Mount Everest, 8,849 meters, is the world’s tallest mountain. And it boasts hundreds of trekkers and climbers every year. The highest peak in the world is a dream to climb for many climbers worldwide as it is a notion of pride. However, several things must be considered before attempting to climb Mount Everest. Time of year, preparation, cost, insurance, and logistics are some of them. Here, we will cover the cost of the expedition. So how much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?
To climb Mount Everest, first, you need to obtain a climbing permit which costs $11000 per person. Similarly, approximately $5000 will be your expenses in essential climbing gear, clothing, and safety items. Similarly, you need to buy travel and health insurance, which might cost anywhere from $1000 to $5000. In addition, you need to allocate the budget for hiring guides and porters, travel fees, and other permit fees. Last but not least, your logistics services, such as accommodation and food costs, should be around $3000 per person.
With this all-cost preparation, you can ensure your enjoyable Everest Expedition. Here is a comprehensive blog covering all the required costs for climbing Mount Everest. Know more about how much does it cost to climb Mount Everest.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Climbing Everest
Climbing Everest is an expensive form of adventure. Several factors contribute to the high cost of this climb. Some are permits, equipment, guide services, and logistic expenses. The important thing that climbers must consider is that the cost can significantly vary depending upon other factors like the route, the required support level, and the climbing season.
Here is detailed information on what factors affect the cost of climbing Everest. Let’s explore!
Permit Fees [$15000]
The average cost of the Everest Climbing Permit Fee is $11000 per person. It is essential because the Government of Nepal has made it mandatory to obtain a special permit to climb the peak over 8000 meters. The same condition is effective on other peaks too.
The permit fees for Everest are also influenced by the time of year you are climbing. There are distinctive charges for climbers for each season. For example, if you are climbing Everest in Spring Season, then the cost of the permit is $11000 per person. Similarly, if you embark on this expedition in Autumn Season, you will have to pay $5500 per person for this climbing permit. In addition, the cost of the permit for the Winter and Summer seasons is $2750 per person.
| Spring | $11000 |
| Autumn | $5500 |
| Summer | Winter | $2750 |
Besides climbing permits, climbers also need to obtain two other licenses; Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit. Since Everest lies inside the protected area of Sagarmatha National Park, every visitor should obtain a National Park Entry Permit before entering this premises. Climbers will be around the region mostly while hiking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, and getting this license will keep you far from legal troubles. You can get this license at the Monjo Checkpost of the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. You have to pay 3000 Nepalese Rupees for this if you are a foreign climber. For the SAARC nationals, the cost is 1500 Nepalese Rupees, while it only costs 100 Nepalese Rupees for Nepalese Climbers.
Similarly, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Permit is a newly introduced license for the EBC trek and Everest Expedition. You can get these from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu at 2000 Nepalese Rupees.
Besides, there is also an optional permit, Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit. It is only necessary if climbers hike from Jiri to reach Lukla and start their trek to EBC. It costs 3000 Nepalese Rupees per person, while the SAARC Nationals and Nepalese Trekkers have to pay 1500 and 100 Nepalese Rupees, respectively.
Climbing Fees [$20,000-$25,000]
The total climbing fees for Mount Everest cost around $20,000 to $25,000. It includes the climbing permit fees of $11,000 per person, Liaison Officer, Medical Support, Permits, Garbage, and Waste Deposit, and cultural actions like puja (worship).
Remember, this is only the designated cost of climbing Mount Everest. There is a different price tag for the journey to Everest Base Camp before starting the climb. Here is a list of total expenses needed for the climb:
- The Nepal Agency fee [$2,500 per team]
- Nepalese Liaison Officer [$3,000 per team]
- South Base Camp Medical Support from Everest [$100 per person]
- Nepal Mountain Climbing Permits [$11,000 for each climber]
- Nepal Garbage and Human Waste Deposit [$4,000 per team]
- Icefall Doctors to Fix Route [$2,500 per team or $600 per climber]
- Contribution to Fixed Ropes Above Icefall [$200 per climber]
- Weather Forecast [$0 to $1,000]
- Puja [Around $300]
Travel Fees [$500 – $10,125]
The travel cost includes the total cost of your travel and transportation from and to Kathmandu. As the Everest Expedition starts with arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the travel cost accumulates from the first day. It includes the flight charges from your home country to Nepal, which can vary from one location to the other.
Once you arrive in Kathmandu, your next destination is Lukla or Everest Base Camp. It all depends on your preferences and interest, as there are plenty of options to get to these destinations. If you are looking for the easiest and fastest way to reach Everest, flying directly to Base Camp from Kathmandu is the best option. It might cost you anywhere from $1000 to $5000, depending on the size of the group you are with. The cost will be lower if you share the helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp with a group. But if you are looking for a private flight to EBC, you must pay high charges.
