Trip Overview
The South Col route is the most popular route to the summit of Mount Everest. It involves scaling the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, hiking up the Western Cwm, ascending the Lhotse Face to the South Col at 7,925m, before the final push to the summit at 8,850m.
Join a fully supported 55-day Everest expedition via the South Col, the classic route on the Nepal side of the mountain. This expedition is designed for experienced high-altitude climbers seeking a professionally organized ascent with structured acclimatization, private climbing Sherpa support, base camp logistics, oxygen support, and a carefully planned approach through the Khumbu region. The itinerary includes acclimatization advantages through Khunde, Khumjung, Gokyo, Cho La Pass, and Lobuche Peak before reaching Everest Base Camp, helping climbers arrive stronger and better prepared for the summit push. Fixed departures are available during the spring climbing season, with full expedition service from USD 39,500.
The Everest expedition via the South Col is an iconic and challenging mountaineering adventure that dates to the early 20th century when British explorers first attempted to scale the world's highest peak. The South Col route, also known as the Southeast Ridge route, is known for its technical challenges, unstable seracs, crevasses, steep snow and ice sections and unpredictable weather conditions, and of course, extreme altitude!
Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer, and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa were the first to reach the summit of Mt. Everest on the 29th of May 1953. Since then, many thousands of mountaineers have attempted to climb Mt. Everest with varying degrees of success. The challenges faced by those attempting the climb test the limits of human endurance and resilience. The sheer physical and mental strength required to reach the summit is a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Sherpas, the indigenous people of the Himalaya, play a crucial role in supporting expeditions by fixing the route, setting up camps and escorting clients to the summit...and back to Base Camp. Their knowledge of the mountain and its challenges is paramount to the success of any expedition.
According to records, by end of the 2025 expedition season 7,563 people have reached the summit of Mt. Everest, from Nepal and Tibet. Climbing from the Nepal side is the most popular and has a higher accident and death rate.
4 Camps and Base Camp during Everest Climbing via South Col
The Everest Expediton - South Col Route is 55 days long with frequent climbing exercises across 4 camps and basecamp at different altitudes:
- Camp 1 (6,035m) is situated just above the Khumbu Icefall at the entrance to the Western Cwm. You will spend several nights there, first acclimatising and later on your way to high camps during rotations and on your summit bid.
- Camp 2 (6,474m), also known as Advanced Base sits towards the head of the Wester Cwm below the SW Face of Mt. Everest. Again, you will spend several nights there on the way up and when returning to Base Camp.
- Camp 3 (7,158m) is sited halfway up the Lhotse Face. The view from Camp 3, down the Western Cwm is spectacular! You may only spend three nights in Camp 3.
- Camp 4 (7,906m) is the final camp, the attack camp, on the South Col. Conditions up there are extreme, very cold and the wind can be ferocious. With luck you will spend just a couple of nights on this lofty perch, once on the way to the summit, and again on the way down.
Why Mt. Everest with Makalu Adventure?
The Makalu Adventure itinerary differs from the norm and is designed to make better use of the approach. With this itinerary, members should be in great shape, brimming with confidence and well acclimatized before reaching Base Camp..."Time spent on acclimatization is never wasted". For much of the walk-in you will be off the tourist trail, you will pass through the seldom visited Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung, spend time relaxing beside the stunning Gokyo Lake and get memorable views of Mt. Everest from the Cho La Pass and Mt Lobuche East. Climbing Lobuche Peak, a moderate trekking peak, will put you ahead of the game as you will be able to practice skills required on Mt. Everest before even setting foot on the mountain, plus you will have already reached the same altitude as Camp 2. We believe this itinerary greatly enhances the chance of success.
If you are an experienced mountaineer seeking the ultimate challenge, the Mt. Everest Expedition via the South Col might just be for you.
Fixed Departures for Everest Expedition 2026, 2027 & 2028
| Arrival Date | Departure Date | Price | Options | Status |
| Fri, Apr 2 2027 | Wed, May 26 2027 | $ 39,500 | Booking Open | Available |
| Tue, Apr 4 2028 | Sun, May 28 2028 | $ 39,500 | Booking Open | Available |
