Himalayan Climbing Course
Difficulty
Duration
26 days
trip dates 2025
14 April to 9 May
7 October to 1 November
Gearlist
PRICE $10,900 US
Learn high-altitude mountaineering skills from our experienced Himalayan mountain guides.
Our Himalayan Climbing Course will help you become a mountaineer by introducing skills before putting them into practice on climbs of increasing difficulty and elevation. The course culminates in an ascent of Lobuche East at 6,119m.
At the end of the course, participants should have the skills and confidence to travel in glaciated terrain. You will have the technical ability to attempt major mountains by their easier routes, such as the trekking peaks in the Himalayas. The program will also set you up with sufficient prowess to be guided on some technically difficult ascents and expeditions.
Experience & learings
The Course objective
Our objective is to pass on the climbing skills, which have made us successful in our own climbing careers. The most important attributes are:
Current techniques for high-altitude mountaineering
A climbing standard appropriate to the objective
Attuned mountain awareness
Sound judgement of your own abilities
Solid planning and preparation skills
The basis of good decision making
What you will learn
Fundamental snow and ice craft skills
Rope skills applicable to high-altitude alpine climbing
Glacier travel and self rescue skills
Weather analysis
High-altitude medicine
Route finding and navigation
Snow and expedition camping skills
Experience required
Participants must have good fitness, balance and coordination. Previous snowcraft or rock climbing is not necessary, as these skills will be taught in the instruction part of the trip.
Schedule and inclusions
Price: $10,900 US per person
The course cost includes:
Nepalese government royalty fees
All course organisational requirements
All trekking and climbing permits
Airport transfers in Kathmandu
Helicopter air transport within Nepal
Accommodation in lodges or tents ex Kathmandu
All group equipment (tents, ropes, kitchen, radios etc.) and emergency medical supplies
All course staff, including Western guide(s) and Sherpa guides, cooks and porter support
Transport of 20kg of personal equipment
Breakfast, lunch and dinner ex Kathmandu
Access to our satellite telephone for outgoing calls
Dispatch web page updated throughout the trip
dZi Foundation support for their “Revitalise a Village” programme—likely to include support for a Nepalese child’s education for a year
2025 Course Dates:
14th of April to 9th of May
7th of October to 1st of November
The course cost does not include:
Air travel to and from Nepal
Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
Purchases of bottled water, gifts and alcohol (boiled or treated water for drinking is supplied)
Other charges at lodges/tea houses such as additional meals, showers, internet access or battery recharging
Entry visas for Nepal (30-day tourist visa for Nepal available on arrival in Kathmandu)
Personal clothing and equipment
Personal travel/trip cancellation/rescue insurance
Excess baggage charges for porterage and the flights to/from Lukla
Cost of satellite telephone calls
Any rescue costs or costs of early departure
Gratuities
Maximum and Minimum Bookings
For the Himalayan Climbing Course, we will take a minimum of 5 people and a maximum of 12 people.
Itinerary
The course starts in the city of Kathmandu where we spend valuable time preparing for the course, covering introductory topics, and checking equipment. We then fly into Lukla airport.
The following days are spent gradually making our way through the mountains to higher altitudes.
On what would be a typical expedition ‘rest day’ we busy ourselves by training. Experiential learning is a major factor in learning how to be a competent mountaineer. The emphasis of the course is on the safe application of skill development, culminating with an ascent of Lobuche East.
Eventually, we move on to Lobuche East Base Camp and prepare for our ascent. The teaching continues throughout, and at High Camp, you are introduced to high-altitude alpine camping skills before the climb.
High-altitude mountaineering can involve long days with early starts to gain a summit and descend before nightfall. There are times when the weather may be rough, you may feel pushed to your limit and as you gain altitude there can be periods of discomfort.
Flexibility is key to any high-altitude adventure and whatever happens, your guides will use their considerable experience to ensure you get the best from the course that can be offered.
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu, team meet and greet and welcome meal
Day 2 Introduction to Course—overview of the program, lectures on expedition planning and processes, introduction to altitude illnesses and evacuation procedures
Day 3 Gear checks and trip preparation.
Day 4 Fly to Lukla (2,860m), trek to Phakding (2,610m). Expedition medicine lecture
Day 5 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m). Meteorology lesson
Day 6 Climb Khunde Peak (4,200m)
Day 7 Training day—introductory rope skills, anchors, belaying, rappelling, prussiking. Overnight in Khumjung (3780m)
Day 8 Rock climbing/training around Khumjung (3780m), overnight in Khumjung
Day 9 Trek to Phortse (3,950m) via the Mong La Pass (3,970m). Visit Khumbu Climbing Centre
Day 10 Phortse to Pheriche (4,270m). High altitude medicine lecture
Day 11 Pheriche rest and acclimatisation day. Avalanche safety training
Day 12 Pheriche to Dzongla (4830m)
Day 13 Rest and training day in Dzongla
Day 14 Dzongla to Cho La (5,420m). Snow camping skills
Day 15 Training day—glacier travel, crevasse rescue, snow and ice techniques
Day 16 Trek to Lobuche Base Camp (4,800m)
Day 17 Training day—alpine rock climbing techniques
Day 18 Training day—rope work training, fixed ropes, ascending and descending, ladder training, rope rescue techniques
Day 19 Climb to High Camp on Lobuche East (5,400m)
Day 20 Summit bid on Lobuche East (6119m), descend to Base Camp
Day 21 Lobuche Base Camp to Pangboche (3,985m).
*Island Peak and Ama Dablam Add-ons commence.
Day 22 Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
Day 23 Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 24 Contingency day
Day 25 Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 26 Trip ends, depart from Kathmandu
Add-ons : Island Peak
Make the most of your acclimatisation with an additional ascent of Island Peak, an ideal challenging progression from Lobuche East. Easily climbed in a short six-day itinerary following your Himalayan Climbing Course
Course #1 Extension: May 10–15, 2025
Course #2 Extension: November 2–7, 2025
Island Peak Extension ex Lobuche East Base Camp, Nepal
Price: $1,500 US per person (Himalayan Climbing Course and the Island Peak Add On - $12,400 US)
itinerary
Day 21 Rest day at Lobuche Base Camp
Day 22 Cross Kongma La (5,535m) to Chhukung (4,730m)
Day 23 Rest day, optional ascent of Chhukung Ri (5,550m)
Day 24 Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (4,970m)
Day 25 Summit Island Peak (6,189m), return to Base Camp
Day 26 Spare summit day
Day 27 Trek to Pangboche
Day 28 Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
Day 29 Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 30 Contingency day
Day 31 Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 32 Trip ends, depart from Kathmandu
Add-ons : ama dablam
After something that will get the adrenaline pumping after your course? Challenge yourself and polish your new skills with a 10-day add-on climb of Ama Dablam, one of Nepal’s most exhilarating climbs!
Available in the post-monsoon season only.
Course #2 Extension: November 2–11, 2025
Ama Dablam Extension ex Lobuche East Base Camp, Nepal
Price: $8,500 US per person (Himalayan Climbing Course and the Ama Dablam Add On - $19,400 US)
itinerary
Day 21 Rest day at Lobuche Base Camp
Day 22 Lobuche Base Camp to Pheriche (4,270m)
Day 23 Pheriche to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4,529m)
Days 24-29 Ama Dablam (6,828m) summit bid
Day 30 Return to Ama Dablam Base Camp
Day 31 Contingency day
Day 32 Trek to Pangboche
Day 33 Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
Day 34 Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 35 Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 36 Trip ends, depart from Kathmandu
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