Every effort will be made to keep the above itinerary, but as this is an adventure travel in a remote mountain region, please take the itinerary as a statement of intent rather than an absolute. Traveling in Nepal can be delayed and changeable Weather conditions. The guides and their Sherpa assistants will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.
Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Adventure Trans Himalayan Treks. You’ll be transferred to your hotel in the vibrant heart of Kathmandu. The day is free to rest and adjust to the time zone. In the evening, we’ll have a briefing session to discuss the itinerary and ensure that all your gear is ready for the trek. Enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner to begin your adventure!
Today is a leisure day, allowing you to explore Kathmandu at your own pace. You can visit some of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and the sacred Pashupatinath Temple. For trekkers who need to buy or rent any additional gear, the bustling Thamel district is full of trekking shops. The evening offers the perfect opportunity to relax before embarking on the adventure ahead.
After an early breakfast, we take a thrilling 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, one of the most famous airports in the world. Upon arrival, we begin our trek to Chhumoa, a small village just beyond Lukla. The trail leads us through beautiful forests and gentle climbs as we make our way toward Chhumoa. After around 4-5 hours of trekking, we arrive in Chhumoa, where we spend the night in a cozy tea house.
Today, we begin our ascent to Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa town in the Everest region. The trek takes us through lush forests of rhododendron and pine, crossing several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. As we reach the village of Monjo, we enter the Sagarmatha National Park, where the trail becomes steeper, leading us to the first breathtaking views of Everest. After 6-7 hours of trekking, we reach Namche Bazaar, where we’ll rest for the night. Namche is a lively town, offering stunning mountain views and a perfect place to acclimatize.
To help with acclimatization, we take a rest day in Namche. The day is perfect for a short hike to the nearby Everest View Hotel, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. You can also explore the local markets and visit the Sherpa Museum to learn about the region's culture and history. This day allows your body to adjust to the altitude, preparing for the more demanding days ahead.
We leave Namche Bazaar and trek towards Thame, a picturesque Sherpa village with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, including Thamserku and the imposing Kongde Ri. The trail follows the Bhote Koshi River and gradually ascends through pine forests, with several scenic viewpoints along the way. The trek is around 5-6 hours and allows us to experience the quieter side of the Everest region. We spend the night in Thame, a peaceful village known for its monasteries.
Our journey continues as we head towards Lumde, which sits at an altitude of 4,210 meters. The trail takes us through beautiful valleys, passing yak herders' camps and meadows. Along the way, we’ll enjoy views of peaks like Kantega and the vast Himalayan ranges. Lumde is a small settlement that serves as a stopping point before tackling the Renjo La Pass. After a 4-5 hour trek, we reach Lumde, where we will rest for the night.
Today, we cross the Renjo La Pass, one of the highest points of our trek at 5,417 meters. The climb is challenging, but the panoramic views from the pass are absolutely worth the effort. From the pass, we can see Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu, along with the stunning Gokyo Lakes below. After descending from the pass, we head to Gokyo, a beautiful village located beside the Gokyo Lakes. We spend the night here and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
This is another important acclimatization day. We start early in the morning for a hike up to Gokyo Ri, a summit that offers some of the best views in the Everest region, including a magnificent panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After enjoying the views, we descend to Gokyo and prepare for the next phase of our journey. In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk to explore the stunning Gokyo Lakes and relax.
Today is a physically demanding day as we cross the Cho La Pass, one of the highest trekking passes in the Khumbu region. The pass stands at 5,420 meters and involves a steep ascent followed by a descent to the village of Dzongla. The trail can be icy and rocky, so we’ll use crampons for safety. Once we cross the pass, we arrive at Dzongla, a small settlement nestled in a dramatic alpine valley. After about 6-7 hours of trekking, we relax in Dzongla.
From Dzongla, we continue our journey to Lobuche, a popular resting point for trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp. The trail offers views of the Khumbu Glacier and surrounding peaks, and the trek is relatively easy compared to previous days. After 4-5 hours of trekking, we arrive in Lobuche, where we’ll stay the night and prepare for our visit to Everest Base Camp the following day.
