• Duration:59 Nights 60 Days
  • Max. Altitude: 8848m
  • Group Size: 1-4
  • Activity: Trekking and Expedition
  • Pick Up: TIA Airport

About Everest South Col Expedition

The summit of Mount Everest is the ultimate mountaineering quest . Annapurna Foothills is all about excellent logistical support which will assure that this extreme challenge is the safest and most rewarding expedition possible. Our vetran Sherpa climbing guide who has led 4 successful expeditions to the summit of Mt. Everest as well as several other 8000-meter giants, will be there to support you all the way to the summit. Your commitment and perserverance and our high standard of logistical support are key factors for success.

Annapurna Foothills booking for Spring 2024 and 2025 Everest South Col Expedition:


Climbers arrive in Kathmandu no later than April 05th, 2025.

Climbers depart Kathmandu no earlier than June 05th, 2025.


Getting to Base Camp:

While we shake off our jet-lag in Kathmandu, we make sure all our official work is complete, get a briefing from the Ministry of Tourism, and finalize our supplies. There is a good selection of local and international mountaineering equipment and clothing, so it’s a good chance to do some last minute shopping.

Our Everest Expedition begins in Lukla, a 40-minute flight from Kathmandu. Our expedition supplies will be carried to base camp by yaks, zokyos (yak hybrids) and porters, while we set off up the Khumbu Valley at a more leisurely pace, which allows our bodies to acclimatize. This gives us a chance to savour the natural wonder of the Khumbu, and the cultural beauty of the local Sherpa inhabitants.

On the way to EBC, we will stop at Tengboche Monastery to request a special blessing of the lama, who will perform a puja to implore the deities to bless our expedition members and equipment. We accept a scarf, or khata, with the eight lucky Buddhist signs, as a symbol of the lama’s blessing.

By the time we arrive in Everest Base Camp about 8 days later, the Sherpas will have our camp all set up.

 

A Typical during Everest Expedition:

There is no fixed plan that works for all climbers and all seasons.Often, climbers will do two “acclimatization rotations” on Everest, prior to the summit bid. That said, the final rotation schedule will be decided by factors such as the weather and the health of our expedition team members. It’s crucial that everyone works as a team and communicates clearly.

The first rotation will begin after a week acclimatizing at Base Camp. We usually go to Camp I, 5950m, for a night, then to Camp II, 6400m for a couple nights, and after tagging Camp III, 7470m (no overnight this time) we return to Camp II for a night and finally back to EBC. We will likely pass by Camp I on successive climbs.

We rest in Base Camp and prepare for the second rotation. We climb to Camp III this time, and stay overnight. We descend to EBC again to prepare for the summit bid.


Everest Expedition Route Description:

Base Camp, 5400m to Camp I, 5900m

We start out from BC before daybreak to maximize the hours before the sun starts heating the glacier. The Khumbu Icefall is a moving glacier, heavy with huge seracs and crevasses. A team of Sherpas called the Icefall Doctors continually maintain a path through this dangerous area with rope and ladders. To minimize the time spent on the Icefall, we avoid any unnecessary stops. The terrain levels out just before Camp I.

Camp I, 5900m to Camp II, 6500m

The route to Camp II crosses the Western Cwm, a broad valley formed by the Khumbu Glacier. There are deep crevasses, some marked with fixed ladders and some hidden by snow bridges. The sun is blinding here, as it reflects off the snow on every side of the valley. If there are no clouds it can be very warm here. Camp II (ABC) is at the foot of the Lhotse face.

Camp II, 6500m to Camp III, 7300m

From Camp II, we start climbing the face of Lhotse, 4th highest peak in the world. It can be a challenge to get a foothold with our crampons in this wall of rock hard blue ice and packed snow. There are lines fixed into the face with screws and anchors, but since there is just one for ascending and one for descending, there can be a traffic jam on this section. We keep clipped into fixed line all the way to Camp III which is on a ledge about halfway up the Lhotse face.

Camp III, 7300m to Camp IV, 7900m

A steep climb from Camp III takes us up to the Yellow Band, a layer of limestone that cuts through these mountains. There are fixed ropes to help us climb the Yellow Band; it is not so difficult, but at this altitude nothing is easy. Most climbers are using oxygen by this point. It can be extremely cold before the sun reaches, especially if there is a wind, but once the sun climbs over Lhotse, it burns through the thin atmosphere.

