True spirit of adventure since 1990
Nepal Environmental Trek
Nepal Environmental
Treks & Expedition

Ama Dablam Expedition

Best Price
Price starting from $7,000
US $ 6,500 per person
Duration
30 days
Max. Elevation
6812m
Group size
Min 1
Level
MODERATE
Transportation
Ktm-Lukla-Ktm by Flight
Best Season
Autumn: SEP-OCT-NOV Spring: MAR-APR-MAY
Accomodation
Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu. Camping Accommodation during Expedition
Meals
3 Meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Starts at/ Ends at
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Trip Route
{ Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding - Namche Bazaar - Tyangboche - Ama Dablam Base Camp - Climbing Period - Ama Dablam Base Camp - Namche Bazaar - Phakding - Lukla - Kathmandu }

Highlights

    • Ama Dablam Base camp (4600 m): Situated on a large grassy meadow with a wonderful view.
    • Yak camp (5400 m): Yaks carry most of our equipment for this section, which saves three to four hours of heavy work. 
    • Camp I (5800 m): First real camp which is only one and a half hours walk above Yak camp. 
    • Camp II: Situated on top of the Yellow Tower on a narrow platform, this camp site is rather exposed and has fantastic views. 
    • Camp III: It is the only safe flat piece of real estate within range of the summit.
    • Summit (6812m.): Five of the world’s six highest peaks are clearly visible, with many other 7000m and lesser peaks filling the gaps.


Overview

The 30 day Ama Dablam Expedition starts from Lukla. You will trek through Namche Bazar, Tyangboche, Ama Dablam base camp where you will prepare for the expedition. While trekking to the base camp, you will enjoy the Sherpa culture and hospitality.

Ama Dablam is perhaps one of the beautiful and prettiest mountains there is. Located just 12 km away from Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam Peak is 6812m. tall with soaring ridgelines and steep faces.

In Sherpa language Ama Dablam means “mother’s necklace” and is also popularly known as the Matterhorn of the Himalayas. Climbing Ama Dablam is economically viable as compared to other mountains but equally thrilling and adventurous.

The members of the first expedition team to climb Ama Dablam successfully were Mike Gill (NZ), Barry Bishop (USA), Mike Ward (UK) and Wally Romanes (NZ). They climbed it on 13 March 1961 via the Southwest Ridge.

Ama Dablam can be climbed either through Southwest Ridge or North Ridge though Southwest Ridge is usually the most preferred route. The base camp is prepared at the height of 5800m where you will spend a day acclimatizing and learning glacier walking and rope fixing. A total of three camps is set up on the approach to the peak. Much of the trail up consist walking through ice, ridges and rocks.  

The challenges climbers often face when reaching the peak include blizzards, steep seracs and ice falling off. Once you reach the summit you will enjoy a panorama of mountains all around you. Among others, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Island Peak are clearly visible. The total duration for climbing Ama Dablam peak is about 30 days which involves trekking through Lukla, Namche, Pangboche, where you can enjoy Sherpa culture and hospitality as well as natural wildlife and biodiversity. 

The best season to climb Ama Dablam is either during Spring (March, April, May) or Autumn (September, October, November). 

Those interested for Ama Dablam expedition should have some experience of climbing and know the basics of mountaineering at least. However, Nepal Environmental Treks & Expedition has a team of experienced Sherpas who have already climbed Ama Dablam and equally experienced guides and porters to help you achieve your goal. We will arrange all climbing and trekking permits and make provision for necessary expedition logistics.

Important Note

Note: There are different categories of Hotels in Kathmandu ranging from budget to 5 star hotels. We are happy to arrange your hotel accommodation in Kathmandu as per your interest and budget. Please inform us in advance about the type or category or price range of hotel that you would like to stay in. 

Trip Itinerary

Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Max. altitude

1400m

Accomodation

Hotel

Preparation day in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Max. altitude

1400m

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla takes approximately 30 minutes and then trek to Phakding. Early in the morning you will be driven from your hotel to the Kathmandu airport, after a 30 minute spectacular flight you will land at Lukla airport (2800m.).You begin your trek to Phakding (2652m.) and walk for about two and a half to three hours. While trekking you head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail to Phakding (2652m.) Stay overnight at a lodge in Phakding.

Max. altitude

2800m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) takes about 5 to 5 and a half hours. This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo(2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the views of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the village monasteries trekking along the way to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.). Stay overnight at lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Max. altitude

3440m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Rest at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion around the places. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk up to Khunde Hospital which was set up by the late Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for outstanding views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Center and Museum just above the town. Stay overnight at lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Max. altitude

3440m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3850 m.) which takes almost 5 hours. From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. From here, you can catch a glimpse of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, the trail descends steeply to a bridge over the river Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga (3250m.). The village has an excellent place for lunch and you can take a short rest before making the steep climb to Tyangboche. Stay overnight at lodge in Tyangboche.

Max. altitude

3850m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Trek from Tyangboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4600m.). Stay overnight at camp.

