Ama-Dablam Expedition
Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m / 22,349ft), is one of the most beautiful looking yet technical mountain peak in the Nepal Himalayas. It is known for the unique pyramid summit, extremely exposed ridges, mixed climbing of rock-ice-snow and offers exceptional mountaineering experiences. Ama Dablam was first climbed on 13 March 1961 by Mike Gill (NZ), Barry Bishop (USA), Mike Ward (UK), and Wally Romanes (NZ) via the Southwest Ridge. This is the normal route now for the Ama Dablam expedition, and for Satori Adventures’ Ama Dablam expedition as well.
Autumn being the most viable season to climb the peak, Satori Adventures has large group of climbers attempting this peak from different countries. We update the complete expedition journey here.
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27 September: First Batch of Climber Arrived Kathmandu
Our very first batch of Ama Dablam expedition member arrived in Kathmandu pretty early of the scheduled expedition date to participate in the acclimatization hike and climb. Daniela Cason, teacher from Italy is in Nepal for Ama Dablam expedition. She has previously climbed 7,000m peak in India, 6,000m peak in Bolivia and Peru, and up to 4,000m peak in the Italian Alps.
On 13 October 2026, her friend Stefano Offer arrives Kathmandu, and fly to Lukla on 14th October and then join Daniela who is already exploring the Khumbu region around Namche on her own. Then, they will go to climb Mt. Lobuche with our experienced guide Lakpa Temba Sherpa, as acclimatization climb for the Ama Dablam.
Stefano has extensive mountaineering experience in the Alps, Africa, and South America including the peaks like Mont Blanc (4,808m / 15,774ft), the Matterhorn (4,478m / 14,692ft), and the Weiss horn (4,506m / 14,783ft) in the Alps, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m / 19,341ft) in Tanzania, and Aconcagua (6,961m / 22,838ft) in Argentina. He has also reached Camp III on Muztagh Ata (7,546m / 24,757ft) previously.
01 October: Second Climber Arrives in Kathmandu
Our second Ama Dablam climber, Andreas Auer, from Germany arrived in Kathmandu on 1 October 2026. He is undertaking an adventure trek to Renjo-La Pass at 5,415 m (17,766 ft), followed by an exploration of the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) area before crossing Cho-La Pass at 5,420 m. He will then climb Lobuche East Peak (6,119 m / 20,075 ft) as an acclimatization climb.
He is climbing the Lobuche East with our experienced climbing guide, Lakpa Temba Sherpa, who has climbed some of the 8,000 m giants, including Mount Everest (South) twice and Mount Lhotse twice. He has also made four ascents of Mount Ama Dablam and completed over 100 summits of popular 6,000 m peaks, including approximately 65 ascents of Island Peak and over 40 ascents of Lobuche Peak.
He left Kathmandu on 03rd October to Lukla with a morning thrilling flight and then hiking towards the Khumbu region following his itinerary of Phakding - Namche Bazzar - Renjo La - Gokyo - Cho La and climb Lobuche peak, and heads to Ama Dablam.
03 October: Another Batch Arrived in Kathmandu
We welcomed another batch of Ama Dablam climber cum fellow Island Peak climbers in Kathmandu on 3 October at 14:30 hrs.
Robert Jacek Polkowsky from Poland with his friends Ms. Maria Magdalena Zieciak, Mr. Jakub Laciak, Mr. Dariusz Jan Kasterlik, Ms. Renata Anna Laciak, and Ms. Aleksandra Barbara are in Nepal for adventurous trekking to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak climb.
Robert Jacek Polkowsky is an entrepreneur and mountaineer from Poland, who has climbed mountains across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. His climbing experience include Rysy in Poland, Gerlach in Slovakia, the Matterhorn (4,478 m), Grossglockner (3,798 m), Aconcagua (6,961 m), Mount Kazbek (5,054 m), and Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) and Peak Lenin (7,134 m). He has also climbed Cho Oyu (8,188 m) and Island Peak (6,189 m) in the Nepal Himalayas previously.
