Island Peak, located in the middle of Chhukung valley, is a beautiful mountain rising above the Lhotse Glacier. The peak takes good effort to scale as it is glaciated in the west face, yet is equally rewarding with magnificent views from the top. Outstanding views of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, et cetera make the climbing enthusiastic. Climbing the peak along the Everest Base Camp trek is advisable for acclimatization.
The expedition begins at Lukla, a 30 minutes flight from Kathmandu. Then, we slowly gain elevation while we pass through Phakding to reach Namche Bazaar, stop for acclimatization, explore the area, climb to nearby viewpoints, and walk through the villages.
The next day, we move to Machhermo and pass the world’s second-largest glacier – Ngozumpa. From Machhermo, we move on to the beautiful Gokyo valley and rest at the Gokyo village. We stay a day here for acclimatization again and hike to Gokyo Ri, where views of the Everest massif are awe-inspiring. Then, we climb higher to Lobuche from Thaknak through the Cho La Pass. Passing Gorakshep, we move to the Everest Base Camp and get back through the same route to Kalapathar, which bestows breathtaking views of Everest, the best in the journey. Climbing to Kalapathar(5545m) also acclimatizes us for peak climbing. We move back to Lobuche and then head to Chhukung through KongmaLa(5535m). Island Peak Base Camp is a short hike where we stop and prepare to scale the Island Peak. After summiting the peak, we return via Pangboche to Namche Bazaar and Lukla, where we take an airplane back to Kathmandu.
The trek passes through deep hidden valleys, high monasteries, and viewpoints, making the endeavor enjoyable. In addition, an ethnic village that primarily consists of communities influenced by Tibetan culture pass along the trek, the people being friendly and hospitable.