Ama Dablam (6856m)

Airfare is not included on this tour, so you are responsible for getting to and from Nepal on your own. The first day is not scheduled, so you are free to arrive in Kathmandu throughout the day. Upon arrival make your way to the hotel independently. We will be staying at a centrally located hotel, which will serve as our base for the next two days.

On the first day, we'll be briefed on the upcoming trip and explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu. This city is a sensory overload of colors, sounds, people, animals, and cultural experiences. While the initial culture shock is real, the sensory stimulation is invigorating. For shopaholics, Kathmandu is a paradise, offering everything you need, didn’t know you needed, or don’t need at all, all within walking distance of the hotel. It's a place where your money stretches far, the variety is immense, and the haggling is a unique experience! For those preferring a quieter start, the hotel is conveniently located near Thamel and its bustling shopping streets, though most will find it hard to stay within the room's four walls for long.

We leave Kathmandu early in the morning and take a spectacular flight into Lukla (2840 m). The flight takes just over half an hour, but takes us up to a completely different world. Here we meet our own local Sirdar (the local main guide), the Sherpas, the cooks, the kitchen boys and the yaks who will take care of our luggage during the trip. After a little organization of equipment and luggage, we are ready to start. The first stage is an easy walk to Phakding (2610 m). The terrain is lush with a mix of conifers and lush flowers. We are taken back and forth over suspension bridges and up and down the terrain. Today's target, the village of Phakding, is actually 200 meters lower than Lukla. We are still at a relatively high altitude, so we walk calmly and use the day to enjoy ourselves. Along the way we are served lunch and we arrive at the lodge in the afternoon. This gives us approx. 3 - 4 hour hike. Pahkding is a lovely old town and if we have time we will pay the old monastery a visit before we spend the first night of the trip in a sleeping bag.

After a quiet start with a nutritious breakfast, we start the hike. Along the way, we pass small villages and cross the Dudhi Kosi river on even more spectacular suspension bridges, before arriving after a couple of hours at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt. Everest). Here we have to sign off into the national park before we go down to the river again and over new suspension bridges. Now the actual climb up towards Namche Baazar begins. Here, a calm pace applies when 700 meters of altitude are to be climbed. We walk very slowly, and stop countless times to take pictures, pee, drink or just enjoy the surroundings. During today's stage, we get the first glimpse of Mt. Everest through the treetops. Today's destination, Namche Baazar is the capital of the Sherpas and the hub of the Khumbu Valley. This small town with 400 inhabitants clings to the mountain side with its colorful houses. Traders from Tibet come here with their goods after 9 days of walking with their Yak oxen. We spend the evening exploring Namche Baazar, and several will probably find their way to the bakery for freshly baked apple cake. In total today, we cover approx. 6 hours of hiking.

Today we have an acclimatization day. But we won't lie still in our sleeping bag all day for that. To get the best possible benefit from the acclimatization, we will move higher and then return to Namche Bazaar in the morning. After a good breakfast, we begin today's hike. The goal is the Everest View hotel (3880 m), a trip of one and a half hours. From the hotel you have a fantastic view over the Himalayas and can see, among other things, Ama Dablam; where we will hopefully be on top a few days later. If the weather is nice, we take the time for a cup of tea on the terrace before we continue back towards Namche. We also visit the Sherpa museum. It is interesting and educational, and gives us a good insight into the culture and daily life of the Sherpas. Back in Namche Bazaar, we have time to enjoy ourselves a bit before the evening. The town has many shops, internet cafes and bakeries. It is the last opportunity to buy what you might need for the rest of the trip.

Now we are really on our way, and we can feel the beckoning of the mountains. In the morning we are woken up with tea or coffee on the edge of the sleeping bag, which gives us a calm start before breakfast. Then we are ready for today's stage. We are going on to Tengboche. This means that we will descend 350 meters in height and 750 meters in height during the day. But first we have to go up. Further into the Khumbu valley, and here right around a bend we "meet" the mountains for the first time. The majestic mountain peaks that we have dreamed of for a number of years. The view is stunning, and the camera runs hot. Now, finally. We are in the Himalayas!! We pass small villages along the way, before in the early afternoon we catch a glimpse of the monastery in Tengboche. The monastery is known as the most beautiful in the entire Khumbu Valley. Can any other monastery in the world boast a better view? Lunch will be served down by the river, at the lowest point of the day. After rest and lunch, the tough ascent towards Tengboche awaits. We take it easy, and the prize for today's ascent is the enormous view. It is an out-of-body experience. No matter where you look, you see snow-capped peaks. Today's stage takes approx. 7 hours.

This will be a quiet day with a short stage further up the Khumbu Valley. We start by walking through the rhododendron forest to Devuche. Here you can visit a nunnery. The trip takes approx. 2 hours. From Pangboche, where we will spend the night, we have a panoramic view to Ama Dablam, also called the world's most beautiful mountain! Lunch and dinner are served in Pangboche, and there are opportunities for a small detour up to Upper Pangboche between meals. Here is the Khumbu Valley's oldest monastery, which is around 500 years old. Here are relics of a yeti hand and a yeti skull. It is also possible to visit a primary school.

We start after breakfast by moving a little up from Pangboche, before continuing down into the valley. It is a great stage, and we finish with a steep climb of approx. 700 meters of altitude before we reach Ama Dablam Basecamp. In addition to the fact that this base camp has a reputation for being the most beautiful in the entire Himalayas, we now experience expedition life up close. Ama Dablam is a mountain that is climbed often, especially in the autumn season, which means that there is a bustling life in the base camp and on the mountain. We find our tents and prepare for base camp life. Dinner will be served in the group tent. The trip up takes around 4-5 hours. Note* From base camp and onward, the program is indicative. The final day-to-day program is shaped by participants' fitness levels, weather conditions, and the people we encounter in the mountains.

