Island Peak Climbing Difficulty and Who Can Join
Though the Island peak climbing is not technically challenging, it is physically demanding and is graded as Alpine PD+. Among the trekking peaks in Nepal, the Island Peak is the most popular as it is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. Though previous climbing experience certainly helps, no prior experience is required for Island Peak climbing. Moreover, our climbing Sherpa guide will organize a special training session on climbing needed skills at the Island Peak base camp. Pre-physical training is necessary, like some cardio workouts, and a couple of miles of regular walking will help before you arrive in Kathmandu. Anyone physically fit can join this Island peak climbing trip. However, anyone with a knee, ankle, heart, or lung pre-medical history needs to seek medical consent before considering Island Peak.
Gear to Climb and Base Camp with Solar Light
Mountain Monarch provides all the personal and group climbing gear to make the hassle-free and cost-effective climbing trip to the Himalayas. There is no need to worry about renting or buying any of the personal and group climbing gear to join this Island peak with us. Such climbing gear includes La Sportiva climbing boots (size taken after your arrival, or you can email us the boot size beforehand), Black Diamond or camps’ crampons, ice axe, ice bar, ice screw, zoomer, harness, the figure of eight, safety helmet, plain and locking carabineers, prussic cord and new climbing rope, etc. We also supply a warm sleeping bag with warm fleece liners and warm jackets, which is the mother of all warm clothing. We also provide you with a duffle bag to fit all your gear in, and a porter will carry it for you while on the trip. You need some personal gear, including trekking boots, to scale the Island peak with us.
You will be facilitated with a men member tent, a dining tent with a table and chair, a form mattress, and solar lights with your device charging facility at the base camp of Island Peak. We use solar energy at base camp to be environment-friendly. Our cook will prepare the meals while you are in the tent.
Trekking Peaks and Summit Success Rate
Peaks below 6500 meters are categorized as Trekking Peaks in the Nepal Himalayas, which are comparatively less technical but physically demanding. To join the trekking peak, one must have sound physical and mental fitness but no need for previous climbing experience.
We, Mountain Monarch, have been organizing the Island peak climbing for more than 2 decades. Every year, more than 100 trekkers scale the Island peak climbing with us. So far, we have achieved a summit success rate of more than 90%
Walking Hours and Pace
Usually, you walk for 5 to 8 hours daily, excluding lunch. As for the time to Island Peak summit and back to base camp, it solely depends on your pace. We allow you enough time to set up your own pace for acclimatization and to make every day more entertaining, yet the walking time varies depending on the group walking pack. We usually start the walk around eight a m after breakfast so that you can reach the destination on time, leaving you enough time to explore and enjoy the serenity en route.
You will have assistant guides in addition to your group leader. Your leader will systematically assign each of his assistants to the group while he takes responsibility for the slow-walking people at the tail of the group, making it utterly nonstrenuous. Nevertheless, your leader would be counseling everyone to stay together and walk collectively as a team.
Climbing Cost to Summit Island Top
Island Peak climbing costs depend on what it includes and which company you book. Most international travel companies charge more due to their intermediary role. Our package cost is affordable and covers all essentials on the climb, such as full board meals, accommodation from the hotel to the tea house, and tents. Further, the climbing guide and crew, climbing permit, and Lukla flight are included. We ensure all personal and group climbing gear is available for use. It makes your climbing trip with us hassle-free and cost-effective.
Accommodation and Meals
The journey to the Island Peak trek in Nepal offers a great experience. You will stay in tented camps and local tea houses. You will have a fantastic experience staying at the tented camp during the climb. Our dining tent has a table and chairs, perfect for enjoying meals. We have a skilled chef at the base camp of Imja Tse Peak. He prepares hygienic meals to delight you at that high altitude. While hiking, we stay at the local tea house for the rest of the nights. These tea houses have a cozy atmosphere, perfect for escaping the cold nights. Our guide will be there to advise on safe meals. You have a variety of choices for food, from Nepalese food, such as Dal, Bhat, Veg curry, lentil, Momo, Chowmin, and Thukpa, to Tibetan and Indian bread or items made from Potato, etc.
The tea houses sell adequately boiled water on the entire journey. We prefer boiled water to plastic mineral water bottles. Bringing water purification tablets to purify the spring water is recommended to make it safe to drink. We suggest you get at least two metal or Nalgene bottles, each with a one-liter capacity to fill up the drinking water, which is enough for the whole day. The hot water you fill in the bottles after dinner can be used as a hot pack inside the sleeping bag. The following day, you can still drink while it is still warm.
