How Much Does It Cost to Climb Mount Everest (Sagarmatha)?

“Understanding the cost to climb Mount Everest is the first step toward turning your dream of standing on the world’s highest peak into a reality.”

Mount Everest is the world’s most famous peak due to its incredible height of 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet). Located in Asia, in Nepal, Mount Everest is a dream destination for travellers and adventure seekers from around the world. Many people dream of visiting this place at least once in their lifetime, and it is one of Asia’s most visited trekking destinations.

As of 2025, more than 7,500 distinct individuals have reached the summit of Mount Everest, with a total of approximately 12,800 successful ascents.

Reaching the summit is a life-changing adventure, as climbing Mount Everest requires intense physical, mental, and financial preparation. You will not only land on the top of the world also you will gain the experience from climbing, such as passing through the Sherpa people’s village, Everest base camp, memorial site, Everest death zone and time spent on Camping will last forever in your memory.

Everyone dreams of reaching Everest, but very few people actually stand at the top of it. So if you are among the particular group who want to fulfil the dream and want to know the actual cost of climbing Mount Everest, this blog is for you.

Below is a detailed breakdown of expenses to help you understand the investment required for this iconic challenge.

Recommend Package: Everest Base Camp Trek

Important things to know

Climbers cannot do a solo Mt Everest Expedition.
Climbers must book their expedition through a licensed trekking agency.
Climbers should obtain the permit with the help of the trekking agency.
You can pay the package price to begin the journey with the trekking agency.
Your trekking agency will provide a climbing guide, porters, crew staff, logistical support, transfer vehicles, and other required services.
Before booking the package, check the things that are inclusive in the package.
Things that are not inclusive in the package should be managed by you.
Proper mountaineering experience, physical fitness, and good health are required.
It is mandatory to have health and travel insurance.
All climbers must follow the rules, safety guidelines, and decisions made by the expedition leader and guides throughout the journey.

Mount Everest Climbing Package Cost: Expedition Services

Staying in Tent During Mt Everest Climbing

There are two ways to reach the Mt. Everest summit, from the Nepal side and another is from the Tibet, China side. Climbing through the Nepal side is called South face climbing of Mt. Everest, whereas climbing through the Tibet side is called North face climbing. Compared to the Tibet side, climbing through the Nepal side is a lot easier and more popular. Around 98% climbers choose the South face.

When you choose the south face of Nepal side here are the expedition service costs you can take while booking the package:

Standard Group Tours Everest Expedition: $25,000–$35,000. Includes basic Sherpa support, shared equipment, and group logistics.
Semi-Private Everest Expeditions: $35,000–$50,000. More personalized support with experienced guides and higher success rates.
Private, High-End Everest Expeditions: $50,000–$100,000+. Includes expert climbers, dedicated Sherpas, advanced equipment, and 24/7 medical support.

Note: Costs for the North Ridge (Tibet) route are often 10–15% lower than the South Col (Nepal) route due to fewer fees and lower operational demands.

How Your Everest Expedition Package Cost Is Used

The amount that you paid for buying the package for the trekking and expedition agency in Nepal, they will use it for:

Permits and Fees to Climb Mount Everest:

The first thing that officially lets you climb Mount Everest is having the permits from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Climbers can get these permits only with the help of a registered trekking agency in Nepal.

Here are the required permits and costs that include:

Department of Tourism Expedition Permit: $11,000 USD per person.
Sagarmatha National Park Permit: NPR 3,000 (for foreign climbers) per person.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit: NPR 3,000 (for foreign climbers) per person.

The Everest permit that you pay for will be used to fund the development of local infrastructure, conservation efforts and waste management.

Flights to Lukla (Round Trip):

To reach Everest, all travellers need to take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport. This is the main travel option, as using ground transportation is not convenient. Lukla serves as the primary point of the Climbing Everest Adventure. The cost of the Lukla flight for foreign citizen Indian citizens is different.

Let’s see the flight fare for Kathmandu to Lukla airport:

KTM to Lukla flight fare for a foreign citizen: around USD 225( one way)
KTM to Lukla flight fare for an Indian citizen: around INR 15,000( one way)
Ktm to Lukla flight fare for Nepali citizens: around NPR 10,00( one way)

Peak Season Note: During the peak seasons (spring and autumn), Lukla flights operate from Ramechhap Manthali Airport instead of Kathmandu. Travellers must travel to Manthali Airport, which is about 128 km by road and takes around 5 hours by private vehicle (jeep or car). Lukla flight fares are higher during peak seasons due to increased demand, so we recommend booking your Lukla flight tickets in advance during this time.

Food and Accommodation Costs:

During the climb to Mount Everest, you will stay in the tea house and do camping to reach the Everest summit. At the tea house, you can find a wide variety of accommodation from standard to luxury. You can also find a wide range of meals in the tea house. During the camping, you won’t have different options – you need to stay with limited basic facilities of lodging and food.

