Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing

Best time to do Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Combo

The best time for Everest Base Camp trek with Island Peak Climbing is during the pre-monsoon (Spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons.

Spring is a beautiful time (March to June) to visit, as the weather is not very cold, and the pavements are usually lined with flowering rhododendrons.

Spring is also considered one of the warmest times of the year to climb Everest Base Camp and Climb Mera Peak. The warm weather and Everest temperatures will help the trekkers have a warm trek with beautiful views of seasonal flowers.

The sky is blue, the landscape is beautiful, and the climbing conditions at Island Peak are very good. Mountaineers are set to attempt the ascent of Everest this climbing season.

Other times of the year, such as autumn (September and November), are also good times for activity. Winter has clear, cloudless blue skies after the monsoons, and the weather is ideal for flight. The air is very dry, so now is the best time to walk and climb.

It is reasonably mild at low elevations but much colder at high elevations at night. This climbing season also offers ideal conditions for other Island Peaks, with a lower probability of getting snow or strong wind.

Winter (December to February) is freezing, and monsoons (June to August) are rainy, so neither suits this trip.  

What kind of permits do I need for Island Peak Climbing with EBC?

For the Everest Base Camp Trekking and Island Peak Climbing experience, in addition to obtaining the trekking permit, you are also required to obtain the climbing permit.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit are mandatory for all Everest region trekkers.

Island Peak Climbing Permits can only be obtained from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), so climbing Island Peak is restricted to NMA members.

The cost of Island peak Climbing can be affected by the season; the most expensive is spring, and the least expensive is winter.

It is also important to check the number of demand and rates during trip planning. It is generally recommended that you inquire about the current permit policy with a trekking agency like Himalayan Masters or Nepal Tourism Board.

Things to Remember While Preparing Packing 

Here, one must be ready to prepare the equipment to integrate it into the Everest Base Camp Trek and Island Peak Climbing activity.

The equipment needed to go hiking is normal, including sturdy trekking boots, warm layers, a waterproof shell jacket, hiking sticks, gloves, sunglasses, and a backpack.

Layering has been of great concern because of the temperature change at the low and high levels.

To accommodate the cold teahouse nights, sleeping bags rated at -15 °C or below are necessary. Other relevant trekking gear includes a water purifier, sunscreen, a headlamp, and other essentials.

Specialized gear is required for the climbing section. You will need mountaineering boots that are acceptable for crampon use, a climbing harness, an ice axe, carabiners, and headgear.

Insulated gloves, thermal base layers, and winter coats are essential protective gear for withstanding cold weather.

There is rented equipment in Kathmandu or Namche Bazaar, but travelling with high-quality, well-fitting equipment is more convenient.

Some of the more significant aspects are to walk softly and not carry the pack, as it is easy to put too much weight on the shoulders, making the walk physically difficult.

You must have packed and checked out your gear to ensure that you have checked with your guide/trekking company that everything essential for the trek and the climb is supplied.

Accommodation and Food | What to Expect 

Teahouses are the kind of accommodation you get and are run by families living in the local communities on the ascent to Base Camp at Everest. They have small but cozy rooms with twin beds and facilities for a shared toilet and bathroom.

Some tea houses in the lowlands offer hot showers, WiFi at the lowlands, and basic facilities in the highlands. 

In Dingboche or Chhukung, before Island Peak, accommodation is easier to organize and supply for the connected facilities, including electricity or an internet connection, maybe at times.

There are no tea houses at Island Peak Base Camp’s lower base camp, so climbers are forced to spend the night in the trekking agency’s tents. Camping tents provide sleeping pads, and expedition members cook food.

Trekking food is easy to cook and nutritious. It mainly consists of dal bhat, noodles, soup, momo, pasta, and eggs. Teahouses also offer porridge, toast, and tea for breakfast.

Food choice is restricted at altitude, i.e., to the top of an altitude range and also at the cost of transport being restricted by cost.

Island Peak Base Camp kitchen provides nutrition for the climbing team, high-calorie, high-energy foods, and is designed for endurance.

Altitude increases, and their related hypoxia, respiration, oxygen, and hypovolemia should be managed, and alcohol should be avoided, as both medications, alone, increase the risk of altitude sickness.

Trip Grade: Fitness Level, Medical & Health 

The Island Peak Climbing trail is very fatiguing, requiring a high level of physical fitness and cardiovascular disease. Hikers must be prepared to spend large periods on the trail at great elevation.

High-altitude trekking is preferred but, by experienced trekkers, also achievable. Acclimatization and rehydration have been and continue to be significant problems as they may cause acute mountain sickness.

Special Training

Basic mountaineering skills are useful for Island Peak climbing. Ice axe, crampon, fixed rope handling and harness handling are tasks that can reduce the risk of falling down the climb and smooth the climb.

Pre-trip training in rock climbing or glacier walking is highly interesting. Pre-summit push and guided pre-climb training are usually given.

For more details, you can check our Island Peak preparation and training if you have any queries.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a requirement, and of course, it is in line with the standard requirement for covered high-altitude trekking, mountaineering, and evacuation activities.

Travelers should purchase full insurance coverage because of the perils of altitude sickness, injuries, and unpredictable weather conditions. Travel insurance consists of emergency evacuation as one of its most crucial elements.

The helicopter rescue services in Nepal require budgets that span from $4,000 to $6,000 per transportation segment. Coping with medical bills without insurance becomes difficult in distant, unattended regions because proper healthcare is not accessible there.

