Ama Dablam - North Ridge

Few companies can offer this opportunity - we can!

Trip Overview

Route: KTM – Lukla – Namche – Kala Patar - Lobuche East - Ama Dablam (North Ridge) – return to Lukla - KTM

If you join this expedition to Ama Dablam’s north ridge, you will be heading off on one of the most spectacular climbs available in Nepal.

Ama Dablam is one of the most popular peaks for climbers in Nepal. Very few companies have the skill and expertise within their guiding ranks to offer this trip. Expedition Base is one of those companies.

Lakpa Sherpa has guided on Ama Dablam more times (most likely) than most guides and he holds the world record for the number of Ama Dablam summits – 22 times, as at November 2018. He and his team of guides fixed the normal route of this peak for 7 years, before moving on to make available opportunities for clients on other mountains.

With an expedition scheduled to start in October 2019, Lakpa and Expedition Base are offering clients and prospective clients the rare opportunity to climb the north ridge of this beautiful mountain.

Towering over Tengboche monastery and the Sherpa village of Pangboche at a height of 6,856m, Ama Dablam is one of the most iconic mountains in Nepal.

Many climbers often using this peak as preparation for an expedition to one of the 8,000m peaks (and, of course, the mountain is by its own right a fantastic objective!).

Comprising of steep ice and rock with exposed ridges, the technical nature of the route is somewhat lessened by the presence of fixed lines along the majority of the route.

You’ll need a good head for heights. Our summit push will begin early in the morning from our last camp and hopefully you’ll top out in great weather, as the summit affords spectacular 360 degree views of numerous Himalayan giants, including Mount Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.

Why is this route more expensive than the normal route on Ama Dablam?

This trip is longer than the period that is needed to climb the normal route. This route is attempted by fewer climbers therefore we need to field a strong and larger guiding team to help prepare the route on the mountain. Whilst you might find several hundred people on the normal route, this northern route may only be attempted by us, and maybe one or two other teams. Our goal is to resource ourselves so that we can climb this route independent of any other climbers, and that we provide our team with a good amount of time to acclimatise well for this nice, technical climb.

Why join with Expedition Base?

When it comes to mountaineering expeditions, for any peak, we are known for our sound strategy, strong leadership and well-resourced approach to our expeditions. The mountains are fun and full of wonderful experiences. But, we also recognise that they also carry with them risk. For that reason, we approach the mountains on the basis of ‘safety first’. With safety as our first focus, fun and amazing experiences will follow. Few companies offer logistics as good as ours for a reasonable price point. Our goal is to put our clients in the best position for success, whatever their personal goal in the mountains may be. Our guides are some of the best in the business, with experience on a wide range of peaks from small, right up to the 8,000m peaks, many with multiple summits on the 8,000m peaks. We see strong leadership as critical to success on the world’s highest peaks and we can offer that leadership here at Expedition Base – and not all companies can. We offer the level of services historically offered by leading western companies, but without costly western overheads. In the mountains, your safety is our prime importance. We know our clients value our commitment to them and with that flows a great experience.

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Trip Facts

  • Price starts from

    USD 12,000

  • Intermediate Mountaineering

    Difficulty

    Intermediate Mountaineering

  • Duration

    35 Days, 34 Nights

  • Activity

    Expedition

  • Max. Altitude

    6,856m

  • Destination

    Nepal

  • Trip Start

    Kathmandu

  • Trip End

    Kathmandu

Trip enquiry

How to Book

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Difficulty level

Intermediate Mountaineering

Intermediate Mountaineering

This trip will build on the mountaineering skills that you already have with our guides working together with you to advance those skills. The trip will involve challenging trekking, intermediate mountaineering, moving on snow, rock and ice, with technical tools, at reasonably high altitudes up to around 7,500m, depending on the trip. You can expect to experience some serious heights, maybe some ledges, and exposure to steeper terrain. For this trip, you want to have a sound level of fitness, with cardiovascular exercise and own-body weight type exercises (or similar) at least 4-5 times per week for the period of around 4-6 months before this trip. Weight training is also recommended. Training on uneven terrain is recommended.

Trip Notes

View the printable version of the short itinerary and detailed trip notes here.

View Trip Notes

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Day 2

In Kathmandu

Day 3

Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m), trek to Monjo (2,840m) ~5 hrs

Day 4

Trek Monjo (2,840m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) ~5 hrs

Day 5

Acclimatisation day in Namche ~5 hrs

Day 6

Trek Namche (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,800m) ~5 hrs

Day 7

Trek to Dingboche (4,410m) ~4 hrs

Day 8

Acclimatisation in Dingboche ~5 hrs

Day 9

Trek Dingboche (4,410m) to Lobuche (4,910m) ~5 hr

Day 10

Trek Lobuche (4,910m) to Gorak Shep (5,100m) ~4 hrs

Day 11

Trek Kala Patar (5,500m), down to Gorak Shep, and to Lobuche Base Camp ~7-8 hrs

Day 12

Rest day at Lobuche East Base Camp

Day 13-15

Climb Lobuche East, descend to Dingboche (4,410m) ~8-9 hrs

Day 16

Dingboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp (north side) (4,700m) ~2 hr

Day 17-29

Climbing period

Day 30

Rest and pack up base camp

Day 31

Trek Ama Dablam base camp (4,600m) to Namche (3,440m) ~7-8 hr

Day 32

Trek Namche (3,440m) to Lukla (2,840m) ~6hr

Day 33

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

Day 34

In Kathmandu

Day 35

Depart Kathmandu

Note: Daily walking hours include a lunch break, and regular rest breaks.

Package Details

Inclusions

Internal fixed wing flights, climbing permit fees, 4 nights (based on twin share) in Kathmandu hotel equivalent to Hotel Tibet or Radisson (Lazimpat or similar), experienced climbing guides, including UIAGM/IFMGA, team transport in Nepal, extensive high altitude wilderness first aid kit, fully serviced AD base camp with quality (single share) personal tent for AD base camp, dining, kitchen and shower tents, serviced higher camps, all meals outside Kathmandu plus breakfast in Kathmandu, porters to carry personal/group equipment on treks and up to base camps, climbing Sherpas to set up camps and carry group food; plus clients receive a complimentary Expedition Base duffel to use and keep. (All accommodation is on a twin share basis - single share can be arranged on request at an additional cost).

Exclusions

International flights to and from Kathmandu, lunch and dinners in Kathmandu (allow USD $10-15 per meal), aerated and alcoholic beverages, personal items (e.g. phone calls, internet, laundry), tips and Ama Dablam summit bonus, travel insurance (incl. early departure, mountain rescue) and personal trekking/climbing gear.

Meet Our Expert Team

No matter what the enquiry, our commitment to exceptional service ensures that a helpful and knowledgeable staff member is on hand to assist you whenever the need arises.

Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa

Managing Director

Lakpa Sherpa

Consultant

Chhiring Sherpa

UIAGM / IFMGA Guide

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  • Address
    Kapan 11, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Phone
    +977 01 5222178
    +977 9841232082 (Office)
  • Email
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