Another way to get to Everest Base Camp is through a hike from Lukla. To get to Lukla, you must take a bus from Kathmandu to Salleri, which costs you around 2000 to 3000 Nepalese Rupees. You can also opt for a ride to Jiri and then trek to Lukla, where you will need Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit.
A trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp normally takes around $500 to $1000 per person. It includes all the facilities and services you get while embarking on a trek to the base camp.
Guide And Porter Cost
No mountaineers can embark on Everest Expedition without a professional guide. Hiring a guide is compulsory to obtain a climbing permit. Similarly, recently the Nepalese Government and Nepal Tourism Board have passed a law to make it mandatory to trek to any destination within Nepal. So, it is wise to pre-book the guides before the expedition starts.
The average cost of a professional guide is around $25 to $35 per day. However, it can fluctuate depending on the time of year, group size, the services you acquire, and the weather conditions. Here is a list of guide costs for the Everest Expedition.
| 1 to 2 Person | USD 25 Per Day Basis for group |
| 3 to 5 Person | USD 25-30 Per Day Basis for group |
| 5 to 10 Person | USD 30-35 Per Day Basis for group |
Similarly, hiring porters is very crucial as they help you carry heavy backpacks, luggage, and necessary equipment for climbing. This will help climbers focus on climbing and cherishing the journey. On average, the standard rate for porters is $20 to $25 per day. But it may depend on the factors like season, weather conditions, total weight, and level of service you get. During the expedition, one porter carries around 20 kgs of luggage, so you need to allot the budget by looking at the weight of your necessary items. This cost can also fluctuate depending on the porter’s experience level; a professional and efficient porter can charge up to $50 daily. So choose what type of facility you want to get during this expedition.
Tipping Cost for Guides and Porters
Tipping your guides and porters during the Everest Expedition is not mandatory. However, it is a trend that has been carried out for decades. Though you have the option of not offering tips to guides and porters, tipping is highly appreciated in Nepal.
On average, climbers usually tip around 10% of the total climbing price to guides and porters. However, it is totally in the interest of mountaineers; they can tip any amount they like, depending on the satisfaction rate of the service.
Food And Accommodation Cost
Food and accommodation are crucial to climbing Everest. Since this expedition is multi-day, climbers must allot certain food and accommodation budgets. The average duration of climbing Everest is around 6 to 10 weeks; for this timeframe, we need to allocate hundreds of dollars for logistics.
The average cost of food and accommodation services during our trek to Everest Base Camp is around $35-$40 per day. From Lukla to Everest Base Camp, it takes around 14 days to reach, and if we see the total expenses during this time frame, the cost can be anywhere between $490 to $560 per person. The standard breakfast cost in the Everest Region is $8-$12. Similarly, lunch and dinner have a price tag of around $10-$15 per day.
During the hike, we will have two accommodation options; tea houses and lodges. They cost around $10 to $15 per night and come with basic amenities like a shared bedroom or dormitory, shared bathroom, and others. Some hotels/lodges in Namche Bazaar offer advanced, sophisticated amenities like attached bathrooms, hot showers, and 24/7 internet services. While they offer high-end services, the price tag of these hotels will also come in high amounts, which costs around $20 to $30 per night. However, it is your choice to stay at whichever hotels or tea houses you want, depending on your budget.
After climbers set off on their climbing journey from Everest Base Camp, their only accommodation option is camping. Some agencies offer free camping services with a price included in their itinerary. But for some agencies, mountaineers have to pay an extra penny for this service. The cost might include the price of tents, their accessories, and other gear.
Gears and Equipment Cost
There are lots of gears and equipment that are necessary for climbing Everest. The cost of these gears can vary depending on the brand you choose and the quality of the products. There are two options for the cost of gear and equipment. You either buy the mountaineering gear or rent it. While buying the equipment you need for climbing, the cost can exceed the optimum level, while renting can be budget-friendly. You can buy and rent these items in Thamel, where many stores deal with the sales of high-quality products to budget-friendly ones. However, we recommend you purchase quality and durable products for climbing Mount Everest since the durability of these products aids your safety and minimizes risks during the expedition.
