Rising up 6,812m from the heart of Everest’s Khumbu region of Nepal, Ama Dablam’s daunting peak is one of the most exhilarating and aesthetic climbs out there. It’s also basically Asia’s answer to the Great Pyramid of Giza, only with less sand and a hell of a lot more snow.
Shaped just like that ancient Egyptian monolith, the Himalayas’ natural version offers a much more action for experienced mountaineers and the ideal stepping-stone to more technical climbing. You’ll find yourself granite scrambling, ice climbing and fixed rope trekking on your way to the summit, thanks to the varied terrains up here in the Himalayas.
So if you’re looking for a real challenge? Summitting the hardest trekking peak in the world at the top of Ama Dablam is as good as it gets.
If you’re like most mountain lovers, you’ve probably already found yourself drooling over pictures of Ama Dablam and you’d be able to point her out in a line-up, no questions asked. The iconic pyramid-style peak is one of the most stunning in the whole of the Himalayas, sitting at 6,812m above sea level with the lower western peak at 6,170m. On this unforgettable climb, you’ll start on the same path as the classic Everest Base Camp trek, weaving through the Khumbu region of Nepal above the monastery village of Tengboche and having a heck of a lot of fun as you go.
Ama Dablam is considered by most the hardest trekking summit on earth, which means you’ll need plenty of climbing experience behind you before you can hope to tackle this peak safely. While the fixed ropes at the summit makes it a “more accessible” mountain, we really wouldn’t be comfortable taking any adventurers up there unless they had a decent understanding of mountaineering techniques and a few challenging peaks under their belt. But don’t let that put you off. If you’re not quite ready to tackle Ama Dablam yet, click here to take a look at some of our other climbs.
And if you think you’re up to the challenge? Keep reading. Because this expedition will test your limits and force you to prove just how strong your mountain stamina really is. It’ll push the boundaries of your fitness and your body’s ability to acclimatise to rapidly increasing altitudes too. But those views from the pyramid peak? And the sense of achievement? They’re second to none.
If you want to feel exhilarated and exposed to the elements in the most sublime of the Himalayan ranges, it’s high time you joined us on Ama Dablam.
The Ama Dablam Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Kathmandu
On the first day, we depart from the UK and fly to arrive in Kathmandu.
Day 2
Exploring Kathmandu
Today is a free day in Kathmandu. Scour the streets of bustling Thamel in search of any last-minute gear you want to take with you, or simply visit one of the many ancient Buddhist temples in the city.
Day 3
Trek from Lukla to Phakding
After flying to Lukla, we will start the trek, setting off for a gentle walk to Phakding, a further 3 hours to the North. The trail leads through Lukla, past hotels, shops on to the edge of the Lukla plateau where the trail drops to meet the intersection of the Jiri trail at Chablung. From here the trail follows the Dudh Kosi north through the village of Ghat and then finally to Phakding for the overnight stay.
Day 4
LUKLA TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
Today we trek to Namche Bazaar. The trail heads beside the Dudh Kosi and continues upstream along the banks to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi. After crossing the large suspension bridge, the trail starts ascending through pine tree forests to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped bowl village of Namche Bazaar where we will stop overnight.
Day 5
NAMCHE BAZAR
Today will be a rest day for acclimatisation. Namache is famous for it’s market, so offers some brilliant opportunities to discover the local produce and culture. If you rise early, those who go for a climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks.
Day 6
NAMCHE TO TENGBOCHE
Today we will trek to Tengboche.
Day 7
TENGBOCHE TO AMA DABLAM BASE CAMP
Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp.
Day 8-20
SET UP CAMP AND ACCLIMATISATION
Set up camp and acclimatisation.
Day 21
Summit Day!!
Summit Ama Dablam.
Day 22
Return to Base Camp
Return to Base Camp.
Day 23
RETURN TO CHUKUNG
Close camp & return to Chukung.
Day 24
TREK TO TENGBOCHE
Trek to Tengboche.
Day 25
TENGBOCHE TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
Trek to Namche Bazar.
Day 26
NAMCHE BAZAAR TO LUKLA
Trek to Lukla.
Day 27
FLY TO KATHMANDU
Fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 28
EXPLORING KATHMANDU
Today is a free day to explore Kathmandu. You may wish to rest in a tea house and recover from the trek, or eat some delicious momos, sharing memories with the friends you’ve made.
