Mount Everest, standing at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), is the world’s highest peak. Every year, hundreds of climbers attempt to reach its summit via different routes. Whether you are a seasoned mountaineer or a curious traveler, knowing the routes to Everest is the first step toward planning your climb. This guide by Trexmount Ventures breaks down every major route, key facts, costs, and everything you need to know before you go.
There are two main routes to Everest: the Southeast Ridge (South Col Route) from Nepal and the Northeast Ridge Route from Tibet. These are the only two established routes that have been used for successful summit attempts. However, several lesser-known and experimental routes also exist, though they are rarely attempted due to extreme technical difficulty and danger.
Among all the different routes to climb Everest, the South Col Route and the Northeast Ridge account for nearly 95% of all successful summits. The remaining routes are considered experimental or historical and are not commercially available.
The most commonly used Everest route to the summit is the Southeast Ridge, also known as the South Col Route. This path starts from the Nepal side and passes through Base Camp, the Khumbu Icefall, the Western Cwm, the Lhotse Face, the South Col, and finally the summit ridge.
The Mount Everest route from Base Camp to the summit covers a vertical gain of approximately 3,485 meters. On the Tibet side, the Northeast Ridge route follows a similar camp structure but begins from the Rongbuk Base Camp at 5,150 meters and passes through the North Col at 7,010 meters before reaching the summit.
The Everest route map for both sides is well-documented. The Everest South route map is particularly detailed because it is the most frequently used path and has been studied and mapped extensively since the 1950s.
Mount Everest starts at its base camps, which are located at different altitudes depending on the route chosen. The most popular starting point is the South Base Camp in Nepal at 5,364 meters, while the North Base Camp in Tibet stands at 5,150 meters. The mountain ends, or rather peaks, at the summit at 8,848.86 meters, as officially re-measured by China and Nepal in 2020.
The distance from South Base Camp to the summit of Mount Everest is approximately 38 kilometers (round trip) when all acclimatization rotations are included. However, the straight-line distance from South Base Camp to the summit is about 15 to 18 kilometers, depending on the route variation taken.
The easiest Everest route is widely considered to be the Southeast Ridge (South Col Route) from Nepal. It is also the most common Everest route used by commercial expeditions. Most guided climbing companies, including Trexmount Ventures, operate along this route because it is better equipped, has more established infrastructure, and is relatively more predictable in terms of weather windows.
That said, no route on Everest is truly “easy.” The South Col Route still requires:
The Everest South Col route remains the top choice because it was first successfully climbed in 1953 and has since been refined with fixed ropes, established camps, and a well-known weather pattern. The optimal summit window falls between mid-May and late May, when the jet stream shifts and offers calmer winds.
Climbing Mount Everest requires several permits and documents, and costs vary significantly depending on the route and country of approach.
Beyond permits, the total cost of climbing Everest from the Nepal side through a commercial expedition typically ranges from USD 35,000 to USD 100,000 or more, depending on the level of support, oxygen use, and the guiding company chosen. This includes logistics, Sherpa support, food, gear, and accommodation.
There are officially two main routes used for commercial expeditions: the Southeast Ridge from Nepal and the Northeast Ridge from Tibet. However, over 18 different routes and route variations have been attempted on Everest since 1953, including the West Ridge, South Pillar, and the Kangshung (East) Face. Most of these are rarely attempted due to extreme technical difficulty and safety risks.
The most common Everest route is the Southeast Ridge, also called the South Col Route, approached from Nepal. It accounts for the majority of all summit attempts and successful ascents each year. This route was first used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953 and remains the most commercially viable path to the top.
A full Everest expedition via the South Col route typically takes 60 to 75 days, including travel, acclimatization rotations, rest days, and the summit push. Acclimatization is not optional; it is essential. Climbers usually make two or three rotations between camps before their final summit attempt, which is usually made from Camp IV (South Col) during a weather window.
Both sides have their advantages. The Nepal (South) side is more popular, better supported, and has a slightly higher success rate. The Tibet (North) side offers a lower base camp altitude and avoids the Khumbu Icefall, but it involves more technical climbing at extreme altitude. Most commercial climbers prefer the Nepal side for its infrastructure and Sherpa support network.
The Khumbu Icefall is a section of the Khumbu Glacier located between Everest Base Camp and Camp I, sitting between 5,364 and 6,065 meters. It is considered one of the most dangerous sections of the South Col Route. The icefall is filled with constantly shifting seracs (ice towers) and deep crevasses. Climbers typically cross it in the early morning hours when temperatures are lower and the ice is more stable.
Yes, prior high-altitude mountaineering experience is absolutely required. Most reputable guiding companies and the Nepalese government recommend or require climbers to have previously summited at least one 7,000-meter peak before attempting Everest. Experience on mountains like Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche, Aconcagua, or Denali is commonly expected.
The pre-monsoon spring season (April to May) is the best time to climb Everest. The summit window typically opens in mid-May, when the jet stream shifts northward and allows calmer wind conditions on the summit. A secondary window exists in September to October during the post-monsoon season, but it is less popular due to unpredictable weather and increased snowfall.
As of 2024, Everest has seen over 11,000 successful summit attempts by more than 6,500 unique individuals. Kami Rita Sherpa holds the record for the most summits, having reached the top more than 29 times. The mountain has also been summited by people as young as 13 and as old as 80, making it a benchmark in mountaineering history.
The death zone refers to altitudes above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet), where the level of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for extended periods. At this altitude, the body cannot acclimatize; it only deteriorates. Most summit pushes are completed within 16 to 20 hours to minimize exposure. Supplemental oxygen is used by the vast majority of commercial climbers above this point.
The Everest South route map outlines the path from Lukla Airport through the Khumbu Valley, past Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep, arriving at Everest Base Camp. From Base Camp, the technical route map shows the Khumbu Icefall, Western Cwm, Lhotse Face, South Col, Southeast Ridge, Hillary Step, and the summit. This route map is available through guiding companies and the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
At Trexmount Ventures, we specialize in expertly guided Everest expeditions on both the Nepal and Tibet routes. Our experienced team of certified Sherpa guides, logistics experts, and high-altitude professionals is ready to walk you through every step, from permit processing to summit day. Whether you are targeting the Everest South Col route or seeking detailed Everest route map guidance for your planning, we are here to make your dream a reality.
Contact Trexmount Ventures today to receive a customized expedition plan, a transparent cost breakdown, and a free consultation with our Everest specialists.
