Ama Dablam Expedition - 30 Days

A representative from Expedition Himalaya meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after international travel, and in the evening a brief welcome briefing introduces the expedition plan.

Your Ama Dablam climbing royalty, Sagarmatha National Park permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, and rope-fixing contribution are all processed today. Personal and rented climbing gear is checked item by item against the packing list. The day is also free to explore Kathmandu's UNESCO sites, including Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Temple, before a detailed evening briefing covering the full route and the climbing plan ahead.

The short, dramatic flight to Lukla is followed by an easy first trekking day, following the Dudh Koshi River downstream through pine forest and small villages to Phakding, a gentle introduction before the trail climbs in earnest.

The trail follows the river valley, crossing several suspension bridges, before a long, steady climb into Namche Bazaar, the trading and cultural hub of the Khumbu and the last town with real shops and services before the trail turns properly alpine.

A short hike to a nearby viewpoint gives the first real payoff views of Everest and Ama Dablam on a clear day, while the climb-high-sleep-low pattern supports acclimatization. The rest of the day is free to explore Namche's museums and shops.

The trail continues through rhododendron forest and along the river, passing Tengboche and its monastery, the most important in the region, before a short further walk to Debuche.

A relatively short day to Pangboche, a traditional Sherpa village that gives the first genuinely close views of Ama Dablam's full profile, ridge, hanging glaciers, and summit dome all clearly visible ahead.

The trail leaves the main Khumbu route and climbs steadily toward Base Camp, with gradually thinning vegetation and closer views of the mountain's Southwest Ridge for most of the walk. On arrival, the group settles into a comfortable Base Camp stay, with proper meals, a dedicated rest and dining area, and considerably better recovery conditions than a bare tented camp. Climbing gear is organized and sorted the same afternoon in preparation for the climbing period ahead.

This is the core of the expedition. Over these sixteen days, the team works methodically up the mountain: establishing and stocking Camp 1 (approximately 5,700m / 18,701 ft) on the ridge, Camp 2 (approximately 5,900 to 6,000m / 19,357 to 19,685 ft) just below the fixed-rope Yellow Tower, and Camp 3 (approximately 6,300m / 20,669 ft) near the exposed Mushroom Ridge and Grey Tower, with acclimatization rotations up and down between Base Camp and the higher camps following the standard climb-high-sleep-low pattern. Base Camp remains a comfortable place to rest and recover between rotations throughout this period, a genuine advantage over a fully tented approach given how much time is spent here waiting on weather and the shared fixed-rope schedule used by every team on the mountain that season. When conditions align, the team pushes from Camp 3 through a steep snow and ice slope below the mountain's hanging glacier and serac, deliberately routed to one side of the icefall zone to reduce objective hazard, to the 6,812m / 22,349 ft summit. From the top: Everest and Lhotse dominate the skyline, with the full sweep of the Khumbu below. After summit day, the team descends in stages back through the camps to Base Camp, with the extended schedule over these sixteen days built in specifically to absorb weather delays without threatening the summit attempt itself.

Descending from Base Camp, the pace is noticeably easier after the climbing period, a good day to reflect on the expedition while retracing the approach route.

A long but familiar descent, retracing the trail from the first week, with thicker air and warmer temperatures returning steadily.

The final trekking day follows the Dudh Koshi back to Lukla, closing the loop on the expedition. Many groups mark the occasion with a celebratory dinner alongside the guides, climbing Sherpas, and porters who supported the climb.

A short domestic flight returns the group to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for rest or exploring the city.

A free day for rest, souvenir shopping, or visiting additional cultural sites, and a farewell dinner to close out the expedition.

On the final day, the team will assist with your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Depart with unforgettable memories of your adventure.