Ama Dablam is the most beautiful mountain in the world. Period. Actually, one of the best things about the Everest Base Camp Trek is seeing how this beautiful mountain changes shape every day and still manages to remain iconic. For trekkers planning to go, here are a few things that will add some interesting layers when you see this mountain for yourself. But before that, here are some quick facts:
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Quick Facts about Ama Dablam
Location – Everest Region, Nepal.
Elevation – 6,812 meters ( 22,349 feet).
Parent range – Khumbu Himal
First ascent – 1961
Significance: The most picturesque mountain in the world.
How to look like a legend with Ama Dablam
If you are trekking in the Everest Region for the first time, finding the perfect spot from where you can get the perfect picture is a hit-or-miss affair. However, here are some spots to take beautiful pictures with the photogenic mountain:
The trail between Namche and Kyangjuma
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The trail between Namche and Tengboche is primarily flat until you reach Kyangjuma. However, the trail twists and bends quite a lot as it maintains its contour around ridges and ravines. Suppose you are standing at a point where the trail curves around a ridge; your friend can take a picture like the one above. All you have to do is instruct your friend to stay behind for a few minutes.
The trail between Thukla and Lobuche
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A few minutes uphill from Thukla, you will encounter a field of memorial stupas dedicated to climbers and trekkers who lost their lives to Everest over the years. Consider resting in this beautiful place for snapping an iconic photo with captivating views of the mountain and the wild landscape of the Himalayas before continuing on your trek. The stone monuments with colorful Buddhist prayer flags flash their bold colors in the breeze. Also very good for photos.
That Rock during the Nangkartshang Acclimatization Hike
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When you are doing your Nangkartshang acclimatization hike from Dingboche, there is a stone that is a popular spot for taking the iconic picture. Well, this stone with Ama Dablam in the background will make you look like a legend on social media.
If you loved the ideas above, you might like some other picture ideas we have in this post.
The Changing faces of Mount Ama Dablam
Besides making you look like a legend, Ama Dablam is legendary in her own way. She is a prominent presence throughout the EBC Trek. Additionally, she changes her appearance throughout the trek and still looks stunning from every angle.
Front View from Namche to Pangboche (Day 2 – 5)
This is the most famous view of this mountain, and you will see some variations of this view from Namche, Hotel Everest View, Khumjung, Tengboche, and Pangboche.
Weird view just before Dingboche (Day 5)
This is definitely the least popular view of Ama Dablam, and the mountain is barely recognizable here. The minor summit is in front of us in this picture, and the central peak is right behind. You can see this weird view around an hour short of Dingboche / Pheriche on day 5 of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Back view from Chukung (Day 6)
This is the view of Ama Dablam from the north side. And even from the back, she looks stunning.
Few trekkers see this view as Chukung is not on the main trail to Everest Base Camp. However, if you want to see this view, you do an acclimatization hike to Chukung from Dingboche / Pheriche.
Side View from Dingboche to Thukla (Day 5 – 7)
Now, this is the view that makes for some stunning background, especially from Nangkartshang and Thukla. This is primarily because Ama Dablam is pretty much at eye level throughout this section.
Matterhorn View from Kala Patthar (Day 9)
This is the view we absolutely adore and just goes to show that from all angles, Ama Dablam is absolutely stunning. While most eyes from Kala Patthar are on the lumpy black rock of Mount Everest, just a few degrees to the right is the well-chiseled pyramidal figure of Mount Ama Dablam. Make sure you don’t miss the view.
The Naming of Ama Dablam
Interestingly, even though Ama Dablam has such a dominating presence, it was an unnamed mountain till 1950! In his 1953 book, Tilman recounts a clear afternoon above Dingboche, probably around Nangkartshang:
“On this bright afternoon with hardly a cloud in sight, we beheld a vast panorama of mountains; from Lhotse, Pethangtse and Makalu in the east, south to Chamlang and Kangtega, west to Taweche, and north to Cho Oyu and Gyachung Khang. In this galaxy, which included a host of unnamed peaks, neither the lesser nor, the greater seemed designed for the use of climbers.” – Tilman (1952), Nepal Himalaya, Cambridge University Press.
As a matter of fact, he makes no mention of Ama Dablam throughout the book! So we are guessing the mountain was named sometime after that.
Ama in Nepali means mother, and Dablam means charm box, a special pendant worn by elderly Sherpa women that hold precious items. Hence the name Ama Dablam roughly translates to “The Mother’s Pendant.” Unfortunately, we are yet to see where the pendant is, even though we sort of see the mother’s embrace in the wide ridges around Ama Dablam.
5 Crazy things about Ama Dablam
The Hidden Yeti
Unlike the mother’s necklace, we actually see a yeti when we look at Ama Dablam. And we bet once you see it in the image above, you will never be able to unsee it! The hidden yeti is best seen from Khumjung and gradually disappears as you make your way to Pangboche.
