Dawa first reached the summit of Makalu (8485 m) in the Spring of 2001 without supplementary oxygen along with his brother Mingma Sherpa. He and his brother Mingma Sherpa attained the Guinness world record of World's First Two Brothers to successfully summit the fourteen mountains of the world which are over 8000 meters in height. Sherpa brothers used supplementary oxygen only on four highest 8000ers among all fourteen. They now operate the expedition company named Seven Summits Treks, which organize climbs and treks throughout Nepal, Pakistan and China.