Ama Dablam Base Camp trekking - 11 Days | Nepal Guide

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

This fascinating trip to the world’s most beautiful mountain of Amadablam base camp trek offers superb views of Mount Everest and unforgettable scenery of the Ama Dablam base camp. The pristine lake at base camp with Himalayan peaks is simply the best. Though Amadablam base camp is on the route of EBC TREK not many trekkers had known and visited it.The trek starts with an exciting flight in a Twin Otter plane to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, from where we follow in the footsteps of famous mountaineers along the trail to Namche Bazaar. We are now in Buddhist Sherpa country where you will see colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and monasteries along the way. Trekking through the lovely forest to the world renowned and sacred monastery of Thyangboche (3867 meters) is rewarded with the stunning views of Everest soaring behind Nuptse, Lhotse, Amadablam, Kangtega, and Tawache making a panoramic Himalayan vista. We ascend from Pangboche to the alpine camp on the flanks of the Amadablam peak base camp, away from the popular trail to savor the Himalayas’ wonder. The traditional Sherpa village of Khumjung shows you the Sherpa lifestyle and so-called Yeti scalp in a monastery before you fly out to Kathmandu to end the exhilarating Amadablam base camp trekking in Everest region.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

Highlights

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu — Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel. Day Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (8,563 feet / 2,610 m) — After breakfast, you'll fly to Lukla (30 minutes) and land on a steep mountain runway, which brings you to the start of your trek. Try to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: the flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalaya on clear days. You'll then trek a short distance today through local villages where you'll likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks with their tinkling bells. (Having an easy first day is intentional, allowing you time to get used to the higher elevation.) Continue through the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and stay overnight in Phakding. Day Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,290 feet / 3,440 m) — After breakfast in Phakding, you'll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche. This is a challenging day as you'll start to feel the altitude. The route also consists of a number of high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River that you need to cross. Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Everest. When you arrive at Namche, settle into your accommodations and explore the town. Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. Day Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar — Today is a rest day so take time to relax and sleep in. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amid the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops, and souvenir markets. It is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatizing to the higher altitude. To speed up the acclimatization process, you can also head to the Khunde Hospital set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a highly-recommended one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for views of notable peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also good views from the Sherpa Culture Museum just above the town. Day Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,687 feet / 3,867 m) — After breakfast in Namche, you'll follow the trail along the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi River. You'll get your first views of the Khumbu region's giant peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Pass by several villages and numerous tea shops, and descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch and you can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although this next zigzag path is tiring, your views will include beautiful rhododendron forests, colorful birds, and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in Khumbu, and a spectacular panorama of the aforementioned peaks can be seen from where you'll stop for the night. Day Day 6: Trek to Pangboche [3930m] — After having breakfast at the lodge, we start our trek and it will be a short trek to the Pangboche village, the trail drops all the way down to Debuche and crosses another suspension bridge on the Imja Khola and climbs to Pangboche village and overnight at lodge. Day Day 7: Hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp [4600m] and back to Pangboche. — Today, we gear up to hike all the way to Ama Dablam Base Camp by following the regular trail enjoying the scenic views of the mountainous region, as we trek further Ama Dablam appears closer and becomes vividly stunning, one we reach the Base camp, we get to see its stunning peaks along with its hanging glacier, the view is simply mesmerizing and after visiting around, we will return to Pangboche and overnight at lodge. Day Day 8: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (11,319 feet / 3,450 m) — After breakfast in Pangboche, you'll continue a downward trek (be careful of your footing) and then climb back up through a beautiful birch and rhododendron forest to get to Tengboche. From here, descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi river while admiring the Himalayan giants around you. At Phunki Tenga, you'll get to see the water-driven prayer wheels before making your way back to Namche for the night. Day Day 9: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (9,186 feet / 2,800 m) — Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river valley. It's a long day, but it won't be too difficult as it's downhill and you'll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking. You'll make your way through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish. With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafes—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on your experience. Day Day 10: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu — After breakfast in Lukla, you'll take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip. Day Day 11: Depart Kathmandu — It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Kathmandu — Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.+