Book with confidence - Covid-19 Expand Cancellation flexibility For any bookings made between now and 31 March 2021 on an overseas adventure departing before 31 December 2021, we’re offering you the right to cancel and get a full refund of your deposit up to 90 days before the challenge is due to depart. We want anyone considering booking a trip now to have complete confidence that their deposit is protected and that they can cancel without any penalty for whatever reason. What happens if my trip cannot run due to Covid-19? Your safety is our top priority. Please rest assured that if your trip cannot operate in the host country due to Covid-19, we will offer you a number of options including the chance to: postpone your trip to a later departure of the same event (this year or next) join any other overseas trip in our portfolio (this year or next) transfer your place to another person receive a full refund of monies paid for the challenge Please note that in most cases, where trips can be rescheduled in the same financial year, we are waiving our standard admin fees. What if I postpone the trip and then the later revised trip is also affected and cannot run due to Covid-19? Even if you move on to another trip later in the year or next year, if we still find ourselves unable to safely operate the trip in the host country due to Covid-19, we’ll offer you the same options as above, to postpone, to change trips, to transfer your place to someone else or to receive a refund. What if there is no official advice against travel, but I want to cancel within 90 days of departure? We respect that you may feel more comfortable staying at home, and not travelling regardless of the destination or official advice. If you choose to cancel, we’ll action your request but where there is no FCDO advice against travel to that country at the time of cancellation, our standard cancellation terms will apply.
Island Peak & EBC - Frequently Asked Questions Expand Questions? See our island FAQ page below for further info: Island Peak FAQs Book your Island Peak adventure here
Island Peak & EBC - Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari Extension Expand We offer a superb four-day Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari based out of the highly rated & luxurious Kasara Resort. Once home to a royal hunting reserve, Chitwan National Park is now widely recognised as one of the best national parks in Asia. Occupying an area of 932 sq.km, this national park in the Inner Terai lowlands region of southern Nepal boasts an amazingly rich ecosystem that includes large mammals, reptiles, birds and a number of aquatic species. Covering an area of an area of 953 square kilometres, Chitwan was the first national park to be established in Nepal in 1973 and was granted World Heritage status in 1984. Major species found in the park include the iconic Bengal Tiger, Indian rhinoceros, clouded leopard, sloth bear, Asian elephants and gharials, as well as over 500 species of birds. You can relax in your luxurious resort deep in the heart of Chitwan’s jungle. You’ll track wild animals through its lush landscapes on foot, by traditional canoe and also by jeep. You’ll discover an enchanting lost world of verdant jungle alive with birdcalls and punctuated with wildlife sightings. As well as the abundant wildlife, this incredible adventure offers the opportunity to spend time among the local Tharu people, becoming immersed in their lifestyle and their culture. Chitwan Jungle Safari
Island Peak & EBC - Entry Requirements & Health Expand You can view the British Government's latest advice here. We suggest clients discuss their vaccination requirements with their GP and refer to the TravelHealthPro website, which comprises the travel health resources of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), which was set up by the Department of Health with the broad aim of Protecting the Health of British Travellers. You can be issued a single-entry tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport, but we advise our clients to apply for a Nepalese visa in advance using at their nearest Embassy. You can also choose to register using the e-visa system on line – but please note that this still means you receive your visa at the airport in Nepal and will still have to queue. We do not recommend a visa on arrival as this creates unnecessary delays for the whole group.
Island Peak & EBC - Insurance Expand You are required to have an insurance policy that covers trekking to 6,189m, but it does not need to cover technical climbing. You're advised to take out insurance to cover potential events that might cause you to cancel your trip. You should bring with you a copy of your policy and also a photocopy of your passport, and to keep it separate to your own documents in the unlikely event that you lose your passport. We advise you to consider the British Mountaineering Council insurance, but many other insurance companies offer policies suitable for Everest Base Camp, such as truetraveller, DOGTAG & others.
