How to Visit Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world at 8,844 meters (29,016 ft) above sea level. Always snow-capped above 6,000 meters it is the holy grail of mountaineers and sacred among the Tibetans and Nepalese.

Increasing numbers of mountaineers make expeditions to conquer the world's highest peak, while many tourists go to the foot of the peak to admire its beauty and magnificence.

Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰 Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng /joo-moo-lung-maa fnng/

Tibetan: Chomolungma ('Goddess Mother of Snow')

Nepalese: Sagarmatha

Location: Nepal/China border, Dingri, Shigatse, Tibet

Height: 8,844.43 meters (29,016 ft)

Tibet Base Camp: 5,180 meters (17,000 ft)

Activities: hiking, camping, photography, mountaineering

Suited to: fit, acclimatized adventurers

Where is Mount Everes

In the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China, its north slope belongs to China, and the south side belongs to Nepal.

Around Mount Everest, there are three peaks above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet): Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu; and 14 peaks above 7,000 meters; which form the amazing vista of Mount Everest Natural Scenery Area.

Harsh Climate Condition

The lowest temperature on the peak is 30–40 °C (22–40 °F) below zero , but wind chill can make it feel colder! And oxygen on the peak is only 25% that of sea level. Strong winds blow the snow into drifts making the mountain still more deadly.

The area over 7,500 meters is coldest in February, averaging -27 °C (-17 °F), and warmest in August, averaging -20 °C (-4 °F).

The Tibet base camp is not as cold or bleak, being more than 3,000 meters lower, below the snow line, with daytime temperatures above freezing from spring to fall.

Visiting Everest's Tibet Base Camp

At the base camp , apart from the tents of mountaineers doing their acclimatization, there are huts and a post office where people can mail postcards to themselves or others as a precious souvenir.

Everest is 20 km (13 mi) south up a gravel plain in a glacial valley. The valley floor is generally featureless and gray, apart from boulders and small ponds, but it's the imposing snow-capped mountains around it that visitors come to see.

Travel Permits are Required

To enter Tibet and travel around Tibet, travel permits are needed. Besides a Tibet Entry Permit, an Aliens' Travel Permit is required to travel to Mt. Everest.

Read more on How to Get How to Get Tibet Travel Permits.

Best Time to Go — May, June, September, and October

The best time to climb Mount Everest is in early May before the monsoon season. May, June, September, and October are ideal times to travel to Mt. Everest, with not so much rain and cold .

Mid October to November is a good time to get views of the peak with clear and dry weather . Photographers may prefer April, as it is the best time to shoot the flag-like cloud floating above the peak.

Continue to read The Best Time to Go to Mount Everest

How to Get There

Starting from Lhasa, take a bus (10 hours) or train (3 hours) to Shigatse, then private transport to the base camp (12 hours) via Dingri and Rongbuk Monastery (the highest religious building in the world).

Read more about How to Get to Mount Everest.

Where to Stay — Rongbuk Monastery, or Tent Hostels

Most people stay in Shigatse before their trip to Mount Everest, though Tingri (120 km / 70 mi or 3 hours from the base camp) does have a limited number of hotels.

You can stay at Mt. Everest Base Camp. The camp site consists of some tents and huts. You might consider camping a night there. Or you can stay at Rongbuk Monastery, about 5 km(3 mi) north from base camp. Do not expect too much of the accommodation.

Read more on Staying at Everest Base Camp or Rongbuk Monastery?

Physical Training before You Go

Before you visit Mt. Everest, ensure you are in good physical condition. Seek medical advice in advance. If you have asthma, high blood pressure, or similar conditions you should be advised against going.

Do physical training to avoid or reduce altitude sickness before you go, and acclimate in Lhasa (3,650 m) and Shigatse (3,800 m). Dingri (4,300 m) offers a good place to stop and acclimate further if you experience discomfort on the way from Shigatse.

Recommended Everest Base Camp Tour

To travel Everest Base Camp, an Aliens' Travel Permit is required, as well as the other mandatory requirements for foreigner entry to Tibet. We can help you arrange this once you arrive in Tibet.

If you are planning a Tibet tour with Mt. Everest Base Camp, please see our popular tour below for inspiration:

8-Day Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour — Welcome to the roof of the world — Mt. Everest .

Not interested in the above tour? Please see other Tibet tours . Or contact us to create a Mt. Everest tour tailored to your requirements.