It was first brought to our attention by Prasiit Sthapit, an award-winning photographer and one of the most creative people we have had the pleasure of working with. The caricature to the right was made by Bimmi Shrestha, an intern at HoneyGuide.
Record-breaking Kuwaiti Flag
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On November 13, 2019, a Kuwaiti expedition team unfurled their national flag weighing 150 kilograms and measuring a whopping 100 meters by 30 meters on top of Ama Dablam! Understandably, there was a huge controversy around it, and the flag was visible as far away as Khumjung!
Regardless of personal opinion, this is undoubtedly one of the craziest stunts to have happened on Ama Dablam.
The Matterhorn of the Himalayas
You will keep wondering why the Matterhorn is called the Ama Dablam of the Alps until you see her from Kala Patthar. Or was it the other way round? Ama Dablam as the Matterhorn of the Himalayas? Regardless, the resemblance is uncanny.
Unfortunately for Matterhorn, size does matter. At a puny 4,478 meters / 14,692 feet, the Matterhorn is lower than many villages in the Everest Region. And in comparison to the 6,170 meters (20,243 ft) high Ama Dablam, well, there is no comparison, really.
Wingsuits over Ama Dablam
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Unfortunately for Vallery Rozov, the Russian extreme sports star, the stunt ended in disaster, and he lost his life. Regardless, this attempt has got to be one of the craziest things ever attempted in the Himalayas.
However, it was not the first for Rozov, who had base-jumped from numerous other peaks, including Cho Oyu and Changtse.
How do I see Ama Dablam for myself?
Well, you would either have to take a flight to Lukla and then walk from there, or take a helicopter from Kathmandu / Lukla to see this beautiful mountain for yourself.
Here are some of the treks run by HoneyGuide, which showcases Ama Dablam beautifully:
- Everest Base Camp Trek – 12 days – Link
- Helicopter Tour to Hotel Everest View – 5 days – Link
- Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek – 10 days – (See below)
If you wish to run a helicopter tour to, feel free to email / message us.
Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek
Quick Facts
- Duration – 12 days
- Difficulty- Moderate
- Best season – September to May
- Maximum altitude – 4,570 meters (Ama Dablam Base Camp)
- Start / Finish – Lukla / Lukla
Is Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek ideal for me?
- You have trekked in the Everest Region before and wish to do something different.
- You are looking for an exciting side trip for your Everest Base Camp Trek and have a day to spare.
- If you do not have 12 days for trekking but still want a comprehensive experience of the Everest Region.
- If you do not wish to sleep over 4,000 meters due to health issues or wish to do a trek in the Everest Region using luxury lodges only.
Attractions
If you do this trek, you get bragging rights for having been to the base camp of the most beautiful mountain in the world. In addition to that, you will also
- See a panoramic view of Everest and other mountains like Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtega
- Stay at beautiful Sherpa villages like Pangboche and Namche.
- Visit the beautiful Tengboche Monastery.
Itinerary for the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek
While there are numerous itineraries to Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek, we will present an itinerary that makes a nice loop of the Everest Region and uses luxury properties throughout.
Day 1: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Overnight at Yeti Mountain Home, Phakding.
Day 2: Trek to Yeti Mountain Home at Namche (6 hours).
Day 3: Trek to Everest Summit Lodge at Tashinga (4 hours).
Day 4: Trek to Everest Summit Lodge at Pangboche (5 hours).
Day 5: Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp and back to Everest Summit Lodge at Pangboche (7 hours).
Day 6: Trek to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche via Phortse (6 hours).
Day 7: Trek to Yeti Mountain Home at Thame via Khumjung (4 hours).
Day 8: Trek to Yeti Mountain Home at Kongde (6 hours).
Day 9: Trek to Everest Summit Lodge at Lukla (5 hours).
Day 10: Fly back to Kathmandu.
How to book a trek with HoneyGuide?
You can find various treks in our inventory that will help you see Ama Dablam for yourself. Additionally, if you wish to customize a trek for your group or wish to run the trek we listed above, please email / message us.
Climbing Mount Ama Dablam
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Here are some quick facts about climbing this beautiful peak:
- Duration – Usually 25 days, and around 30 days with day spend in Kathmandu
- Difficulty – Moderate to Hard
- Best season – Spring / Autumn
- Max altitude – 6,812 meters / 22,349 feet
- First ascent – March 13, 1961, by Mark Gill(NZ), Barry Bishop(USA), Mike Ward(UK), and Wally Romanes (NZ).
Ama Dablam is the third most popular Himalayan peak for the expeditions. It is one of the spectacular mountains of the world that every Alpinist dreams of climbing once in their lifetime. It is a technical mountain to climb, and mountaineers should be well experienced and well trained. From the top, you can enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.
Here are the placements of the different camps:
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