Good to Know – Everest Base Camp Trek & Island Peak Climbing

• Best Seasons to Trek and Climb:
  The combined Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek & Island Peak (6,189m) Climbing is best undertaken in spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). These seasons provide stable weather, clear skies, and optimal trail conditions. Winter is extremely cold with snow-covered trails, while monsoon brings slippery paths and potential landslides.

• Altitude Awareness:
  This adventure reaches EBC at 5,364m and the summit of Island Peak at 6,189m, making it a high-altitude expedition. Proper acclimatization is essential to reduce the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Trekkers should plan rest days at Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, or Chhukung.

• Physical Fitness:
  The trek and climb are moderate to strenuous, requiring good physical fitness and endurance. Daily trekking/climbing can take 5–8 hours, including steep ascents, glacier travel, and basic technical climbing sections. Prior trekking experience at high altitudes is recommended.

• Permits Required:
  Climbers need an Island Peak Climbing Permit, Sagarmatha National Park Permit, and a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card. These can be arranged through licensed trekking or expedition operators.

• Accommodation and Meals:
  Teahouses are available along the trekking route up to Base Camp, offering basic rooms with shared bathrooms. Higher camps for Island Peak use tents. Meals include dal bhat, noodles, soups, pasta, and energy snacks. Food variety decreases and prices rise at higher altitudes.

• Drinking Water:
  Bottled water is available in villages, while at higher camps, water is melted from snow. Trekkers should carry a reusable bottle with purification tablets or filters. Staying hydrated is critical at high altitude.

• Packing and Gears:
  Essential gear includes trekking boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, warm layered clothing, down jacket, gloves, hat, trekking poles, sleeping bag rated for -15°C, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, power bank, and first aid kit. Technical climbing gear is required for Island Peak.

• Flight and Transportation: 
  The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, followed by trekking through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Chhukung to EBC. After returning to Base Camp or Chhukung, climbers establish a high camp on the glacier before summiting Island Peak. The route features glaciers, alpine landscapes, and panoramic Himalayan views.

• Travel Insurance:
  Comprehensive high-altitude trekking and climbing insurance is highly recommended, covering medical emergencies, helicopter evacuation, and summit climbing risks.

• Connectivity and Charging:
  Mobile networks exist in larger villages like Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, but coverage is limited at higher camps. Lodges may offer charging facilities for a fee, and carrying a power bank is strongly advised.

• Highlight Experience:
  This combination offers the ultimate Everest region adventure, with trekking to Everest Base Camp and summiting Island Peak, providing spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Makalu, glacier crossings, and an unforgettable Himalayan mountaineering experience. It’s ideal for trekkers seeking a high-altitude trek with a rewarding summit challenge.