Experience Khumbu at its finest on this trek, which brings you to the base camp of the stunning Mount Ama Dablam at 15,750 feet. End each day at one of five comfortable lodges, with en-suite rooms, comfortable lounges, and beautifully landscaped gardens. Explore quieter trails where you will meet local people and experience their culture and ancient traditions first-hand, not to mention their enviable sense of tranquility.

Highlights

  • Trek the famous Khumbu region of Nepal
  • Visit the 350-year old Buddhist monastery at Thame
  • Visit the famous Sherpa monastery at Tengboche 
  • Reach Ama Dablam Base Camp
  • Discover Boudhanath Stupa & Pashupatinath in Kathmandu

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu & drive to Haatiban Resort Haatiban
Day 2 Hike to Champadevi Haatiban
Day 3 Fly to Lukla in the Khumbu region Lukla
Day 4 Trek to Monjo Monjo
Day 5 Excursion to Thachok Danda Monjo
Day 6 Trek to Mende Mende
Day 7 Excursion to Thame Mende
Day 8 Trek to Tashinga via Khumjung  Khumjung
Day 9 Trek to Sherpa Monastery in Tengboche and on to Pangboche Pangboche
Day 10 Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp Pangboche
Day 11 Take an alternate route back to Tashinga Tashinga
Day 12 Return to Monjo Monjo
Day 13 Trek Back to Lukla via an alternate route over the Gumila Lukla
Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu Kathmandu
Day 15 Discover Boudhanath Stupa & Pashupatinath  Kathmandu
Day 16 Departure  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu & Drive to Haatiban Resort

Haatiban Resort on the southwest rim of the Kathmandu valley
Haatiban Resort on the southwest rim of the Kathmandu valley

Today you will be met at the airport and driven to Haatiban Resort (literally translated as "Elephant Forest"). Located southwest of the Kathmandu Valley, it is roughly 5,900 feet in altitude. The resort is set among tall pine trees with spectacular views of Kathmandu and the Himalaya. There are opportunities for short hikes to nearby villages, abundant in Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples.

Day 2: Hike to Champadevi

Buddhist prayer flags
Prayer flags at Pharping

Today take a morning hike up to Champadevi hill (at 7,500 feet). Once at the top you will be treated to a rewarding view of the mountain range stretching from Mt. Manaslu in the west towards the eastern Himalayas. Back at the hotel, you can either take the afternoon off or visit the local villages of Pharping, which is famous for its Buddhist monasteries, and Dakshinkali, which has a Hindu Temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. 

Trekking Time: 3–4 hours

Day 3: Flight to Lukla in the Khumbu Region

Lukla Airport

Today you will fly to Lukla, in Sagarmatha National Park. On arrival, check in to the Everest Summit Lodge. After an early lunch, take an acclimatization walk up to the village of Bom Danda (9,840 feet). 

Day 4: Trek to Monjo

Village of Phakding
Village of Phakding

Today you will trek to Monjo. Pass Sherpa settlements along gentle trails, while enjoying the scenery of the Dudh Kosi Valley. Break for lunch at the village of Phakding (8,700 feet). Continue on for approximately three more hours to Monjo. See porters resting outside brightly-painted tea houses, weather-beaten and windblown trekkers winding their way back to Lukla, and prayer flags fluttering in the wind — a magic first day on the trail.

Trekking Time: 6 hours

Day 5: Excursion to Thachok Danda

Morning sun on Thamserku
Morning sun on Thamserku

Today, to help you acclimatize to the altitude, your Sherpa guide will take you on a hike to Thakchok Danda, located a little above 9,840 feet. From this vantage point, you can see spectacular views of the Thamserku, Kongde Ri, and Numbur Himal peaks. Overnight in Monjo.

Trekking Time: 6 hours

Day 6: Trek to Mende

Namchhe Bazaar with Kongde Ri in the background
Namche Bazaar with Kongde Ri in the background

Today, after an easy-paced three-hour walk you will arrive in the heart of Khumbu, Namche Bazaar (11,320 feet). Take a well-deserved rest over lunch and explore this colorful market town perched on the edge of the hill. From here, a winding path will lead you to Teso and then to Mende. Once at Mende, relish the views and, most of all, enjoy the fully-electrified lodge. This lodge is off the beaten trail, offering tranquility and a chance to rejuvenate. 

