Climbing Mount Everest is not only an investment of livelihood and health, but also of finances. It is estimated that it costs, at minimum, $20,000 to climb the world’s most popular peak, but most climbers spend closer to $45,000. The permits alone can range from $7,000 to $10,000 per climber, depending on group size, country, and trek dates. There is also the option for guided and custom climbs, which can hit upwards of $115,000.
The breakdown of expenses varies greatly from person to person. Some people can travel to Nepal for just hundreds of dollars, while roundtrip flights from places like the United States and Australia can cost $5,000 or $7,000. Once climbers land in Kathmandu, they have to take a second flight to Lhasa or Lukla, depending on where they plan on starting their climb. Taxis are scarce in the area, and most climbers take yaks to and from their base camps. These can cost about $40 per day, per yak.
Permit and Sherpa prices vary, but taking a Nepalese Sherpa can cost climbers an additional $6,000-$8,000, when factoring in their salary and work permits. There are also some standard fees for all climbers, such as weather fees, garbage and human waste deposits, and medical support fees. All of these expenses come without factoring in gear. Supplemental oxygen can cost about $500-$600 per bottle, and a mask and regulator will cost another thousand dollars. Tents, cooks, food, fuel, and medical kits also add up quickly. While a climb can be done for $20,000 or so, typical prices from climbing companies and given by past climbers are closer to $40,000-$50,000.