How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Everest? Days, Weeks & Summit-Day Hours (2027)
By Blake Penson · January 18, 2024
Category: destination-guides
9 min read
A standard guided Everest expedition takes about 6 to 9 weeks, typically around 55–65 days from arriving in Kathmandu to flying home. That includes a 7–10 day trek to base camp, 3–5 weeks of acclimatisation rotations on the mountain, a 4–6 day summit push, and a few days to return. The summit push itself, from base camp to the top and back, usually takes 4–6 days. The final climb from the South Col (Camp 4, about 7,900 m) to the summit takes 8–12 hours, and the descent back to Camp 4 another 3–6 hours, so summit day is 12–18 hours. Climbers typically spend only 10–30 minutes on the summit. Shorter "flash" expeditions that pre-acclimatise at home take about 3–5 weeks. Preparation takes far longer: most operators expect 2–5 years of mountaineering experience and 6–12 months of focused training before an Everest attempt.
This guide breaks the time down stage by stage, compares the South Col and North Ridge routes, explains why weather can stretch an expedition, covers how flash expeditions and records compare, and sets out how long it takes to get ready.
How long does it take to climb Everest? Quick answers | Question | Typical answer | |---|---| | Whole expedition (Kathmandu to Kathmandu) | 6–9 weeks (~55–65 days) | | Trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp | 7–10 days | | Acclimatisation on the mountain | 3–5 weeks | | Summit push (base camp to summit and back) | 4–6 days | | South Col (Camp 4) to summit | 8–12 hours | | Summit back to Camp 4 | 3–6 hours | | Time on the summit | 10–30 minutes | | Flash / pre-acclimatised expedition | ~3–5 weeks | | Fastest base camp to summit (Nepal side, recognised) | ~10 h 56 min (Lakpa Gelu Sherpa, 2003) | | Experience-building before Everest | Typically 2–5 years |
The Everest timeline in stages
| Stage | Duration | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Arrive in Kathmandu, permits, briefings, gear checks | 2–4 days | Kathmandu (1,400 m) |
| Fly to Lukla and trek to Everest Base Camp | 7–10 days | Khumbu Valley (2,860–5,364 m) |
| Base camp setup, puja ceremony, ladder training | 2–4 days | Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) |
| Acclimatisation rotation 1 (Camp 1/Camp 2) | 4–6 days | 6,000–6,400 m |
| Rest at base camp | 2–4 days | 5,364 m |
| Acclimatisation rotation 2 (Camp 2/Camp 3) | 5–7 days | 6,400–7,300 m |
| Rest and wait for a weather window | 5–14 days | Base camp or lower villages |
| Summit push and descent to base camp | 4–6 days | Camps 2–4, summit 8,849 m |
| Pack up and trek or fly out | 2–5 days | Back to Lukla/Kathmandu |
| Total | ~55–65 days |
Where the time actually goes
Looking at a 60-day expedition as a whole, the split is striking. Roughly 15–20% of the time is spent travelling and trekking in, 40–50% on acclimatisation rotations and rest at base camp, 10–20% waiting for weather, and less than 10% on the summit push itself. Only one day is summit day. That is why experienced Everest climbers say patience, health and recovery matter as much as fitness. Most of the expedition is spent getting ready for a few hours near the top.
Before the expedition: how long does it take to prepare?
Experience: usually 2–5 years
Few people go from zero to Everest. Most operators want to see a progression of climbs, and many now require at least one previous 8,000 m or high 7,000 m summit. Nepal is also considering a rule that would require a prior 7,000 m summit in Nepal before an Everest permit is issued. As of October 2026 it was not yet law. A typical progression looks like this:
| Step | Example peaks | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Basic mountaineering skills | Glacier course, Mount Rainier, Mont Blanc | Year 1 |
| High-altitude trekking peak | Island Peak, Lobuche, Mera Peak | Year 1–2 |
| 6,000–7,000 m expedition | Aconcagua, Ama Dablam, Denali | Year 2–3 |
| 7,000–8,000 m expedition | Himlung, Baruntse, Manaslu, Cho Oyu | Year 3–4 |
| Everest | South Col or North Ridge | Year 3–5 |
Read our guide on what to climb before Everest.
