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AMA DABLAM | Asia

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A Personal Welcome to 'Climbing the Seven Summits' Ama Dablam Expedition from Mike Hamill

Ama Dablam holds a special place in my heart. My first time on the mountain I was climbing fast and light with a few guide buddies after getting back to Kathmandu from Cho Oyu. We were well acclimatized so were able to move quickly up the mountain. It is always a treat as a mountain guide to get out with friends and push yourself in the mountains; especially on a peak as beautiful as “Ama”.

I don’t think I fully understood the steepness and exposure that climbing on Ama Dablam entails. Although i really enjoy this aspect of the climb, on my first expedition to the mountain I was caught off guard because it is much more committing than other popular Himalayan “trade routes”. This is a serious climb that needs to be respected. Don’t underestimate it. However, if you show up prepared you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful climbing in the world!

A climb of Ama Dablam is really the best way to experience the Khumbu valley and it’s culture. What better excuse than a climb as beautiful as this to venture into the most stunning and famous valley on the planet. Ama Dablam is also a great stepping stone to Everest because it mimics the steeper sections of the Everest climb.

We look forward to sharing this beautiful Himalayan giant with you and showing you the wonders of high altitude climbing!

All the best,

Mike Hamill

Don’t underestimate the weather on Elbrus, make sure you invest in your warm gear and you carry it with you on the mountain even if you think the weather is going to be nice all day. It can get very windy on Elbrus and temperatures can drop quickly.

Make sure your down parka is the last thing to go into your pack so it’s the first thing you can pull out. Put it on at every rest break before you start to get cold. It takes less energy for your body to maintain its warmth, than to have to warm up again once you start to notice you are getting cold.

Look for the steps of climbers ahead of you and try to step in their steps. It’s much harder to kick in your own staircase on the steeper sections than use the one that’s already in place. As you start up, take a quick moment to look for these tracks to save yourself some energy. It’s worth conserving your energy even if you are at the start of your day.

If you are tempted to take the snow cat on summit morning, don’t feel like you are “cheating” in anyway. Your previous acclimatization days will have put you at the same high point as the snow cat drops you off so you have still climbed every step of the mountain one way or another.

If you are a skier or snowboarder I highly recommend the ski descent, it’s a memorable way to descend one of the Seven Summits (and a bonus claim to fame) as you can ski right off the summit. Not to mention its a much faster, more fun way back to the hut for a well deserved celebration.

by CTSS Team

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AMA DABLAM | Asia

Inquire or Book Now

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Many of our climbers say that one of the best experiences of their entire expedition is taking a helicopter flight back down the Khumbu Valley and getting an aerial view of the trek, the peaks they’ve been climbing and the mighty Himalayan range. It is, without doubt, one of the most scenic, adventurous mountain flights in the world.

Further, while people initially think they will want to undertake the 3 day, 40 mile trek back down the valley, we’ve found that after a long expedition in mountains, the draw of civilisation, getting back to family and friends & enjoying that well-deserved beer can be irresistible.

We have a number of options available for you:

One Way Helicopter from Ama Dablam Base Camp to Lukla*

$2,995 USD

A helicopter flight from Ama Dablam Base Camp to Lukla avoiding the three day walk back down the valley. From Lukla you will catch a regularly scheduled fixed-wing plane back to Kathmandu either that day or the following. (Your domestic fixed wing flight is included in your expedition costs)

One Way Helicopter from Base Camp to Kathmandu*

$4,995 USD

For climbers who are keen to get back to Kathmandu and homeward bound as quickly and efficiently as possible at the end of the expedition, we can arrange a helicopter for you directly from Ama Dablam Base Camp all the way to Kathmandu.

by CTSS Team

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AMA DABLAM | Asia

Inquire or Book Now

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We welcome you to invite friends and family to join you for all, or part of your 3 Peaks expedition.

