Your goal: climb Everest at 8849 meters

A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry is required. Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa either online (e-visa) before departure or on arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. Entry requirements vary depending on your nationality: check with the Nepalese embassy or consulate in your country and with your own government's travel advisory before booking, as regulations can change. In addition to a tourist visa, a climbing permit issued by Nepal's Department of Tourism is mandatory for any ascent of a regulated peak.

Yes, every ascent of a regulated Nepalese peak requires an individual climbing permit, separate from the tourist visa. The permit is issued by Nepal's Department of Tourism on behalf of the organising agency, accompanied by payment of the summit royalty fee. For expeditions on the Tibetan side (Everest north face, Cho Oyu), a Chinese climbing permit and a Tibet Travel Permit are required through a separate process with the relevant Chinese authorities. All administrative procedures for regulated peaks are handled as part of the expedition organisation.

Since September 2025, Nepal's government has raised the summit royalties for Everest (south side). The current spring season rate is USD 15,000 per climber. The autumn royalty is USD 7,500 and the winter or monsoon rate is USD 3,750. The permit is valid for 55 days. This figure covers only the government royalty and does not include logistics, guiding, collective equipment or supplemental oxygen. Other peaks in the catalogue (Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Baruntse, etc.) carry their own royalty scales. Information verified in August 2026; fees may change subject to government decisions.

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into Nepal. Recommended vaccinations typically include hepatitis A, typhoid, and updates to routine immunisations; rabies and meningitis may also be recommended depending on the itinerary and the length of stay. Malaria risk is low in high-altitude areas covered by this catalogue and is mainly a concern in low-lying regions during the monsoon season. A medical check-up and consultation with a travel medicine or mountain medicine specialist are strongly advised before any expedition above 5000 m. Always check the current recommendations issued by your own country's health authority before departure.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a physiological response to reduced oxygen at altitude, which can occur from around 2500 m and becomes potentially life-threatening above 4000 m. Severe forms, high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE), are medical emergencies requiring immediate descent. Prevention relies on a gradual ascent, strict adherence to acclimatisation schedules, and early recognition of warning symptoms such as headache, nausea, insomnia and unusual fatigue. The step-by-step altitude progression offered by this catalogue, from 4000 m to 6000 m then 7000 m and 8000 m over several years, is the most effective way to build altitude tolerance before attempting Everest.

Insurance covering search and rescue costs in the mountains, including helicopter evacuation up to the operational ceiling of aircraft (generally around 7000 m depending on conditions), is essential. Above that altitude, evacuation relies on human portage and assisted descent to a zone accessible by helicopter. Since September 2025, Nepalese regulations require Everest climbers to hold death repatriation insurance with a minimum coverage of NPR 5 million (approximately USD 37,500). Additional cover for high medical costs and trip interruption is strongly recommended. Standard travel insurance policies often exclude high-altitude mountaineering above a certain threshold: check the specific altitude limits and exclusions of your policy before departure.

Nepal is a generally safe destination for mountaineering expeditions. Normal vigilance applies in major cities, particularly in Kathmandu. At high altitude, the main risks are natural: earthquakes, serac falls, avalanches and storms. Managing these hazards is a core part of expedition logistics: continuous weather monitoring, safety protocols and collective decision-making on summit attempts. Consult your own government's current travel advisory before departure, as the situation can change.

The catalogue spans the full spectrum, from a first Alpine 4000 m to the 8849 m summit of Everest. A beginner with no roped climbing experience can start with the Alpine programmes (Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc du Tacul) to acquire the technical foundations. Candidates targeting Everest must have completed at least one Himalayan expedition above 7000 m and hold a medically certified level of physical fitness. The purpose of this curated selection is to help each climber identify the stage that matches their current level and build a coherent progression over a minimum of two to three years.

The progression follows a series of altitude and technical difficulty milestones over several seasons. A first Alpine phase covers 4000 m peaks (Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Matterhorn) to develop rope-work skills on ice and snow, equipment familiarity and risk management. A second Himalayan phase introduces altitude-camp expeditions on 6000 m and 7000 m peaks (Mera Peak, Baruntse at 7129 m, Muztagh Ata at 7546 m) to test acclimatisation and high-altitude functioning. A third phase, on a first 8000 m such as Manaslu at 8163 m or Cho Oyu at 8188 m, is the recommended prerequisite before an Everest attempt. The full journey requires a minimum of two to three years of committed preparation, depending on the starting level.

