Here are 20 reasons to pick Ian Taylor Trekking for your Island Peak climb. We have led hundreds of people to the summit of Island Peak at 20,305 feet. These twenty reasons will show you why you should choose Ian Taylor Trekking to make this exciting journey to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak. We are selling out of our Island Peak climbs 12 months in advance because we have our own full-time staff and more acclimatization. We have success rates second to none.
Fixing our own Ropes
All our trips have three nights in Namche on the way up the trail, along with side trip to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. Our itineraries also have two nights in Island Peak Base Camp, we use Island Peak High Camp and fix our own ropes high on the mountain. Our team are available to our clients, giving them all the information they need before this challenging adventure. Read some Reviews from our trips.
1). Our Team
Ian Taylor Trekking have 3 guides for every group of 8 climbers. We have a maximum of 8 climbers per team along with our support team so we can carry ropes and mountaineering equipment high on the mountain. Safety is our priority on Island Peak. We want to make sure all of our teams have the best chance at safely reaching their goal. With more staff on the trail with your team, they will be able to more efficiently manage your safety on the trail and mountain and also give you a better experience along the way.
We do not outsource any of our trips in Nepal and we have our own office in Kathmandu and our own staff who manage all of our trips. Therefore, this gives us far more consistency in our service on the ground. We have world class climbing Sherpa’s working with us and therefore, this helps us offer you quality trips to Island Peak.
2). Supporting the Community
We continue to support the local community and have helped to establish the Goli Village Trust in Nepal. This was put into place after the earthquake in 2015, when the Village where many of our staff have come from was devastated. We have built two schools in the Goli region and we have placed stoves in over 60 homes. We do need donations and help, therefore if you would like to donate, set up a trek to the village, give funds, clothes or school items, then get in touch. Please let us know and we can help you figure out how you can best help!
3). Quality Run Trips
We run only run quality treks with more staff, better lodges and better food. Read some REVIEWS from our trips. You can also watch our Food and Accommodation video for further information. A lot of times people are only given the same food each day for every meal, and we don’t do this. You are allowed to pick what you eat for each meal to make sure that your dietary needs are met.
We pay our staff correctly and do not over load them with weight. Also, we use Yaks to carry all the loads up to Island Peak High Camp and we do not cut corners on any aspects of our treks or climbs. There will be a maximum of 8 climbers per group on our trips and we have 3 guides and support staff for 8 climbers on Island Peak.
4). Expert Training Advice
We offer personal service with training advice for our clients, 5 days a week. A lot of people underestimate Island Peak. We do not want to see this happen with our clients. Therefore, we want to make sure that you have the best information on how to complete this trek and climb safely and successfully. Learn more. The summit night and day alone can be 14 hours with some technical challenges. We run courses in Colorado and Scotland in support of our Island Peak climbs.
There are some long 8+ hour days, covering over 20km with over 700m/ 2,296 feet of up and down hill on steps or stairs while on the trail. We have professional training advice available to you 5 days a week. All you have to do is e-mail us and we can schedule calls with you as often as needed once you sign up to our trips.
5). More Acclimatization
We have learned after years of experience that people need more time to acclimatize to the lower levels of oxygen, in order to have a safe and successful trip to 20,305 feet. Therefore, we now include three nights in Namche Bazaar at 3,500m/ 11,500 feet. Trek to Everest and Kala Patthar at 5,645m/ 18,520 feet prior to reaching Island Peak Base Camp. We include two nights at Island Peak Base Camp 5,100m/ 16,732 feet and we use Island Peak High Camp 5,500m/ 18,044 feet.
This will help to give your body the time it needs to acclimatize correctly. Most companies are not doing this and we have seen over the years that it is a main factor in why more people on our trips are making it safely to the summit of Island Peak! We also include two nights in Dingbouche at 4,350m/ 14,271 feet, giving you the best chance of success!
6). Climb with an Everest Summiteer
Why not sign up to one of the trips that Ian personally leads? You can walk through the region with someone who not only has trekked to Everest Base Camp over 35 times, but also has reached the top of Mount Everest! Ian usually leads two Everest Base Camp and Island Peak climbs a year. Ian has personally led 19 Island Peak Expeditions with 17 climbs on the summit. If you book far enough in advance, you could join him on our unique itinerary Sign up and get access today. READ MORE.
7). 25 Years Experience
We have years of experience managing teams on the ground in Nepal. Our head Climbing guide Ang Kami Sherpa has climbed Island Peak over 200 times and climbed Mount Everest numerous times, Aconcagua and many other peaks. He is from Goli village and helped built the first school we built in the region. His uncle is Dawa Sherpa and Dawa heads up our office in Kathmandu. Both are very passionate about Sherpa culture, experience and preserving these traditions. Anyone who has trekked with Dawa or Ang Kami Sherpa will never forget it!
8). Fully Trained Staff
All of our guides hold current Wilderness First Aid Certificates and mountaineering guiding qualifications. Also, our guides will carry satellite and local phones with them .in case of an emergency. All our guide have led many trips on Island peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche, Tent Peak, Everest North Col, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam and Mount Everest and so many more. Read some Reviews from our Island Peak trips and get in touch for further information.
9). Quality Equipment and Gear
On our Island Peak climbs, we use quality, North Face Tents. We use these tents on all our trekking and mountaineering itineraries in Nepal. There is an option for a single tent for your nights sleeping at Island Peak Base Camp and High Camp. All our mountaineering gear is stored in Lukla and we bring new ropes for every season of climbing on Island peak. Our own cook Dilip or Karma will trek with the team to Island peak. Our Yaks and support staff carry all equipment up to Island Peak High Camp along with our support staff carry mountaineering equipment and ropes to crampon point. If conditions permit, our staff will bring your trekking boots up to crampon point for an easier descent back to Island Peak High Camp.