Next is the Geneva Spur, a short section of rock-ice and snow, which forms the ridge leading onto the South Col, the site of Camp IV. We see the awe-inspiring summit of Mount Everest for the first time when we crest the ridge.

Camp IV, 7900m to Summit, 8850m

At Camp IV we rest, rehydrate and restore our energy in preparation for the Summit push, which usually starts late on the same day that we reach Camp IV. Most of our 10 to 12 hour climb is in the night, as our goal is to reach the summit at around 7 a.m.

  1. Camp IV, there is a steep triangular face leading to the Balcony, a flat area where we can rest and change over to a new oxygen bottle. Next are the slabs, which are rocks of varying size and steepness. Too little snow renders crampons almost useless on these rocks, and too much snow makes for slogging. After the slabs there is a steep snow slope leading to the South Summit, 500 meters below the true summit. An extremely exposed sharp ridge leads to the Hillary Step, the final rock wall leading to the summit.

The descent from the summit to the South Col takes 3-5 hours. Statistics reveal that this is the most treacherous feat of the Everest Expedition. Besides the effects of altitude, weather and technicalities, the additional factors of elation, fatigue, and perhaps letting ones guard down have resulted in numerous disasters on the descent to the South Col.


Return from Expedition:

The schedule allows three days for our hike from EBC back to Lukla. We are accompanied by porters carrying our gear. It’s also possible to leave EBC one day earlier for a slower 4 days trek.

Guests at Base Camp:

Except for Everest expedition members, no one is allowed to stay overnight in Base Camp. However, we want to inform you that we welcome family or friends of climbers who are interested in joining your expedition as far as Base Camp. Some of them may even be interested in one of the many treks in Everest Region, or a less challenging peak.

Option Climb Lobuche for Extra Acclimatization

For people with a sufficient time-frame, an excursion to nearby Lobuche Peak, 6119m, is a great way to ensure you are well acclimatized before you start the Mt Everest expedition.

Highlights of Everest South Col Expedition

  • we work with experienced local Sherpa guides who have summited Everest several times.
  • Sherpa Climbing Guide per climber allows maximum flexibility of pace and summit attempt.
  • well managed logistics and support team at base camp and further camps.
  • the experience an chance of climbing world's highest mountain.
  • the trek to Everest Base Camp itself is a lifetime experience.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast and Welcome Dinner
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House/Lodge
  • Breakfast
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast

What's Included

  • All related airport / hotel / airport transfers
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on B&B basis
  • Kathmandu / Lukla / Kathmandu airfare both for expeditioner and staff
  • Cargo clearance
  • Full board service except in Kathmandu
  • All transport of necessary expedition supplies: Lukla / EBC / Lukla (by yaks or porters)
  • Dining tent with Dining table and chairs in EBC and Camp II
  • Kitchen tent and 2 high altitude cooks for EBC and Camp II including equipment, wages and insurance
  • EPI Gas with burner and cooking pot set
  • Gas heaters in the dining tent & solar panel power available at BC
  • First-rate high altitude food
  • Sherpa climbing guide per climber, including equipment, wages and insurance
  • Climbing Permit and all necessary permits
  • Garbage deposit
  • Icefall route maintenance fee
  • Radio walkie-talkie set for climber/Sherpa team, including permit charge
  • Single sleeping tents with closed cell pads for entire expedition
  • 5 cylinders of oxygen per climber with mask and regulator set
  • 3 cylinders of oxygen per climbing Sherpa with mask and regulator set
  • Cost of transporting oxygen to Camp III and IV by Sherpa porter
  • Liaison Officer charges including airfare and insurance
  • Shower tent at EBC
  • Toilet tent at EBC & Camp II
  • Annapurna Foothill’s Tshirt.
  • Energy Supplies ( Snickers, Mars, Bounty) and Fresh Fruits on the Trek
  • Gear tent for storage at EBC & Camp II
  • Gamow Bag up to Camp II
  • Satellite telephone (per minute rates apply)

What’s Excluded

  • Your personal equipment for climbing & trekking.
  • Your personal & medical insurance during the expedition.
  • Lunches & dinners in Kathmandu
  • Emergency Rescue evacuation by helicopter if required
  • Permits for Client's personal Radio set or Satellite phone

Departure Dates

FromToStatusPrice  
Start Date10 Apr, 2025End Date08 Jun, 2025AvailableUS$ 32000

Departure Note:

Guaranteed- We already have trekkers booked for those dates and you can join the group.