Training: 6–12 months
Specific Everest training usually runs for 6–12 months. It builds aerobic endurance (long hikes, stairs, running or cycling), strength and load-carrying (15–25 kg packs), and mental resilience. Many climbers also use hypoxic training or tents in the final weeks before departure.
Planning and booking: 6–18 months ahead
Most reputable operators fill their spring Everest teams 6–12 months in advance. Permits, insurance, visas, medical checks, gear and flights all take time. See how much it costs to climb Mount Everest for a full budget.
Stage 1: Kathmandu (2–4 days)
Climbers arrive in Kathmandu in late March or early April for permit briefings at Nepal's Department of Tourism, gear checks and last-minute shopping. Flights to Lukla depend on the weather and can be delayed by a day or more.
Stage 2: The trek to Everest Base Camp (7–10 days)
The trek from Lukla (2,860 m) to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) doubles as the first stage of acclimatisation. A typical schedule:
| Day | Route | Sleeping altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly Kathmandu–Lukla, trek to Phakding | 2,610 m |
| 2 | Phakding to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m |
| 3 | Rest/acclimatisation day in Namche | 3,440 m |
| 4 | Namche to Tengboche or Deboche | 3,860 m |
| 5 | To Dingboche or Pheriche | 4,410 m |
| 6 | Acclimatisation day (hike to ~5,000 m) | 4,410 m |
| 7 | To Lobuche | 4,940 m |
| 8 | To Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m |
Some teams add a night on a nearby peak such as Lobuche East to acclimatise without extra trips through the Khumbu Icefall. Others take a helicopter in and out to save time.
Stage 3: Acclimatisation rotations (3–5 weeks)
This is the longest part of the expedition and the most important for safety. Climbers follow the principle of "climb high, sleep low": they climb to a new altitude, sleep there briefly and return to base camp to recover.
| Rotation | Typical plan | Highest altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation 1 | Base camp → Camp 1 (~6,050 m) → Camp 2 (~6,400 m), 2–3 nights, back to base camp | 6,400 m |
| Rotation 2 | Base camp → Camp 2 → tag or sleep at Camp 3 (~7,100–7,300 m), back to base camp | 7,100–7,300 m |
| Optional | Extra nights at Camp 2/3, or a descent to Pheriche/Dingboche to recover | — |
Each trip through the Khumbu Icefall takes about 6–12 hours at first and 3–5 hours later. Operators try to keep the number of crossings as low as possible because the icefall is the most dangerous part of the route. Learn more about how the body copes above 8,000 metres.
Stage 4: Waiting for the weather window (days to two weeks)
After acclimatisation, climbers rest at base camp, or lower in the valley where the thicker air helps recovery, until forecasters predict a summit window: a period of low jet-stream winds, typically below about 30–40 km/h at the summit. On the Nepal side most windows fall between about 15 May and 31 May.
The wait can last a few days or more than two weeks. In 2026 an unusually long stable window allowed record summit numbers: Nepal reported 1,008 summits that spring (see our Everest 2026 season review).
Stage 5: The summit push (4–6 days)
South Col route summit push
| Day | Movement | Time | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base camp → Camp 2 (through the icefall, sometimes stopping at Camp 1) | 6–10 h | 6,400 m |
| 2 | Rest at Camp 2 | — | 6,400 m |
| 3 | Camp 2 → Camp 3 (Lhotse Face) | 4–7 h | 7,100–7,300 m |
| 4 | Camp 3 → Camp 4 (South Col), start bottled oxygen | 4–7 h | ~7,900 m |
| 4–5 (night) | Leave Camp 4 around 8 pm–midnight; summit | 8–12 h | 8,849 m |
| 5 | Summit → Camp 4, then on to Camp 2 if strong | 3–6 h + 3–5 h | 6,400–7,900 m |
| 6 | Camp 2 → base camp | 4–6 h | 5,364 m |
Summit day: how long from Camp 4 to the top?
