
Ama Dablam Expedition
Ama Dablam is one of the worlds most iconic and stunning peaks, soaring above the Dudh Kosi River Valley en route to Everest Base Camp.
Ama Dablam is one of the world's most iconic and stunning peaks, soaring above the Dudh Kosi River Valley en route to Everest Base Camp. Known for its striking pyramid shape, the name “Ama Dablam” means “Mother’s Necklace,” symbolizing the ridges as a mother’s arms and the hanging glacier as her sacred ornament. The peak was first climbed on 13 March 1961 by Mike Gill, Barry Bishop, Mike Ward, and Wally Romanes via the South-West Ridge — still the standard and most popular route today.
Ama Dablam is a technical climb that demands experience in steep ice, rock, and mixed alpine terrain. Climbers typically establish three high camps: Camp I (5,700 m), Camp II (6,080 m), and Camp III (6,400 m). The route from Base Camp to Camp I is steep and rocky, requiring navigation across boulders and saddle ridges. From Camp I to Camp II, fixed ropes assist on exposed
Trip Facts
Group Size
1-15 persons
Maximum Elevation
6812 meters
Location
Khumbu Region, Nepal
Route
Southwest Ridge
Grade
Mountaineering VI
Best Season
Spring & Autumn (autumn is the best)
Accommodation
Hotel and Camping
Transportation
flight and trek to base camp
Ama Dablam (6,812m) is often called the "Matterhorn of the Himalayas" due to its dramatic shape and elegant ridges. A favorite among climbers for its beauty and technical appeal.
Climbing Ama Dablam involves steep rock, ice, and mixed terrain. You'll ascend using fixed ropes, tackle exposed ridgelines, and rappel through vertical sections ideal for experienced climbers seeking a true challenge.
This world-famous route offers sustained technical climbing, with established high camps and fixed lines. Climbing involves Camp I (5,700m), Camp II (6,080m), and summit push from Camp II (Camp III is rarely used now).
From the summit, enjoy breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Baruntse, and the entire Khumbu range.
The approach trek passes through legendary Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Pangboche—offering rich cultural experiences and traditional Himalayan hospitality.
Asian Hiking Team provides full logistical support, experienced Sherpa guides, climbing permits, and safety management at base camp and high camps.
The expedition is an excellent stepping stone for climbers preparing for peaks like Everest, Lhotse, or Makalu.
- Pick up/Drop from International Airport to Hotel.
- Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla both way flight.
- Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast (3-star).
- Lodge accommodation during the trek.
- Single tent with mattress and pillow at Base Camp.
- High altitude tents for members and Sherpas.
- All camping equipment and furniture at Base Camp.
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) with hot drinks during camping/climbing.
- High-altitude food and snacks for the climb.
- Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park permit.
- Ama Dablam Expedition Permit /Royalty.
- Government appointed Liaison Officer expenses.
- Local entry permits and fees.
- One high altitude Sherpa guide per member.
- Support Sherpas for carrying loads to upper camps.
- Porters/Yaks for baggage (50-60kg allowance per person).
- Base Camp Manager, cook, and necessary staff.
- Wages, meals, accommodation, and insurance for all staff.
- Trekking Map and Itinerary.
- Group climbing equipment (ropes, ice screws, etc.).
- Emergency Oxygen bottles, mask, and regulator.
- Solar panel/generator at Base Camp for charging small electronics.
- Rope fixing fee.
- Company T-shirt and souvenir.
- Expedition success certificate.
- Basic first aid kit carried by staff.
- Satellite phone for emergency communication.
- Farewell dinner with cultural program.
- Travel & Rescue arrangement service.
- International air ticket to/from Nepal.
- Nepal tourist visa fees.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- Hot drinks (tea/coffee), hot showers, and bottled water during the trek at lodges.
- All cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, and beer.
- Personal snacks for the trekking portion.
- Personal trekking and climbing gear (rentals available).
- Personal solar chargers for heavy electronics.
- Internet/Wi-Fi/Telephone costs.
- Medical evacuation and expenses due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Entry fees for sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Tips for guides, porters, and summit bonuses.