Lukla Flight and Alternative in Case of Bad Weather
There are possibilities of flight delays and sometimes cancellations as Nepal Air Aviation is quite strict about these small planes flying high into remote mountain airstrips like Lukla. Though Lukla happens to be the settlement hidden inside the magnificent valley, the airport would be momentarily closed whenever there is the slightest weather chaos or high-velocity winds. So, there is no need to fear flying in or out of Lukla. We have crafted the itinerary for a night stay in Kathmandu to deal with the bad weather. We motivate trekkers to have an extra day in Kathmandu to explore it before flying out or to deal with bad weather. People have many legends about flying in and out of Lukla, but this 40-minute flight is breathtaking rather than bloodcurdling.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lukla flight in and out typically takes from Ramechhap airport, around a 4/5 hour drive from Kathmandu. Generally, this ensures the same-day flight to Lukla and avoids the air traffic congestion at Kathmandu airport. Alternatively, there is an off-road drive to Surke from Kathmandu. Surke is about 2 hours hike and a whole long day drive to Kathmandu in case of bad weather for the Lukla flight. Another option is to charter the helicopter, which will add extra cost.
Communicate Facilities in Case of an Emergency.
With the advancement of technology, the availability of mobile networks in the Nepal Himalayas is miraculous. Mobile and 4G data coverage is available in most areas of Everest, including the base camp, which is a luxury. Every tea house in the entire region provides you with internet facilities with minimum charges so that you can update your family and friends about your whereabouts. Surprisingly, the Island Peak Top has excellent cell phone coverage.
Recharging Batteries and Hot Shower
Being more exceptional, unlike the rest of the companies, in Island Peak base camp, we facilitate solar batteries for lights and charging with absolutely no additional charge. However, charging privileges for any electronic device are available throughout the Everest region. Tea houses have some charges on them. Still, it is wise to carry some extra batteries or fully charged power banks to save some money, and also, your batteries run out pretty quickly in the cold. Hot showers are available at the lower elevation teahouse with minimum charges, but taking hot showers at high elevations is not recommended due to the cold weather.
Travel Insurance for an Emergency
We strongly suggest you have an all-inclusive travel insurance policy covering all aspects of your adventure. Traveling with a guide and safety backup, we ensure proper safety on a trip. There would be hardly any evacuations or health catastrophes as your leader is medically trained and has ample knowledge to deal with any life-threatening situation. But it is always wise to have insurance as your backup.
Permit! Can an Overseas Company Run this Trip?
As for the Island peak climbing, you would need a special Island peak climbing permit along with Sagarmatha National Park and Local government entrance permit to enter the region. On your behalf, we will ensure all of these permits will be ready for the adventure trek to climb.
No overseas travel companies can legally organize the climb to Island Peak in Nepal. Obtaining a climbing permit is a must before scaling the peak. Registered trekking companies in the Nepal government can only get a permit to climb. By the rule of the Nepal government, joining a local company is a must.
Booking with overseas companies means hiring a mediator. They established a bridge with local operators in Nepal. Mountain Monarch is a top-ten award-winning company that runs triumphant peak climbing in Nepal. We have organized more than 200 trips to Island Peak in two decades.
What is the Best Time, and is it Possible to Climb in the Winter?
Island Peak can be attempted throughout the year except for the Monsoon. However, March to May during the spring and September to November during autumn are considered the best times to climb Island Peak. These seasons offer a 360-degree stunning view of the mountain range, and astounding landscapes are at their best state.
Despite being a cold night in December, it offers crystal clear weather with a stunning mountain profile. Winter climbing to Island Peak is possible, and we have been running the winter climb in December. Thus, winter Island peak climbing depends on time availability and compatibility with the colder nights.
Why Climb with Mountain Monarch?
Mountain Monarch is renowned for its quality service, proper safety backup, and responsible travel with detailed logistic support throughout the trip. We invest in manpower and gear. We have the most experienced local climbing guide who has climbed it more than 200 times over 2 decades. Our responsible policy of having a dedicated trek porter for each trekker confirms the journey goes as planned. It also gives time to adjust the itinerary if needed on the trip to Island Peak.
We provide all the personal and group climbing gear, including the climbing boots, which means one can join the climbing trip with us with normal trek gear. There is no need to worry or invest in climbing gear just for one trip. We carry the supplementary Oxygen and wilderness medicine.
Every year, we are growing, and many trekkers and climbers are joining us as they have seen us in action on an earlier trip or have heard of our excellent and reliable service. Adventurers who joined once with us return because they know we do our best to make the trip responsible, safe, and a lifetime journey.
Can we Customize Island Peak Climbing?
Yes, we are happy to customize the Island peak climbing itinerary at a time convenient to you and your fitness level. Depending on your schedule and time, you can book the whole circuit via the high passes of Renjo and Chola or hike to Everest base camp and scale the Island Peak. Mountain Monarch has successfully customized many trips to Island Peak based on request. We are here to listen and customize the safe and memorable climbing experience.
