Let’s talk about the “Matterhorn of Himalayas”, the most beautiful mountain of the world, Mount Ama Dablam (6812 m) in today’s blog. It is so amazing to share lots of different things surrounding the mountain which is the asset of the Everest region. If you are traveling to Khumbu, then you will surely be hypnotized by one landmark and that is surely the Mount Ama Dablam. In the journey of the Annapurna region’s treks, you will always see the sight of Machhapuchhre one day or another. Similarly, the sight of Ama Dablam during Everest Trek is kind of omnipresent. The interest in the activity to explore the base camp of the mountain is increasing rapidly. Therefore, we are writing the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek Complete Guide.
The Nepal Trekking Rangers Pvt. Ltd. is one of the best agencies that operate trekking activities in the Everest region. Therefore, it is understandable that the company is writing about the complete guide of the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek where you will find about cost, permit, accommodation, meals, guides, and route details. At the end of the blog, you will be able to make decision about trekking in this beautiful new trail inside the Everest region Nepal.
Where Is Ama Dablam Base Camp?
As mentioned above, the Ama Dablam Base Camp is in the Everest region of Nepal. The trail of the Everest Base Camp Trek traverses through Pangboche Village from Tengboche to Dingboche. The village is also used by the EBC Trekkers either for lunch or for emergency overnight stay! Yes, this is the village from where you go off the Everest Base Camp Trek route and head towards the Ama Dablam Base Camp (4600 m). The base camp is in the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of the Solukhumbu district Nepal. There are two sides of the district, the lower section (Solu) and upper section (Khumbu). Yes, the base camp is in the upper section known as Khumbu.
Best Time to Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp
Like any other trekking trails of Nepal, the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek is also ideal during the months of spring (March – May) and autumn season (September – November). Few people claim that the journey is possible even during winter season. This is true as you can trek during months of winter season (December – February). However, this blogger clearly tells you to consider the timing properly as it is not safe to trek during heavy snowfall. The base camp is okay but the trail to base camp from Pangboche can be arduous section to safely navigate.
Difficulty Level of the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek Journey
We don’t use fluffy words to describe the difficulty level of any trekking routes in our travel blogs. These blogs are meant to provide authentic information to travelers with view to promote safe and efficient traveling inside Nepal for travelers from across the globe. Therefore, we say it bluntly that the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek is comparatively easier than the Everest Base Camp Trek. The maximum altitude is 4600 m and you can have option to either stay in the altitude or return back to lower elevation place for overnight stay. Having said this, it doesn’t mean that the difficulty level is like a day hike or stroll in a park. You must have good physical fitness level which can help you walk for about 6 to 7 hours a day for 10 days straight. Therefore, it is moderate grade trekking trail.
Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek Duration, Route, & Itinerary
Check out the itinerary of the Everest Base Camp Trek, you can find lots of similarities from start to the end. If you follow the EBC Trek itinerary, then you have noticed that the itinerary until Pangboche Village is absolutely same. The Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek itinerary follows the same pattern like most of the Everest Treks. Lukla is the trail head and trekkers traverses through places like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Pangboche before heading to the Ama Dablam Base camp (4600 m).
The number of days in the itinerary depends upon the inclusion of side treks. Normally, trekkers in this trail include the Everest Base Camp Hike as well which can increase the original 11 to 14 days itinerary by another 3 or 4 days. Therefore, you can’t exactly say about the days but generally it takes around 9 days to complete the course from trailhead to trail end and return back to trail head.