The group departed by jeep for Surke on 5 October and then trekked to Phakding with Satori Adventures’ experienced trekking cum climbing guide, Phurtenji Sherpa. Phurtenji has successfully climbed some 8,000 m peaks, including Mt. Everest twice, Mt. Cho Oyu, and Mt. Manaslu both once. He has also climbed Island Peak more than 50 times, Mera Peak more than 21 times, and Lobuche Peak four times. He was the first Nepali to ascend Arniko Chuli Peak 6,034 m (19,797 ft).
10 October: We Welcomed Ms. Sok Leng and Mr. Lukasz
We received and welcomed Ms. Sok Leng Chan from Macao (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China) and Mr. Lukasz Bartosz Stebelski from Poland in Kathmandu on 10 October for dream climb of Ama Dablam and an acclimatization climb of Island Peak (6,189 m).
On 12 October, both of them in a separate trekking program departed Kathmandu on a flight to Lukla with Satori Adventures’ experienced climbing guides. They then began their trek via Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp. After climbing Island Peak, both of them will return to Ama Dablam Base Camp to prepare for the Ama Dablam expedition.
12 October 2026: French Family Arrives in Kathmandu for Ama Dablam Expedition
Laurent Maurice Claude Milon, leader of Satori Ama Dablam Expedition - I, Autumn 2026, arrived in Kathmandu other family members. The Satori Adventures team warmly welcomed them at the airport and transferred to their hotel. The group includes Thierry Georges Dominique Milon, at his 70; Françoise Jeanne Mercelle, who will join the trekking journey without climbing any peaks; Alain Maurice Jacques Milon; and Nicolas Michel Thierry Milon.
Laurent is an experienced alpinist with skills in rock and ice climbing. His mountaineering experience includes Mont Blanc (4,805 m), Dôme des Neiges (4,015 m), and Strahlhorn (4,190 m) in Switzerland, along with various other peaks above 3,500 m across Europe. In 2023, Laurent expanded his high-altitude Himalayan mountaineering experience by climbing Himlung Himal (7,126 m) with Satori Adventures.
On 13 October, the family flew to Lukla to begin their adventurous journey into the Khumbu region. Their itinerary includes climbing Mera Peak (6,476 m / 21,247 ft), followed by crossing the challenging Amphu Laptsa Pass into the Imja Valley before proceeding to their Ama Dablam climbing expedition.
Mera Peak is one of Nepal’s most popular trekking peaks. Although the climb is considered relatively straightforward technically compared with many Himalayan mountains, it requires good physical fitness, proper acclimatization, and basic mountaineering skills.
Amphu Labtsa Pass, also spelled Amphu Lapcha or sometime Ama Lapcha, is a challenging high-altitude mountain pass connecting the Hongu Valley and Mera Peak region with the Imja Valley near Chukung and Island Peak. Standing at approximately 5,845 m (19,177 ft), the pass involves steep snow and ice slopes, exposed sections, and rope-assisted descents, requiring technical mountaineering skills and experience in high-altitude terrain.
The pass also holds historical significance in Himalayan exploration, as early Khumbu explorers crossed it during expeditions to explore the region in the 1950s. For Françoise Jeanne Mercelle who is only trekking and not climbing any peaks, Amphu Laptsa pass will be a demanding and memorable part of the Himalayas journey.
13-14 October 2026: More Climbers Arrive in Kathmandu for Ama Dablam Expedition
On 13 and 14 October, we welcomed more climbers arriving in Kathmandu for their Ama Dablam expedition. They include Ms. Julia Elzbieta Dzierzanowska and Ms. Marcjanna Ewa Sadowska from Poland; Mr. Parth Upadhyaya, Mr. Abhimanue Jalan, Mr. Pradeep Sahani, Ms. Avanti Rahul Khannapurkar, Ms. Anjali Mishra, Mr. Mehul Shah, Mr. Hites Kataria, Ms. Aditee Pradeep Sahani, and Nikoi Nabisee from India; and Mr. Robert Grobbauer from Austria.