The benefits are:

The joy of sharing this once in a lifetime experience with your loved ones
Lessening the time apart
Puts family at ease as they get a first hand understanding and empathy of the nature of your expedition and goal

Everest Base Camp Trek (with Lobuche)

$4,495 USD

The Everest Base Camp trek is widely heralded as the best trek in the world and for good reason; it’s beautiful, challenging yet achievable, and incredibly scenic. Roughly 40 miles/70 km you will trek through lush green pastures, blossoming Rhododendron forests and the most spectacular mountain terrain in the world.

Adding 2 extra days to the usual Everest Base Camp schedule family and friends are welcome to stay with you the entire time and relax at Lobuche Base Camp while you climb (time apart is minimal)

Following your ascent you will journey together into Everest Base Camp Proper at 17,600ft/ 5,500m where, being affiliated with an Everest climbing expedition, your friends and family are also able to enter and spend 2x nights within Base Camp, something the vast majority of trekkers never experience.

This allows them to get a sense of the Everest base camp scene and community and what goes into an Everest expedition. If they are feeling good you have the added option to join our climbing clinic, scale Kala Pathar the morning they leave base camp for stunning views of the Everest Massif, Lhotse and Nuptse.

Your family and friends can then splinter off and return down valley if they are pressed for time with our other trekkers, spend extra nights at Base Camp, do the Gokyo Extension or join you for the entire 3 Peaks Circuit.

Itinerary:

This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule will be strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc. We begin our expedition in Kathmandu, Nepal before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley. Our expedition ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.

Apr 3 Team Arrives
Apr 4 KTM Day
Apr 5 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
Apr 6 Trek to Namche
Apr 7 Rest
Apr 8 Trek to Tengboche
Apr 9 Rest
Apr 10 Trek to Pheriche
Apr 11 Rest
Apr 12 Trek to Lobuche Base camp
Apr 13 Acclimatization Trek to Lobuche High Camp
Apr 14 Move to Lobuche High Camp (optional - family and friends are welcome to stay in the better equiped Base Camp if they prefer)
Apr 15 Rest Day
Apr 16 Climbers summit, family & friends rest day
Apr 17 Trek to EBC
Apr 18 Everest Climbing Clinic & Explore BC
Apr 19 Trek to Pheriche
Apr 20 Trek to Namche
Apr 21 Trek to Lukla
Apr 22 Fly Lukla to KTM
Apr 23 Fly Home
Apr 24 Contingency Day

For More; Visit Expedition Page

3 Peaks Trekking Circuit

$5,495 USD

Family and Friends often love to stay with you for your entire expedition and the 3 peaks trekking circuit is an ideal adventure to do this with you as it allows your loved ones to not only do the most spectacular trek in the world in Everest Base Camp but explore off the beaten track elements of the Khumbu Valley as they trek with you into Pokalde & Island Peak base camps too. These are seldom seen valleys off the main route full of authentic Sherpa culture minus the crowds.

Given the alpine climbing starts, the time you actually spend apart (whilst you are climbing and summiting) is actually minimal and a great time for them to kick back with some Chai tea and enjoy being in the majestic Himalaya far from the madding crowds

Itinerary:

Apr 3 Team Arrives
Apr 4 KTM Day
Apr 5 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
Apr 6 Trek to Namche
Apr 7 Rest
Apr 8 Trek to Tengboche
Apr 9 Rest
Apr 10 Trek to Pheriche
Apr 11 Rest
Apr 12 Trek to Lobuche base camp
Apr 13 Trek to Lobuche High Camp
Apr 14 Acclimatisation trek to Lobuche High Camp
Apr 15 Rest Day
Apr 16 Rest while climbers summit and descend Lobuche BC
Apr 17 Trek to EBC
Apr 18 Rest at EBC - Training
Apr 19 Trek to Lobuche
Apr 20 Trek to Pokalde via Kongma La
Apr 21 Rest at Pokalde while climbers summit & descend to Chhukung
Apr 22 Trek from Chhukung to Island Peak BC
Apr 23 Rest at Island Peak BC while climbers summit and return Chhukung
Apr 24 Trek Chhukung to Pangboche
Apr 25 Pangboche to Namche
Apr 26 Namche to Lukla
Apr 27 Lukla flight to KTM
Apr 28 Fly home
Apr 29 Contingency day
Apr 30 Contingency day

by CTSS Team

Region Media - Scaling the Seven Summits: A researcher’s ascent into mountaineering’s impact

by CTSS Team

Climbing the Seven Summits and Charles Darwin University Partner to Protect Mountain Ecosystems

