Kumbu trek, and the climb of island peak

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
AND CLIMB OF ISLAND PEAK
The Khumbu Valley offers some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable! We will start
the trek from Lukla, which is an hour flight from Kathmandu. As we make our way to
Namche Bazaar, located at 3400m, we will go through small villages and farms, will
cross raging rivers, and slowly ascend until we see glimpses of the mighty Himalayas. As
we acclimatize in and around Namche, we’ll take in the sights and sounds of a unique
people who live at high altitude with no vehicles, basic necessities and only their own
feet as a mean of transportation. In this harsh environment, it is the Nepalese people that
steal your attention, close behind is the stunning backdrop of peaks that are so captivating
and hold many stories since climbing began here in 1953, with the first ascent of Everest.
The trek will bring us through many more small villages on our way to Chukung, which
sits on the Western side of Island Peak. From here, we will set-up a base camp and make
our way up Island Peak in several days, taking our time to be well acclimatized. The
summit day should give us an amazing view of the major peaks surrounding us: Lhotse,
Nuptse, Everest, Ama Dablam, Baruntse, Pumori and more.
After our summit bid, we will make our way towards Everest Base Camp, going through
Kongma La pass at 5200m high. We will have time to visit the base camp and summit
Kala Pathar for a better view of Everest summit. We will then back track and go back to
Lukla in a few days. A last flight back to Kathmandu will end this trip.
Meeting Place and Time: Kathmandu is the starting and ending place for this trip. We
stay there the first two nights and the last night of the trip. We will be meeting at our
hotel at 3:00pm local time on April 23rd 2012.
Flights: We do NOT recommend that you fly through Delhi (unless you are going to
India, before or after this trip). It is usually not a very pleasant experience.
Visas: People of all nationalities except Indians, require a valid passport and a visa. Visas
are issued at your arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport. You will need two
passport photos as well as US $40 to get a 30-day visa (US $100 for 90-day, if planning
on staying longer).
Travel and Rescue insurance: We strongly recommend travel/medical insurance that
covers “rescue at high altitude” and “mountaineering”. Not many companies cover this.
Travel Underwriters do and it is very affordable. They sell a variety of insurance policies,
including medical (annual and single trip), trip cancellation/interruption and insurance for
visitors to Canada. To find out more about their insurance options, visit the Travel
Underwriters website ator call them direct at 1-800-663-
5389.
2011-03-11- Island Peak & EBC Itinerary - P a g e | 1
Copy of your documents: It is a good idea to photocopy your passport, airline tickets,
credit cards, traveler's cheques etc. This can be very helpful in the event of anything
being lost or stolen.
Credit card: Visa and Master cards are accepted in large cities like Kathmandu. Some
cards, for example American Express, are not widely accepted. There are more and more
ATMs in Nepal and a 4-number PIN is essential to use them (either on credit card or
bank card). It is best to exchange currency in Kathmandu for all expenses in Lukla and
beyond. It is advisable to bring an adequate amount or Canadian or US money and of
traveler’s cheques as it is expensive to get a cash advance.
Currency: The Nepali Currency is Rupees (1 NR = $70)
Language: Nepali if the official language; However, English is very widely spoken.
Immunization & drugs: We recommend that you check with your doctor or travel clinic
for the most current immunization information. It might be a good idea to bring your
immunization book/card (or a copy of it) on your travels. Talk to your doctor about some
special drugs for the trip: we highly recommend that you get Diamox for AMS symptoms
as well as some other drugs if you get sick while trekking (common problems: diarrhea,
coughing, cold and flu).
Water situation: while in Kathmandu, it is easy to get all kind of liquids in a bottle
(water, pop, beer, wine. whisky, etc.) and it is ok to do so. However, while on the trek, it
is NOT recommended to buy bottled water because of massive pollution problems. The
water streams are usually very clean but can contain some nasty bugs. We strongly
recommend that you bring a water purification system with you (water purifier - pump
style or UV, Iodine tablet, Chloride tablets/liquids). We have used Prisitine (available at
MEC) for the last 5-6 years and really like it. Tastes like regular water, is small and light
and one kit is enough for one person for a 3 week trek. While trekking and camping,
boiled water will also be available at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Some recommended readings:
- Lonely Planet: Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (we will have a copy with us)
- Going Higher - Oxygen, Man and Mountains (very good book on high altitude)
- Medicine for Mountaineering (good info on traveling to 3rd world countries regarding
drugs and high altitude)
If you want to get into the mood:
- The Ascent of Rum Doodle (funny book about climbing a very high peak)
- Escape from Kathmandu (4 stories about Kathmandu and the mountains)
Maps: maps will be supplied in Kathmandu. No need to buy any beforehand
2011-03-11- Island Peak & EBC Itinerary - P a g e | 2
Trekking difficulty: moderate to difficult trekking at altitude. Island Peak involves
easy/moderate climbing on snow and ice. Maximum altitude reached is 20,305ft/6189m
(Island Peak). It is not necessary to have previous climbing or high-altitude experience.
However, a good fitness level is essential to be successful on this trek.
Dates & Length: The duration of the trip is 21 days, Kathmandu/Kathmandu.
Dates: April 23 to May 13, 2012

The cost: $4000
The cost includes:
· 4-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights) - breakfast included · Ground transport (including airport transfers) · Domestic flight (Kathmandu to Lukla, return) · Welcome dinner in Kathmandu · Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu · All meals on the trek · Full trek service which includes: tents, mattresses, kitchen tent, dinning tent, toilet · Porters or Yaks to carry loads · Sherpas/Sirdar for the climb · National Park fee and Island Peak climbing permit · Guides service
Not included in price:
· International flights and airport taxes · Personal equipment · Visa fee · Trip insurance (highly recommended) · Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.) · Tips for guides and porters · Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary · Dinners and lunches in Kathmandu · Excess baggage charges
Maximum number of participants: 10
2011-03-11- Island Peak & EBC Itinerary - P a g e | 3
Day to day itinerary:

Day 1 Meet and greet in Kathmandu – dinner included (1300m)
Day 2 Guided tour of Kathmandu (1300m)
Day 3 Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2650m)
Day 4 Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3400m)
Day 5 Acclimatization/rest day in and around Namche Bazaar (3400m)
Day 6 Namche to Tengboche (3800m)
Day 7 Tengboche to Dingboche (4350m)
Day 8 Acclimatization/rest day in and around Dingboche (4350m)
Day 9 Dingboche to Chukkung (4700m)
Day 10 Chukkung to Island Peak Base Camp (5200m)
Day 11 Acclimatization/rest day in and around BC (5200m)
Day 12 Base Camp to High Camp (5600m)
Day 13 Summit back to Chukkung (up to 6200m back to 4700m)
Day 14 Extra Summit Day
Day 15 Chukkung to Lobuche via Kongma La pass (up to 5200m back to 4900m)
Day 16 Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and Gorak Shep (5200m)
Day 17 To the summit of Kala Pathar and down to Pheriche (up to 5550m back to
Day 18 Pheriche to Namche Bazaar Day 19 Namche Bazaar to Lukla Day 20 Fly back to Kathmandu Day 21 International airport and flight home or onwards to some other adventures. 2011-03-11- Island Peak & EBC Itinerary - P a g e | 4

Source: http://elgato.ca/PDFs/IslandPeak-EBC.pdf