NAMAS TEAM at Cholatse TRUE SUMMIT 6446M

2024 CHOLATSE 6440M & kya jo ri 6186m

22 - 27 DAYS

EQUIPMENT RENTALS AVAILABLE (LINK)

GRADING (Alpine/Fitness): TD/5 (click for more grading Infos)

✅ NEXT DEPARTURE: 4th - 30th November (ONLY 4 SPOTS)

BOOK BY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2024

BOOK NOW

Cost --

Cholatse & Kyajo Ri

$10,950 P/P

Cholatse Only

$7950 P/P

Kyajo Ri only

$6500 P/P

Please inquire about prices in your local currency. We accept payment in £GBP/ €EUROS/ $AUD

Deposit required: $1500 p/p

Solo booking accepted but subject to 4 climbing members

2024 Cholatse Departures --

4th - 30th November

All-inclusive expedition. Guaranteed departure.

Single Supplement --

$4000 USD Only applies if there is only 1 client member. Additional support.


WHAT'S INCLUDED ...

  • IFMGA/NMA certified Guide leader

  • $500 Individual tip pool. (This is not a summit bonus tip) Tip pool will be fairly distributed among all Namas staff members. (Guides, porters, drivers, hotel security and staffs). Guest may personally hand in extra tips to our guides and porters)

  • Namas Branded merchandise (Down Jacket, Cap, Buff)

  • 1:1 Sherpa Guide/client ratio. (Additional Sherpa Guide can be arranged, extra charges apply)

  • Head chef and 2 kitchen helpers (Helpers increase with the numbers of climbing team members )

  • 2 nights before the expedition and 1 day after the expedition. Hotel in Kathmandu. (Should clients return early from their expedition, clients will be responsible for their extra Kathmandu hotel bookings)

  • All trekking permits (Khumbu Region and Peak Permit and TIMS)

  • All internal-local transportation to and from the trekking trailhead

  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on trek days. (one meal order)

  • Lodge accommodation during the trek

  • Full porter support to/from Base Camp

  • Fooding and camp lodging arrangements at Base Camp on a full board basis (this includes 3-course meals, services of cook crew, camping equipment, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, shower tent, kitchen items, etc)

  • 30 kgs personal weight (Extra additional weight, clients will need to hire an additional porter. Estimated $700 USD for 21 - 22 Days)

  • Single tent for individual use at Base Camp

  • Solar charging at Base Camp (Comms will be given the first priority)

  • Snacks and goodies for rest days including olives, dry meats, pate, crackers and cheeses, chocolate bars, ground coffee, nuts. A whole bunch of superfoods. Hydration/electrolyte tablets.

  • Tents, pots, and pans for use on the mountain

  • Expedition tents ( 2 or 1 person tents) Brands Salewa, Mountain Hardwear, Samaya equipment, Kailas

  • Food and fuel above Ama Dablam Base Camp. Minimum choices from Camp I to Camp II.

  • Namas staff stationed at Camp 1 who will be melting ice and providing hot water for you when you camp there

  • Training day with technical skills. This is not a course day and you should already be well familiar with abseiling and basic climbing techniques

  • Ropes, climbing gear required for equipping the mountain, ice screws, snow stakes etc

  • Expedition 1st aid kit including antibiotics and medicines for use at altitude

  • Insurance for Base Camp crew, climbing Sherpa and porters

  • Radio comms team at Base camp

  • Frequent updates on expeditions

  • Porters throughout the expeditions

  • Arrival pick up and departure

  • Internal flights

  • Welcome or Farewell leave Dinner

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED ...

  • Visas and travel insurance

  • Summit Bonus tip ($700 P/P)

  • Entertainment and food ( Kathmandu )

  • Bottled drinks and beverages

  • Evacuation (will be done in your account)

  • Single supplement Charges

  • Laundry, Phone services, Personal expenditure transactions

  • Optional trips

  • Tea breaks, chocolates or other snacks, and any meals besides breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  • Delay and cancellation because of natural phenomenon

  • International flights to Kathmandu

OVERVIEW

Embark on a thrilling ascent of the challenging peaks, Cholatse at 6440 meters and Kyajo Ri at 6186 meters. These technical summits in the Himalayas demand experience and confidence in handling steep, exposed sections with sheer drops of several hundred meters. The climbing route boasts a grade of WI2+ M3-4 A1-2, necessitating a skill level equivalent to climbing technical peaks at D+/-, 5.9/5.10-grade levels around the globe.

This expedition isn't for novices but rather geared towards intermediate to advanced climbers who are seasoned in facing similar technical challenges. If you possess a solid climbing background and are ready to tackle demanding ascents, the Cholatse/Kyajo Ri expedition awaits your conquest.

