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AMA DABLAM EXPEDITION

14 Days Itinerary

EX#501.

Ama Dablam Expedition

Ama Dablam, often referred to as Mountaineer’s Mountain and standing at 6812 meters high, is one of the most stunning mountains in the Khumbu region in the Himalayas. Climbing it is acknowledged as one of the real accomplishments within the mountaineering community despite being one of the longest routes off the highest peak in the Himalayas.

A typical Sherpa woman’s jewelry shapes the mountain, with long ridges on either side and a hanging glacier in the middle. The Sherpas consider the glacier as an ornament and perceive the ridges as a mother’s arms embracing her child, hence giving the mountain its name Ama Dablam, with “Ama” meaning mother and “Dablam” referring to the unique necklace bearing a representation of the Gods.

The Ama Dablam expedition offers the thrilling experience of climbing one of the world’s most renowned peaks. However, aspiring climbers must be aware of the requirement for physical fitness, technical proficiency, adaptability, and a dedication to safety. The Ama Dablam expedition can be life-changing and unforgettable with the proper preparation and understanding of the difficulties and beauty of the mountain. Thus, it is essential to go ahead with your planning only after learning major facts about Ama Dablam Expedition.

Ama Dablam Expedition Trip Overview

The Ama Dablam Mountain lies at the Khumbu region, also called the Everest region  . The nature lovers and mountaineering enthusiasts go to marvel at many of the world’s highest mountains that lies in this region. Located in north-eastern Nepal, the region houses two national parks – the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site) and Makalu-Barun National Park. Altitudes in the area range from 3,300m all the way to the summit of Mount Everest at 8,848m.

The journey to Ama Dablam begins with a quick flight to Lukla. You will take the flight from Ramechhap after a short drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap. On reaching Lukla, you will be trekking to Phakding and then to Namche Bazaar. The trek will continue for the following days until you reach Ama Dablam base camp. The further journey to the peak will begin a few days of acclimatization at the base camp.

You will settle into the expedition routine in Base Camp, under the watchful eyes of the climbing guides. There will be skills to go over, equipment to inspect, and mountain rotations to help acclimatization. When the weather clears and you are ready, you will begin your summit push, which might take three or four days.

The route follows the standard Southwest Ridge route, with three additional camps above the base camp. The route from Base Camp to Camp 1 is easy and less demanding, but its complexity and difficulty gradually increase from Camp 1 to Camp 2 until Camp 3, as climbers have to navigate narrow ridge margins with Ice, Rocks, and Snow. After a difficult ascent over snow and ice slopes, the ultimate peak awaits. Despite its difficulties, the route is exquisitely gorgeous, with panoramic views of the Everest Massif, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and other peaks in the vicinity.

Best Season for Ama Dablam Expedition

The best season for Ama Dablam Expedition are in spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is breathtaking. Rolwaling trek has a 14 days itinerary planned for Ama Dablam expedition 2023/2024 with a Heli ride back on the last day of itinerary.

Food and Accommodation during Ama Dablam Expedition

You can enjoy Tibetan, Indian, Nepali, and other regional cuisines while traveling. You will be offered all the three meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner during the expedition.  Breakfast will be served in the same location where we will spend the night while trekking. Dinner will be prepared in a similar manner. Lunch will be eaten on the way to the next destination. Freshly cooked hygienic meals will be served during the climbing session.

During the expedition, the accommodation includes local teahouses and tents. The majority of teahouse accommodations will only have communal restrooms. For the tent accommodation, you will be provided with foam mattress. All rooms in the accommodation have twin-sharing beds.

Climbing Highlights

  • Staying in a personalized tent where you have your own private space during the expedition
  • Being nourished by freshly cooked meals every day, made by our team
  • Knowing that you are being looked after by a team that prioritizes safety above all else
  • Enjoying hassle-free preparation since our team provides you with all necessary climbing gear (besides personal gear)
  • Getting advice and hands-on experience before the summit push, thanks to on-site climbing orientation provided by our highly skilled team members

Trip Highlights

  • Seeing for yourself why Ama Dablam (6,812m) is known as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world and is such a sought-after mountaineering peak.
  • Being surrounded by the towering peaks of Lhotse (8,516m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Nuptse (7,861m), Pumori (7,161m) and more.
  • Spotting Nepal’s national bird, the ‘danfe’ – a kind of pheasant with iridescent, multicoloured feathers.
  • Summiting Ama Dablam, which gives you the chance to gaze directly at some of the world’s highest mountains with an uninterrupted view.
  • Getting close to wildlife in the national park which are relatively unafraid of humans because the local people do not kill any birds or animals.
  • Having the satisfaction of climbing a mountain that Edmund Hillary once described as “unclimbable”.

For your Information

The Rolwaling team of guides and Sherpas have a lot of expertise summiting Ama Dablam’s North Route so despite the difficulty we can easily guide you through it.

There are two options:
  • Alpine climbing (North Route ), also known as ‘free climbing,’ is for highly experienced climbers. It gives one the freedom to choose the exact route as you go – not following a pre-determined path with camps being set up before arriving at the day’s final destination. This style demands a lot of individual climbing skills. The benefit is more personal freedom and flexibility, but it comes with greater risk.
  • Fixed rope climbing (South-west Route) is another option, better suited for less experienced climbers. This involves a team of Sherpas going ahead to secure all necessary arrangements for the route.

