Everest Base Camp & Island Peak Self-Launched Trek
19 days · Everest Region, Nepal
Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt. Ltd. charges £2,030
No-markup version: ~£1,290 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 19-day version of the classic Everest Base Camp trek combined with an Island Peak (Imja Tse, 6,189m) climb, arranged independently. Fly to Lukla, trek the Khumbu valley via Namche, Tengboche and Pheriche to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, then divert to Chhukung for the Island Peak summit attempt before returning to Lukla and Kathmandu. You book your own guesthouse lodges (teahouses), hire a freelance guide and porter in Kathmandu or Namche for the climbing section, and arrange your own flights and permits. Costs are approximate and exclude international flights, insurance, and personal gear rental.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and take a prepaid taxi to Thamel (about NPR 800-1,000 / £5-6). Check into a budget guesthouse in Thamel, buy a local SIM (Ncell or NTC) and any last gear. In the afternoon collect or confirm your TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit, and buy your Lukla flight ticket if not already booked.
🚌Airport taxi ~£5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (e.g. Alobar1000, Hotel Blue Horizon) — £10-15
- →Prepaid airport taxi to Thamel
- →Buy local SIM card
- →Sort Sagarmatha National Park permit and TIMS card
- →Gear shopping in Thamel
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Phakding
Early morning flight from Kathmandu (or Ramechhap) to Lukla (about 35 min). Flights are frequently delayed, so keep buffer days. From Lukla trek downhill along the Dudh Koshi to Phakding, roughly 3-4 hours. Book your teahouse on arrival.
🚌Domestic flight Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla ~£150-190 one way
🛏Teahouse in Phakding — £5-8
- →Scenic mountain flight to Lukla
- →Trek Lukla to Phakding (2,610m)
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar
Trek via Monjo where you show your permit at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance. Cross suspension bridges and climb the steep hill into Namche Bazaar (3,440m). Around 6-7 hours. Acclimatise carefully from here.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Namche — £8-12
- →Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar
- →Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint at Monjo
Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar
Rest and acclimatise. Optional day hikes to Khumjung village, the Everest View Hotel, or Thame. This is your best chance to hire a freelance guide/porter for the Island Peak section if you haven't already — ask in Namche or arrange in Kathmandu beforehand.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Namche — £8-12
- →Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m)
- →Visit Khumjung village, school and hospital
- →Hire freelance guide/porter for Island Peak
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Tengboche
Trek along the Dudh Koshi with views of Ama Dablam, then climb to Tengboche (3,860m), home to the region's most important Tibetan monastery. Visit the monastery in the afternoon.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Tengboche — £8-12
- →Trek Namche to Tengboche
- →Visit Tengboche monastery
Tengboche to Pheriche
Pheriche
Trek through the Imja Khola valley past Pangboche, one of the oldest settlements in Khumbu, with its historic gompa. Continue to Pheriche (4,240m). Around 5-6 hours.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Pheriche — £8-12
- →Trek through Imja Khola valley
- →Visit Pangboche gompa
Acclimatisation hike to Nangkartshang Peak
Pheriche
Rest day with a hike up Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m) for wide views of Makalu and Island Peak. Return to Pheriche. This helps your body adjust before pushing higher.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Pheriche — £8-12
- →Hike Nangkartshang Peak
- →Views of Makalu and Island Peak
Pheriche to Lobuche
Lobuche
Trek past Thugla and the climbers' memorial, then follow the valley to Lobuche (4,940m). Keep the pace slow; altitude is felt here.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Lobuche — £8-12
- →Trek Pheriche to Lobuche
- →Climbers' memorial at Thugla
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep
Gorakshep / Everest Base Camp
Trek to Gorakshep (5,164m), drop your bag, and continue along the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Overnight at Gorakshep or a simple EBC-area camp depending on season and permits.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Gorakshep — £10-15
- →Trek along Khumbu Glacier
- →Reach Everest Base Camp
Kala Patthar sunrise, trek to Chhukung
Chhukung
Pre-dawn climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the classic Everest sunrise view, then trek back down and across toward Chhukung (4,730m) via Dingboche. Long day, around 8-9 hours.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Chhukung — £8-12
- →Kala Patthar sunrise (5,545m)
- →Trek to Chhukung
Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp
Island Peak Base Camp
Trek up through the Imja Glacier moraine to Island Peak Base Camp (5,087m). Your guide will run a skills session on jumar, fixed rope and crampon technique ready for the summit push.
🚌On foot
🛏Tent/teahouse at Island Peak Base Camp — £10-15
- →Trek to Island Peak Base Camp
- →Climbing skills refresher (jumar, fixed line)
Island Peak summit climb
Island Peak (Imja Tse)
Very early start for the summit push up the headwall and ridge to the 6,189m summit. A steep ice wall with fixed ropes is climbed using jumars, then a narrow ridge to the top. Descend back to base camp or Chhukung.
🚌On foot
🛏Tent/teahouse at Island Peak Base Camp or Chhukung — £10-15
- →Summit climb of Island Peak (6,189m)
Contingency / rest day
Island Peak Base Camp / Chhukung
Reserved day for weather delays or a second summit attempt if needed. Use it to rest, rehydrate, or descend if the climb is already complete.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Chhukung — £8-12
- →Contingency day for summit attempt
- →Rest
Chhukung to Pangboche
Pangboche
Trek down the valley through Orsho and Shomare to Pangboche, with great rear views of Ama Dablam. Optionally visit the oldest gompa in the Khumbu region.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Pangboche — £8-12
- →Trek to Pangboche
- →Optional visit to Pangboche gompa
Pangboche to Tengboche to Lukla
Lukla
Long descent day retracing the trail past Tengboche and down toward Lukla. Many trekkers break this into two days; if you prefer, stop at Namche and finish tomorrow. Aim for Lukla tonight or overnight in Namche if running late.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Lukla or Namche — £8-12
- →Trek via Tengboche toward Lukla
Final trekking day to Lukla
Lukla
Finish the last stretch along the Dudh Koshi back to Lukla. Confirm your return flight, celebrate with your guide and porter, and rest before the flight out.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Lukla — £8-12
- →Complete trek to Lukla
- →Confirm return flight
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Morning flight back to Kathmandu (or Ramechhap plus road transfer, ~4-5 hours). Check back into a Thamel guesthouse and take a hot shower.
🚌Domestic flight Lukla to Kathmandu ~£150-190
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel — £10-15
- →Flight Lukla to Kathmandu
Kathmandu sightseeing and rest
Kathmandu
Relaxed day in the Kathmandu Valley: Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square and Thamel shopping. Great for picking up souvenirs and resting before departure.
🚌Local taxis ~£8
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel — £10-15
- →Boudhanath Stupa
- →Swayambhunath
- →Kathmandu Durbar Square
- →Thamel shopping
Departure
Kathmandu
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight home.
🚌Taxi to airport ~£5
🛏N/A
- →Airport transfer
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt. Ltd.
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt. Ltd. | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,290 | £2,030 |
| Duration | 19 days | 19 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £740 per person (36%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt. Ltd.-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,290
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Everest Base Camp & Island Peak Self-Launched Trek cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,290 per person for 19 days in Everest Region, Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt. Ltd.?+
Yes — Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt. Ltd. charges around £2,030 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,290 — a saving of roughly £740 (36%) per person.
How long is the Everest Region, Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 19 days, covering 19 day-by-day stops through Everest Region, Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Everest Region, Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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