Island Peak Trek

{{itinerary]] Island Peak (6,189m), officially known as Imja Tse GPS 27.92286,86.93594, is a mountain in the Khumbu (Everest) region in Nepal that's one of the most commonly climbed "trekking peaks" in Nepal. It can be climbed as part of several different trekking itineraries.

Island Peak Trek Halal Travel Guide

Island Peak was originally named by Eric Shipton in 1952 (some sources say 1951) and was so named because it sits in the middle of the upper Chhukhung valley, like an island in the middle of a sea of ice. It was officially renamed Imja Tse in the early 1980s. Imja Tse simply means Island Peak in Nepali.

Much of the upper Khumbu Valley is within Sagarmatha National Park. The park was created in 1976 and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979. It was first climbed in 1953 as part of a training exercise by a British expedition that went on to summit Mt Everest. Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who was one of the first two humans credited with climbing Mount Everest, was also one of the first to summit Island Peak.

It's considered to be a moderately easy peak by alpine standards and can be attempted by people with little or no alpine experience. Normally, trekking/climbing organizations offer to teach the novice Alpinist what they need to know to attempt the peak.

Island Peak can be climbed during two seasons on either side of the monsoon, spring (mid-March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November). It's feasible to climb the peak during the winter but cold temperatures will present additional difficulties.

The summit of Island Peak is at 6,189m so the rate of elevation gain and the consequent risk of Altitude sickness or specifically Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a very real concern. Your general fitness and your acclimatization process will both be very important.

The trek to Island Peak initially follows the main Everest Base Camp Trek route, but separates near Dingboche. Most teams attempting the mountain will initially fly to Lukla and hike from there. Although itineraries include an attempt to summit Island Peak, many people visit the area as trekkers. If you are trekking and not climbing and there are additional options for adventuring the Khumbu region.

Be aware that weather conditions around Lukla and Island Peak, as well as Kathmandu, may play havoc with Flights and trekking/climbing schedules. It's best to be flexible with your arrival and departure dates and even be prepared to have the expedition cancelled completely, almost without notice.

If you succeed in reaching the summit of Island Peak, you'll be rewarded with views of nearby mountains such as {{marker|type=view Mount Everest GPS 27.98786,86.92480, Lhotse, Nuptse and others in the immediate vicinity.

Prepare

Although many trekking/climbing organizations do offer to teach novices everything they need to know to enable them to climb this peak, it hardly bears mentioning that any prospective climber will be far better off if they have at least some experience with climbing rope management, alpine equipment such as harnesses, ascenders, crampons, ice axes and so on. The better your general fitness and conditioning and the greater will be your chances of success and you will actually enjoy your climb more. Most big peaks involve a certain amount of suffering, so anything you can do in advance to reduce that suffering will be to your advantage.

Some trekking organizations try to set up abbreviated itineraries (about 14 days) that allow participants the chance to hike to the peak and climb it as quickly as feasible. Obviously, this is only really feasible if you are fit, somewhat acclimatized and have some alpine experience. If none of those conditions apply to you and then find (or arrange) a trek and climb that allows extra time for you acclimatize, develop reasonable fitness and learn how to use climbing equipment. Itineraries from some companies are around 19 days of trekking and climbing plus travel to and from Kathmandu.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association lists Imja Tse as a "Group B" climbing peak. If you intend to climb this peak, you must be accompanied by a Sirdar/Guide who must be registered with the Nepal Mountaineering Association. The rules associated with climbing peaks in Nepal list a wide variety of duties of the Sirdar/Guide. You should familiarize yourself with these duties.

Group B trekking peaks incur a permit fee of USD750 for a group of up to 4 climbers with an additional USD80 per person over that number. There will also be a USD250 deposit to ensure compliance with garbage regulations.

Trekkers will also need a TIMS card. If you are a part of a guided group, you will need a "blue" TIMS card (NPR1,000). If you are an independent trekker, you will need a "green" TIMS card (NPR2,000). These cards must be registered at various checkpoints along the trail. You will NOT need a TIMS card if you have a climbing permit, which you will have if your primary objective is to climb Island Peak.