- Cost for hiring an additional porter if your baggage exceeds the 50-60kg allowance.
- Cost for a personal Sherpa/guide if requested.
Tailored add-ons in Nepal trips refer to customizable essentials that enhance and personalize your travel experience. Options include:
- Customized Accommodations: Upgrade from standard lodging to luxury hotels or homestays.
- Porter/Sherpa Service: Hire a porter to carry up to 25 kg of gear for US$22/day.
- Helicopter Flights: Opt for helicopter transport to places like Lukla (from US$500).
- Adventure Activities: Add paragliding (US$100), bungee jumping (US$100), or rafting (from US$30).
- Cultural & Spiritual Journeys: Include visits to Lumbini, Pashupatinath, or local festivals.
- Wildlife Safaris: Extend your trip with a safari in Chitwan (from US$99) or Bardia (US$299).
- Flexible Scheduling: Adjust dates and durations to fit your needs.
Our guides are licensed professionals with extensive experience in mountaineering, local culture, and first aid. High-altitude Sherpas are trained and certified by the NMA, TAAN, and NATHAM. They are proficient in all technical aspects of climbing, including rope fixing, high-altitude logistics, and rescue protocols. We ensure all staff have proper insurance, health protection, and equipment.
Mountaineering grades classify the difficulty of a climb based on factors like length, altitude, technicality, and commitment. Ama Dablam is graded as Mountaineering VI, indicating a very difficult, long, serious, and highly technical climb over thousands of vertical feet with high commitment and few bivouac sites.
Accommodation:
- Hotel/Lodge (Trekking): Twin-sharing rooms with basic amenities. Shared toilets are common, and hot showers may cost extra.
- Tented Camping (Climbing): Single or two-person tents are provided at Base Camp and higher camps, along with dining, kitchen, and toilet tents.
Meals: Our cooks prepare a mix of Nepali and international cuisine.
- Breakfast: Porridge, eggs, pancakes, Tibetan bread, muesli, tea/coffee.
- Lunch: Dal Bhat, noodles, pasta, momos, sandwiches, soup.
- Dinner: Dal Bhat, curries, Thukpa, pizza, pasta, fried rice.
- Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, and chocolate are recommended for climbing.
Nepal has five main seasons, but the best times for trekking and climbing are Autumn and Spring.
- Autumn (Sep-Nov): Best season. Clear skies, stable weather, and excellent mountain views. Warm days and cold nights.
- Spring (Mar-May): Second best season. Warmer weather, blooming rhododendrons. Can be hazy at lower elevations.
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Cold and snowy. High passes are often closed. Suitable for lower-altitude treks.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug): Rainy and challenging. Best for treks in rain-shadow areas like Upper Mustang.
Climbing in Nepal requires a government-issued permit. The royalty fee for Ama Dablam for foreign climbers is:
- Spring Season: US$ 1,000
- Autumn Season: US$ 1,000
- Winter/Summer Season: US$ 500
Additionally, a rubbish management deposit of US$ 2,000 is required, which is refundable upon proper disposal of waste. All staff must have mandatory insurance coverage for medical emergencies and rescue.
We use a combination of transport modes:
- Air: Domestic flights (e.g., Kathmandu to Lukla) and helicopter services for scenic or emergency transport.
- Road: Private vehicles (cars, vans, jeeps) and tourist buses for travel between cities and to trek start points.
- Traditional: Porters and yaks are used to transport gear in mountain regions.
Health and safety are paramount.
- Altitude Sickness (AMS): Prevent by ascending slowly, staying hydrated (4-5 liters/day), and acclimatizing properly. Know the symptoms (headache, nausea) and descend if they become severe.
- Food & Water: Drink only boiled, filtered, or bottled water. Eat well-cooked meals.
- Foot Care: Use well-fitted boots and address hotspots immediately to prevent blisters.
- First Aid: Our guides carry first aid kits, but you should bring personal medications.
NTC and Ncell SIM cards offer good coverage in the Khumbu region, though service can be spotty at high altitudes. Everest Link Wi-Fi is available at most teahouses and lodges for a fee. For emergencies, our guides carry a satellite phone.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this expedition. Your policy must cover:
- Emergency Air Ambulance/Helicopter Rescue
- Medical Expenses
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption You must provide proof of insurance before the trip begins.
