Trekking · Nepal
Island Peak (Imja Tse)
Nepal's most popular 6,189 m trekking peak in the Khumbu, often climbed straight after Everest Base Camp.
Island Peak, known in Nepali as Imja Tse, is the most popular trekking peak in Nepal — a 6,189-metre summit in the heart of the Khumbu that gives fit trekkers a genuine Himalayan ascent at the end of an Everest-area trek. It is one of the headline objectives among the trekking peaks of Nepal.
Overview
Island Peak sits in the Imja valley of the Everest region, ringed by some of the world's highest mountains — Lhotse, Nuptse and the Lhotse Shar wall tower directly above its glacier. The British climber Eric Shipton's party named it in 1951 because, viewed from Dingboche, it rises like an island in a frozen sea. The peak was officially renamed Imja Tse in 1983, but climbers still call it Island Peak. The first ascent came in 1953, when a team including Tenzing Norgay climbed it as training for that year's successful Everest expedition.
Height and location
At 6,189 metres (20,305 feet), Island Peak lies south-east of Everest within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Base camp is reached up the Imja Khola valley from Chhukung, a village on the Everest region treks network. Because the approach shares the Everest Base Camp trek, many climbers walk to base camp first for acclimatisation before turning into the Imja valley.
The climb
The route is graded as a demanding trekking peak. From high camp or base camp, climbers ascend rocky gullies to the snout of the glacier, rope up to cross crevasses, then tackle a steep snow-and-ice headwall on fixed ropes using a jumar. A narrow, exposed summit ridge leads to the top. None of it is extreme alpinism, but it demands confident use of crampons, ice axe and ascender, plus the stamina for a long summit day that often starts before dawn.
Difficulty, season and safety
Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are the climbing seasons, offering firm snow and the clearest views across the Khumbu. The biggest hazard is altitude rather than technical difficulty: the summit clears 6,000 m, so unhurried acclimatisation is vital — read our altitude sickness guide before you go. Climbers often warm up on the nearby Pokalde Peak or pair the trip with the more technical Lobuche East. For a higher but less technical alternative, many choose Mera Peak. Every ascent requires an NMA climbing permit, a registered agency and a climbing guide, as set out in our Nepal trekking guide.
Fast facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 6,189 m (20,305 ft) |
| Nepali name | Imja Tse |
| Region | Khumbu, Everest area |
| First ascent | 1953 (Everest training climb) |
| Difficulty | Demanding trekking peak |
| Best access | Via the Everest Base Camp trail |
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Frequently asked questions
How high is Island Peak?+
Island Peak, known in Nepali as Imja Tse, rises to 6,189 metres (20,305 feet) in the Khumbu region of the Everest area. It is one of Nepal's most climbed trekking peaks.
How difficult is Island Peak to climb?+
Island Peak is graded as a demanding trekking peak. The walk-in is straightforward, but the summit day involves a glacier crossing, a steep headwall climbed on fixed ropes and an exposed summit ridge, so crampon, ice-axe and jumar skills are needed.
Can you combine Island Peak with Everest Base Camp?+
Yes. Most climbers walk the Everest Base Camp route first, which provides excellent acclimatisation, then branch into the Imja valley to base camp at Island Peak before the summit push.
Who named Island Peak?+
Eric Shipton's party named it Island Peak in 1951 because it looks like an island in a sea of ice when seen from Dingboche. It was renamed Imja Tse in 1983, though the original name is still widely used.