If you wish to have a trekking/climbing company organize everything, an option which does offer certain advantages, you will need to find one with a good reputation. There are hundreds of such companies so finding one can be an interesting process. You could start by looking at companies registered with the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepalor you may use this companyPeak climbing Agency Nepal which supply you relatively quick and fair response. Possibly the best way to locate a suitable company is to rely on recommendations from people you know.

Arrange for rescue insurance. Some insurance companies will cover you if you are hiking but NOT if you are mountaineering (ie: climbing a peak). Make sure you know what you are getting. If you are hiring a trekking company, you will almost certainly have to provide this information to the guide and the agency before you leave for the trek.

Travel to Island Peak Trek

In the "old days" people visiting the Everest area would simply trek from Kathmandu. You'd have lots of time over a couple of weeks to get fit and acclimatize. That's not usually what people do now. Most will now opt to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and pay about USD161 to do so. Consequently and there are dozens of flights in and out of Lukla each day and if weather causes delays, things can get backed up very, very quickly.

The organized itineraries offered by trekking companies, which you will likely be using, all include a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and back to Kathmandu the same way at the trek's end. It's always feasible, however, to have trekking companies set up whatever custom options you want. With that in mind and there are four other feasible places to start your trek into the Khumbu and end up at Island Peak if you have a few additional days:

• |type=silver Shivalaya GPS 27.60810,86.30104 - about six days south-west of Lukla. During the 1950s and 1960s, this was part of the original route into the Khumbu for expeditions to Everest and other peaks in the area. This option is a good way to avoid the crowds and is perhaps the only good reason to take it, other than as an excellent fitness exercise. This route isn't particularly impressive for scenery and because it crosses rather than follows river valleys and there is an inordinate amount of up and down. One estimate suggests that by the time you reach Lukla you will have accumulated nearly 9,000m of elevation gain, more than climbing Everest from sea level! Take a bus the 184 kilometers to Jiri (1,905m) and on to Shivalaya. Be warned: the bus trip will take most of the day as the road is narrow, twisty and slow.
• |type=silver Phaplu GPS 27.51733,86.58488 - is a three or four day walk from Lukla. Its airstrip was extended in 1986 to accommodate twin-engine aircraft. These days it's not used much by trekkers so flights might be easier to find, especially at the last minute.
• |type=silver Lamidanda GPS 27.253,86.66999 - five days south of Lukla, offering a mostly unknown alternate way into or out of the Everest region. Tara Air has 40-minutes Flights from Kathmandu to Lamidanda.
• |type=silverBarahbise (aka Bahrabise) GPS 27.78715,85.89970 - Finally, if you really want to experience a long trek into the Khumbu, consider starting here, bypassing the road to Jiri. It takes about 6 days to hike from Barahbise (Bahrabise) to Shivalaya through part of Nepal that isn't much visited by trekkers. It would be important to have a guide for this route (or some ability in Nepali) as well as camping equipment because lodging for trekkers is pretty sparse and even local residents might not be able to explain the right direction to you. The route starts at 820m and rises to cross the Tingsang La (3,320m) and then wanders through high meadows, pastures and forests and eventually to Shivalaya. This is a remote, seldom-used route and we leave it for your research and discovery if such an experience appeals.

Remember that Island Peak is inside the boundaries of Sagarmatha National Park and you will have to pay an entry fee. It's best to get this entrance permit before you leave Kathmandu. Trekkers from SAARC countries must pay an entry fee of NPR1,500, other foreigners NPR3,000 and Nepalis NPR25. These new entrance fees were put in place in 2012.

Your TIMS card (see above) if you are trekking only and will not be using a climbing permit.

