Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek

During the peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights to Lukla are being diverted to Manthali due to congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. Thus, we pick you up from your hotel at 12:30 am for a 5-hour drive to reach Manthali Airport to catch an early morning flight and then fly to Lukla, which will take about 20 minutes.

During December, January, February, June, July, and August, you will directly fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. After having breakfast, we will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for a panoramic 40-minute flight to Tenzin Hillary Airport in Lukla. From Lukla, you start your trek down to Phakding, about 3 hours, passing small villages like Chaurikharka. Y Later, after arrival, you are free to explore this beautiful town of Phakding. Do not miss a visit to a local monastery Rimishung Monastery.

After a warm cup of tea in the chilly morning, we start our hike. We follow the northern bank of the Dudh Koshi River, crossing over several suspension bridges with colored prayer flags. Certainly, the different colors of the flags will excite the journey. After some hours, we will reach the Monjo Village, where Sagarmatha National Park starts. From here, we register our permits at the park entrance and continue on a trail through dense jungle. From here, we will get our first glimpse of Mount Everest. Continuing on, we'll hike until we reach Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest.

Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar to get used to the thinner air. Namche Bazaar has everything from hotels to restaurants, and even souvenir shops, giving this place a very lively, city-like feel. We recommend a side trip to Khumjung, with an added option of visiting the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center. On the way, you can explore Hillary School and some old monasteries.

En-route to Khumjung, you'll pass a famous monastery, which also houses a scalp of the alleged Yeti. Then, you'll visit the well-known Syangboche Airport, which is one of the highest airports in the world. Take a hike to the Everest View Hotel for breathtaking views of Mount Everest.

Today, we will be trekking to Deboche on a trail that is full of ups and downs. The views of the Himalayas and the possibility of high-altitude wildlife make the journey feel effortless. At Phunki Tenga, you will be surrounded by peaks such as Everest (8,848m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), and Thamserku (6,623m).

The trail goes through the monastery at the top of the hill, better known as Tengboche Monastery. It is the biggest Gompa in the Khumbu region. We take our time here to relax and really get a view in before we continue up and reach Deboche.

We’ll head to Dingboche, passing through several villages, including Pangboche (3,985m), and crossing many stupas and mani walls while enjoying views of the Himalayas. Along the way, you’ll get a close up view of Ama Dablam (6,812m).

From here, we will be heading to the Imja Valley, following the Lobuche River, and start an easy trek. We descend to the river and then climb steep uphill to Dingboche (4,360m). Dingboche, considered the "summer valley" of Khumbu, has fields enclosed by stone walls, protecting crops like barley, buckwheat, and potatoes. From Dingboche, the views are amazing.

We start the day early, as the sun rises slowly behind the mountains, casting a beautiful light over the landscape. A few hundred meters from Dingboche, we’ll enjoy a view of the entire valley. The trail is a bit challenging, but it shouldn’t be too difficult.

As we ascend towards Chhukung, we pass many Buddhist stupas with strings of prayer flags. If you get up early enough, you can see a truly spectacular sight sun backlighting the stupas and flags creates a warm, golden halo around them. We reach Chhukung in good time, at a leisurely pace.

Chhukung village is a true gem and an alternative acclimatization stop for Everest Base Camp trekkers. This village offers views of mountains, rivers, and glaciers. You can also hike to Chhukung Ri for exceptional views of Mount Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and more. We’ll follow the principle of hiking high and sleeping low to help with acclimatization. With its landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, Chhukung is the perfect place to adjust to the altitude while giving your body a chance to relax.

We start our journey early in the morning to one of the most famous passes of the journey, Kongma La Pass (5,535m). The trail can be quite challenging, especially if there's heavy snow, but the views will make it all worth it. Just behind Chhukung, we cross a small stream that leads us to a landslide prone section. Moving past this steep stretch, we reach a hill offering stunning views of Dingboche and Tengboche.

The most strenuous part of the trek falls just before the Kongma La Pass. From the top of the pass, you can catch a view in both directions one side will present Kongma La Lake with white peaks, and the other will display Lobuche Village and Khumbu Glacier. We'll follow the route through climbing up to the moraine and then start walking along the Khumbu Glacier for approximately an hour till we reach Lobuche.

From Lobuche, the view is intoxicating. Kala Patthar and Mount Everest are ablaze in the dying sun, and all the struggles of today's trek are insignificant in comparison.

Excitement starts building as we begin getting closer to the destination and sure enough to experience a sudden flow of eagerness. Beginning afresh, today's destination for the hike to the foot of Mount Ama Dablam will be Lobuche. Relatively compared with the previous day's trail, it is comfortable hiking as today's trail will not be tiring.

Today one can catch glimpses of yaks playing around in rivers and meadows or taking bath. We will stop at Pangboche, rest, and prepare for the final ascent to the base camp of Ama Dablam. The highlight of the journey will be in front of us, with great views.

From Pangboche, the trek towards Ama Dablam Base Camp is a really breathtaking experience: one can witness trekked beauty coupled with adventure. Ama Dablam, because of its peculiar shape, is better referred to as the "Mother's Necklace" by the locals; this view of the mountain can be seen when approaching. To many, this Ama Dablam Base Camp trek becomes an alternative option, popular and rewarding, instead of the Everest Base Camp. After crossing the Imja Khola, the ascent to Ama Dablam starts from Pangboche onwards. It won't take too long to reach Base Camp from here, and then you can relish the spectacular views.

You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking sights, including Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Kantega, and other grand peaks. After spending time admiring the beauty of these snowy mountains, we’ll make our way back to Pangboche, carrying with us unforgettable memories of the base camp. The journey back home awaits, but the experiences will stay with you.

The trail between Pangboche and Namche Bazaar does indeed consist only of downhill with quite a lot of steps, whereupon you several times wonder, how in the world you managed to make it upwards. You will make your way along colorful prayer flags and elegant stupas while taking in great views of the tip of Mount Everest and the back of Mount Lhotse. This is a trek that will surely create lifetime memories. We will stop for the night at Namche Bazaar, where you will be treated to different types of cuisines. After the tiresome trek, we really deserve a treat!

This will be our last day of trekking along these trails. Hiking through small villages and narrow forests, exciting suspension bridges will be crossed en route. Continuing further up, we reach Benkar and then Phakding. However, we’ll push on past Phakding and head to Toktok, where the views are unique and captivating. Taking in these views, we’ll continue our journey to Lukla. Lukla serves as both the starting and ending point for treks in the Everest region, and it’s the perfect place to wrap up our adventure.

From Lukla onwards catching the flight, which might well be from either Manthali or Kathmandu, whichever fits the current trekking season-you gradually fly to either Manthali or Kathmandu. Please note that there are flights that take place, usually from either March, April, May, September, October, and November, to Manthali, which is about five hours by car drive away to Kathmandu, with the rest of the year.

As there is no more exhausting ups and downs ahead now, you get to relax in the serenity of the way back. Your trek ends here in Kathmandu with all your memories, and you would spend your whole day exploring the alleys of Kathmandu City, treating your taste buds, and enjoying music to celebrate an adventure.