Island Peak Climbing

Physical fitness is a must for Island Peak climb. The trip is a steep hike and climbs from 5,100m up to 6,189m. The most difficult part of the climb is the final steep section up the headwall before reaching the summit ridge. Local hill or stair climbs with some weight are the best ways to prepare for the climb.

February-May and September-October are the best months to hike in the region. They fall just outside of the peak summer months that are associated with the monsoon season. These months are also not that cold and are consistently dry and stable – providing great trekking conditions.

As Island Peak is a Group B Trekking Peak, a permit for four people will cost in the region of US$340. This is required in addition to a permit for the Sagarmatha National Park as well as a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card. A deposit on garbage may also be required.

The route of the trek and the trek-specific itinerary ensure that enough time is allocated for proper acclimatization. By the time you reach the high point of Island Peak, you would have already spent 2 weeks at high altitudes such as those at Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. This will mean you should be adequately acclimatised for the summit of the peak. Despite this, altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of age or fitness level so it is imperative that you read up a bit more about the sickness, its symptoms and acclimatization in general.

Yes. Trekking at altitude in Nepal comes with various risks of injury and sickness, so a proper insurance policy is vital. The risk is even greater on the Island Peak Trek as you will be reaching altitudes of above 6,000m. Most insurance companies will not offer standard travel insurance for treks above 6,000m so we recommend contacting your local mountaineering association in your country for more advice on which insurance policy to take out.

Generally, our maximum for this climb is 12 climbers plus guides and Sherpa.

During the trek, we will provide unlimited amounts of water at mealtimes. Team members can fill up water bottles at meals and use their SteriPen to sterilize. Bottled water can also be purchased in teahouses at additional cost but can be expensive and creates waste. Once in Base Camp water will be boiled.

You may bring power bars, Gu, Power Gel, cereal bars, or similar high-energy foods; powder Gatorade is also recommended to fight dehydration. All meals are provided on this expedition.

Communication is sometimes difficult in the mountains. However, our guides and local staff will make every effort to obtain the necessary transportation and reservations to get you home as quickly as possible if for any reason you need to depart early.