Walk

27.79|86.76|width=540|height=900|lang=en|layer=LM

Villages

Some of the villages the trek passes through on the way to Island Peak:

• Lukla - has what some call the most dangerous airport in the world, some lodges, hotels and a hospital.
• Phakding - has a large collection of lodges three to four hours from Lukla.
• Namche Bazaar - a significant village on the Everest Base Camp Trek, with lodges, markets, a museum, currency exchange facilities, National Park Visitor Centre.
• Tengboche - the name of a monastery and the nearby village, with lodges and an eco-centre. Five to six hours from Namche Bazaar
• Dingboche - located five to six hours east of Tengboche. Has lodges and tenting areas.
• Chhukhung - (alternate spellings: Chhukung, Chukhung) a small village three hours walk east of Dingboche.

Gokyo_Lake - upright=1.3|Gokyo and the lower Ngozumbar Glacier, and Dudh Pokhari lake

Itineraries

There are several ways to approach Island Peak. The most direct route is to follow the Everest Base Camp Trek and diverge near Dingboche. A feasible itinerary for this route could be as follows, starting from Kathmandu:

• Day 1 - fly from {{marker|type=forestgreen Kathmandu GPS 27.69985,85.35798 (1,350m) to {{marker|type=forestgreen Lukla GPS 27.68723,86.73178 (2,800m) . Continue on to {{marker|type=forestgreen Phakding GPS 27.74009,86.71273 (2,600m) .
• Day 2 - Phakding to {{marker|type=forestgreen Namche Bazaar GPS 27.80419,86.70991 (3,440m) .
• Day 3 - Namche Bazaar - acclimatization day.
• Day 4 - Namche Bazaar to {{marker|type=forestgreen Tengboche GPS 27.83570,86.76445 (3860m) .
• Day 5 - Tengboche to {{marker|type=forestgreen* Dingboche GPS 27.89382,86.83169 (4,360m) .
• Day 6 - Dingboche to {{marker|type=forestgreen* Chhukhung GPS 27.90463,86.87151 (4,730m) .
• Day 7 - Chhukhung to Island Peak Base Camp (5,200m)
• Day 8 - Island Peak Base Camp to High Camp (5,600m)
• Day 9 - High Camp to Summit (6,189m) descend to Base Camp and continue to Chhukhung
• Day 10 - Chhukhung to Namche Bazaar
• Day 11 - Namche Bazaar to Lukla
• Day 12 - Lukla to Kathmandu

This itinerary represents possibly the fastest option to the summit of Island Peak. It would require good fitness, acclimatization and alpine experience. For most people, a longer approach would be advised.

For a more relaxed pace, allowing for more time to acclimatize and see other scenery in the area and the following itinerary would be a feasible example:

• Day 1 - Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and hike to Phakding
• Day 2 - Phakding to Namche Bazaar
• Day 3 - Rest and acclimatize in Namche Bazaar (day hike to some higher elevation is recommended)
• Day 4 - Hike to Tengboche
• Day 5 - Hike to {{marker|type=black Pheriche GPS 27.89352,86.82068
• Day 6 - Rest and acclimatize in Pheriche
• Day 7 - Hike to {{marker|type=black Lobuche GPS 27.94808,86.81041
• Day 8 - Hike to . Spend the day hiking up to {{marker|type=black* Everest Base Camp GPS 28.006565,86.860993 (5,380m) and back to Gorakshep for the night
• Day 9 - Hike up {{marker|type=black Kalapathar (aka: Kala Patthar) GPS 27.99572, 86.82848, a "black hill" at 5,643m, with good views of Everest and then on to Lobuche
• Day 10 - Hike to Chhukhung
• Day 11 - To Island Peak Base Camp
• Day 12 - Climb to Island Peak High Camp
• Day 13 - Climb to Island Peak summit and descent to Base Camp
• Day 14 - Trek to Dingboche
• Day 15 - Trek to Tengboche
• Day 16 - Trek to Manjo
• Day 17 - Trek to Lukla for overnight
• Day 18 - Fly to Kathmandu

As you can see and there are many variations on route and time, even if your ultimate objective is the summit of Island Peak. These are things you will need to sort out with your team, arrange with your guide or propose to the trekking company, whatever system you plan to use.

