What Should You Climb Before 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
Most climbers prepare for Everest with a glaciated 6,000 m peak, then a technical 6,000–7,000 m peak such as Ama Dablam, then an 8,000 m peak such as Manaslu or Cho Oyu. Nepal now publishes Manaslu's spring royalty at US$1,500 and other 8,000 m peaks at US$3,000 (Department of Tourism). Many Everest operators ask for prior 8,000 m or high-altitude experience; check each one's requirements.
| Key figure | What it is |
|---|---|
| 45.7% | Manaslu summits per member (HDB) |
| 44.0% | Cho Oyu summits per member (HDB) |
| US$6,700 | median listed Ama Dablam price (ER, 25 listings) |
| US$16,850 | median listed Manaslu price (ER) |
What does a typical progression look like?
| Step | Example peaks | Skills built | Listed price on ER (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier basics | Mont Blanc, Elbrus, Lobuche East | Crampons, rope travel, cold | Elbrus US$4,305 (4 listings) |
| High trekking peak | Mera Peak, Island Peak | Altitude above 6,000 m | See Nepal trekking-peak pages |
| Technical 6,000 m | Ama Dablam | Fixed-rope climbing, exposure | US$6,700 (25 listings) |
| First 8,000 m | Manaslu, Cho Oyu | Supplemental oxygen, long expeditions | Manaslu US$16,850; Cho Oyu US$29,000 (9 listings) |
How risky are the stepping-stone peaks?
| Peak | Summits | Deaths | Deaths per member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ama Dablam | 6,765 | 35 | |
| Cho Oyu | 4,056 | 52 | 0.56% |
| Manaslu | 3,238 | 90 | 1.27% |
| Everest (reference) | 13,550 | 344 | 1.31% |
Source: Himalayan Database. Ama Dablam's deaths per member are not shown because its member total is not available.
Which operators have reviews on these peaks?
| Peak | Operators with verified reviews (most reviews first) |
|---|---|
| Ama Dablam | Tim Mosedale (16), Furtenbach Adventures (5), Summitclimb (3), 360 Expeditions (2), Elite Exped (2), Summit8000 (1) |
| Manaslu | Furtenbach Adventures (8), Dream Himalaya Adventures (2), Pioneer Adventure (2), Elite Exped (2), Climbing The Seven Summits (1), Summitclimb (1), 360 Expeditions (1), Kobler & Partner (1) |
What else should you plan for?
| Item | Figure or guidance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Acclimatisation | Standard trips rotate to Camp 2 and the Lhotse Face; Furtenbach's Flash replaces most rotations with a home hypoxic tent for up to 8 weeks | Furtenbach Adventures; Arnette 2026 summary |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to climb an 8,000 m peak before Everest?
It is not a legal requirement, but many operators expect prior high-altitude experience. Manaslu and Cho Oyu are common choices.
Is Ama Dablam good preparation for Everest?
It builds fixed-rope and exposure skills at 6,812 m. The Himalayan Database records 35 deaths against 6,765 summits on Ama Dablam.
How much does a Manaslu expedition cost?
The median listed Manaslu price on ExpedReview is US$16,850 (19 credible listings), plus a royalty of US$1,500 in spring or US$3,000 in autumn (Nepal DoT).
Sources
- ExpedReview database (expedreview-prod): approved, verified reviews, operator listings and listed prices, queried 20 Oct 2026 with read-only SELECT queries.
- Himalayan Database, '8000m Peak Comparison' report (himalayan-database.climbing-history.org/reports/8000m-peaks), Nepal records.
- Himalayan Database, 'Most Dangerous Peaks' report (himalayan-database.climbing-history.org/reports/most-dangerous-peaks).
- Nepal Department of Tourism, 'Updated Royalty and Insurance Provisions (effective from 01 September 2025)', tourismdepartment.gov.np/pages/mountaineering-fee.
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.