THREE PEAKS COMBO EXPEDITION

A comprehensive briefing covers all three peaks in sequence — route structures, camp systems, technical approach, safety protocols, permit logistics, and the helicopter arrangements for both the arrival and departure. The government liaison officer required for the Ama Dablam phase is introduced. Equipment is checked, confirmed, and packed. You receive your Alpinist Climber Expeditions jacket, duffel bag, T-shirt, and cap.

A helicopter departs Kathmandu for Namche Bazaar — a 45-minute flight that eliminates the two-day Lukla approach and places the team directly in the heart of the Khumbu at 3,440m. The flight follows the Khumbu corridor, with Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Kyajo Ri all appearing in sequence as Namche comes into view on the ridge below. A focused, efficient start to an expedition that makes full use of every day.

A structured acclimatization day following the altitude gain from the helicopter arrival. A morning hike to the Everest View Hotel ridge at 3,800m builds altitude exposure before sleeping lower. The views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Kyajo Ri from this ridge serve as a panoramic introduction to the three summits ahead. The afternoon is for rest, equipment confirmation, and settling into the Khumbu before the Kyajo Ri approach begins the following morning.

The trail leaves Namche through Khumjung village — the home of the Sir Edmund Hillary School and one of the most traditional Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu — before climbing steeply above the Thame Valley to Kyajo Ri Base Camp at 4,550m. The summit ridge of Kyajo Ri is clearly visible above Base Camp, and the upper terrain between Camp 2 and the summit is apparent from this vantage. The first camp of the expedition is established.

The Puja ceremony is conducted at Kyajo Ri Base Camp — a traditional Sherpa blessing ritual attended by every member of the expedition team. All climbing equipment is blessed before use. The three-peak programme begins formally here, and the ceremony sets the tone for an expedition that will spend the next four weeks on serious technical terrain in one of the world's most demanding mountain environments.

The team ascends to Camp 1 at 5,200m and returns to Base Camp — a controlled altitude rotation that familiarizes the team with the lower section of the Kyajo Ri route and initiates physiological adaptation above Base Camp. The IFMGA guide uses this rotation to observe and refine each team member's technical movement, crampon technique, and rope handling in a live mountain environment before the summit rotation begins.

A rest day at Base Camp. The body consolidates altitude adaptation. Equipment is repacked precisely, the summit plan reviewed, and the latest weather forecast assessed. The guide issues the final Kyajo Ri briefing and confirms the plan for Camp 1 departure the following morning.

The team moves from Base Camp to Camp 1 at 5,200m on familiar, well-read terrain. The route is climbed with greater efficiency than the acclimatization rotation — the body is better adapted, the terrain is known, and the focus is entirely on the two camps above. Tents are established, a hot meal prepared, and the team rests with Camp 2 the objective for the following morning.

Above Camp 1 the Kyajo Ri route reveals its full technical character. Fixed lines protect the steeper sections as the team 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 summit 486 metres above. The team rests carefully in preparation for the summit push.

A reserve day at Camp 2. Weather on the Kyajo Ri upper ridge determines whether the summit push is safe, and this buffer day protects that decision without compromising the overall 33-day programme. If conditions allow on Day 11, the team may summit and use Day 12 as descent.

The summit push from Camp 2 begins in the early hours. The upper ridge — steep, mixed, and exposed — delivers the first 6,000m summit of the expedition at 6,186m. From the top, Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu extend across the horizon. To the southeast, Ama Dablam's sharp profile rises above the valley — the next objective, now viewed from the summit 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 begins the transition toward the Ama Dablam phase. The trail descends from the Thame Valley back through the upper Khumbu corridor to Sanasa — a junction settlement where the main Everest trail and the Gokyo route diverge. The altitude drop from above 5,000m to 3,600m is substantial and immediately welcome.

The trail continues east through the main Khumbu valley toward Pangboche — one of the oldest Sherpa villages in the region, with an ancient monastery that carries the cultural weight of centuries of high-altitude life. Ama Dablam grows significantly in the skyline as Pangboche is approached. The mountain's southwest ridge — the route of ascent — is visible in full from the trail below.

From Pangboche, the trail branches south toward the Ama Dablam glacier and Base Camp at 4,600m. The approach is direct — a climb through moraine and high pasture with the mountain growing in scale above with every step. Arriving at Ama Dablam Base Camp with Kyajo Ri already summited is a specific and focused moment. The team is acclimatized, technically experienced, and ready. The centrepiece of the expedition begins here.

The second Puja ceremony of the expedition is conducted at Ama Dablam Base Camp — a second blessing for the second and most demanding peak of the three. The Base Camp community at Ama Dablam in peak season includes teams from around the world, and the ceremony is conducted with the full attention and respect the mountain commands. The day's remainder is for rest and equipment organization before the acclimatization rotation begins.

A controlled acclimatization move to approximately 5,200m on the lower southwest ridge before returning to Base Camp. After Kyajo Ri's 6,186m summit, the team arrives at Ama Dablam Base Camp with a meaningful altitude advantage over fresh teams. This rotation confirms that advantage and familiarizes the team with the immediate character of Ama Dablam's approach terrain — considerably more technical from the first moves above Base Camp.

The southwest ridge proper begins here. The route to Camp 1 at 5,800m involves mixed rock, ice, and fixed rope on serious terrain from the outset — a profile that immediately distinguishes Ama Dablam from the glacier approaches of many Himalayan peaks. Camp 1 is a small, exposed ledge camp with dramatic views back to Pangboche and the valley below, and direct lines of sight to Camps 2 and 3 above.