Pre-requisite experiences (2 or more 6000M + multi-pitch climbing skills & ice climbing): Lobuche East & Island Peak, Chulu West, Khumbu 3 Peak expeditions, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, multi-pitch climb (rock or ice), rock climbing grade up to 5-9+/- to 5.10 a,b,c (Similar 4000M - 6000M peaks or higher) and Ice climbing WI-2 to WI-4.

This expedition initially follows the classic Everest Base Camp trek route up to Namche, after which it veers towards the Thame Valley, guiding us to the Kyajo Ri base camp for our ascent. Kyajo Ri serves as a valuable acclimatization peak before we progress to our ultimate goal of summiting Cholatse. The base camp also facilitates the Taboche peak expedition, which can be considered as an extension trip.

This expedition is notably technical, involving numerous mixed sections, an exposed knife-edge ridge route, and breathtaking panoramic vistas of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu from the summit. Our ascent will follow the South West ridge route, establishing Camp 1 and Camp 2 along the way. Be prepared for challenging and exposed climbing throughout this exhilarating expedition.

The route includes maneuvering through a small icefall, leading to an ice/snow headwall with a steep inclination of approximately 45-50 degrees, where our team will have secured a safety rope. This section will guide us up the Southwest Ridge entirely to the summit. We will strategically utilize two camps before embarking on the final summit bid.

History: First ascent made by a French team (Boris Badaroux, Philippe Batoux, Marc Challamel, Christophe Mora, Paul Robach (leader) via North Face in 1996.

Expedition Highlights

  • Cholatse 6440M & KyaJo Ri 6186M summits

  • South-west ridge route, Camp 1 - 2 Strategy

  • Return hike down the Khumbu Valley

  • 1:2 climbing ratio at Kyajo Ri 6186M and 1:1 Guide/Client ratio on Cholatse

  • Namche Bazaar, Thame, Phortse and Khumbu scenic views

INQUIRE NOW

ITINERARY

Day 1 & 2 Arrival. Briefing, gear check, and final preparations.

Day 3 Fly to Lukla, trek to Monjo 2880M (6 - 7 hours)

Day 4 Trek to Namche 3440M (5 - 6 hours)

Day 5 Namche acclimatization day (2-4 hours acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel 3962M)

Day 6 Namche to Mende 3740M (6-8 hours)

Day 7 Mende to Kya Jo Ri base camp 4500M (6 hours)

Day 8 Rest and Base camp preparations

Day 9 Kya Jo Ri High Camp 5300M

Day 10 Camp 1, 5700M (5-6 hours)

Day 11 Summit 6186M and back to High camp (8 - 10 hours)

Day 12 Contingency day

Day 13 High camp to BC and trek to Khumjung (6-8 hours)

Day 14 Khumjung to Phortse 3840M (6 hours)

Day 15 Phortse to Cholatse Base Camp, 5000M (6 hours)

Day 16 Rest and preparations for Cholatse climb

Day 17 Camp 1, 5600M (6 - 8 hours)

Day 18 Camp 2, 6200M (4 - 5 hours)

Day 19 Summit 6440M or 6446M and back to base camp (10+ hours)

Day 20 - 22 Contingency day (3 days)

(Fly back from BC to Lukla/Kathmandu. Inquire for helicopter charter price quote)

Day 23 BC to Phortse (5 hours)

Day 24 Phortse to Namche Bazaar (5 - 6 hours)

Day 25 Namche to Lukla (6 - 8hours)

Day 26 Lukla to Kathmandu (6 - 8 hours)

Day 27 Departure

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day 1 - 2 and 26 (Kathmandu 5-star hotel)


CHOLATSE EXPEDITION STRATEGY

Kyajo Ri 6186M (Technical climb + acclimatization peak)

Kyajo Ri 6186M

Kyajo Ri, standing tall at 6186 meters, serves as an excellent acclimatization climb for the Cholatse expedition. This peak presents a technical challenge, offering climbers an opportunity to hone their skills before taking on the more demanding ascent of Cholatse. With its intricate routes and varying degrees of difficulty, Kyajo Ri provides a perfect platform for acclimatization while allowing climbers to familiarize themselves with steep sections and technical terrain.

Ascending Kyajo Ri not only aids in adjusting to higher altitudes but also offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding Himalayan landscape, including stunning views of the Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu peaks. Climbers can expect a mix of steep ascents, traverses, and snow/ice sections, preparing them adequately for the subsequent climb of Cholatse. Overall, Kyajo Ri stands as a valuable intermediate climb, preparing adventurers for the challenges that lie ahead on the grander ascent of Cholatse.

🏔Cholatse expedition consists of 2 high camps. We will climb through the southwest ridge route, which is the safest commercial route comparatively. Once established in Base Camp 5000M, we will set up a fixed-line and move loads to camp1-2 and summit. The harder and more technical climbing of this expedition begins from camp 1 leading up the southwest ridge of the mountain.