What to see in Island Peak Trek

Aside from the scenery that unfolds as you hike towards the spine of the Himalaya and there are a number of worthwhile attractions along the route:

• Tengboche Monastery Tengboche 27.83610, 86.76390some charges for video cameras during the festivals Monastery - largest and most active in the Khumbu, gompa, Mani Rimbu festival in the fall.

• Sagarmartha National Park Visitor Centre Namche Bazaar 27.80401, 86.71080 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 08:00-16:00 Free

• Nangkartshang Gompa North of Dingboche 27.89644, 86.83147 - Good views east to Makalu.

• Namche Market Namche Bazaar 27.80340, 86.71097 Opening Hours: Friday evenings and Saturdays Important regional market.

• Mani Rimdu Tengboche Monastery - Festival celebrated during the full moon of October/November; ritual dances depict the triumph of Buddhism over Bon.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Following as it does and the Everest Base Camp Trek and the route to Island Peak will provide opportunities for all kinds of foods. The hungry trekker will find lodges, bakeries, Pizzas shops and almost anything else your palate might desire. Expect to take your breakfast and supper meals at the lodge where you are spending the night. This is the trade-off of having affordable lodging.

The "traditional" trekking meals include the following:

• Breakfast - scrambled eggs, oatmeal, muesli, Tibetan bread, tea
• Lunch - Pasta or Rice with potatoes, tea
• Supper - Rice dishes, tomato Pasta dishes, "pizza" in various forms, soups, Chicken burgers, chips ("french fries"), tea

All the usual Nepali favourites will be available on this trek. For environmental reasons, try to avoid drinks that come in plastic bottles as there is really no effective way to recycle such things here. Glass bottles aren't really much better and their weight means that they won't get recycled either.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Island Peak Trek

Island Peak Trek - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Island Peak Trek, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Island Peak Trek. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Island Peak Trek and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Island Peak Trek. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Island Peak Trek. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inIsland Peak Trek: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Island Peak Trek.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Island Peak Trek: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Island Peak Trek, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Island Peak Trek.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Island Peak Trek, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Island Peak Trek, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Island Peak Trek and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Island Peak Trek, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Island Peak Trek, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Island Peak Trek without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Island Peak Trek is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Island Peak Trek.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Island Peak Trek is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Island Peak Trek, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Island Peak Trek Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Island Peak Trek

eHalal Group Island Peak Trek is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Island Peak Trek. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Island Peak Trek.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Island Peak Trek ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Island Peak Trek. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Island Peak Trek, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Island Peak Trek are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

With all the people visiting the area, trekkers, climbers heading for various mountains, especially Everest and the villages along the route have "enjoyed" an influx of money and, consequently and there has been a bit of a building boom. Expect to find lodges in almost every village along the route. There are far too many to include an extensive list here, but a few can be mentioned. For example and the quantity of lodging in Namche Bazaar is almost astonishing, although at the height of the trekking and climbing season, space may be hard to find unless you are prepared to stop early.

Note that while lodging in some lodges can seem affordable, you are usually expected to take your meals at the lodge. That's where the lodge owners make their money. During the peak of the climbing and trekking season, when the hordes have descended on the Khumbu and there still may be some competition for places to stay, even with the number of lodges available. There might be some advantage to getting on the trail early each day and stopping early in the afternoon. Groups with a few Sherpas will often send one out early in the morning ahead of the group to secure lodging well before lunch and hours before their group catches up with them.

Lodgings

• Panorama Lodge 27.90493, 86.87144 Chhukhung

• Island Peak View Lodge 27.89400, 86.83138 Dingboche

• Himalayan View Lodge (Dzongla) on the route from Gokyo to Lobuche east of the Cho La

• International Trekkers Guest House (Phakding) 27.73976, 86.71294 Quiet with good views.

• Trekkers Inn (Namche Bazaar) 27.80385, 86.71165 One popular lodge out of many in this village.

Camping Places

• Island Peak Base Camp at 5,000m.

