How Much Does It Cost to Climb Everest?
How much does it cost to climb Mt. Everest? This is one of the most common Google searches that lead people to my site. And the most often asked question during my presentations. My usual answer is "A car."
But everyone who has read Jon Krakaurer's Into Thin Air bookread that both Adventure Consultants and Mountain Madness' clients paid$65,000 each in 1996. So in 14 years, has that changed?
Here is my annual update on list prices based on December 2009public information posted on the companies' websites. The high pricefor 2010 goes to RMI with a climb guided by 11 time Everest summiter,Dave Hahn at $74,000. The low-end, as usual, is offered by the localKathmandu operators; with Asian Trekking leading the way at $30,300.
Remember that these are list prices and sometimes discounts can benegotiated but not always. I tried to 'normalize' the prices by addingflights, oxygen, full support at all camps and a 1:1 Sherpa/Clientratio for summit night if the companies' base price does not include it.
In the following table you can see that prices have moved a bit fromlast year, on average south side prices went up for some operators andnow average about $51,000 on the south. The north side prices remainedabout the same at an average of $26,900. This spread has narrowedsomewhat over the decade as the costs on the Chinese side haveincreased. However, prices on the Nepal side have also increased in aclassic case of supply and demand.
| COMPANY | COUNTRY | SOUTH (2009 price) | NORTH (2009 price) | 2010 LEADER |
| Adventure Consultants | NZ | $65,000 ($65,000) | N/A | Mike Roberts |
| Alpine Ascents International | US | $65,000 ($65,000) | N/A | |
| Mountain Trip | US | $62,000 ($65,000) | Scott Woolums | |
| Mountain Madness | US | $59,000 ($65,000) | N/A | Willie Benegas |
| RMI | US | $74,000 ($65,000) | N/A | Dave Hahn |
| Dream Guides | UK | $60,000 ($60,000) | N/A | Kenton Cool |
| Jagged Globe | UK | $54,000 ($54,000) | N/A | |
| High Altitude Dreams | NP | $37,500 ($45,000) | N/A | No Western Leader |
| Himalayan Experience | FR | N/A ($43,440) | N/A | Russell Brice |
| 7 Summits | NL | N/A | $29,332 ($31,586) | |
| International Mountain Guides | US | $40,000 ($42,950) | N/A | $55K with Mike Hamill oversight $70K for a personal guide |
| Project Himalaya | NP | $29,950 ($27,500) | Jamie McGuinness | |
| Altitude Junkies | UK | $40,000 ($35,000) | N/A | Phil Crampton |
| Peak Freaks | CA | $41,000 ($35,000) | $30,000 | Tim Rippel |
| SummitClimb | US | $35,550 ($32,700) | $32.250 (27,700) | Dan Mazzur, Arnold Coster |
| Asian Trekking | NP | $30,300 ($26,000 est.) | $21,757 | No Western Leader |
The major difference between the higher and lower prices for allcompanies is primarily the inclusion of western guides and a smallguide to climber ratio. In other words, the highest price is based onsmall teams with a at least one, if not more, western guides and a highnumber of Sherpas. The low prices usually have no western guide andsometimes a minimum number of Sherpas. Finally some of the pricechanges are due to currency adjustments with companies offering theirclimbs in Euros, not US Dollars.
This can be quite confusing so if you want to know more I have extensive details on my Guide and Questions for Guides pages.
Climb On!
Alan
Arnette is a Speaker, Mountaineer and Alzheimer's Advocate. You can read more on his site.
Comments
Nice table, Alan! One thing that jumps out at me is Himex's relatively low price given their high profile. Regarding the highest price, Sierra Mountaineering International advertised a price of $110,000 for a south side ascent last spring, but I couldn't find any info about 2010.
Flag ThisPersonally I had no idea it cost so much. Real reality check. You can do it if it is on your "bucket list", but you've got to save up for it.
Flag ThisAlan, It's nice to be able to see all the prices for various companies in one table. But when I looked online for Trekking Nepal and Trekking Everest I found other reputable companies for lower prices than you have listed. So it is worth it to do your research on such a huge adventure......making it worth it in the end. :)
Flag ThisThanks for the coverage. Sounds like the discussions are finally heading the right directions!
Flag ThisThanks for the coverage.
Flag ThisIt's nice to be able to see all the prices for various companies in one table.
Flag ThisThanks for the coverage. Sounds like the discussions are finally heading the right directions!
Flag ThisDo remember that physical, mental and psychological preparation is extremely for such a climb. Not to forget that there's no guaranteed summit even if you sign up.
Flag ThisDo remember that physical, mental and psychological preparation is extremely for such a climb. Not to forget that there's no guaranteed summit even if you sign up.
Flag Thisthis adventure is very expensive, but the experience of coming to this place must be unique, to know that one was on the highest peak of our planet, is a great experience
Flag ThisSounds like the discussions are finally heading the right directions!
Flag ThisI looked online for Trekking Nepal and Trekking Everest I found other reputable companies for lower prices than you have listed.
Flag Thisoffered by the local Kathmandu operator……
Flag ThisIt's nice to be able to see all the prices for various companies in one table.
Flag ThisThanks for such a great post and the review, I am totally impressed! Keep stuff like this coming.
Flag ThisBut when I looked online for Trekking Nepal and Trekking Everest I found other reputable companies for lower prices than you have listed. So it is worth it to do your research on such a huge adventure......making it worth it in the end. :)
Flag ThisWhat if I want to join an international team, without any guidance? would be much cheaper, right?
Flag ThisThis web site is really very nice .. This article has been perfect. Thank you very much. I follow your stories and documents continuously. Thank you for sharing ..
Flag Thiswhay the price range is so hight..what do we get on 65 that we can't get in 30?
Flag ThisThe price updates are most appreciated. I have yet to make real plans for Mt Everest but it is one of those things I must do before I die. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the cost with your help Alan. Thanks.
Flag ThisYou can have some research on internet. There are lots of information on web regarding cost and other things about Everest.
Flag ThisThis post is very useful for Mountain climbers who want to summit Mount Everest.
Flag Thisthank you very much....
Flag ThisWithout any doubt it is a GREAT experience in an awesome place.
Flag Thishow do you manage to pay for this? im a skint brittish soldier trying to raise money for a charity that helps those that have lost limbs in conflict. so far i had have had no luck with getting a loan and writing to writing to companies. any ideas anyone?
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