Max. altitude

4600m

Accomodation

Camp

Meals

BLD
Climbing period for Ama Dablam. Stay overnight at camp.

Base camp (4600 m): Situated on a large grassy meadow with a wonderful views.

Yak camp (5400 m): Yaks carry most of our equipment for this section, which saves three to four hours of heavy work. There is a rough track over very rocky terrain, which we and the yaks use.

Camp I (5800 m): Your first real camp is only one and a half hours walk above Yak camp. This section is marked by rock cairns and involves boulder hopping and some easy scrambling. You sometimes fix a couple of sections with rope to be used as a handrail.

Camp I to Camp II (6000 m): Now, you begin your climb. This route mostly involves rock climbing. You follow a narrow ridge, switching back and forth on each side of the ridge. This is the hardest rock climbing of the entire route. In places the exposure is extreme and you will be grateful for the fixed ropes in place. You can also use your jumar to help you over the odd spots of difficulties. Most of the climbing on this section is traversing on rock, so good rock climbing skills will help you move efficiently and quickly over this terrain.

Camp II: Situated on top of the Yellow Tower on a narrow platform, this camp site is rather exposed and has fantastic views. If you dropped your cup from here, it would probably land in base camp!

Camp II to Camp III (6300m): Now, for the hardest snow and ice pitches of the route we follow a system of steep snow and ice gullies up to join a feature called the Mushroom Ridge. Whilst the ridge itself is not as technical as the gullies leading up to it, the exposure here is palpable. It is a narrow, windy, snow mushroom-like ridge with giant Himalayan peaks in the background. This feature leads us up onto a small plateau at 6300 m, which serves the purpose of camp three.

Camp III: A cold and exposed position is the start of your summit push. The Sherpas will often use a full climbing rope to tie our tents down as the natural shape of the mountain can at times unfortunately funnel the wind to this location. It is, however, the only safe flat piece of real estate within range of the summit.

Summit day (6812m.): The initial route is to the right of the huge “Dablam” (ice cliff), up a moderately steep slope. Once past this feature we move toward the centre of the face. The angle eases slightly and a couple of tough hours later we emerge on the summit (6812 m). The summit is the size of a tennis court and allows us to move around and take pictures. Five of the world’s six highest peaks are clearly visible, with many other 7000m and lesser peaks filling the gaps.

Max. altitude

8656mm

Accomodation

Camp

Meals

BLD

Trek from Ama Dablam Base camp to Namche. Stay overnight at lodge.

Max. altitude

3440m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Trek from Namche Bazaar to Phakding (2652m.) which takes about four hours. The trail descends steeply for early one and a half hours. After that, the path has small ups and downs to Phakding through Monjo. Stay overnight at lodge.

Max. altitude

2652m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Trek from Phakding to Lukla (2886m) which takes about three hours. Your final day's trekking follows the Dudh Koshi back down to Lukla. Stay overnight at lodge.

Max. altitude

2886m

Accomodation

Lodge

Meals

BLD

Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Max. altitude

1400m

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Rest day in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Max. altitude

1400m

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

BLD

Fly out from Kathmandu.

Max. altitude

1400m

Meals

Breakfast
Not satisfied with this itinerary? Make your own.
Plan My Trip

Includes

    a) Kathmandu

    Pick-up and drop-off service
    All airport pick-up and drop-off services by private vehicle

    Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
    5 night hotel accommodation with breakfast

    Sightseeing in Kathmandu 
    One full day city sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley with private A/C vehicle and English speaking tour guide including entrance fees

    Farewell Dinner 
    Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening 

    Souvenir 


    b) Trekking and Climbing

    Flight Tickets
    Flight tickets from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu 

    All permits
    Expedition royalty and permit from Government of Nepal to climb Ama Dablam, entry permit for Sagarmatha National Park, TIMS card and Local government entrance fee    

    Liaison Officer
    1 Government Liaison officer with full equipment, salary, accommodation, transportation and insurance as per government rule 

    Garbage Management Fee
    Garbage transfer & garbage disposal fees

    Insurance
    Medical & Emergency rescue insurance for all involved Nepalese staffs during the entire trip as per government rule

    Expedition Stuffs Transportation
    All necessary equipment transportation for all climbing members and staffs from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu by air cargo, Lukla to Base Camp and back to Lukla by porters / yaks

    Member Luggage
    Up to 50 Kg per member for personal baggage during the trek carrying by porters /yaks

    Food 
    3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) including tea and coffee during the trek and Base Camp, appropriate foods for high altitude to all climbing crews at Base Camp and above

    Lodging
    Lodge based accommodation during the trek, and well-managed Base Camp set up for climbing members & Staff at Base Camp

    Porters
    Porter per member up to Base Camp from Lukla and from Base Camp to Lukla

    Base Camp Staffs
    Experienced and well-trained Base Camp Cook & kitchen helpers as per group size

    Staff Salary and allowance
    All involved Nepalese staffs & porter’s daily wages, salary, equipment, foods & clothing 

    Base Camp Tent
    Each member will have individual tent in Base Camp

    Base Camp equipment
    Foam mattresses and pillow per member, 1 Dinning tent, 1 Kitchen tent, 1 Communication tent, 1 Toilet & 1 Shower tents, 1 Staffs tent, 1 tent for Nepalese Base Camp staffs, store tents, Tables, chairs & all necessary cooking gears like Epi gas, high pots, stove, etc.

