KYAJO RI & CHOLATSE COMBO EXPEDITION

A comprehensive briefing covers both peaks — the full route, camp structures, technical approach, safety protocols, and permit logistics. Equipment is checked and confirmed. You receive your Alpinist Climber Expeditions duffel bag, cap, and T-shirt. The afternoon is free for any final preparation before the flight to Lukla the following morning.

An early mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m) with sweeping Himalayan views on the approach. The team assembles in Lukla and loads are organized before the first trekking day begins. The trail descends along the Dudh Koshi River through pine forest to Phakding — a steady, manageable introduction to the Khumbu trail.

The trail crosses the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint at Monjo and climbs steeply to Namche Bazaar — the commercial hub and cultural centre of the Sherpa world at 3,440m. The steep ascent from the river crossing below gains approximately 600 metres and marks the most physically demanding trekking day of the approach. Kyajo Ri's summit is visible on the northwest ridge above Namche from the village itself.

A structured acclimatization day. A morning hike to the Everest View Hotel ridge at approximately 3,800m builds altitude exposure above Namche before returning to sleep lower. The route above Namche passes through Khumjung village and delivers views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and — directly — Kyajo Ri above the Thame Valley to the northwest. A first clear look at the first summit ahead.

The trail branches northwest from Namche through Khunde — a traditional Sherpa village below the Khunde Hospital, the oldest hospital in the Khumbu. From Khunde, the path climbs steeply toward Thame and then continues above the village to Kyajo Ri Base Camp at 4,550m. The summit ridge of Kyajo Ri dominates the view above — steeper and more serious in appearance than the trail below would suggest.

A rest and preparation day at Kyajo Ri Base Camp. Equipment is organized, the route is reviewed in detail with the lead guide, and the team acclimatizes before the serious climbing begins the following morning. The terrain from Camp 1 through Camp 2 and the upper ridge is visible from Base Camp and discussed in full.

The route from Base Camp climbs through mixed terrain — rock, snow, and the first technical sections of the lower ridge — to Camp 1 at 5,200m. The upper mountain is now fully visible above: the steeper ground between Camp 1 and Camp 2, and the exposed final ridge to the summit are clearly apparent from this vantage. Tents are established, a hot meal prepared, and the team rests in preparation for the more demanding move to Camp 2.

Above Camp 1 the terrain intensifies. Fixed lines protect the steeper sections as the route gains the main ridge through steep snow and mixed ground. Camp 2 at 5,700m sits in a sheltered position on the upper ridge with the Kyajo Ri summit clearly visible above. The Cholatse massif is now visible to the southeast — a first look at the second objective. The team rests carefully in preparation for the summit push.

A reserve day at Camp 2. Weather on the Kyajo Ri upper ridge is unpredictable and the summit cannot safely be attempted in poor conditions. This buffer day protects the summit window without compressing the timeline. All decisions are made by the expedition leader based on current weather and route data. If conditions allow on Day 10, the leader may summit and use Day 11 as descent.

The summit push from Camp 2 begins in the early hours. The upper ridge of Kyajo Ri is the most technically demanding ground on this peak — sustained steep terrain, mixed sections, and the final exposed approach to the summit at 6,186m. The view from the top encompasses Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam on one side, and the Cholatse massif clearly defined to the southeast — the next objective, now visible from the top of the first. The team descends to Base Camp with a 1:1 Climbing Sherpa alongside each member throughout.

From Kyajo Ri Base Camp the team descends back through the Thame trail to Khunde. The altitude drop is significant and the lower valley's warmth is immediately welcome after the time above 5,000m. Khunde provides a proper lodge rest between the two phases of the expedition.

The trail moves east and south from Khunde, joining the Gokyo Valley approach through the Khumbu's less-trafficked western corridor. The route passes through Mong La and descends to the Dudh Koshi before climbing to Dole — a small settlement in the lower Gokyo Valley with fine views of Cho Oyu appearing to the north for the first time. The Gokyo route is quieter than the main Everest trail and the change in atmosphere is noticeable.

