Participants must have good fitness, balance and coordination. A regular training programme must be followed for many months to achieve the level of fitness required. We suggest a programme tailored to mountaineering such as those from the Uphill Athlete.
Cut your mountaineering teeth on the course that teaches big mountain skills in the home of big mountains— the Himalaya. Developed and led by our experienced IFMGA Mountain Guides, our Himalayan Climbing Course provides you with both a solid foundation in high altitude mountaineering and your first 6,000m summit!
Learn high-altitude mountaineering skills from our experienced Himalayan mountain guides and how to look after yourself properly in this stunning, yet high consequence environment. Our Himalayan Climbing Course will help you on the pathway to becoming a mountaineer by introducing skills then immediately putting them into practice on climbs of increasing difficulty and elevation.
At the completion of the skills development phase, the course culminates in an ascent of Lobuche East at 6,119m/20,075ft. In addition to actual climbing skills and mountain movement, you will develop your self-awareness and you can utilise the learning to springboard your high-altitude climbing career on an uphill trajectory!
- Focus on the skills for climbing at altitude
- Learn from the best in our Himalayan Climbing School
- Option to add on Island Peak ascent
Climbing Ability
Climbing Ability
Beginner
Elevation
Elevation
6,119m/20,075ft
Duration
Duration
26 or 32 days
Location
Location
Nepal
HCC ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive in Kathmandu, team meet and greet and welcome meal
DAY 2
| Introduction to Course—overview of 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/9,383ft, trek to Phakding 2,610m/8,563ft. Expedition medicine lecture |
DAY 5
Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440m/11,286ft. Meteorology lesson
DAY 6
| Climb Khunde Peak 4,200m/13,779ft |
DAY 7
| Training day—introductory rope skills, anchors, belaying, rappelling, prussiking. Overnight in Khumjung |
DAY 8
Rock climbing/training around Khumjung 3780m/12402ft, overnight in Khumjung
DAY 9
Trek to Phortse 3,950m/12,959ft via the Mong La Pass 3,970m/13,025ft. Visit Khumbu Climbing Centre
DAY 10
Phortse to Pheriche 4,270m/14,009ft. High altitude medicine lecture
DAY 11
| Pheriche rest and acclimatisation day. Avalanche safety training |
DAY 12
Pheriche to Dzongla 4830m/15,846ft
DAY 13
Rest and training day
DAY 14
Dzongla to Cho La 5,420m/17,782 ft. Snow camping skills
DAY 15
| Training day—glacier travel, crevasse rescue, snow and ice techniques |
DAY 16
| Trek to Lobuche Base Camp 4,800m/15,750ft |
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/17,720ft |
DAY 20
Summit Bid on Lobuche East 6,119m/20,075ft, return to Base Camp
DAY 21
Lobuche Base Camp to Pangboche 3,985m/13,074ft
* Island Peak add-on commences—see second Itineraries tab
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
Departures and Pricing
Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
Add on your Island Peak climb in the booking form
PREPARE
Fitness
Technical Experience
Previous snowcraft or rock climbing are not necessary, as these skills will be taught on the course.
Altitude Experience
No prior altitude experience required.
Why Adventure Consultants?
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing and instruction courses. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every trip to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.
Our courses have been designed by Guy Cotter who has been climbing for over 45 years. Additional to his extensive record in New Zealand, his career has includes over 40 high altitude expeditions and polar journeys, including several ascents of Mount Everest and other 8,000m peaks.
As an IFMGA Guide since 1991, Guy Cotter recognises the need for people to learn about ‘climbing’, and not just being taught the technical skills in isolation. This is not an easy task and cannot be achieved without experienced and highly skilled guides with good instructional skills. The guides and Sherpa staff at Adventure Consultants are recognised as amongst the best in the industry with the ability to help you get the most from your time with us.
The main points of difference on an Adventure Consultants Course are:
- More time to gain experience while practicing skills
- Highly experienced expedition guides and Sherpa instructing
- Gain valuable experience at altitude while learning essential expedition skills
Island Peak add-on
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.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
- Professional, qualified guides
- Experienced Sherpa team
- Helicopter flights Kathmandu-Lukla and return
- Excellent food and catering
- Expert logistics
- Regular dispatches for families and friends to follow your expedition
- Comprehensive support from our New Zealand office team.
Our Team
DISPATCHES
Aconcagua #1 2024/25
November 29 2024
Join us for the first of our 2024/25 southern summer expeditions to climb South America's highest peak, Aconcagua (6,962m/22,840ft). Read More
Three Peaks Nepal 2024
November 02 2024
Follow dispatches, news and updates from Adventure Consultants' Three Peaks Nepal Expedition 2024, as the team climbs Lobuche East, Pokalde & Island Peak. Read More
Island Peak & Khumbu Trek #2 2024
October 14 2024
Follow our Island Peak and Khumbu Trek #2 teams as they journey through the spectacular Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak... Read More