
Everest South Side
This is the most popular route for those wishing to summit Everest – something that is regarded as one of the greatest achievement in mountaineering around the world.
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Price$44,995
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Duration65 Days Door to Door
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Activity Level Extreme
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Elevation8848m | 29,028 ft.
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Travel Dates 5 April 2021 to 5 June 2021
Overview:
This is the most popular route for those wishing to summit Everest, with a beautiful trek en route to Base Camp, easy access to villages, helicopter rescue from as high as Camp 2, and slightly warmer weather.
That being said, following this route necessitates navigating the Khumbu Icefall, as well as crowds on summit night. But you will be following in the footsteps of mountaineering giants – Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmond Hillary – which alone makes it worth considering.
This is the most popular route for those wishing to summit Everest – something that is regarded as one of the greatest achievement in mountaineering. The weather tends to be more forgiving, there is less time spent over 8000m than on the North Side route, and as a result, the route has a higher percentage of successful summit attempts.
The South Side route is more direct than it’s North Side counterpart – the downside is that it is also steeper! Helicopter rescue is available up to Camp 2, making this a popular choice for those attempting to summit for the first time.
Skill Level
This trip requires technical mountain experience (crampons, ice axe, abseiling), superb fitness and high levels of mental tenacity. The fact that it takes over 60 days to complete means that you will need to have emotional strength to be able to cope with being away from family and your day-to-day comfort levels.
We insist on a 1:1 Sherpa-to-climber ratio on summit day and do everything in our power to make your time on the mountain as safe and enjoyable as possible (including the provision of surprisingly good food!)
- All logistics up to the summit and back
- Flights to and from Lukla
- Trekking costs into and out of Base Camp
- 4 hotel nights in Kathmandu
- Customs clearances as required
- Everest climbing permit
- Liaison Officer
- Khumbu Icefall charges
- Route fixing charges
- Sirdar climbing Sherpa
- Personal climbing Sherpa
- Unlimited O2 per climber
- Mask and regulator set
- Sufficient O2 for each of the climbing Sherpas
- Porters and yaks for load carrying to Base Camp
- Excess baggage on the domestic flight to Lukla
- Experienced cooks and kitchen boys
- High quality single tent in Base Camp with mattress
- High quality dining tent in Base Camp with heating and carpeting
- All kitchen and camping gear above Base Camp
- Comfortable toilet facilities in Base Camp
- Shower facilities in Base Camp
- High quality high altitude tents above Base Camp
- All group climbing gear
- A permanent Advanced Base Camp with kitchen staff and dining tent
- Good quality food in Base Camp and Advanced Base Camp
- Hot drinks and other beverages available all day
- Imported high altitude freeze dried food for camps above Advanced Base Camp
- Gas and burners for the camps above Advanced Base Camp
- Walkie-talkie set for each climber with a radio base station and all accessories
- Satellite phone for emergency purposes
- Solar panels and generator in Base Camp for recharging batteries
- Internet facilities
- Gamow bag in Base Camp for emergency purposes
- Oxygen with mask and regulator in Base Camp for medical purposes
- Insurance for all local staff
- All transport to and from airports
- Welcome dinner and celebration meal at the end
- Half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
- International travel
- All personal climbing gear
- Emergency evacuation
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips and summit bonus. (Please check with the office regarding our recommended gratuity.)
- Personal medical expenses, medical and evacuation insurance
- Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
- Day 2 Kathmandu
- Day 3 Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding (2800m)
- Day 4 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
- Day 5 Namche Bazaar
- Day 6 Trek to Tengboche (3870m)
- Day 7 Trek to Dingboche (4410m)
- Day 8 Dingboche
- Day 9 Trek to Lobuche (4930m)
- Day 10 Trek to Gorak Shep (5160m)
- Day 11 Trek to EBC (5310m)
- Day 12 Base Camp
- Day 13 - 58 Climbing period on Everest.
- Day 59 Trek to Pheriche
- Day 60 Trek to Tengboche
- Day 61 Trek to Monjo
- Day 62 Trek to Lukla
- Day 63 Fly to Kathmandu
- Day 64 Kathmandu
- Day 65 International Departures


The emphasis on equipment necessary for mountain travel follows two simple tenets: lightweight and functional. The items you choose to take should be lightweight, dependable, and adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions. The quality of the equipment you choose has a lot to do with how warm, dry, and safe you will remain, so be critical of quality and the proper fit of clothing. Comfort lends itself to a more enjoyable experience!
The layering system outlined below is usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder, bring one extra medium layer (such as a vest), which will be ideal for extra warmth around camp. When making the final decision as to what goes into your pack, remember that it’s a fine art of taking just enough clothes and accessories to do the job, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably will not use.
Cotton clothing must be avoided because it dries very slowly and is a poor insulator when wet. Instead, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that “wick” the sweat and moisture away from your skin to keep you much warmer.
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT:
- Jumar – one right or left
- Climbing Harness
- Ice axe with leash
- Crampons
- Anti-balling plates
- Crampon rubber protectors
- Walking sticks
- Prussic loops
- 3 Screwgate Carabiners
- 3 Regular Carabiners
- 3 Slings x3
- Figure of 8 / rappel device
FOOTWEAR:
- Double-layered boots – Millets / La Sportiva
- Trekking boots
- Running shoes
- Thongs / Sandals
- Gaiters
- Spare boot laces for trekking boots
- 4 Expedition socks
- 4 Trekking socks
- 4 Liner socks
- Toe warmers
- Booties
TECHNICAL CLOTHING:
- Downsuit
- Down jacket
- Gortex longs
- Gortex shell
- Salopets
- 2 Trekking pants
- 3 Thermal underwear – tops & bottoms
- Normal underwear
- 3 Long-sleeved trekking shirts
- Thermal suit – optional
- 3 Short-sleeved technical shirts
- Soft shell jacket
- Hard shell jacket
- 2 Polartec longs
- 2 Polartec long-sleeved tops
HANDWEAR:
- 2 Mitts
- 2 Polartec gloves
- 2 Silk glove liners
- Hand warmers
HEADWEAR:
- Balaclava – heavyweight
- Balaclava – lightweight
- Neoprene facemask – optional
- Woollen hat / beanie
- Woollen scarf
- 2 Head torches – plus spare batteries
- Sun hat
- Cap
- Goggles – 100% UV & IR
- Sunglasses – with side covers
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
- Expedition backpack – 80 litre
- Trekking backpack – 50 litre
- Sleeping bag – minus 40˚C
- Sleeping bag – minus 15˚C
- 2 Sleeping bag liners
- 3 Compression bags
- Self-inflatable mattress
- Closed cell foam pad
- Pillow / cushion
- Toiletries
- Towel
- 2 Thermos flask
- Thermos mug
- Knife, fork, spoon
- Nalgene bowl
- Leatherman multi-tool
- Pocketknife
- 2 Water bottles with insulation
- 2 Large karrimor plastic bags
- 4 Medium karrimor plastic bags
- Pee bottle / funnel
- Duct tape
- Baby wipes
- 10 Zip-lock bags
- Sunscreen – maximum SPF
- Protective cream for lips – maximum SPF
- Whistle
- Ear plugs
- Hand sanitizer
TRAVELLING GEAR:
- 3 Large waterproof duffel bags
- Locks
- Shorts & t-shirts
- Mobile phone & charger
- Books
- Passport & travel documents
- 8 Passport photos for visas
- Certified copies of all travel documentation
- Currency / credit cards
- Pens & pencils
- Journal (optional)
- Reading glasses (optional)
- Camera equipment
- Battery chargers
- International adaptors
- Binoculars (optional)
- Playing cards (optional)
- Clean clothes for travelling home
FIRST AID:
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Medication / Prescriptions
- Energy drinks
Visas
Tourist entry visas can be obtained at Tribuvhan International Airport on your arrival in Kathmandu for US$100. You need 2 colour photos for your entry visa (bring 5 in total as you will need additional colour photos for trekking permits etc.) You will notice a higher visa fee due to the longer length of stay in Nepal.