Summit day is the hardest day of the expedition:
- Leave Camp 4: usually between 8 pm and midnight.
- The Balcony (~8,400 m): about 4–6 hours later; change oxygen bottles.
- South Summit (8,749 m) and the Hillary Step (~8,790 m): 2–4 hours further.
- Summit (8,849 m): typically between about 5 am and 10 am. Most teams have a strict turnaround time, often around 11 am to 1 pm.
- Time on the summit: usually 10–30 minutes for photos and a few breaths of the view.
- Descent to Camp 4: 3–6 hours, often the most dangerous part of the climb.
Crowding can add hours. On the busiest days, queues at the Hillary Step and along the summit ridge have held climbers up for 2–3 hours or more in the death zone.
Stage 6: Descent and trek out (2–5 days)
After the summit push, climbers rest for a day or two at base camp and pack up. Then they either trek back to Lukla (3–4 days) or take a helicopter, and fly on to Kathmandu. Many climbers spend a couple of days there for debriefs and to collect their summit certificate.
A week-by-week example: a 60-day South Col expedition
Every operator's schedule is different, but a typical spring expedition with a 60-day itinerary looks something like this.
Week 1 (around 1–7 April): Kathmandu and the trek begins. Climbers arrive, attend permit briefings, check gear and fly to Lukla. The first days of trekking through Phakding and up to Namche Bazaar are short. The aim is to gain altitude slowly, not to cover distance.
Week 2 (around 8–14 April): up the Khumbu Valley. Rest days in Namche and Dingboche, acclimatisation hikes to 5,000 m, and a steady climb to Lobuche and Gorak Shep. Most teams reach base camp by the end of the second week. Many hold their puja, the Buddhist ceremony asking the mountain for safe passage, within a few days of arriving.
Week 3 (around 15–21 April): settling in. Ladder and fixed-rope training near base camp, short forays into the lower icefall, and getting used to life at 5,364 m. Appetite, sleep and hydration become daily priorities.
Week 4 (around 22–28 April): first rotation. Through the Khumbu Icefall to Camp 1 and Camp 2, with two to three nights at 6,000–6,400 m, then back to base camp. For most clients it is the hardest physical week so far.
Week 5 (around 29 April – 5 May): recovery, then second rotation. A few days of rest, then back up to Camp 2 and on to touch or sleep at Camp 3 on the Lhotse Face (about 7,100–7,300 m). This rotation completes the acclimatisation programme for most climbers.
Week 6 (around 6–12 May): rest and wait. Many teams go down to Pheriche or Dingboche, where the thicker air helps them recover appetite and strength. Expedition leaders watch the forecasts closely.
Week 7 (around 13–19 May): poised for the window. Back at base camp, ready to move as soon as a summit window is confirmed. Some teams set off at the start of this week, others wait.
Week 8 (around 20–26 May): the summit push. Four to five days up through Camps 2, 3 and 4, summit day, and the descent. Busy summit days cluster in this period.
Week 9 (around 27 May – 2 June): heading home. Packing up base camp, trekking or flying out to Lukla and Kathmandu, celebrations and summit certificates.
What can delay an Everest expedition?
Even the best-planned expedition can run late. Common causes include:
- Lukla flight delays. Cloud and wind regularly ground flights between Kathmandu (or Ramechhap) and Lukla, adding a day or more at the start or end.
- Late rope fixing. The Icefall Doctors and the rope-fixing team must finish the route to the summit before commercial teams can make their attempts. Bad weather or accidents can delay this.
- Poor weather windows. Some seasons have only a short, narrow window. Others, like 2026, have long stable spells. A team may wait two weeks or more at base camp.
