Khumbu Adventures & Summit Trips in Nepal

Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek

A focused Khumbu trek that treats Ama Dablam as the central mountain objective rather than only passing it on the Everest corridor.

Challenge levelChallenging
Typical length8 days
DestinationKhumbu

Climb Island Peak (Imja Tse), 6189m

Climb Island Peak in the Nepal Himalaya with guiding company Adventure Alternative, professional guiding and sustainable tourism in the Himalayas. The Island Peak expedition is a minimum 19 days when you include days in Kathmandu and has 16 days on trek / climb. We do recommend allowing extra time for potential flight delays getting into and out of the mountains. The gradual ascent up the Khumbu valley allows for excellent acclimatisation, which is further enhanced with a climb up Chukhung Ri (5550m) for a great view of the south wall of Lhotse. There is also the optional extra (see cost tab) of adding on an adventure up the Kongma La pass with it’s classic views over the Khumbu Glacier and a climb of Pokalde (5806m). Our main objective, Island Peak, is the final highlight of the trip and a classic 6000m peak which was climbed by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing back in 1953 as their training peak for Everest. By the time we come to climb you’ll be well acclimatised and mountain fit. During the trip, you will learn and use many skills in safe travel on mountains at high altitude including glacier travel, scrambling and moving on mixed snow and ice terrain. Good alpine skills are a requirement for this trip and if not possible to learn these before you join us them you will have plenty of time to learn and practice them before reaching Island Peak. The summit day on Island Peak does involve crossing a crevassed glacier using a climbing rope, negotiating some ladders across crevasses, using a jumar to ascend a fixed line and then a descender to come back down again (there is no top rope on the abseil) and negotiating a narrow exposed ridge to the summit. Note: some people like to also complete the trek to Everest Base Camp prior to climbing Island Peak. If you would like to do this then add two days to the trip and contact us to arrange. Remember to always allow leeway for the return flight home because the mountain flights in and out of Lukla are often delayed by bad weather. We recommend a minimum of 24 hours but 48 hours is better

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length19 days
DestinationKhumbu

Climb Mera Peak , 6476m

Join us for a climb of Mera Peak, one of the classic 6000m trekking peaks in the Nepalese Himalaya. A non-technical but high altitude ascent in the Everest region of Nepal. Note: mountain itineraries cannot be guaranteed, the guide has the option to change the programme according to the many factors that determine safety and potential success. This may be weather, the health of the group, or any changes in circumstances. Please take the above with a degree of openness and flexibility which reflects the fact that this is a high altitude peak.

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length22 days
DestinationKhumbu

