Island Peak Climbing (Imja Tse)

Meeting at Tribhuvan Airport, transfer to hotel in Thamel. Group introductions over dinner, route briefing, passport copies collected for TIMS and permits. If the flight arrives late, dinner is moved to the morning of day two.

Morning sightseeing: Swayambhunath (Buddhist stupa on a hill, the 'monkey temple') and Pashupatinath (Nepal's principal Shaivite temple). Afternoon — personal gear check with the guide, rental or purchase of any missing items in Thamel. Prices in Thamel are 2–3 times lower than in Moscow, selection is wide but quality varies — the guide helps distinguish functional gear from tourist merchandise.

Early flight to Lukla (often delayed 1–4 hours due to weather). Tenzing-Hillary Airport — a short 527-metre runway with a 12% gradient and a drop at the far end. The flight takes about 30 minutes; trekking begins immediately on arrival. An easy day descending the Dudh Kosi valley to Phakding (8 km). First suspension bridges, first acquaintance with the pace of high-altitude trekking.

Ascent to Namche — the main administrative centre of Khumbu (10 km). The valley narrows; the classic Hillary suspension bridges begin, the last one hanging 100 m above the river. From the Top Danda viewpoint, Everest's summit is visible for the first time. Namche is the last stop with an ATM, hot showers, and reliable Wi-Fi. At 3440 m, this is the first altitude most people feel noticeably.

A rest day. Morning acclimatisation hike to Everest View Hotel (3880 m, 2 hours each way, 440 m gain) — the finest viewpoint in Khumbu with a panorama of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Return via the village of Khumjung and its monastery. Sherpa museum. Early night.

A long but not steep day (13 km). The trail contours at roughly the same elevation as Namche for about 2 hours, then descends to the Imja Khola river (3250 m) and climbs 600 m to Tengboche Monastery. Tengboche is the principal Buddhist monastery of Khumbu, founded in 1916. If we arrive by 15:00 we attend the evening puja. Night lower down, in Deboche, a quieter village.

The trail leaves the last rhododendron forest and enters the alpine zone (11 km). To the left — Ama Dablam (6812 m), one of the most photographed peaks in the Himalayas. At 4350 m, many people experience their first pronounced headache or shortness of breath. This is normal; we monitor saturation. Light dinner, 4 litres of water, early sleep.

A rest day. Acclimatisation hike to Nangkar Tshang (5090 m, 3–4 hours each way, 700 m gain) — a steep climb to a point higher than our next night's camp. This is the classic 'climb high, sleep low' approach. At the top — the first characteristic view of Imja Tse. Return to Dingboche for tea and rest.

Ascent to Lobuche (12 km) past the Everest climbers' memorial (4830 m) — a row of stone chortens bearing the names of sherpas and Western climbers who have died since 1953. This is the place where conversation typically goes quiet. Lobuche — the last settlement before EBC, simple lodges, silty glacier water, wind. Night at 4940 m — a serious acclimatisation test.

Morning — move to Gorakshep (5160 m, 3 hours), drop packs. After lunch — ascent of Kala Patthar (5550 m, 3 hours each way) for the finest view of Everest's south face. Kala Patthar stands higher than base camp and gives a direct line of sight to the Khumbu Icefall and the pyramidal Everest summit. Return to Gorakshep for the night — the highest camp so far.

Morning — visit to EBC itself. Everest Base Camp in April–May is a tent city of 1000+ people. In October–November — a quiet moraine flat with a few chortens and prayer flags. EBC is not a 'summit'; it is a plateau on the Khumbu Glacier at 5364 m with a view of the Icefall. After a brief visit — descent back to Lobuche for the night (full altitude loss to recover before the summit push).

Move to Chhukung (5 km) — the last village before Island Peak BC. The standard route crosses Kongma La pass (5535 m, technically straightforward but long); the alternative goes via Dingboche (shorter, no pass). Route choice depends on group condition and weather. Chhukung — a handful of lodges in a broad valley beneath the north face of Ama Dablam.

Morning — approach to Island Peak Base Camp (12 km) along the Imja Glacier. BC is at 5240 m — a tented camp with no lodges. Tents, sleeping bags, a shared mess tent. After lunch — mandatory training session with the climbing guide: jumaring on fixed rope, abseiling, crampon technique, moving roped together across a ladder crossing. For most participants this is their first hands-on work with such techniques. Early dinner, lights out at 19:00.

Start at 01:00. First section — steep ascent over scree and boulders by head-torch light, approximately 3 hours. Then a snow-and-ice slope: crampons on. Ascent on fixed rope with jumar, approximately 350 m of elevation gain; gradient 40–45°. Mid-route — two ladder crossings over glacier crevasses (3–4 m, double protection). Final section — a steep couloir and a snow ridge roughly one metre wide to the summit. Elevation 6189 m, 360° view: Lhotse (8516 m) and Nuptse (7861 m) appear as walls; Makalu (8485 m) lies forty kilometres to the east; Ama Dablam (6812 m) is below. Descent via the same fixed ropes (abseil); return to BC by 14:00–17:00. This is the longest and most demanding day of the trip.

If day 14 was unsuccessful due to weather or the physical condition of part of the group — this is the reserve day for a second attempt. If day 14 went well — a recovery day at BC: packing, a slow breakfast, conversations. Descent to Chhukung shifts to day 16.

Long descent (12 km), shedding 1380 m of altitude. We pass through Chhukung and Dingboche on the way to Tengboche. For the first time in 12 days the air below 4000 m feels noticeably richer — the descent is felt both psychologically and physically. Night at Tengboche, monastery nearby.

Descent (12 km) through Namche to Monjo — a small village at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. The trail passes through rhododendron forests (spectacular in the April–May flowering season). Altitude drops sharply; mosquitoes appear, humidity rises. This is already almost valley terrain.

Final trekking day (12 km). Relaxed pace, no significant elevation gain. By evening — Lukla, dinner at one of the bar-lodges; traditionally, beer with the climbing sherpas (optional). Confirmation of tomorrow's flight.

Morning flight (often delayed). On arrival — hotel in Thamel, shower, rest. After lunch — a blessing ceremony with a Lama and a farewell dinner with the group. Summit certificates are presented (if registered through NMA).

Morning free for shopping and packing: Thamel is a market for trekking equipment, Tibetan carpets, and silver goods. Transfer to the airport according to flight time.