Ama Dablam (6812 m) stands as an iconic and breathtaking mountain, celebrated for its distinctive appearance. With long ridges on each side and a hanging glacier at its center, Ama Dablam resembles a traditional ornament worn by Sherpa women. The ridges symbolize a mother’s protective embrace, and the glacier acts as an ornament, inspiring the name Ama Dablam. Here, ‘Ama’ signifies mother, and ‘Dablam’ refers to the special pendant with images of Gods.
First conquered in 1961 by Mike Gill & Wally Romanes (NZ), Barry Bishop (USA), & Mike Ward (UK) via the southwest ridge, Ama Dablam has since become a coveted peak for climbers. The trekking route follows the Dudh Koshi river to Namche, leading towards Tengboche, and then turning toward the Ama Dablam Base Camp.
The ascent follows the regular Southwest Ridge route, with three additional camps above the base camp. The journey from Base Camp to Camp 1 is relatively straightforward, becoming more demanding from Camp 1 to Camp 2 and onward to Camp 3, where climbers navigate narrow ridges adorned with ice, rocks, and snow. The final summit push involves a steep climb on snow and ice slopes. Despite the challenges, the route offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Everest Massif, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and surrounding peaks.
Mt. Ama Dablam is categorized as a technical and challenging mountain due to its steepness and long narrow ridges. Proper acclimatization and experience are prerequisites for embarking on an expedition to this masterpiece. Our team of experienced Sherpas will meticulously set up fixed ropes and guide you to the summit, helping you realize your dream of conquering the extraordinary Ama Dablam.
Ama Dablam is ideal for those with solid mountaineering skills, experience at high altitudes, and a passion for adventure. It presents a perfect alpine route, exposing passionate mountaineers to steep rocky and snowy ridges, testing their endurance and skills.
The best seasons for the Ama Dablam Expedition are Autumn and Spring when the weather is moderate, and the views are spectacular. We can organize trips at any time of the year based on your preferences and availability.
Upon your arrival at TIA, the necessary procedures for obtaining the Nepal Entry Visa at the Immigration counter will be completed. Our representative will warmly welcome you at the Arrivals. Following the meet and greet, you'll be transferred to the designated hotel for relaxation and refreshment.
We'll attend to official procedures, documentation, and obtain essential expedition permits. Subsequently, it's time for sightseeing around the city. We'll begin expedition preparation—packing, shopping, thorough checks of required items (especially medicines and essentials). Detailed briefings on expedition aspects, gear, trip duration, accommodations, and base camp facilities will be provided. This is also an opportunity for team interaction and introductions.
After a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exhilarating flight to Lukla Airport in the early morning. This scenic flight offers captivating views of valleys, rivers, hills, and gradually unfolding mountain ranges. Upon landing at Lukla Airport, our trek to Phakding begins. The trail traverses diverse terrains—dirt paths, stone walkways, and occasional rocky sections. Take in the lush greenery, diverse flora, and fauna along the trail, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river. Enjoy the remainder of the day at Phakding.
Moving from Phakding, our journey leads to Namche Bazaar, the commercial hub of the Khumbu region. The trek involves navigating through dense forests, observing wildlife in Sagarmatha National Park, and climbing stairs while mostly ascending. As we reach Namche, we rest at our hotel and relish a delightful dinner. The subsequent day involves a hike to Everest View Point (3900m) and a return to our hotel for acclimatization. Explore the local village area, experience Sherpa culture, visit the Everest Photo Gallery, and the Sherpa Museum in Namche.
Following a day of rest and acclimatization at Namche, our journey leads to the serene Tengboche monastery. Renowned among Buddhists globally, this site offers breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam to the north, while Thamserku and Kangtega stand vividly to the south. Participate in prayer ceremonies and unwind for the day.
From Tengboche, we venture towards the Ama Dablam base camp, nestled in a picturesque meadow, also utilized as Yak Pasture beneath the mountain's west face. The trail involves crossing the Imja River via a suspension bridge and ascending through juniper forests in the quieter Khumbu valley. Embrace the 360-degree panoramic views of Kangtega, Taboche, Thamserku, and other peaks upon reaching the Ama Dablam base camp at 4450m.
After the trek to the Base Camp, we allocate two days for rest and acclimatization before the summit. These days involve short excursions, summit preparations, training on mountaineering gear, and practice with fixed ropes on small cliffs.
Between Day 11 and Day 22, we enter the climbing phase for Ama Dablam. Starting after equipment checks and preparation, our journey advances toward camp 1 at 5700 meters through initially simple terrain. However, the trail becomes more challenging, featuring steep and demanding slopes leading to a sharp ridge, eventually requiring navigation across a steep slab. Before making the final push for the summit, we focus on acclimatization through a rotational process. We move from Base camp to Camp I, spending a night there. The subsequent day, we progress from Camp I to Camp II, staying overnight, and then return to the base camp the following day. Camp 2 is positioned around 5900 meters and involves climbing steep ridges and snowy slopes, assisted by fixed ropes installed by our team. The summit ascent itself is relatively straightforward. We begin early in the morning, have breakfast, and ascend on snowy terrain mixed with rocks beyond Camp 2. Reaching the breathtaking peak of Ama Dablam at 6812 meters, we descend to the Base Camp. The subsequent day is dedicated to cleaning up and preparing to depart. It's important to note that we conduct rotations between camps for acclimatization and training purposes. The outlined itinerary provides an overview of the circumstances during the climb.
Following the successful ascent of Ama Dablam, we retrace our steps to Namche for an overnight stay at a comfortable lodge.
Descending through enchanting forests and villages, we reach Lukla to rest overnight.
A scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu marks the farewell to the Khumbu Region and the majestic Himalayas. After landing, relax at the hotel or indulge in evening city sightseeing.
A leisure day in Kathmandu provides an opportunity for relaxation and exploration. Visit World Heritage sites and purchase souvenirs for your loved ones.
With gratitude and cherished memories, we bid farewell. Our representative will accompany you to the airport three hours before your scheduled departure.
Trekking and mountain climbing in the Everest Region are significantly influenced by weather conditions. While we strive to schedule our trips during the most favorable times, please be aware that domestic flights to Lukla may experience delays or cancellations in extreme scenarios. In such cases, it’s important to note that expenses for additional days, beyond the total number mentioned in the itinerary section, will be the responsibility of the client. However, Taktok Brothers will make necessary arrangements for the accommodation of porters and guides. If you prefer alternative arrangements, such as a helicopter flight to avoid delays, we can facilitate this at a nominal extra charge.
Taktok Brothers shall not be held liable for any compensation for losses due to missed international flights. However, we are committed to assisting you in making necessary arrangements to minimize any inconveniences. To mitigate the risk of missing flights, we recommend maintaining flexible timeframes before and after the trip departure.
Additionally, please be aware that as we will be traveling in remote areas with extreme climatic conditions and challenging geography, where trails may be distorted at times, adjustments to our itineraries may be necessary. However, we assure you that the quality of service will not be compromised under any circumstances.
Expedition costs are subject to variation based on factors such as group size, royalty and permit costs in different seasons, category of hotel accommodation, the number of Sherpas allocated, equipment, and the type of arrangement and package customization. We prefer discussing these details with our clients before providing the final cost. Please feel free to contact Taktok Brothers for any information regarding your selected package.