Himalayan climbs

Requirements vary by country: a standard tourist visa for Nepal, a climbing permit issued for each peak by Nepal's Department of Tourism, a Tibet Travel Permit and an Aliens' Travel Permit alongside a Chinese visa for a Tibetan peak, and a permit from the Gilgit-Baltistan Council for any ascent above 6500 m in Pakistan. For Kun in India (Ladakh), a specific permit is required for certain areas near the border. Entry requirements depend on your nationality; check with the relevant authority for each destination and with your own country's consulate before booking. Permit paperwork is handled on your behalf, but a passport valid for several months beyond the return date is required.

Fees are set by the Nepalese government and vary by peak, season and group size. Since 2025, the Everest royalty has been set at $15,000 per foreign climber for the spring season; other 8000 m peaks follow their own scale, generally lower. Verified on 07/08/2026 against Nepalese government sources and specialist press; these amounts are revised periodically.

Climbing from the Tibetan side requires a Chinese visa, a Tibet Travel Permit, an Aliens' Travel Permit and a climbing permit issued by the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA). The CTMA requires a full medical file and a certificate of a previous ascent at an altitude close to the target peak (no more than 1000 m lower). Permit costs generally range between $25,000 and $40,000 depending on the peak.

Any ascent above 6500 m in Pakistan requires a permit from the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, with a royalty that increases with the altitude of the target peak. A trekking permit for regulated areas and a waste-management fee for peaks within Central Karakoram National Park also apply. These amounts are revised periodically by the Pakistani authorities.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is prevented through gradual acclimatisation, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle, with adaptation stages before each move to higher altitude. Early symptoms (headache, nausea, insomnia) should be taken seriously and can require halting the ascent. A supporting treatment such as acetazolamide may be prescribed by a doctor, but never replaces acclimatisation paced to each individual. Weather routing and a medical hotline accompany every expedition.

Insurance specifically covering search, rescue and evacuation costs in the mountains is essential; evacuation at very high altitude relies on helicopter where the operating ceiling allows, otherwise on ground portage. Many standard travel insurance policies, particularly those linked to a bank card, exclude these costs, so checking the policy wording before departure is essential. Medical repatriation cover is also recommended for Nepal, Pakistan and India.

The security situation may vary between countries and regions. For more than 30 years, we have safely led expeditions across the Himalaya and Karakoram thanks to our extensive field experience, trusted local partners, and continuous monitoring of local conditions. Every itinerary is reviewed before departure and adapted whenever necessary.

High-altitude mountaineering experience is expected before attempting a 7000 m Himalayan peak: use of an ice axe and crampons, roped travel, and nights spent at altitude camps on previous treks or climbs. Each programme's technical grade (from easy to difficult) gives a first indication of the level required. Any doubt about your level should be discussed with the organising team before booking.

It depends on the side chosen. On the Tibetan side, the CTMA requires a certificate of a previous ascent at an altitude close to Everest's. On the Nepalese side, a new regulation that took effect in 2026 makes the permit conditional on a prior ascent of a Nepalese peak above 7000 m. Verified on 07/08/2026; this recent regulation may still evolve.

These labels follow the French alpine grading scale (PD for “peu difficile”/easy, AD for “assez difficile”/fairly difficult, D for “difficile”/difficult), which rates the technical engagement of the terrain (slope, exposure, rock or glacier sections) independently of altitude. An 8000 m peak graded PD remains a physically extreme expedition even where the technical terrain is moderate.

A medical certificate of fitness for exertion at altitude is required before departure, and some permit authorities (such as the CTMA on the Tibetan side) require a full medical file dated within the last three months. A cardiology check-up and a specialist mountain-medicine opinion are recommended for projects above 7000 m.

The catalogue covers peaks in Nepal (most of the 8000 m and 7000 m summits, including Everest's south side), Tibet (Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Everest's north side), Pakistan (K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II, Nanga Parbat, in the Karakoram) and India, in Ladakh (Kun, at 7077 m). The choice depends on the technical level targeted, access logistics (permits are longer and more expensive on the Tibetan and Pakistani sides) and the desired season.

Most expeditions take place in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), outside the monsoon. The exact choice depends on the peak and the side climbed: the guaranteed departure dates shown on each programme reflect the windows selected for that route.

Durations observed in the catalogue range from 29 days for a technical 7000 m peak to 63 days for the most demanding 8000 m peaks, including approach, acclimatisation and altitude rotations. A 6000-7000 m peak with more direct access can be completed in three to five weeks.

In the observed sample, listed prices range from around €11,500 for a 7000 m peak in Nepal to around €59,000 for Everest's north side in Tibet, with the Tibetan side and the most expensive permits (K2, Kangchenjunga) pulling the range upward. These figures reflect the programmes currently listed and may not cover the full catalogue, since some expeditions only appear after clicking “Load more”.

No, the international flight is not included in the listed prices for any Himalayan expedition in the catalogue observed, regardless of the country.

The listed price generally covers logistics organisation, guiding, climbing permits and on-mountain services (portering, camps, altitude sherpas depending on the programme). Left to the participant: the international flight, personal technical gear, search-rescue-evacuation insurance and, in some cases, supplementary oxygen or a personal sherpa. The exact breakdown varies by programme and is detailed on each technical sheet.

Expeditions are led by French and local expedition leaders and guides experienced in high altitude, supported in Nepal by sherpa teams whose quality is central to the safety and comfort of the climb. Personalised weather routing and a 24-hour medical hotline accompany every programme. Group sizes generally range from 1 to 10 participants depending on the peak.

Several programmes list groups open from as few as one or two people, and a private or custom-built option allows an expedition to be organised among friends or solo with support, outside the fixed group departure dates. The exact terms (surcharge, lead time) depend on the peak and are discussed at the quote stage.

Access to fourteen peaks above 8000 m and to summits still unclimbed sets this catalogue apart, with Franco-Nepalese high-altitude leadership recognised in the field. On the environmental side, permit royalties include waste-management fees, notably within Central Karakoram National Park in Pakistan, and local authorities' protocols (waste management, access quotas) are followed on every route.