As the world’s tallest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest rises 29,032 feet in the Himalayas. Nepal and China conducted a joint study in 2020 that concluded that it has continued to grow over time.
In Nepal, places are filling up quickly on climb Mount Everest after the end of the autumn climbing season. Even for the world’s most experienced climbers, summiting Everest is one of the greatest athletic endeavors due to the high altitudes and rapidly changing conditions. Over 7,000 brave souls have attempted the climb of Mount Everest over the years, but with varying degrees of success; only two-thirds have succeeded.
So, how much does it cost to climb the highest peak in the world?
On the low end, climbers will pay around $35,000, and on the high end, they can pay up to $100,000. On average, people will pay $45,000 this season, slightly higher than last year.
With money, you will spend lots of time gazing at the snow capped mountains. Getting to the top of Mount Everest usually takes between six and ten weeks, but as a standard, it takes up to three months. The climb to the summit takes an average of 40 days from Everest Base Camp.
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A climber traveling on their own can expect to spend up to $10,000 just to reach Everest Base Camp. You must obtain a Nepali visa, which costs $100- $150, and immunizations, which cost $200- $250 before traveling to Nepal.
Depending on the airline and the number of layovers, flying to Kathmandu can be as expensive as $7,500. Thai, Turkish, Qatar, China Eastern, or Air India are the most common ways to get to Nepal.
Climbers usually buy a roundtrip ticket to Lukla from Kathmandu for $400 to $500. The baggage allowance is 15 kg only for these domestic flights. If you wish to save money, the best option is to take the bus to Jiri and then trek for five days to Lukla and EBC. Nevertheless, you might need to extend your itinerary by a week or two.
After you land in Kathmandu, accommodation and food in Kathmandu typically cost between $300 and $700 a night.
Hotels, lodges, and tea houses dot the Everest region, making Nepal’s most popular trekking region. Lodging at lower elevations is usually inexpensive, with rates ranging from $5 to $10 per person per day. However, Mount Everest hotel rooms are generally $12 to $20 per person per night, shared by two people.
Adding a hot shower or a private bathroom to these tea houses will increase the price. Additionally, you can expect to pay approximately 40 to 50 dollars per night for a luxury lodge.
Various agencies train people before climbing mountains. You should hire the most qualified instructor to learn techniques and tricks. You can expect to pay between $4000 and $6000 for the training services.
There is more to climbing preparation than just planning travel and training. Mountaineering and climbing equipment also play a significant role in success. There are several tools and accessories necessary for Mount Everest expeditions.
Several items are common to rock climbing, such as accessories cords, down suits, sleeping bags, carabiners, and belay devices. A climbing helmet, all-in-one boots for high altitudes, gloves for linear movements, and gloves for climbing are other types of equipment useful for snowy mountain climbing.
Depending on your needs and availability, the equipment will range from $6000 to $8000. Alternatively, you may be able to hire this equipment for roughly $3000-$7000. Usually, transporting such gear is between $600-$1,000.
Sherpas are not fully-certified, but they are certified by the UIAGM (usually without ski touring). Hiring a Sherpa guide can cost $6,000-$8000. Compared to non-certified guides, they are more expensive but less expensive than fully-certified Western guides. The most expensive option is a western guide service with a western guide, at an average cost of $65,000 (including guides but not personal gear).
Additionally, climbers must transport all their gear to the base camp. Porters and yaks are typically used to carry this load, which costs about $20-$40 per yak per day and $20-$30 per porter per day.
Expenses associated with trip insurance: $500-600. In case of a cancellation or late cancellation, you are covered. A refund may be available if you cancel within 60 days of the expedition. Medical insurance for the trip: $390-$450. This includes evacuation insurance from Basecamp.
The trip cancellation insurance and medical coverage for any reason range from $3,000 to $5,000. Depending on the start and end locations, private helicopter evacuation from Everest South costs $5,000 – $20,000.
At Basecamp and during the trekking, there are opportunities to purchase gifts and snacks.
