47 days Mt. EVEREST South Col Expedition in Nepal

View Gallery (14)

Embark on a 47-day Mt. Everest South Col Expedition in Nepal. Experience the world’s highest mountain at 8,848m and challenge yourself with a demanding climb from the South face.

Duration: 1 month, 17 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

learn more

Highlights

Arrive in Kathmandu via respective airlines and check into your hotel.

Kathmandu - Upon arrival, the staff will warmly welcome and transfer guests to their respective hotels.

Expedition Preparation

Kathmandu - These two days are dedicated to obtaining the necessary paperwork and documents with the Sherpa staff, securing climbing permits,…

Arrive in Kathmandu via respective airlines and check into your hotel.

Kathmandu - Upon arrival, the staff will warmly welcome and transfer guests to their respective hotels.

Expedition Preparation

Kathmandu - These two days are dedicated to obtaining the necessary paperwork and documents with the Sherpa staff, securing climbing permits, visas, and attending official briefings at the Ministry of Tourism.

Expedition Preparation

Kathmandu - Today is also allocated for obtaining necessary paperwork and documents with the Sherpa staff, securing climbing permits, visas, and attending official briefings at the Ministry of Tourism.

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Swayambhunath - Located on a hill, Swoyambhunath serves as both a Buddhist and Hindu temple. The origin of the Kathmandu Valley is closely tied to this temple. Also known as the Monkey Temple, the temple’s expansive, tree-filled grounds are home to many monkeys.

Pashupatinath Temple - Pashupatinath Temple is one of the world’s holiest Hindu shrines. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is situated 5 km east of the city center. The richly adorned pagoda houses the sacred Linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva.

Boudhanath Stupa - Boudhanath Stupa is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site. The white-domed stupa stands on a giant mandala. Built in the 5th century, Boudhanath is a vital center of Tibetan Buddhism. Legend has it that the bones of Kasyapa Buddha (one of Buddha’s incarnations) lie at the base of this stupa.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square - Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in Bhaktapur, one of the three medieval cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The royal square, constructed by the Malla royals, showcases some of the finest examples of ancient Newari art and architecture. The five-tiered pagoda temple Nyatapola, Palace of 55 Windows, Vatsala Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Duttaraya Temple, Pujari Math, Golden Gate, and more are cultural treasures of this beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding 2,650m 3-4 hrs.

Phakding - Transfer to the domestic airport for one of the most spectacular flights over the Himalayas. If the sky is clear during the flight, the first views of Mt. Everest can be seen. The Twin-Otter / Dronier or similar aircraft will take you to the hillside village of Lukla, the starting point of the trek. Here, meet the staff and porters and set off immediately for Phakding, located on the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, which drains the entire Khumbu region.

Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440m 5-6 hrs.

Namche Bazaar - The walk continues along the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, crossing it twice via small suspension bridges, before reaching the village of Monjo, the entrance to the Khumbu National Park. Then, cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi rivers on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours to Namche Bazaar. This prosperous trading town is the capital of the Khumbu region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their goods, and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is an excellent place to purchase authentic Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the impressive peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega.

A day in Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar - Rest and leisure time to allow the body to acclimatize to the altitude of 11,300ft / 3,440m.

Trek to Thyangboche 3,867m 4-5 hrs.

Tyangboche - The well-trodden Everest trail contours around the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi, offering excellent views of the great peaks of the Khumbu, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. After passing several villages and numerous tea shops, descend steeply to a bridge over the Dudh Kosi. The village on the far side is an ideal lunch spot, where you can rest before making the steep climb to Thyangboche. Although tiring, the two-hour ascent up the zig-zag path offers numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds, and superb mountain scenery. Thyangboche is renowned for its monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. It was completely destroyed by fire (an elderly monk tried to extinguish his new electric fire by pushing it face down onto the floor!) but has now been rebuilt and is as grand as ever.

Trek to Pheriche 4,230m 4-5 hrs.

Pheriche - Dughlha Road - Descend steeply through woods, cross the Imja Khola, and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite Ama Dablam and is a good place to stop for lunch. Pheriche is a good two-hour walk beyond and is situated beneath the impressive spires of Cholatse and Taweche.

Acclimatization period.

Pheriche - Dughlha Road - Using Pheriche as the base, spend a day hiking for health, fitness, and adaptation to the altitude.

Trek to Lobuche 4,900m. 4-5 hrs.

Lobuche - Continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Taweche on the left, then turn right and climb more steeply towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Dughla (Thugla) is a good lunch spot before the steep climb zig-zagging up through the boulders of the glacier terminal moraine. The top of this climb is marked by numerous stone cairns, a tribute to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mount Everest. The path then continues more easily on the left side of the glacier, eventually reaching the cluster of tea houses at Lobuche.

Trek to Gorak Shep 5,180m 2-3 hrs.

Gorak Shep - Continue along the side of the Khumbu Glacier, which is straightforward at first, but later the path becomes rocky and awkward as it climbs across the moraine. This is more than compensated by the fabulous mountain setting as the path gets closer to the world’s highest mountain. The sugar loaf dome of Pumori lies directly ahead, and to the right, on the opposite side of the glacier, Nuptse rises in a sheer spire. Just behind it, remaining elusive until the last moment, is Mt. Everest. Gorak Shep is another small cluster of tea shops, and camping will be just below them. Directly above the campsite is Kala Pattar [18,188ft/5,545m], a famous viewpoint for Mount Everest, and the 1½ hour scramble to reach it is well worth the effort.

Trek to Base Camp 5,360m. 3-4 hrs

Everest Base Camp Trekking Route - Climb over the mounds of moraine, traverse the Khumbu Glacier, and follow a vague path to the most famous of all Base Camps. It lies right at the foot of the notorious Khumbu Ice Fall, which tumbles from the Western Cwm. The Base Camp will already be well established, and you can find out how the Advance Party is progressing in the Ice-fall.

(25 days) Ascent of Mount Everest and withdrawal to Base Camp

Everest Base Camp Trekking Route - It is hoped that the Khumbu Ice-fall will be fixed by the time the team arrives at the Base Camp. Members can then start load-carrying to Camp I and Camp II in the Western Cwm. Once everyone is well acclimatized, Camp I will mostly be bypassed en route to Camp II, which will become an Advance Base Camp. The route to this point will involve crossing crevasses on ladders, jumaring up serac walls, and a long, tedious plod up the Western Cwm. Camp III will be placed halfway up the Lhotse Face at about 7,400 meters high. From here, a long rising traverse across the snow slopes, a yellow band of rock, and the Geneva Spur lead to the South Col and Camp IV. This will be fully established before a rest period at Base Camp.