Base Camp (5000M), Icefall to - Camp 1 (5700M)

Cholatse Base Camp 4529M

We will have 1 to 2 acclimatization rotations. Once we leave the base camp and after hiking 400M high up the grassy moraine, we will arrive at the crampon point, which is about 100M away from the icefall. As we reach onto the icefall, climbing through the zigzag icefall route will lead us under the ice headwall which is about 150M high. The headwall is about 45-50 degrees. Climbers will have to fix themselves onto the fixed line rope and climb the wall, which leads to a flat section just above the west col. Here we will set up our camp 1 (5700M) on the flat small pleateu part above the col. The views down the valley to Gokyo valley are fantastic from here.

Camp 1 (5600M) - Camp 2 (6200M)

Cholatse camp 1 5600M

This will be the hardest part of the entire expedition. The route from camp 1 to camp 2 is about 600M high, on the southwest ridge of the mountain, which is super exposed and consists of mixed terrains. The climb is strenuous and there is just one small area to rest.

The first 100M - 150M is steep climbing, to the top of the rocky slab section. From there the route leads behind the ridge of the mountains on a rocky, loose and unstable area. The rocks are unstable and there is little protection when climbing up the face of the mountain. Climbers will have to scramble on exposed slabs (sometimes loose) rocks, which then leads to the end of the rocky section before reaching the nice flat part which is the only spot to rest before pressing ahead.

Cholatse Camp 2 6000M

The climb then follows an uphill steep climb onto the knife-edge ridge section, 400M upwards mostly on the snow/icy surface. The climb uphill is another 45 - 60 degrees steep. The drop on either side of the mountain ridge is crazily exposed. High above a big chunk of ice/snow hump can be seen, where our team will establish camp 2 (6200M). About 75M - 50M short of camp 2, the route gets rather challenging and uneven, where climbers will come across ice mushroom wall formations and seracs. Technical climbing skills are necessary. You will need to traverse and somewhat climb with alpine style, ice climbing to get navigate the uneven terrains to get to camp 2. Extra attention is needed to reach at the top where camp 2 will be established by the guiding team.

Camp 2 - Summit 6440M (True Summit 6446M)

The climb from Camp 2 to the summit is about 256m climbs. As you look up from camp 2 it does look like a fairly straight climb but the route gets super narrow and steep on both sides. Another knife-edge section and a couple of crevasse openings on the route. The climb gets technical and difficult. Climbers will have to be careful at this height of not slipping onto any sides of the mountain. Once past the ridge section, you will come upon a relatively flatter area on the summit at around 6440M. The true summit lies 5M - 6M ahead but is very tricky with just a small pyramid structure that may hold only one person at a time.


CHOLATSE BLOG ARTICLES

Everything you need to know about Cholatse 6440M Expedition

Experience, skills and fitness required to climb Cholatse expedition

 

INQUIRE NOW

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • IFMGA/NMA certified Guide leader

  • $500 Individual tip pool. (This is not a summit bonus tip) Tip pool will be fairly distributed among all Namas staff members. (Guides, porters, drivers, hotel security and staffs). Guest may personally hand in extra tips to our guides and porters)

  • Namas Branded merchandise (Down Jacket, Cap, Buff)

  • 1:1 Sherpa Guide/client ratio. (Additional Sherpa Guide can be arranged, extra charges apply)

  • Head chef and 2 kitchen helpers (Helpers increase with the numbers of climbing team members )

  • 2 nights before the expedition and 1 day after the expedition. Hotel in Kathmandu. (Should clients return early from their expedition, clients will be responsible for their extra Kathmandu hotel bookings)

  • All trekking permits (Khumbu Region and Peak Permit and TIMS)

  • All internal-local transportation to and from the trekking trailhead

  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on trek days. (one meal order)

  • Lodge accommodation during the trek

  • Full porter support to/from Base Camp

  • Fooding and camp lodging arrangements at Base Camp on a full board basis (this includes 3-course meals, services of cook crew, camping equipment, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, shower tent, kitchen items, etc)

  • 30 kgs personal weight (Extra additional weight, clients will need to hire an additional porter. Estimated $700 USD for 21 - 22 Days)

  • Single tent for individual use at Base Camp

  • Solar charging at Base Camp (Comms will be given the first priority)

  • Snacks and goodies for rest days including olives, dry meats, pate, crackers and cheeses, chocolate bars, ground coffee, nuts. A whole bunch of superfoods. Hydration/electrolyte tablets.

  • Tents, pots, and pans for use on the mountain

  • Expedition tents ( 2 or 1 person tents) Brands Salewa, Mountain Hardwear, Samaya equipment, Kailas

  • Food and fuel above Ama Dablam Base Camp. Minimum choices from Camp I to Camp II.

  • Namas staff stationed at Camp 1 who will be melting ice and providing hot water for you when you camp there

  • Training day with technical skills. This is not a course day and you should already be well familiar with abseiling and basic climbing techniques

  • Ropes, climbing gear required for equipping the mountain, ice screws, snow stakes etc

  • Expedition 1st aid kit including antibiotics and medicines for use at altitude

  • Insurance for Base Camp crew, climbing Sherpa and porters

  • Radio comms team at Base camp

  • Frequent updates on expeditions

  • Porters throughout the expeditions

  • Arrival pick up and departure

  • Internal flights

  • Welcome or Farewell leave Dinner

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Visas and travel insurance

  • Summit Bonus tip ($700 P/P)

  • Entertainment and food ( Kathmandu )

  • Bottled drinks and beverages

  • Evacuation (will be done in your account)

  • Single supplement Charges

  • Laundry, Phone services, Personal expenditure transactions

  • Optional trips

  • Tea breaks, chocolates or other snacks, and any meals besides breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  • Delay and cancellation because of natural phenomenon

  • International flights to Kathmandu

SKILLS REQUIRED . . .

Cholatse is a step up to Ama Dablam mountain expedition. You will need exceptional physical fitness and climbing skills. Clients should be able to take care of themselves during climbing days. Eating well, staying hydrated from the start of the expedition, making sure your gears are in check and functional during the climb should be your second nature. Your Sherpa expedition leader will guide and motivate you throughout but a lot of the effort lies within you and your ability to climb. We suggest certain skills especially for Cholatseexpedition.

  • Rock climbing indoors and outdoors - (i) learn the basics of wearing harness and helmets (ii) tying figure 8 knot and stopper knot (iii) basics of using belaying device correctly (iv) Use ascending and descending devices (iv) basics of using ropes , start/end when climbing (v) learning knowledge of moving while using the gears and being checking the safety features simultaneously.

  • Ice climbing. Intermediate level, WI-2+ or above.

  • The more experience you have on rock climbing, taking on tougher rotes in different types of rock, the better it is for you to get familiar with climbing style and adjusting during the expeditions.

  • Abseiling. This is the simplest yet the one of the most important skills to master. Some multi - pitch abseiling knowledge/experience are also required

  • Climbing on different terrains. Slab rocks, vertical rocks. Scrambling on steep terrains.

  • Use of Crampons and Ice axe. Winter ice climbing or mountaineering courses are recommended. You should be able to kick step and balance with ice axe on icy slopes to ascend on vertical climb. Ice arrest skills to save your self incase of slips or fall, being comfortable while descending and abseiling with crampons in all types of terrains.

  • Climbing in Altitude. We will be climbing Island peak as a training/acclimatising peak. Your prior experience in climbing should give you a good understanding of how your body copes in high altitude. You are responsible to build you fitness up to the best level. Our itineraries are designed to be able to help you with proper acclimatisation. Equally important clients have to be aware of their eating pattern and staying hydrated.

( All refresher training will be provided in Cholatse base camp by your expedition leader, to refresh your skill memories and get you started into climbing )

ADD'S ON . . .

  • Personal Sherpa $3200 p/p
  • Extra Oxygen bottle $250 per bottle
  • All heli charter includes passengers luggage. *Prices stated $ is US Dollars

EQUIPMENT LIST . . .

Mountain climbing Gears

  • Helmet (Black diamond, Petzel, Kailas, Grivel)
  • Alpine Ice Axe (65-70cm)
  • A mountaineering harness, with adjustable leg loops.
  • Carabiners: 3 locking and 6 regular
  • Rappel device: ATC or figure 8

Mountaineering boots

  • Mountaineering boots suitable for above 8000m; La Sportiva or equivalent
  • Hiking shoes for the trek to base camp with ankle protection
  • Thermal mountaineering socks or equivalent: 6 pairs
  • Liner socks or equivalent: 6 pairs

Body Layers:

  • Expedition suits - North face Himalayan suit or similat
  • 4 merino base layers: top / bottom set
  • 5 mid layer top: breathable Underwear
  • Lightweight Nylon Pants: 1 pair
  • Hooded Soft Shell jacket To be worn over other layers
  • Soft Shell Guide Pants: Gore Tex and breathable
  • Hooded Hard Shell: Gore Tex and breathable
  • Hard Shell Pants: Gore Tex and breathable, big enough to wear over your guide trousers
  • Insulated Down Jacket with hood: North Face Himalayan parka or equivalent
  • Insulated synthetic Pants: Worn primarily when climbing below Camp 2
  • Long jones equivalent to Rab’s Polartec or equivalent: 2 pairs

Headgear and Hand wear:

  • Wool hat (ski hat)
  • Sunhat: To shade your face / neck from the sun on a hot day
  • Buff: To protect your neck / face from the sun
  • Glacier glasses: Full protection with side covers or wrap around
  • Ski goggles: To be worn on summit day in the event of high winds
  • Lightweight synthetic liner gloves: For wearing on a hot day; 2 pairs
  • Soft shell gloves: To wear for moderate cold / wind
  • Shell glove with insulated liner: To wear for severe cold / strong wind
  • Expedition Mitts for bad weather