Let’s see how much the food and accommodation cost:

Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner): USD $20 – $35 USD per person
Daily room cost: USD 3 – USD 30 per night

Note: You need to manage an extra budget for the snacks, hot water, and extra service.

Guide and Porter Costs:

To climb Mount Everest, it is mandatory to hire the Licence Guide with you. Guide hiring costs vary according to their expertise and experience. Additionally, you will also need to hire a porter to make your Mount Everest expedition easy and comfortable.

Average Guide hire cost to climb Mount Everest: USD 30,000 – $50,000 for a whole expedition.
Average porter hire cost to climb Mount Everest: USD 20 – 30 per day.

Note: Climbers give tips to the guide, porter and other crew members after the completion of the successful expedition.

Worth reading: Sherpa People and Culture: The Guardians Of Everest

Gear and Equipment:

Some of the trekking agencies provide high-altitude gear. You can use the gear items and return after the completion of the Everest Expedition.

Things you will get:

Technical clothing (down suits, gloves, boots)
Harnesses
Crampons
Ice axes
Helmets
Oxygen systems (8–10 cylinders with regulators).

Estimated Equipment Cost: $3,000–$5,000

Travel and Accommodation Expenses in Kathmandu:

Most of the travel agencies that run the Everest Expedition provide you with airport pickup, transfer, Kathmandu lodging, vehicle cost, etc. Before booking or making a reservation, you should check out the services included in the Everest Expedition package.

Estimated Travel and Accommodation Cost: USD 1000- USD 3000

Costs Not Covered by the Expedition Package

Here are the things that most of the Expedition packages don’t include in their service. Things should be managed on your own, and you should manage the budget for this.

Travel and Health Insurance:

As you know, travel and health insurance are the most important things before heading for the Mt. Everest Expedition. You should provide the proof of travel and health insurance to the agency before starting your adventure.

Estimated Insurance cost: USD$1,000–$3,000( High-altitude coverage for emergency evacuation and hospitalization)

Pre-Climb Training:

If you are not an expert mountaineer, then you need to do pre-climb training. Most of the climbers, before doing the summit of Everest, choose trekking peaks for training, such as Mera Peak, Island Peak, and Putha Hiunchuli.

Contingency Funds:

Sometimes things will not go as you plan for the Mt. Everest Expedition. So you need to prepare for the Unforeseen delays, weather-related extensions, or rescue operations. This will add extra cost, which the expedition agency will not bear.

Extra Cost: $5,000+

Nepal Visa:

To enter Nepal, all travellers must obtain a visa. You can obtain the Nepal visa in advance or after arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA). The cost of the Nepal Visa depends on the number of days you spend here.

For 15 Days Nepal Visa Cost: USD 30
For 30 DAys Nepal Visa Cost: USD 50
For 90 Days Nepal Visa Cost: USD 125

Note: For the Mount Everest Expedition, we suggest you take around 90 Days Nepal Visa.

Personal Clothing and Gear:

Climbers should be equipped in layers and carry essential things like first aid, personal medicine, electronics, toiletries, etc., for safety and to have a comfortable experience. Always invest in high-quality climbing gear and equipment. Some of the things can be rented here in the Kathmandu rental shop as well

Minimum Investment: ~$30,000 (budget-focused, low-support expeditions).
Average Range: $40,000–$70,000 (semi-private, mid-level services).
High-End Investment: $80,000–$100,000+ (luxury expeditions with full support).

Factors Influencing the Overall Cost of Mt Everest Climbing

Climbing Season: Prices peak in spring (March–May, ideal weather) and drop modestly in autumn.
Route Choice: The South Col (Nepal) route is more popular and thus pricier than the Tibet route.
Expedition Company Reputation: Established, safety-focused agencies charge more but offer higher success rates (~70–80%).
Sherpa Support: More Sherpas per team increases safety but also the price.

Additional Info: Related to the Everest Expedition

Mount Everest Height: The new height of Mt Everest after join measurement by China and Nepal is 8848.86 meters above sea level.

Mount Everest summit side: There are two Climbing faces of the Mt Everest Expedition. North Face from Tibet and South Face from Nepal. From Nepal, you can climb Mount Everest in around 60–70 days. From the Tibet side, you can complete Mount Everest Climbing in around 55–65 days.

Mount Everest Base Camp: The altitude of Mount Everest base camp of Nepal is 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level. The altitude of Everest base from the Tibet side is 5,150 to 5,200 meters ($16,900$ to $17,060$ feet) above sea level.

Mt Everest 2 PM Rules: The 2 PM Rule on Mount Everest is a critical safety protocol that requires climbers to abandon their summit attempt if they have not reached the top by 2:00 PM. This rule is designed to ensure there is enough daylight and energy for a safe descent to lower camps. Continuing beyond this cutoff greatly increases danger, as afternoon conditions often bring worsening weather, extreme fatigue, and dangerously low oxygen levels.

