This climbing and trekking program explores several of the largest mountain valley systems in the Khumbu Himal and includes optional ascents of 20,306-foot Island Peak (Imja Tse) and 19,049-foot Pokalde. We also visit the base camps for Ama Dablam expeditions (one of the most picturesque in the Himalaya) visit the base camp for Mt. Everest expeditions, and throughout the journey enjoy superb views of Himalayan giants, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Ama Dablam, Baruntse, and Makalu. This trek is a joint AAI/Adventure Consultants undertaking.

Island Peak above the town of Chukung. Colin Monteath - Hedgehog House

The next stage of our trek takes us to Tengboche and its monastery which is the most elaborate in the Khumbu Valley. We have splendid views of Mt Everest’s summit rising above the high ridges of Nuptse and Lhotse as well as of spectacular Ama Dablam. We also tour the Pangboche monastery, before leaving the main trekking route to move through open country to the pastoral Ama Dablam base camp area. From the camp we enjoy superb views and the opportunity to visit with climbers making the ascent. When we move on, we join the main Everest trail at Tukla adjoining the Khumbu Glacier. A short hike reveals the beautiful triangular peak of Pumori, and brings us to Lobuche (16,000'). The next day we trek to Gorak Shep and scramble Kala Pattar, from which we gain fabulous views of Everest. We trek to Everest base camp below the infamous Khumbu Icefall, and there have the opportunity to visit with climbers making an attempt on the mountain.

We move down valley to Lobuche and the next day climb over the pass called Kongma La (18,160'). Our trail is an old yak herders’ route that connects the Khumbu Valley with the Imja Valley where Island Peak is located. We establish a high camp at about 17,000 feet, and the next morning make the optional ascent of Pokalde (19,049 feet). Several of our guides have said that the views from the pass and summit are the most spectacular they have seen anywhere in the world. Group members should be very well acclimatized for this pass crossing and optional climb, but anyone desiring a less strenuous route can hike with some of our staff. We stay in Chukung and the next day move up to Island Peak base camp. On the ascent we first scramble up rock slopes, then ascend a glacier which provides quite easy but interesting climbing as we wind our way around and past large crevasses. We finish this beautiful climb with an ascent of an 800-foot, 40 to 50-degree snow and ice slope that takes us to the crest of the Southwest Ridge which we follow easily to the summit.

Island Peak is so named because it stands nearly in the middle of the great Lhotse Basin, and as a result the views from the summit are spectacular. Very near us to the north loom the immense south faces of Lhotse and Lhotse Shar; the big west wall of Cho Polu and Baruntse are just to our east; and to our south runs the great Ampu Barrier from Baruntse to Ama Dablam. After our climb we again enjoy visits to beautiful Sherpa villages as we trek back to Lukla where we catch a flight to Kathmandu. From beginning to end this program has a remarkable combination of rich cultural experiences with excellent views of some of the world’s highest and most beautiful peaks. The base camp visits are very enjoyable and for climbers in the group, the two ascents we make provide excellent high altitude ascents in awe-inspiring settings.