Personal Gear:

  • Expedition Backpack: 65L pack should be large enough.
  • Trekking Backpack: To carry on the trek to base camp. Simple and light.
  • Sleeping Bag: Rated to at least -40°F. Goose down or synthetic
  • Compression stuff sacks: 3 large ones; for reducing volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc., in your pack.
  • High Quality sleeping pad (1 for base camp and 1 for high camps): Full length is preferred.
  • Closed cell foam pad: To be used in conjunction with the inflating pad for warmth and comfort when sleeping.
  • Trekking poles with snow baskets: Adjustable poles
  • Cup: Plastic insulated cup for drinking
  • Bowl: A plastic bowl for eating dinner or breakfast
  • Spoon: Plastic spoon
  • Head torch: 1 normal for base camp and 1 with remote battery systems for climbing at night. This will be used whilst climbing at night
  • Sunscreen: SPF 50 or above
  • Lip balm with sunblock
  • Water bottles: 2 wide mouth bottles with 1 litter capacity
  • Water bottle parkas (2): fully insulated with zip opening
  • Thermos: 1 litre (buy a good ones to keep your water warm for longer hours)
  • Pee bottle: 1 litre minimum bottle for convenience at night in the tent
  • Toiletry bag: Include toilet paper and hand sanitizer and small towel
  • Hand warmers & toe warmers
  • Pen Knife or multi tool (optional)
  • Camera: bring extra batteries and memory cards
  • Personal solar charging system (optional but recommended)
  • Travel Clothes
  • Duffel bags (2) with locks: To transport equipment
  • Base Camp extra Items: Kindle, I pad, smart phone, etc
  • Snack food: Please bring a few days of your favourite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. A variety of salty and sweet is recommended to give you extra energy.
  • Small personal first aid kit: Include athletic tape, Band-Aid’s, Ibuprofen, blister care, personal medications, etc
  • Medications and Prescriptions: Bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone*

Related blog articles:

Altitude sickness

World’s most dangerous airport, Lukla

$20 BY 2020, a case for our himalayan porters

Mountain climbing gears checklist

EQUIPMENT HIRE . . .

**Equipment hire (link)

Bundle Price per expedition: £300 | $350 p/p**

Client’s will try and receive full gears when they arrive in Nepal.

“Rental gears are exclusively used by and for Namas adventure clients rental purpose only. We do not rent gears to other operators. We only provide high-quality gears.”

Benefits of renting gears with us:

  • Save money on gears that will end up costing you £2000 | $2700
  • Save cost on extra airline baggage weights $60 per kg (on average)
  • Saves you time and energy to go through all the research and hassle of finding the gears

Gears Included (Bundle package)

  • -23C/-30C Kailas Mountain 900 Down Sleeping Bag
  • 12 Point Kantz Crampons
  • Climbing Helmet
  • Climbing harness
  • 3X Carabiners
  • Z-lite sleeping foam mat
  • 150L Duffle bag
 

Gallery

FAQ’s

Expedition Route / Guide and teams / Tips & General questions

When is the best time to climb Cholatse? . . .

Mid - April - May (Spring)

October - November (Autumn)

Which route will Namas team choose? I can see the mountain is very steep and exposed, What is your climbing strategy? . . .

We will climb via the south west ridge. Yes, Cholatse is a technical climbing expedition than most of our other expedition. Above base camp, we are on fixed ropes moving over technical terrain for the rest of the climb. The route we ascend is the Southwest Ridge, which is the standard route on the mountain.

How long is a typical day on the mountain?? . . .

Time duration and distance varies from camp to camp, but on normal climbing day can expect an average of 6 hours climb. The climb between camp 1 and 2 are the longest. Summit attempt on Cholatse is a tricky one as we will have to climb on a knife ridge section making it challenging and dangerous.

What is summit day like? . . .

Summit day in Cholatse is a short 250M climb but a technical climb navigating the gully, climbing up the steep knife edge ridge, passing through secracs and then finally to the summit. If there are high winds and poor visibility we will have to spend another additoinal days at higher camps for the weather to settle down attempt summit bid.

Contingency Days during Choltase Expedition? . . .

We have added contingency day on our 12 days climbing/summit days. If the weather is all great then from base camp to summit and back can be achieved in 4-5 days if that is not the case then we have already added an extra 4-6 days as a contingency so that our team can have extra days for summit attempt when things don't go as planned. Yes, we would highly recommend return flight to stay flexible as this will give you the opportunity to extend/shorten your departure date.

Guides /Sherpas for Cholatse Expedition? Ratio : clients. Qualification and level of English? . . .

On this expedition we aim to have max 8 climbers, we have guides who will be IFMGA / NMA certified. Personal guide can be arranged upon request. Additional* charges apply. But we believe that Nepalese IFMGA certified guides are more than capable in this day and age and have an excellent level of English. We are committed to responsible tourism and want to enhance and prioritise local Nepalese leaders first, but if the clients request a western guide personally then we can have that arranged.

