Ama Dablam Base Camp - 13 Days

You will arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport. You will require at least one overnight stay in a hotel in Kathmandu, but this package does not cover this. On your trek departure date, we will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport for a 40-minute flight to Lukla.

It is often tough to navigate in a new country. So, to make sure that you do not have to face difficulties, Discovery World Trekking provides free airport-to-hotel pick-up during arrival and hotel-to-airport drop-off service during departure for the valuable clients who have booked the Ama Dablam trek package. 

You will find our company representative holding a pamphlet with your name on it at the airport reception. They will present you with a marigold garland as a welcome gesture and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. 

This Ama Dablam 13 days trek includes 12 nights lodge to lodge stays at trek regions where you will stay at the best available lodges/teahouses. You will be staying five nights at Lukla, Phakding, and Namche (3 N) in rooms with a private attached bathroom and seven-night stays in standard rooms at Deboche, Dingboche, Chhukung (2N), Lobuche, Pangbohe (2N). All rooms are on twin shared basis.

For solo trekkers, we will arrange single private rooms with an attached bathroom at Lukla, Namche, and Phakding and single private accommodation at Deboche, Dingboche, Chhukung, Lobuche, and Pangboche.

You might require two nights stay in Kathmandu before and after the trek, but this package does not include these. Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels for all budgets and interests. 

As Ama Dablam Base Camp takes place in high elevations, you will need plenty of nutritious food. You will get enough nutrient-rich delicious food during the trek. However, your choices are limited compared to big cities. 

We will be providing you with 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 12 dinners during the trek. Some of the typical menu items are:

Breakfast - Local Tsampa Porridge, Pancakes, Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French Toast with Jam, Butter, Cheese, and Honey Tibetan Bread or Chapati, Hashed Brown Eggs, Varieties of eggs (Omelets), Muesli Breads, Fruits and Vegetables, Hot Drinks - varieties of Teas, Coffees, Hot Chocolates, etc

Lunch – Dhal, Bhat & Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Momo (Dumplings), Macaroni Dishes, Salad, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Various Soup Items, Tenduk, Spaghetti, Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable Curry, Potatoes, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Dessert Items (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), etc

Dinner - Dal (lentils), Bhat (Rice) & Tarkari (Curry), Tibetan Bread, Various Soup Items, Sherpa Stew, Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable Curry, Potato Items, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Vegetables, Salads, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni Dishes, Tenduk, Spaghetti, Noodles, Snacks, Papad, Prawn, Korean Ramen, Dessert Items (Rice Pudding, Apple Pie), Steaks, etc

The menu consists of traditional, Asian, and western items, but as you go up, the choices get limited. 

We highly recommend you take fresh vegetables and enough liquids - green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup (must) at high altitudes. You will also have enough non-veg options, but we do not recommend them for hygiene concerns. 

Similarly, we request you avoid dairy items and alcoholic, caffeinated, and chocolate drinks at high altitudes. 

The weather is the decisive factor to consider while trekking to Ama Dablam. People hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp throughout the year, however, some seasons are more favorable for Ama Dablam treks than others. Spring (March-May) and autumn (mid-Sept - mid-November) are the favorite seasons for trekking due to clear skies, fantastic views, and cool weather. 

In Nepal, summer coincides with the monsoon, making the trek trails wet and slippery, but the views of the waterfalls are magnificent. During winter, there is heavy snowfall, and temperatures are low. However, some people find a thrill in trekking during these seasons also.  

Discovery World Trekking conducts the Ama Dablam trek throughout the year. Here is a brief description of trek conditions at the high elevations of this trek.

January to February

It is the coldest time, especially from early January to early February. There is heavy snowfall in the mountains resulting in frigid temperatures. Though the daytime is warm with clear skies, the nighttime is extremely cold. However, you can trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp during these months. In fact, Discovery World Trekking conducts safe Ama Dablam treks during these months.

Temperature: 15°C to -15°C.

March to April

This is one of the best times to hike in the Ama Dablam. The weather is very favorable this month. You can get stunning views of the Himalayas and glaciers. The weather starts to warm up from mid-March. The flora and fauna dormant during winter come back to life in the sun-kissed temperatures during these months. The clear skies provide stunning views of the snow peaks, and cool weather provides comfort for trekkers. Many trekkers trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp in these months.    

Temperature: 18°C to -12°C.

May to June

You can plan for a great trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp during May and June, just before the monsoon starts in Nepal. The mix of spring and summer seasons makes treks during these months very enjoyable. 

Temperature: 25°C to -5°C.

July to August

The rainfall hits its peak in these months, mainly at elevations below 3500 meters. Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla during the trek start and flights from Lukla to Kathmandu at the trek end may get canceled due to rain.

However, you can find trekkers trekking to Ama Dablam Base Camp during these months. The rainfall provides spectacular views of waterfalls on the trek route. In addition, the hiking trails are also uncrowded. If you decide to trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp, Discovery World Trekking will conduct safe treks during these months. 

Temperature: 27°C to 5°C

September to October

With clear skies and stunning mountain views, it is also a perfect season for the Ama Dablam Base Camp trek that attracts tourists in large numbers. As the monsoon slowly ends, a perfect trek climate sets itself. The temperature goes up to 20 degrees in the daytime and falls to 5 degrees during the nighttime. In addition, the main festivals of Nepal - Dashain and Tihar - also fall during these months. 

Temperature: 20°C to 5°C

November to December

As winter slowly begins, snowfalls begin in the Himalayas region, making it tough to trek. Nights get colder. November treks are still possible, with sparkling days and amazing views of snow peaks.

From December, the temperature dips, and heavy snowfall starts at high trek altitudes.

Temperature: 18°C to -10°C

Often, trekkers who try to rush their way to the Ama Dablam face altitude sickness. To avoid altitude sickness, you will be acclimatizing at Namche Bazaar and Chukung. This trek is relatively easier than Everest Base Camp - 10 or 12 days hike. At Namche Bazaar, you can explore this famous Sherpa town thriving with Wi-Fi-linked cafes, restaurants, bars, and different types of shops.

You will also be spending one more day acclimatizing at Chukung. You will climb the ridge behind the village to look at the stunning views of several snow peaks. Our trek leaders and guides are well-trained and experienced at high altitudes. 

Your health and safety are important to us, and we treat them as our first priority. If you have been rigorously affected, the only remedy is to descend immediately. In such situations, your trek leader has the authority to decide whether to continue the trek or to descend immediately. 

As challenging as it is, the Ama Dablam Trek is equally rewarding. You will be walking for around 5 to 7 hours on an average trek day. The trail consists of steep uphills or downhills along rocky and stone-paved paths. An average fit person can complete the trek. However, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your hike.

Former trek experience will help but not necessary. A few weeks of regular exercise will develop your stamina. This trek, however, is not recommended for individuals with sensitive medical conditions like heart or lung disease. If you suffer from these conditions, we recommend you to consult with your doctor before booking the trek. 

We organize group as well as private treks. If you have your own group, the bigger your group, the more discount you will get. However, you are not eligible for discounts if Discovery World Trekking assembles the group. We can handle all group sizes and add an assistant trek guide for groups with twelve or more members. For every two members, we allocate one porter. The luggage weight limit per trekker is 9 kg. 

Each day will bring a new unique trekking experience - including climbing, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, exploring villages, and tasting local delicacies. 

During your trek, our friendly and qualified expert Sherpa/Guide will share information about the places you are trekking. Porters carrying your luggage will also accompany you. However, we also expect you to carry a small backpack with important items. 

The day starts with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After breakfast, we set off on the day's walk from around 7 to 8 AM, depending on the duration and nature of that day's walk. 

After trekking for three to four hours, you will have lunch around midday, often on the route to the next destination. You will have an hour of rest after lunch before continuing the trek.

The afternoon trek is generally shorter - about two to three hours. Once you reach the overnight lodge/tea house, you can snack on the extra dietary food. Before it gets dark, you are free to explore nearby places. We will serve you dinner around 6 to 7 PM. After dinner, your trek guide will brief you about the next day's trek. Before going to bed, you can read books, play board games like monopoly, chess, or cards, or watch mountaineering documentaries. Most foreigners also learn a few Nepali words from our crew.

