Island Peak Climbing

Accommodation

Accommodations in the Himalayas are mostly teahouses/guesthouses/lodges. In the city, the hotel is the accommodation. Generally, the teahouses are simple with basic facilities but comfortable to stay in. For the use of Wi-Fi, charging electronic devices, hot water buckets, laundry, and boiled water, trekkers must pay an additional charge. For Island peak climbing, accommodation is tented camps at Island Peak Base Camp and High Camp.

Meals

In the city, only breakfast is provided. During the entire trek in the Everest region, a full 3-course meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is provided from the teahouses. The meals are basic but organic and healthy suitable for the health of the trekkers. The prime dish is Nepali Dal-Bhat served with vegetable curry and pickles. Besides Dal-Bhat, noodles, soups, Sherpa stew, hot drinks, roti, and fresh curries are served. There is no variety of meals at the teahouses but one can enjoy the continental dishes at Namche at your personal expense.
For peak climbing, meals are prepared by a professional cook who accompanied us during the trek. All necessary kitchen equipment is carried with us. The meals prepared during the treks are healthy and hygienic. It provides great energy for trekkers/climbers.

Drinking water

Drinking water keeps the body hydrated which is essential during peak climbing. In the Himalayas, water is pure and fresh. One can directly drink water from the natural stream from the Himalayas. Or one can fill up the boiled water at the teahouses paying an additional charge. Water-purifying solution kits are a must. So, always carry for safe water treatment and to stay safe & healthy. Remember to carry a water bottle to minimize the use of plastic bottles.

Communication

Everest Link’s Wi-Fi card is the internet provider in the entire Everest region. The internet connectivity is stable and easily accessible in the lower regions of Everest. The mobile network is also stable in the lower region. But, in the higher regions both mobile network and internet connectivity is unstable, and sometimes no connection at all. One can also purchase a local Sim to use the phone and mobile data internet in the lower regions.

Required Permits

Khumbu permit costs: NPR 2000 (Foreigners), NPR 1000 (SAARC)
SNP permit costs: NPR 3000 (Foreigners), NPR 1500 (SAARC)
Island Peak permit cost as per different seasons:

• Spring (March-May): USD 250 per person
• Autumn (September-November): USD 125 per person
• Summer (June-August) & Winter (December-February): USD 70/person

Garbage Deposit Fee costs USD 500

Following documents are required for Island Peak Permit:

• Passport-sized photos
• Passport Photocopy with 6 months validity
• Nepali currency (NPR)
• Application forms
• Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is required while trekking and peak climbing in Nepal. Travel Insurance makes your journey stress-free. It acts as a safety tool that prevents unforeseen and unwanted events during the travel journey. One must get travel insurance from a trusted insurance company. It must cover all emergencies, flight cancelations, loss/theft of luggage, altitude over 3000m, evacuations, and medical difficulties.

Safety and our guides

The client’s safety is our topmost priority. So, when it comes to safety one can 100% trust us. Our guides are certified and have years of experience in this field. They are aware of the technical difficulties, altitude sickness, and health of the trekkers in the Himalayas. Thus, they are fully prepared and always carry necessary medical kits, safety tools, and are experts in safety performances. From the beginning to the end of the trek, the client’s safety is taken into consideration and kept as a high priority. Therefore, all the program itineraries are carefully planned and scheduled with proper acclimatization and rest days to prevent altitude sickness and adapt to the higher altitude. Before climbing Island peak, training is provided on the appropriate use of equipment and gear. We are 24/7 available at your service. Hence, feel free to ask queries and share your thoughts.

