THREE PEAKS COMBO EXPEDITION
Trip Description
Kyajo Ri — 6,186m | Peak One
Kyajo Ri stands at 6,186 metres above Thame village on the northwest edge of the Khumbu — one of the least-climbed peaks relative to its elevation and quality in the entire region. The three-camp route rises through Base Camp at 4,550m, Camp 1 at 5,200m, and Camp 2 at 5,700m before the technical upper ridge delivers a summit with exceptional views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and directly ahead is the profile of Ama Dablam, the next objective on the horizon.
In this expedition, the Kyajo Ri phase serves a dual purpose: it is both a genuine technical summit and a structured preparation stage. The IFMGA guide uses the terrain above Camp 1 — steep mixed ground, exposed ridge sections, and the committing upper approach to consolidate each team member's technical skills and altitude management before the higher demands of Ama Dablam begin. Nothing about Kyajo Ri is easy, but it is the right foundation.
Ama Dablam — 6,812m | Peak Two
Ama Dablam is the defining peak of the Khumbu skyline and one of the most technically demanding mountains under 7,000 metres in Nepal. Its southwest ridge rises through Camp 1 at approximately 5,800m, Camp 2 at 6,100m, and Camp 3 at 6,400m — each move upward on steeper and more exposed terrain. The dablam — the massive overhanging serac that gives the mountain its name — is passed on the approach to Camp 3. The final ridge to the summit at 6,812m is narrow, committing, and commands the finest view in the Khumbu.
Ama Dablam is the summit that defines this expedition. It is the highest point reached in the 33 days, the most technically demanding route, and the one that rewards the two weeks of accumulated altitude and technical experience the most completely. Reaching its summit at roughly the midpoint of the expedition — fully acclimatized from Kyajo Ri, with Cholatse still ahead — is one of the most satisfying positions available in Himalayan climbing.
Cholatse — 6,440m | Peak Three
Cholatse sits at 6,440 metres above the Cho La pass on the boundary between the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys — a peak with sustained technical demands on its upper ice and mixed terrain and a summit that relatively few expeditions reach each season. The route from Base Camp at 4,700m ascends through Camp 1 at 5,600m and Camp 2 at 5,840m before the upper mountain presents its most committing sections. The Ngozumba Glacier stretches below the summit, Cho Oyu fills the northwestern horizon, and Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu extend to the north and east.
Cholatse is the appropriate final peak in this progression. By the time the team arrives at its Base Camp, they have spent three weeks above 4,500m, summited two serious technical peaks, and are operating with an altitude competence and expedition rhythm that the upper mountain's demanding terrain rewards directly. It is a hard finish to an extremely hard programme and that is precisely why it belongs at the end.
Trip Overview
The Three Peaks Combo Expedition brings together three of the Khumbu's most demanding technical summits in a single 33-day programme. Kyajo Ri (6,186m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), and Cholatse (6,440m) — each one a serious alpine objective in its own right — are sequenced in a deliberate progression designed to bring a well-prepared team to all three summits within the same expedition window. It is the most ambitious multi-peak package available in the Khumbu, and it is built for climbers who understand exactly what that means.
The expedition opens with Kyajo Ri above Thame — the starting point for a specific reason. Of the three peaks, Kyajo Ri's three-camp technical route provides the most structured environment for consolidating skills and initiating altitude adaptation above 6,000m. The team's IFMGA guide uses this phase to build and assess the technical competence of every member on the mixed terrain of Kyajo Ri's upper ridge — information that directly shapes how the subsequent phases are managed. By the time the summit at 6,186m is reached, the team has functioned as a technical rope team on serious alpine ground and is physically and mentally prepared for what comes next.
Ama Dablam is the centrepiece. At 6,812m, with a southwest ridge that demands sustained technical climbing through three high camps, it is the most committing objective of the three. The approach from Sanasa through Pangboche delivers the Khumbu's most iconic mountain view in full — Ama Dablam's profile rising sharply above the valley. The climb itself asks for everything the Kyajo Ri phase has developed and more: confident movement on mixed rock and ice, route-finding above 6,000m, and the specific discipline required to push to a summit at 6,812m after already spending two weeks at altitude.