Days | Activity | Elevation | Time Duration |
01 | Arrival at Kathmandu | 1320m | —-- |
02 | Fly to Lukla (or drive to Ramechhap and fly) and trek to Phakding | Lukla (2846 m), Phakding (2620 m) | 25-minute flight + 3-hour trek |
03 | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3440m | 6-7 hours |
04 | Acclimatization Day: Syangboche, Everest View Hotel, Khumjung, return to Namche | Syangboche (3780 m), Everest View Hotel (3880 m), Khumjung (3790 m) | 5-6 hours |
05 | Trek to Tengboche | Tengboche (3860 m) | Approx. 5 hours |
06 | Trek to Pangboche – Site Trip Upper Pangboche/Monastery | Pangboche (3985 m) | Approx. 2 hours |
07 | Acclimatization Day Hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4570 m) | Ama Dablam Base Camp (4570 m) | 5-6 hours (up and down) |
08 | Trek to Mongla Danda | Mongla Danda (3995 m) | 5 to 6 hours |
09 | Trek to Monjo | Monjo (2835 m) | Approx. 6 hours |
10 | Trek to Lukla | Lukla (2860 m) | Approx. 5 hours |
11 | Fly back to Kathmandu or drive back from Ramechhap | Kathmandu (1320 m) | 25-minute flight or 5-6 hours drive |
12 | Departure from Kathmandu | Kathmandu (1320 m) | —--- |
Distance and Elevation of the Trek
The total trekking distance of the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek is around 80 kilometers including round trip. The highest altitude in this trek is the height of the Ama Dablam Base Camp which is around 4600 m above sea level. Pangboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp is about 6 kilometers and round trip is around 12 kilometers.
Permits Required for Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek
Similar to all the Everest region’s treks, the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek is also inside the Sagarmatha National Park. Therefore, you must acquire the national park entry permit alongside the local Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit. The provision of TIMS card is replaced by the local rural municipality entry permit. Allocate around NRs. 6000 to obtain these permits for trekking. You can get these permits while trekking from Lukla and Jorsalle.
Cost of Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek
Traveling requires money and it is true fact. The journey to the base camp of the world’s most beautiful mountain, Mount Ama Dablam (6814 m) costs around 1200 $. The price is for the standard package but it depends upon the group size and the services included in the trip. If you are a solo trekker, then you may have to pay around 1600 $ to 1700 $ for a standard package. Luxury trekking option is also available at least for the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek. Trekkers can use the sumptuous services inside the luxury mountain lodges while on a trek if they buy the luxury option package.
Accommodation and Food on the Trail
Good news to all trekkers planning to visit the Ama Dablam Base Camp (4600 m)! Nowadays, you can find tea houses in the base camp as well. Earlier, trekkers had to do day hike from Pangboche Village and return back to stay overnight. There is few tea houses opened in the base camp. The interest in the mountain is increasing drastically either for trekking or for climbing. Therefore, locals have built good tea houses in the place. Even if there are tea houses like the Ama Dablam Base Camp Lodge and the Himalayan Lodge, Many trekkers prefer to return back to safe Pangboche Village for overnight stay. There are lots of options in this village than in the base camp.
As for the meals, you don’t have to worry as you are in the commercial Everest Base Camp Trek route most of the time. Quality tea houses and eateries are present in the trail that offers best foods. Enjoy Nepalese Dal Bhat, MOMO, Chowmein (Noodles), and Sherpa breads. Besides these Nepali dishes, you can also get good options for Indian, Chinese, and continental dishes. Almost all the tea houses offer similar kind of menu items.
Transportation to and From Lukla
The most popular way to reach the trailhead of the Everest region’s treks is by Lukla flight. The geographical terrain of the region is very difficult. Therefore, road access to the trail head is hard and unavailable. There’s one option to go by road but it is only possible during dry season. Phaplu to Surke (45 minutes to 1 hour from Lukla) road is dirt track which is still under construction. It takes around 5 to 6 hours of bumpy ride to reach Surke. Therefore, people prefer the Lukla flight but it is too unstable due to weather conditions. The flight gets cancelled or postponed frequently. During peak season of spring and autumn times, you may have to drive all the way to Manthali for the flight to Lukla instead from Kathmandu.
Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization
The threat of altitude sickness is real even for the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek in Nepal. However, it is not as hard as the Everest Base Camp Trek. If you keep one acclimatization rest day before reaching the base camp, then you can easily avoid the risks of altitude sickness. Namche Bazaar acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel (3880 m) is an ideal acclimatization activity. Besides the acclimatization hike, trekkers must also follow instructions for trekking guide. Uniform pace, staying hydrated all the time, and eating soupy foods are few tips to avoid altitude sickness. Use of Diamox is also recommended but above mentioned activities are natural ways to avoid altitude threats.
