Travel and Trek - Trekking Peaks

Trekking Peaks

Mera, Island Peak (Nepal) and
Stok Kangri (Ladakh, India)

A Trekking Peak is generally a summit that can be reached by either just trekking or with the very minimum of climbing skills that can be taught and practiced just prior to any ascent. The use of specialist equipment such as crampons and an ice axe may be necessary in some cases but in virtually all cases, the skills necessary for their use will be taught prior to ascending. No previous mountaineering skills is necessary.

Why go?... many who have trekked extensively before see the ascent of a trekking peak as the next natural step, even though they have no intention of becoming a climber. It is the physical challenge of the ascent, the sheer exhilaration and the sense of satisfaction of getting to the summit that attract so many, not to mention to views that await you when you get there.

Island Peak (& EBC too)

This trip is close to being full, please call to check availability

Join Travel and Trek for this rare occasion to hit two of the Khumbu's classic goals in one visit; Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Island Peak.

Both are superb stand alone treks in their own right; combine them and you have a fantastic experience ahead of you. After the elation of reaching EBC you still have to summit a 6000m+ peak!
Download itinerary

The picture top right shows the 130m near vertical snow and ice wall that stands between you and the summit of Island Peak (see the little people ascending?!). If you love a challenge, then this is one that has to be on your list. A 3 hour pre-dawn trek from high camp some 500m below brings you to this point. The altitude (approx 6000m at this stage) will be having an affect and then this comes along! It's time to dig deep and reach for the summit.

You don't need any climbing experience, it really is great fun and well within range of most averagely fit people in the right hands.

For non-climbers this is an ideal first time Peak. At 6189m (20,305') it's higher than Kilimanjaro and you will feel like you're sitting on top of the world. Although the final ascent is covered in snow and ice it still requires no previous mountaineering skills.

Tucked well into the Everest Khumbu region, you will trek for several 8 days until you reach the EBC using Tea Houses. The beauty of this combined trip is that the initial trek to the Base Camp gives you that vital acclimatisation, which gets you ready for Island Peak.

Only 2 days after you leave EBC you will be positioned in either Base or High Camp of Island Peak ready to summit the next day. It is a fantastic experience to trek to the 'crampon point', to tehn trek to the base of the ice wall, scale it and finally summit. From this stunning white view point, you can only sit in awe at what lies before you. The views of the mighty Lhotse, Lhotse Sha, Makalu and the lesser known but fantastic Ama Dablam are just a few kilometers away. Who cares what they are called(!), there's lots of them all around you!

The specialist equipment that you will need can be hired (you will be assisted in the hire, cost approx £50 (max)) and includes boots, crampons, a harness, an ice axe, a jumor and karabiners. The boots and crampons are of paramount importance due to the fit and DO need to be hired in Kathmandu, the rest may be available further up the trail saving you money on the duration of hire and weight. Your Guide will sort this out for you. Your safety is of paramount importance and you will be trained in the use of this equipment by your Sherpa climbing guide.

An ideal first time Peak as it's just off of the Everest Base Camp trail with tea house accommodation all the way until you decant into tents for the final ascent.

Details

Island Peak and EBC: 22 Oct - 10 Nov 08

Price: £1350 - (no local payments)
Based on twin share
No of Days: 20 (UK - UK)
Min/Max Group Size: 4/10

Includes: Arrival airport transfer, return transfers for internal flight, all group accommodation in Nepal (hotels, Tea Houses and tented), return internal flight to Lukla, all trek and climbing permits, food on trek (only when tented, max 4 nights), Guide and Porterage including Climbing Sherpas as required.

Not included: International flights, personal travel insurance, food in Kathmandu and in tea houses, gratuities (Guides and Porters), tourist entry visa, international and internal flight departure taxes, hire of safety equipment, personal spending and excursions not detailed in the itinerary.

Download 2008 itinerary for EBC and Island Peak

Booking Form

Final approach up the ridge to the summit

Roped up on the plateau

On the summit (still roped in!)

Brief Itinerary for Island Peak trips only (excluding EBC)
Day 1	Overnight flight to Kathmandu.
Day 2	Arrive Kathmandu mid afternoon, transfer to hotel, evening free to explore.
Day 3	Culture tour of Kathmandu. Late afternoon/evening free.
Day 4	40 min flight to Lukla, straight into a half day trek.
Days 5 – 10	For the next 6 days the group will trek through some of the most stunning scenery in the world including the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar. On the 6th day you will have reached the Base Camp at 4870m
Day 11 - 13	For the next 3 days, including a spare day for potential bad weather conditions will be spent practicing and subsequently summitting Island Peak. You will then return down to Tengbouche at 3900m
Day 14 - 15	2 days trekking back down to Lukla
Day 16	Fly Lukla - Kathmandu, rest of the day to explore and relax.
Day 17	Relaxation/shopping day and also a spare in case of problems with flying out of Lukla or evening flight to London
Day 18	Most of the day to explore, evening flight out of Kathmandu
Day 19	Arrive London early morning.

