• Duration:25 Nights 26 Days
  • Max. Altitude: 6812m
  • Group Size: 2-6
  • Activity: Trekking & Climbing
  • Pick Up: TIA Airport

About Ama Dablam Expedition

The ascent of the mighty Mount Ama Dablam via the South West Ridge, is one of the most beautiful climbs in the Himalaya of Nepal. Ama Dablam, at 6812 meters, might be less in height compared to other 7000m mountains but is compensated by its technical challenges. Perhaps the trickiest part of the climb is a 15 meter vertical section, referred to as the 'Yellow Tower', just below Camp II.

Ama means 'Mother' and Dablam means 'Jewel'. Ama Dablam is beautifully adorned by two ridges of snow joined by a hanging glacier that looks like the jewel, just as the traditional necklace worn by Sherpa Women with a pendant hanging from it. Not only is the mountain itself magnificent, from the summit of Ama Dablam, there are stunning views of Everest as well as Nuptse, Baruntse and Pumari, Lhotse Shar, Makalu and Cho Oyu.

The exciting trekking to Ama Dablam Base Camp winds through the Sherpa homeland above Tengboche monastery. The trail to Ama Dablam base camp branches off of the well-worn path to Everest Base Camp and follows the original line of ascent on the South West Ridge. The rocky trail becomes increasingly snowy nearing the approach to the summit of Ama Dablam.

We follow the original line of ascent via the southwest ridge, which is technically challenging (fairly) under normal conditions with enough rock, snow and ice to make it an interesting climb. The amount of snowfall determines the proportions of rock, snow and ice on the trail. The best time for Ama Dablam Expedition is during Autumn season( October and November) when the weather is cold but fairly predictable. Spring season is also possible. The route is less slippery underfoot during colder weather. There are good camp platforms at strategic points. Our competent Local Sherpa climbing team provides technical support and confident leadership during your Ama Dablam Expedition.
 

Ama Dablam Expedition Strategy:

Advanced Base Camp, 4750m, to Camp I, 5700m

The view from base camp is incredible: a stream meanders though the grassy meadows; the massif of Ama Dablam towers above; the valley Mount Taweche opens below. From here, the path winds eastward through grassy moraine ridges and scree (often icy) until reaching a broad plateau at 5150m, from where you can see the Mingbo La pass. From the plateau the trail leads north and climbs steeply to a large boulder field. We set up Advanced Base Camp, 5300m just below the bolder field.

At the end of the boulder field, slabs traverse deep crevices and to access the proper ridge there is an ascent using fixed ropes. An easy scramble up the east side of the ridge reaches Camp I at 5700m, where there are four or five tent platforms.

Camp I, 5700m to Camp II, 5900m

From Camp I, the trail follows an exposed rocky ridge dotted with towering rock fingers. The ridge is narrow at times and more crevices to be traversed on slabs.

Easy ground is followed to the start of a traverse on the east face which leads to the base of Yellow Tower. To reach Camp II, at 5900m, there is a sharp 15 meter pitch where fixed ropes are used. This is the hardest pitch on the climb. Camp II is extremely exposed, and there is very limited tent space.

Camp II, 5900m to Camp III 6300m

From Camp II, the route is more ‘mixed’ with snow and iced-up rock. The trail skirts an outcropping of red rocks and drops down to follow a snowy ridge, traversing a gorge between the Grey Tower and the lower rock wall. There are some steep snowy sections of this bottomless snowy ravine to negotiate before the trail reaches the popular Mushroom Ridge 6300m, a sheltered spot on the east side of the ridge.

Summit Day: Ama Dablam

The biggest challenges of Summit day are the snowy conditions and altitude. The trail climbs above on snow and ice to the east side of Ama Dablam. You continue to skirt the hanging glacier, or Dablam, to a small snowfield and then the climb heads directly up snow slopes to the obvious ice crest. Ice fields lead up to a highly exposed and then meets up with the 40–60 degree snow rib followed by the magnificent summit. Amazing views of Everest, Nuptse, Baruntse and Pumori, Lhotse Shar, Makalu ,Cho Oyu from the summit awaits.

Planning to climb Ama Dablam in 2023 and 2024 !!

Guaranteed Departures. We are preparing for our Spring/Autumn 2023 dates and groups for Ama Dablam Expediiton. Please get in touch for further details and book your spot for this beautiful climb.

Highlights of Ama Dablam Expedition

  • a magnificent mountain in the middle of Khumbu region
  • Stunning summit view including Nuptse, Baruntse and Pumari, Lhotse Shar, Makalu , Cho Oyu, and Mt. Everest
  • climb with our Local Sherpa Guides who has summited Ama Dablam several times
  • technically interesting route to the summit
  • experience Sherpa culture and people
  • well set up camps and logistics at camps during your Ama Dablam Expedition
  • climb one of the most stunning mountains in the Himalaya of Nepal.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, 1,300m/4,265 ft

Flying to Kathmandu is in itself an exciting and memorable experience. On a clear day, you will get a panoramic view of the snow-capped towering peaks. After completing the visa formalities in airport, collect your luggage downstairs. As you exit the airport terminal, you will be welcomed by one of our representatives carrying your name on our company’s’ signboard, Annapurna Foothills Treks & Expedition. Moving forward, you’ll be taken to your hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Once you reach at hotel, you’ll be welcomed by them as well and after that you can relax in your room.

  • Hotel

The Managing Director of our company will be there to meet you in the hotel and provide more information about the expedition. Your dues must be cleared before we proceed on the trip. We will finalize paperwork-permit for your trip and make a final check of your climbing equipment. In case you need additional trekking equipment, you will have a chance to buy it today. Sightseeing tours of Kathmandu Valley are also an option.

  • Breakfast and Welcome Dinner
  • Hotel

We head to the domestic airport for our early morning flight to Lukla. From the twin otter plane, we will enjoy some amazing views of several of the world’s highest mountains including Cho Oyu, 8153m, Lhotse, 8516m, Gauri Shankar, 7145m, Menlungtse, 7181m, and Mount Everest.

At Lukla, our support crew will be waiting to welcome us. After distributing our luggage among the strong Sherpa porters who will so cheerfully carry our burdens for the trip, we set out downhill into the Dudh Koshi (milk river) Valley. The trails in these parts reflect the large roll Tibetan Buddhism plays in the lives of the Sherpa people. There are many mani stones, which are large stones with Tibetan prayers chiseled into them, all along the trails. You will soon become familiar with the customary way of passing chortens, mani stones, and prayer wheels in a clockwise direction. We reach Phakdingma, a small village beside the Dudh Kosi River. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

Today will be one of the hardest days of the trek. So, we take it slowly, giving our body a chance to acclimatize and our senses a chance to take in the sights into the heart of Khumbu. From Phakding, the trail follows Dudh Koshi valley north for 2-3 hours to Monjo, the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. There is a good view of Thamserku, 6608m. We follow the river to the Hillary Bridge, a fantastic suspension bridge that spans the deep chasm over the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi. From here, it is a tough climb to Namche. The trail continues to climb through pine forest. About half way up there, is a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt. Everest rising majestically from behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse.

Namche is a beautiful village in itself with colorful houses and lodges and prayer flags, and the setting is majestic as it is spread on the steep sides of a horse-shoe shaped valley facing the beautiful Kongde Ri Peak. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

If we are acclimatizing well, we will want to walk up a hill for spectacular viewpoint where we can see all the way up the Imja Khola Valley to where the glacial moraine begins below the towering Mt Everest, 8848 m. Other spectacular peaks vosoble from here are Taweche, 6542m, Thamserku, 6808m, Kantega, 6685 m, Ama Dablam, 6856m, Nuptse, 7896m and Lhotse, 8511m. Besides, the great bazaar with a wonderful variety of shops to visit, today gives us a chance to visit the Sherpa Cultural Centre which has an interesting collection of mountaineering items and photographs. There is also the option of a day walk to the pretty village of Khumjung where Sir Edmund Hillary built his “Schoolhouse in the Clouds” and the famed Khunde hospital. We can see the “scalp of a yeti” at Khumjung monastery.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

Today, we follow the Classic Everest Base Camp trail and enjoy one of the most scenic days of our trek. We start with a short, steep climb out of Namche up to a ridge which meanders above the Imja Khola. As we hike along, we get spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and also the beautiful Ama Dablam. We descend through rhododendron forest to Phunki Tenga near the Dudh Kosi where we will have our lunch. A suspension bridge takes us across the river and we start an ascent of about 1 hr through pine and rhododendron forest. We will likely spot some wildlife such as Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer and pheasants while passing through the forests. The trail becomes less steep after leaving the forest. We climb for another 1.5 hours through grassy meadow to reach the Tengboche monastery on the crest of a long ridge which stretches to the summit of Kantega. Sir Edmund Hillary helped to re-build this famous monastery after it was destroyed by fire in 1989. From Tengboche, the views of the Everest massif as well as all the other major peaks of the area will be totally spellbinding.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

Today's trail descends through a beautiful forest, then crosses Imja Khola (river) and passes through the village of Pangboche. The route continues through summer pastures where yak grazes, to the beautiful Ama Dablam Base Camp.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

We will allocate approx. 14 Days for climbing duration. We will do one rotation climb up to Camp III before pushing for our summit of Ama Dablam. Health and safety, acclimatization, planning, team work is absolutely crucial. Of course, we have to move with weather conditions on the mountain as well.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Lodge/ Camping

We trek down and again pass through Pangboche village, the same trail we used on the way up. The trail leads down to a river. After crossing the river, we walk for an hour up through the forest and reach Tengboche. Afterwards, we continue our journey to Namche.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

Boosted by all our new red blood cells, we rush down the footpath toward Sagarmatha National Park gate, in Jorsale. Later, Lukla's footpath leads us back to the first villages we saw two weeks ago: Gumila, Phakdingma, and Choplung. The high peaks disappear behind the hills. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with your sherpa guides and porters, and a good chance to sample some chhyang, try Nepali and Sherpa dance and look back on the memorable trekking experiences. The staff will be hoping for some precious and well deserved tips.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/ Lodge

You will take an early morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

After breakfast, there will be free time for souvenir shopping and other independent activities.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

We will accompany you to the International Airport in time to board your flight.

  • Breakfast

What's Included

Ama Dablam Expedition 2023 and 2024

1 Member: 1 Sherpa Cost: $ 6000 USD per person 
 

  1. Airport – Hotel- Airport transportation
  2. 4 nights' Accommodation in standard Hotel Holy Himlaya in Kathmandu- bed and breakfast basis
  3. National Park fees and Expedition permit
  4. Camping equipments: sleeping tent and foam mattress, Dining tent, Kitchen tent and Toilet tent
  5. Dining Tables, Chairs and Kitchen equipments
  6. Three meals a day during the trek and camping (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  7. Energy Supplies (Snickers, Mars, Bounty) and Fresh Fruits on the Trek
  8. Annapurna Foothills Tshirt
  9. Base Camp Manager, Cook, Kitchen boys and Porters for your trip
  10. Camping and Kitchen equipment
  11. Daily wages for Porters and all Nepali staff
  12. Insurance for Porters and all Nepali staff
  13. Equipment for Porters and Nepali staff
  14. Government Liaison officer, his all allowance, food, tent
  15. Nepali culture show with dinner
  16. All the land transportation mentioned in the itinerary
  17. Gamow Bag and emergency oxygen
  18. Satellite phone service (pay calls)
  19. Welcome dinner with Nepali culture show
  20. Celebration Dinner last night in Kathmandu
  21. Solar panel for batteries charges and lights
  22. Garbage Fee
  23. Kathmandu -Lukla - Kathmandu flights with Cargo 50 KG Per member
  24. Above Base Camp, High Altitude Tents, High Altitude Meals, EP Gas burner and cooking pot for members
  25. 1 Member: 1 Climbing Sherpa
  26. Walkie Talkie Permit
  27.  Group climbing gears, fixed and dynamic rope required during the climb.