Before we move towards permits, here are a few frequently asked questions by climbers:
-No. You no longer need a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit for treks in the Everest Region. After extensive disagreements between the Khumbu local government and Central Tourism Authorities, TIMS was finally removed. Instead of TIMS permits, ‘Khumbu Rural Municipality’ permits are issued.
-Yes. There can be a long line outside the National Park Gate during peak seasons. Therefore, you can get the permit in Kathmandu and avoid the hassle if you have time.
You only need your passport for both permits. You can arrange these permits with your guide or porter if you are trekking with them.
As of the latest changes to climbing permit fees, these are the highlights:
You will need two permits to trek any route in the Everest Region (including the Three Passes Trek and Gokyo Lakes trek). However, you can easily obtain them on trial itself.
For foreign nationals, the cost is $16 – $20 per week (for the first four weeks), $20 – $25 per week (after that)
Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) and SAARC nationals all pay the same rate. Moreover, they are not subject to VAT. You can obtain your permit in Lukla. For trekkers starting from Phaplu, permits must be obtained at the Sagarmatha National Park Counter in Monjo. You can’t get this permit in Kathmandu, as the local government levied and mobilized it.
Free for children under ten years of age. The permit can be obtained at the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Gate in Monjo.
Permit costs for Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri, the eight hours between Shivalaya and Kinja, fall within the conservation area. Hence, you will need a separate permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCAP). The cost ranges from $16 + 13% VAT, and the permit validity lasts up to 30 days. You can easily obtain this permit at the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GSCAP) checkpoint in Shivalaya or DNPWC Counter- Tourist Service Center Bhrikuti Mandap, Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu.
Documents Required: You only need two passport size photos and passport details for the permit.
Climbing Everest Mountain (8,848m) via the Normal route per person.
Climbing Everest Mountain (8,848m) via another route per person.
Climbing Everest Mountain (8,848m) via the normal route per person.
Climbing Everest Mountain (8,848m) via another route per person.
You can easily obtain this permit from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Aviation. In addition, the Mountaineering Expedition team must deposit $4000 for Garbage Management.
A certain amount for garbage management should be deposited to the Ministry by the expedition team, according to the mountaineering rules of Nepal.
You need to pay your deposit before the expedition briefing. A mountaineering team should sort garbage into three categories:
(a) Trash that can be destroyed – destroy all trash in this category in the presence of the local liaison officer or representative.
(b) Recyclable waste – bring it to Kathmandu and hand it over to the institution or agency as outlined by the Government of Nepal.
(c) Reimportable garbage – the return of waste to its respective country.
Once the Ministry has evaluated the evidence and confirmed it with the Liaison Officer, the Ministry will refund the deposited amount.
Since both Mera and Island Peaks are below 6500 meters, one must pay the following Royalty:
You can easily obtain this permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association Academy (NMA). Additionally, the Mountaineering Expedition team must deposit $500 for Garbage Management.
Documents Required: You only need two passport-sized photos, two copies of your Passport and Visa, and finally, the itinerary.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a cheap way to reach the top? However, climbing Everest is an expensive endeavor. It’s long past the days of climbing cheaply though that option will certainly compromise.
The surge in price is partly because China has just raised the permit price from $9950 to $15,800. The price of permits in Nepal is expected to increase, although this has yet to happen. A general push to raise the cost of an expedition is also underway in Nepal.
With the rise of Nepali guide companies, the locals have a vested interest in ensuring fair payment for their services. In light of this, officials consider implementing a price floor and requiring expeditions to be priced at at least $35,000.
There are two types of Mount Everest expedition guiding services: all-inclusive and logistics only.
In a logistics-only guide, the minimum amount of services are provided, and they’re best suited to experienced mountaineers who want to challenge Everest on its own terms. Not everyone is cut out for such an expedition. Climbers who opt for logistics only can expect to spend between $36,000 and $65,000, depending on the type of expenses they incur along the way.
Nepalese law requires foreign climbers to hire a local Sherpa guide for the climb. Climbers who choose the logistics-only option must arrive at Everest Base Camp (EBC) on their own. Once there, they will hire a local firm to provide all the necessary camping equipment and cookware and personnel support for summiting Everest.
