Ama Dablam Expedition

Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and s/he will be displaying a Heaven Himalaya signboard outside the airport terminal. You will then be transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.

Max. Altitude: Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Meals not included

Formal briefing at the Ministry of Tourism. The expedition leader will check that everyone’s equipment is in working order or not.

Overnight at a Hotel

Breakfast included

It is the Final opportunity for last-minute purchases.

Overnight at a Hotel

Breakfast included

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will come to pick you up for an exciting flight to Lukla. All the flights to Lukla will either be from Kathmandu Airport or Ramechhap Airport and are scheduled in the morning. It’s because the wind picks up in the afternoon and it becomes hard to fly.

After a thrilling flight, you will start your trek to Everest Base Camp. Before the start, you will meet porters at the airport who will carry most of your loads.

After you make yourself ready, the tour guide will make his way along the busy street to the start of the trek down to Phakding. You will walk along the Dudh Koshi River and the alpine forest with the amazing sounds of nature. You will then cross the suspension bridge to reach Phakding. Walking above the swinging bridge will add a thrill to your journey.

Duration: 35 mins flight from KTM & 25 mins flight from Manthali, 3-4 hrs trek

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We begin the five-hour trek along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar, known as the “Gateway to Everest,” is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange, an internet cafe and a bakery. Namche (3,440 m) is one of the biggest villages along the whole Everest trail.

Max. Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Duration: 5-6 hrs trek

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A day will be spent in Namche in order to adjust to the high altitude. We’ll go on a short trek to a museum celebrating the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. We will also hike up to the Everest View Hotel. From this point can be seen rewarding views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam with a stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks.

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi, with magnificent views of the mountains. We trek to an altitude of 3,860 meters today. After five hours, we’ll reach Tengboche, where the local monastery can be seen. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a twenty-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. The group will be taken to observe a prayer ceremony in either the evening or morning, depending on how the day’s trekking progresses.

Max. Altitude: Tengboche (3,860 m)

Duration: 5-6 hrs trek

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Tengboche, the trail drops to Deboche (3820 m/12,532.81 ft), crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola and climbs to Pangboche village.

Max. Altitude: Pangboche (3,930 m)

Duration: 2-3 hrs trek

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Base camp is located in an idyllic spot from which the majority of the route is visible. At an altitude of about 4,600 m, it provides a comfortable escape from the rigours of the climb. Our porters deposit their loads and leave us here for the next three weeks, with only our Sirdar, Sherpas and culinary staff remaining.

Max. Altitude: Ama Dablam Base Camp (4,600 m)

Duration: 5-6 hrs trek

Overnight at a tented camp

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is another day for acclimatisation.

Overnight at a tented camp

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We do not provide a day-to-day itinerary for the climb period, as this will be determined by the expedition leader and members. The preparation  for the remainder of the expedition goes on like this,

Preparation at the Base Camp & Camp Rotations

Guides will take a flexible approach based on what fits with climbers’ and their own experience. Typically, the team will spend a few days at the base camp organising food, practising rope skills, and acclimatising before moving above the base camp. 

To maximize acclimatization and increase the chances of a successful summit, the expedition follows a series of camp rotations. Climbers ascend to higher camps such as Camp I and Camp II, spending time at altitude before descending to Base Camp for recovery. These rotations help the body adapt to reduced oxygen levels while allowing climbers to familiarize themselves with the route and technical sections. Once acclimatization is complete and a favorable weather window is identified, the team begins its final summit push.

Base Camp to Camp 1

Ama Dablam climb via the southwest ridge
After leaving the base camp, old grassy moraine ridges are followed roughly eastwards to a broad saddle at 5,150 m (16,896.33 ft), from where we can see the Mingbo La. From the saddle, we ascend easily northwards until the ground steepens at the start of a large boulder field. We may place an advanced base camp at 5,400 m (17,716.54 ft) below the boulder field. The route continues north around the base of the boulder field and then follows cairns upward to the toe of the southwest ridge. At the end of the boulder field, slabs are crossed, and then a short gully is ascended, allowing access to the ridge proper in a very exposed position. Easy scrambling on the east side of the ridge leads quickly to Camp 1. There are four or five tent platforms.