Here is the list of mountaineering gears and equipment that are essential while climbing Mount Everest:
| Technical Ice Tools | $180 to $300 |
| Mountaineering Ice Axe | $60 to $160 |
| Spare Picks | $40 to $60 |
| Climbing Rope | $150 to $225 |
| Trekking Poles | $65 to $125 |
| Alpine Climbing Harness | $40 to $60 |
| Locking Carabiners | $20 |
| Ascender | $50 to $60 |
| Cordelettes, Carabiners, Webbing | $50 to $100 |
| Ice Screws | $40 to $50 |
| Belay/Rappel Device | $25 |
Technical Clothing List
| Expedition Down Parka | $500 to $600 |
| Down Pants | $150 to $300 |
| Fleece-lined synthetic jacket | $150 to $250 |
| Fleece-lined synthetic pants | $125 to $180 |
| Down jacket | $200 to $265 |
| Gore-Tex jacket | $250 to $500 |
| Gore-Tex pants | $325 to $350 |
| Softshell Jackets/Pants | $150 to $230 |
| Lightweight underwear | $80 to $115 |
Footwear List
| Single-Boot System | $680 to $855 |
| Double plastic climbing boots | $365 to $425 |
| Fully-insulated overboots | $100 to $150 |
| Insulated Supergaiters | $100 to $120 |
| Leather mountain boots | $265 to $420 |
| Trekking shoes | $135 to $170 |
| Hiking gaiters | $40 to $50 |
| 12-point Crampons | $150 to $230 |
| Crampon guard | $8.50 |
| Gaiters | $80 |
Headwear And Handwear
| Climbing helmet | $60 to $90 |
| Neck gaiter | $25 |
| Glacier glasses | $60 to $120 |
| Ski goggles | $60 to $140 |
| Nose guard | $10 |
| Neoprene face mask | $12 |
| Ice climbing gloves | $60 to $120 |
| Expedition shell gloves | $135 to $170 |
| Expedition mitts | $80 to $180 |
| Synthetic softshell gloves | $70 |
Essential Camping Equipment
| Tent | $370 to $425 |
| Sleeping bag for 0°F | $180 to $350 |
| Sleeping bag for -20°F | $400 to $520 |
| Sleeping bag for -40°F | $600 to $765 |
| Large duffel bags | $135 |
| Trekking backpack | $80 to $150 |
| Expedition backpack | $350 to $460 |
| Backpacking stove | $80 to $100 |
| Backpacking pots/pans | $35 to $50 |
| Self-inflating sleep pad | $100 |
| Closed-cell foam pads | $15 to $30 |
Miscellaneous
| GPS | $150 to $400 |
| Altimeter watch | $200 |
| Compass | $50 to $75 |
| Pocket knife or Multi-tool | $35 to $80 |
| First-aid kit | $20 to $30 |
Emergency Evacuation from Everest | How Much Does It Cost?
The safety of climbers must always be on a prioritized list while climbing Mount Everest. The tallest peak in the world offers adventures and thrills and poses risks and dangers to climbers because of its towering height. Some risk factors include altitude sickness, falls, avalanches, rockfall, HACE (High Altitude Celebral Edema), and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). Emergency evacuations from Mount Everest are carried out to get out of such treacherous and life-threatening situations.
There are two forms of emergency evacuations carried out from Mount Everest. They are:
Helicopter Evacuation
Helicopter evacuations are often used mostly for emergency rescues from Mount Everest. It is the fastest way to rescue the climbers from the risk and dangers of the Himalayas. Several private operators operate helicopter rescues from Everest Region, and the price may vary from one company to the other. But helicopter rescues are relatively pricier than other rescue forms, which might cost thousands of dollars. On average, helicopter evacuation costs around $2000 to over $4000, depending on the situation, weather conditions, altitude, and number of injured climbers.
But helicopter rescue missions are also risky to operate in several conditions, like extreme weather. Since the visibility and potential lag in the aircraft’s performance becomes an issue, it might be unable to carry on the rescue. And even if it operates the mission, the price tag will be higher than the standard rate.
Sherpa Rescue
Sherpas are naturally built to climb mountains, and if you have experienced working with Sherpa, you might know them as strong and helpful. With these qualities, Sherpas have proved themselves as one of the best means of rescuing climbers from emergencies while climbing Mount Everest.
The normal cost of Sherpa Rescue might be around $1000 to $1500 per person. Your safety is all on Sherpa since they are responsible for bringing you back to the lower altitudes, crossing the treacherous ridges and crevasses. This might not be fast and efficient, but if you cannot afford a helicopter evacuation or due to bad weather, it is only the option you have got.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Climb Mount Everest in Spring?
Climbers must pay $11000 per person to climb Mount Everest in Spring.
How Much Does It Cost To Climb Mount Everest in Autumn?
The climbing permit cost is $5500 per person if you are looking forward to climbing Mount Everest in Autumn.
How Much Does It Cost To Climb Mount Everest in Summer and Winter?
It costs $2750 to climb Mount Everest in Summer and Winter.
Do climbers need to pay a deposit?
Yes, climbers need to pay a deposit while booking their expedition to Mount Everest. This deposit is typically non-refundable and secures a spot on the expedition team.
What Additional Costs Should I Pay?
The cost of International Flights to Nepal, visa fees, personal climbing gear, insurance, oxygen supplements, medications, and emergency evacuations are the additional ones.
Are there different costs for different climbing routes?
The climbing cost might differ from one climbing route to the other since different logistics and permit fees might affect the itinerary and duration of the expedition.