Mera Peak

The summit is a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Everest, Lohtse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and many many more....

Type of Expedition: High Altitude Wilderness Camping Trek
Duration: 17 nights/18 days (includes one contingency/bad weather day in hand)
Region: Khumbu & Makalu Barun
Max Altitude: 6654m

At 6654m (21825ft), Mera Peak (Central) is one of the biggest trekking Peaks in the world; it's certainly the biggest in Nepal. This very high altitude trek will test your stamina and resolve to get to the summit in testing conditions, not least due to the altitude (44% oxygen levels at the summit). Your reward is a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Everest, Lohtse, Pumori, Ama Dablam to the northwest and Makalu, Kanchenjunga and a dozen other peaks to the northeast. From that list only K2 is missing from the top 5 highest mountains in the world.

This is a great challenge for groups for the bonding between individuals will need to be at its best to get those not strong enough to do this without support from their fellow trekkers. Mera Peak is reputed to be the most rewarding non-technical climb on offer anywhere in the world. It is less technically demanding than Island Peak.

Once you have experienced the fantastic flight into Lukla, you will meet up with the remainder of your support team. Whilst you are also at the beginning of the Everest Base Camp route, your passage will take you into a tough, yet spectacular and seldom visited Makalu Barun National Park. The route goes via the Inkhu Valley and onto Thangnak, turning east to Khare before you get to the Base Camp at around 5400m. This is a classic high Himalayan valley with splendid isolation. Acclimatization is key along the way, which is built into the programme, including a spare day for contingencies.

You will be taught and trained in the use of crampons and ice axes prior to the ascent, which is made under the cover of darkness to make best use of the crisp snow. Mera Peak does not require technical rock-climbing expertise but calls for a proficient level of general fitness especially in view of the high altitude conditions. Summit day involves 500m of fairly steep roped-up, crampon ascent.

This is a serious trek with an equally serious ascent to the summit, which will take your breath away - quite literally. The pre-dawn ascent, with the crisp white snow suddenly being lit up by the sun is incredible.

Details

Mera Peak: 19 Oct - 11 Nov 08

Price: £ 1599 - (no local payment)
Based on twin share
No of Days: 24 (UK - UK, can be shortened, see notes below)
Min/Max Group Size: 4/10

Includes: Arrival airport transfer, return transfers for internal flight, all group accommodation in Nepal (hotels, tea houses and tented), return internal flight to Lukla, all trek and climbing permits, food on trek (only when tented), Guide and Porterage including Climbing Sherpas as required.

Booking form

Brief Itinerary
Day 1	Overnight flight to Kathmandu.
Day 2	Arrive Kathmandu mid afternoon, transfer to hotel, evening free to explore.
Day 3	Culture tour of Kathmandu. Late afternoon/evening free.
Day 4	40 min flight to Lukla, sort kit out and begin the trek.
Days 5 – 20	Mera Peak trek
Day 21	Early morning flight back to Kathmandu
Day 22	Relaxation/shopping day and also a spare in case of problems with flying out of Lukla or evening flight to London
Day 23	Free day, evening flight out of Kathmandu
Day 24	Arrive London early morning.

Shorter trip?...It is possible to shorten the UK - UK time by arriving the day before the flight to Lukla (ie departing UK 1 day later than this itinerary suggests) and departing back to the UK on Day 22 of this itinerary. That said. you should be aware that flights out of Lukla can be delayed by weather. A spare day on the back of the trip is therefore always strongly advisable.

Stok Kangri

Stok Kangri is a very easily accessible trekking peak on the ridge between Ladakh's capital Leh and the Markha Valley. The option to get to the summit of this Peak is covered in the Markha Valley trek on the India webpage of this site, click here. If you wish to get to the Peak and not do the Markha Valley trek please call to discuss your requiements.


Stok La	Some scree running fun	Close to the summit of Stok Kangri

International flights. Whilst I do not include international flights in my prices, through experience I can advise you on the route options open to you between London and Kathmandu to suit your trip.