Best time for Island Peak Climbing

All seasons have their beauty. But, when it comes to Island Peak Climbing, Spring and Autumn seasons are termed best. These two seasons are the best time to climb as the weather is clear, the days are bright, and trekking trails are easy to walk. Winter and Rainy seasons are riskier due to muddy, slippery, and snowy trails. The weather is also uncertain and the chances of the temperature rising are high making it cold for the trekkers. It is advisable to properly plan before climbing the peak in the winter seasons. The permit cost for different seasons are given below:

• Spring (March-May): USD 250 per person
• Autumn (September-November): USD 125 per person
• Summer (June-August) & Winter (December-February): USD 70 per person

Island Peak Climbing Difficulty

Island Peak is a Group B classified peak by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Island Peak Climbing is extremely challenging due to its long duration, elevation, and trail structure. The trek trails include several steeps ascends, and descends, rugged trails, and high elevations. Climbers should experience mountaineering at high altitudes and train in climbing, knowledge on using gears and equipment properly before climbing the actual peak. The trekking experience at the high altitude is a plus point. Besides this, climbers must be physically and mentally fit before the start of the peak climbing journey. Climbers should take part in physical training, exercises, short day hikes, cardiovascular exercises, and eat healthy diets. Take essential health tests and keep yourself motivated before the journey. Here in Nepal, our assistance is always there throughout the peak climbing journey.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

Altitude sickness is common at an altitude above 3000m. Here in Nepal, during peak climbing, altitude sickness chances are high. The high elevation, the weather, and the temperature play a key role. Thus, to prevent altitude sickness acclimatization is quintessential. Thus, the acclimatization rest days are carefully scheduled at Namche and High Camp to adapt to the surroundings. All age groups and even healthy people can suffer from altitude sickness. But, no need to panic as its symptoms and precautionary advice is given below:

Altitude Sickness Symptoms
The symptoms of altitude sickness are primary at the initial stage and get extreme if primary symptoms are not taken into consideration.

Primary symptoms: Headache, vomiting, breathlessness, loss of appetite & sleep, tiredness, vertigo
Extreme symptoms: primary symptoms along with delusions & unconsciousness

Precautionary Advice

• Inform the guide immediately
• Stretch the body and do warm up before the start of the trekking journey
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals
• Urinate frequently throughout the journey
• Keep it slow and steady
• Take proper rest and sleep
• Avoid taking salty and unhygienic foods
• Avoid consuming alcohol, and smoking
• If it feels uneasy or difficult, immediately descend
• Consult a guide to taking a medicine

Porter Luggage limitation

One porter is assigned to carry the luggage of two trekkers. The luggage limitation is a maximum of 15 kg per trekker.

Equipment checklist

Essential Documents
Passport, Travel Permits, Visa Photocopy, Passport size photos
Food
Light snacks, Energy bars, and drink mix
Shoes
Camp shoes, Pair of hiking boots, Rubber sandals
Clothes
Windcheater jacket, Thermals, Insulating Down Jacket, Fleece, Long sleeve shirts, Gloves, Towels, Inner garments, Trekking pants, Trousers, Shorts, Socks, Raincoat, Balaclava, Bandana, Gaiters, Raincoat
Accessories
Sunglasses, Hats/Caps, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Water bottles, Pocket Knife, Solar chargers, Batteries, Head Lamps, Torch, Umbrella, Sewing kit, Water Purifying solution kits, reusable bags to deposit waste, and separate clean/dirty clothes
Equipment & Gears: Warm Sleeping bags, Map, Trekking poles, Duffel bag, Carabiners, Crampons, Tapes/Slings, Ice Screws, Ice Ax, Harness, Rope, Spikes
Gears (For Peak Climbing): Seat Harness, Accessory cord, Ice Ax, Crampons, Climbing Harness, Trekking Poles, Ascender (Jumar), Descender (Super 8), Locked & Unlocked Karabiner, Ice Screws, Helmet, Ropes, Prusik Rope, Tape Slings, Belay Device, Snow Bar, Crash Hat, Ice Hammer
Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines, Insect repellents, Blister kits, Approved medicines
Winter Season: Light woolen clothing items
Personal Hygiene Kit: Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, napkins, sachet shampoo, moisturizer, hand wash/soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, razor, and for ladies (menstrual kits)

Note: One can customize the above list. Only bring necessary items from the provided list from your home or one can rent or purchase here in Nepal.