A medical fitness certificate is required for all Himalayan expeditions in the catalogue. It confirms that the participant has no cardiovascular, pulmonary or neurological contraindication to exertion at high altitude. For expeditions above 7000 m, a full cardiology assessment including an exercise stress test is recommended. IFREMMONT, a specialist mountain medicine partner, can support participants in assessing their fitness for altitude. The specific medical documents required are detailed at the time of registration.

Alpine European expeditions (Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc du Tacul) run from June to September. In the Himalayas, two main windows bracket the monsoon season: the pre-monsoon spring season (March to May), which is the traditional Everest climbing season, and the post-monsoon autumn season (September to November), preferred for peaks such as Manaslu and Baruntse. Muztagh Ata in China is climbed in summer (June to August). Cho Oyu on the Tibetan side is a classic autumn expedition. Precise departure dates are listed on each programme page and can be filtered using the search tools on the category page.

Both routes reach the same summit at 8849 m but follow distinct itineraries with different logistics. The south Nepal side, available from €65,000, follows the route first climbed in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, passing through the Nepalese base camp at 5364 m, the Khumbu Icefall and the South Col at 7920 m. It is graded Alpine Fairly Difficult (AD). The north Tibet side, available from €59,000, departs from the Tibetan base camp at approximately 5200 m and follows the North-East Ridge, the route of the British expeditions of the 1920s. It is also graded AD. Both expeditions last 60 days and accommodate between 1 and 10 participants. The choice between the two sides depends on available permits, seasonal conditions and each candidate's profile.

Prices listed on the page range from €2,950 for the Mont Blanc du Tacul ascent (5 days) to €65,000 for the Everest south side expedition (60 days). Himalayan expeditions to 6000 m are generally priced between €5,000 and €8,000, those at 7000 m between €8,000 and €15,000, and 8000 m expeditions between €23,000 and €65,000. These prices are as displayed on the page at the time of consultation and may vary by departure date and availability.

The international flight is not included in Expeditions Unlimited programme prices. Two Tamera programmes on this page (Mera Peak and the 6000 m duo) include flights. For EU expeditions, the price covers guiding, in-destination logistics, accommodation, collective camp equipment and, depending on the programme, trekking permits and regional fees. The full list of inclusions and exclusions is detailed in the general terms of sale and on each individual programme page.

Permit inclusion varies by programme and edition. For Nepalese peaks subject to significant government royalties (Everest, Manaslu, Cho Oyu), the general conditions of each expedition specify whether the royalty is included or billed separately. It is important to clarify this point on the programme page or at the time of registration, as royalty fees can represent a substantial share of the total budget (USD 15,000 for Everest south in spring 2026).

The ratio varies by programme and technical difficulty. On technically demanding Alpine routes such as the Matterhorn, the ratio is 1 guide to 1 participant. On Himalayan expeditions, guiding combines a certified UIAGM (IFMGA) mountain guide and local high-altitude mountaineers (Sherpas in Nepal, Hunzas or high-altitude porters depending on the destination). Expeditions take between 1 and 10 participants, ensuring small groups and individualised support. Continuous weather routing is provided throughout all Himalayan expeditions.

IFREMMONT, a specialist mountain medicine organisation and expedition partner, provides remote medical support for high-altitude expeditions. This includes a medical hotline accessible from base camp, AMS management protocols, cold-related emergency procedures and personalised guidance in the event of symptoms. Guides carry high-altitude first-aid equipment (pulse oximeter, Gamow bag on selected expeditions, protocol medications). The decision to evacuate is made jointly by the IFREMMONT medical team and the expedition lead guide.

This catalogue brings together on a single page the complete, step-by-step progression of a mountaineer aiming for Everest: from the first Alpine 4000 m peaks to both Everest faces, via the preparatory 6000 m, 7000 m and 8000 m stages. Each programme in the selection is chosen so that it genuinely serves the next stage: technical mastery at Alpine altitude, camp management and rotations on a short Himalayan expedition, then 8000 m experience before Everest itself. Medical backing from IFREMMONT, small group sizes (1 to 10 participants) and personalised physical coaching between expeditions are the structuring elements of this end-to-end support.