The Indian team of climbers is led by mountaineer and Everest summiteer Parth Upadhyaya from Mumbai, India. He has done more than 800 treks in different parts of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas as a leader and trekker. On 23 May 2019, at the age of 24, Parth achieved his dream of summiting Mount Everest (8,848.86 m / 29,031.7 ft). Satori Adventures is proud to have been part of his journey towards fulfilling his Mount Everest dream. His Everest journey is documented in his film, Power of a Dream (2020).
Parth has also climbed several high-altitude peaks in the Indian Himalayas, including Deo Tibba (6,001 m / 19,688 ft), Kang Yatse II, and Mentok Kangri in Ladakh. Beyond climbing, he is a trek leader who leads hundreds of trekking trips, a mountain fitness coach, and a motivational speaker.
This time also, he will lead a group of eleven trekkers to the Everest Base Camp, climb Lobuche Peak with few fellow climbers, and will head towards Ama Dablam for the climb.
Senior Sherpa Sirdar and Base Camp Manager: Mingma Temba Sherpa
Mingma Temba, born in 1980 in Yamphu, Sankhuwasabha in the lap of Mt. Makalu, is an experienced Nepali mountaineer with extensive training in rescue, safety, mountaineering, and first aid and a great Sherpa of Satori Adventures. He has impressive climbing achievements, including Mt. Everest eleven times (6 times from the south side and 5 times via the north route) and other Himalayan giants such as Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m / 26,781 ft) six times, Mount Cho Oyu (8,188 m / 26,864 ft) three times, Mount Annapurna I (8,091 m / 26,545 ft), and Mount Lhotse (8,516 m / 27,940 ft) each one time.
His mountaineering experience extends to Mount K2 (8,611 m / 28,251 ft) in the Karakoram and Muztagh Ata (7,546 m / 24,757 ft) in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of Western China as well as in Caucasus. In 2017, he became the first Nepali citizen to summit Mount Kazbek (5,054 m /16,581 ft), located in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, as per his information.
Besides this, he has climbed several 7,000 m peaks, including Himlung Himal (7,126 m / 23,379 ft) four times, Ama Dablam (6,812 m / 22,349 ft) six times, and Putha Hiunchuli (7,246 m / 23,773 ft). Not surprisingly, Mingma has climbed Island Peak (6,189 m / 20,305 ft) 27 times, Mera Peak (6,476 m / 21,247 ft) 11 times, and Lobuche East Peak (6,119 m / 20,075 ft) 29 times. Moreover, he has climbed Chulu East, Chulu Far East, Pisang Peak, Yala Peak, and Nayakanga Peak.
He has now been acting as the Base Camp and Expedition Manager for many expedition teams on Everest, Himlung, Ama Dablam, Manaslu, etc. This time, he will be overseeing overall base camp management, Sherpa management, and Satori Ama Dablam Expedition - I and Satori Ama Dablam Expedition - II, Autumn 2026.
Sherpa Leader for Ama Dablam Expedition – I, Autumn 2026: Nima Sherpa
Nima Sherpa born 1995 is an accomplished Nepali climbing Sherpa, originating from Makalu, Sankhuwasabha. Affiliated with Satori Adventures (P.) Ltd. since its establishment, he has built a robust foundation in high-altitude guiding through extensive formal trainings and experience. His major training includes: Introductory Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Basic Rescue Training, Basic Mountaineering (2014), Guide Porter License Training (2016), Wilderness First Aid Training (2018), and the General Mountain Safety Course (2025).
Nima boasts an extraordinary track record on the world's highest peaks, highlighted by achieving the prestigious Himalayan "Triple Crown" in Spring 2026 by successfully summiting Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse in under 5 days. His extensive 8,000m resume includes 10 summits of Mt. Everest (8 via the South side from 2017 to 2026 and 2 via the North side in 2016 and 2018), 6 summits of Mt. Lhotse (from 2019 to 2026), 6 summits of Mt. Manaslu (from 2016 to 2025), along with successful ascents of Mt. Makalu (2023), Mt. K2 (2022), Mt. Nanga Parbat (2023), and Mt. Annapurna I (2026).