Cholatse closes the programme. After Ama Dablam, the team crosses the Cho La into the Gokyo Valley approach to Cholatse Base Camp — a peak with a justified reputation for sustained technical difficulty on its upper ice and mixed terrain. At this stage of the expedition the team is fully acclimatized, technically experienced, and physically conditioned. Cholatse's committing upper route is exactly the kind of terrain that rewards that preparation. The heli flight from Cholatse Base Camp to Kathmandu on the return is a well-earned and efficient conclusion to one of the most serious expedition packages available in Nepal.
This programme is designed for pure alpinists whose expedition schedule does not allow the extended timeline of three separate trips. Three peaks. Three technical summits. One 33-day expedition.
Expedition Highlights
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Three technical summits in 33 days — Kyajo Ri (6,186m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), and Cholatse (6,440m)
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A deliberately sequenced progression: Kyajo Ri builds skills → Ama Dablam is the centrepiece → Cholatse closes the programme on a fully acclimatized team
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Ama Dablam — one of the most technically demanding and visually iconic peaks in the Himalaya, reached mid-expedition with full altitude conditioning
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Cholatse — a serious and rarely crowded 6,440m summit above the Gokyo Valley, approached fully prepared
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Helicopter transfer Kathmandu–Namche on arrival and Cholatse Base Camp–Kathmandu on departure — efficient logistics for a demanding 33-day schedule
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5-star hotel in Kathmandu — a premium base before and after the expedition
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Government liaison officer included — required for the Ama Dablam phase
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IFMGA-certified lead guide and 1:1 Climbing Sherpa support on all three summit days
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Option for a fully private 1:1 expedition with IFMGA Guide Mr. Prakash Sherpa
Led by IFMGA-Certified Professionals
Three technical summits in 33 days is not a programme that operates safely with anything less than the highest guiding standard available. Each peak presents distinct terrain challenges; the cumulative physical and psychological demands of three consecutive alpine objectives require a guide team that manages fatigue, weather, and technical risk across the full programme — not just on each summit day.
Every Three Peaks Combo Expedition is led by an IFMGA / UIAGM / IVBV-certified mountain guide — the highest internationally recognized certification in professional mountain guiding. Our guides hold additional qualifications in Advanced Mountaineering, Wilderness First Aid, Helicopter Rescue and Marshalling, Rock Climbing Level One, and High-Altitude Rescue. These are not supplementary credentials, they are applied capabilities used throughout an expedition of this duration and complexity.
Mr. Prakash Sherpa, CEO and Lead IFMGA Mountain Guide of Alpinist Climber Expeditions, has personally summited Ama Dablam alongside Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nuptse, and Pumori — several without supplemental oxygen. He has been guiding at high altitude since the age of 15 and carries over 15 years of professional experience on terrain of exactly this standard. He is a member of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA). For those selecting the premium 1:1 private option, Mr. Prakash Sherpa leads the full 33-day expedition personally across all three peaks.
Why ACE?
Alpinist Climber Expeditions was built around a principle that has guided every climb we have organized — that the quality of the experience on a mountain is directly tied to the quality and depth of experience of the people leading it. What sets Alpinist Climber Expeditions apart is something that cannot be manufactured or replicated — it comes from decades spent on these mountains, from the culture that formed us, and from a deeply held belief that every climb deserves to be done properly.
We are a team of professional Sherpas. Not guides who have visited the Himalaya — guides who grew up here, who know these peaks in every season, and who have spent careers developing the technical skills and mountain judgment required to lead expeditions safely and successfully.
Our team holds IFMGA / UIAGM certification — the highest international standard in professional mountain guiding — alongside Advanced Mountaineering, Wilderness First Aid, Helicopter Rescue, and High-Altitude Rescue qualifications. Our lead guide has summited multiple 8,000-metre peaks, including ascents without supplemental oxygen. This is not a credential on paper. It is a lived capability that directly protects every climber who climbs with us.
We offer two expedition structures: a standard option with small-group expedition, and a premium option with 1:1 guide-to-client ratio. Both are built on the same standard of safety, preparation, and professionalism.The standard option maintains a minimum 1:3 guide-to-client ratio with a dedicated IFMGA lead guide and Sherpa support on every climb. Our premium 1:1 private option places you on the mountain directly alongside IFMGA Guide Mr. Prakash Sherpa.
