Everest Base Camp & Ama Dablam Trek
- duration 14 days
- usd 1,900
- difficulty Hard
- best season Sep-Dec | Mar-May
- max altitude From 4,600 feet at Kathmandu to 18,519 feet at Kala Patthar
trip overview
Trek to the base of two Himalayan giants – the Everest and the Ama Dablam–through tranquil mountains and welcoming Sherpa towns. At rough terrains above 15,000 feet, you will literally be higher than clouds.
The Mount Ama Dablam peak lies more than 22,000 feet above the sea level and is known worldwide for its formidable structure. Together with Mount Everest, which needs no introduction, the trekking circuit from Lukla to the bases of these giants and back makes one hell of an expedition. You will walk, almost exclusively, on glaciers and along mountain ridges that you can call yourself a true mountaineer after this trip.
Detail itinerary
- day 01Arrival.
We will pick you up at the airport in Kathmandu (4,600 feet) and take you to your hotel. You will begin your big trip the next day and we will brief you on your itinerary .
- Accomodation: Hotel
- day 02Fly to Lukla (9,383ft) & trek to Monjo (9,301ft).
In half-an-hour, you will reach Lukla, a tourist town officially inside the Everest Region. Your Everest and Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek starts here. The journey begins with an easy five-hour climb down to Monjo village.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meal: Breakfast
- day 03Trek to Namche (11,286ft).
We will climb up this day for about three hours and enter Sagarmatha National Park to reach Namche Bazaar. Namche is a small strip of Las Vegas in the Himalayas where you will find almost everything from night clubs to tattoo parlours to trekking equipment stores.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 04Rest at Namche.
This is an altitude acclimatisation rest day. You can visit the market and meet with local Sherpa people and fellow travellers. Rest well as your trek starts getting tougher from the next day.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 05Trek to Pangboche (13,074ft).
Hike through forests for seven to ten hours to Pangboche village. This is where your trekking gets real and fatigue sets in. But the view of majestic Mount Ama Dablam (22,349 feet) will hopefully keep you energized.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 06Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp (14,993ft) & back to Pangboche.
The base camp is right around the corner from Pangboche. You will find mountaineers camping here before their ascent of Ama Dablam, the mountain shaped like a pendant. This place is also popular among tourists as several sightings of the Yeti have been reported here.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 07Trek to Dingboche (14,470ft).
We will be heading towards Everest from this day. We will reach Dingboche in three to four hours. The village lies on the bank of the Imja River and is known for stone walls that run throughout and beyond the village.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 08Trek to Lobuche (16,210ft).
We will hike through snow and pass Thukla village and reach Lobuche at the foot of Khumbu glacier in not more than four hours. Mount Everest will just be a day away.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 09Trek to Gorakshep (16,942ft). After lunch trek to Everest Base Camp (17,598ft) & trek back to Gorakshep.
A short three-hour trek will take you to Gorakshep, a village sitting on top of a frozen lake bed. After lunch, we will walk for two to three hours to reach the Everest Base Camp. You will get to stand on the foot of the tallest peak in the world. But, however much you might want, you cannot camp here with your trekking permit so we will have to return to Gorakshep before night.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 10Hike up to Kala Patthar (18,519ft) & trek to Pheriche (14,340ft).
We will hike up to Kala Patthar, which lies on the southern ridge of Mount Pumori (23,494 feet). It’s a two-hour climb after which you will be at the highest point of your journey. Here you will get the best panoramic view of the Everest along with the Khumbu Glacier and other Himalayan peaks. We will descend to Pheriche, a small village full of yaks, and rest for the day.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 11Trek to Namche.
We will start to get back now. An easy downhill trek through forests, suspension bridges and alongside mountain ridges will get you to Namche Bazaar, back to the society after your ordeal with wilderness. It’s not too early to celebrate, so you might want to head out and share your adventure over a couple of drinks.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 12Trek to Lukla.
