  • Small sewing kit
  • Penknife and small scissors
  • Diary or notebook and book for down time
  • Camera
  • Insect repellent
  • Toilet paper – it is good practice to bring your own, but it is provided to anyone if needed
  • Baby wipes/hand wipes
  • Hand gel
  • Water purification tablets
  • Personal medication

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?


Our passion for your adventure treks and expedition is one of the defining characteristics of Pat Falvey Irish & Worldwide Adventures. We love what we do, the places we travel to and the people we work with in each destination. After 25 years of worldwide travel, we remain curious about learning more and retain our delight in sharing what we know with you. We are a hands-on company whose staff are available to answer your queries both inside and outside usual office hours.

Our staff and partners in Nepal, Russia, Africa, Argentina, Peru and Antarctica are as close to us as family members and share our enthusiasm for your trips. We see their work as a vital part of each adventure and have always ensured that local staff, most of whom have worked with Pat for many years, are fairly and honourably treated. The experience and expertise of everyone who works with us is guaranteed and makes for adventures that are high on safety, support and good fun.

Our company is one of the world’s leading experts in high-altitude trekking in remote regions and we pride ourselves in putting together trips that give you the best possibility of success on your adventure. To ensure this, we have a comprehensive acclimatisation formula, designed to maximise each person’s chances of completing their trek without falling prey to the effects of high altitude or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Our guides closely monitor the group at all times for symptoms of the effects of high altitude and are always ready to take the necessary precautions when necessary.

We are not only willing to go the extra mile to make your trip our priority, we are happy to do so.

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