Ama Dablam Trek to Base Camp is an expedition approach trek, where you will trek into Base Camp alongside our expedition team members.

This is a wonderful trek to the base camp of one of the world’s most beautiful mountains. The mountain is well named. Ama Dablam means Mother’s Charm box. Ama (mother) refers to the two great ridges above base camp, they are like enfolding arms of a mother. A Dablam is a pendant worn by Sherpa women that contains pictures of the Buddhist gods – this refers to the huge hanging serac high on the West Face, the shortest of the Everest treks that Adventure Peaks offers.

The Ama Dablam trek takes you through the lush vegetation of Sagarmatha National Park, with pine forests, rhododendron flowers and an abundance of wildlife to Tengboche, the home of one of the highest monasteries in the world (4100m) and a classic viewpoint for Everest and Ama Dablam. It then continues up to Pangboche before swinging off to Ama Dablam Base Camp. This trek offers an excellent introduction to the delights of trekking in the Himalaya, the colourful and vibrant city of Kathmandu and interaction with the legendary Sherpa people.

Find out more about our Ama Dablam Expeditions here

This trip will operate with a minimum of 1 participant using a local leader to take you back to Kathmandu from Base Camp as soon as our Ama Dablam Expedition is confirmed

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart UK

Day 2 Arrive Kathmandu (usually early evening).  Transfer to hotel close to the famous, bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu and within easy walking of the monkey temple, a lovely place to relax.

Day 3 Morning trek briefing after which the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the wonders of Kathmandu.  Sightseeing tours can be arranged and would include visiting the temples of Bodnath,  Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath and Durbar Square.  Simply wandering around the huge array of shops, markets, cafes, bars and restaurants in Thamel is a fascinating experience. Please note, if the weather is good we may fly to Lukla on this day, and enjoy the sites on your return to Kathmandu.

Day 4 Early in the morning we transfer to the airport for a spectacular and breathtaking flight to the Sherpa village of Lukla (2800m).  After lunch we can do the short walk along the typically stony path that descends from the forested terraces of Lukla.  This takes us right into the DudhKosi ('river of milk') valley and the brightly painted lodges of Phakding (2610m).  From here there are stunning views of KusumKanguru's North Face (6367m). Along the trail are many stone walls, brightly decorated with coloured paints. Buddhists hold these sacred and you must, as a sign of respect, pass these in a clockwise direction.

Day 5 We trek into the Sherpa capital and heart of the Khumbu.  You will now be becoming familiar with local protocol for passing chortens, mani stones, yaks, spinning prayer wheels etc and enjoying the hustle and bustle of trekking and everyday life that exists on the 'Everest Trail'.  At Monjo we enter Sagarmartha National Park and can visit the small visitor centre there. Here the track starts to rise up the famous Namche Hill, the first big ascent and time to drop down a gear and take a slow and steady pace. 4 to 5 hours walking.

Day 6 Acclimatisation/Rest Day in Namche Bazaar.  It is important to have a couple of nights and a rest day in Namche before proceeding any higher.  You can spend the day taking short walks up to Thami or Khumjung, visiting the Everest, AmaDablam and Pumori viewpoints or just relaxing and exploring the narrow streets of this busy Sherpa capital. 6 hours walking.

Day 7 Today you will hike through the villages of Khunde&Khumjun. You will start with a steep climb up to the airstrip at Shyangboche (3790m). From there you will slowly ascend to Khunde, passing the numerous Buddhist chortens along the way. From Khunde the trail heads eastwards to the largest village in the Khumbu, Khumjung, which lies at the foot of the sacred mountain Khumbila. You will stay overnight at Khumjung, where you will enjoy the first views of Everest. 3 to 4 hours walking.

Day 8The route today works its way in and out of the side valleys towards Kenjoma,  joining the trail from Khumjung just before a set of mani stones. From here the views of Everest &AmaDablam are truly stunning, but the best is yet to come. The trail then drops down to PhunkiThanga (3250m) and then climbs steeply through forest as it contours around the a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche resides (3870m). From here you will be greeted with one of the most dramatic mountain views in the world -  Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, KwandeTawachee and Thamserku, offering a panoramic view of Himalayan giants. The night is spent at Tengboche. 5 hours walking.

Day 9 Tengboche to Pangboche. In the morning you will visit the rebuilt monastery in Tengboche, which was destroyed after a fire nearly 20 years ago . Fortunately its fine collection of paintings and relics were saved. You are allowed to visit while the Buddhist ceremonies take place, but you must respect the monk's requests to sit quietly and not use flash photography. We then continue up to Pangboche, the highest year round settlement. 2 to 3 hours walking.

Day 10 Today we reach the wonderful and spectacular base camp of Ama Dablam. 6 hours walking.

Days 11 to 13 On the return trek folk have the option of staying in places not visited on the way up or returning to the more western style luxuries available in Namche Bazaar! FinallyThe Alpine mountain hut atmosphere of Paradise Lodge in Lukla is the ideal place to relax and celebrate your journeys end.

Day 14 Fly Lukla to Kathmandu.  Back to the comforts of our hotel in Thamel and the enjoyable hustle and bustle. This is a good time to buy souvenirs and try your hand at haggling with the local shopkeepers. Time to celebrate.

Day 15 Spare day in case of bad weather. This day in Kathmandu may be lost if weather delays your departure from Lukla. Evening departure

Day 16 Arrive back in the UK.

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