Everest Base Camp & Island Peak, Nepal

Two little words. They go round your head every night as you lay it down on your pillow and fall into a slumber. Base Camp.

If you’ve got the Everest itch, then you’re not alone. And on this trek to Base Camp, you’ll not only walk among giants and revel in the rugged power of the highest mountain in the world, but you’ll also test your limits on Everest’s little sister, Island Peak.

500 odd metres lower, Island Peak’s summit is the perfect place to go to next, if you’re not quite ready to tackle the peak of Everest herself. (And let’s face it, not many people are.)

On Island Peak’s summit at the end of Chukkung Valley, you’ll learn new climbing skills as you make your way up the steep snow and ice slopes. You’ll feel the challenge, but you’ll have a bloody good time too.

Want to take another step towards one day summiting the biggest mountain in the world?

This is your trek.

Where else can you trek remote, rugged mountain trails and witness some of nature’s most spectacular feats, safe in the knowledge that a hot meal awaits you at the end of each day?

Only in Nepal.

That’s where you’ll experience the finest this world can offer in terms of nature and community, thanks to the inimitable hospitality of the people there. Local, ancient traditions and kindness like you’ve never known await you in the remote mountain villages that you’ll pass on your journey to Everest Base Camp.

With iconic mountain scenery and accessible hiking along some of the world’s best-loved climbing trails, your trek to Everest Base Camp will be everything you’re expecting.

And nothing like you’re expecting at all.

Seriously, nothing can prepare you for the things you’ll see. Or for the friendships you’ll make. Or the stories you’ll hear.

But one thing’s for sure. Your life will change the moment you set foot upon Everest and breathe in the possibility ahead of you. All that’s required to get you there is some careful planning, a great sense of adventure and a little bit of willpower too.

If you’ve got experience with rope climbing, great. Crampons? Even better. Because we’ll be tackling Island Peak once we’ve made it to Base Camp, and the ridge up there is steep, narrow and a real pulse-raiser as summit approaches go.

But having these climbing weapons in your arsenal is by no means essential, since we’ll spend a day at Chukkung, practising the techniques that you’ll most definitely need on your Island Peak summit attempt.

It’s always worth remembering that you’ll be walking between 4 and 8 hours every day on a mountaineering trip to Nepal. Most of it’s uphill and the altitudes are, of course, rather high. But if you’ve got some grit, some guts and a hankering to set foot on the tallest mountain in the world?

This trip is for you.