Additional Expenses for Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Climbing

Several miscellaneous expenses need to be taken into account when planning an Everest Base Camp trek combined with an Island Peak climb. Services that include WiFi hot showers or electronic device charging become progressively more expensive when moving to higher altitudes.

People living in lower altitude areas need to pay $2 for phone charging, yet those at higher locations need to pay between $5 and $10 for each phone charge session. Elevation brings about price increments for food expenses.

Eating a basic meal in Lukla will run between $5 and $8, but you will need to pay $10-$15 for the same meal in Gorakshep since transportation options are limited at higher altitudes.

Dining costs control daily expenses since hot beverages, packaged foods, and bottled water have elevated prices. 

Tipping represents a vital factor for all visitors who plan to trek in Nepal. Guides and porters expect monetary appreciation from travellers because tips reflect their compensation; therefore, they maintain a tipping tradition that delivers 10% of the total expedition expenses.

During their ascent of Everest Base Camp with Island Peak climbing purposes, trekkers typically provide between $100-$200 to their guides and between $50-$100 to their porters based on the quality of assistance they receive. 

The cost will increase when trekkers need to rent or hire equipment required for mountaineering, including climbing boots along with crampons, harnesses, and helmets.

The cost for extended acclimatization periods at Island Peak Base Camp, together with more porter assistance, requires additional payments.

ATM on the Trek Route, Money Exchange 

ATMs are located at Lukla station and Namche Bazaar station. However, they may be out of service due to connectivity problems. Cash withdrawal is safer in Kathmandu before trekking.

The money exchange can be done in the major cities of Kathmandu. The most famous place in Kathmandu is Thamel. You will find various money exchange centres in Thamel, and you will get to exchange the currency at a reasonable price.

Because tea houses take only Nepalese Rupees, some places allow card payments, but extra fees apply.

Electricity & Battery Recharge

You will get free electricity and battery recharge up to Namche Bazar, but beyond that, you will need to pay some cost for charging. The charging cost will fluctuate as the altitude increases.

Power is everywhere in tea shops, but this product comes with a sacrifice. Solar Panels are available, but this will obviously depend on the weather, which can be a problem when the weather is dull.

It is recommended that you bring a power bank or solar charger. Off-grid charging rates range from $2 to $5 per hour.

Drinking Water during the Climb

Bottled water is also sold, and costs are either fixed or float depending on the altitude ($1 more in flat areas and up to $4-5 more in hilly areas).

An alternative is to maintain water purifying tablets/ultraviolet (UV) treatment/filter and/or to keep them on hand to save money and plastic. Boiled water is on sale in tea shops.

Communication 

Wi-Fi is available at teahouses up to the lower altitudes but is weak or unavailable at higher altitudes. You have to pay some cost to use the Wi-Fi in the higher regions of the Himalayas.

Also note one thing: the Wi-Fi cannot be fast like you get one in the city. Everest Link and NTC SIM cards may not be available everywhere, but they are of poor strength. Expect limited connectivity after Dingboche and beyond.

Since in the climbing area of Island Peak, you cannot expect Wi-Fi at such a high and remote altitude. So, you will carry a walkie-talkie for communication in the high areas.

Your guide will also have one to communicate with during the summit climb.

Guide vs Solo Trekking 

The option for solo trekking is always an option but not always a safe option. Solo travel is an option, but a guide’s job improves safety, navigation, and trekking. 

Guides have altitude experience, route comprehension, and emergency support. Island Peak Climbing is mandatory in Nepal with a licensed professional guide by law. 

Porters Versus No Porter 

While we do not include the porter cost in the Island Peak package, you have to choose to have the porter with you after paying the extra charge for it. 

The Porters can carry a maximum load of 20-25 kg on each back, which further reduces the load on the trekker and backpack. This allows trekkers to conserve energy for summit day. 

Make sure that you carry it all on your own during the summit. Since during this day, you will not have a porter by your side to carry your backpack.  

Tipping Culture for Guides and Porters 

From the perspective of guides and $50 – $80 dollars (porters), the average cost to trekkers is estimated to be $100- $150 dollars per trekker. 

Extending Trip Cost 

An extension to the trip for acclimatization, sightseeing, or helicopter return is expensive. Additional acclimatization days for food-based accommodation are needed at $50-$100/day. 

What makes the trip cost to extend is the additional cost you want to use other than the package cost itself. The extra costs for the Island Peak Climbing can be the gear costs you need to cover for the climbing peak. You should keep in mind that climbing gear costs more than trekking gear. 

Also, what can hike your cost is the type of food and accommodation you choose, like luxury ones instead of the normal package, as you need to pay for the drinks and all the water yourself so that you can hike your cost.  

How to book a last-minute trip with Himalayan Masters? 

One can book a last-minute trip with Himalayan Masters. In order to do that, you must contact us through our email: [email protected] or WhatsApp, Viber at +977-9823636377. You can even contact us via Instagram and Facebook.  

How can I extend this Everest Trek with Island Peak Climbing? 

In order to extend the Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing, you will have various options. If you want to extend the climbing-to-climbing process, then you can choose Mera Peak Climbing or Lobuche East Peak Climbing in the Everest Region.

But if you dream of exploring some more treks in Nepal, then you can choose the Everest Three Passes Trek or Gokyo Lakes Trek or explore the villages around the region.

If you want to explore something other than the Everest Region, then you can try out the new remote region of Nepal, Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, Makalu Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek and much more.

You can also grab the opportunity to explore the places of Pokhara and its surrounding regions. If you are interested in jeep tours, then you can choose our All Nepal Tour.