Climb Mount Everest, 8848m

Professionally guided expedition to Mount Everest with full back up and support. Established since 2001. MOUNT EVEREST ITINERARY Mount Everest is a 10 week expedition in total, with 2 weeks trekking time and 8 weeks climbing period. Do not expect to go home after climbing Everest and step back into normal life though, it can take weeks and even months to recuperate fully, both physically and mentally. We work to an agreed principle of reaching specific heights and sleeping at certain camps in a structured fashion over an eight week period having reached base camp, allowing for both stocking the camps and an optimal time for acclimatisation. The programme for climbing members is determined in large part by the schedule of stocking camps, which in turn is determined by weather and allowing for enough rest breaks. Any experienced climber will understand this policy and be comfortable fitting in with the flexibility. TREK IN AND ACCLIMATISATION PERIOD ON A CLIMB OF EVEREST The first 10 days are spent trekking to Base Camp. There is then a period of rest and settling in. Team leaders will meet and discuss joint operations on issues like putting in the fixed lines. Teams also have to wait for the Icefall to be ‘fixed’ by the Sherpa teams whose job it is to put in the ladders and fixed lines. This can again take days. The next month will be spent making a number of exploratory climbs to Camp 1 through the Khumbu Icefall, and then to Camp 2, where it is important to spend several nights. Weather and adaptation to the altitude will determine the exact days when the team climbs and rests. Carries of personal gear can be made while the Sherpas are putting in all the main equipment up to the high camps. During this time we also acclimatise by climbing another peak in the locality, such as Lobuche East or Island Peak. There is at least one visit to Camp 3 for an overnight. It will be a good chance to test the body’s response to very high altitude. For most people Camp 3 is the highest point they will reach without the use of bottled oxygen although some people opt to buy extra bottles to help getting to this point. After visiting Camp 3, there is generally a rest at Base Camp or lower, in preparation for the summit bid. We often go down to Deboche to see some grass and eat good food. SUMMIT PERIOD ON MOUNT EVEREST Once the decision has been made to attempt a summit in a period sometime around the middle two weeks of May (statistically this is fairly normal, but people have summited before and after), then the total summit cycle from base to summit and back is normally seven days which allows for a few nights at Camp 2 and then one night at Camp 3. The ascent to Camp 4 on the south col of Everest becomes part of the summit ascent itself, since normally teams arrive mid-afternoon and rest until about 9pm when fresh oxygen bottles are used to go up to the Balcony and join the south east ridge. The summit morning can be beset with problems of overcrowding, in particular on the rocky step below the South Summit. Generally group order is determined by mutual agreement amongst the company guides but this is not always workable. It is not uncommon to find yourself moving very slowly behind a large group or a slow individual with no possibility to overtake. This leads to cold and excessive use of resources like oxygen. At the Balcony there is generally a change of bottles which gives an opportunity for a change in group order. From the Balcony to the South Summit there is not much opportunity to overtake, although some groups will set up their own fixed lines to one side of the main one. It can be confusing and frustrating. Experience and a steady hand here will be very important. By sunrise we would want to be at or below the South Summit, with another two hours in hand to reach the top. The route to the Hillary Step is narrow and exhilarating, and inevitably on a good weather day there will be a queue at the bottom of the step, and here there is no choice but to wait. The Step could be rocky or covered in snow, and it normally takes only about twenty minutes to negotiate. From there the final two hundred metres to the summit are an easy walk. The aim is to arrive mid morning leaving the whole of the rest of the day to descend back to Camp 4 and rest. Some strong teams wish to get down to Camp 3 but this is not acceptable if it leaves the Sherpas left high with a huge amount of work to do. COMING BACK FROM EVEREST A few days spent back at base camp helping to clear the camp is followed by a trek back to Lukla and a flight to Kathmandu. Some people choose to charter a helicopter, which is fine but we do feel that it is important to help the Sherpas clear the mountain and not just leave. Common courtesy and respect would suggest that everyone chips in with the break up of camp, it is far more enjoyable and should be seen as part of the trip and the experience. It takes a long time to process and assimilate an experience like this, there’s really no need to rush straight to Kathmandu.

Challenge levelSevere
Typical length50 days
DestinationKhumbu

Everest Base Camp Trek

Jon us for a trek to Everest Base Camp over two weeks to an elevation of 5300 metres and visit the base of the highest peak in the world. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes 35 minutes. The trek is nine days uphill, which includes two full days rest and acclimatisation to the last settlement of Gorak Shep. After visiting Everest Base Camp and climbing to the high point of Kala Pathar (for dawn views of the sun rising behind the summit of Everest), the descent is three days. We always allow a bad weather day for flying into or out of Lukla. The start dates refer to the latest arrival date in Kathmandu and the end date refers to the earliest you can book your return flight home for. Private trips are welcome, we can adapt the itinerary to whatever date you wish. We often take couples or small groups of two or three, but for a solo traveller there would be an extra charge. Rest day and acclimatisation to jetlag, sightseeing plus trek briefing. Possible drive to Ramechhap** – see ‘Lukla Flight’ details below. You can trek to Everest Base Camp from March to early June, and September to early December. Kathmandu is at an approximate altitude of 1400m and the flight to Lukla will take you up to a height of 2866m. With Everest Base Camp standing at 5360m and Kala Patthar at 5545m, the base camp trek gains a total of 2679 metres from Lukla and 4145 metres from Kathmandu.

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length17 days
DestinationKhumbu

Everest Classic Trek

This 20 day trip starts in the lower Solu Khumbu and goes all the way to Mount Everest, a longer route which shows more of the region and the Sherpa people.

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length20 days
DestinationKhumbu

Everest Three Passes and Three Peaks Trek

Ths challenging trek in the high Khumbu region around the Everest massif is a wonderful high altitude adventure in Nepal but not technical. You’ll find the trek dates on the ‘Dates and Bookings’ tab, however we welcome private dates and can adapt the itinerary to suit your preferences – more details can be found below the itinerary. The first date shown is the date that should arrive into Kathmandu. This is followed by a rest and briefing day when you can explore the vibrant capital. On day 3 of the itinerary we fly to Lukla, which takes 35 minutes. The trek is nineteen days circling the passes and Khumbu Valley anti-clockwise, which includes three full days rest and acclimatisation. We always allow a bad weather day for flying into or out of Lukla and the end date refers to the earliest you can book your return flight home from Kathmandu.

