When Is the Best Time to Climb Everest?
By Blake Penson, Founder of ExpedReview · Everest summiter · Seven Summits climber · 20-year mountaineer · Industry expert
Last reviewed: 20 October 2026 · Editorial picks are ranked only by verified ExpedReview reviews; sponsors cannot buy a position.
The short answer
Spring (April to May) is the best time to climb Everest: Alan Arnette's analysis of Himalayan Database records found 97.5% of summits were made in spring and 81.5% between 15 and 27 May. Autumn is possible and the royalty is half price (US$7,500 vs US$15,000), but deeper snow and stronger winds make summits rare.
| Key figure | What it is |
|---|---|
| 97.5% | Everest summits in spring (Arnette, from HDB) |
| 81.5% | summits between 15 and 27 May |
| 8 of 12 | dated ER South Col reviews from May trips |
| US$7,500 | autumn royalty, normal route (DoT) |
How do the seasons compare?
| Season | Royalty (normal route) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | US$15,000 | Main season; fixed ropes and the full commercial infrastructure |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | US$7,500 | Few teams, more snow; summits uncommon |
| Winter / summer | US$3,750 | Extreme cold or monsoon; expert-only |
Royalties: Nepal Department of Tourism, effective 1 September 2025.
When did ExpedReview reviewers climb?
| Trip month | Verified South Col reviews with a trip date |
|---|---|
| March | 1 |
| April | 2 |
| May | 8 |
| June | 1 |
Of the verified South Col reviews that include a trip date (12), eight were May trips. 'June' entries likely reflect late returns.
Why is the window so short?
Before the monsoon arrives, the jet stream typically lifts off the summit for a few days, giving lower winds. Teams acclimatise through April and wait for that forecast window. A typical expedition therefore lasts around two months even though summit day is a single night.
Frequently asked questions
What month is best for Everest?
May. 81.5% of summits fell between 15 and 27 May (Alan Arnette, from Himalayan Database data).
Can you climb Everest in autumn?
Yes, and the Nepal royalty is half the spring rate (US$7,500), but only about 2% of summits have been made in autumn according to the same analysis.
How long is an Everest expedition?
Most spring expeditions are built around roughly two months on the mountain; pre-acclimatised programmes are shorter.
Sources
- Alan Arnette, 'Everest 2025: When Will They Summit?', alanarnette.com, 22 Apr 2025 (analysis of Himalayan Database summit dates).
- Nepal Department of Tourism, 'Updated Royalty and Insurance Provisions (effective from 01 September 2025)', tourismdepartment.gov.np/pages/mountaineering-fee.
- ExpedReview database (expedreview-prod): approved, verified reviews, operator listings and listed prices, queried 20 Oct 2026 with read-only SELECT queries.
How ExpedReview data works: counts are approved, verified client reviews on ExpedReview as of 20 October 2026. ERTI is ExpedReview's trust index, a summary of review evidence and operator conduct on the platform; it is one input, not a guarantee. Listed prices are each operator's lowest "from" price on ExpedReview and change often. Historical fatality and summit ratios describe past expeditions, not your personal odds.