Gokyo–EBC–Island Peak Itinerary: 22-Day Guide

The planning guide has full context — this page is the scannable hub: Lee's 22-day phase structure, key villages and Island Peak summit window.

Also read: Planning guide · Accommodation · Trek overview

At a glance

Duration	22 days
Start / finish	Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)
Highest point	Island Peak summit 6,189 m
EBC elevation	~5,364 m
Season	Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Style	Teahouse trek + guided climb

Five-phase overview

Phase	Days	Focus
1	1–3	Lukla → Namche + acclimatisation
2	4–8	Gokyo valley + Gokyo Ri + Cho La
3	9–14	Everest Base Camp + Kala Patthar
4	15–20	Island Peak climb
5	21–22	Descent to Lukla → Kathmandu

Phase 1 — Lukla to Namche (Days 1–3)

Day	Stage	Notes
1	Fly KTM → Lukla; trek to Phakding	First taste of Khumbu
2	Phakding → Namche Bazaar	Steep finish; big altitude jump
3	Acclimatisation — Everest View Hotel / Khumjung	Sleep low in Namche

Phase 2 — Gokyo Valley (Days 4–8)

Day	Stage	Notes
4–5	Namche → Dole → Machhermo	Gradual Gokyo route climb
6	Machhermo → Gokyo	Third lake afternoon
7	Gokyo Ri sunrise (5,357 m)	Rest or explore
8	Cho La Pass (5,420 m) → Dzongla	Crampons if icy; backup route if closed

Phase 3 — Everest Base Camp (Days 9–14)

Day	Stage	Notes
9–10	Toward Lobuche via Thaknak / Periche	Thin air, slow pace
11	Lobuche → Gorak Shep → EBC	Iconic base camp afternoon
12	Kala Patthar (5,545 m) sunrise; descend	Best Everest views
13–14	Descend to Dingboche / Chhukung	Buffer before Island Peak

Phase 4 — Island Peak (Days 15–20)

Day	Stage	Notes
15–16	Trek to Island Peak Base Camp	Gear check, skills refresh
17	Move to high camp (~5,500 m)	Tent night
18	Summit day — alpine start, fixed lines	6,189 m Imja Tse
19–20	Weather contingency; descend	Flex for storms

Phase 5 — Exit (Days 21–22)

Day	Stage	Notes
21–22	Descend to Lukla; fly to Kathmandu	Weather delays common

Booking checklist

• Operator booked (trek + Island Peak)
• Lukla flights (return, with buffer)
• Permits confirmed (TIMS, Sagarmatha, climb permit)
• Travel insurance (helicopter + mountaineering altitude)
• Gear list signed off with operator
• 2+ buffer days before international flight home

Related planning

• Difficulty — altitude and Cho La
• Navigation — teahouse-to-teahouse routing
• Cost guide — phase-length budget
• Getting there — Lukla access