You have to climb up to Lukla. You were here on the second day of your trip and your trekking ends here. You will not have to walk anymore.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- day 13Fly to Kathmandu.
You will be back to Kathmandu in an half hour. Kathmandu will be crowded and noisy, a sharp contrast to the serenity of the Himalayas.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- day 14Final Departure.
We will drop you to Tribhuvan International Airport and recollections of your Himalayan journey will surely keep you busy throughout the flight.
- Meal: Breakfast
Included in cost
- Receive you from and drop you to the airport or hotel in our company vehicle.
- Stay at a standard tourist hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfast is on us.
- Stay at guesthouses during the trek on a twin-sharing basis.
- Local government-licensed guides.
- Porters (one each for a pair of travellers) and local support staff to help you trek.
- Fees for Sagarmatha National Park entering permit and Trekkers’ Information Management System card
- Fully paid round-trip tickets for Kathmandu-Lukla flight and back. Rides in private vehicles included in the itinerary.
- A duffel bag, a sun hat and a t-shirt as a souvenir from us.
- All tourist fees, government charges and other official expenses throughout the trip.
Not included in cost
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- All meals during the trek.
- Additional stay before, during or after the set itinerary.
- Charges at airports or other areas for excess luggage.
- Alcohol, hot or cold drinks, bottled water, and other snacks.
- Phone calls, internet, laundry, additional porters, and other personal expenses.
- Travel insurance. (It is compulsory and covers emergency rescue and evacuation.)
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Visa fees for entering Nepal.
- Trekking equipment.
- Other expenses not mentioned in “Included in cost” list.
Accomodation during the Trip
In Kathmandu, you will stay in a standard hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 230.Also note that single rooms is easily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.
faqs
- How do I come to Nepal?You have to book your own international flight from your country to Nepal and back according to your trip departure dates.
- What happens after I land into Nepal?A chauffeur from Mountain Kick will come receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Representatives of the company will visit you at the hotel itself and brief you on your trip.
- What will a trekking trip with Mountain Kick involve?You will trek in the Himalayas in a group of international travellers fully assisted by our guides, porters and local support staff. We will take care of your entire trip as soon as you land in Kathmandu and safely take to your preferred destination and back as per the package you choose. Travel will involve plenty of sightseeing and mixing with local culture.
- In what physical condition do I need to be for the trip?A regular person can complete the trip with help from our guides and porters. But it is important that you are healthy and have no physical injuries. Trekking for long hours in high altitude and difficult terrain will surely put a strain on your body and you might suffer severe physical and mental breakdown, especially if you are trekking in the Himalayas for the first time. It is, therefore, expected that you have taken light endurance training especially for longer trips.
- How long do I have to trek each day?On most days of your trips, you will trek for a couple of hours only. But some trekking days require as much as six to eight hours of walking in high altitude. However, there will be plenty time each day for rest and acclimatization.
- Where will I be staying during the trip?In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. At some destinations, especially in the Himalayas, you will have to stay in a tented camp. If you want to make separate living arrangements, talk to us beforehand and we can arrange single rooms for additional $250. Some guesthouses at very high altitudes and remote places may not have attached washrooms or single rooms.
- And food?All your major meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your trekking package except in Kathmandu (where only breakfast is provided for). You will be served local food at all places we dine but you can order anything you like on the menu which you will have to pay for yourself. You will have a range of options so there won’t be a problem if you are a vegetarian or vegan. We make sure you get healthy and hygienic food throughout your travel.
- How much help do I get during the trek?Our guides and porters always put your safety and comfort first. We have English-speaking guides who take you to all major attractions throughout the travel and are happy to answer all your queries. We have one porter assigned each for two travellers and you will have to pay separately if you want to hire extra porters. We have local support staff in all villages and camps you reach to assist you in any way possible.
- What happens in case of injuries and emergencies?The guides always carry a professional first aid kit with them to treat with minor injuries. We also have health professionals at villages and camps along the journey. The travel insurance you take (which is compulsory) covers any and all emergency rescue and evacuation.
