Ama Dablam Expedition

On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport meet our staff with GA complimentary transport transfer to relevant Hotels, our guide will give you information of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, and related information that you might require while in Nepal with GA.

In Kathmandu, half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest, as Kathmandu valley is rich in World’s Heritage Sites.

Approx: 30 minutes flight to Lukla 2,800m. with 3 hrs walk to Phakding at 2,652m. An early morning start with a drive to domestic airport board as per the flight time board in the smaller twin otter or similar plane for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla, our trekking guides will receive you. The walk from here is gradual most of the way, with few ups offering views of Kusum-Kangru 6,369m. after 2-3 hrs of good walk reaching at Phakding for the overnight stop in one of the best available lodge, Phakding village situated by the bank of the Dudh-Kosi River.

After Phakding crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill and re-crossing the same river again, with magnificent view of Thermasarkhu 6,608m, then reaching a small village of Monjo after the last 20 minutes climb from the stream, after Monjo, comes to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, from here a short descend with a gradual walk to the Jorsalle village is reached, the trek continues to the last bridge over the Imjatse river, from here the walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak, Kusum kangru Mt.Everest- Nuptse wall, Lhotse and the closer view of Taweche peak can be seen all the way up, from here 1hour walk up to the Sherpa’s capital at Namche Bazaar, the houses and lodges are placed in an amphitheater shape.

Necessary rest day for acclimatisation optional activities a short hike uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter, a magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with grand views of snow capped peaks and valleys, visit the museum with all types of information regarding the Himalayas, geographic, culture, mountaineering history and existing information on flora and fauna of this region, afternoon free at leisure.

Trek uphill for 20 minutes to the top ridge of Namche Bazaar, once at the top walk follows on the gradual winding path with few short up and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thermasharkhu and Kwangde-ri after a good trek descending to Phungitenga 3,250m, a small settlement in the middle of alpine forest of silver firs, blue pines, rhododendron with few magnolia and birch trees.

A climb of two hours after lunch on the winding up-hill path through the serene woods till Thyangboche Gomba (Monastery) is reached for the night stop. An amazing spot offering views of the majestic towering Mt. Ama Dablam with Mt. Everest above Nuptse wall to the North, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar on the north east. Visit the monastery and observe the monk prayer an absolute perfect harmony blending well with the peaceful surrounding.

Morning, descend woods, cross the Imjatse Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite of Ama Dablam at 6,856 m., from here Pheriche is a good walk of three hours’s situated beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse 6,440m. and Taweche 6,542m. lunch and overnight camp overlooking the excellent view of Ama Dablam, Kangtenga and Thermasarkhu. Afternoon free for local hike to the upper village and visit the local old monastery.

From the camp descend towards the Imjatse River and cross the small wooden bridge, after the river a steep climb of 40 minutes leads to a large meadow with couple of Shepard huts. From here the walk is on the gradual uphill path till the base of Ama Dablam is reached. The camp is on the large field beneath the towering majestic peak of Ama Dablam.

A rest day, an optional hike towards the advance camp with the wonderful views of the surrounding beautiful landscapes.

During these twelve days you will be busy dividing the loads and checking your equipment for the final assault. It is hard to predict the exact day by day itinerary for this period. The team will be broken down into climbing groups who will work on the mountain for several days before returning for a rest at Base Camp. While one group is pushing out the route and fixing ropes another maybe carrying loads up to higher camps. Ray Delaney climbed the South West ridge of Ama Dablam with Joe Simpson in April 1990. From Base Camp following old grassy moraine ridges roughly eastwards to a broad saddle from one can see a Mingbo-La. From the saddle turn north and climb up rocky ground and finally through boulders to the ridge below Pt.5, 705 which is the site of camp I. There are four or five tents platforms.

From Camp I: Cross a rocky bowl (tricky if snow covered) until below two rock fingers, then move on to a ridge proper. Climbing the ridge involves rock climbing of severe standard with steps of  VS (USA 5.6) Camp II is at the top yellow tower, which gives one of the hardest pitches on the climb at VS/Hard VS (5.8).

From Camp II:
Skirt a red rock bluff on the east and follow a ramp line to a gray tower. Move into the ramp (some stone fall danger) and climb to an amphitheater. Continue up a broad gully on between the gray tower and the lower rock buttress and climb a snow slope to ' Santa's Grotto' at the start of Mushroom ridge. Possible bevvy site Follow the mushroom ridge to a crevasse in the upper face, which offers another good bivvy site. Climb the snow/ Ice slope to the right of the face, and then follow mixed ground to the top of the highest hanging glacier. An ice crest now leads in a magnificent position to the summit.

Grand Views! We all need to be back at the base camp by Day 21 - 22. At this point the porters will arrive for our walk out to Lukla.

Today after regaining the energy back after the hard climb, every one will be engaged cleaning up the base camp and packing. Please take all the dead used or unused batteries back home.

An easy downhill of few hours brings you back to the Imjatse River after the river a short climb towards Pangboche.

Retrace the journey back to Monjo via Namche Bazaar for the overnight stop.

Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walk to Lukla, enjoying the lush green scenery around. Apart from few short uphill the only long climb will be just before Lukla which will take approximately 40 minutes from a place called Chop lung or from the old big oak tree. On reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members.

The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason. This scenic flight from Lukla takes about 45 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our staff will receive and transfer you back to the Hotel.

A free day in Kathmandu, and to submit the report of the climb to Nepal Ministry of Tourism and Nepal Mountaineering Associations, inform GA staff for short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley.

Today as per your international flight time, GA staff will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from this wonderful and amazing country, Nepal.