There are a number of routes to take when attempting to summit Ama Dablam. Our team can advise you in person which would be the best one for you.

Ama Dablam Expedition Itinerary

Day 1. Drive  Kathmandu → Ramechhap→ Fly Lukla

We drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu in a private vehicle to take the flight to Lukla Airport.

Day 2 & 3. Trek Phakding → Namche Bazaar – approx. 5- 6 hours

After reaching Lukla Airport, we begin our trek to Phakding. Then we trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, the Khumbu region’s commercial center. The trek will be long and tiring as we begin to gain significant elevation so we will stay here for two nights to acclimatize.

Day 4. Trek Namche Bazaar → Tengboche – approx. 4 hours

After a day of rest and acclimatization in Namche, we go closer to the Tengboche monastery, one of this expedition’s most picturesque and serene locations. Tengboche monastery is one of the most popular monasteries among Buddhists all over the world. We will be staying here for a night.

Day 5. Trek Tengboche → Ama Dablam Base Camp – approx. 5 hours.

Following Tengboche monastery, we depart to the Ama Dablam base camp, which is located in a lovely meadow that also serves as the yak pasture under the mountain’s west face. While trekking we will stop for lunch at Pangboche.

Day 6. Rest and Acclimatization day

At Ama Dablam Base Camp we allot an additional day for relaxation and acclimatization before continuing on to the summit after a strenuous hike up to Base Camp. We do quick outings throughout these days to get ready for the summit.

Day 7. Trek Ama Dablam Base Camp → Camp 1 – approx. 4.5 hours

After checking the weather we will begin the climb to the summit. On the beginning of expedition we will climb from base camp to Camp 1.

Day 8. Trek back to Base Camp

In order to get used to altitude and weather conditions, we will trek back to base camp.

Day 9. Return to Camp 1

We will now officially start the summit attempt by returning back to camp 1.

Day 10. Trek Camp 1 → Camp 2 – approx. 4 hours

We trek from Camp 1 to Camp 2 where we will stay for a night.

Day 11. Trek Camp 2 → Camp 3 – approx. 3 hours

We trek from Camp 2 to Camp 3 where we will stay for a night.

Day 12. Camp 3 → Summit – approx. 10 hours

From Camp 3 we will hike up to the Summit and return back to Camp 2.

Day 13. Trek down to Base Camp – from camp 2 – 3 hours

On this day we will trek down to Base Camp from camp 2. We will staying for a night at the Ama Dablam Base Camp.

Day 14. Fly back to Kathmandu – approx. 1 hour

You will be flying back to Kathmandu by helicopter. The flight back to Kathmandu is approximately 1 hour.

**NOTE: We have more expertise on this route so despite the difficulty we can easily guide you through this North Route.

For Enquiry:

Udaya Gartaula

Our Travel Expert

+9779801026642

info@rolwalingtrek.com

Fixed Departure Dates for Amadablam 2023

October 05 – 25
November 04 – 25
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Frequently asked Questions

When is the best time to climb Ama Dablam?

 Ama Dablam is best suited for climbing throughout the three climbing seasons.But the best time to climb Ama Dablam is Spring and Autumn.

Due to the big adventure organizations’ attention being diverted to the Everest expedition, there are very few climbers during the spring climbing season of mid April to May. Spring is the best time to climb if you want to see less teams and climbers on the route.

The autumn season, from October 10 to December 10, is suitable for the Ama Dablam expedition. Due to the arrival of winter at this time, hard snow and rock are covered with ice snow.

What is the fitness requirement for Ama Dablam Expedition?

This is the most important aspect of climbing Mt.Ama Dablam. A very high level of physical fitness is required for climbers. Anyone attempting to climb this peak must undergo rigorous, systematic mountaineering training over a period of 12 to 18 months.

What specific gear is needed for the Ama Dablam expedition?

The required gear for Ama Dablam expedition are: Climbing shoes up to 7000m (La Sportiva G2 Evo), Down suit (Rab Expedition 8000 Down Suit),liner gloves, windstopper gloves,mountain gloves, expedition down shell mitts, crampons, ice axe with leash, climbing harness, helmet etc.

What kind of insurance is required for the Ama Dablam Expedition?

You will need the insurance covering high altitude rescue during Ama Dablam expedition.

Do I need to join a group or can I climb solo?

Climbing solo especially with our highly experienced and technically sound crew members is always a better option than commercial mountaineering.

Cancellations & Refunds

At Rolwaling Trek, we just want our clients to have the best possible experiences. That’s why we don’t withhold deposits or have a fixed cancellation policy. We understand that sometimes life puts you in unexpected situations, so if you have to cancel or postpone a trip, there’s no need to worry.

If you need to change plans, please get in touch with us as soon as you can, and we will make the necessary arrangements to amend or cancel your trip. You can contact us at: +977 – 9801026642.

Notes

  • Trekking routes can be customised to suit your personal interests, abilities and time constraints.
  • If an area does not have good quality accommodation options, we can provide very comfortable camping-style accommodation for the duration of your journey.
  • Rolwaling also has a team of cooks who specialise in making Japanese cuisine, using authentic ingredients from Japan.
  • A lot of the fresh produce used in our dishes is sourced locally from growers in the trekking region.
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