How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Everest?

Each year, hundreds of adventurers attempt one of the most iconic and dangerous feats in human history: climbing Mount Everest. Towering at 8,848 meters (29,031 feet), Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth, luring climbers with its mystique, prestige, and peril.

For many, the climb is a life-defining achievement. For others, it has ended in tragedy. Among Everest’s most haunting stories is that of “Sleeping Beauty Mount Everest,” a nickname given to Francys Arsentiev, an American climber who died on her descent in 1998. Her frozen body remained visible to others for years, a chilling reminder that the mountain claims those unprepared for its wrath.

But how long does it take to climb Mount Everest? What does the journey entail? How much does it cost? How do you train and prepare for a mountain that can kill with wind, ice, altitude, and exhaustion? Let’s break it all down.

How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Everest?

In total, the process takes 6 to 10 weeks. The climbing season runs primarily in April and May, with most summit attempts occurring in a small window in late May when the jet stream temporarily shifts.

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown:

Week 1–2: Travel and Acclimatization

• Fly into Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Take a flight to Lukla and begin the trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) at 17,600 feet.
• This trek alone takes 8–10 days and includes stops in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche for altitude acclimatization.

Week 3–5: Rotation Climbs

• Climbers do several ascents and descents between Base Camp and higher camps (1, 2, and 3).
• The goal is to gradually introduce the body to high altitudes to prevent acute mountain sickness (AMS).
• These rotations are critical to building endurance for the final summit push.

Week 6–8: Summit Push

• After weeks of waiting and preparing, a summit window opens.
• Climbers ascend from Base Camp to Camps I through IV.
• From Camp IV (South Col), they enter the Death Zone—above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are insufficient for human survival over time.
• The final summit push begins at night and takes 8–16 hours round-trip.

Weeks 8–10: Descent and Return

• After the summit (or retreat), climbers descend back to Base Camp.
• They then trek back to Lukla and fly out of the region, concluding the journey.

Even under ideal conditions, climbing the Mount Everest is a two-month commitment.

How Much Does It Cost to Climb Mount Everest?

Climbing Everest is not only physically taxing but also financially demanding. For most people, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime endeavor with a steep price tag.

Average Cost: $35,000 to $70,000

Let’s break it down:

Luxury Expeditions:

High-end options can cost upwards of $100,000, offering superior tents, chefs, helicopters, and more personalized support.

In contrast, budget climbers attempting without support (not recommended) might spend $20,000 to $30,000 but with far greater risk.

Still, for those seeking to stand atop the world, the price is worth every penny—even if the mountain doesn’t always let you return.

How to Climb Mount Everest

1- Train Like It’s War

To survive Everest, you’ll need elite cardiovascular fitness, core strength, and mental toughness. Think ultra-marathoner meets Navy SEAL.

Training includes:

• Long hikes with heavy packs.
• Strength training (legs, back, core).
• High-altitude hikes (if possible).
• Cold-weather exposure and survival training.
• Technical climbing (ice axe, crampons, fixed ropes).

2- Choose a Route

There are two main routes:

• South Route (Nepal): More popular, better infrastructure, but includes the Khumbu Icefall—one of the deadliest sections.
• North Route (Tibet): Technically easier terrain but colder, windier, and logistically more complex.

3- Go With a Reputable Guide

Even the most experienced climbers usually join an expedition company. Guides handle:

• Logistics
• Oxygen planning
• Camp setup
• Safety monitoring
• Emergency response

4- Understand the Risks

Everest is deadly. Avalanches, crevasses, hypoxia, frostbite, and exhaustion kill climbers every year. The body of Sleeping Beauty Mount Everest, remained visible for years—a reminder of what happens when oxygen runs out or the weather turns.

More than 300 people have died on Everest, and the majority of those deaths occur on the descent from the summit.

5- Respect the Mountain

As Tyler Long recounts in Expedition to the Unknown: Mallory and Irvine, even experienced climbers with elite skills can vanish on Everest. There is no room for ego, just humility and calculated risk.

Olympus Mons vs Mount Everest

A fun comparison many space enthusiasts make is between Earth’s tallest mountain and the tallest volcano in our solar system: Olympus Mons on Mars.

Olympus Mons is nearly three times the height of Everest. But don’t book your Mars expedition yet—the lack of oxygen, cold, and thin atmosphere would make mountain climbing there more of a spacewalk than a climb.

Still, it’s fascinating to imagine the comparison: Olympus Mons vs Mount Everest might be the ultimate showdown in planetary peaks.

What You’ll See Along the Way (Mount Everest Pictures Can’t Capture It All)

If you’ve seen Mount Everest pictures, you know the mountain is jaw-droppingly beautiful. But photos only scratch the surface.

What you’ll witness firsthand:

• The icy blue towers of the Khumbu Icefall
• Glowing sunrises over the Himalayas from Camp II
• Endless valleys of snow and rock that stretch into Tibet
• The knife-edge ridges leading to the summit
• The stars overhead from the Death Zone—closer than you’ve ever seen them

And perhaps most haunting: the remains of climbers who didn’t make it. From Green Boots to Sleeping Beauty, their preserved bodies lie as both warning and monument to Everest’s deadly glory.

Climbing to Mount Everest: Why Do People Still Do It?

With better technology and satellite imagery, we know the summit. We’ve mapped every inch. So why do people still go?

Because climbing Mount Everest is not about discovering a new place; it’s about discovering yourself.

It’s about pushing the limits of what your body and mind can handle. It’s about purpose, grit, and legacy. And for many, like Mallory, it’s simply “because it’s there.”

Conclusion

How long does it take to climb Mount Everest? About two months of your life. But you’re not just trading time—you’re trading comfort, money, and maybe even your safety for a shot at the summit.

For some, it ends in triumph. For others, in tragedy. But for all, it leaves a mark that never fades.

Before you lace up your boots and stare at the summit, consider what Everest has cost others, from Mallory and Irvine to Sleeping Beauty Mount Everest. The mountain demands your respect, your preparation, and your soul.

Do you still want to climb? Then start training now. Because mountain climbing doesn’t forgive hesitation, and Everest never blinks.