Today, we trek to Gorak Shep, the last village before Everest Base Camp. After a quick rest at Gorak Shep, we continue our trek to Everest Base Camp. The atmosphere is magical as we arrive at Base Camp, surrounded by towering peaks and the dramatic Khumbu Icefall. Afterward, we return to Gorak Shep and head up to Kala Patthar, a famous viewpoint where we’ll enjoy incredible 360-degree views of Everest, Lhotse, and other peaks. After descending back to Gorak Shep, we rest for the night.
After our visit to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, we head toward Island Peak Base Camp (IPBC). The trek takes us through rocky terrain, past yak pastures, and toward the base camp. As we approach Island Peak, we’ll be surrounded by stunning views of surrounding mountains, including Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Makalu. Upon reaching IPBC, we will settle in and prepare for the summit climb in the coming days.
This day is essential for acclimatization and preparation for the summit. We’ll spend the day resting and adjusting to the high altitude. Our guide will provide a thorough briefing on the climbing route, review safety measures, and check climbing gear. You can also take short walks around the base camp, or simply relax and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Today is the day we ascend to the summit of Island Peak! We begin the climb early in the morning, using crampons, ice axes, and ropes to navigate the challenging terrain. The summit offers an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After celebrating at the top, we descend back to Island Peak Base Camp, where we will rest and recover from the strenuous climb.
We begin our descent today, retracing our steps to Pangboche, a beautiful village located in the heart of the Khumbu Valley. The trail is easier now, and we pass through Sherpa villages, forests, and meadows. The trek takes around 5-6 hours, and once we arrive in Pangboche, we can visit its famous monastery and enjoy the serene atmosphere.
From Pangboche, we continue our descent to Namche Bazaar. The trail is well-trodden and offers easy walking compared to the earlier stages of the trek. Once we arrive in Namche, we can relax and reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had. Namche offers plenty of opportunities to shop and enjoy the local food.
We continue our trek back to Lukla, where the journey first began. The trail is familiar, but the descent offers new views of the mountains. After arriving in Lukla, we can celebrate the completion of our trek with the team.
After a short flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to relax, shop, or explore any parts of Kathmandu that you missed on your first day.
On your final day in Nepal, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and experiences from your Everest trek, Island Peak summit, and the beautiful Himalayas.
The Renjo La, Cho La, Everest Base Camp (EBC), and Island Peak trek is a comprehensive and challenging adventure that combines several of the most iconic trekking experiences in the Everest region. The trek starts with the classic Everest Base Camp Trek, but it goes further by crossing the Renjo La Pass (5,340 meters) and Cho La Pass (5,420 meters), two of the most scenic and challenging high passes in the Himalayas. After reaching Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters), you continue to Island Peak (6,189 meters), where you'll summit one of the most famous climbing peaks in Nepal. This trek offers incredible views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, and more, while providing a perfect balance of trekking and mountaineering. It’s an excellent option for those looking for both high-altitude trekking and technical climbing with spectacular Himalayan vistas.
This trek is considered challenging to strenuous due to the high-altitude passes, the long trekking days, and the technical climb of Island Peak. The trek involves crossing high-altitude passes like Renjo La and Cho La, which require good physical fitness, endurance, and the ability to handle strenuous climbs. While previous mountaineering experience is not mandatory, a strong fitness level and basic trekking skills are essential. The Island Peak climb adds a technical challenge and requires comfort with crampons, ice axes, and mountaineering techniques. This trek is suitable for experienced trekkers who are fit and prepared for a combination of long trekking days and a climbing summit.
The Renjo La, Cho La, Everest Base Camp, and Island Peak trek generally takes 18–22 days, depending on the exact itinerary and the pace of the group. This includes trekking to Everest Base Camp, crossing both the Renjo La and Cho La Passes, acclimatization days at key spots like Namche Bazaar and Pheriche, and climbing Island Peak. The trek involves a balance of high-altitude trekking and climbing, so it's important to allow enough time for proper acclimatization, especially before attempting Island Peak. Adventure Trans Himalayan Treks offers flexible itineraries to match the needs of each group or individual trekker.