While on the Ama Dablam Trek, you can use the internet available at the lodges by paying a small service charge. However, at high altitudes, we will use mobiles for communication. Discovery World Trekking remains in contact with all the trek groups at least once a day via the trek lead to ensure that everything is right and going as planned. You can purchase a local sim in Kathmandu. However, depending on the network you use, the signals may not be strong enough at high altitudes.

Ama Dablam trek package covers most expenses during the hike. However, we do not cover certain costs. Meals and accommodations in Kathmandu are up to our clients themselves. You can find all kinds of hotels/lodges (both luxury & budget) in Kathmandu that you can book online. 

All our valuable clients need to bring personal spending money to cover accommodations and food costs in Kathmandu, visa process, travel insurance policy purchase, snacks, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, tips for crew members, souvenirs, etc. We recommend bringing cash (major currencies) that you can exchange for Nepali Rupees. Trek regions only accept Nepali currency. 

Throughout the lodges in the Ama Dablam trek region, electricity for the camera and mobile recharge is available at an extra cost. You can buy packed mineral water from the shops on the trails. However, some trek regions may not allow plastic bottles. So, you can buy boiled/filtered water in lodges/teahouses and fill your water bottle. If you need, we can also provide you water purification pills.  

This is a challenging trek that comes with inherent risks of high-altitude trekking such as altitude sickness. So travel insurance for the Ama Dablam trek is compulsory. All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate to Discovery World Trekking before starting the hike. The policy must cover medical expenses and emergency repatriation - including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses up to the highest trek altitude (up to 6000m). 

We can recommend insurance companies based on our previous clients' experiences, but we do not sell insurance policies. 

We request our valuable clients to send their detailed insurance information within a week of trek booking. In emergencies, we will use your insurance policy and other informational documents you sent us for quick rescue and transfer you to medical facilities. 

All foreigners except Indians require a visa to enter Nepal. Citizens from most countries get an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. 

The visa application will require a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees. The current cost of the visa fee is USD 50 for 30 days.

SAARC (India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh) and Chinese citizens get free visas. Citizens from certain countries - Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan - may not receive an arrival visa. So if you are a citizen of these countries, you have to contact your local Nepalese embassy.

Nepal government may change the visa policies without notice, so for the latest information, you can visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/.

Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the local currency.
(1 USD = ~ Rs.120 NPR).

You can exchange most foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu. Hotels in Kathmandu also exchange small amounts of cash (major currencies).

Legal money exchanges display their ongoing rates visibly. Please note that only Indian Rupee notes of 100 and 2,000 are legal in Nepal. 

Despite the traveler's check's security, we recommend you for cash exchange to avoid hassles like lengthy processes and high bank commissions. You can use your card to withdraw cash (in Rupees only) from one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu and Thamel itself.

Several of these ATMs open around the clock. The maximum withdrawal amount, using a foreign card, is 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing fee.

If you use the money exchange facility at banks and financial institutions, they charge 4% or more as a service fee. Trek regions do not have banks and money exchanges, so you should exchange your money in Kathmandu - based on your spending estimates. Trek regions only honor Nepali currency. 

The luggage weight limit is 9 kg per trekker. We assign one porter for every two trekkers. So, our porter will not carry more than 18kg of combined luggage weight. We also expect you to bring a small backpack to carry your valuables. You can leave your excess baggage at your hotel or Discovery World Trekking store.

Discovery World Trekking guarantees the safety and security of all its clients. Safety is the foremost concern for us. 

Our trek team carries all the necessary gears, equipment, and first aid kits, ready to face any situation. Our guides have completed extensive first aid training. If a trekker falls sick due to the altitude, the trek lead has the authority to continue the hike or descend immediately after analyzing the situation. In emergencies, we deploy a helicopter to bring the traveler back to safety. Moreover, we will be hiking as a cohesive team.