We are committed to responsible tourism. Our policies include:
- Environmental: Minimizing waste, using gas for cooking, and leaving no trace.
- Cultural: Respecting local customs, asking permission for photos, and supporting local economies.
- Community: Donating a portion of profits to community projects and ensuring fair treatment and wages for all staff and porters.
Ice Axe/Ice Hammer : Bring a lightweight axe with a pick that will stick easily in hard glacier ice. Attach a light weight wrist leash that is usable for climbing steeper terrain.
Crampons : These must be sharp and must fit your boot perfectly.
Harness : Make sure the buckle is easy for you to thread in cold conditions! Gear loops will be useful for this trip as well as adjustable leg loops.
Helmet : Be sure you can comfortably fit a warm hat underneath.
Hardware : Bring 3 locking and 4 lightweight regular carabineers. It is helpful if at least one of the locking carabineers has a "key gate", like the Petzl Attaché. Bring one handled ascender and one Petzl Tibloc for ascending the fixed rope. You will need rigging material--two sewn 48" nylon slings and 10' of 8 mm perlon should be sufficient. Also include one small 5 mm prussik loop (about 4 feet of cord tied with a double fisherman's knot) for a rappel backup. For rappelling the Black Diamond ATC Guide is good since it can handle ropes from 7.7mm to 11mm. A Figure 8 is an old standby and works on a variety of ropes and also icy ropes.
Insulated Parka/Expedition Suit : Heavyweight insulated expedition Suit/parka with hood.
Jacket : Lightweight waterproof-breathable construction with a hood.
Pants : Lightweight waterproof-breathable shell pants or bibs with full-length leg zippers. ALSO, very useful are synthetic insulation full-zip pants, for example, Mountain Hardware Compressor Pants--for evenings and cold summit days.
Mid-Layers : Fleece or Soft Shell layering pieces that work well with the rest of your clothing. A Soft Shell jacket and an expedition weight long john top will work well.
Climbing Pants : Look for construction that provides freedom of movement and/or stretch materials. Fabric should be a breathable synthetic that preferably holds up to abrasion.
Base Layers : 2 synthetic tops and 1 bottom. Zip neck tops are the way to go.
Mittens : Fleece mittens with an over mitten. Nothing competes with a mitten for warmth when the going got tough.
Ski Gloves : A warm insulated glove with leather palm will be worn a lot of the time.
Light Gloves : Polypropylene or fleece. Leather palms handle the fixed line better, Leather gloves or good abrasion resistant climbing glove for the rock sections.
Stocking Hat : Wool or fleece stocking hat with ear protection, Neck Gaiter and/or a Buff (highly recommended), Baseball hat and Bandana.
Trekking Poles : Poles come in handy for balance and easing impact to your knees. Get collapsible poles that can attach to your backpack and fit into your Duffel.
Backpack : You may choose to bring a smaller "day pack" for your airline travel carry on, and this can be used on the trek if you want to carry a smaller (35 liter or so), light trekking pack. You need a pack big enough for your clothes, water, camera, food, etc. during the day.
Pack Cover : Waterproof rain cover for your trekking pack.
Trekking Clothes : Light hiking pants and / or hiking shorts for warm weather down low-NOT cotton. Shirts for hiking on nice days (t-shirts OK, quick-drying synthetic fabric is better.) Don't overdo your trekking clothes. A pair of shorts, long pants and a couple of shirts will do. Some pair of Socks, Underpants/panties/Bra, Belt, Skirt, one set sport sandals and Trousers, you can handwash them during the trek as needed.
Lightweight Approach Boots : Find a pair that fits and log some miles in them before your trip. A low cut shoe is adequate, but some hikers will prefer more ankle support.
Sleeping Bag : Bring a sleeping bag comfortable to -20 for trekking, however it is better to bring -30 for climbing. During the trekking in hotel/guest house -20 is fine but on the tented home you need -30. Down is lighter and much more compressible.
Double Climbing Boots : Double Climbing Boots with expedition liners. Make sure your crampons can be adjusted to fit them (La sportiva - Olympus Mons Cube).
