Island Peak & Everest BC

At 8848m Mount Everest is the world’s highest peak and a trek to the base from either the Nepalese or Tibetan side is a once in a lifetime journey. We combine this unforgettable trip with additional visits to the Ama Dablam basecamp, a crossing of the Cho La pass and a visit to the Gokyo Valley. For those with an extra appetite for adventure we offer an extension to climb Island Peak .

Dates:

May 1 to 21, 2012
September 5 to September 26, 2011
October 15 – November 4, 2011 & 2012
November 4 - November 24, 2011 & 2012

Private trips:

We can offer this program with the highest quality ground services and our full-time local staff for any date of your choosing, for single persons to groups up to 15 members, and with a variety of options and add-ons. Contact us for full details.

Price:

US$2850 for full service trek and climb of Island Peak

US$2150 for full service trek

Inclusions:

All services Kathmandu – Kathmandu

Positions Open:

12 per trip

About Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam

At 8,848m, Mt. Everest is the highest peak on Earth. Known locally by the name of Chomolungma, which means “Goddess Mother of The Earth “, Everest is located on the Nepal-Tibet border in the high Himalayan range.

Ama Dablam means “Mother and Pearl Necklace” and is an amazingly beautiful mountain that many consider the most stunning in the region. For several days, Ama Dablam will dominate the sky for anyone trekking to the Mount Everest region . The base camp below South West Face ranks among the most beautiful base camps in the Himalayas.

Field Touring & Mount Everest Treks

Our treks to Everest base camp and climbs on Ama Dablam and our general operations here are well tried and tested. Our experience, combined with the best local support and organisation, ensures that members receive the absolute maximum of time in the areas which warrant it most.

Our Nepal trekking programs are designed to maximise your time in the mountains and to compliment that with ample opportunity for shopping and sightseeing in towns. We stay in the best tourist guest houses, and utilise high quality field tents and messing services on the trail.

Trek Overview

Our 21 day program through the Khumbu will include a visit to the Ama Dablam base camp and trekking members will have a chance to observe first-hand the details of a major himalayan expedition.

Our trip will begin in Kathmandu with a day spent visiting the cities major religious and cultural. locations and an orientation to this fantastic city. With the significant political changes in the last year we are excited that the safety of tourism is once again on the rise in Nepal.

Our major effort gets under way the next morning with an early flight to Lukla and an easy walk down to the Dudh Khosi river and our first night at altitude. The next day the trek brings us along raging rivers, wilds bridge crossing and through pine forests to the bustling town of Namche Bazaar at 3450 meters. After a few days of acclimatizing walks to town of Kumjung and the Thame monastery we depart for the famed Thyngboche monastery and spend a quiet night among the Rhododendrons in Deboche. The next day brings us to Ama Dablam Base camp and up close views of one of the worlds most beautiful peaks. Members may have the opportunity to trek up towards C1 the following day for a view of the SW ridge rarely seen by trekkers.

We then head over to Island Peak by way of Dingboche and Chukung to prepare for our climb on Island Peak! We will then make our way towards Everest by way of Dingboche, Lobuche and finally Gorak Shep. After a day trip to Kala Pattar and stunning views of Everest we will descend to Lobuche and begin the exciting crossing of the Cho La pass which will take us across to the Gokyo Valley before returing to Namche.

Island Peak Climb Overview

While the route requires knowledge of rope work and technical climbing techniques, it is suitable for climbers without significant previous ice and snow experience. Exposure to heights above 5,000m would be ideal, but not mandatory. The route is mostly low angle with a long section of 40-50° snow which is on a fixed line. We then climb the summit ridge in roped teams and enjoy the exposed climbing to the summit! On our rest days at Ama Dablam BC and Island Peak BC we will review the skills required for climbing in rope teams and on fixed lines as well as review crampon and ice axe skills.

Our expedition will start with an extraoardinary trek from Lukla to Ama Dablam BC with three nights in Namche along the way to ensure and excellent acclimatization. Often we will stop in at the Ama Dablam BC for a night along the way and then continue on the next day to Dingboche, Chukung and Island BC. After a rest day at Island BC we move to a high camp and make an early morning summit bid. With good weather and conditions we'll be back in Chukung enjoying a cold beer and by the afternoon!

We have been running trips to Island Peak continuously since 2006 and have an excellent summit record and perfect safety record. We support our western guides with between 1 and 3 Sherpas who have all summited Island Peak many times before (some as many as 30-40 times!). Many of our Island Peak climbers will continue on to Ama Dablam and as such are usually very experienced mountaineers. The experience and skill of these members only serves to increase the safety and success of your climb on Island Peak!

If you have friends who would like to join you for the trek but do not wish to climb the peak please bring them along. during the 2-3 days you will be on Island Peak they can remain in Chukung and take fantastic day walks to Chukung Ri and have close up views of the Lhotse and Nupste walls which protect the Westen Cym of Everest. You can reunite after your climb and continue on to Everest BC and Gokyo. If you have friends on our Ama Dablam Climb you can reunite with them back in Namche after you have completed your trek around to Gokyo.

With a world class trek, a great 6000m peak, experienced guides and like-minded teammates this will be a great trip from start to finish!

Options

For members who would like to extend the trip by a few days it is possible to visit Gokyo, Gokyo Ri and the lakes above Gokyo as well. Friends wishing to join on the entire trip excluding Island Peak can enjoy a few restful days in Chukung! Please discuss these options with us at any time!