We do not run high-volume operations as our clients are not bookings. They are climbers who have chosen to trust us with something significant and we take that trust seriously on every single expedition. We do not cut corners on acclimatization, staffing ratios, or safety equipment. We organize expeditions the way they should be organized — with patience, precision, and the kind of local knowledge that only comes from growing up in these mountains and spending a career on them.
The Team
Expedition Guides
Every guide on our team has been selected for their technical ability, high-altitude experience, and personal commitment to the safety and success of every climber they lead. All guides carry extensive experience at altitude and hold a proven record of safety, summit success, and strong compatibility with international clients.
The number of guides assigned to each expedition is determined by the size of the climbing team. Our standard guide-to-member ratio is 1:3, ensuring that every climber receives consistent, attentive support throughout the approach, the acclimatization phase, and the technical climb itself.
Climbing Sherpa Support
A dedicated team of experienced Climbing Sherpas supports every expedition with load carrying on the mountain, route preparation, and high camp management. On summit day, we maintain a 1:1 Sherpa-to-climber ratio — a commitment that reflects our belief that the summit push is where support matters most.
Our Climbing Sherpas are not simply load carriers. They are experienced high-altitude professionals who understand the mountain, the route, and the demands of summit day. Their presence alongside every climber on the final push is a core part of how we manage safety and success on the upper mountain.
What to Expect from Our Team
- Technically qualified, IFMGA-certified lead guidance on every expedition
- A standard guide-to-member ratio of 1:3 — adjusted based on team size and peak requirements
- 1:1 Climbing Sherpa support on summit day for every team member
- Guides who are experienced, companionable, and genuinely invested in your success
- Full medical kit, satellite communication, and emergency response capability carried by the team at all times
- A premium 1:1 private option available — summit alongside Mr. Prakash Sherpa directly
Trip Notes
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The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Spring offers the most reliable weather windows across all three peaks and the best overall conditions on Ama Dablam's southwest ridge and Cholatse's upper ice. Autumn delivers excellent post-monsoon clarity and firm snow. Winter is operationally possible for this programme for well-prepared teams with specific winter high-altitude experience. Monsoon season is not suitable.
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The expedition runs for 33 days, beginning with a helicopter into Namche Bazaar and ending with a helicopter from Cholatse Base Camp to Kathmandu. Eliminating the Lukla approach on both ends saves approximately four days compared to the conventional routes and is a core part of the programme's efficiency.
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Accommodation includes 5-star hotel in Kathmandu, full-board lodges during all trek and transition phases, and single tents at all three base camps with dining tents, shower tents, and toilet tents. High camp tents are provided at all climbing stages on all three peaks.
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Group size is a minimum of 1 member with 1 IFMGA Mountain Guide, and a maximum of 4 members with 2 IFMGA Mountain Guides. The number of guides is always determined by team size.
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This expedition is designed for experienced alpinists with prior technical climbing experience above 6,000m. Candidates should have prior summits on technical terrain at this altitude — either individual peaks comparable to those in this programme or equivalent alpine experience at high elevation. This is not a suitable programme for climbers without established high-altitude technical experience.
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A government liaison officer is required for the Ama Dablam phase. This is fully included and organized by Alpinist Climber Expeditions as part of the expedition preparation.
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An Alpinist Climber Expeditions jacket, duffel bag, T-shirt, and cap are provided to every member at the expedition team meeting in Kathmandu. Non-expedition luggage can be stored safely at your hotel.
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Personal travel insurance with high-altitude rescue and medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. Your policy must cover technical mountaineering at altitudes above 6,812m — the Ama Dablam summit elevation — and must include helicopter rescue. This must be confirmed before departure for Nepal.
Equipments
The Three Peaks Combo Expedition demands 33 days of sustained performance across three distinct technical environments — from the mixed terrain of Kyajo Ri to the steep southwest ridge of Ama Dablam to the ice and mixed upper mountain of Cholatse. Every item on this list should be field-tested before departure. Footwear must be fully broken in. Equipment that underperforms above 6,000m on peak two or three is not replaceable in the field.