- Illness. Coughs, stomach bugs and altitude illness can force a climber to rest for extra days or descend lower to recover.
- Crowding. Teams may deliberately delay their summit push to avoid the busiest days, trading time for safety.
- Accidents or rescues. A serious incident on the mountain can pause activity while rescues take place.
Good operators build at least a week of contingency into their schedules for these reasons. When comparing expeditions, check how many contingency days are included.
How expedition length affects cost
Time on the mountain is one of the biggest cost drivers in an Everest budget. Longer expeditions mean more food, fuel, staff wages and base camp services. Shorter "flash" trips cut those costs but add others, such as more bottled oxygen, hypoxic tent rental, private guides and helicopter transfers, which is why they are usually more expensive overall.
| Published package (operator website) | Season | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Ascents Everest (South Col) | 2026 | US$80,000 |
| Madison Mountaineering Everest | 2027 | US$79,500 |
| Seven Summit Treks Everest Signature (VIP) | 2026 | US$180,000 |
Data gathered by ExpedReview from operator websites (checked October 2026); packages include the US$15,000 Nepal permit. For a detailed breakdown, see how much it costs to climb Mount Everest and our Everest cost guide.
Tips for making the most of your time on Everest
- Arrive fit, healthy and rested. Illness early in the trek can throw off the whole schedule.
- Take the trek slowly. Resist the urge to rush to base camp. Good acclimatisation on the trek pays off later.
- Make base camp comfortable. A good sleeping system, familiar snacks, books and a way to call home help with weeks of waiting.
- Recover hard between rotations. Eat and drink as much as possible, sleep, and consider a trip down the valley.
- Be flexible with flights home. Book changeable return flights, or leave buffer days after the scheduled end.
- Trust the forecasts and your leader. Rushing a summit push to save a few days is one of the most dangerous decisions on Everest.
South Col vs North Ridge: how long does each take?
| South Col (Nepal) | North Ridge (Tibet) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total expedition | ~55–65 days | ~50–60 days |
| Approach | Fly to Lukla, 7–10 day trek | Drive from Lhasa or Kathmandu via Tingri; vehicles reach base camp (~5,150 m) |
| Advanced Base Camp | — | ~6,400 m; reached by yak-supported trek |
| Camps | BC, C1, C2, C3, C4 (South Col) | BC, ABC, North Col (~7,000 m), C2 (~7,700 m), C3 (~8,300 m) |
| Summit day | 8–12 h up from ~7,900 m | 8–12 h up from ~8,300 m |
| Key hazard zone | Khumbu Icefall, Lhotse Face | Long time high on the mountain, wind, Second Step |
| 2026 status | Open | Closed to foreign climbers |
Compare them in detail in our South Col vs North Ridge guide.
Flash expeditions: can you climb Everest faster?
Some operators now offer shorter itineraries:
| Style | Typical length | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Standard expedition | 55–65 days | Acclimatisation on the mountain |
| Pre-acclimatised / "flash" | ~25–40 days | 6–8 weeks sleeping in a hypoxic tent at home; fewer rotations; more oxygen; sometimes helicopter transfers |
| Experimental (xenon + hypoxic) | Under 1–2 weeks (reported) | In 2025 an operator reported clients summiting within about a week of leaving home; medical groups say the benefits are unproven |
Shorter trips reduce time away from work and the number of icefall crossings. They depend heavily on bottled oxygen and on how well pre-acclimatisation works for each individual, and they usually cost more. See our guide to Everest climbing styles.
Fastest Everest climbs and records
| Record | Time | Climber | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest ascent, base camp to summit (Nepal side, widely recognised) | 10 h 56 min | Lakpa Gelu Sherpa | 2003 |
| Claimed faster ascent (disputed) | 8 h 10 min | Pemba Dorje Sherpa | 2004 |
| Most Everest summits | 32 | Kami Rita Sherpa | 32nd in May 2026 |
| Most summits by a woman | 11 | Lhakpa Sherpa | 11th in May 2026 |
| Most summits by a non-Sherpa | 20 | Kenton Cool | 20th in May 2026 |
Speed records are set by extremely experienced, fully acclimatised climbers. They have nothing to do with how long a normal client should expect to take.