What’s Excluded

  1. Your personal equipment for climbing & trekking.
  2. Your personal & medical insurance during the expedition.
  3. Lunches & dinners in Kathmandu
  4. Emergency Rescue evacuation by helicopter if required
  5. Permits for Client's personal Radio set or Satellite phone

Advice for tipping support staffs and Summit bonus for Climbing Sherpa

  1. USD 100- 150 for support staff/helpers/ porters, who stay at the base camp / Lukla-base camp - Lukla
  2. USD 200 - 300 for Base Camp Cook /Guide who manages the base camp
  3. USD 400-600 for Climbing Sherpa who accompanies you up to the top of the summit

Useful Info

Ama Dablam Expedition Packing List:

“There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Alfred Wainwright

Are you planning your dream trip to the Himalaya of Nepal? Make sure you have packed well for your hiking, trekking and climbing experiences in Nepal. The time period of your visit also determines your packing list. The best trekking seasons for beginning your Ama Dablam Expedition are spring and autumn. During these seasons, maximum flow of trekkers can be witnessed. Weather during spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November) are likely to be mild with clear blue sky and outstanding mountain views. But nights can get freezing cold at higher elevation. So, packing appropriate clothing, gear, and equipments for your Ama Dablam Expedition is a must for lifetime memorable trekking and climbing experience in Everest region of Nepal.

A strategically way of packing will be keeping in mind that your stuffs will be packed in two bags. One will be the daypack that you carry every day on your trek. Pack your daypack as light as possible by carrying only the essentials so that you can relish your moments in wilderness freely. Pack anything you may need each day during your hike in your daypack. Other bag will be your duffle bag which will be carried by your Porter from the very beginning of your trek till the end.

 

Upper Body:

  • Warm beanie hat
  • Tubular Headwear (buff)
  • Sun Hat or Cap (cap and buff all fit under your hood)
  • Polarized Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Headlamp (Black Diamond / Petzl) with spare batteries
  • Sunscreen with factor 50+
  • Upper Body (Core body):
  • 3 Light and trekking weight thermal tops
  • 3 T-shirts or cool-max trekking shirts
  • 1 Fleece Jacket or pull over (Merino, soft shell)
  • 1 Waterproof shell jacket with hood (lightweight, breathable)
  • 1 Down Jacket

Lower Body:

  • 2 Thermal base layers (merino or polartec power dry)
  • 2 Pairs trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts.
  • 1 Heavy weight hiking trousers (wind proof soft shell for warmth at higher altitude)
  • 1 Waterproof/ Rain pants
  • 2 Light Hiking shorts
  • 2 Fleece Pants
  • 4 Under wears (merino)

Hands:

  • 1 Lightweight gloves or liner gloves
  • 1 Pair shell gloves (Gore-Tex)
  • 1 Waterproof outer glove

Feet:

  • 3 Warm Trekking socks (smart wool)
  • 3 Pairs of liner socks
  • 2 Pairs of thick/ warm socks
  • 2 Thick wool socks to wear at night in lodges
  • Trekking Boots (waterproof, ankle support with rigid sole)
  • Lightweight Rubber Shoes / Trainers / Trail Runner to wear at the Tea Houses

Accessories:

  • 1 Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches) 40 - 50 Liters
  • 2 Water bottle or camel bag, 1-liter (one with an insulated cover is recommended)
  • Large duffle bag (and a lock as the porters will carry this)
  • A pair of adjustable Trekking Pole
  • Camera with extra battery
  • Sleeping bag (- 15 C depending upon trips)
  • Sleeping Bag liner
  • Ear Plugs
  • Portable Solar Charger
  • Smart Trekking Watch

Personal First Aid Kit:

Please do note that our trekking guides will be too carrying the first aid kit with them especially for the guests and the entire team as a whole. Still, we suggest the following items to be carried with you while trekking in the Himalaya of Nepal.

  • Personal Medication
  • Diarrhea Stopper (e.g. Imodium)
  • Paracetamol Tablets
  • Small Swiss Army knife (which has knife, scissors and tweezers)
  • Diamox for altitude (consult your doctor about this)
  • Water Purification tablets or drops
  • Blister kit / Zinc Tape
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Dressing Gauze
  • Antibiotic Cream