Beyond his 8,000m feats, Nima has proven his expertise across numerous 7,000m and 6,000m mountains. He has summited Mt. Amadablam 6 times (from 2016 to 2025), Mt. Himlung 5 times (from 2017 to 2024), Mt. Gyajikang (2021), and Mt. Nuptse (2026). He also brings vast guiding experience on technical 6,000m peaks, having recorded 14 summits of Mt. Lobuche East Peak, 9 of Mt. Island Peak, 6 of Mt. Mera Peak, 2 of Mt. Chulu West Peak, as well as successful ascents of Mt. Chulu East, Mt. Pisang Peak, and Mt. Dhampus. In April 2026, Nima Sherpa led a rare high-altitude life-saving rescue operation in Dhaulagiri in which a young Sherpa guide pulled down from around 7,800m after he fell around 300m.
Sherpa Leader for Ama Dablam Expedition – II, Autumn 2026: Rinjee Sherpa
Rinjee Sherpa is trained in high-altitude mountaineering including Introductory Rock Climbing (2008), Mountain Navigation (2010), Mountain Rescue Training (2010), Basic Mountaineering (2020), and Porter Guide License Training (2023). He has achieved notable summits across world’s most 8,000m and 7,000m peaks including Mount Dhaulagiri in 2009 and Mount Cho Oyu in 2011. In addition to scaling Mount Baruntse in 2012, he has conquered the iconic Mount Ama Dablam three times in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Rinjee has exceptional experience in popular 6,000-meter trekking peaks. Along with summiting Saribung Peak (2012) and Pokharkhang (2013), he has climbed Lobuche East Peak more than dozen times, Mera Peak over 50 times, and Island Peak: over 50 times.
He is overseeing the Ama Dablam expedition this season.
Other Sherpa guides climbing Ama Dablam with our mentioned climbers include Ongdak Sherpa (four-time Everest summiteer and two-time Ama Dablam summiteer), Lhakpa Sherpa (summited Everest, Makalu, Ama Dablam, and Himlung Himal), Dachhering Sherpa (summited Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam), and Lhakpa Temba Sherpa (two-time summiteer of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam). Other expert Sherpa guides include Palchen Tamang, Chhatemba Sherpa, Sumba Chhring Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pemba Rita Sherpa, Fura Temba Sherpa, Ang Chhiri Sherpa, Jangchub Dorji Sherpa, Pasang Gyajen Sherpa, and others.
We will keep updating about the progress…
Putha Hiunchuli Expedition
Putha Hiunchuli (7246m/23,772ft) is the westernmost peak of the Dhaulagiri range. It is the last 7,000m peak marking the end of the snow-capped range, and also sometimes referred to as Dhaulagiri VI. Dolpa is remote and less visited pristine wild region of Nepal, and thus the peak, Putha Hiunchuli as well.
Putha Hiunchuli is rarely climbed and has two distinct faces: a steep, technical ridge pioneered by the Japanese in the early 70’s and an easier snow climb up the northern flanks, the average angle does not exceed 35 degrees on this route. Satori Putha Hiunchuli is climbed from the easier snow slopes, ensuring safe and successful.
09 October 2026: Myriam Moschinger, Leader of Puth Hiunchuli Expedition Team Arrived in Kathmandu
Satori Adventures welcomed and received our first Putha Hiunchuli climber Myriam Moschinger from Switzerland to Kathmandu. She spent some days in Kathmandu and wait other members to arrive.
Next day, she toured around the Kathmandu valley.
11 October: Satori Welcomed More Climbing Members
On the 11th October, we received Mr. Huang Chun-Chieh from Taiwan for his Putha Hiunchuli climb. He had previously visited Nepal in 2023 for Island Peak. He had also summited Mt. Aconcagua (6,961 m), the highest mountain in South America, demonstrating his experience in both Himalayan and high-altitude mountaineering.
