Climb Island Peak with Saud Aleidi, Nepal

Upon arrival, a PANGAEA representative will meet us outside the airport gates and accompany us to our hotel to check in and rest.

This day is dedicated to thorough equipment checks, a detailed climb briefing, and securing the necessary permits. In the evening, enjoy a welcoming dinner — a perfect chance to connect with your fellow climbers and get to know the group.

Good morning! We’re transferring to the airport to board one a stunning 45-minute mountain flight through the Himalayas. From Lukla (2,652 m), we trek downhill toward the Dudh Koshi (Milky River) – a raging river that flows from the glacier of the highest mountains. This fairly easy and well-marked trail meanders around the fields of potatoes and wheat, passing through many traditional villages to reach Phakding. After about three hours of trekking, we’ll spend our first night in Phakding.

trek after breakfast, passing through pine forest, rhododendron, magnolia, and cultivated terraces to get to Sagarmatha National Park in the mountain capital, Namche Bazaar. Spectacular mountain peaks like Nupla (5,885 m), Kongde Ri (6,093 m) and Thamserku (6,808 m) rise majestically above us throughout most of the day.

It’s important to spend an extra night at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization purposes before venturing higher. We’ll do a short day hike up to the hotel in Shyangboche at 3,833 m for stunning views of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest. Average trekking time is 2 hours.

We leave for trek to Tengboche (3,780 m) early in the morning after breakfast following a trail around the ridges for some spectacular views of Ama Dablam. Everest can be clearly seen on the horizon before we descend through splendid rhododendron forests for lunch. After lunch, we cross Dudh Koshi River once again and begin a long winding ascent that takes us to the famous Buddhist monastery of Tengboche – built in 1912 and considered the spiritual and cultural center of these highlands. The monastery has been recently re-built with the assistance of Sir Edmund Hillary after it was destroyed by fire in 1989. As this area is a devout Buddhist region, the wildlife is unharmed so there is always a possibility that we may see some wild animals such as musk deer, mountain goat, and pheasants in the forest..

The trail now ascends up to Imja Khola before an easy climb along a wide open trail to a small mountain village named Pangboche, sitting at 3,901 m. We may take a slight detour to visit an old monastery where Lama Geishi gives his blessings to those attempting to stand on Sagarmatha’s highest point. Then we gradually head uphill to Dingboche at 4,365 m as the trail passes through the valley surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains..

Use this day to adjust to the high altitude in Dingboche

Today we’ll take a short but scenic hike to Chukhung, a small settlement nestled in the upper Imja Valley. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of towering Himalayan giants, including Lhotse, Makalu, and the iconic Ama Dablam. The trail offers a blend of gentle paths and gradual ascents, giving you time to adjust to the altitude while soaking in the dramatic alpine landscapes. We’ll spend the night in Chukhung, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the serenity of the high mountains

Today’s trek leads us along a rugged trail that winds through glacial moraines and rocky terrain, gradually gaining altitude as we approach Island Peak Base Camp. The route offers striking views of the surrounding Himalayan giants, with Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Imja Tse dominating the skyline. The path, though challenging at times, rewards us with a true sense of adventure as we enter the heart of the high Himalayas. Upon reaching the base camp at 5,200m, we’ll settle in and make final preparations for our climb, surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery

full day at Island Peak Base Camp practicing essential climbing skills, including rope fixing, harness use, and ice axe techniques. Safety, knots, and teamwork exercises prepare us for the upcoming ascent.

We start the Island Peak ascent in the early hours to take advantage of stable morning conditions. The climb challenges us with steep snow and ice sections, requiring careful use of crampons and ice axes. After reaching the breathtaking summit at 6,189m and taking in panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, we carefully descend back to Base Camp to rest and celebrate the achievement.

Descend to Pangboche, a traditional Sherpa village known for its rich cultural heritage. The village is home to one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, offering a glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist traditions and rituals. Pangboche is also famous for legends of the Yeti, with stories that have been passed down for generations. The descent provides a change of scenery, moving from high alpine landscapes to greener valleys dotted with stone houses and prayer flags

Descend through rhododendron and juniper forests on the return to Namche. Enjoy glimpses of wildlife and mountain views before settling in for an overnight stay in the lively Sherpa hub.

We’re retracing our steps along the Dudh Koshi River – a beautiful and easy walk through pine and rhododendron forest with a view of Kusum Kanguru. Climbing out of the river valley, we head back to Lukla at 2,652 m to savour our final mountain sunset after around 6 hours of trekking.

This morning, we board a scenic flight through the Himalayan mountain range back to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your own pace before heading to the airport around 10 p.m. for your international flight home.