Paragliding in the Himalayas - Island Peak

A 19 day paragliding adventure to the Khumbu Himal. Including an ascent and flight from Nepal's most spectacular trekking peak Island Peak 6189m, returning to Kathmandu by twin otter STOL aircraft from Lukla.



After a brief stay in Kathmandu to complete the formalities we fly by STOL aircraft to Lukla, the jumping off point for this paragliding trek through the Himalaya. We should be able to fly for at least 5 days during the walk in. Our team of experienced porters will be carrying our camp equipment food and spare personal gear. Our own Sherpa guide and cook crew will prepare the food and generally look after us during our paragliding adventure.

Island Peak Ascent
After 2 rest and acclimatisation days in Namche Bazaar we continue to ascend for 6 days until Island Peak base camp is reached. Our Sherpa guides will establish a high camp at around 5700m which we will occupy the evening before our summit attempt. Departing for the top at 2am, we should summit by around 8 or 9am. The climb is straitforward and is likely to present little difficulty to our well acclimatised group. The final few hours is on snow and ice so crampons will be used. Our Sherpa guides will help with any instruction needed should any participant not be familiar with using crampons before and they will generally assist our ascent by placing any fixed ropes that might be needed.

T he Flight
We would expect to have arrived on the summit by 10am at the latest leaving plenty of time to make the flight and get back to the camp area before nightfall. Previously the take off area has been a good slope with no particular difficulty, though it does change from year to year as the snow depth varies. Our chosen landing area will be a large dry lake bed right under the mountain at Pareshaya Gyab. On landing, time permitting, we will descend to the village of Chukkung to spend the night and celebrate.



Return to Kathmandu
We return to the STOL airfield at Lukla by way of Thyangboche Monastery and Namche Bazaar before taking an early morning scenic flight back to the city of Kathmandu. All being well we should be enjoying the luxury of a hot shower at our hotel by lunchtime ready for the end of trip meal at the famous "Rum Doodle" restaurant. Tho
se with time might want to visit Pokhara for some more thermal flying and we are happy to provide free transportation onward from Kathmandu.

Cost £1545.00 - Dollar, Euro or Swiss Franc prices

*Our trips no longer include international flights as our client base is worldwide and there is ready availability of low cost flights on the internet.

Dates
02 November - 22 November 2008

Download infopack/application form
Days
19

Qualifications
This trip is for BHPA CP Pilots, equivalent or above. The trip involves adventure flying and some alpine launches on snow and at high altitude. It is the Pilot's responsibility to ensure they are capable of safely undertaking this trip. You do not need to be a mountaineer but a high degree of fitness is required and walking on snow using crampons and ice axe is a requirement. If you are in doubt about the suitability of this trip for you please contact us for personal advice. We can offer pre trip training if required.