The Gokyo Valley route continues north to Machhermo — a well-established lodge stop on the approach to the Gokyo lakes and Cholatse. The valley narrows and steepens above Dole, and the peaks ahead begin to grow in scale. Machhermo sits at a meaningful altitude and the overnight here serves as useful preparation before the further climb to Cholatse Base Camp the following day.

From Machhermo, the trail branches toward the Cho La and the approach to Cholatse Base Camp at 4,700m. The mountain reveals itself progressively on the approach — its southwest face, the route of ascent, and the sharp summit ridge becoming clearer with every hundred metres of altitude gained. Base Camp is established on solid ground below the lower glacier, with the route above beginning to take shape. The second phase of the expedition formally begins.

The Puja ceremony is conducted at Cholatse Base Camp — a traditional Sherpa blessing ritual attended by every member of the team. All climbing equipment is blessed before use on the mountain. This ceremony carries the same genuine significance as at any other Base Camp, and on a less-visited peak like Cholatse it has a particularly intimate quality. The day's remainder is for rest, equipment organization, and settling into the altitude ahead of the climbing phase.

The route above Base Camp enters serious terrain quickly. Cholatse's lower glacier approach involves crevassed glacier travel and increasingly steep snow before Camp 1 at 5,600m is reached. This is a significant altitude gain from Base Camp in a single day, and the physical demand of the day reflects the character of the mountain above. Camp 1 is a well-positioned camp with full exposure to the upper route and the conditions that will determine the summit window.

Above Camp 1 the terrain becomes more committed. Steep ice and mixed ground characterize the approach to Camp 2 at 5,840m — the final camp before the summit push. Fixed lines protect the most demanding sections, but the climbing requires the technical competence and altitude conditioning that the Kyajo Ri phase has developed. Camp 2 is an exposed but sheltered position with the upper summit ridge now directly above. The team rests carefully, eating well and managing hydration in preparation for an early summit departure.

A reserve day at Camp 2. Cholatse's upper ridge at nearly 6,000m is exposed to weather systems that move quickly through the Gokyo Valley. This buffer day ensures the team can wait for a proper summit window without compressing the descent or the return timeline. All decisions are made by the expedition leader based on current weather data and conditions on the upper route. If conditions allow, the leader may summit on Day 19 and use Day 20 as the descent day.

Summit day begins before dawn from Camp 2. The upper mountain presents the most technical and committing terrain of the full 25-day expedition — steep ice, mixed sections, and the final push along the exposed summit ridge to 6,440m. A 1:1 Climbing Sherpa accompanies each member throughout. The summit of Cholatse delivers an extraordinary panorama: Cho Oyu fills the northwest horizon, the Ngozumba Glacier stretches below toward the Gokyo lakes, and Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu rise to the northeast and east. Two technical summits completed in 25 days.

After time at the top, the team descends methodically to Camp 1. The technical ground above Camp 2 demands the same careful attention on descent as on ascent — the guide team manages the return with the same focus as the climb.

A full descent from Camp 1 to Cholatse Base Camp. The camp is broken down over the afternoon and the team prepares for the return trek beginning the following morning. The valley below Base Camp is now a very welcome sight after nearly two weeks above 5,000m on two technical mountains.

The return trek retraces the Gokyo Valley approach in reverse — south through Machhermo and Dole, crossing back into the main Khumbu corridor and arriving in Namche Bazaar by the afternoon. The altitude drop from 4,700m to 3,440m is felt immediately and gratefully.

The final trekking day follows the Dudh Koshi River downstream from Namche through Phakding and the familiar lower Khumbu forest to Lukla. The trail is well-known by this point and the pace is easy. Porters are thanked and farewelled in Lukla before the final night on the expedition.

An early morning flight from Lukla returns the team to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for rest, a final exploration of Thamel, or souvenir shopping before the farewell dinner in the evening — a proper celebration of 25 days, two 6,000m technical summits, and the commitment it took to reach both of them.

Private airport transfer is arranged for your outbound flight. The Kyajo Ri and Cholatse Combo Expedition concludes — 25 days from Kathmandu to two serious alpine summits and back.