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How Long Does it Take to Climb Mount Everest?

The crown jewel of the Himalayas, Mount Everest, has captivated the hearts of explorers for generations. Perhaps you aren't a seasoned high-altitude climber, but the dream of reaching the world's highest peak is something you want to tick off your bucket list.

Here at Elite Exped, we understand this allure. Yet, the breathtaking panoramas and icy giants of Everest demand respect. Before embarking on this monumental challenge, proper preparation and logistical knowledge are paramount, starting with the average time it takes to scale Everest.

How long is an Everest expedition?

While expedition length can vary, most Everest expeditions take around two months to complete. The main reason climbing Everest takes a lengthy amount of time is because of acclimatisation, the process of adapting to high altitude, and low oxygen environments. Expedition groups must take their time to properly acclimatise to the extreme environment as they move to higher elevations.

At Elite Exped, we offer a 55-day expedition, designed with plenty of rest days and time for acclimatisation built-in, and 42 days for climbing the mountain itself.

Climbers will usually ascend during the springtime (from April to May). We believe that the best season to trek to Everest base camp and climb Everest is in Spring, for reasons such as:

  • • Less snow deposits — there will be less loose snow meaning lower avalanche risk and lower margin of error while climbing
  • • Pre-monsoon season — in comparison to the summer months where the Indian monsoon brings frequent rainfall and cloudy days, in Springtime, rain is infrequent and temperatures are warm. You will see many trekkers and climbers in t-shirts.
  • • Warm temperatures — the weather begins to warm up and harsh winter conditions begin to subside. It is important to note that temperatures fall significantly at night, averaging between –15F and -26C on the summit of Everest.

How long is the Everest Base Camp trek?

The trek to Everest Base Camp is the most famous multi-day adventure hike in the world. This unforgettable trekking experience among the Himalayan mountains offers you the chance to challenge yourself, walk amongst the giants of nature, and discover your fullest potential. Taking you into the heart of the Himalayas, our 16-day Everest Base Camp trek offers unparalleled views of Everest and the trip of a lifetime.

There are several different routes you can take to reach Everest Base Camp, but the classic route, and the one most travelled, takes you from Lukla – also known as the gateway to Everest – through the Khumbu Valley. Ranked by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s greatest travel destinations, this breathtaking trek will have you hiking through the villages of Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Kalapathar, and Gorak Shep.

We advise you to be thoroughly prepared beforehand as you will need exceptional cardio-vascular fitness when trekking at high altitudes. You will spend approximately 5-6 hours hiking every day for two weeks, trailing through authentic Nepalese villages before reaching Base Camp, where you then will begin the month-long ascent of Everest.

If you are looking to be enriched by Nepalese culture and the local Sherpa people for a longer duration, as well as push your limits further than the standard Base Camp trek, then you may be interested in our Three Pass Trek.

How long is a fast-track Everest expedition?

We know that life gets busy and taking time off from a busy professional life can be challenging. Finding two days to set aside can be difficult, let alone finding two months to take on one of the world's most daring and extreme journeys.

Taking this into consideration, we have launched a 29-day Fast-Track Everest Expedition, to help you reach the top of the world in record time. In the standard trek, the climbing period will be around 42 days, whereas in the fast-track experience, you will reach the peak of the summit in just under two weeks.

We would expect anyone joining our Fast-Track Expedition to have summited at least one other 8,000m peak.

Which expedition is right for me?

We offer three main Everest experiences to suit your goals and experience level:

  • • For those with extensive high-altitude experience and a strong desire to reach the top of the world, our Everest Expedition (55 days) offers a meticulously planned route with built-in acclimatisation for a safe and rewarding summit attempt.
  • • Our Fast Track Expedition (29 days), is ideal for those who dream of summiting Everest, but have a busy professional life or schedule to navigate.
  • • The Base Camp Trek (16 days) is an unforgettable adventure ideal for those who want to witness the majesty of Everest without summiting. It's a fantastic introduction to the Everest region and can help prepare you for future climbing challenges.

Alternatively, we also offer an Everest/Lhotse combo package, as well as our Three Pass Trek which offers you the most stunning views possible of the world’s highest mountain. Elite Exped offers an unparalleled experience whichever path you choose.

If you have further questions about any of our adventures please contact us via:

  • • Our general enquires form if you have any questions or if you’d like to discuss your options further.
  • • Our expedition form, if you’re ready to submit your interest in a specific adventure.

Our team is always happy to help!

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