Chukhunt acclimatization hikes - Chukhung Ri & Island Peak Base Camp

Chukhunt acclimatization hikes - Chukhung Ri & Island Peak Base Camp

Would you like to tackle Chukhung Ri or the Island Peak Base Camp? Perhaps you would like to add both to your trekking route to the three high passes of Everest. Anyway, this guide covers it.

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For most hikers who want to master the three passes, travel insurance is at the top of their list of priorities.

I always buy travel insurance at Worldnomads.com because I think they are the best for adventure travelers. It includes insurance coverage for medical care abroad, evacuation, luggage and a number of adventure sports and activities such as trekking (also in height). Alt = "Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya">

Arrival after Chukhung

chukhung is a small living village on the edge of the Chukholz Valley. First and foremost, the community serves to provide three-high passes trekkers and those who want to climb the summit of Imja Tse or Island Peak.

To get here, you have to walk at least a week. If you do the three-pass trek, then I have written a comprehensive guide that helps you to cope with it alone.
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Related: Three Passes Pack List-What you need for the Three Passes & Ebc Trek

acclimatization in chuk hungry

The Kongma La Pass is generally viewed by hikers as one of the most difficult and exhausting passes on the typical route of the three high passes. It takes between 8 and 12 hours and takes you to an altitude of over 5500 m. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to acclimatize and train after chuk.

At the moment, my guides are the only sources for free content that are available online for the three-pass trek. If you are looking for further information, you can also receive a copy of the Lonely Planet: Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya Book, which was very useful for me.

Which detour should be made?

If you have little time, you may be undecided which acclimatization migration you would prefer. By far the most popular option is Chukhung Ri because it takes hikers to a much greater height and only takes 4 hours for the return trip, compared to a 7-8-hour drive to the Island Peak Base Camp.

If you try the Kongma LA, however, it is strongly recommended that you have an additional night in chuk so that you have enough time to achieve the base camp of Iceland Peak, or, as I have done, to complete both acclimatization hikes over the two days.
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There is no replacement for a good physical card if you are in the Himalayas. The best card for Chukhung Ri, Everest Base Camp and The Three Passes Trek can be bought here.

trekking to the summit of chuk hungry ri

chukhung ri is a rocky summit at the top of the village of Chukhng. There are two main peaks, the higher reaches 5546 m, which is even higher than the Kongma la Pass!

For many, this summit is one of the most difficult parts of their Everest hike. This is due to the relative steepness and the rapid increase in altitude. In addition, it will most likely be the first time that Trekker will reach a height of over 5500 m, in particular three-high passport trekkers who hike clockwise.
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record of the Chukhung Ri Trail

Depending on the season and time of day, you may have seen other hikers who went up or down the sloping hill above chuk hungry. The path is quite obvious from every point in the city.

start with a walk to the northeastern side of the city and take the way behind the Makalu Lodge. Leave the city and cross a small, flowing stream before starting the winding walk up the first rocky hill.

The ascent

After a series of serpentines, you have reached the tip of the rocky section in front of a gentle, round hill to your right and a very steeply sloping hill in front of you.

If you want to get to the summit of the chuk hungry, you have to start the long and tedious ascent up the steep slope.

For those who are not sure of their acclimatization, it is possible to end the side hike on the hill to their right. When you get to the top, hikers will reach a height of 5000 m, which can be sufficient for many people.

If you feel good and feel like it, continue on the swept path up the slope up to the Chukhung Ri.

Chukhung ri peak and view

If you approach the summit, you will notice the first summit directly to your right, which is displayed by several choirs and prayer flags. From here you have a 360-degree view of the valley behind it, including Imja Tse, Ama Dablam, Baruntsse and Makalu. On the other hand, you can also recognize the weak sign of the Kongma La Pass Trail.

If you feel fit and ready, you can go back over the tip of the slope and start the climbing ascent to the summit of the Chukhung Ri. You will notice the second summit, which is displayed by further prayer flags.

This section is a bit trickier and the wind is as is well known here. However, as soon as you have reached the summit, you will be rewarded with a more rewarding experience of the same view, as you would have just reached a height of 5546 m!

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Trekking to Iceland Peak (Imja Tse) Basic camp

A further half -day acclimatization migration of chukhung leads to the base camp Island Peak (Imja Tse), which is located at 4970 m.

The basic camp Island Peak is an excellent detour that takes about six to seven hours for the return trip. The path runs gradually, but leads along the moraine of the Lhotse Glacier and past the beautiful Alpine lakes Imja Tsho.
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Island Peak Expedition trekking

Imja Tse is the most popular trekking summit in the Himalaya. The summit gives beginners and advanced a foretaste of real mountaineering. Although it is one of the simpler peaks in the region, the summit is still 6189 m and requires a committed climbing guide.

It is also a great step forward compared to normal Himalaya trekking. So if you want to go all the way to the summit, you have to arrange a guide, approval and an excursion in Kathmandu or join a crew.

collection of the Island Peak Base Camp Trail

The Island Peak Base Camp Trail begins at the opposite end of chuk hungry to the chuk hungry instead of turning left at the end of the city, turn right and cross another temporary plank bridge that leads over the streams.

there is a clear way, and depending on whether Island is peak season or not, there may be some carriers and expedition leaders who take the same course.

The path meanders up to a small raised hill and then leads around up before it falls into a flat valley.
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The Imja Tsho Alpenseen

After about two and a half hours of trekking you can reach the big Imja Tsho Alpine lakes. However, if you only stay on the path, you may miss the best prospects.

Along the Island Peak Base Camp Track you can see increased hills through which you walk through and walk around them. At every point it is possible to climb to the top to have a better view of the lakes on the other side.

For me it was a surreal moment to look over the lakes and listen to the mighty crack and groan of the Lhotse glacier. It really allows them to appreciate the needs of the people who live in this area.
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Island Peak base bearing

Shortly behind the lakes, the path leads gently and flat down for another hour before reaching the Iceland Peak Base Camp. The height is 5087m.

The summit trekking season is from April to May and from October to November, so that depending on the season, you will either see many expedition tents or just an empty, flat landscape.

In any case, it is an amazing landscape and a perfect acclimatization hike before trying the Kongma la pass!
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Three passes: Independent trekking guide eBook

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Since the internet connection is limited in the Khumbu, I wrote a comprehensive trekking guide to the three passes that you can download as an eBook for use on your cell phone, tablet or e-reader.

I currently listed this eBook at Amazon at a reduced price of less than $ 6!

My camera and photo equipment

• Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
• drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
• landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
• all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
• Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
• landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
• Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
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