Sherpa guide ratio 1:2. Our Sherpas are NMA ( Khumbu climbing centre trained/certified ). Personal Sherpa for 1:1 can be arranged who will be solely responsible for the clients but extra additional charges apply. Our Nepalese have an intermediate level of English. Can understand, reply and instruct very well.

How much tips do you suggest for guides and porter teams? Summit tips? . . .

Most of our guest give tips during the end of the trek/climb. Your booking payment already consist a tip pool of $500. We will fairly distribute the tips among your drivers, assistant guides and porters.

Guest also donates trekking equipments like jackets, trek poles, gloves or hats to porters which is greatly appreciated. Guest can also buy our porters dinner, during the final day of the trek for all their hard work and for making their trek possible

Suggested Additional Summit tips $300.

What are the skills/prior experience required for this climb? . . .

You'll need to be comfortable using ropes, ice axe, crampons and jumars. Although ropes are fixed line the all way to the summit, you need to be able to climb steep rocky area, traverse and climb on knife edge ridge section which is exposed on both the sides and carrying a big pack. Previous high-altitude mountaineering experience is a must and your must be capable of climbing alpine AD routes. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions around your experience for climbing Cholatse.

How do I know this is the right trip for me? . . .

Cholatse Expedition climb really depends on your ambition to go on great challenging climbing adventure. If you are someone who does not want to climb 8000M peaks but rather enjoy technical climbing expedition without the danger of death zone altitude then this expedition is for you. Ofcouse and the difference of $10,000+. To help you clarify if this is the right expedition for you, [our grading][2] system can help you determine if this is the right expedition and if it is the right time to take upon trips of such nature. If you are yet unsure please do contact our team and we will walk you through where you are in your current experience level and guide you into choosing the right expeditions.

How many guides/ Sherpas will be assigned to our group? . . .

For Cholatse Expedition 1:2 Sherpa guides are assigned to our group.

How many in a group? . . .

Min 2 - Max 8

Who is this trip for? . . .

Any climbers 18+ with relevant climbing experiences.

Who goes on this Expedition? . . .

Climbers from all over the globe with different backgrounds, interest and mountaineering skill level join our expeditoin. Some climbers even join this expedition after climbing Everest or other higher expedition because all climbs are fundamentally different and challenging.

Can my friends and family join me on the trek into Base Camp? . . .

Yes, it is possible. Please email us about this and give you relevant informations.

Can I contact other climbers to join this expedition? . . .

Yes, we highly encourage that. Maybe its your friend with whom you have been on amazing/challenging adventure trips before, a you met during your other expeditions, a challenge you seek together or any other ideas where you think the other person might enjoy this amazing climb.

Baggage allowance by Namas Expedition team for Ama Dablam Expedition? . . .

We allow 40kgs of personal weight for this expedition.

Is it possible to organise a private expedition? . . .

We will be more than happy to organise Cholatse private expedition for you and your group. As long as it is with in the suitable season. Extra cost will apply as we will have to organise a seperate logistical and planning for private expedition request. Please contact our team for any private trips or expeditions.

Fitness / Trainings

What fitness/conditioning level is needed for this climb? . . .

You need to be in excellent shape for this climb. Although all our expeditoins are supported is supported by Nepalese Sherpa guides, due to the technical nature of the peak, it is critical that you are in the best shape possible. Sherpa support is moderate on this climb, you are expected to be able to carry all of your personal gear needed for the climb. Our Sherpa teams will primarily be responsible for transporting our group gear.

Technical preparation and trainings for Cholatse Expedition? . . .

  • Basic Bouldering and rope climbing session in your local climbing centre.

  • Commitment to regular endurance and strengthening training.

  • Intermediate Ice climbing level upto WI2+ to help you with use of rope climbing, ice axe, crampons and understand the nature of physical demands that the mountain requires.

  • 4000 - 6500 M peak of mountain summit. Alpie style climbing preferred. Your adaptability to high altitude and climbing on high steep terrains.

How heavy will my bagpack be? . . .

We will be moving a lot of our personal gears during acclimatisation rotation and safely leave it in our personal tent. This lightens the load and normally your packs are 18–25kg/40–55lb.

How do you I train for a trip like this? . . .

We have written blog post on training for mountaineering which can give yo a guidance and tips on how long to what type of training you should undertake to train yourself well for challenging mountaineering expeditions.

Physical fitness needed for Cholatse Expedition? . . .

You need to be in your top shape for this climb. Due to the technical nature of the peak, it is very important that you are in the best shape possible. Also, as Nepalese Sherpa guide support is moderate on this climb, you are expected to be able to carry all of your personal gear needed for the climb. Sherpa teams are primarily responsible for carrying group gears to the camps.

Hotels / Foods

What sort of hotels do we stay at in the city? . . .