Trekking Time: 6 hours

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Day 7: Day Excursion to Thame

Thame gompa with prayer flags and buddhist symbols - monastery in Khumbu valley
Thame Gompa

The village of Thame is close to Tibet and home to a Buddhist monastery that is almost 350 years old. The walk to Thame from Mende is relaxed and enjoyable. Overnight at Mende Lodge. In the evening, enjoy a cultural program arranged by staff. 

Day 8: Trek to Tashinga via Khumjung

Khumjung village and Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku
The first view of Ama Dablam at Khumjung

Trek past water-powered prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags to the village of Khumjung. This is where Sir Edmund Hillary opened one of the first schools in Khumbu. You can take a look around the school if classes are on their break time. From Khumjung, you will trek up to Syangboche. On these seldom trodden trails, pheasants, wild chickens, and Himalayan thar (similar to a mountain goat) are commonly sighted. Overnight at Tashinga.

Trekking Time: 5 hours

Day 9: Trek to Sherpa Monastery in Tengboche and onto Pangboche

Tengboche
The approach to Tengboche Monastery

Descend to the Dudh Koshi River and then gradually ascend through a rhododendron forest to the Tengboche plateau (12,700 feet). It is common to be accompanied by Buddhist monks and traders on the trail. During the lunch break, visit Tengboche Monastery, the most famous monastery in Khumbu. Pass Deboche, where you will find a convent, before walking along the Imja Drangka River to Pangboche. Your lodge in Pangboche is situated right on the trail to Everest, close to the base of Ama Dablam.

Trekking Time: 6 hours

Day 10: Trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp

Ama Dablam Base Camp
Ama Dablam Base Camp

Congratulations! You have made it to the highest point of the trek, Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,750 feet). At 22,349 feet, Ama Dablam is one of the most beloved mountains in the Khumbu region. After you cross the Imja Drangka River, make the ascent to Lhabarm. There you will stand right in front of the mountain ridge. Stay the night at Pangboche; it will be an evening of celebration.

Trekking Time: 6 hours

Day 11: Take an Alternate Route Back to Tashinga 

A Buddhist Stupa on the trail in the Khumbu region
A Buddhist Stupa on the trail in the Khumbu region

Cross the Mengbo and Dudh Koshi rivers to the quiet trail on the other side. See panoramic vistas and quaint stone houses along this path less traveled. Once you reach Tengboche, follow the normal trail back to Tashinga.

Trekking Time: 5 hours

Day 12: Return to Monjo

Everest Sumit Lodge in Monjo
Everest Sumit Lodge in Monjo

Continue down to Monjo, stopping at Namche Bazaar for lunch. There will be ample time for last minute souvenir shopping. The path descends all the way to Everest Summit Lodge in Monjo. 

Trekking Time: 5 hours

Day 13: Trek Back to Lukla via an Alternate Route over the Gumila

Yaks on a bridge in the Khumbu
Yaks on a bridge in the Khumbu

Today you will trek back to the village of Phakding by walking on the opposite side of the Dudh Koshi River. Make a visit to the Gumila Monastery before crossing the river for the last time and arriving at Ghat. After lunch at Tadi Koshi, you will quickly find yourself back where you began, at Lukla, for the last night in the Khumbu.

Trekking Time: 6 hours

Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu

Aerial view of Kathmandu
View of Kathmandu

Today you will leave the mountains behind and fly back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and transferred to the hotel of your choice.

Day 15: Discover Boudhanath Stupa & Pashupatinath 

Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu
Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu

Today you will explore Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Stupa. Pashupatinath is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destinations worldwide. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, the guardian deity of Nepal, and situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. Boudhanath Stupa is also known as Khasti Chitya and is one of the oldest stupas in the country. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 16: Departure

Prayer wheels at Boudhanath
Prayer wheels at Boudhanath Stupa

Today you will be transferred to the airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home! 

Map

Map of Ama Dablam Luxury Trek - 16 Days
Map of Ama Dablam Luxury Trek - 16 Days