Physical Fitness and Training Tips
Start preparing your body at least one month prior to the trek. Prepare your body to cope with the demands of higher elevation places and walking hours of about 6 to 7 hours continuously for more than a week. Exercises like swimming, running, cycling, and hiking on staircase trails can help you improve physical fitness level and build strong cardio – vascular ability. If you are serious about completing the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek in Nepal, then you must make sure that you are physically prepared. Also, make your mental resolve strong as the higher elevation places may pose unpredictable events!
Guides and Porters for the Trek
Although you will not be strictly checked whether you have a trekking guide or not, it is highly recommended to get one for the trek. You guide can help you secure good rooms and healthy meals besides telling you the way or pointing at the attractions. Logistical arrangements are full of hassles. It may ruin your overall trekking experiences. Therefore, it wise to hire a guide. Similarly, you are also recommended to get a porter to carry your baggage. Walk freely without carrying your load to enjoy the grandeur of the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek route.
Now, let’s find answers of few frequently asked questions about the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek in Nepal. Every day the number of inquiries about the trek is increasing and the blog aims to provide answers to these queries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek
1. Can I get tea house and lodges in Ama Dablam Base Camp?
Yes, there are tea houses and lodges in the Ama Dablam Base Camp. Few years before, trekkers had to use the tented accommodation if they wish to stay in the base camp but it not the case anymore. If you are on a mission to climb the mountain, then tenting is good option as you have to stay more days for acclimatization before climbing the mountain. For trekkers, staying overnight in these lodges can be so wholesome experiences. Skip long day hike from Pangboche and stay overnight in the tea houses of the base camp. The Himalayan Lodge and the Ama Dablam Base Camp Lodge are two tea houses opened recently in the base camp. You can find warm and cozy rooms as well as warm dining areas in these two tea houses of the base camp.
2. Is it possible to visit Everest Base Camp during Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek?
Yes, it is possible to visit the Everest Base Camp (5364 m) during the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek. Some travelers even keep the visit to the Ama Dablam Base Camp as part of acclimatization side hike for the Everest Base Camp Trek journey. Therefore, it is possible but you must add around 4 to 5 days extra in the original itinerary of the Ama Dablam Base Camp journey. On the way to Everest Base Camp, trekkers can take the side trek from Pangboche Village and return back to stay whether in Pangboche or Somare. For better experiences, this blogger recommends that you do the Everest Base Camp Trek first, and on the way back from the base camp, include the side trek to the Ama Dablam Base Camp (4600 m).
3. Which is the best company to book Everest Trek or Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek in Nepal?
The Nepal Trekking Rangers is the best travel company to book any kinds of Everest Treks or the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek in Nepal. The company specializes in the Everest region due to its huge networks and guides. Most of the guides from the company are from the Khumbu region of Nepal. Therefore, it would be better to book with the Nepal Trekking Rangers to get local experiences. Furthermore, you can also get different options while buying the trekking package. Basic, standard, regular, and premium services are included and travelers can choose according to their preferences. Additionally, the company also offers best counseling before the trip from its travel planners which can be handy to budget the trek efficiently.
4. Who is the best and experienced trekking guide for Everest Trekking?
The best and experienced trekking guide for Everest Trekking is Mr. Yuddha Tamang! He has been working in the field of Nepalese trekking especially in the Everest region since 2006 and continues to do so effortlessly. Mr. Tamang knows inside out about the Khumbu region of Nepal from geography to Sherpa culture. Therefore, you can choose the guide and his services. Furthermore, you can also get to see the places that are often overlooked but have much significance both culturally and geographically.
5. Can I stay in Pangboche Village and do Short Hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp?
Yes, you can stay in Pangboche Village for overnight or stay in the Ama Dablam Base Camp! There are quality tea houses in the village but the Ama Dablam Base Camp has two tea houses (the Himalayan Lodge and Ama Dablam Base Camp Lodge). If you prefer more options, then complete the 12 kilometers of round trip and return back to Pangboche Village.