All Namas expedition team stays at the Hotel Manalsu or Tibet in Kathmandu (Arrival) and Dwarikas (Departure). Arrivals hotels are only 15 minutes walk from the tourist centre of Thamel. Our chosen hotel provides swimming pool, restaurants, spa and massage near by and plenty of local shops near by to buy souviners.

What are the lodges like? Can I have my own room or tent? . . .

Lodges or tea houses we use during trekking days are local Sherpa tea houses. You will love the cultural ambience of the tea houses. Places we book are kept tidy, clean, modern lodges—the best that are available in each village. They are well-known locations to us and we have a good relationship with the lodge owners. Private rooms can be booked at additional cost. Our standard trips are based on shared rooms, usually twin-share and sometimes triple-share. On the mountain you will share a tent with one, or sometimes two other climbers.

If you would like a personal tent during Expedition days, Base camp personal tent can be arranged. Please do let us know in advance so that our team can make the necessary arrangements.

Will Showers and laundry be available during expedition? . . .

On our trekking days tea houses we stay will offer hot showers and laundry services. At the Base Camp we will set up our own shower tents, where showers are available and there will be access to hot water for you to do your clothes washing. Laundry powder is provided.

Is foods included in our expedition fees? . . .

All our expeditions are all-inclusive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as ample hot and cold drinks during trek and expedition days are included. We can cater for vegetarians as well as many other special diets as long as we are informed of this prior to the trip. All of our expeditions provide excellent local and Western food.

What are the food like? . . .

During the trekking days in tea houses mostly foods are prepared according to your choice in the menu. Rice and Lentils (Dal bhat being the famous diet) to pasta, soups, pizza, mash potato, dumplings etc. But during the camping days we provide both cooked and packed/canned food supplies packed from Kathmandu.

Options are limited during camping days. Mostly Rice/lentils/veg/ pasta for cooked foods and freezed dried foods, chocolate/energy bars, biscuits, hydration tablets. We will have varieties of freezed dried foods (chicken, veg, spaghetti etc ) which are specially made for expeditions.

Visa Information / Flights / Pre travel

What is the best way to get to Nepal? . . .

You will need to search for flights to Kathmandu Tribhuvan Intn'l airport. Regular flights operate into Kathmandu via Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Trukey, Hong Kong, Singapore and Delhi.

Do I need to get a visa for Nepal? . . .

Yes. For most nationalities, a visa can be obtained on-arrival into Kathmandu airport or border entry points or can be issued prior through an Nepalese embassies or consulated abroad. Upon arrival, be sure to have the correct USD amount in cash for your visa application and photos can be take through the kiosk machine available at the airport. Currently, a 40-day visa costs $40 and 90-day visa costs US$100. Please dp make sure that your passport has at least six months validity.

Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts? And when should I book my flight to leave? . . .

We have got you all covered. All our trip programme itinerary already have an arrival day and a departure day built into them. Please plan to arrive at early hours on Day 1 of the itinerary. If you plan to come early and explore Kathmandu then you are welcome as Kathmandy offers tons of culutral experiences. If you would like a 1-2 days tours please do let us know and we can provide suggestions. Namas Nepal representative will meet and pick you up at the airport and the first of many team briefings will take place on the evening of Day One. Please do not book to depart before the scheduled final trip itinerary day. All the details will also be sent on the final email.

When should I book my ticket? . . .

We recommeend you to book 90-60 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights, then ensure that you can make changes to your ticket or you run the risk of losing it if we do have to cancel the trip. In such situations, we are usually able to help you book on to an alternate departure, either with us or another operator.

Can I get a cheap ticket online? . . .

Yes, please make sure you have a flexible departure date on your ticket. With the nature of our expedition and the places we do are not straight forward as we due to unforseen cisrumstances we might have to add 1-2 days extras to complete our expedition which will lead to extension of our itinerary. In those circumstances you do not want to end up paying extra for your departures.

Where do we meet? Will I be picked up? . . .

As you arrive in Kathmandu, Namas guide or representative will receive you at the airport with our shuttle car/van. If you are arriving before the scheduled trip start date and want to be receiced at airport then please do let us know in advance and we can make the arrangements to pick you up. Or there are airport taxies to help you.

What if I am arriving early or departing late? . . .

Namas team can make necessary arrangements or recommendations should you want to explore more of Nepal. Please do let us know in advance or even to our team in Nepal to help you with these matter.

Expedition Gears and Equipments / Internet / Power

Will you provide clothing and expedition equipment list? . . .

Upon Cholatse expedition inquiry and confirmation email we will email you all the necessary documentation needed, including detailed equipment lists. If you have questions you have after reading through our equipment list you can always reach out to us and we can assist you in preparing for the trip as well as recommending and sourcing a range of clothing and equipment suitable for the climb. Our list are prepared with recommendation from our Sherpa climbing team.

Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list? . . .

Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared and please bring everything on the list!