Day 29
EXPLORING KATHMANDU
We have another day to explore Kathmandu. Head out to visit the many fascinating Buddhist temples around the city, or wander the vibrant streets of Thamel in search of a bargain.
Day 30
Return to the UK
This morning, we transfer to Kathmandu Airport and return to the UK.
Food and Accomodation for Ama Dablam
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Day 21
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Day 24
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Day 28
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Reviews about the Ama Dablam trip
Here’s what some of our awesome customers had to say:
“When you book a Bucket List experience you want the company you book with to understand that for you this is once in a lifetime event and make it that little bit different. Having travelled with three other ‘group travel’ companies I can say that TBLC understand more than most that the little things matter. The pre travel part is stand out; from a welcome gift on booking, monthly installment options or the excellent training weekends you get an early impression you will be looked after and when on trip you certainly are. I recently returned from EBC and the organisation an execution of the trip was excellent, once travelling you don’t have to think about a thing
And the care and attention from both UK and local guides cannot be faulted. A couple of days I found the going very hard but I always had someone by my side for reassurance and encouragement which I have to say probably got me to Base Camp. I would have no hesitation in recommending TBLC to others, they’re a first class company who helped me tick a biggie off that bucket list!”
Lucy Bond Everest Base Camp
“The trip was well organized and the crew running it who came out with us were brilliant. Would book another holiday with them for sure. Had an amazing time doing Everest base camp and meet some amazing people thanks to the crew loved it.”
Mark Cropper Everest Base Camp
“Brilliant Everest Base Camp trek with outstanding customer care from start to finish. Loved it so much I’ve just booked a Sahara trek and Kilimanjaro for next year!”
Cerys Bevan Everest Base Camp
“Everest base camp 03/19. Easy booking system, monthly payment option- perfect. Always pleasant, knowledgeable, happy to help/ chat if any queries on phone, email, social media. Straight forward contact with lead guys Keith & Jake from airport and throughout trip. Made it so easy to simply turn up to all overnight stays, tours etc. Appear to have established good contacts/ company in Nepal. Everything ran smoothly throughout, no issue, would book with the bucket list company again.”
Mark Reynolds Everest Base Camp
“Faultless Everest Base Camp trek in March 2019. When you book a trip on your bucketlist its a once in a lifetime experience and you want to have the best experience ever.
With the Bucketlist Co. you come to realise that the careful planning and thought that goes into their trips ensures you get the experience you want. The whole trip ran without hiccups and everyone from guides to fellow travellers helped make this the trip it was.
Would not hesitate to recommend this company or book another trip with them in the future.”
Pete Everest Base Camp
“We have just had our first experience with The Bucket List Company, and are already planning our second trip! We completed Everest Base Camp in March 2019. If you want an amazing adventure with no stress or worries… this is it!
The attention to detail was excellent at all times. You are looked after from the moment you book your trip until you return to the UK! The guides and porters were amazing – nothing was too much trouble. Thanks to The Bucket List Company, dreams do come true!”
Michelle Bailey Everest Base Camp trek
Ama Dablam’s not for any Tom, Dick or Harriet
A must-do for any committed alpinist, Ama Dablam certainly isn’t for the fainthearted. Sure, our Bucket List Co treks up there have seen a great success rate; but that’s partly because we’ll ask you to think twice (thrice, four times even) if you’re not an adequately experienced climber. The challenges are technical and tough, but thanks to the fixed ropes towards the top, a successfully summit is achievable. You’ll want certain skills to be second nature before you head up there though, since the lack of oxygen can make you do some funny things. Hydration and more than a little acquaintance with your gear is the name of the game up here. So you should be good at scrambling, abseiling and rock climbing, knowing how to adjust a harness and understanding the limitations of small ledges.
You’ll want to be ready for all sorts of weather too, and confident that you can keep going no matter what the wind is doing. Get the crampons ready! It might sound like you need a lot of experience to attempt the Ama Dablam climb and that’s because, well, you do. But if you’ve got it in you to make it to the top, the feels you’ll get up there will be more than worth the journey. So if you want to put a rather momentous notch in your mountaineering belt, practise your best climbing expertise and learn new skills along the way… If you want to get at one with nature and experience the stunning silences that only exist way up high in the Himalayas… And if you want to do it with a professional trekking company with a great success rate (and a huge flare for fun and adventure)… Then you need to get yourself to Ama Dablam. Check out the itinerary, chuck any questions you have in our direction, book your spot and get ready to tick an incredible experience off your Bucket List.
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