How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Everest?
Climbing Mount Everest takes approximately around 60 to 66 days. This duration includes the trekking period from Lukla (2,820m) to Everest Base Camp (5,364m), completion of the expedition and return back to Kathmandu.
This is the standard duration that is needed to scale the tallest peak in the world. However, depending on the overall itinerary plans, acclimatization needs and weather factors, there can be a slight variation in the overall climbing period.
For a better understanding of how long does it take to climb Mount Everest, here is a detailed breakdown of the time required for various stages during the expedition.
Breakdown of the Time Spent
Trekking Period (10 to 11 Days): This is the trekking part on the Everest Base Camp Trek route. You will begin the trekking part after a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and then gradually follow the route toward the base camp.
You will get enough rest and acclimatizing period on the trekking route as you continuously push for the higher elevations.
Acclimatization and Climbing Period (45 to 50 days): After arriving at EBC, your real journey begins here. You will take a few days to acclimatize at the base camp before beginning your adventure on the alpine slope.
Similarly, the mountain acclimatization will include rotations across the high camps on the mountain. Then, after proper acclimatization across the high camps on the mountain, you will push for the summit on a day with stable weather.
After a successful climb, it's time to descend down across the high camps to base camp.
Return Trek and Fly Back to Kathmandu (6 to 9 days): This segment typically includes the return trekking portion after a successful summit. You will trek back on the same route across major landmarks to reach Lukla.
Flight back from Lukla to Kathmandu will officially mark the end of th expedition and your departure date from the country will be based on the itinerary plans of the package.
Factors Affecting the Duration of a Climb
Weather and Climbing Window
One of the major factors that affect the climbing duration for Mount Everest is the weather conditions. For scaling the highest peak in the world, the weather conditions need to be at an optimum condition to push further.
So, if the weather conditions are not favorable, then the climbing crew has to wait till it starts to get clear. As it can be extremely dangerous to scale such a high mountain if all the conditions are not favorable, the only option the climber will have is to wait till things start to settle down.
That’s why mountain expeditions are only recommended for the peak climbing seasons such as spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons have calm climatic factors even in the highest part of the region.
Thus, climbers will have plenty of stable window frames to push for the summit and conquer the top of the world.
Physical Fitness and Acclimatization Needs
The physical fitness of the climbers needs to be the top condition for an iconic climb like this. However, even if all the climbers aspire to have a top shape for the scaling highest peak in the world, the acclimatizing process may differ from person to person.
For instance, climbers who grew up or are living at high elevation points may find it easy to adapt to rising altitudes as they move across the camp in rotation. But, for some, it may take time to adjust to the extreme cold and high-altitude climate.
Thus, when doing the expedition with a group, the expedition crew has to make sure that everyone is ready to push for the high camps or summit. As physical fitness is key to acclimatization, it is important for climbers to emphasize the necessary fitness level required for the climb.
Expedition Style
Depending on the expedition style, the overall duration to scale this majestic peak can differ vastly. The guided expedition generally oversees every aspect of the climb. From setting up camp, preparing food and training climbers to fix rope on the mountain, the exceptional crew behind the guided expedition will handle all the climbing essentials.
Thus, for such a guided expedition, the scaling Everest can be completed within the standard duration. The crew will also make sure that everything goes smoothly and safely, so it is also a secure way to take part in this expedition.
However, for the individual climbers who have to oversee everything on their own, the climbing duration can stretch farther from the standard climbing period. Managing everything on your own, assessing safety and navigating the technical mountain climbing route are, without a doubt, both physically and mentally vexing tasks, so it will take longer to complete the climb.
Route Choice
There are two routes to climb Mount Everest: the South Col Route on the Nepali side and the North Ridge Route on the Tibetan side. For the South Col Route, you will have to take a 12-day long trekking journey, which starts from Lukla (2,800 meters) to Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters before starting the climb. It will take a total of 60 to 66 days to complete the expedition and return back to Kathmandu.
The climbing duration from the North Ridge Route on the Tibetan side is also of similar length. However, there is a drive option where it is possible to drive from Lhasa (3,656 meters) to Everest Base Camp within two days.
Thus, this road-accessible factor can reduce the significant trekking and climbing period on the Tibetan side. However, acclimatization and rotation across the camp are the same length as the Nepali side.
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Key Milestones in the Everest Climb
Base Camp Arrival and Preparations (Day 01 to Day 10)
This is the segment that the average Everest Base Camp Trekking package covers. After your arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m), your Himalayan expedition will start with a flight to Lukla (2,820m).