Island Peak & EBC - Expedition Leader Expand Ricky Munday will be leading this expedition. He's a qualified Mountain Leader with an Expedition First Aid qualification and is a full member of the Mountain Training Association. He reached the summit of Mount Everest (8,848m) in May 2018. He holds an Honours degree in Physiology & Sport Science and is also a Chartered Accountant (CA). From 2014-2018 he served as the youngest ever member of the executive team at the UK's national polar research organisation, where he led the key professional service teams in both Antarctica and Cambridge. After qualifying as a CA, a four-month secondment to an orphanage in Kenya inspired him to spend six years deployed in the aftermath of natural disasters leading support functions for the Red Cross and other aid organisations in Sudan, Bangladesh, Pakistan & Haiti. Book a call with Ricky Join our Club on
Island Peak & EBC - Training & Fitness Expand Although it’s officially classified as a trekking peak by the Government of Nepal, Island Peak is technically the same grade as the normal route on Mont Blanc; it’s not suitable for complete novices. We recommend that you are familiar with mountaineering ropework and the use of ice axe and crampons and advise clients to gain experience climbing grade 1-3 winter routes in the UK before joining this trip. We can cover some of these basic skills onsite. Previous experience at altitude is also beneficial. We consider this a mountaineering expedition rather than a trekking expedition. You'll be trekking and climbing for multiple consecutive days, at high altitude and in varied temperatures (as low as -20C), so good cardiovascular fitness is required – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your experience. You should aim to walk regularly in the hills with a light pack (7-10kg) and follow a comprehensive exercise routine to strengthen your core and legs and to increase your cardiovascular fitness. You can find out more about how to prepare for high-altitude here.
Island Peak & EBC - Inclusions & Exclusions Expand Included: Airport transfers in Kathmandu 3 nights in four-star hotel in Kathmandu (B&B) Domestic flight Lukla (return) 3 meals x day during the trek (B,L,D) Guest house accommodation on trek Experienced Sherpa guides & porters National park fees and municipality fees Welcome Dinner & farewell dinner in Kathmandu Excluded: International airfare to Kathmandu Nepalese Visa Travel insurance Lunches in Kathmandu Personal medication Personal expenses such as soft drinks or alcoholic drinks Expenses incurred due to early departure Tips for local staff Personal equipment hire e.g. sleeping bag (available at extra cost)
Island Peak & EBC - Client Benefits Expand a complimentary Cicerone Everest Trekking guidebook (worth £17.95 - read an excerpt here) a complimentary branded Inspire Alpine BUFF® (worth £15.95) a complimentary BMC Safety on Mountains booklet (worth £6.99) We also offer an unbeatable range of generous discounts from outdoor retailers & manufacturers: Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock: 15% discount online or in-store Montane: a 15% discount online Open Air: a 15% online or in-store summitfit: a 20% discount online
Island Peak & EBC - Clothing & Equipment Expand You'll receive a kit list upon booking but as a guide, you’ll need to bring at least the following technical equipment for Island Peak: Mountaineering harness Walkinhg Ice axe, max 65 cm long Insulated double or triple mountaineering boots (e.g. La Sportiva Spantiks, La Sportiva G2 SMs, ScarpaPhantom 6000s or 8,000m boots) 12-point mountaineering crampons with anti-balling plates Climbing helmet Ascender (jumar) - left or right-handed for use with fixed ropes 2 x Locking karabiners 2 x 60cm slings Some of this equipment can be rented from us to reduce costs.
Island Peak & EBC - Acclimatisation Expand The main problem faced by climbers or trekkers is trying to climb too quickly. From a medical perspective, we are trekking in extreme altitude (summit day 6,189m). At sea level, the standard barometric pressure is 101 kPa. At 6,189m on the summit of Island Peak, the standard barometric pressure is 52 kPa. This lower oxygen pressure means that there are fewer oxygen molecules in the same volume of air - there is only 51% of the oxygen available compared to sea level. Your body reacts to this lower oxygen level in a variety of ways - for example, your respiration (breathing) rate increases, and your body starts to generate more red blood cells. The respiration increase begins immediately, but the production of extra red blood cells takes longer. We allow two extra acclimatisation days during the trek at Namche Bazaar & Dingboche, where we can climb high & sleep low. This ensures that we're giving our bodies time to acclimatise to the lower oxygen levels before reaching Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar summit. We recommend that you discuss with your GP the option of using diamox (acetazolamide) to help prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Island Peak & EBC - Safety Expand Your safety is our top priority. On the mountain, your Leader will carry an expedition first aid kit and a satellite phone and have two-way radio contact with all of our guides at all times. They will also carry a pulse-oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels regularly. In the event of an emergency, helicopter rescue is available and - if your travel insurance covers medical evacuations up to 6,189 meters above sea level - your insurance company should cover your costs.
Island Peak & EBC - Accommodation Expand Accommodation will be on a shared twin basis at the four-star Maya Manor Boutique Hotel in Kathmandu and on a shared basis in teahouses, which are locally owned and run fairly basic establishments that provide good food, accommodation with twin or 3-4 beds in dormitories. You'll need a warm sleeping bag and might want a sleeping mat. There's a central dining room and toilet facilities are usually communal. On Island Peak, you’ll be sharing a tent with another climber – which will also keep you warmer. Single supplements are available – please get in touch for pricing.