Above Camp 1 the southwest ridge becomes more sustained and demanding — fixed rope on the steeper rock and mixed sections, careful movement required at every stage above 6,000m. The experience accumulated on Kyajo Ri's upper ridge pays direct dividends here. Camp 2 at 6,100m sits below the dablam — the massive overhanging serac feature that defines Ama Dablam's profile from the valley. The upper mountain and Camp 3 are now directly above.

The route to Camp 3 passes directly below the dablam — one of the most dramatic and committing sections on any sub-7,000m peak in Nepal. The terrain above Camp 2 demands sound climbing on mixed ground at significant exposure. Camp 3 at 6,400m is the final camp before the summit push. The team rests early and carefully, with the summit ridge directly above and an early pre-dawn departure confirmed.

A reserve day at Camp 3. The summit approach above this point is not ground that can be pushed safely in poor conditions. Weather data and route conditions are assessed by the expedition leader. If conditions allow on Day 21, the team may summit and use Day 22 as descent day.

The summit day on the expedition's highest and most technically demanding peak begins well before dawn. The final ridge to the summit at 6,812m is narrow, exposed, and committing throughout — requiring confident climbing at the highest altitude of the 33-day programme, with a 1:1 Climbing Sherpa alongside every member. The summit of Ama Dablam delivers the finest view in the Khumbu: Everest and Lhotse to the north, Makalu to the east, Cho Oyu to the west, and the Khumbu valley spreading below in both directions. Two peaks summited. One to go.

The full descent from the summit to Base Camp is long and technical. The guide team manages the return with the same care as the ascent. Arriving at Base Camp with Ama Dablam behind you — and Cholatse still ahead — is a position that very few mountaineers ever occupy.

The Cholatse phase begins with the departure from Ama Dablam Base Camp. The trail moves west through Pangboche to Pheriche — a transition from the Ama Dablam massif toward the western Khumbu corridor that leads to the Cho La and the Gokyo Valley. The lower altitude and movement help the body recover from the demands of the Ama Dablam climb.

The trail climbs from Pheriche through Dughla — passing the memorial chortens at Thokla that mark the passing of climbers and Sherpas lost in these mountains — before continuing to Dzongla at the base of the Cho La. The terrain becomes drier and more exposed as the route moves into the high western Khumbu. Cholatse's profile is visible from Dzongla — its upper ridge and summit dome rising to the northwest.

A serious trekking day crossing the Cho La at 5,420m — a high and sometimes icy pass that requires crampons on the steep sections. The pass connects the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys and is one of the most dramatic crossings in the region. In clear conditions the views from the col extend across both valleys, with Cholatse's west face visible to the north. The descent into the Gokyo side is steep before the trail reaches Thagnak.

The final approach to Cholatse Base Camp at 4,700m. The mountain's southwest face and upper ridge come fully into view on the approach — a clear and serious-looking objective for a team that has already spent 25 days at altitude on two technical summits. Base Camp is established and the final phase of the expedition begins.

A rest and preparation day at Cholatse Base Camp. The team recovers from the Cho La crossing, organizes climbing equipment for the final peak, and reviews the Cholatse route in detail with the lead guide. By this point in the expedition the team's altitude competence and technical experience are at their peak. Cholatse's upper terrain will test both fully.

The route above Base Camp enters serious terrain immediately — the glacier approach involves crevassed travel and steep snow before Camp 1 at 5,600m is reached. The altitude gain is significant and the terrain demanding. Camp 1 is a well-positioned camp with direct sightlines to Camp 2 and the upper mountain. The team rests in preparation for the committing moves ahead.

Above Camp 1 the terrain intensifies. Steep ice and mixed ground characterize the approach to Camp 2 at 5,840m — the final camp before the summit push on the expedition's closing peak. The upper Cholatse ridge is now directly above. The team rests as thoroughly as possible in preparation for the final summit day.

A reserve day at Camp 2, essential given Cholatse's exposed position and the variable weather in the Gokyo Valley corridor. This buffer protects the summit window without compromising the helicopter return on Day 32. All decisions are made by the expedition leader based on current weather and route conditions.

The third and final summit day of the expedition begins before dawn from Camp 2. The upper mountain presents sustained steep ice and mixed terrain — the most committing ground on Cholatse's route. A 1:1 Climbing Sherpa accompanies every member throughout. The summit at 6,440m looks directly across the Ngozumba Glacier toward Cho Oyu, with Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu on the eastern horizon and the Gokyo lakes shimmering far below. Three peaks. Three summits. The 33-day programme complete.

The team descends to Base Camp. Three technical alpine summits in 31 climbing days, in one of the world's great mountain ranges.

A helicopter departs from Cholatse Base Camp for Kathmandu — an efficient and well-earned exit from the Gokyo Valley and one of the most fitting conclusions to an expedition of this scope. The flight over the Khumbu delivers a final aerial perspective on the three peaks climbed below. A farewell dinner in Kathmandu that evening is a genuine celebration of an extraordinary three-peak achievement.

Private airport transfer is arranged for your outbound flight. The Three Peaks Combo Expedition concludes — 33 days from the helicopter into Namche to three technical summits and a helicopter out from Cholatse. The most ambitious multi-peak programme in the Khumbu, completed.