Camp 1 to Camp 2

From Camp 1, we contour around the snowy bowl (possible alternative site for Camp 1) until we are below two rock fingers. The east side of the ridge is followed, climbing easy mixed ground until a short pitch of “severe” standard leads to the ridge proper. The ridge is narrow in places, with difficult turns on the east side, until the second tension traverse leads to two pitches of “very severe” standard. The route continues on the crest of the ridge for a short distance until we are forced via an awkward step onto the west side of the ridge. The crest of the ridge is regained, and easily navigable roads are followed to the start of a traverse on the east face, which leads to the Yellow Tower. This 15-meter pitch, just below Camp 2, is one of the hardest pitches on the climb at HVS (5.8) standard. A short section of ridge now leads to Camp 2 (5,900m). Camp 2 has very limited tent space (three or four tent platforms) and is extremely exposed. It is sometimes only used to store equipment, with expeditions choosing to go from Camp 1 to Camp 3 in a single push.

Camp 2 to Camp 3

From Camp 2, the climb skirts a red rock bluff on the east and, after a step down, follows the snow ridge directly to a tricky traverse east. This leads to a gully between the Grey Tower and the lower rock buttress. We climb the gully until a very exposed traverse line is reached on the west side of the ridge. A short snow slope is ascended, allowing us to reach the start of the Mushroom Ridge. Following this typically involves negotiating some steep snow sections until Camp 3 (6,300m) is reached.

Summit Push and back to Camp I or Camp II

The route climbs the snow and ice slope directly above Camp 3 and to the right-hand side of Dablam. We continue to skirt Dablam on the right, then move west to gain a small snowfield below the Burgschrund. The Burgschrund is crossed, and then the climb heads directly to the ice crest above. This is followed by a magnificent climb to the summit.

After reaching the summit of Ama Dablam (6,812m), climbers begin their descent along the Southwest Ridge. Depending on weather conditions, team pace, and overall energy levels, the expedition team typically descends to Camp II or Camp I for an overnight stay. The descent requires the same level of focus as the ascent, as climbers must carefully negotiate technical sections such as the summit slopes, Mushroom Ridge Traverse, Grey Tower, and Yellow Tower using fixed ropes before continuing lower the following day.

Max. Altitude: Climb Amadablam (6,856 m)

Overnight at a camp

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We descend six hours to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). If we are lucky, we’ll arrive at market time in Namche. Regardless, there is always fabulous food to be found, including delicious espresso, yak steaks, and chocolate cake with frosting! This market is where lowland porters bearing supplies meet the highland Sherpa and Tibetan people who have journeyed over high passes from many miles away to trade food and supplies for their houses and villages. Enjoy and celebrate your expedition.

Max. Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Duration: 6-7 hrs trek

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We returned to Lukla (2,840 m), where the trip began, after a six-hour trek. We’ll take time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievements of all who took part. You’ll also have plenty of time to explore the town.

Max. Altitude: Lukla (2,840 m)

Duration: 6-7 hrs trek

Overnight at a Guesthouse

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

The flight from Lukla to Manthali is a 20-minute flight. After that, it is about a 5 to 6-hour drive to Kathmandu. Please note that the driving hours may vary according to the highway traffic conditions. You’ll be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu on a shared tourist vehicle.
Helicopter Option

You have the option to book a direct helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu for an extra charge of USD 550 per person. This price is quoted on a 5-person sharing basis. This is the best alternative to avoid the long drive from Manthali airport to Kathmandu during peak season (March, April, May, October, and November).

You might want to stay a little more in Nepal. If you are looking to extend your trip, there are options such as a visit to Chitwan National Park, known for wildlife viewing, and to Pokhara, considered one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal. You can also extend your trip to Tibet, India, or Bhutan.

Overnight at a Hotel

Breakfast and Farewell dinner included

Today, we conclude our trip. One of our airport representatives will accompany you to the International Airport for your flight back home. We bid you farewell and hope you’ll travel to Nepal again.