Ama Dablam Expedition: Climb the Stunning Himalayan Peak

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Embark on a 29-day Mt. Everest AMA DABLAM Expedition and experience the stunning beauty of Ama Dablam. This challenging climb offers a magnificent setting, cultural immersion, and a safe route for climbers.

Duration: 28 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Arrival in Kathmandu, 1,300m

Kathmandu - Upon arriving at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, staff will warmly welcome and transfer guests to the hotel. Here, a guide will provide a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu, trekking/camping, do’s and don’ts, and other essential information needed for a pleasant stay in Nepal.

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Arrival in Kathmandu, 1,300m

A Day in Kathmandu with Half-Day Sightseeing

Swayambhunath - After the first night in Kathmandu, guests will be informed about the schedule for a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s attractions.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Located on a hill, Swayambhunath serves as both a Buddhist and Hindu temple. The origins of the Kathmandu Valley are closely tied to this temple. Also known as the Monkey Temple, its expansive, tree-filled grounds are home to many monkeys.

Pashupatinath Temple - Pashupatinath Temple is one of the world’s most sacred Hindu shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated 5 km east of the city center, the richly adorned pagoda houses the sacred Linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva.

Boudhanath Stupa - Boudhanath Stupa is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site. The white-domed stupa stands on a giant mandala. Built in the 5th century, Boudhanath is a vital center of Tibetan Buddhism. Legend has it that the bones of Kasyapa Buddha (one of Buddha’s incarnations) lie at the base of this stupa.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square - Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in Bhaktapur, one of the three medieval cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The royal square, constructed by the Malla royals, showcases some of the finest examples of ancient Newari art and architecture. The five-tiered pagoda temple Nyatapola, Palace of 55 Windows, Vatsala Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Duttaraya Temple, Pujari Math, Golden Gate, and more are cultural treasures of this beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and Trek to Phakding 2,650m, 3-4 hrs

Phakding - Transfer to the domestic airport for a remarkable flight over the Himalayas. If the sky is clear, passengers can catch their first glimpse of Mt. Everest. The Twin-Otter/Dornier or similar aircraft will take travelers to the hillside village of Lukla, the trek’s starting point. Here, meet the staff and porters and set off immediately for Phakding, located on the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, which drains the entire Khumbu region.

Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440m, 5-6 hrs

Namche Bazaar - The trek continues along the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, crossing it twice via small suspension bridges before reaching Monjo, the entrance to Khumbu National Park. Cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi rivers on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours to Namche Bazaar. This prosperous trading town is the capital of the Khumbu region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their goods, and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. It’s an excellent place to purchase authentic Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east are the impressive peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega.

A Day in Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar - Rest and leisure day to allow the body to acclimatize to the altitude of 11,300ft/3,440m.

Trek to Thyangboche 3,867m, 4-5 hrs

Thyangboche - The well-trodden Everest trail contours around the valley side high above the Dudh Kosi, offering splendid views of the great peaks of the Khumbu, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. After passing several villages and numerous tea shops, descend steeply to a bridge over the Dudh Kosi. The village on the far side is an excellent lunch spot, where one can rest before making the steep climb to Thyangboche. Although tiring, the two-hour ascent up the zig-zag path offers numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds, and superb mountain scenery. Thyangboche is renowned for its monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. It was completely destroyed by fire (an elderly monk tried to extinguish his new electric fire by pushing it face down onto the floor!) but has been rebuilt and is as grand as ever.

Trek to Pangboche 3,900m, 2-3 hrs

Pangboche - Descend gradually through woods, cross the Imja Tse Khola, and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This village is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6,856 m) and is a great place to stop for lunch and an overnight camp, offering excellent views of Ama Dablam, Kangtenga, and Thermasarkhu. The afternoon is free for a local hike to the upper village and a visit to the local old monastery.

Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp approx. 4,580m, 4-5 hrs

Mt. Ama Dablam - From the camp, descend towards the Imjatse River and cross the small wooden bridge. After the river, a steep 40-minute climb leads to a large meadow with a couple of shepherd huts. From here, the walk is on a gradual uphill path until reaching the base of Ama Dablam. The camp is on a large field beneath the towering majestic peak of Ama Dablam.

Rest Day at Base Camp

Mt. Ama Dablam - A rest day with an optional hike towards the advanced camp, offering wonderful views of the surrounding beautiful landscapes.

(12 days) Ascent of Ama Dablam

Mt. Ama Dablam - During these 12 days, participants will be engaged in dividing loads and checking equipment for the final ascent.

Predicting the exact day-by-day itinerary for this period is challenging. The team will be divided into climbing groups who will work on the mountain for several days before returning to rest at Base Camp. While one group is advancing the route and fixing ropes, another may be carrying loads to higher camps. Ray Delaney climbed the South West ridge of Ama Dablam with Joe Simpson in April 1990.

His route description is as follows: From Base Camp, follow old grassy moraine ridges roughly eastwards to a broad saddle from where one can see a Mingbo-La. From the saddle, turn north and climb up rocky ground and finally through boulders to the ridge below Pt.5, 705, which is the site of Camp I. There are four or five tent platforms.

From Camp I: Cross a rocky bowl (tricky if snow-covered) until below two rock fingers, then move onto the ridge proper. Climbing the ridge involves rock climbing of severe standard with steps of VS (USA 5.6). Camp II is at the top yellow tower, which presents one of the hardest pitches on the climb at VS/Hard VS (5.8).

From Camp II:
Skirt a red rock bluff on the east and follow a ramp line to a gray tower. Move into the ramp (some stone fall danger) and climb to an amphitheater. Continue up a broad gully between the gray tower and the lower rock buttress and climb a snow slope to ‘Santa’s Grotto’ at the start of Mushroom Ridge. Possible bivvy site. Follow the Mushroom Ridge to a crevasse in the upper face, which offers another good bivvy site. Climb the snow/ice slope to the right of the face, then follow mixed ground to the top of the highest hanging glacier. An ice crest now leads in a magnificent position to the summit.

Grand Views! Everyone needs to be back at the base camp by Day 21-22. At this point, the porters will arrive for the walk out to Lukla.