10). Four Star Hotel in Kathmandu
We include two nights in a four star hotel in Kathmandu. One night before your trip and one night after the trip. All of our trips are on a shared basis, but if you prefer a single room, this can be offered at an additional cost. We use the Buddy hotel and Spa in Thamel, which is the main tourist district of the city. You can also upgrade to 5 star hotel option if you like, just ask us for further information.
11). Better Lodges
There is a wide range of accommodations in the Everest Region. Some of these are of a very poor quality/standard and we stay away from those! We use the better accommodations when available. All of the tea houses we use come with a pillow and comforter on your bed. You still need to have your own sleeping bag with you, but these better tea houses will provide a cleaner and more comfortable option along the way. We use Hotel Namche for the four nights we spend in Namche Bazaar. Three nights on the way up and one night on the way down the trail. Sleeping is a very important part of the acclimatization process and therefore getting to bed early and getting as much rest as possible is very important.
12). 6 Scheduled Island Peak Climbs per year
Ian Taylor Trekking have the experience and expertise to run over 30 treks a year to Base Camp. We do limit the amount to Island Peak trips we run, so that safety is at a premium. Our team run back to back trips with the same staff and guides so consistency and your experience is paramount. Ian Taylor Trekking are a well known and respected company in the region. Because of this, we get preferential treatment with everything from flights in/out of Kathmandu, to helicopters and room availability in the tea houses.
Many companies without this experience bring you into the region and don’t even have tea houses booked beforehand. This could ultimately leave you stuck without a place to stay during busy times. We would never put our clients in this predicament… we are always booked beforehand to offer you a no-stress experience!
13). Three Meals a Day
Food in the Everest Region has become increasingly more and more expensive. All of our trips include three, two course meals each day on the trail. Therefore, you do not have to worry about bringing extra funds for your food. READ MORE information about our food service on the trek. We can guarantee quality food throughout the trek because we use the better lodges available and they provide a higher standard of meals. Making sure you get enough food on the trail is very important. Therefore, we provide all your meals as part of your trip.
14). How Difficult is Island Peak
Island Peak is a stunning peak in the Nepalese Himalayas. However, there are many things to consider when you are deciding on a climb in the Himalayas. Firstly, you must know that Island Peak is NOT a trekking Peak. You need to come with proficient mountaineering skills to take on this climb. Secondly, you need to make sure that you choose the right itinerary, that gives you adequate acclimatization to the low levels of oxygen. And finally, you need to come with excellent physical preparation to tackle this mountain. If you are an amateur mountaineer and well versed in Himalayan mountaineering techniques then Island Peak shouldn’t present a major challenge. If you are not a mountaineer then you need to get the basic right. We can help you.
15). Animals not Porters
We use animals instead of people to carry your duffel bag on the way to and from Everest Base Camp and Island Peak. The Yaks will carry up to 15kg/33 pounds of your personal gear on the trail. We will send you our 40 page dossier covering all aspects of the trip. This will also include an itemized kit list for you to review. We are available to speak with you on the phone or Skype get the right gear for your trek. Watch our PACKING VIDEO and do let us know if you have any questions.
16). Celebration Meal
We like to treat all of our teams to a celebratory meal at the end of your trek in Kathmandu! Ian’s favorite restaurant to enjoy after he is in the mountains is Fire and Ice Pizza Restaurant. Most of our teams will have the meal there as you can enjoy some delicious pizza after the trek (maybe even have a delicious mojito). This meal is included in the trip. You will be presented with your Everest Base Camp and Island Peak certificates of achievement and we will enjoy a beautiful meal before heading back to the hotel or a night out on the town.
17). Different Itinerary Options
We have multiple options for itineraries to Island Peak. You can join our regular itinerary that included Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. You can skip Everest Base Camp and acclimatize around Chuckung and Chuckung Ri which have stunning views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and surrounding areas. We rarely trek via Gokyo Lakes and onto Island Peak but this is possible. We can also tailor your trip to suit your needs for a private group. Therefore, if you have 8 climbers joining a trip, we can develop a private itinerary for you and your group.
18). The Best Sherpa Team
If you want learn about the Sherpa people, then you have to hang out with Sherpa people. Our team of Sherpa guides and assistant guides are happy and proud to talk to you about the Sherpa people, culture and way of life! We have been working with our teams in Nepal for over 10 years now. They are some of the most wonderful and knowledgeable people you will meet in the region. Most of our teams also take the time in Namche Bazaar to visit Kanchha Sherpa, the only remaining Sherpa from the first Everest expedition. Giving you a chance to hear from him and ask questions of what it was like on Mount Everest in the 1950’s.
19). Small Group Sizes
We only work with small group sizes. The maximum number of people per team trekking to Everest Base Camp will be 10 people. We have a maximum number of 8 climbers for our Island Peak trips. Some of our groups are even less people with only 6 or 8 team members. This will therefore give you are more personalized experience on the trail to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak. You can move as a team and experience more of this world class trail in a smaller groups.
20). Private Groups
We have an amazing opportunity for private groups of 8/10 to climb Island Peak with our award winning team. Therefore, if you are a part of a hiking group, walking club or mountaineering group that all want to go to Base Camp and Island peak, gather 10 other paying climbers to go with you and we will give one space for free!
Contact Us
Contact us for more information on our unique Island Peak climbs. Read some reviews and book early to secure your space on this trip of a lifetime! Be informed and be ready for one of the great Himalayan experiences.