At Climbing the Seven Summits (CTSS), we’re committed to providing world-class mountaineering experiences while prioritizing the health and sustainability of the environments we explore and the mountain communities who support us. As part of this commitment, we are excited to announce a new partnership with researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) to better understand and mitigate the mountaineering industry’s impact on the ecosystems surrounding the Seven Summits.

Led by CDU Lecturer in Sustainability Leadership and Management Dr. Chrystie Watson—who will climb each of the Seven Summits with CTSS—this long-term project will assess the effectiveness of management strategies, investigate the environmental psychology of mountaineers, and review industry practices. CTSS aims to use the study’s findings to inform how we can not only improve our own practices but promote greater social, economic, and environmental stewardship across the mountaineering industry.

We believe that true adventure is built on integrity—caring for the fragile ecosystems, local communities, and economies that support our industry. Ethical and sustainable adventure travel isn’t an add-on for us; it’s the foundation on which we operate. By partnering with CDU, we aim to enhance our ongoing sustainability efforts with not only field data collected by researchers but also first-hand insight from CTSS climbers and guides.

Sustainability in the mountains probably conjures images from recent media coverage highlighting issues of environmental degradation and over-tourism, which has raised questions about the long-term sustainability of mountaineering on the world’s great peaks. While critically important, environmental sustainability—including minimizing the ecological footprint of climbers by reducing waste, preventing trail erosion, and protecting biodiversity—is only one aspect of a wholistic approach to preserving these cherished places.

Tour the CTSS Everest Base Camp powered by the largest solar array on the mountain.

Economic sustainability, for example, ensures that local communities benefit fairly from the mountaineering industry. This means supporting local guides, porters, and businesses by providing fair wages, investing in local infrastructure, and fostering responsible tourism that contributes to long-term economic stability.

Discover how your registration fees help empower local communities through education.

Social sustainability emphasizes the ethical treatment of workers, cultural respect, and community engagement. This includes ensuring safe working conditions for porters and guides, respecting indigenous traditions, and involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Learn more about CTSS’s commitment to porter welfare on Kilimanjaro.

Together, these three pillars of sustainability help create a mountaineering experience that not only preserves the natural beauty of the world’s highest peaks but also supports the people and economies that rely on them—and on whom our climbers rely.

We encourage all members of the CTSS and broader mountaineering community to join us in the pursuit of sustainable adventure travel by adopting responsible practices. In addition to following Leave No Trace principles, reducing waste, choosing eco-friendly or secondhand gear, consider the opportunities below to have a greater impact while leaving a smaller footprint.

Seven Summits Sustainability Project

CTSS’s broader commitment to sustainability

Collect data on behalf of high-altitude citizen science projects (e.g., AlpAlga, Vertical Flora, etc.)
Make a financial contribution to Tiger of the Snows Fund
Contribute gently used gear to organizations like the Kilimanjaro Responsible Trekking Organization

As this initiative unfolds, CTSS and CDU will release research findings, policy recommendations, and best practice guidelines to encourage sustainable mountaineering worldwide. The ultimate goal is to ensure that high-altitude environments remain both resilient and accessible, even as more people seek the challenge and beauty of these majestic landscapes.

We believe partnerships like this—which combine field research, industry expertise, and a shared passion for sustainability—are essential to finding solutions that allow mountaineers to explore while minimizing the negative impact on the natural world. CTSS is proud to take this next step in expanding our commitment to sustainability, and we hope you’ll join us in paving the way toward safeguarding the world’s greatest peaks for generations to come!

Photo credit: @beckeradventures