The best time for this trek is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons provide the most stable weather with clear skies and moderate temperatures, making both trekking and climbing more enjoyable. Spring brings mild temperatures, and the landscape is vibrant with blooming rhododendrons. Autumn offers fantastic mountain views and generally clearer skies, though it's a busier season. Winter is not ideal due to extreme cold, and monsoon (June to August) is also not recommended due to rain and possible trail conditions.
This trek requires several permits:
Sagarmatha National Park Permit – required to enter the Everest region.
TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card – required for trekkers in Nepal.
Island Peak Climbing Permit – a special permit to climb Island Peak.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit – needed for access to the Everest region.
Renjo La and Cho La Pass Permits – these can often be included in your trekking permit but require confirmation during booking.
At Adventure Trans Himalayan Treks, we handle all of the paperwork for you, ensuring that you have all the necessary permits and documentation for the trek.
During the trekking portion, you will stay in teahouses—simple, locally operated lodges that offer twin-sharing rooms. The accommodation in higher-altitude regions becomes more basic, but it remains cozy and comfortable, providing much-needed rest after long trekking days. Meals consist of a variety of local Nepalese and Tibetan dishes, including dal bhat (lentils and rice), soups, noodles, vegetables, and Tibetan bread. In higher-altitude regions, the menu becomes more limited, but we ensure a safe, nutritious diet to maintain energy. On the Island Peak climb, you will camp, and meals will be prepared by our support team, ensuring that you have hot meals and snacks to maintain strength during the climb.
Climbing Island Peak is considered a PD+ (Pretty Difficult) climb, and while it does not require advanced mountaineering experience, it does involve technical climbing skills. The summit involves glacier travel, rock climbing, and steep snow slopes. You will need to use crampons, an ice axe, and a climbing rope for the ascent, and the last push to the summit requires careful navigation on a steep, exposed ridge. Prior experience with trekking at high altitudes and basic climbing techniques (like using an ice axe and crampons) will help, but our experienced climbing guides will provide thorough training and guidance throughout the climb. Safety is our top priority, and we ensure all climbers are fully prepared.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone at elevations above 3,000 meters, and this trek reaches altitudes of 5,360 meters at Everest Base Camp and over 6,000 meters during the Island Peak climb. Our itinerary is designed to provide ample time for acclimatization, with rest days in places like Namche Bazaar and Pheriche to allow your body to adjust gradually to the increasing altitude. Our guides are trained to recognize the signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and we monitor trekkers' health daily. We carry medications, including diamox for AMS, and oxygen tanks in case of emergencies. If symptoms of AMS become severe, we have emergency evacuation plans in place, including helicopter rescues if needed.
For this trek and climb, you'll need both trekking gear and climbing equipment. Essential items include:
Trekking gear: Trekking boots, down jacket, waterproof outer layers, warm layers, sleeping bag (rated for -20°C), headlamp, sun protection, and trekking poles.
Climbing gear: Crampons, ice axe, climbing harness, helmet, ropes (we provide climbing gear, but make sure to bring personal gear like climbing gloves and boots for your comfort).
We provide a detailed packing list and can assist with renting or buying climbing gear in Kathmandu if necessary.
Yes, the Renjo La, Cho La, Everest Base Camp, and Island Peak trek is suitable for both solo travelers and female trekkers. The Everest region is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal, and the Sherpa community is welcoming and experienced in guiding trekkers from all walks of life. At Adventure Trans Himalayan Treks, we prioritize safety, support, and personalized care, ensuring that solo trekkers and female travelers are well taken care of throughout their journey.
At Adventure Trans Himalayan Treks, we combine our local knowledge, experience, and commitment to safety to offer the best trekking and climbing experiences in the Everest region. Our expert guides are skilled not only in mountaineering but also in first aid and high-altitude trekking. We provide personalized itineraries and ensure constant support from your arrival in Kathmandu to your safe return. Our focus on sustainable travel, cultural sensitivity, and client care ensures that your adventure is not only challenging but also rewarding and unforgettable.