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length22 days
DestinationKhumbu

Gokyo Lakes Trek In The Everest Himalayas Nepal

Gokyo Lakes trek is a beautiful hike to the famous turquoise lakes of Gokyo with stunning views towards Everest, and a classic trek across the Cho La. The Gokyo Lakes trek is a 20 day holiday (21 including return travel to Nepal) of which 17 days of the journey are trekking. From Kathmandu there is a short flight to Lukla, but you can choose to walk in from a lower altitude if you prefer (please contact us for details and options). The short flight from Kathmandu (1400m) to Lukla (2866m) takes about 45 minutes. We then follow the Dudh Koshi river valley towards the bustling market town of Namche Bazaar which has a great atmosphere, perfect for soaking up the magnificent mountain scenery. Awe-inspiring views of some of the biggest mountains in the world provide a dramatic backdrop as you venture further into the Khumbu valley. After trekking to Gokyo, the return follows the route through Everest Base Camp, an ascent of Kalar Pattar for close-up views of Everest, down to the stunning Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung village, Namche Bazaar and finally back to Lukla. With Gokyo Ri standing at 5483m, the Cho La Pass at 5330m, Everest Base Camp at 5360m and Kala Patthar at 5545m, the Gokyo Lakes trek gains a total of 2679 metres from Lukla and 4145 metres from Kathmandu. The ascent to altitude is slow and allows for excellent acclimatisation . You can trek to Gokyo Lakes from March to June, and September to November. Private trips are welcomed and available for groups like families, corporate events, schools or charities. We have our own office and guesthouse ready and waiting for any dates you may prefer. Days 1 & 2 : Arrival and preparation/rest day/ sightseeing in Kathmandu Days 3 – 13 : Fly to Lukla and trek up to Gokyo, cross the Cho La pass and drop into Everest Base Camp Days 14 – 17 : Climb Kala Pathar and start trek back down to Lukla (includes an additional weather day) Day 18 : Fly to Kathmandu Day 19 : Depart for Home (or go on another Nepal adventure)

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length21 days
DestinationKhumbu

Khumbu Peaks - Chukkung Ri, Pokalde, Island Peak

Climb the three Peaks of Pokalde, Chukkung Ri and Island Peak - a guided mountaineering expedition in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The Khumu Peaks trip is a minimum 21 days when you include days in Kathmandu and has 17 days on trek. We do recommend allowing extra time for potential flight delays getting into and out of the mountains. The gradual ascent up the Khumbu valley allows for excellent acclimatisation to initially climb Chukhung Ri for one of the great views of the south wall of Lhotse and then the Kongma La pass with it’s views over the Khumbu Glacier; we then move on to Pokalde with its panoramic view over the great divide in the Khumbu valley and all are lovely objectives on their own with breathtaking views. Island Peak is the final highlight of the trip, a classic 6000m peak which was climbed by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing back in 1953 as their training peak for Everest. In fact the route you climb is exactly the same as what they did. Island Peak is technically more demanding than the other two but you will be well acclimatised and mountain fit by this time. During the trip, you will learn and use many skills in safe travel on mountains at high altitude including glacier travel, scrambling and moving on mixed snow and ice terrain. Good alpine skills are a requirement for this trip as the summit day on Island Peak does involve crossing a crevassed glacier using a climbing rope, negotiating some ladders across crevasses, using a jumar to ascend a fixed line and then a descender to come back down again (there is no top rope on the abseil) and negotiating a narrow exposed ridge to the summit.

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length20 days
DestinationKhumbu

Lobuche East Climb

A Khumbu trekking-peak climb to Lobuche East, usually built after Everest region acclimatisation days and a high camp summit push.

Challenge levelDifficult
Typical length14 days
DestinationKhumbu

Mera Peak and Island Peak Climb

Join our guided mountain expedition to climb Mera Peak and Island Peak in the Nepal Himalaya, both achievable 6000m+ peaks in the Everest region. This is a summary of the Mera Peak and Island Peak itinerary

Challenge levelModerate
Typical length29 days
DestinationKhumbu

Nepal 6000m Triple Progression

A Khumbu trekking-peak progression linking Mera Peak, Island Peak, and Lobuche East in one acclimatised Nepal climbing block.

Challenge levelSevere
Typical length19 days
DestinationKhumbu

Trekking tours and summit trips in Khumbu, Nepal