Trip Overview

Renjo la pass, Cho la pass, Everest Base Camp, Island Peak 6,189m
A relatively new trekking route taking a remote pass with a different route from Namche to Gokyo

Seen from above Dingboche the mountain Imja Tse (Island Peak) resembles an island in a sea of ice. It was first climbed in 1953 by a very prestigious team in preparation for the ascent of Everest. It is an interesting and attractive summit with a highly glaciated West Face rising from the Lhotse glacier.
The mountain itself is an extension of the South ridge of Lhotse Shar and is separated by a small col. Above this gap, rising to the south is a classically beautiful ridge leading to the summit of Imja Tse. As well as providing an enjoyable climb, the peak also provides some of the most striking scenery in the Khumbu region.

The trek to Everest Base Camp is for good reason one of the most famous in the world, and is a ‘must-do’ trip for all outdoor enthusiasts. With awe-inspiring views of the world’s highest and most beautiful mountains, our treks are carefully organised to ensure you have plenty of time to acclimatise comfortably, making sure you can enjoy the trekking experience to the full.

Introduction

This route allows you to explore the Thame valley and the Renjo la pass where the views of Everest, Pumori, Lhotse and Cho Oyu are truly amazing. You will also see fewer people on this route, and it is a far more remote trek. There are not many tea houses along this route, but these few are warm and clean.

The first day we have a briefing and sightseeing day in Kathmandu, where we can make sure that your kit is what you need and help you to get anything in the shops of bustling Thamel where our office is based. Then we’ll fly to the world famous mountain airstrip at Lukla and begin the trek up the Khumbu Valley. We pass through many Sherpa villages, including the famous Sherpa ‘capital’, Namche Bazaar, as well as visiting the monastery at Thyangboche (or Tengboche).

The trekking is on good trails, with some moraine stretches nearer to our destination but nowhere is this climbing or even scrambling – there are good paths all of the way. You can expect to trek for 4 to 6 hours each day, with some days spent resting and acclimatising to ensure that we are all fit and healthy at altitude. This makes the trek suitable for any averagely fit walker. On the route accommodation is in Nepal’s famous tea houses – the accommodation is basic but comfortable and the friendly, hospitable Nepali people make your stay a memorable one.

Our trip is a few days longer than most to allow for full acclimatisation by party members.

Day 01 : Arrive

Arrive in Kathmandu

• Day 02 : Rest day

  Rest day in Kathmandu

• Day 03 : Kathmandu Flight Lukla- Trek to Phakding

  This is a 45 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla 2,840m. The trail from Lukla leads north from the airstrip and drops steeply for a bit, then descends gently to Phakding 2,610m, first overnight here.

• Day 04 : Phakding to Namche 3,440m

  From Phakding the trail continues north up the Dudh Koshi Valley. (Koshi which means river in Nepali and it comes down from the Everest glacier). All along this part of the trail, there is a magnificent forest of Magnolia, rhododendron and giant firs.

  On the cliffs above the river it is possible to see musk deer and Himalayan tahr. From Monjo, the trek enters the Sagarmatha National Park. The trail follows the river and crosses Dudh Koshi and makes a steep climb to Namche 3,440m. Namche is a very colorful Sherpa village where you will see vendors selling antiques and each Saturday there is an important weekly haat or market.

• Day 05 : Rest day

  Rest day and acclimatization day in Namche

• Day 06 : Namche to Thame 3,800m

  This day is meant for acclimatization and hence we do not embark on any serious trekking. Instead we go to a slightly lower altitude of Thame, the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay, the first man on Everest. We conduct some sightseeing of the monastery there and generally rest.

• Day 07 : Thame to Lumde 4,210m

  We leave after a leisurely breakfast and trek to Lumde 4,210m. It is possible to hike up the hill to visit a small settlement where yaks are grazed during the summer season. Superb views of the mountains around Langmoche.

• Day 08 : Lumde – Renjo la pass 5,417m - Gokyo

  An early start for the ascent to the Renjo la pass we start off on a path through the alpine meadows that eventually leads us to the highest alpine lake in the area at 5,000m.
  From here we enter a boulder field and moraines. We climb up through this before traversing under a large rock buttress The trail ascends steeply to the pass 5,417m where we have one of the best views in the world – Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Chamlang, Baruntse, Cholatse,
  Pumori and Taweche to name but a few. A steep descent takes us down through a moraine field and finally towards the third lake at Gokyo after 5-7 hours and descend to Gokyo.

• Day 09 : Climb Gokyo Ri peak - Thangnak 4,750m

  For a majestic and a spectacular view, climb Gokyo Ri 5,357m. It is a two hour climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachong Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Taweche.
  About half way between the first lake and second lake a trail leads off across the moraine to the east. This is the route to the 5,420m Cho la into the Everest region.

• Day 10 : Thangnak - Cho la pass 5,420m - Dzongla 4,843m

  About half way between the first lake and second lake, a trail leads off across the moraine to the east. This is the route to the 5,368m Cho la Pass into the Everest region.
  The Pass is not difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier crossing on the eastern side. After crossing the Pass, we rest at Dzongla from where you have splendid view of Lobuche East, Ama Dablam, Taweche and Cholatse.

• Day 11 : Dzongla to Lobuche 4,940m

  Start heading down to Thukla (Dughla). From Thukla, head up towards Lobuche 4,940m. The trail climbs higher on the moraine to a row of stone monuments in memory of six Sherpas who died in an avalanche during the 1970 Japanese skiing Expedition.

  The trail then drops a bit and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche, a summer village. The ascent becomes steeper and rougher as it crosses several side moraines. After rounding a bend in the trail, the conical views peak of Pumori 7,145m comes into view.

• Day 12 : Lobuche – Gorakshep 5,160m & trek to Everest Base Camp 5,364m

  Trek to Gorak Shep 5,160m and then to Everest Base Camp 5,364m and again return to Gorak Shep. The trail to Gorak Shep crosses the shallow brook that flows past Lobuche, runs through a gully that has the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier on the right hand side. On it’s left side rises the terminal moraine wall of the much smaller Lobuche glacier.

• Day 13 : Kalapattar – Gorakshep 5,160m – Dingboche 4,410m

  On the lower slope of Mt Pumori, a ridge extending to the south terminates is a small peak. This peak, Kalapatthar 5,545m provides the best vantage point for viewing Mt. Everest. Climb Kalapatthar in the morning and spend some time on the top. Return to Gorak Shep for breakfast and trek downwards to Dingboche.

• Day 14 : Dingboche to Island peak base camp 5,087m

  Hike up the Imja Khola valley to Chukkung, a small summer settlement at 4730m. The views from Chukkung and further up the valley on the moraines towards Island peak 6,189m is tremendous.

  The great southern face of Lhotse towers above to the north. From Chukkung, we keep heading up the Imja Khola valley to Island peak base camp.

• Day 15 : Rest day in base camp

  Rest and acclimatization day. The day can be used to learn climbing and check all the climbing gears.

• Day 16 : Summit day! Island peak 6,189m

  Leave early for the summit. Return to high camp and down further to base camp.

• Day 17 : Spare / contingency day

• Day 18 : Island Peak base camp – Pangboche 3,940m

  Start heading down to Pangboche. This is 5 hrs walk.
  Pass through the Deboche nunnery which is the oldest nunnery of Nepal established in 1925. Stop here and tour the nunnery. Visit the famous Tengboche monastery too.

• Day 19 : Trek to Namche

• Day 20 : Trek to Lukla

• Day 21 : Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel

• Day 22 : Rest day

• Day 23 : Departure