Everest Three Passes Trek with Island Peak Climbing (6,189 m) is an extraordinary Himalayan adventure combining the demanding Everest Three High Passes Trek with the exciting ascent of Island Peak (Imja Tse). The journey crosses Renjo La (5,360 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Kongma La (5,535 m) while exploring Namche Bazaar, Thame, Gokyo Lakes, Everest Base Camp, Gorak Shep, Chhukung, and Island Peak Base Camp.
The route offers spectacular views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Baruntse, Island Peak, and other Himalayan peaks. The Island Peak section adds glacier travel, snow climbing, fixed-rope sections, and a rewarding summit experience at 6,189 m.
With South Col Adventures, proper acclimatization, physical preparation, appropriate trekking and climbing equipment, and flexibility for changing mountain conditions are essential for a safe and successful adventure.
📌 01. Booking & Confirmation
To confirm your Everest Three Passes Trek with Island Peak Climbing, please provide:
- Completed booking details
- Valid passport copy
- Required travel information
- 10% non-refundable advance payment
Once the documents and payment are received, South Col Adventures will confirm your booking by email and begin arranging the required permits, accommodation, domestic flights, transportation, trekking guides, climbing staff, porters, meals, climbing equipment, and other logistics.
Early booking is strongly recommended, particularly during the spring and autumn seasons.
❌ 02. Cancellation & Refund
The 10% booking deposit is non-refundable if the trip is cancelled within 30 days before departure.
If the required balance is not paid by the agreed deadline, South Col Adventures may consider the booking cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
For complete cancellation terms, please refer to our Cancellation & Refund Policy.
💳 03. Payment Methods
South Col Adventures accepts:
- Bank Transfer
- Visa or MasterCard — 4% card processing fee applies
- Credit Card — please contact South Col Adventures for payment instructions
Bank charges, payment gateway fees, and currency conversion costs are payable by the Client.
The applicable balance payment deadline and any transaction charges will be communicated during booking.
🌤️ 04. Best Time for Everest Three Passes Trek with Island Peak Climbing
The best seasons for this combined adventure are:
Spring: March–May
Autumn: September–November
These seasons generally provide stable weather, clear mountain views, favorable trail conditions, and better climbing conditions.
Winter can bring heavy snowfall and extreme cold, making the three high passes and Island Peak more difficult. The monsoon season can bring rain, clouds, slippery trails, and reduced mountain visibility.
🥾 05. Difficulty Level
Everest Three Passes Trek with Island Peak Climbing is considered a very challenging high-altitude trekking and peak-climbing adventure. It requires excellent fitness, endurance, mental preparation, and the ability to handle prolonged days at high altitude.
The major challenges include:
- Long and demanding trekking days
- Steep ascents and descents
- High-altitude and rugged terrain
- Crossing three high mountain passes
- Snow and glacier-covered sections
- Cold temperatures and strong winds
- Limited facilities in remote sections
- A demanding Island Peak summit day
- Glacier travel and fixed-rope sections
- Rapidly changing Himalayan weather
The three high passes are:
Renjo La — 5,360 m
Cho La — 5,420 m
Kongma La — 5,535 m
Island Peak reaches 6,189 m, requiring additional climbing preparation and technical equipment.
Previous high-altitude trekking and climbing experience is helpful, but proper training, acclimatization, and preparation are essential.
🏔️ 06. Altitude Sickness & Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a major consideration because the route repeatedly reaches elevations above 5,000 m and ultimately climbs to 6,189 m on Island Peak.
Possible symptoms include:
Headache • Nausea • Dizziness • Fatigue • Loss of appetite • Difficulty sleeping
The itinerary includes appropriate acclimatization periods, particularly around Namche Bazaar, Gokyo, and the higher Everest region, allowing the body to adjust gradually to increasing altitude.
Trekkers and climbers should walk slowly, stay hydrated, eat properly, and get adequate rest.
If serious symptoms develop, further ascent should stop and descent to a lower altitude may be necessary.
Safety always comes before crossing a high pass or reaching the Island Peak summit.
💪 07. Fitness & Preparation
Excellent cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and leg strength are essential for this demanding combined adventure.
Preparation should include:
- Long-distance hiking
- Uphill and stair training
- Cardiovascular exercises
- Leg and core strengthening
- Hiking with a backpack
- Regular endurance training
- Practice on steep and uneven terrain
- Training for consecutive long trekking days
Basic mountaineering skills are beneficial. Before the Island Peak summit attempt, the climbing team will provide guidance on the use of appropriate climbing equipment and techniques.
🛂 08. Permits & Documents
This combined trek and climb requires the applicable permits and official documentation, including the appropriate Island Peak climbing permit, trekking and conservation-area permits, and local entry permits according to the route and current regulations.
South Col Adventures assists with arranging the required permits and official documentation.
Carry your passport, permits, travel documents, and insurance details throughout the journey.
🧗 09. Trekking & Climbing Equipment
Because this trip combines high-altitude trekking with peak climbing, both trekking and mountaineering equipment are required.
Essential climbing equipment may include:
Mountaineering boots • Crampons • Ice axe • Harness • Helmet • Ascender • Carabiners • Climbing ropes
Trekking equipment may include:
Trekking boots • Trekking poles • Sleeping bag • Daypack • Headlamp • Waterproof jacket • Down jacket • Warm layers
Personal equipment should also include:
- Insulated gloves
- Warm socks
- Sunglasses/goggles
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Suitable high-altitude clothing
- Personal medication
- Water bottles
South Col Adventures provides a detailed trekking and climbing equipment checklist before departure.