Available - The date is available to book and once you confirm your trip it will be guaranteed.

Limited - The departure date is filling fast and only limited seats are available to join.

Closed- The Trip cannot be booked on that specific date. Contact us for customized dates.
 

The departure dates are your arrival dates in Nepal.


We have set dates for departure to the Everest South Col Expedition. So, pick your preferable date and let the adventure begin.

If the date you prefer is not listed on our departure dates then you can contact us directly to book the trip on your own desired date.

We have listed the price up to 04 trekkers at maximum. If you are more than 04 trekkers, then please feel free to contact us for amazing discounted group price and further booking process.

Private Trips to Everest South Col Expedition is possible. Contact us to design your own private trips with you loved ones.

Solo Trips: Single trekkers are always welcome to join the climb. On your arrival at Kathmandu, you’ll have a single room in Kathmandu Hotel as per your requirement and have to share a room at the local teahouses during the trekking.

Useful Info

Why Climb Mt. Everest with Annapurna Foothills?

  • Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions a Nepal-based owner operated company who can make your Everest Summit a reality for a reasonable price
  • It is the perfect option for experienced, confident climbers want high quality services without the pricey sophisticated and nonessentials offered by international operators
  • Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions does not compromise safety
  • We use only the best quality equipment in the market
  • We take care of details which will help you keep both comfortable and healthy your expedition so that every aspect of your expedition will be a pleasant memory.
  • One veteran Sherpa climbing guide accompanies each climber to allow maximum flexibility. Each climber can take advantage of a window of good weather and personal climbing pace
  • Our Sherpa Climbing Guides are veterans of multiple Everest summits.
  • Our Sherpas will go ahead to prepare the camps allowing you to take the time you need, and focus on climbing rather than logistics
     

Return to Kathmandu by Helicopter:

At the end of a long expedition, a quick flight by helicopter from Base Camp to Lukla or Kathmandu is quite appealing. You could also trek to Pheriche and fly from there.

Helicopter flights are available at the climbers own expense. The cost depends upon passenger load and whether the helicopter is already in the Khumbu area or has to come from Kathmandu.

If Luggage Gets Left Behind:

  1. may not be possible to take all your gear in the helicopter, depending on the number of passengers and weight restrictions.

Besides the fact that at the end of the Everest Expedition, flights out of Lukla are heavily booked, unpredictable weather at the onset of monsoon can result in flights being cancelled. If this happens, priority will be given to passengers rather than their baggage.

If for any reason you get separated from your bags, Annapurna Treks and Expeditions will make every effort to get them to Kathmandu before your departure flight.

If you depart from Nepal before your bags arrive back in Kathmandu, we can get them shipped to you, but this will be at your expense.

Oxygen:

Oxygen cylinders hold 1800 liters, which at 3 liters/minute lasts 10 hours. One bottle and regulator weighs about 7.3kg total. You will not carry more than one bottle at a time. Most climbers use oxygen from Camps III, at 1 liter/min. for sleeping and 3 liter/min climbing. This means a total of 7200 liters (4 cylinders) are needed for the summit and descent back to Camp III. As a safety precaution, Annapurna Treks and Expedition provides each climber 5 bottles of oxygen for the expedition.

  1. the Col to the Balcony it takes about 5 hours, which uses about half a bottle. At the Balcony we switch to a full bottle, which should be enough for the 8 hour summit and return to the Col. The half-full bottle left at the Balcony is an emergency back-up.
  1. oxygen bottles are available for $600 each. They must be ordered at the time of booking.

Camp Information:

Sherpas will do all of the cooking/melting at Camp I, II, III, and IV.

Personal Gear:

For the most part, you will only need to carry the items which you require during the day while climbing. Your Sherpa guide will carry loads (including your sleeping bag and a reasonable amount of your personal gear) between the camps.

Communication :

Each climber/Sherpa team is issued a VHF hand held radio and satellite phone.

Cell phones and Internet:

The GSM cell phone network reaches to Everest Base Camp, although in places it may have poor reception. Reasonably priced GSM phones, SIM cards and prepaid calling cards are available in Kathmandu. There are “internet cafes” along the way and even at Base Camp.