We enjoy the day relaxing, enjoying the view and acclimatizing. We will also perform a "puja", a Buddhist ceremony where climbers and climbing equipment are blessed, and people pray for luck and happiness on the mountain.

Today we're going to breath in the thin, fresh air of Advanced Base Camp (ABC). After a quiet start to the day, we pack our day pack and stroll along the nice path that follows the ridge towards the mountain. We pass the 5,000-metre border and gradually the fine path is replaced by elements of stones and loose gravel. Once up in ABC, we have an impressive view up to camp 1 and the summit itself. We can see the rough outline of the climbing route from here. We eat packed lunches and spend a few hours at altitude to improve acclimatization. Once down in BC again, dinner awaits and perhaps a round of card games?

We spend our time at base camp allowing our bodies to acclimate to the altitude. The atmosphere is relaxed, with some preparation for tomorrow, plenty of eating, and simply enjoying life.

After breakfast, we head back to ABC, this time carrying our equipment up with us.

A big day for us all! This is the day we will go up to feel the fixed ropes that start directly below Camp 1. The last stage from ABC to Camp 1 is slightly steep and there are fixed ropes hanging for the last 100 meters of altitude up to the camp. Camp 1 itself is worth a look - small terrace with a fantastic view both up and down. Here we eventually eat dinner and enjoy the sunset before settling down in the tents to get in shape for tomorrow.

After breakfast, we attach our jumars to the fixed ropes and begin our ascent. From Camp 1 to the summit, there are nearly 3.5 kilometers of fixed ropes! We progress slowly, starting with a gentle incline. As the day heats up, the slopes and the mountain guide us onward. The most challenging section before Camp 2 is the "crux" of the route – the Yellow Tower. This involves about 30 meters of vertical jumaring, which is quite demanding, but you're up for the challenge! Once at Camp 2, we relax, eat, drink, and savor the incredible view. This small camp accommodates only a few tents. We leave some small items, grab a bite to eat, and then use the rope brake for our descent back to BC, waiting far below.

A day dedicated solely to rest, relaxation, and recharging our batteries before the real challenge begins.

Another day of rest, but today we are more active - we prepare all the equipment for the next days activities. We go through the trip further and make the necessary adjustments and preparations.

New rest day. Relax, rest, and prepare for the tough days ahead

Once again we follow the path up to ABC

We are becoming accustomed to the fixed ropes, making the journey to Camp 2 easier than before. We still take it slow and utilize the entire day.

We will continue up to camp 2.7 or camp 3, depending on which is chosen for this year's season. The terrain is quite different from up to camp 2. On this stretch there is a lot of ice and mixed climbing (both ice and rock), and this section also contains some of the most difficult sections, including a steep section called Gray Tower. Just before we reach camp 2.7/3, we cross Mushroom Ridge, where a series of ice sculptures and snow formations lie perched on a ridge of rock.

The summit push from Camp 2.7/3 is technically less challenging than the earlier stages, but the fight against the altitude and cold is intense. The reward? A breathtaking 360-degree view and the exhilarating feeling of standing on the summit of one of the most beautiful mountains in the world! YOU DID IT!

Day reserved for weather or any unforeseen issues that arise.

Day reserved for weather or any unforeseen issues that arise.

Day reserved for weather or any unforeseen issues that arise.

Now, our focus shifts from high peaks and scaling fixed ropes to more relaxed endeavors. Perhaps a warm shower in Namche is calling your name? As we descend, the walking becomes easier, and the air feels as thick as butter. We constantly pause to soak in the last impressions of this incredible mountain world. How many photos can one take of Ama Dablam? The answer is likely endless, but most would agree: many! This journey leaves a mark on you. Although we eagerly anticipate pizza and freshly baked goods in Namche Bazaar, there's a touch of sadness as the hike comes to an end. We stop for lunch along the way and return to the Sherpa capital by afternoon, with time to explore the shops, markets, and the bakery.

The long journey in feels much shorter on the way out. We bid farewell to Namche Bazaar and embark on the final charming leg of our tour. We catch a last glimpse of the majestic mountains through the treetops and retrace our steps over suspension bridges and through quaint villages. This will be our last night in a lodge, snug in our sleeping bags. Tomorrow, Kathmandu awaits. Today’s trek involves about 6 hours of walking.

We're up before dawn, ready for our flight to Lukla. The best flying weather is in the early morning hours, and this flight offers another fantastic mountain experience. It takes us from the serene mountain world to the chaotic, mysterious Kathmandu—a mere half-hour flight separating these two contrasting worlds. The rest of the day is yours to explore this captivating city. Kathmandu's charm lies in its vibrant back streets and the lively flow of people. Perhaps a foot or aroma massage will tempt you? If you enjoy shopping for affordable and unique items, Kathmandu is a paradise! Hotel life gradually reacquaints us with familiar comforts. A shower, a comfortable bed, TV, and shops—these once mundane things now seem like luxuries.

Last opportunity to purchase souvenirs before departure. The day can be used for whatever you want!(If we should be delayed from Lukla, this is a spare day.)

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Nepal and all the new friends we have made along the way. The participants are now free to head for the airport for their return journey, or to extend their stay in this exciting country.