Mount Everest Mountain

Address: Mount Everest (Sagarmatha/Chomolungma) - located on the Nepal (Solukhumbu) / Tibet border

Mount Everest is the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level, with an official elevation of 8,848.86 meters. It sits on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalaya.

Climbing and trekking activity centers on established routes from the south (Nepal) and north (Tibet), with named camps and technical features such as the Khumbu Icefall on the southern approach. Approaches require weeks of acclimatization and permit processes administered by the respective national authorities.

The first confirmed ascent of the summit was achieved by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, and Everest has since been the focus of scientific study, high-altitude mountaineering and regulated expedition activity. The mountain presents objective hazards including extreme altitude, weather and avalanche risk.

Located in the Himalaya, Everest is accessed via Lukla and the Khumbu Valley on the Nepal side and by road approaches in Tibet; Kathmandu is the major international gateway for expeditions on the Nepal route.

• Elevation and permits: The officially recognized elevation is 8,848.86 meters following a 2020 Nepal-China joint survey; climbers require permits, acclimatization and experienced guidance.
• Climbing seasons: Primary climbing seasons are pre-monsoon (April-May) and post-monsoon (September-October); conditions, weather windows and crowding vary by year and route.

What to See#

• South Base Camp: South Base Camp on the Nepal side sits at about 5,364 meters and is the starting point for the standard southeast ridge route used by most climbers.
• North Base Camp: North Base Camp on the Tibetan/China side lies at roughly 5,150 meters and serves as the starting point for the north ridge route; access arrangements differ by country and season.
• Khumbu Icefall: The Khumbu Icefall on the Nepal route is a hazardous glacial section of the ascent characterized by shifting seracs and crevasses near Base Camp.

Fly into Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) and take a domestic flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (the usual gateway for Everest region treks). From Lukla the trek to Everest Base Camp is several days on established trails; many itineraries are 7-10 days from Lukla to base camp.

Alternatively, helicopter transfers from Kathmandu to the Everest region are available for those who prefer not to trek; arrangement through a reputable operator is required.

• For trekking to Everest Base Camp, plan for the pre-monsoon (March-May) or post-monsoon (September-November) windows for the most stable weather and clearer views; flights to and from Lukla are frequently delayed, so build extra buffer days into your itinerary.
• Permits are mandatory - arrange TIMS and Sagarmatha National Park permits through your trekking agency and choose a longer itinerary (8-12 days on route) to allow proper acclimatization and improve summit/arrival success rates.
• If you rely on the Lukla flight, include contingency days or consider the alternative Lukla via Ramechhap flight option when weather is poor; most agencies advise booking with an experienced local operator rather than attempting independent logistics.