We received and welcomed Mr. Andrzej Hawryluk, a 63-year-old Polish engineer for the Putha Hiunchuli climb. He had visited Nepal in 2021, 2023, and 2024 for different peak. He has climbed Baruntse (7,129 m/23,389 ft), Mera Peak (6,476 m/21,246 ft), and Island Peak (6,189 m/20,305 ft) in the Nepal Himalayas, as well as Aconcagua (6,961 m/22,838 ft) in Argentina and Mont Blanc (4,808 m/15,774 ft) in the European Alps.
Later that evening, at 9:45 PM, we received Ms. Kiira Victoria Antenucci, a mountain guide in the North Cascades, and has climbed Mt. Rainier, and Denali; Mr. Domenick John Dematteo, a professional mountain guide in the United States with a strong technical climbing background; Ms. Erika Hart Birkeland, a mountain guide in Washington and ski patroller who has climbed Mt. Denali and peaks in Canada and New Zealand; and Mr. Joseph Taylor Schmitt, a mountain guide in Washington.
They are skiing in Putha Hiunchuli this time with Satori Adventures, a new adventure of its kind.
12 October: Preparation of the Permit, Briefing at the Department of Tourism
Today our climbers met with Sherpa Guides, and Leader. They took part in the gear and equipment check, final shopping, climbing permit issuance, and briefing in the Department of Tourism.
Leading the Expedition by Purnima Shrestha and Pemba Ongdi Sherpa
Purnima Shrestha, photojournalists by early profession, and one of the Nepal’s most revered female high-altitude mountaineers, and an Expedition Leader at Satori Adventures. Began her climbing with 8,000m mountain in 2017 by climbing Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m / 26,781 ft). By 2025, she had climbed eight 8,000-meter peaks, including Everest, Manaslu, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri and K2. She is also among the first two Nepali women to have successfully summited both Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, two of the world’s most challenging 8,000-meter peaks. She was the Satori Adventures Everest Expedition 2026 in Spring for her sixth Everest ascent.
She has built an extraordinary mountaineering legacy, summiting Mount Everest five times and making history in Spring 2024 as the first woman in the world to climb Everest three times in a single season, within just thirteen days. She is leading the Satori Putha Hiunchuli Expedition Autumn 2026.
Pemba Ongdi Sherpa is also taking the lead role in this expedition. He is highly skilled Nepali climbing Sherpa who is certified in Mountain Safety, First Aid, Rescue techniques, and basic Mountaineering. His formidable record includes Mt. Everest (five successful summits) with multiple ascents of 8,000m peaks like Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Lhotse. He has taken part in rope-fixing teams on Mt. Ama Dablam and on Mt. K2 up to Camp 4. He has successfully guided ascents on 6,000m peaks like Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche Peak multiple times.
They will lead the group alongside fellow Sherpa guides, including Ang Furba Sherpa, Lhakpa Dawa Sherpa, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, Ridar Lama Bhote, Santaman Tamang, and Tenje Chhumbi Sherpa.
13-14 October: Flew to Nepalgunj and then to Jufal in Dolpa
On the evening of 13th October, they flew to Nepalgunj, a border town in southwestern Nepal near the Nepal–India border. The following morning, on 14th October, they flew to Juphal Airport in the Dolpa region of western Nepal.
Dolpa is a remote and culturally distinctive district of Nepal, known for its dramatic Himalayan landscapes, traditional villages, ancient monasteries, and unique Tibetan-influenced culture, where ancient Bonpo religion, a pre-Buddhist era religion of Tibet is still alive. The region offers an authentic experience of remote and traditional Nepal.
From Juphal, they began their trek along the route through Dunai, Tarakot, Musikhola, Kakkotgoan, Yak Kharka, and Putha Phedi, reaching Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp in six days. This is a wild and authentic trekking adventure, with each day spent camping in remote settings amid the rugged Himalayan landscapes.