    Tents for High Camps
    All tents for Camp 1, 2, 3 and 4  

    Heater
    Heater at Base Camp in each Dining and other necessary camp

    Solar/Generator
    1 Solar panel and generator for lights and battery charge for laptop and other electronic devices at Base Camp   

    High Altitude Climbing Sherpa
    Personal climbing guide/Sherpa (1 climbing member will have 1 climbing guide who is trained, experienced and Government license holder)
     
    Climbing Sherpa Salary & Allowance
    Salary, equipment, meals and clothing for climbing guide

    Bonus
    Carry bonus of Sherpas and route fixing charges 

    Oxygen (O2) Bottle as Back up Sets
    Back up Oxygen Cylinder, mask and regulator (with appropriate additional charge) 

    High Camp Services
    High Altitude Tents, EPI gas, cooking pots, High altitude food for member, Sherpa and other crews at (C1), (C2) and (C3) 

    Ropes
    All required fixed and dynamic rope during the climbing

    Rope Fixing Team 
    The team of experienced Sherpa will fix the route in Everest (no extra charge will be applied to members)

    Satellite Phone 
    Satellite Phone for emergency communication available for members with appropriate charge 

    Walkie-Talkie
    Walkie –Talkie for communication from Base Camp to Mountain and Mountain to Base Camp

    Permits
    Satellite Phone / walkie-talkie permits

    First Aid Kit
    Comprehensive Medical kit for members and staffs

    Certificate
    Certificate (Ama Dablam climbing certificate issued by Tourism Ministry after climbing Mt. Ama Dablam successfully)

    Tax and VAT
    Tax, VAT and our service charge

Doesn't Include

    Lunch & Dinner
    Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (also in case of early return from trekking / expedition than the scheduled itinerary)

    Extra night in Kathmandu
    Extra nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu (even in case of early arrival or late departure, early return from trekking / expedition due to any reason than the scheduled itinerary)

    Travel Insurance 
    Medical and personal high risk travel insurance which should cover helicopter evacuation cost and medical treatment cost incase required

    Rescue Evacuation
    Medical and emergency rescue evacuation cost if required (Rescue, Repatriation, Helicopter, Medication, Medical Tests and Hospitalization costs)

    Personal Expenses
    Telephone calls, internet, toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers and any alcoholic beverages (However we will provide soft drinks for members at base camp)

    Personal Equipment
    Clothing, packing items or bags, personal medical kit, personal trekking /climbing Gears

    Toiletries
    Soaps, shampoos, toilet and tissue papers, toothpaste, and your other personal items used to keep yourself clean 

    Filming
    Permit fee for special filming by using camera or drone 

    Internet
    Internet service is available with extra charge during the trek and Base Camp  

    Summit Bonus
    Summit bonus for climbing Sherpa 

    Tips
    Tips for Base Camp and other involved staffs

    Service above Base Camp
    If you are taking just Base Camp services, then there will be zero service from company above base camp 

    Rope Fixing
    The cost for using fixed rope during the expedition will apply to base camp service users 

    Extra services 
    Any other services or activities which are not mentioned in the itinerary

Equipment List

Mountaineering Equipment
Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet, Harness, Lock and unlock Carabineers, Shovel, Climbing pack, Rope, Ski poles, Desender/abseil device, Jummer (Asender), Tapes, Prusik Loops, Rappel device, Hand Warmer (if possible)

Clothing and Wears
Trekking shoes with spare laces, Mountaineering Boots, Plastic or leather for mountaineering boots, Gore-Tex pants, Long shorts, Insulated Parka, Jumper, Waterproof Jackets, Down Jacket, Fleece Vest, Wool cap, Neck Gaiter, Gloves, Climbing Socks, Thermal Underwear, Sandals, Snow Goggle

Essential Gears
Backpack, Duffle bag, Sleeping Bag, sleeping pad, Tents

Gadgets
Map, Compass, Camera, GPS, Two way radios, Binoculars, Head Lamp, Flashlight

Sun Protection Items
Sun glasses, sun scream, Lip balm,

Medical
First aid Kit (Brufen / Ibuprofens, Antibiotic, Diamox, Paracetamol, Handy Plaster, Crack Bandage, Tincture Iodine, etc.)

Other Essentials
Energy Bars, Water bottle, Water Purification Tablets, Toiletries, Trekking poles, Pocket knife, raincoat, Satellite Phone, Altimeter

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Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal