Ama Dablam Base Camp trek

Introduction

The Ama Dablam Base Camp trek immerses you in Sherpa culture while hiking the Khumbu’s hidden valley. Starting from Lukla, you’ll follow the Everest Base Camp trail to Tengboche. Then you’ll turn east into quieter valleys. Beyond the busy main route, you’ll find empty trails. At this point, the Khumbu giants stand before you in perfect silence.

After visiting the Ama Dablam Base Camp, the trek takes you to Khumjung. Here, you can visit the local monastery, the Edmund Hillary school, and the hospital of Khunde.

Ama Dablam Base Camp Overview

A short flight will take you from Kathmandu to Lukla. Here, the Ama Dablam Base Camp trek begins with a short walk to Phakding. After a night’s rest, you hike on a comfortable trail towards the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar.

To aid acclimatization, we’ve added an easy day hike to the famous Everest View Hotel. The terrace of this hotel offers a stunning view of Everest and Lhotse, and the entire Khumbu valley. While in town, visit Sagarmatha National Park’s visitor center in Namche. You’ll discover local wildlife, plants, and Sherpa traditions through interactive displays.

From Namche, the Ama Dablam Base Camp trek continues its path to Tengboche monastery. The teahouse sits directly opposite, giving you time to explore the monastery and witness the monks’ evening ceremony.

After your visit, you’ll leave the main trail and continue into a valley towards the grasslands of Ama Dablam Base Camp. Immediately, you’ll leave the crowded trails, and you’ll be able to enjoy the impressive Khumbu mountains by yourself.

Once at base camp, you can have a close look at the pyramid shape of this characteristic mountain. The climb to the summit is one of the most technical climbs in the region, and only experienced climbers will take on the challenge.

Leaving Ama Dablam Base Camp behind, you’ll hike to Pangboche. The monastery is a typical Gompa in the Khumbu region, and it’s open for a visit. Following your time at the Gompa, the trek continues to Phortse. This traditional Sherpa village provides panoramic views across the Khumbu valley.

Entering Khumjung gives a good understanding of why this village is called the green village. In fact, all the roofing in Khumjung is green coloured. Here, you can visit the beautiful local monastery. The April 2015 earthquake severely damaged the main building, but restoration teams have fully restored it.

Additionally, a visit to the local Edmund Hillary school is possible. The Himalayan Trust, once founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, supports the school. Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay were the first climbers of Mount Everest on May 29^th, 1953. When he was in the Khumbu, he saw the desperate need for education in the region. Hillary’s legacy continues today. Many Sherpa students studied abroad with the support of the trust. They’ve returned as doctors, teachers, and engineers serving their communities.

Before descending, you can visit the Khunde hospital, which specializes in mountain sickness. From Khumjung, you will descend back to Lukla where your Ama Dablam Base Camp trek ends. Here, a flight will take you back to Kathmandu.
To learn more about the Ama Dablam Expedition, click here.