Island Peak & EBC - Logistics Expand As well as your Leader, we'll be supported by local English-speaking Sherpa guides; for the climbing phase we’ll have a 1:3 guide:client ratio. Local porters will carry your main personal gear (e.g. sleeping bags, spare footwear) in a duffel bag or rucksack. You'll carry only what you need for each day's trekking in a small rucksack. All food on the trail is provided, and we will eat in the teahouses that we stay in overnight.
Island Peak & EBC - Route Expand The climb begins with three hours of scrambling to the Imja Tse glacier. Our route then ascends the east side of the mountain. An hour of climbing over and around crevasses brings us to the fixed lines. These lines run directly up the South East face at 65 degrees for 400 feet to the summit.
Island Peak & EBC - How To Book Expand Participation Agreement and Terms & Conditions You'll need to read and agree to both our Overseas Trips Booking Terms & Conditions and our Participation Agreement (see below) - you'll be asked to confirm this during the booking process below. Overseas Trips Booking Terms & Conditions Participation Agreement How to book Choose your event date below In the event, you can choose to pay your deposit online (with a 1.5% processing charge to cover our fees), by bank transfer (free), or pay your full balance - you'll receive an email acknowledging receipt of your payment/booking. Once you've booked and/or paid your deposit you'll receive a second email requiring you to complete our online Client Information & Medical Declaration Form, which must be completed before we can confirm your booking March 2020 Ocotober 2020 March 2021
Island Peak & EBC - Detailed Itinerary Expand Itinerary: Day 1 - Arrive & Transfer to Hotel Arrive Kathmandu & transfer to 4-star hotel. You'll be greeted by our representative holding an Inspire Alpine® sign outside the airport arrivals hall. We'll transfer by bus or minivan (45 minutes) to the Maya Manor boutique hotel where we'll have a briefing, met our local guides, complete a kit check and have dinner together. Expedition Leader & Everest summiteer Ricky Munday will deliver an inspirational talk about his failure and success on Everest. Day 2 - Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding 3D route video Interactive Route Early in the morning (02:00) we transfer by road from Kathmandu to Manthali* (4.5h) and check in at Ramechhap Airport for a spectacular and breath-taking flight to the Sherpa village of Lukla (2,800m) The trail passes through the Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Memorial gate - Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. As the trail goes down to Cheplung village of Sherpa settlements, from Cheplung, the trail crosses a suspension bridge over the Thado Kosi, where we'll stop for lunch at a tea house and enjoy incredible views up the west and southwest faces of Kusum Kanguru (6,367m). Kusum Kanguru means the Three Snow-White Gods, and has three summits – main (6,367m), East (6,356m), and West (5,579m). The trail passes Ghat and continues through pine forest from to the brightly painted lodges of Phakding (2,660m), where we'll spend the night. Phakding hosts a 500-year-old monastery, prayer wheels and and gompas. Day 3 - Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3D route video Interactive Route The trail from Phakding leads through several Sherpa villages including Tok Tok, Zamfute and Benkar, where we'll stop for tea, before reaching reach Monjo village, where we enter Sagarmartha National Park. If time allows, we can visit the small visitor centre there. From here, the trail continues across a suspension bridge over the Dudh-Koshi river at Jhorsale village, which also marks the confluence of the Dudh-Koshi and Bhote-Koshi rivers. We'll eat a fresh & delicious lunch at a tea house here. The track then starts to rise up Namche Hill - the first big ascent - it's essential to take a slow and steady pace, before reaching Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the Sherpa capital and heart of the Khumbu. (6/7 hours) Day 4 - Acclimatisation day, Namche 3D route video Interactive Route Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar. We can spend the day taking short walks up to Thami or Khumjung, visiting the Everest, Ama Dablam and Pumori viewpoints or just relaxing and exploring the narrow streets of Namche. We may take a hike up to the Everest View Hotel for tea, or visit the nearby Sherpa Museum at 3,555m, where you can learn about the Sherpa culture, Sagarmatha National Park and have your photo taken next to a huge statue of Tenzing Norgay. Day 5 - Trek Namche to Debuche 3D route video Interactive Route From Namche Bazaar, the trail climbs steadily uphill for a few hours through dense juniper forest and Sherpa villages before reaching Kyangjuma, where we’ll take tea at the Ama Dablam lodge. From here, another trail heads to the left towards the Gokyo Lakes trek but we continue right. The mountain views really open up now, with superb views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam while descending down to Lawichasa and Tashinga villages. From here, we walk through dense, tall rhododendron forests and cross suspension bridges, with a lunch stop