Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing - 16 Days

Everest · 16 Days

Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing - 16 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 6,160m (20,210 ft) at Island Peak summit · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

16 Days

Max Altitude

6,160m (20,210 ft)

at Island Peak summit

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Teahouse / Lodge + tented base camp

Overview

The Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Climbing itinerary is the most popular two-in-one Khumbu expedition — pairing the world's most famous trek with the most accessible technical climb in Nepal. Across 16 days you walk the classical EBC corridor, stand at the foot of Mount Everest at 5,364m, watch the dawn from Kala Patthar at 5,545m, and then put on crampons to summit Island Peak (Imja Tse, 6,160m) under the guidance of experienced climbing Sherpas.

It is the ideal first Himalayan climb for trekkers ready to graduate from teahouse walking into proper alpine mountaineering. The itinerary is paced with mandatory acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, the technical training is delivered at base camp before summit day, and the entire logistics package — permits, climbing gear, guides, porters and flights — is handled end to end.

Highlights

  • Reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m) — the storied launch pad of Everest expeditions
  • Summit Island Peak (6,160m) using fixed ropes, crampons and ice axe
  • Catch the legendary sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,545m) with Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse on display
  • Trek through the upper Khumbu via Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche and Chhukung
  • Receive hands-on mountaineering instruction at Island Peak Base Camp
  • Two structured acclimatisation days reduce altitude risk
  • Authentic Sherpa hospitality in lodges all the way up the valley
  • Compact 16-day window that fits a 3-week holiday

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (2,610m)

⏱ 40-minute flight + ~2 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The scenic morning flight to Lukla deposits you on one of the most dramatic mountain runways in the world. Meet your porter, then descend through Sherpa villages along the Dudh Koshi to Phakding for the first night.

Day 2

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

⏱ ~6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi north, crossing the river on long suspension bridges. After the national park gate at Monjo, a long climb takes you up to Namche Bazaar — the bustling Sherpa capital and your first real altitude gain.

Day 3

Acclimatisation Day at Namche Bazaar

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Critical rest day. Morning hike to the Everest View Hotel or up to Khumjung for first vistas of Everest and Ama Dablam. Afternoon to explore the markets, museum and bakeries of Namche.

Day 4

Namche to Tengboche (3,860m)

⏱ ~5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek a panoramic ridge above the river, drop down to Phunki Tenga, then climb the long forested ascent to the Tengboche monastery — the spiritual heart of the Khumbu, perched on a ridge with Ama Dablam dominating the skyline.

Day 5

Tengboche to Pheriche (4,240m)

⏱ ~5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross into more open alpine terrain via Pangboche. The landscape begins to feel high and exposed — fewer trees, more wind, more yaks. Overnight in Pheriche.

Day 6

Pheriche to Lobuche (4,940m)

⏱ 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A steady climb past the moving memorial chortens of Thukla to the small lodge cluster of Lobuche, perched beside the Khumbu Glacier.

Day 7

Lobuche to Gorak Shep, Visit EBC (5,364m), back to Gorak Shep (5,170m)

⏱ 7-8 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk along the lateral moraine to Gorak Shep, drop your pack, then continue out to Everest Base Camp itself. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

Day 8

Sunrise on Kala Patthar (5,545m), Trek back to Lobuche

⏱ ~7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A pre-dawn climb up Kala Patthar for the most famous sunrise in Nepal — Everest's south face lit pink. Return to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then descend to Lobuche.

Day 9

Lobuche to Dingboche (4,410m)

⏱ ~4 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A gentle descent to the wide pastures of Dingboche. The drop in altitude here is part of your climbing acclimatisation strategy.

Day 10

Dingboche to Chhukung (4,730m)

⏱ 2-3 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short morning walk east into the quieter Imja valley, finishing at Chhukung beneath Island Peak. Afternoon climbing briefing with your Sherpa guide.

Day 11

Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5,000m)

⏱ ~4 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Move to the tented base camp at the foot of Island Peak. Afternoon climbing school — practise crampons, fixed-rope use, jumar ascension and self-arrest.

Day 12

Summit Island Peak (6,160m), Return to Chhukung

⏱ 12-14 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A midnight start. Climb the rocky gully, then the glacier, cross crevasses on ladders, ascend the fixed-rope headwall and traverse the airy summit ridge. After photos, reverse the route all the way back to Chhukung.

Day 13

Chhukung to Dingboche (4,410m)

⏱ 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short rest-and-recovery descent to Dingboche. Celebrate your summit with hot apple pie.

Day 14

Dingboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

⏱ ~5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A long but easy descent back through Tengboche and Phunki Tenga to Namche, where teahouses suddenly feel like five-star hotels.

Day 15

Namche to Lukla (2,840m)

⏱ ~6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Retrace your steps down the Dudh Koshi valley to Lukla. Final celebration dinner with your crew.

Day 16

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

⏱ 30-40 minute flight

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu, weather permitting. The rest of the day is yours to rest, shop or schedule a massage in Thamel.

Ready to walk this?