🌨️ 10. Weather & Summit Attempt
Mountain weather can change rapidly throughout the Everest region. Snowfall, strong winds, extreme cold, poor visibility, heavy snow, and icy trail conditions can affect both pass crossings and the Island Peak summit attempt.
Conditions at Renjo La, Cho La, Kongma La, Island Peak, and higher climbing sections can vary significantly depending on the season.
The Island Peak summit attempt normally begins very early in the morning. If weather, snow, glacier, or route conditions become unsafe, the climbing team may delay, modify, or cancel the summit attempt.
South Col Adventures may also adjust the trekking itinerary whenever necessary for safety.
🏕️ 11. Accommodation & Meals
During the trekking section, accommodation is generally provided in tea houses and lodges. Facilities become simpler in remote villages and at higher elevations.
Depending on the itinerary, accommodation at Island Peak Base Camp and higher climbing sections may involve camping.
Meals generally include:
Dal Bhat, noodles, soups, Tibetan-style dishes, vegetables, pasta, bread, eggs, and other local or international options.
Food choices become more limited at higher elevations, making adequate nutrition and hydration particularly important.
🛡️ 12. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and should cover:
- High-altitude trekking and peak climbing
- Emergency medical treatment
- Helicopter evacuation
- Mountain rescue
- Trip cancellation/interruption
- Lost or delayed baggage
Ensure your insurance specifically covers high-altitude trekking and peak climbing up to 6,189 m.
🚁 13. Safety & Emergency Support
Safety remains a priority throughout the journey. Our experienced trekking and climbing team monitors altitude, weather, trail conditions, high-pass conditions, glacier conditions, climbing routes, and the health of participants.
Because the route includes remote high-altitude terrain and a peak summit attempt, emergency response may require additional time and coordination.
The itinerary may be adjusted whenever necessary, with appropriate medical, rescue, or evacuation arrangements made according to the situation.
📱 14. Communication & Electricity
Mobile networks and internet services become less reliable as you travel deeper into the Everest region and reach higher elevations. Electricity is available at many lodges, generally for a fee, but charging facilities can be limited at higher elevations and camps.
Carry a power bank, spare batteries, and essential electronic equipment. A Nepal SIM card can provide mobile data where network coverage is available.
🌱 15. Responsible Travel
The Everest region is a fragile Himalayan environment and an important cultural landscape. South Col Adventures encourages trekkers and climbers to:
- Minimize waste and plastic use
- Avoid littering
- Carry reusable water bottles
- Respect Sherpa culture and traditions
- Respect monasteries, chortens, prayer flags, and mani walls
- Support local communities and businesses
- Conserve water and energy
- Follow responsible trekking and climbing practices
🎒 Everest Three Passes Trek with Island Peak Climbing Guidelines
A little preparation can make your trekking and climbing experience safer and more comfortable.
01. Prepare Your Fitness
Train with long-distance hiking, uphill walking, cardio, strength exercises, and backpack training several weeks or months before departure.
02. Prepare Your Trekking Boots
Wear your trekking boots before the trek to ensure comfort and prevent blisters. Make sure they are suitable for cold, rocky, and potentially snowy conditions.
03. Walk Slowly at Altitude
Maintain a steady pace and avoid unnecessary exertion, particularly above Namche Bazaar, during the three pass crossings, and around Island Peak.
04. Watch for Altitude Sickness
Stay hydrated, eat well, and immediately report headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue, or breathing difficulties to your guide.
05. Carry a Daypack
Keep water, snacks, medication, passport, permits, cash, sunscreen, sunglasses, rain protection, and warm layers with you.
06. Carry Enough Cash
ATMs are available in some larger settlements but should not be relied upon in remote areas. Carry sufficient Nepalese rupees for personal expenses.
07. Prepare for Limited Connectivity
Carry a power bank or solar charger. Internet and mobile coverage may become limited or unavailable during remote sections and high-pass crossings.
08. Eat Well & Stay Hydrated
Drink regularly and eat nutritious meals. Carry energy snacks such as nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, or energy bars for long and demanding trekking days.
09. Protect Yourself From Cold & Sun
Use proper warm layers, a down jacket, gloves, sunglasses/goggles, sunscreen, and suitable protection against strong Himalayan winds and sunlight.
10. Prepare for High-Pass Crossings
Be prepared for steep ascents, snow, ice, loose rocks, and cold conditions at Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La. Follow your guide's instructions and use trekking poles, microspikes, or crampons when conditions require them.
11. Learn the Climbing Equipment
Before the Island Peak summit attempt, follow your climbing guide's instructions and practice using crampons, harness, ice axe, helmet, ascender, carabiners, and climbing ropes.
12. Be Flexible With Weather
Mountain conditions can change quickly. Renjo La, Cho La, Kongma La, or Island Peak may become difficult or temporarily inaccessible due to snow or poor weather. The itinerary and summit schedule may be modified whenever necessary.
13. Carry Proper Insurance
Ensure your insurance covers high-altitude trekking and climbing up to 6,189 m, medical treatment, helicopter evacuation, and mountain rescue.
14. Plan Personal Expenses
Keep extra cash for charging, Wi-Fi, hot showers, snacks, drinks, laundry, shopping, and other personal expenses. Tipping is voluntary.
15. Respect the Mountain
Avoid littering, reduce waste, respect local culture, protect the Himalayan environment, and follow the instructions of your trekking and climbing team.
🏔️ Prepare Well. Trek Strong. Climb Safely. Conquer the Three High Passes and Island Peak with South Col Adventures.