Approach boots : Which will work on the trek and approach to Camp 1, and even up to Camp 2 if conditions warrant.
Gaiters : Gaiters and Yaktrax or Kahtoola Micro spikes in case of snow.
Socks : Four/five sets of climbing socks.
Eyewear : Bring good sunglasses with side protection. For contact lens wearers, ski goggles with light color lenses (for use at night) might be useful in windy conditions. The ski goggles are essential for all climbers in really stormy conditions and can serve as an emergency backup for broken or lost sunglasses.
Vision correction : Bring extra prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses if you wear them. Lens solutions are not widely available in Nepal, bring enough for the duration.
Wrist Watch : With alarm and night light. An altimeter watch is useful.
First Aid : Hand sanitizer (Purell), moleskin or Compede, athletic tape, aspirin (some climbers take a baby aspirin every day up high) and/or ibuprofen / acetaminophen, Imodium, Band-Aids, antacid, insect repellant, ear plugs, and two rolls of toilet paper in quart Ziploc bags (we will have a supply at Base Camp), small towel, soap/shampoo.
Prescription Medications : Antibiotic for upper respiratory problems, Antibiotic for GI problems, Diamox for acclimatization (125 mg tabs recommended; enough for a week or more), Tylenol 3 or similar for severe headaches, Asthma medication, if any history.
Skin Care : Sun block lotion (at least #30 protection factor -- have at least one smaller tube (1 oz) that can fit in your pocket) and lip salve. Put your lip protection on a string and hang it from your neck. That way, you'll use it. It also works great for your nose.
Garbage Bags : 2 or 3 large plastic bags make great liners for your pack in wet weather.
Personal Snack Food : The food is great on the trek, but you might enjoy a few snacks (not more than 5 pounds) from home and also some drink mixes if you like these to add to your water bottle (let the iodine have 30 minutes contact time before adding). Summit climbers should bring some high altitude snacks they prefer for hard days.
MP3 Player and Books : As you want to read on the way to trekking. Plan on sharing books on hotel/guest house and on sharing books with the Base Camp.
Headlamp : Bring a good LED headlamp with 2 sets of lithium batteries for cold conditions.
Water Bottles : 2 wide mouth plastic water bottles with insulated covers. A small Thermos bottle is great for cold mornings. Bring a pee bottle too.
Water purification : Iodine tablets (Potable Aqua or similar) or iodine crystals (Polar Pure). One bottle of Potable Aqua (enough to treat 25 liters) should be more than sufficient.
Utensils : Bring an insulated mug with a lid, a decent sized bowl, spoon, pocket knife and lighter.
Climbing Backpack : Medium size internal frame pack (60 liter capacity). Look for a pack which is comfortable to carry, very durable, as light as is reasonable and one which has a minimum number of bells and whistles.
Duffel Bags : We normally pack all our equipment in two large Duffel bags. Make sure they are well labeled with indelible ink as well as a travel tag. The duffels go on the trek/climb with you and will be carried by porters and yaks. Except for them to get wet and muddy, so rugged, waterproof duffels are good. Bags with wheels are nice for the airport, but the porters and yaks don't like to carry them, so don't bring wheeled bags (or at least not two of them). You will also store some travel clothes at the hotel in Kathmandu while trekking, so a small additional bag with a lock might be handy. Bring 5 large plastic garbage bags to pack gear inside duffels to protect gear from rain.
Travel Wallet : Some type of secure travel wallet is a must. Remember a pen for travel documents.
Passport : Passport (valid for at least 6 months): It is easy to get your Nepal visa on arrival in Kathmandu at the airport bring a passport photo. Bring a copy of the information pages and a couple of extra passport photographs. Carry these in a separate location. You'll be glad you did if you ever lose a passport.
Camera : with spare batteries, and film or memory cards, but keep it reasonable and weight. Consider a small USB drive to make it easy to share photos with your teammates.
Bathing Suit : Towel, Toothpaste and brush, floss, mini hairbrush, razor, soap, mini bottle of shampoo, travel mirror, nail clippers, Pie bottle etc.