Headwear
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Sun hat or lightweight cap
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Warm fleece or wool hat
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Balaclava or thin face mask
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UV-protective sunglasses — category 4 strongly recommended
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Ski goggles with UV protection and anti-fog system — essential on all three summit ridges
Handwear
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Thin liner gloves
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Fleece or wool mid-layer gloves
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Gore-Tex or waterproof insulated outer gloves
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Down mittens — recommended for all three summit pushes
Clothing
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Expedition-quality down jacket with hood
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Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket
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Waterproof Gore-Tex over-trousers
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Fleece jacket or softshell mid-layer
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Fleece or insulated trousers
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Thermal base layer — top and bottom
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Moisture-wicking base layer tops (2–3)
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Light hiking trousers for the trek phases
Footwear
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High-altitude mountaineering boots — required for all three peaks
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Trekking boots for approach and transition stages
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Camp shoes or light slippers
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Warm mountaineering socks (5–6 pairs)
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Snow gaiters
Technical Climbing Equipment
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UIAA-approved climbing helmet
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Sit harness
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Ascender (jumar)
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Descending device (ATC guide or similar)
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Locking carabiners (4 minimum)
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Non-locking carabiners (2)
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Ice axe — classic alpine type
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Crampons compatible with mountaineering boots
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Trekking poles
Sleeping Equipment
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Sleeping bag rated to -20°C
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Sleeping mat or Thermarest
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Sleeping bag liner — recommended for 33 nights
Trekking & Camp Essentials
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45-litre rucksack with rain cover
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Large duffel bag with padlock
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Headlamp with spare batteries
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1-litre water bottles (x2) and 1-litre thermos
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Personal first aid kit
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Personal snacks and energy bars
Hygiene & Sun Protection
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Waterproof wash bag and medium towel
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Toiletries — soap, toothbrush, toothpaste
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Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm with UV protection
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Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and toilet paper
Whats Included
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Kyajo Ri, Ama Dablam, and Cholatse climbing royalty and expedition permit fees
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Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
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Pasang Lhamu Municipality entry fees
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Government liaison officer — wages, insurance, and transportation (required for Ama Dablam)
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Garbage disposal and environmental management fees
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All government taxes, VAT, and official tourism service charges
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IFMGA-certified lead mountain guide — full wages and comprehensive insurance
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Experienced Climbing Sherpa support — wages, summit bonuses for all three peaks, equipment, and full insurance
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Base Camp kitchen crew — wages, insurance, and equipment allowance
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Porters and yaks to carry trekking and expedition gear
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All staff accommodation, wages, equipment, insurance, and medical provisions
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5-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with daily breakfast (3 nights)
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Full-board lodge and camp accommodation throughout the expedition
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Single tent per member at all three base camps
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Dining tent with heater, shower tent, and toilet tent at all three base camps
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High camp tents and EPI gas at all overnight camping stages on all three peaks
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Helicopter transfer: Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar on arrival (Day 03)
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Helicopter transfer: Cholatse Base Camp to Kathmandu on return (Day 32)
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Welcome dinner on Day 01 in Kathmandu
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Farewell dinner on Day 32 in Kathmandu
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Daily breakfast at 5-star hotel in Kathmandu
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Full-board meals including fresh fruit throughout the expedition
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High-altitude food and snacks for members and guides at all high camps on all three peaks
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Group climbing equipment — ropes, ice screws, and technical gear
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Medical kit carried throughout the full 33-day expedition
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Satellite phone for emergency communication
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Walkie-talkie radios for team coordination on all three peaks
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Alpinist Climber Expeditions branded jacket, duffel bag, T-shirt, and cap per member
Whats Not Included
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International airfare (to and from Kathmandu)
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Nepal entry visa fees
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Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu — meals outside of included welcome and farewell dinners and daily breakfasts
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Alcoholic beverages and personal drinks
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Internet and WiFi access
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Personal clothing and climbing equipment
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Personal first aid kit
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Special drone permit fees
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Personal travel, medical, and emergency rescue insurance
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Gratuities for guides, Climbing Sherpa, and all staff
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