Mount Everest Expedition (8,848m) – South Col Route

Everest Expedition Cost & Inclusions

Altitude Junkies (P) Ltd. offers one of the most cost-effective full-service expeditions to EVEREST in the Khumbu region of the Nepalese Himalaya.

We don’t advertise an expedition price and then ask for additional payments at the conclusion of the expedition, such as Sherpa summit bonus and kitchen staff gratuities, as some other operators do. The price you pay the Junkies is the final price.

This expedition is offered with a 1:1 Sherpa to climber ratio. There is no western leader from Altitude Junkies Inc. present on the expedition.

Everest is technically less demanding than peaks such as Cholatse or Ama Dablam but its extreme altitude, long summit day, and unpredictable weather make it one of the world’s greatest mountaineering challenges. Unlike technical 6,000 m peaks, success on Everest depends more on acclimatization, endurance, sound decision-making, and efficient movement over snow, ice, and fixed ropes from Camp II to the summit.

Leadership

A seasoned Everest veteran Sherpa with multiple summits will assist a climber during this expedition.

Helicopters

We utilize helicopters from Kathmandu flying to Namche. The Lukla fixed-wing flights are very weather dependent, and we believe helicopters are a safer option. At the conclusion of the expedition, we will take helicopter flights from Basecamp back to Kathmandu.

The Trek to Base Camp

After arriving at Namche by helicopter, we will start the 8-day trek to Base Camp. Each evening we will stay in the best teahouse lodges on route, and our Sherpa staff will supervise all food preparation in the lodge kitchens. We will take cautious acclimatization rest days at Namche Bazar and Dingbuche.

Base Camp

Our base camp is as luxurious, if not more so, than some of the other more expensive operators in the Khumbu, and the food prepared by our highly experienced cooks is considered some of the best available in the Himalayas.
Each climber is provided with a personal Black Diamond 3-person tent at base camp, which is insulated with a foam floor covering and complemented with an extra-thick foam mattress.
We provide a carpeted, heated, and solar-lit dining tent. We make it a policy at Altitude Junkies to remove all human waste from base camp and have porters carry our toilet drums to a lower village where it can be disposed of properly.

Climb Strategy

Altitude Junkies follows a traditional South Col strategy, focusing on gradual acclimatization, efficient movement, and maximizing the summit window rather than rushing the mountain. Climbers spend several weeks trekking to Everest Base Camp and completing multiple acclimatization rotations through the Khumbu Icefall, Western Cwm, Lhotse Face, and South Col before making a summit attempt. The strategy is to climb high, sleep low, allowing the body to adapt naturally while conserving energy. Summit day is only attempted after favorable weather, sufficient recovery, and confirmation that the route is safe. We maintain a 1:1 Sherpa to climber ratio, ensuring close support, continuous monitoring, and sound decision making throughout the expedition.

Climbing Itinerary & Route

Breakdown Khumbu Icefall & High Camps (Camps I – IV)

• BASE CAMP (5,364m): The expedition begins at Everest Base Camp, where climbers spend several days acclimatizing, preparing equipment, and receiving technical training before entering the Khumbu Icefall.
• CAMP I (6,040m): The route crosses the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dynamic sections of the climb. Climbers navigate ladders, fixed ropes, crevasses, and towering seracs before reaching Camp I.
• CAMP II (6,400m): From Camp I, the route follows the broad glacier of the Western Cwm to Camp II. This is the main operational camp where climbers rest, recover, and prepare for higher rotations.
• CAMP III (7,300m): Above Camp II, climbers ascend the steep Lhotse Face using fixed ropes. Camp III is established on narrow platforms cut into the ice and is typically used during acclimatization and the summit push.
• CAMP IV (7,900-8,000m): The climb continues up the upper Lhotse Face, passing the Yellow Band and Geneva Spur before reaching Camp IV on the South Col. This is the final camp before the summit and the starting point for the summit push.
• SUMMIT (8,848m): Climbers leave Camp IV around midnight, ascending the Triangular Face, the Balcony (8,400 m), the South Summit (8,749 m), and the exposed summit ridge before reaching the summit of Mount Everest (8,848.86 m). After a brief stay on top, climbers descend carefully back to Camp IV and continue to lower camps as conditions allow.

High Altitude Camps

3-person tents will be used at high camps, and these will be occupied by two persons. All high-altitude food, stoves, and cooking gas will be in place, and members are only required to carry their own personal gear during the expedition.

Outline Itinerary

Expedition Gear

Insurance

Climbers are required to have evacuation and medical insurance, and we recommend using Global Rescue

Cost Includes

Logistics, Safety & Requirements

1:1 Sherpa Guide Ratio & Oxygen Systems

Logistic & Transportation

• International airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu.
• Domestic transportation throughout the expedition.
• Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu helicopter or flight (as per itinerary).
• Cargo transportation for expedition equipment.

Kathmandu

• 4 nights’ hotel accommodation (twin sharing).
• Welcome and farewell dinner with the expedition team.

Permit & Government fee

• Everest Climbing Permit.
• Khumbu Rural Municipality Entry Permit.
• Sagarmatha National Park Permit.
• Khumbu Icefall route fee.
• Summit route fixing fee.
• Garbage management and environmental fees.
• Government Liaison Officer with all associated expenses.

Base Camp Services

• Private Altitude Junkies Everest Base Camp.
• Individual sleeping tent with mattress and pillow.
• Dining tent, kitchen tent, communication tent.
• Toilet and shower tents.
• Tables, chairs, lighting and charging facilities.
• Solar power system for charging electronics

Accommodation & Meals

• Tea house accommodation during the trek.
• Freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the expedition.
• Unlimited boiled drinking water, tea and coffee at Base Camp.

Climbing Support

• 1:1 professional Everest climbing Sherpa.
• Experienced Expedition Leader.
• Base Camp Manager.
• Base Camp Sirdar.
• Camp II Cook and support staff.
• Porters for expedition loads to Base Camp.
• High-altitude equipment allowance for climbing Sherpa.

High Camp Services

• Camp II dining and kitchen tent.
• High-altitude food and cooking facilities.
• Fixed ropes where required.
• Cooking gas and stoves.

Oxygen & Safety

• 6 bottles (4L) of supplemental oxygen per climber.
• 4 bottles (4L) of oxygen for each climbing Sherpa.
• Summit oxygen mask and regulator.
• Backup oxygen cylinders available at Base Camp (chargeable if used).
• Daily weather forecasts.
• Walkie-talkie communication.
• Satellite phone for emergency use.
• Comprehensive first aid and emergency medical equipment.
• Standby climbing Sherpa for emergency support.

Insurance

• Medical, accident, and helicopter rescue insurance for all Nepali expedition staff.

Equipment

• Expedition duffel bag (if required).
• Group climbing equipment.
• Communication equipment.

Expedition Completion

• Everest Summit Certificate issued by the Department of Tourism.
• Government taxes and company service charges included.ight

The expedition cost does not include

• Airfare to and from Nepal
• Meals and drinks in Kathmandu
• Alcoholic beverages in Kathmandu
• Bottled beverages, showers and snack food on trek
• Nepal visa costs
• Evacuation costs, medical and rescue insurance
• Personal climbing clothing and equipment
• Personal Puja contribution

Altitude Junkies (P) Ltd. does not allow any solo climbing above base camp on any of our expeditions.