at Phunki Thanga. A couple of hours after lunch we’ll pass through Tengboche, which boasts the largest monastery in the Everest region. Late in the afternoon, we’ll arrive at Debuche (3,730m). (6/7 hours) Day 6 -Trek Debuche to Dingboche 3D route video Interactive Route A great day’s walking through rhododendron trees that gradually guide us back to and across the river Imja Khola and into Pangboche, a great viewpoint for Ama Dablam, where we’ll take tea. We then turn up the Imja valley following a more arid, boulder-strewn landscape where we can see the trail to basecamp at Ama Dablam (6,856m). We’ll start walking uphill from Orso village along the Imja river valley to reach the delightful, picturesque village of Dingboche (4,365m). We’ll also have great views of Island Peak (Imja Tse – 6,189m) (5 hours) Day 7 - Acclimatisation day, Dingboche 3D route video Interactive Route This is an important acclimatisation/rest day with a few options - ascend to 5,080m on a ridge outside Dingboche, with sensational views of multiple 6 and 7,000m peaks; trek up to Chukung Village; or, an optional short trek to Pheriche, where there is a hospital run by the Himalayan Rescue Association. We'll have excellent views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Chukung Peak and Island Peak (Imja Tse - 6,189m) from both the valley or from the ridge above the village. Overnight in Dingboche. Day 8 -Trek Dingboche to Lobuche 3D route video Interactive Route We leave Dingboche and trek to Thukla for an early lunch of tea and soup. This section of trail offers fantastic view of many Himalayan peaks: Taboche (6,542m), Cholatse (6,440m), Ama Dablam (6,856m), Pumori (7,161m), Khumbutse (6,636) and Lhotse (8,516m). Thukla, also known as Dughla, lies at the very end of the Khumbu glacier. As we navigate the steep moraine of the Khumbu Glacier above Thukla, we’ll be reminded of the fragility of life in the mountains - at the top of a steep incline are memorial chortens for fallen climbers. We’ll continue along the trail to reach Lobuche (4,930m), our next stop (5 hours). Day 9 -Trek Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep 3D route video Interactive Route Leaving Lobuche, we’ll trek next to the glacial moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to the crossing of the Changri Glacier and on to the seasonal settlement of Gorakshep (5,164m). We'll continue trekking for two hours up to the legendary Everest Base Camp (5,350m), where we’ll pose for photos, savour the magical views of the Khumbu icefall and marvel at the bravery and skill of the icefall doctors, then return to Gorakshep. Gorakshep is a frozen lakebed covered with sand and was the original Everest Base Camp, used by the Swiss expedition of 1952, in which Tenzing Norgay played a huge part. Day 10 -Ascend Kala Patthar and trek out to Dingboche We'll make an early ascent of Kala Patthar (5,554m) to catch a classic sunrise view of Everest, and descend to Dingboche. Kala Patthar is a Hindi name and translates to "black rock". The peak is a notable landmark located on the south ridge of Pumori, with spectacular views from the top – and especially of Everest. Below you the Khumbu Glacier snakes towards the Khumbu icefall and Western Cwm. The view south (our route in and out) looks particularly beautiful. In the afternoon we make the return trek out to the sheltered village of Dingboche. This afternoon we could choose to walk up the ridge behind Dingboche for sunset views of Nuptse, Lhotse and Chukhung Peak. Day 11 -Trek from Dingboche to Chukhung Trek Dingboche to Chukung (4,730m) Day 12 -Trek Chukhung to Island Peak Base Camp Chukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5,087m) Day 13 -Summit Day, return to Dingboche An early start from Base Camp will allow us to scramble up onto the glacier as the sun rises. An obvious route weaves through the crevasses until the steep climb on fixed lines leads to a truly awe-inspiring summit ridge, with views of Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Ama Dablam and Baruntse. Abseil descent, pack up camp and trek back down to Dingboche (14h) Day 14 -Trek out from Dingboche to Namche We'll enjoy the lower altitude walking and the tea houses as we descend to Namche. Each step takes us down to warmer climes and thicker air. Day 15 -Trek out from Namche to Lukla We'll trek out from Namche to Lukla and stay close to the airport tonight. Day 16 -Fly Lukla to Mantahali, transfer to Kathmandu We'll take a stunning early flight from Lukla to Mathali over forests and villages, drive to Kathmandu (4h) and return back to the comforts of our hotel in - this is a good time to buy souvenirs, haggle with the local shopkeepers or visit some of Kathmandu's historic monuments. We'll have a celebratory meal tonight. Day 17 -Spare day If we're back in Kathmandu with no weather delays, you'll have a free day to explore Kathmandu's bustling streets and significant landmarks. Day 18 -Depart Depart Kathmandu, return home *Please note that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has restricted flights from Kathmandu to Lukla for trek operators – all flights to Lukla now depart from & arrive to Ramechhap airport in Manthali, which is around 4 hours by road from Kathmandu.