How heavy will my bagpack be? . . .

We will move our personal gear up the mountain during our acclimatisation rotation and store it in your assigned tents. Normally our packs are 18-25kg/40-55lb.

Logistical support for Cholatse Expedition. Kitchen staffs and porters? . . .

Logistical team during expedition. we will have 1 head chef with 1-2 helpers for small numbers ( 1-4 groups ). And 3 - 4 ( for 5 - 8 groups ). Porters numbers also depend on the number of climbers. We allow 40Kgs per client for this expedition and each porter will carry 30kgs per client. So, with the increase in weights per client the no. of porter team increases.

What kind of Tents will we use during Cholatse Expedition? Brands/sizes and setups? *. . .

We will use alpine 3/4 season tents from Salewa, Mountain Hardwear, Samaya equipment and Kailas. Most of our client tents are 2 person tents but a single tent can be provided for any solo climbers joining the team. Although we recommend 2 people in a tent to have company and preserve the natural heat. Head of Sherpa team Sardar will be in charge of all the tent setups. On 2020 we will have new tents, burners, and other climbing equipment.

4 season goose downfilled sleeping bag that can handle upto -40C is recommended. This will be clearly stated in your recommended gear list but for Ama Dablam expeditions. We suggest buying a sleeping bag big enough to allow you to wear extra clothes in if it is especially cold .

How much weight will we carry on the expedition? . . .

Once we begin our expedition from base camp, our strong Sherpa team that will carry all the team equipment, food and ropes and you will carry all your personal gear. This can weigh around 18–25kg/40–55lb. So you will need to be at your best physical shape in order to climb the mountain with your bagpack load.

Will supplemental oxygen be provided during the expedition? Is this included in our expedition fee? . . .

During Cholatse expedition climbers are not porvided supplemental oxygen, however our team do take oxygen as a medical backup. If you would like to request one then we can make the arrangements upon request. (Extra charges apply) as this is not included in our expedition fees.

What high altitude medication will be available on the expedition? Do we need to take tablets before/ during the trek? . . .

All our guides carry extensive medical kits including various medications for altitude illness. If you have a previous history of altitude illness then please discuss this with us and your physician, otherwise there is no need to take preventative medication before or during your expedition.

You need to bring any medications you regularly use (don’t forget to tell us about them), plus extras. Also bring a small first aid kit including a blister kit and mild headache medication for the normal altitude headaches.

Will there be any access to a satellite phone? If yes then what would be the charges for usage? . . .

Yes, on all our expedition our guides take satellite phones. We urge clinets to bring their own Satellite phones as using 1 satellite phone amongst all client members is not really efficient. There will be a daily dispatches blog on our Namas adventure website, where your friends and family can follow your progress.

Is there internet throughout the expedition? . . .

Once you get hold of local Nepalese sim card, internet can be accessed throughout the trail all the way to Ama Dablam Base camp. Internet speed wont be as reliable once we go higher but we can expect some internet coverage. Once we start to ascend towards Camp 1 an higher there will not be any internet coverage.

Will there be any power source for charging batteries, etc. available throughout the expedition? . . .

All our expedition team is equipped with solar panels and battery charging stations. Our first priority wil always be to charge our radios, satellite phones and expedition electrical equipment. There is usually enough power to then charge your personal electrical equipment.

While on trek, tea houses will also have power available with with Asian plugs (needed) and offer recharging for a fee.

What is the best equipment for photography in alpine environments? . . .

As camera technology is changing and getting smaller and better, we recommed light and durable cameras for photography. If you are a serious photographer then you will have your preferences on camera gears but just for enthusiast to record and document your memory mirrorless cameras from SONY, Cannon and small action camera like gopro or insta 360 are recommended. Drone is gaining its popularity but please ask us information for drone use rules and regulation. For safety reason Nepal is very stict with drone use and we do not want it to be a hassle during our expedition days.

Insurance

What insurance do we need to get? . . .

Insurances are mandatory in all our trips, there is a requirement for each expedition member to have insurance to cover any personal or medical mishaps that may occur before or during the expedition. [Click here for more information on expedition insurance.][2]

Do I need evacuation insurance? . . .

Yes, it is very important and a must. Many of our expeditions are in remote places with no roads and third world medical services. In an unlikely event scenario, we would want you to be evacuated asap and get you the right medical attention.

Who do you recommend for insurance? . . .

Insurances varies on your nationality but there are a handful of insurances that cover most of the countries especially for mountaineering expeditions. [Please click the link here][2], we have a list of recommended insurance providers that we tust and which our clients have previously used.

What is Trip Cancellation Insurance? . . .

For very unknown and unforeseen circumstances you may be forced to cancel their trips for reasons such as family illness, injury to one’s self, business issues, etc. In times like this you want to have a peace of mind protecting your investments on trips, flight tickets. So trip cancellation insurnace should gurantee protection of your money that you have paid for.