As a result, most climbers would rather avoid all the paperwork and headaches associated with an all-inclusive expedition instead of a logistics-only expedition. Costs can range from $35,000 to $120,000, depending on the services.
First of all, all visitors must pay a permit fee to the Nepal government, which can cost $11,000 per person.
Second, you will require oxygen bottles and breathing equipment. Moreover, the Sherpas who are a part of your expedition will also need oxygen bottles and equipment.
As an alpine climber, you should probably get the best oxygen mask, regulator, and oxygen (oxygen with moisture in it can freeze up at altitude). Don’t skimp on oxygen when you are high on the mountain – one of the biggest risks is running out of it. This means you will have to spend about another $10,000-$13,000 on O2 equipment. Taking your permit and oxygen into account, you’re already down $22,000-29,000.
An official liaison appointed by the Nepal government must accompany every group climbing Everest. As well as providing a decent salary for the liaison officer, the organisers must take care of the liaison officer’s equipment, transport, tent, and meals throughout the journey from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Considering that it is not less than USD 5000 per group, this is one of the heftiest investments for the company. Climbers will be charged at the end of the day, and it is shared among the climbing group members.
There have been many campaigns aimed at cleaning Everest’s area. Walking alone at 6000 meters is already very difficult; what do you do with the empty oxygen canister? You just leave it there, and you collect it when you return. However, you might not be able to see it because hundreds of people pass the same trail along the way back. Each climbing group must place a garbage deposit of USD 5000 per year due to a large amount of garbage added in the area. If you lose anything due to the altitude, your deposit will be forfeited, so please take good care of what you carry back to Kathmandu.
The climbing Sherpas will need to help to fix the line, build the camps, stock the bases (to get those oxygen bottles to C3 and C4), and bring everything down at the end even if you don’t have one assigned to you personally (recommended but around $6,000-$8000). Sherpas are typically paid a base fee and a per-load fee.
Additionally, bonuses are also distributed based on the distance traveled by the team. To accomplish all this, you probably need a Sherpa-to-climber ratio of at least 1:1 (unless your group is very small or very large). Each of you will be responsible for paying roughly $5,000-$6,000 for the Sherpas.
$1,300-$1,500 for a down suit. This expedition suit (-50°C) will keep you warm.
The boots and crampons cost $1,000-$1500
While sleeping bags cost $1,200-$1500.
The following clothes, gloves, hats, socks, pack, and climbing gear can cost between $1,000 and $2,000
Some of these items are more expensive than I have listed, but you probably won’t spend much less on them. That’s an additional $6,000- $,8000 expenditure.
For about 6 weeks on the mountain, you (and your Sherpas) require a lot of food. You will need porters and yaks to carry all that food up the mountain. After that, some are taken up to higher camps. There are many logistics involved in this job, but your team does it with mystifying ease, but it costs thousands of dollars.
In the next section, let’s talk about the equipment your team provides you: tents for you and the rest of the Sherpa staff at basecamp.
In addition to that, expeditions need other items (radios, tables & chairs, first aid & medicines, etc.) and incur further costs, such as the fee of the liaison officer (usually close to $3000) and the costs associated with his transportation. Obviously, this will be a costly investment for any company (over $50,000), and you’ll have to cover part of the expense yourself.
Communication with staff and climbers is essential during a climb, so a handy satellite phone with extra accessories and several spare batteries is essential. But, satellite phones aren’t cheap, and you have to pay the tariffs for at least six weeks during the climbing period.
As we discussed above, there are some other crucial costs to consider.
Transport (your flight from Kathmandu to Lukla), housing (in Kathmandu) and yaks (to carry your equipment to base camp), insurance for the Sherpa staff, and tips for kitchen staff, porter, and guide are also small but add up: airfare from Kathmandu to Lukla, rooms at hotels in Kathmandu, hostels on the trek to EBC, transfers to and from EBC for all the staff, and tips for guides and porters.
As a result, Everest is a very expensive expedition. However, you have to take into consideration what you are paying for. A guiding company will organize your travel, and you will climb in a group.
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