How long did the first Everest ascent take?
The 1953 British expedition led by John Hunt shows how much faster the logistics have become. The team left Kathmandu in early March 1953, trekked for weeks from the Kathmandu Valley because there was no Lukla airstrip, and spent about two months on the mountain. They built the route through the Khumbu Icefall, stocked camps up the Western Cwm and Lhotse Face, and made the first summit bid on 26 May, which turned back at the South Summit. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit at about 11:30 am on 29 May 1953 after a night at a high camp at about 8,500 m. Including the walk in and out, the expedition took roughly three months. Today's commercial climbers cover the same ground in about two months, thanks to flights to Lukla, fixed ropes, accurate weather forecasts and Sherpa-run logistics.
Why Everest takes so long
- Acclimatisation can't be rushed. The body needs weeks to adapt to altitude, and going too fast risks HAPE and HACE.
- Weather windows are short. Strong jet-stream winds make the summit unclimbable for most of the year.
- Logistics. Fixing ropes, stocking camps with tents, food and oxygen, and moving large teams takes time.
- Recovery. Climbers need rest days between rotations to eat, sleep and recover from hard days at altitude.
- Safety margins. Good operators build in spare days for weather, illness and summit retries.
How long does it take to climb Everest compared with other peaks?
| Mountain | Height | Typical expedition length |
|---|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro | 5,895 m | 6–9 days |
| Mont Blanc | 4,806 m | 2–6 days |
| Aconcagua | 6,961 m | 18–21 days |
| Denali | 6,190 m | 17–21 days |
| Ama Dablam | 6,812 m | 3–4 weeks |
| Manaslu | 8,163 m | 5–6 weeks |
| Everest | 8,849 m | 6–9 weeks |
| K2 | 8,611 m | 7–9 weeks |
Top-rated Everest operators on ExpedReview
The companies below have the highest average ratings from verified ExpedReview client reviews (minimum two reviews; data as of 22 October 2026).
| Route | Operator | ER average rating | Verified reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest – South Col | Climbing The Seven Summits | 5.0 / 5 | 14 |
| Everest – South Col | Dream Himalaya Adventures | 5.0 / 5 | 5 |
| Everest – South Col | Adventure Consultants | 5.0 / 5 | 3 |
| Everest – North Ridge | Furtenbach Adventures | 4.8 / 5 | 12 |
| Everest – North Ridge | Kobler & Partner | 5.0 / 5 | 2 |
See all operators on the Everest South Col page, read how to choose an Everest guide, and compare Western vs Nepali operators.
The bottom line
Plan for about two months on the expedition itself, and several years of climbing and 6–12 months of training before that. The summit push is a few days and summit day less than 24 hours, but it rests on weeks of patient acclimatisation and waiting. If time is tight, flash expeditions can shorten the trip, at a higher cost and with more reliance on bottled oxygen. Either way, build in spare days. On Everest, the climbers who are willing to wait are usually the ones who come home.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Mount Everest?
A standard guided expedition takes about 6–9 weeks, roughly 55–65 days from Kathmandu and back. The summit push takes 4–6 days, and summit day from Camp 4 takes about 12–18 hours round trip.
What is the average time to climb Mount Everest?
About two months. Most South Col expeditions run around 60 days, including the trek to base camp, 3–5 weeks of acclimatisation, the summit push and the return.
How many days does it take to climb Everest?
Typically 55–65 days for a full expedition. Pre-acclimatised "flash" expeditions take about 25–40 days.
How long does it take to climb from base camp to the summit of Everest?
On the final push, about 4–5 days from base camp to the summit, with nights at Camp 2, Camp 3 and Camp 4, followed by 1–2 days back down.