Enquire now →

What's included

Included

  • Airport pickup and drop in Kathmandu
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from Lukla onwards
  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
  • Island Peak climbing permit
  • Group climbing gear (ropes, snow bars, ice screws, anchors)
  • Professional climbing Sherpa guide
  • Government-licensed trekking guide for the full trip
  • Porter support (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
  • Insurance, salary, lodging and meals for all staff
  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Lukla flights
  • Two nights of tented camping at Island Peak Base Camp
  • Teahouse lodging throughout the trekking days

Not included

  • International flights to and from Nepal
  • Nepal tourist visa fee
  • Alcoholic and bottled drinks
  • Tips for guides, climbing Sherpas and porters
  • Personal climbing boots (rentable in Kathmandu or Namche)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi)
  • Any item not specifically listed in Includes
  • Compensation for delays caused by weather or natural disasters
  • Spring season climbing permit surcharge (USD 175 in March-May)

Trek guide

A First Himalayan Climb, Done Right

Island Peak (Imja Tse) has earned its reputation as the best beginner-friendly 6,000m climb in Nepal. The summit involves real alpine terrain — fixed ropes, ladder bridges over crevasses, a steep ice headwall and a narrow summit ridge — but with proper guiding it is achievable for trekkers without prior mountaineering experience. Combining the climb with EBC means you arrive at base camp already well-acclimatised, dramatically improving your odds.

The Two Objectives

  • Everest Base Camp (5,364m): The fabled tent city under the Khumbu Icefall. In peak season, you'll see climbers preparing for Everest itself.
  • Kala Patthar (5,545m): Higher than EBC and with a far better Everest view. Sunrise here is the iconic photograph.
  • Island Peak (6,160m): A clean alpine summit above the Imja Tsho glacial lake, surrounded by Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.

Geography and Route

The classical EBC trail runs from Lukla via Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, Pheriche, Lobuche and Gorak Shep. After Kala Patthar you double back to Dingboche, side-trip up the Chhukung valley to Island Peak Base Camp, summit, and finally descend the Khumbu corridor back to Lukla.

Permits

  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
  • Island Peak climbing permit (issued by the Nepal Mountaineering Association)

All three are included in the package and arranged for you.

Altitude and Acclimatisation

You sleep at 5,170m at Gorak Shep, climb to 5,545m at Kala Patthar, then drop back down for a rest before the Island Peak push (sleeping at 5,000m, summit at 6,160m). Built-in rest days at Namche and Dingboche, plus the natural altitude profile of EBC followed by a descent before the climb, make this one of the safer ways to attempt your first 6,000m summit.

Best Season

  • Spring (March-May): Warmer, busier, more pre-fixed ropes on the climb
  • Autumn (September-November): Cooler, sharper visibility, fewer crowds

Winter and monsoon are not recommended.

Fitness

Strenuous. You should be comfortable walking 6-8 hours a day with a daypack at altitude. Cardio training (running, hiking, stair climbing) for at least 3-4 months before the trip is the standard recommendation. Prior trekking experience above 4,000m is a big advantage.

Packing list

Clothing: Expedition down jacket, fleece mid-layers, hardshell jacket and trousers, thermal base layers, trekking shirts and trousers, 4 pairs of socks (including expedition weight), balaclava, beanie, sun hat, buff, liner gloves, insulated gloves

Footwear: Insulated mountaineering boots for the climb (rentable), broken-in trekking boots for the approach, lodge shoes, gaiters

Technical climbing gear (most can be rented): 12-point crampons, ice axe, harness, climbing helmet, ascender (jumar), belay/abseil device, 2-3 locking carabiners, slings, prusik cord

Sleep: Down sleeping bag rated to -15°C or lower, inflatable sleeping pad

Accessories: 30L daypack, 70-80L duffel for the porter, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, glacier glasses, refillable insulated water bottle, water purification, power bank, universal adapter

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, climbing-grade travel insurance, 6 passport photos, cash

Medical: First-aid kit, sunscreen SPF 50+, lip balm, painkillers, Diamox (after consulting your doctor)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior climbing experience?
Not strictly — Island Peak is the friendliest 6,000m summit in Nepal — but some experience with crampons, ice axe and abseiling will make a big difference. We run a climbing school at base camp.

Is the climb dangerous?
It is a real alpine summit with crevasses, fixed ropes and a steep ice headwall, so risks exist. Our Sherpa team manages these with pre-fixed lines, ladder crossings, ropes between climbers and an experienced ratio of guides to climbers.

Which permits do I need?
Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Island Peak climbing permits. All are arranged by us.

How does the acclimatisation work?
Doing EBC first means you are already adapted to 5,000m+ by the time you start the climb. The descent to Dingboche before the climb is also part of the strategy.

What is the price difference for spring?
Spring (March-May) carries a USD 175 surcharge on the climbing permit. Autumn pricing stays at the listed base.

Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes — you can add Gokyo, extend rest days, upgrade to a private climbing Sherpa, or attach a helicopter return from Gorak Shep.

What climbing gear is provided?
All group gear (ropes, anchors, ice screws). You provide or rent personal gear (crampons, harness, helmet, axe). We strongly recommend bringing your own climbing boots.

How cold is summit day?
Pre-dawn temperatures can reach -20°C or colder with wind chill. Proper layering and insulated boots are essential.

What happens if I can't summit?
Reaching base camp at 5,000m is itself a serious achievement, and turning around is a respected mountaineering decision. Many trekkers in mixed groups choose to support summit attempts from base camp.

Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes — and it must cover trekking peak climbing up to 6,500m and helicopter evacuation. We need to see proof before confirming.

What is the food like at base camp?
Our cook prepares hot communal meals — soup, rice, pasta, vegetables, lentils, tea and coffee. Inform us in advance about any allergies or dietary needs.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $2200

per person

WhatsApp Enquire