Phulchowki Hiking

You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. For that, you require a valid passport with 2 copies of passport size photos. Similarly, A visa for Nepal can be obtained at Nepal India border entry point at Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Kakadvitta, Bhairahawa, Gaddachowki and Kodari on the Nepal China border. A15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

We will be at the airport to welcome you upon your arrival to Nepal. We will be carrying the Raj BalaTreks & Expedition placard with your name underneath. From airport you will escorted to your hotel and we help you to check-in.

We have been organizing Island Peak Climbing Package since 90’s. We provide all Island Peak climbing equipment such as climbing rope, climbing boot, crampons, harness set, ice axe in free of cost. We have a qualified climbing sherpa guide as an instructor. Your safety is our first priority when climbing Island Peak. So, we are specialized in peak climbing in Nepal.

You must be in good physical condition with ability to walk, ascend and descend 6 hours a day in average. If you have any illness specially respiratory and cardiac and neurology ones, consult your doctor before planning. Symptoms of AMS is normal if you haven’t been to high altitude before, we take precautions and try to avoid AMS as possible. All of our climbing guides are high altitude trained professionals. If AMS condition worsens, they will take you to lower elevations and call for helicopter rescue to Kathmandu if further medical attention is required.

You can choose from standard to luxury accommodation in Kathmandu. Generally, we offer accommodation in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast. Whereas, on the trekking trails, tea houses with basic facilities and tent or camping accommodation at Island Peak Base Camp.

While you are in Kathmandu, enjoy delicious breakfast included in cost while full board meals during the trek and camping day on Island Peak Base camp. You are advised to get a packet of energy bars and high energy producing items like raisins and cashew nuts etc. in Kathmandu. On trekking trails, mostly you will be offered with soups, porridge, noodles, rice and lentils, omelette, bread, pasta, tea, yak butter milk, yak cheese are served at most of the tea houses while, while at base camp dried packaged foods and other meals prepared by our camping cooks.

You can purchase or hire some of the equipment here in Kathmandu as well, the conditions and quality of the equipment are topnotch. One porter would be available for two people while on the trek, and the porter is able to carry about 25 kg of weight, so it is advised to keep the luggage light. Duffel or rucksack bags, day packs (approximately 20-25L), Down Jackets and 4 seasons’ sleeping bags are required in general.

Head:

• Sun hat or Scarf
• Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection

Feet:

• Thin, lightweight inner socks
• Thick, warm woolen hiking socks
• Hiking boots with spare laces
• Camp Shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
• Gaiters for hiking in winter

Hands

•  LIghtweight Gloves
• Heavyweight gloves ot mittens

Lower body:

• Undergarments
• Hiking shorts
• Lightweight cotton long pants
• Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
• Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Upper body:

• T-Shirts
• Light and expedition weight thermal tops
• Fleece jackets or pullovers
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Accessories

• Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F
• Headlamp with spare batteries
• Trekking Bags/ Duffel bags
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Large plastic bags - for keeping itms dry inside the trekking bags
• Trekking poles
• Water bottles
• Toiletries

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Multipurpose soap
• Nail cutter
• Small mirror
• Personal hygience
• Wet wipes
• Tissue/toilet roll
• Anti-bacterial hands wash 

The first part of the ascent is physically very hard. You will trek through a rough terrain at over 5000m. Once you reach the glacier field, you must rope-up and wear crampons. The foot of the headwall is the toughest part of the climb. The ascent is very steep and the air at its thinnest. However, the climbing route is safe because of fixed lines. With strong determination, you will get up to the summit ridge. The climb from summit ridge to the top is a short and easy ascent.

The route to Island Peak Base Camp (5,100m) itself is a challenging task. If you chooseto climb Island peak on a 10-day trip, you are lowering your chances of easy success. But if you choose to spend more days on the trek, the climb will be easier. Be familiar to mountains, the weather, and climatic conditions there. This aids to your climb.

Best time for climbing in Nepal is spring (March, April and May) bring warmer weather and secondly autumn season (September, October-November) fair weather in Nepal. You need to be prepared for sudden weather changes while trekking and climbing. That's why trekking equipment should be chosen carefully before the trip. Sudden rain storms or snow are always a possibility which needs to be considered. The weather during the trekking season is somewhat more stable.

We strongly suggest you to have an all-inclusive travel insurance policy covering all the aspects of your adventure. However, we ensure you that there would be hardly any evacuations or any health catastrophe as your leader is medically trained and has ample knowledge to deal with any life threatening situation. But it’s always wise to have insurance as your back up.