Vaccinations
The following vaccinations are suggested:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus-Diphtheria- Revaccination recommended every 10 years
This training information is intended as a guideline and should be used as such. If you are unsure about anything, please chat to us!
Most importantly, before you embark on any exercise program, please consult your doctor or exercise physiologist to make sure that you are ready for the increased workload.
A focused training program should begin 3 – 4 months before the trip, but working on your base fitness before that is important as it lays a good foundation for the harder work that will follow.
Physical Conditioning
Climbing big mountains requires cardiovascular endurance (via aerobic training), strength endurance (through strength conditioning) and climbing-specific training (i.e. hiking with a pack).
Being in strong physical shape is one of the most important aspects for a successful trek. You should be planning to progressively increase your aerobic training and speed of weekly training hikes to give you climbing-specific conditioning that cannot be matched by any other sort of training.
Cardiovascular Conditioning
Suggested activities include running, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, walking on an inclined treadmill, doing stair stepping or stepmill training, trail running, walking up and down hills, or participating in step aerobic classes.
When first beginning a cardiovascular training program, begin with three workouts (i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) of 30 minutes of sustained activity at a moderate intensity, and build up to 4-5 aerobic sessions of sustained effort for at least 45 – 60 minutes (taking Wednesday and Sunday as rest days, for example).
Be sure to include a 5-10 minute gentle warm-up before working at your target heart rate for the day. For most workouts, choose a level of exertion that allows you to connect a few words together in a phrase, but leaves you feeling comfortably tired at the end of the workout.
Remember to cool down with 5-10 minutes of appropriate stretching of the muscles you used most in your activity, including lower back, calves, hamstrings, hips and quadriceps.
Strength Conditioning
Training with weights, backpacks and gym machines will help you build overall strength, particularly in the lower back, abdominals, upper back, shoulders and legs. Developing strength in your upper back and shoulders will help with carrying a pack and using trekking poles.
The calves, hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes are all involved in ascending and descending steep sections and scree slopes, which will be encountered on Everest.
Before embarking on any weight training, please consult with a qualified gym instructor so that you are well briefed in terms of using the equipment. Most important in strength training is to be sure that you maintain proper form at all times in order to prevent injury or strain.
Climbing Conditioning
This involves hiking steep outdoor trails, going up and down stairs or training on an inclined treadmill. In the months leading up to the expedition, it is important to do some long walks in the mountains. Remember that out summit push is likely to be 15 – 18 hours long, involving steep ascents and descents. On our summit push, we will ascend about 900 vertical metres and descend about 900 vertical metres on the same day!
Remember: All of your training is geared towards giving you the strength and endurance to stand on the roof of the world and successfully get back down again.
The entire expedition takes six to nine weeks, door to door. The first week involves trekking from Lukla airport to Everest Base Camp. Thereafter, you will spend approximately four weeks going up and down the mountain to establish camps with food, fuel and oxygen. Many of the climbs will be in order to acclimatize to the high altitude – this is a process that cannot be rushed. The summit push takes about one week, before you head back to Base Camp, trek to Lukla, fly to Kathmandu and return home.
I have been on more than a dozen international mountaineering expeditions and my recent time on Everest with Adventures Global was the best I have ever experienced. They are an outstanding outfitter to deal with and come highly recommended
I have had the privilege of guiding for Adventures Global. They take special care of their clients and their logistics are top class. I look forward to doing more work with them in the future.”
“It is difficult to find the words to describe the feeling of standing on the summit, having achieved a life-long dream. Adventures Global are as good as it gets, when it comes to Everest logistics. They come highly recommended.”