Traditional Route to Imja-Tse

Detail Itinerary

DAY 1: Kathmandu (1300m)

Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport look for your guide with Sherpa Backpackers’ display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to the hotel. After you check in you have sometime to explore the city and then preparing for your next day adventure is must. Your guide will introduce you to  rest of the team member and brief you about the trip in the evening. Provided there is time after the meeting we may as well go out for a group dinner to a traditional Nepali Restaurant.

DAY 2:  Kathmandu – Lukla (2,860m) 30 minutes flight – Phakding (2,690m) 3  hours

After an early breakfast, you will be driven to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for an early morning flight to Lukla, also known as the gateway to Mt. Everest Base Camp. After an adventurous 30 minute flight above the breathtaking green and white mountains we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world which is surrounded by high mountains peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet our other crew members and the you get access to your duffel bags before we start the day hike. After some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities we can take a side trip upto a nearbyvilleg or visit a Buddhist  monastery. Overnight in Phakding.

DAY 3:  Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3,440 m): 6- 7 hours

Today’s our trek starts in the morning after breakfast. The walk today is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill with multiple crossings over Dudh Koshi River and magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku from the Benkar village. We cross more bridges and reach entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo where we will have our lunch. After lunch we descend and then a gradual walk brings us to Jorsale, the last village before Namche Bazaar.It’s mostly ascending after this. As we climb up the hill towards Namche Bazzar closer and magnificent sight of Kongde Peak, Kusum Kangaru, Tawache, and many other fabulous mountains can be seen close by. If the weather is good then today you will also be able to see Mt. Everest for the first time. We stop at Chautara to admire the view. Then we make the last push to get to Namche.

DAY 4:  Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization Day

This is the scheduled ‘acclimatization’ day for the trek. Experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. Therefore today we take you for an acclimatization hike making an ascent of 300-40meters. Then back for lunch again. After lunch you have an afternoon free to explore Namche Bazaar.

DAY 5:  Namche Bazzar to Phortse  (3,810m)  8 hours

After breakfast in Namche, we start our trek towards Kyangjuma enjoying superb view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. Our trek follows on the gradual trail with few ups and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great Himalaya. Along the way we can spot wild lives like pheasant, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The path eventually reaches Sansa which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. After Sanasa we start to ascent towards Mong-la where we staop for lunch. After lunch we descend down about 300m and then finally make an ascent of 200m to the beautiful villege of Phortse. Phortse is one of the oldest settlement in the region where every single house has a Everest Summiter.

DAY 6:  Phortse to Dingboche (4,360 m)  8 hours

After spending a night in Phortse. We start our journey through the exposed terraine to upper Pangboche with spectacular landscape views. We pass through several Chortens and Mani walls and get to witness different villeges from different angle before getting to upper pangboche and then we slowly head towards somare for lunch. The place where we stop for lunch not only serves delicious food but also allows a fantastic close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. In the afternoon, we walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Mt Ama Dablam. After lunch,we are above the treeline and the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley. The valley gradually unfolds as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. We descend into the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche. On arrival at Dingboche, we will see beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Overnight at Dingboche.

DAY 7:  Dingboche (4,360 m): Acclimatization Day

We spend our second day of acclimatization at Dingboche. A refreshing breakfast while admiring a looming Ama Dablam (6856m/ 22493 ft) to the south is really fantastic. To better appreciate Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Lhotse and numerous other peaks visible from Dingboche, we climb the ridge on the north behind the village. This willbe an ideal acclimatizing excursion. Upon this juncture, we can see three of the world’s six highest peaks, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Cho Yu. To the west, loom the towering peaks of Cholatse (6440m) and Taboche (6542m). As we look northwest, we see an array of peaks rising at the head of the Khumbu Khola valley. The Lobuche West and Lobuche East peaks are most dominant along with Lhotse which stands over 8500 meters (8501m). From a vantage point high on the ridge, we can scan the sweeping Imja Khola valley as well as the picturesque fields and pastures of Dingboche. Overnight at Dingboche.

DAY 8:  Dingboche – Lobuche (4930m) 6 hours

We start the day with a climb to Duglha through the Khumbu Khola valley. The walk along the arid terrace is rewarding with awesome views of mountains on all sides. As we come to a yak herder’s place called Dusa, the valley begins to narrow and we continue through Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Above Phulung Karpo is Chola Lake. As we move on, the majestic view of Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) comes into view. As the trail descends and curves, Mt. Pumori disappears from view and we come across a roaring stream. After crossing a small wooden bridge, we ascend to Duglha. We can see the tip of Mt Nuptse from here as well as Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku, and several other magnificent peaks.Beyond Duglha, we climb up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We pass through boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara, an eerie ridge top with dramatic mountain views. At the top of the ridge, we will find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 12 times Everest submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa (a Nepali mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Everest. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we find ourselves facing several great peaks – Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. We are now in the vicinity of Everest but the great mountain still remains elusive. Mt Nuptse towers to the right as the trail crosses the Khumbu Glacier. As we pass along a murmuring stream leaving the Khumbu Glacier behind, we now begin to feel a little out of breath due to high altitude. Overnight at Lobuche.