How long does it take to climb Everest from Camp 4?
Usually 8–12 hours from the South Col (about 7,900 m) to the summit, plus 3–6 hours to descend to Camp 4.
How long do climbers stay on the summit of Everest?
Usually 10–30 minutes. Climbers take photos and then begin the descent quickly to save oxygen and stay within their turnaround time.
How long does it take to climb Everest without oxygen?
Expeditions without oxygen take a similar overall time (6–9 weeks) but usually need more acclimatisation. The summit day itself is slower, often 12–16+ hours from the high camp.
What is the fastest time to climb Everest?
The widely recognised fastest ascent from base camp to summit on the Nepal side is 10 hours 56 minutes, by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa in 2003. A claimed 8 hours 10 minutes by Pemba Dorje Sherpa in 2004 was annulled after Nepal's Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that it lacked the required evidence.
How long does it take to trek to Everest Base Camp?
About 7–10 days from Lukla on an expedition schedule, or 12–14 days round trip on a typical trekking itinerary. See our Everest Base Camp trek page.
When is the best time to climb Everest?
Spring, with summit windows usually between mid and late May. Autumn attempts are rare. See our guide to the best time to climb Everest.
How long do you need to train to climb Everest?
Most climbers spend 6–12 months on specific training, on top of 2–5 years of progressively higher climbs to build skills and altitude experience.
Can you climb Everest in a week?
Not normally. In 2025 an operator reported clients summiting within about a week using xenon and hypoxic pre-acclimatisation, but the method is controversial and unproven. Standard expeditions take 6–9 weeks.
Is the North side of Everest faster to climb?
The North Ridge expedition is often slightly shorter (about 50–60 days) because vehicles reach base camp. Climbers spend more time at high altitude, though, and the Tibet side was closed to foreigners in 2026.
How long does it take to climb the Khumbu Icefall?
About 6–12 hours on the first crossing and 3–5 hours later in the expedition, once climbers are acclimatised and familiar with the route.
How long does it take to get down from Everest?
From the summit to Camp 4 takes about 3–6 hours, Camp 4 to Camp 2 another 3–5 hours, and Camp 2 to base camp 4–6 hours. Most climbers are back at base camp 1–2 days after summiting.
How long does an Everest expedition cost in time off work?
Plan for about 2–2.5 months away, including travel. Flash expeditions can cut that to about 4–6 weeks.
How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?
Prices vary widely: published 2026–27 prices for a full-service Western-led South Col climb are around US$80,000 (Alpine Ascents lists US$80,000 for 2026; Madison Mountaineering lists US$79,500 for 2027), and Seven Summit Treks' 2026 VIP package is US$180,000; standard Nepali-operator packages cost less. All include the US$15,000 Nepal permit. See our full Everest cost guide.
How long did it take Hillary and Tenzing to climb Everest?
The 1953 expedition took roughly three months from leaving Kathmandu to returning. Hillary and Tenzing reached the summit on 29 May 1953 after about two months on the mountain.
How long is summit day on Everest?
Typically 12–18 hours in total: about 8–12 hours from Camp 4 to the summit and 3–6 hours back down to Camp 4. Many climbers then continue down to Camp 2 the same or next day.
How many weeks are spent at Everest Base Camp?
Climbers usually spend 4–6 weeks based at Everest Base Camp, including rest days between rotations and waiting for the summit window, though they sleep higher on the mountain during rotations.
Sources
Data gathered by ExpedReview from operator websites and official sources, written in our own words:
- Operator itineraries for South Col and North Ridge expeditions (2026–2027 seasons), checked October 2026.
- Nepal Department of Tourism 2026 season records via New Business Age and The Kathmandu Post.
- Reuters: Kenton Cool's 20th Everest summit (May 2026).
- Himalayan Database data via Alan Arnette, "Everest by the Numbers: 2026 Edition".
Tags: everest, expedition-duration, acclimatization, south-col-route, training