Then, following the stretching route across the Dudh Koshi River, you will pass the beautiful settlement of Monjo (2,860m) to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440). Moving along with the gradually ascending route, you will cross Thyangboche (3,867m) and Dingboche (4,320m) to reach Gorakshep (5,180m).
After doing a morning hike to Kalapatthar (5,545m) from Gorakshep, you will then push toward Everest Base Camp (5,364m), where the climbing part begins.
Rest and Acclimatization Days (Day 11 to Day 13)
Before starting a scaling adventure on the slope of the highest peak in the world, a few acclimatization days are scheduled for the climbers. As switching from the trekking route to the alpine slope can be difficult, climbers will take time to rest and acclimatize during this period.
Climbing guides also organize acclimatization hikes and practice climbing sessions for the climbers to get them used to the alpine atmosphere and pump them for an enduring journey up ahead.
After completing the acclimatizing period, the climbers head toward the high camps on the mountain, following the lead of the climbing Sherpa guide.
Rotations to Higher Camps, Summit Push and Descend to Base Camp (Day 14 to Day 60)
Acclimatization is the key to a successful summit. Thus, before heading toward the summit of Everest, climbers will take their time adjusting their bodies at different altitudes on the peak.
This part of the expedition is called rotation, where climbers traverse different high camps on the mountain: Camp I (6,065 meters/ 19,898 feet), Camp II (6,400 meters/ 20,997 feet), Camp III (7,200 meters/ 23,622 feet) and Camp IV (7,950 meters/ 26,082 feet).
The mountaineers will ascend to higher camps, descend for acclimatization, and push higher then again. They repeat this process until they are ready for the summit push. Then, on a fateful day when everything goes according to the plan, climbers will then push for the summit to conquer the highest point on the planet.
Then, after the successful summit, they will slowly descend across the high camps to finally reach the base camp which will mark the end of this glorious expedition.
Trek Back to Luka and Flight Back to Kathmandu (Day 60 to Day 66)
After completing the expedition, in this segment, the climbers will move along with the return trek. The descending journey leads across the Pangboche Village (3,900m) toward Namche and finally leads you to Lukla.
In the next part, you will fly back to Kathmandu and take your time to take a breather after a long mountain journey. The departure date for your home country will depend on the overall itinerary plans of the package.
How to Reduce the Time Needed for Climbing Everest?
Pre Acclimatization Strategies
One of the most effective ways to reduce the time needed to climb Everest is following up with pre-acclimatization strategies. Before taking on the 8,000-meter class giant, it is necessary to do some short peak expeditions such as Lobuche East or Island Peak.
This way, the body will get used to the high alpine mountain environment. Similarly, using a hypoxic tent to simulate low-oxygen level environments is another effective way to let the body adapt to varying atmospheric conditions.
High-intensity workouts focussed on cardiovascular, stamina, aerobic, endurance and strength fitness also improve the body’s overall capability to handle low-oxygen levels at higher altitudes.
The acclimatization process is directly related to the overall duration it takes for the climbers to ascend across the higher camps and push for the summit. Thus, having a strong fortitude on this front can help reduce the overall duration of Everest climbing.
Fast Ascent Programs for Experienced Climbers
The standard duration of the Everest expedition, which is around 60 to 66 days, is the aggregate period that regular climbers need to scale the mountain. However, if you are an experienced climber, then you can request the fast ascent program to significantly reduce the climbing period.
These fast ascent programs that are based on your climbing experience and capabilities are a perfect way to complete climbing Everest in a shorter period for seasoned climbers. Similarly, the fast ascent programs also include the option for helicopter transport.
Climbers, support crew and mountaineering equipment can be transported to the higher camps on the mountain. This will improve the efficiency of the climb as the climbers can directly approach the higher camps, bypassing the time needed to spend on the lower slopes.
Optimizing Expedtion Logistics
Professional support teams and advanced gear can also significantly cut off the time required for an Everest expedition. If you have an exceptional team, they can help you efficiently navigate the route, avoiding any kind of delays.
Similarly, a modern set of lightweight and efficient equipment can reduce fatigue and speed up the climbing process. These cutting-edge gear also give the upper hand for effective communication, forecasting and risk assessment, which allow climbers to optimize their schedules effectively after evaluating the favorable windows.
Custom Itineraries
Unlike the guided expedition with a climbing group, the custom itinerary plan that solely focuses on a single climber is a quick and efficient way to finish the climb. During a group expedition, the crew will have to consider other climbers and manage the scaling accordingly.