- What if I want to do something beyond the itinerary?We are always happy to accommodate your wishes during the travel so far as they do not conflict with schedules and other travellers. If you have special plans, you can talk to us beforehand so that we can arrange a customised trip for you.
- What equipment do I bring?You have to bring all travel equipment yourself. Please see the equipment list section for a standard list of required equipment prepared by our guides. Most of the items are easily available in Kathmandu in case if you miss any and we also lend you some of the gears for the duration of the trip for a small fee.
- Will I get to communicate with the outer world?There is internet and telephone connection in all of our stops for the day throughout the journey. You will be able to call back home or post your pictures on Facebook everyday.
- What travel documents do I need?As soon as you land into Kathmandu, we take care of all your travel documents required during your trip. You just need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance. Tourist fees and permits to enter certain areas will be arranged for by Mountain Kick.
- Which is best time of the year to travel?Most of the trekking routes are open throughout the year but September through to December and March to May are the best months to travel.
- What are the modes of transportation for travel mentioned in the itinerary?Rides for sightseeing and reaching destinations within city limits are done in a private vehicle like a car, a jeep or a microbus. Most of the long distance travel is done in luxurious tourist buses hired exclusively by the company. In some journeys, you may also need to take a public bus but as you will travel in a group with our guides and support staff, you need not worry about your safety or comfort.
- How much money do I need to carry during the trip?Around $50 will be enough to buy you lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. During your travel, you can get by with around $25 a day. But it depends on how much you want to spend. Due to the exchange rate and predominantly rural economy of Nepal, things are pretty cheap in Nepal.
- Can I use my credit cards?Almost all international credit cards are accepted in Nepal. However, not all places, especially during your travel, accept them. There may be a fee involved in processing your card.
- Are tips for my guides and porters expected? How much?Our staff do not expect you to tip them. Generally, travellers tip them if they are satisfied with the service as a means of gratitude. Even when travellers tip the guides and porters, there is no fixed rate. However, if you like to tip them, follow customs of your own country for tipping (which, as we have learned, is 10 to 15 percent of total cost for most western countries).
- Where will I get a visa to come to Nepal?You can obtain a visa at your home country through Nepal’s embassy or consular office. But you can easily get a visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You just need two passport-size photographs. A tourist visa with multiple entry for 30 days costs $40 while the same for 90 days costs $100.
- How do I book a tour?Click Book Now to enter your details and we shall contact you. You can contact us directly for any further information or to prepare a customized itinerary for you. For payment information, see our Terms and Conditions.
Trip notes
- It’s a lot of trekking and climbing packed into 18 days so you need to be in good shape. Above all, you have to be in the right presence of mind and be fully determined as the Himalayas can be a little intimidating for beginners.
- Please make sure you take a travel insurance at home before arriving here. It is mandatory and you cannot take it in Nepal. Your insurance agent will know which insurance plan suits your travel.
- It is advisable that you free up a few days before and after your trip schedule. For reasons beyond our control like flight delays, accidents and natural hazards, the itinerary may have to be altered. Please note that the flight to Lukla, the first step in your journey, is very vulnerable to weather shocks and it is common that flights are delayed or cancelled due to unfavourable weather.
- Please inform us and our guides if you have any medical condition that might affect your trip. Please consult your doctor beforehand for any precautions you need to take and always carry medicines if you need them. However, our guides and local support staff have been trained in basic medical intervention and your travel insurance covers any emergency rescue or evacuation.
- You may decide to alter your itinerary to some degree as long as there are no time constraints and everyone consents, if you are travelling in a group. Talk to us before embarking on the trip or you may also talk to our guides to see if we can arrange something. One thing we have learned from mountaineering all these years is however good you plan your journey, there are bound to be some improvisations to make our experience richer.
Equipment List
General
- 2 season sleeping bag – one.
- Spring down jacket – one.
- Duffel – one.
- 35-45 liter daypack – one.
We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer.
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary.You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
