A demanding 19‑day itinerary that pairs the classic Everest Base Camp trek with a guided summit of Island Peak (Imja Tse). Expect high-altitude days, teahouse nights, glacier moraines and Sherpa monasteries en route to panoramic Himalayan summits.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the 35‑minute Lukla flight into thin, glacier-cooled air and the trail immediately pulls you toward the ragged horizon of the Khumbu.
Difficulty
difficult
Duration
18–19 days
Fitness Level
High level of cardiovascular fitness and endurance; experience with multi‑day trekking at altitude strongly recommended.
Wildlife
History
Island Peak was named by Eric Shipton in 1952; the region sits within the Sherpa homeland and Sagarmatha National Park, established in 1976 and a UNESCO site since 1979.
Conservation
Visitor pressure and waste have been issues; many operators follow Leave No Trace practices, and Sagarmatha Park limits and fees support ongoing conservation and community programs.
Reserve your spot on the Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Respect acclimatization
Use the built-in rest days in Namche and Dingboche; ascend slowly and watch for AMS symptoms—turn back early if headaches or nausea appear.
Pack micro‑layers and a down jacket
Temperatures swing dramatically from sunlit trails to frigid nights above 4,000 m; a good down jacket and wind shell are musts.
Prepare for Lukla flight delays
Weather often cancels the Lukla–Kathmandu shuttle — keep schedule buffers and flexible domestic flight options.
Practice basic rope and crampon use
Island Peak requires glacier travel and fixed‑rope sections; guided training is provided but prior experience reduces risk.
Mountaineering boots (insulated, double‑boot recommended if available)
Support and insulation for glacier travel, crampon compatibility and long summit approaches.
Crampons and ice axe
Required for Island Peak and for icy sections on Kala Patthar and the higher approaches; training is provided.
spring
Down jacket (800 fill or equivalent)
Keeps you warm during high‑altitude mornings, summit pushes and cold nights in tented camps.
winter
Water treatment / purification tablets
Filtered water is provided but carrying a personal purifier or tablets reduces reliance on provided sources.