Trekking Costs

As a general rule and the costs of everything - food, lodging, drinks - will increase as you go along the trek. Remember that most of the things trekkers want must come in on someone's back from the trailhead. Some things, like bottled water, which you should be avoiding anyway for environmental reasons, can cost about NPR 500, compared to less than NPR100 back in the city.

Accommodation in basic lodges along this route will cost from NPR 200 for a room to NPR 500 if the room has an attached bathroom. For this price, trekkers are expected to take their meals in the lodge. Room rates are much higher if you take your meals elsewhere. If you really want to sample the food from some outside restaurant, try to arrange to have your lunch at that establishment while you are passing through the village.

Prices for meals depend on how much you order. Each item can cost NPR 250-500 so if you want a dish of "mixed pasta" plus a bowl of Noodles soup and a "potato roastie", you can spend as much as NPR 1 ,000 or more for your supper. For obvious reasons, meals with no or little Meat will be less expensive. In some parts of Nepal, Meat simply isn't available so trekkers get used to being Vegetarian for a few weeks. You will lose weight.

There are "luxury lodges" on this route and they can charge USD 150-200 per day with food prices to match. If you have hired a trekking company and they can get discounts, but remember that luxury is a nebulous quality high on the trail.

A guide will cost roughly USD 25 per day. Porters can be hired for about USD 15 per day. Note that it is much less expensive to hire a local, Nepalese trekking company with local guides and porters; the money you pay will go directly into the Nepali economy as an added benefit. A tip for good service will be expected at the end of the trek. You will pay this in cash at the end of the trek to the guide/sirdar who will distribute the money to the rest of the staff. It would be worth discussing this with the trekking company people ahead of time but the amount of the tip could be from 15-25%.

A one-way ticket from Kathmandu to Lukla by air will cost USD 177.

In brief, a 2 to 3-week trek with a porter/guide, your flights, food, tips and lodging may cost you USD 1,200-1,500.

Stay Safe

Some medical services are available along the trekking route.

• Lukla and Kunde - small clinics that can provide medical support while waiting for evacuation
• Namche Bazaar - Namche Healing Centre ; also the Namche Medical Centre and a small dental clinic
• Pheriche - Himalayan Rescue Association Clinic treating local residents and trekkers. At 15:00 each day the Clinic gives a talk about altitude sickness and other health issues that you might encounter. Pheriche is between Tengboche and Dingboche.

Altitude sickness is one potentially life-threatening condition that you need to be aware of. Become familiar with the information in this related eHalal Travel Guide.

Water for drinking must be treated in some effective way. Trekking in Nepal has the usual recommendations.

If you happen to sustain minor injuries but are unable to walk, it may be feasible to hire a mule or be carried down by a porter. If your condition is more serious or life-threatening, evacuation by helicopter is the only option. Helicopter costs start when the machine leaves Kathmandu so it is entirely feasible that such transportation could cost as much as USD 17,000. For this reason, you must have travel insurance that covers mountaineering activities and helicopter rescue if required. To put such a rescue into action you would also need a contact in Kathmandu to guarantee payment. This could be the trekking company you are using or possibly your embassy but they will need details of your insurance policy before you leave Kathmandu. Realize that even if everything goes well, a helicopter evacuation could take as much as 24 hours.

Travel Next

• Gokyo - a 9-day out-and-back high altitude trek from Namche Bazaar through a valley west of Everest Base Camp. This is a less crowded route with good views of Everest. It offers views of Cho Oyu and, below it and the Ngozumpa Glacier which is the largest in the Nepal Himalaya. The Ngozumpa Glacier is the subject of some special research because of its rate of melting and the feasible risk to villages down valley. It's feasible to climb to a ridge above the village of Gokyo and see four 8,000m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. There is an impressive ice ridge connecting Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang (7,922m) that offers one of the most dramatic panoramas in the Khumbu. An alternate route in or out of the Gokyo valley is over the 5,420m Cho La, a high pass connecting west into the Khumbu.
• Numbur Cheese Circuit - a 14-day trek that starts at Shivalaya and the alternate route to Lukla

Commons:Category:Island Peak