Death Zone: The altitude above 8,000m in mountaineering is called the death zone. Rescue from the death zone is nearly impossible due to the extreme altitude, unpredictable weather, physical exhaustion, and life-threatening conditions.

Read more: Why They Call It the Death Zone: The Brutal Reality of Climbing Everest

Everest summit success rate: Today, roughly 60% to more than 68% of climbers who attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest are successful. This success rate has increased significantly over the past three decades, mainly due to advancements in climbing equipment, professional guiding services, and more accurate weather forecasting.

Everest death number: Since official records began, more than 340 climbers have lost their lives on Mount Everest. Due to the extreme danger and difficulty of recovery at high altitudes, many of their bodies remain on the mountain.

Popular Deathbody in Everest: Green Boots (Tsewang Paljor), Sleeping Beauty (Francys Arsentiev), Hannelore Schmatz( German Mountaineer), George Mallory.

Final Considerations

Climbing Mount Everest is not just a financial commitment; it is a journey that tests a climber’s endurance and resilience. Always choose the best and reputable expedition companies that have a proven record of safety and transparent pricing. Make enough plan and preparation in advance, and remember not to fall into the trap of cheaper packages where safety will be compromised.

For a successful and ethical climb, budget for additional months of training, acclimatization, and thorough preparation.

Ready to Summit?

Contact High Route Adventure to tailor a package for your goals. Prepare to invest time, money, and passion into conquering the world’s highest peak.

Last updated: Janurary 2026 | Prices may vary based on 2026 permit adjustments and market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?

On average, climbing Mount Everest costs between $30,000 and $100,000 per person. The overall cost depends upon several factors, like expedition style, route, guide services, permits, gear, etc.

What is the cheapest way to climb Mount Everest?

The cheapest way to climb Mount Everest is by choosing a local expedition company from Nepal. In some cases, climbers may also reduce costs by securing sponsorships in exchange for promotional or advertising support.

What is the most expensive way to climb Mount Everest?

If you choose an international expedition company with luxury service, it will cost more.

What does the cost of climbing Everest typically include?

The cost usually includes: climbing permits, guide services, Sherpa support, food and oxygen, base camp logistics, transportation to base camp, and emergency evacuation insurance.

Are climbing permits included in the expedition cost?

Yes, most of the expedition companies provide permits free of cost.

How much does personal climbing gear and equipment cost?

High-quality personal gear (down suit, boots, sleeping bag, harness, etc.) can cost $7,000–$15,000. Some companies offer rental options at an additional cost.

Are oxygen bottles and masks included in the price?

Most of the expeditions provide oxygen bottles and masks, but they can vary depending on the agency. So make sure to confirm before booking.

How much does a Sherpa guide cost?

A professional Sherpa guide can cost you above 30,000 per expedition.

Do I need supplemental insurance, and how much does it cost?

Yes, we suggest you include things like high-altitude rescue and evacuation insurance. It will cost you around $1,000–$3,000, depending on the coverage.

Are tips and bonuses for Sherpas and staff included in the cost?

No, Tips are additional and are not included in the package. It’s like a mandatory practice here in Nepal after you complete the expedition. Budget around $1,500–$3,000 for your personal Sherpa and $5,000–$10,000 for the entire support team.

How much does transportation to Everest Base Camp cost?

Lukla round flight costs around $500–$600 round-trip.

Are food and lodging at base camp included?

A: Yes, most guided expeditions provide all meals and tent accommodations during the Everest Expedition.

Can I climb Everest alone to save money?

Practically, it’s possible, but as per the Nepal Government, now you need to have a mandatory Guide with you for the Everest Expedition.

How do the Chinese (Tibet) side expedition costs compare to the Nepal side?

It will cost you 10-15% less, but getting the Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel permit is a lengthy process, and sometimes it is not guaranteed that you will get a Chinese Visa.

Are there additional hidden costs when climbing Everest?

Apart from the package, you need to manage the budget for the visa, insurance, clothing, gear, personal expenses, etc.

How long does the Everest expedition take, and does it affect the cost?

To complete the Everest Expedition from Nepal, it takes around 60-75 days. The longer your itinerary, the more you will spend.

Do expedition companies offer payment plans?

To book, you need to make an advance payment of around 20%, and the rest of the amount can be paid before heading for the trip.

What happens if I don’t submit? Do I get a refund?

No, most companies don’t provide refunds if you cancel on your own. Check the cancellation policy of the company before booking the package.

Has the cost of climbing Everest increased in recent years?

Yes, the Nepal government has raised the price of climbing permits as well as other things that have significantly increased due to inflation and strict environmental regulations.

Are there any government or environmental fees beyond the climbing permit?

Yes. Additional fees include: Sagarmatha National Park entry ($3,000 for foreigners in 2026), garbage deposit ($4,000 refundable with proof of waste removal), and local municipality taxes.

Add a Review

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 by Sujan Kapri