If I must sum up what is it like to visit Mount Everest in just one word – then the word is ‘Surreal’. Every voyage to Mount Everest begins with a dream and as an avid trekker, it has always been my dream to trek to the highest mountain in the world.

I have always been encouraged and determined to visit Mount Everest, however, there are several factors I had to consider before heading on the greatest journey of my life. Through my personal experience, I have described each stage of what it is like to visit Mount Everest.

first visit Mount Everest -Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay — Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

Table of Contents

What is it like to fly to Lukla?

To visit Mount Everest, I took a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. You must know that flying to Lukla was one of the most petrifying and exciting moments that I experienced on the trip. Numerous flights carry trekkers between Kathmandu and Lukla and the flight lasts not more than 25-30 minutes. But the take-off is the scary part as the runway is comparatively smaller. On one side there is a vertical wall and on the other side, there is a steep valley. Although, it is one of the most convenient ways hikers use to reach the Himalayan region 9,383 feet above sea level, it was an adventurous ride.

How tedious is it to climb Mount Everest?

At 29,029 feet (8,848 meters), Everest is the world’s tallest mountain, so it is obvious to say that climbing is not going to be easy. From my experience, I would tell you to save energy on the preliminary terrains. You might be excited in the initial phase of the trek but preserving your energy for the last challenging days is advisable. Also, take these pointers –

Do not climb together with large numbers of hikers on one rope.
Do not rush and let people pass one by one, especially when you are crossing a bridge or a narrow channel.
Do not slender on the ropes more than required.
Use your crampons and legs on steep areas and hikes.

What is the weather like on Mount Everest?

The subalpine areas are beautifully surrounded by majestic mountains. As I hiked through the subalpine, the weather was good with warm days and cool nights. However, the weather changed from tablelands to the highest mountains as it got darker, denser, and snowier. As we were trekking, the weather conditions changed dramatically each hour as we hiked higher.

How dangerous is it to trek to Mount Everest?

No doubt that Mount Everest is the world’s deadliest mountain, if proper precautionary measures are not taken. Irrespective, thousands of people are drawn to Nepal to climb it each year. Avalanches, earthquakes, and falls are the most precarious reasons because of which Mount Everest is considered unsafe. However, during my visit to Mount Everest, there were over hundreds of trekkers trying to attempt and achieve the summit. With a professional guide, weather forecasting, geared outfits, and high-tech equipment – I was completely in safe hands! The only thing concerning me is altitude sickness, as it is the only thing that bothered me. Moreover, the Everest base camp is the most famous trek.

Read More: Everest Region Trek Packages

What is the air like on Mount Everest?

Air at the summit has only one-third of the oxygen compared to the sea level, because of this, almost everyone uses supplementary oxygen while trekking to the summit. Mountaineers begin using oxygen just below the ‘death zone’ at 8,000m, and sometimes also carry extra bottled oxygen for emergencies. Although altitude sickness due to breathlessness at higher altitudes did give me headaches, they were bearable. However, I have read that many endure High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), leading to indistinct speech, awkwardness, diminished coordination, hallucinations, and weak decision-making – none of which are a good sign in the death zone.

visit Mount Everest - Yak at third lake in Gokyo — Yak at third lake in Gokyo

How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?

The cost to climb Mount Everest differs on various grounds. If you plan to climb solo it may cost you more, while if you prefer to go to the mount with an organized group the cost is comparatively less. Also, the cost to climb the summit varies depending on the nationality of the trekkers. While a national for Nepal, India, China, and some other neighboring countries can climb Mount Everest for as low as 5000 dollars, the same trail may cost a foreigner up to 60,000 dollars. Speak to a travel expert to get ideal packages and detailed costing for climbing the summit.

Contact a travel expert from CoreTreks – the leading travel agency in Nepal. CoreTreks offer you the finest travel and trekking services. Our team matches all your requirements by creating a customized and suitable itinerary. For more information call us at +977 9851179975 or WhatsApp us at +977 9851179975 or simply send us an inquiry.