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Itinerary for Ama Dablam
Included in the cost of your trip are scheduled group restaurant meals. Meals provided are listed as B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner) at the end of each day. You will be responsible for those meals not listed.
 Day 1 - 3: Kathmandu • 4,383 feet
Travel from your homeport to Kathmandu. All flights departing the US cross the date line and consequently a day is lost. Arrive in Kathmandu, where a Mountain Madness guide will meet you. Check into a classic four-star hotel located in the popular Thamel district. Great food from all over the world, fabulous shopping, and Durbar square with its numerous temples and markets are nearby.
Day 4: Kathmandu • 4,383 feet
While we wrap up last minute paperwork with the Nepal government, you will have a casual day for shopping, visiting the palaces, Durbar Square, Hindu temples and shrines, Buddhist stupas, or just relaxing at the hotel. A favorite destination is the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or you can join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal and the most famous Shiva temple in Asia. B, D
Day 5: Phaking • 8,700 feet
We fly on a twin-engine Otter to the Himalayan foothills where we will begin our trek into the Khumbu region. The views from the plane are amazing, providing dramatic views of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing in the village of Lukla (9,350 feet) we will meet the rest of our staff and porters and trek for about two and a half hours to Phakding. Here we will meet up with trekkers who have participated in the Jiri extension. B, L, D
Day 6: Namche Bazaar • 11,300 feet
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagamatha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar the gateway to the Khumbu region. B, L, D
Day 7: Namche Bazaar • 11,300 feet
Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colorful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, will reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. One room highlights the Sherpa traditions and in another, Sherpa high altitude climbers are presented. B, L, D
Day 8: Thyangboche • 12,887 feet
The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We will spend the night next to the Thyangboche monastery, the spiritual center of Khumbu region. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Llamas. If our group is lucky, we will see the Llama perform a ceremony and hear the mystical chanting and music. B, L, D
Day 9: Ama Dablam Base Camp • 15,000 feet
The uphill trek along the river allows for breathtaking photos of Ama Dablam that towers ominously above us, and the Southwest ridge comes into clear view! Just after the village of Pangbouche we descend down to the Dudh Kosi and cross a small bridge and then follow the trail as it climbs up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,000 feet). Our Sherpas, porters and cooks will have already established base camp and we will be greeted with warm smiles, hot tea and a delicious lunch. The rest of the afternoon can be spent relaxing in the sun watching climbers high on the mountain as they descend the upper snow face of the Dablam Glacier. B, L, D
Day 10: Today is a rest day and acclimatization day. B, L, D
Day 11: Advanced Base Camp• 17,700 feet
Today we make a carry up the large lateral moraine towards Advanced Base camp (ABC) at 17,700 feet. where views of the surrounding 5000m peaks are impressive. It is possible to see the pass, Mingbo La, from here. We return back to base camp for the evening. We will use the strategy of climb high & sleep low to maximize our ability to acclimatize. B, L, D
Day 12: Our group hikes back up to ABC to sleep for the evening. B, L, D
Day 13: Camp I • 18,900 feet
After breakfast, we hike up a ridge until it drops down along the base of Ama Dablam. Scrambling from boulder to boulder, we reach the base of the slabs that challenge us with the first technical climbing (Class 4). Reaching the tops of the slabs and on to the ridge proper, one begins to get a sense of the exposure Ama Dablam is famous for. Camp I is established on the crest of the ridge at 18,900 feet. After leaving a cache at CI, we will return back to base camp for the night. B, L, D
Day 14: Rest day. B, L, D
Day 15: Climbers ascend back to ABC for a second night. Most people find this second night to be a bit more restful! B, L, D
Day 16: Our group climbs back up across the boulders, scrambles up the slabs to the ridge and arrives at Camp I. We will spend the night at Camp I. B, L, D
Day 17: Climb high on the ridge towards Camp II before descending back to base camp. The rest of the day we will rest in the pleasures of base camp. B, L, D
Day 18: Rest Day. B, L, D
Day 19: Our group begins their summit push and ascends to Camp I.
Day 20: Camp II • 19,500 feet
The first summit team will begin their summit attempt, moving to Camp II at 19,500 feet. The climbing from Camp I to II is some of the most exciting rock climbing on the route. The entire route is fixed, and climbers will be connected to this rope via jumar and sling as they traverse 4th and 5th class rock (up to 5.7) around gendarmes and up towers. The rock is impeccable, the exposure intense and the views awe inspiring! Camp II is perched on a narrow ledge with incredible exposure and views of the upper mountain and surrounding peaks. B, L, D
Day 21 Camp III • 21,000 feet
From Camp II, we climb mixed snow, rock and ice up the massive yellow tower and then traverse left into a wild fluted corner. After climbing this 50 degree snow couloir we reach the “mushroom ridge.” We climb along this exposed snow ridge and reach Camp III at 21,000’ which is situated just to the side of the massive Dablam hanging glacier. B, L, D
Day 22: Summit day • 22,350 feet
The day begins with steep climbing right out of camp up toward the Dablam Glacier. The route traverses right, around some crevasses and then meets up with the 40–60 degree snow rib that leads to the summit (22,350 feet). At the top there are beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. We then descend down to Camp III for the night. B, L, D
Day 23: From Camp III we head back to base camp for our celebration dinner. B, L, D
Day 24-26: These days are extra summit attempts for bad weather, and/or health. If we summit early, we can take a side trip to Kala Pattar or Everest Base Camp. B, L, D
Day 27: From Base Camp we descend to Namche. If we are lucky, it will be market time in Namche. Regardless, there is always fabulous food to be found, including real espresso, yak steaks and chocolate cake with frosting! This market is where lowland porters bearing supplies meet the highland Sherpa and Tibetan people who have journeyed over high passes from many miles away to trade food and supplies for their home or village. B, L, D
Day 28: Our last day on the trail, we hike from Namche to Lukla, crossing eleven suspension bridges and reentering the fertile valleys of the lower Dudh Kosi. We overnight in Lukla. B, L, D
Day 29: The morning flight back to Kathmandu is scenic and smooth as we say farewell to the mountains. B, L, D
Day 30: The morning is open and provides a chance to get out early and watch the people of Kathmandu rise in prayer at Pashupatinath along the banks of the holy river Bagmati with burning ghats similar to the Ganges in India. You may wish to visit the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath or explore the temples in the city of Patan just south of Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu. B, D
Day 31-32: Depart Kathmandu and arrive home. B
 NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control and in the guides best judgement.
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