DAY 9:  Lobuche – Gorak Shep  (5180m) 4hours Everest Base Camp (5365m) 3 hours – Gorak Shep: 2 hours

The trail to Gorak Shep goes ahead through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We pass through the pyramid sign post. Ahead on the trail we see crest of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A small ascent would take us to Thangma Riju from where we perceive 360 degree vista of snowy mountains. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri Glacier, we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar, a grey-green knoll beneath the Mt. Pumori. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will find snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world – Mt. Everest. After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. Only upon reaching the Everest Base Camp do we really appreciate the Everest climbers who brave the hazardous route through the Khumbu icefall. Mountaineer’s tents stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings (especially in the Spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip. Overnight at Gorak Shep

DAY 10:  Gorak Shep – Kala Patthar – Dingboche(4360m)   8-9 hours

Today we start early in the morning to catch the great view from Kala Patthar witnessing the first light of day shining on Mount Everest. However, we need to get prepared for an early morning, dark and cold temperature departure beforehand. Further, there is always the potential for chilly wind which is quite common. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself emerging between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, we can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding view points to snap pictures. After several hours of an ascent, we reach Kala Patthar. From this juncture, we scramble to climb the rocky outcrop near to the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags. As we reach the top, we sit on the Kala Patthar where rocks our eyes taking unbelievable Himalayan Panorama, wandering from one mighty massif to another. We take as many pictures as we can and take the in view with our mind’s eye to last lifetime. On being back to Gorak Shep, we have breakfast and then slowly descend down to Dingboche via lobuche.

DAY 11:  Dingboche to Chhukung (4700m) 4 hours

The walk is pleasant as we leave Dingboche through stone walled fields and alpine landscape. We take the trial from Dingboche through Imja Khola valley to land raven by glacier moraines amidst towering formidable mountains. We walk leisurely as our schedule for today is only 3-4 hours trek. While walking through the valley, Lhotse towers on our left and Ama Dablam on our right. After walking about 3 km, we reach at yak herdman place called Bibre. Straight ahead, beyond a terminal moraine wall, soars the Island peak (Imja Tse), a most popular trekking peak. The pyramidal Imja Tse looks awesome with its step rocky and-icy south face. The trail ahead is intersected by icy streams. We reach Chhukung in about half an hour from Bibre. There are glaciers and massive snowy mountains all around the place. We might choose to hike to the rocky knoll of Chhukung Ri which offers stunning views of Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu and several others including Baruntse.

DAY 12:  Chhukung -Island Peak Base Camp (5000m): 4 hours

The path from Chhukung leads fairly steep way climbing south then turning east to the main line of the valley. Its  windy along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. We continue short pleasant walking along a stream side. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. A cries-cross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. And we arrive here at Island peak Basecamp with our basecamp crews welcoming you with a warm tea then followed by lunch.

DAY 13: Summit Island Peak (6189m) 8-10 hours

We begin our climb early in the morning, generally around 1 AM. In the beginning, path leads up beyond base camp for several hundred meters before striking off left up the steep hillside. Initially,we start to climb up gently and then bit steep to high camp and then climb the rock gully further high camp. This is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before we emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridge line, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. We need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses. The guides will fix a rope wherever necessary. A steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. After enjoying the summit views, and taking pictures, we descend to Island Peak Base Camp, Once we get to basecamp we slowly pack up our stuffs and get going down to Chhukung. Overnight in Chukkung.

DAY 14:  Chhukung to Namche (3440m) 10 hours

After breakfast we retrace our path to tyangboche via beautiful villege of Dingboche and pangboche. We stop in Tyangboche for lunch. After lunch we descend down to Namche. Stay overnight in Namche.

DAY 15:  Namche Bazaar-Lukla 2856M, 8 Hours

The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. By today we start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as we pass through this charming mountain air. Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel completely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We walk through the Sherpa villages’ noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag while we walk through the villages.we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile on faces!

DAY 16: Fly Back to Kathmandu

Today, we fly back to Kathmandu. Once you are in Kathmandu your guide will help you check in to your hotel. Once checked in you have all afternoon free to yourself to explore more of the cities / have rest / body massage enjoy spa etc. After all you deserve to have all of them. If you are still keen on exploring any other areas in Kathmandu,you can talk to your guide and he/she will organize it for you accordingly.

DAY 17: Final Departure

The journey within the mountains of Nepal comes to an end today. Depending on your flight schedules you can wander around Thamel and relax before your flight. Your guide will see you off to the airport for your flight back home. You should be leaving the hotel  3 hours prior to your flight time.