Trip difficulty

Island Peak climbing is not technical but it requires a long day effort to make the summit. Previous climbing experience and technical know how of using ice axe and crampons would be an advantage but not mandatory. Highland Asia provides a day long pre-trip rock climbing crash course in Kathmandu and ice climbing course at the base camp that makes you skillful of using climbing gears such as ropes, ice pick, harness, crampons etc. The final part of climbing is the toughest part of the trip.
Island Peak trip usually requires daily 6-7 hours of walking and some day can be stretched to as long as 8 hours. Participants should start training at least 3 months ahead of the trip. Train exercise should include at least 1 mile of jogging daily. Uphill walking, cycling, swimming, aerobics etc also will help you stay fit and build stamina as well as confidence. And of course, positive attitude and strong power plays vital role in the success of the trip.

Best season for Island Peak trekking:

Like any other climbing trips in the Himalayas, spring (March-April) is the best season for Island Peak as well. Fall (Oct-Nov) is considered second preferred season. An early or late attempts during the season may result into failure of the trip. Snow up in the pass and in the summit, low temperature and high winds can make the trip uncomfortable and compel us to abandon the trip. Not all climbers are able to reach the summit for various reasons and if you become one of them, please, don’t be disappointed. Be flexible, open minded and let the trip lead you, instead you try to lead the trip.

A Typical Trekking Day

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. All we need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us.
After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.
After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Accommodation

The trip includes 4 nights of first class hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and 17 nights tented or combination of tent and lodge accommodation in the mountain. We provide quality camping gears that include 2 person tent, foam mattresses, pillows and 4 season sleeping bags. All hotel accommodation and tent are based on twin share; if you want your own privacy, we will book single room and tent on additional payment.

Meals

Hotel room rent also includes breakfast. Besides, we provide two dinners while in Kathmandu, one the day of arrival and the second the night before departure. During trekking, you have daily 3 hot meals, cooked by our cook. Our cook is experienced and trained to prepare western dishes as well as local delicacies and pays utmost attention to maintain balance of diet and hygiene.

To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate, coffee etc. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads. After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3-course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and our cooks and kitchen crew maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and food preparation hygiene. Special dietary requirements can always be catered with prior arrangement. Normally, our cook provides you with set menus with multiple choices but you can also add your expertise!

Its also advisable that you bring supplement vitamins, energy bars and dry fruits.

Guide and support staff.

An experienced Nepal Mountaineering Association certified climbing guide will lead your trip. The guide also will be trained by KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project) on first aid, environment, conservation and biodiversity and licensed by Nepal Government’s Tourism Authority. The guide will be well conversant in English, professional, helpful and always willing to provide you with personalized care and services. Your guide escorts you on the trail, checks the trail condition, trains you on technical know how of using equipment and fixes rope for climbing. One climbing guide can serve up to 4 climbers. There will be a Sherpa staff to select the camping site, pitch the tents and break down for you. There will be an experienced and trained cook for you to cook 3 meals a day. The cook is supported by 3-4 aides for kitchen works. Besides, there will be a number of porters or pack animals to transport the camping gears, supplies and your personal clothing and gears.
For your personal gears and clothing, we will provide one porter for each two trekkers with limitation of 15 kg/33 pounds of pack per porter, in compliance with the standards set by International Porters Progress Group (http://ippg.net/) and we strongly stand on porter’s rights and discourage any form of exploitation. All crews are insured against any trekking related risks.

A Typical Trekking Day

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. All we need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us.
After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.
After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Checklist

To join the climbing to Island Peak you must need the following specialist equipment including trek equipments:

Climbing Gears
1. Crampons
2. Harness
3. Ice Axe
4. 2 x Tape slings
5. 2 x Screwgate Karabiners
6. Descender / Abseil Device
7. Prussic Loops
8. Plastic Mountaineering Boots

Head gears:
1. Sun hat or scarf
2. Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
3. Sunglasses with UV protection

Clothing:
1. T-shirts (2).
2. Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
3. Fleece jacket or pullover.
4. Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
5. Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
6. Down jacket [Highland Asia will provide]
7. 4 seasons sleeping bag [Highland Asia will provide]
8. Lightweight gloves.
9. Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer.
10. Underwear (6)
11. Hiking shorts (2)
12. Lightweight cotton long pants
13. Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
14. Fleece or wool pants
15. Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Footwear
1. Thin, lightweight inner socks (4)
2. Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
3. Hiking boots with spare laces
4. Camp shoes (sneakers or sandals)
5. Gaiters for hiking for climbing sections

Accessories:
1. Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F [Highland Asia will supply]
2. Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
3. Small pad or combination lock-to-lock Highland Asia trek bag
4. Basic First Aid Kit
5. Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry inside trek bag
6. Day pack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
7. Thermarest sleeping pad
8. Water bottles (2)
9. Small wash towel (2)

Some optional Items
1. Binoculars
2. Reading book
3. Trail Map/Guide book
4. Journal & Pen
5. Walkman
6. Pencils and small notebooks
7. Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble

We provide

Highland Asia provides down sleeping bags (4 seasons) and a Jacket for each trekker; good for - 20 Celsius/ -4 Fahrenheit and it are suggested that to bring your personal liner from home. You will also be provided Duffel (kit bag) up on arrival in Kathmandu.
Note: In order to limit the weight, please bring only essential items listed above and you can leave the rest of your belongings at your hotel in Kathmandu

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed; it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Booking and Cancellation

When you are sure you are traveling, please don't delay in booking. The internal flights are the key factor in determining whether your trip can be realized or not. A deposit of US$200 on land plus the cost of internal airfares is requested along with complete trip application form and passport copies.

Cancellation Fee

• 90 days prior departure: Administrative fee US$ 50 per person.
• 60-89 day's prior departure: US$ 250 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• 45 days to 59 days prior departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• 30 days to 44 days prior departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• Less than 30 days: 100%

You can obtain Nepal visa beforehand from any Nepali embassies or consulates abroad or wait until you arrive at Kathmandu airport or any other port of entry to Nepal. You will need to complete  visa application form and attach a passport size photograph. Visa fee costs US$ 25 for 15 days and $45 for 30 days multiple entry.

Highland Asia Travel

We are an active adventure travel company, based in Minneapolis, USA with destination management offices in Kathmandu, Thimphu and Lhasa. We are BBB acredited business and an active member of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). We have set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Our managers and guides have more than 15 years of experience in organizing and leading adventure trips in the highlands of Asia. For us travel is not just a business, but a way of life.

Travel Protection Plan

While we plan and do our best to make your trip smooth and seamless, there may be chances of unforeseen events and conditions such as illness, accident, inclement weather, and flight cancellation or missed connection or loss of baggage etc. that may cause interruption or delay or total cancellation of your trip putting your hard earned travel investment in jeopardy. It’s also possible that you may need medical assistance, emergency evacuation or medical transportation when you get ill or involve in an accident when you are traveling in remote areas. Highland Asia’s Tour cost does not cover any of these expenses or losses and so we strongly recommend you that you should protect yourself and your travel investment against those unfavorable conditions.