However, a small and sufficient team that is well-coordinated for an individual climber can move faster and adapt quickly to push for the summit. So, the personalized itinerary is one of the safest and most efficient ways to complete climbing Everest in a short period.
Helicopter Return After Completing Expedtion
If you want to shorten your expedition on Everest, taking the assistance of a helicopter flight is the best choice. This model is effective not only for climbing but for return trips as well. After completing the climb, you can fly back to Kathmandu from high camp on the mountain or the base camp.
The helicopter can make a landing upto Camp II (6,400 meters/ 20,997 feet) only, which has sufficient landing space. Above Camp II, only rescue by rope is feasible. So, with the helicopter return option, you can cut off significant climbing down and trekking back to the Lukla portion.
Why Acclimatization at Everest Base Camp is Crucial for Climbing Everest?
Generally, the high altitude journey has the risks of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The symptoms of AMS are triggered if the explorers don’t follow the appropriate acclimatization schedule while switching to higher altitudes.
Trekkers start to show symptoms of altitude sickness above the altitude of 2,500 meters (8,202 feet). However, during the Everest expedition, where climbers have to climb upto 8,848.86 meters (29,031 feet), the risk of altitude sickness is significantly higher.
Unlike the AMS on the trekking trails, mountaineers will have to deal with even more adverse variations of the AMS. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is the most dangerous form of altitude sickness where the brain starts to swell and in High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), the lungs are filled with fluids.
Thus, if climbers don’t follow the necessary acclimatization schedule of the mountain, they are at risk of suffering from HACE and HAPE on the alpine slope of the mountain. As the outcome of these forms of altitude sickness is life-threatening, climbers slowly traverse across the high camps to prevent them.
The total altitude gain from the Everest Base Camp (5,364m) to the summit of Everest (8,848.86m) is about 3,484 meters (11,430 feet). So, without gradual acclimatization, the human body is not able to adapt to such a significant switch, especially in a trans-Himalayan/tundra climate.
The Science of Acclimatization: Why It Takes So Long?
As you ascend to higher altitudes, the oxygen level starts to drop slowly and the physical activities start getting more oxygen due to the lack of oxygen in the body. The oxygen level at sea level is about 21%.
The atmospheric air pressure allows sufficient oxygen to enter the bloodstream. However, as you ascend to the higher elevation points, the oxygen level in the atmosphere starts to decrease due to reduced air pressure.
At the highest part of Everest, oxygen is only at 33% of the sea level. So, it is extremely difficult to breathe at this altitude, and mountaineers can experience hypoxia without supplementary oxygen. Thats is why acclimatization is a very important step to traverse across such varying atmospheric conditions and it also involves several physiological changes that occur over the days and weeks.
During the acclimatization process to make up for the reduced level of oxygen, the body increase the depth of breathing rate (Hyperventilation). Over time, the body adjusts to this process and also produces more red blood cells to carry additional oxygen to muscle and body organs.
Overtime, the blood vessels dilate to improve the oxygen delivery to vital organs and capillaries also grow and become more efficient in transporting the oxygen to tissues and muscles. Likewise, the Mitochondria, organelle found in cells, become more efficient at using the limited oxygen in the body.
Thus, over weeks, the mountaineer’s body goes through all these physiological changes during the acclimatization period, all of which are critical for sustaining physical performance at high altitudes.
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Historical Context: How Long Did Past Expeditions Take?
The first ascenders of this highest peak on the planet, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, took around three months in total. To complete their first expedition. This expedition took place from the Nepali side following the South Col Route.
The 1953 British expedition party left Kathmandu on 10th March 1953 with 150 porters and the next day, another party with 200 porters followed. Colonel John Hunt, who was leading the expedition, planned three assaults of two climbers each for the summit push.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Nrogay, who were in the second assault party, began their assault on the mountain on 27th May. This mountaineering duo successfully completed the first-ever summit of Mount Everest on 29th May 1953.
Back then, the mountaineers had to take the trekking route from Jiri (1,905m) to reach Lukla, which took about an additional week. Compared to that, modern trekkers and climbers have it much easier to reach the base camp.
The short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, which lasts about 40 to 45 minutes, will give easy access to the start point Lukla, the gateway of Everest. From Lukla, it is about 5 to 6 days of trekking to reach Everest Base Camp.
So, this mainstream trekking route with flight access has made it much easier for mountaineers and trekkers to get started on the adventure of the Everest region. That’s why in comparison to the historical expedition of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the modern expedition is much more shorter and efficient.
