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Khumbu Ice Fall Climbing (5943m/19,500ft)

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The Khumbu Icefall Climbing is an unforgettable ride, it promises uncertainty, danger, adventure and challenge. It is an icefall located at the head of the Khumbu Glacier and the foot of the Western Cwm, on the Nepali slopes of Mount Everest. The icefall is considered one of the most dangerous stages of the South Col route. The icefall is 1.62 miles long, roughly 2,000ft of climbing and usually takes between 3-6 hours for climbers to navigate. The Khumbu glacier that forms the icefall moves constantly and creates large crevasses constantly. It’s basically a frozen moving river. With little warning, a large serac can just collapse, massive blocks of ice tend to tumble down the glacier from time to time, and avalanches can come through with little or no warning. It is estimated that the glacier advances 0.9 to 1.2 m (3 to 4 ft) down the mountain every day. Reaching CI is the most dangerous part of the South Col climb. In this section of the route climber’s step over crevasses on aluminum ladders, climb steep ladders across massive ceases and battle the Khumbu cough.

Satori suggests that climbers start before sunrise to catch the only relatively safe climbing window, it is not advised to be caught out in the icefall mid day as this tends to be the most active time in the icefall. So be ready for a 3:00am wake-up and a quick breakfast to start this ascent.

The first section is pretty much a continuous climb that goes through a few sections of ice that range from 20-60 degrees. Next, climbers encounter a flat section which is known as the “football field”. A large area of flat hard packed snow. This marks the halfway point. Normally, we suggest clients to take a break at this point, rest, recover, rehydrate and eat. About now it should be sunrise, fortunately since climbers are on the West side of the Icefall the sun does not hit this area until 9:00am. The next section is the Upper Icefall and involves steeper ladders, this tends to be the psychological challenge for most climbers because at this point there is a “false summit” it appears as though the icefall ends but actually it continues on for some way until CI. At the top of the Icefall, the terrain becomes flat and leads into the Western Cwm.  Camp I is another 30 mins to one hour from the top of the icefall.

Satori suggests using some sort of face cover (buff, scarf, etc) to help protect against the Khumbu cough. Satori’s guides will fix the entire route through the ice fall with ladders and fixed line. All of our guides are previous Everest summiteers and have countless hours of experience operating in this terrain and on this route.

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Facts of the Trip

Highest access: (5943m/19,500ft)

First Ascent: Tenzing Norgay, Edmund Hillary

Duration: 30-33days (typically) Days

Group Size: 01-10 People per group

Co-ordinates: 27.9958° N, 86.8728° E

Location: Mahalangur range

Country: Nepal

Airport: Kathmandu (KTM)

Departure From: Kathmandu (KTM)

Grade: AD. Moderate

Accommodation: Three star to five stars as request

Meals: B/B plan in Kathmandu & B,L,D in during Driving and climbing period

Transportation: Car, Flight, Tourist bus

Best season: Spring season(April/May)

Major Activity: Trekking/Mountaineering

Include Activity: Scenic flight to Lukla

Culture: Sherpa, Tamang

Mode of Travel: Tea House/Camping

Climbing route: South Col Route

Himalayan sights: Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Makalu

  • Climbing Itinerary
  • Price
  • Full board Service
  • BC Service
  • Climbing Information
  • FAQs

Itinerary Details of Khumbu Icefall Climbing (5943m/19,500ft)- Spring 2024

01 April/Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel Yak and Yeti or similar hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (1350M/4430ft)

02 April/Day 02:Preparation, Briefings at Departments of tourism, Last minute shopping

03 April/Day 03:Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla; Trek to Phakding (2650m/8694ft, 04 hrs); lodge accommodation

04 April/Day 04:Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar through colorful Khumbu villages (3440m/11286ft, 06hrs); Lodge accommodation

05 April/Day 05: Rest day for acclimatization; you will be hike to famous Everest View Hotel (3800m/12487ft, 3hrs) to catch a glimpse of Everest; explore Hilary and Sherpa museum at Namche in the evening with slide show program.

06 April/Day 06:Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3850m/12631ft, 05-06 hrs); visit significant Buddhist monastery; lodge accommodation

07 April/Day 07:Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche (4350m/14271ft, 4hrs) about 4-5hrs; catch glimpses of Ama Dablam and Lhotse; lodge accommodation

08 April/Day 08:Acclimatization in Dingboche(4350M/14271ft) hiking up to chhukung-re.

09 April/Day 09:Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (5018m/16463ft, 4-5hrs); lodge accommodation

10 April/Day 10:Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5170m/16962ft, 3hrs); lodge accommodation

11 April/Day 11:Morning acclimatize to Kalapther (5554M) after breakfast Trek from Gorakshep to Everest Base camp (5200m/17060, 2hrs)

12-26April/D12-26: Climbing period Summit Khumbu Icefall (5943m/19000ft.)

27 April/Day 27: Preparation for return, trek from Everest base camp to Dingboche(4350m/14271ft, 4hrs) , lodge accommodation

28 April/Day 28:Trek from Dingboche to Tengboche (3860m/12631ft, 04 hours) lodge accommodation

29 April/Day 29:Trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11286ft, 04hrs) lodge accommodation.

30 April/Day 30:Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla(2840m/9317ft,7hrs) lodge accommodation

01 May/Day 31:Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1350M/4430ft); 35minutes, transfer to hotel

02 May/Day 32:Leisure day & shopping in Kathmandu; Fair well-Celebration dinner with culture program in the Evening.

03 May/Day 33:Transfer to the airport for final departure

Satori Adventures has not able to include the cost of each package in the company website. Many of our clients have the same query: why Satori Adventures has not included the price in the package. To provide you service in reasonable cost and attempt to address your each requirement we desired to provide you with some information which directly affects the cost and also helps us breakdown the cost. That’s why, we have decided to clarify our customers that due to following reasons we have not included the cost in our website and package:

  • The cost of the trip always depends on the size of the group, category of the hotel accommodation and the facilities that you aspire in the mountain.
  • We operate the peak climbing in full arrangement package and basic arrangement service (full board or base camp service) which directly affects the expedition cost.
  • The itinerary may be changed after reaching an understanding between the agency and the client. Other activities could be added or reduced as per the client's request before processing the trip. Price for reduced activities could be deducted and additional activities could be added in mutual understanding.
  • The number of climbing Sherpa guides, high altitude porters, kitchen crew, mode of transport you prefer and many other factors can affect the cost of the trip.
  • Number of persons in group including; number of climbers, non-climber, base camp supporters, medical doctors, Alpine climbing guide also affect the cost.
  • Either you want to operate this expedition as international group joining basics of Satori Adventures or individual (private arrangement) expedition.
  • Request numbers of oxygen, mask regulators and the brands the clients require
  • Climbing season: normally most of the climbers climb Himalayas in the spring and the autumn season. The climbing permit royalty cost for mountain will be 50% less in the autumn than spring season.
  • Type of high camp food that clients require. Any specialized food that has to be ordered from foreign country will be costlier compared to the one available here.
  • Either any of the climbers intend to attempt any world records? If so, do they require special services or equipment?

Due to the above position the price range for the same trip can vary widely. So, we would like to discuss with our client before offering the cost. Please feel free to contact Satori Adventures for any information about in your selected package.

Full Board:

Satori Adventures offers Full Board Service for our entire range of flagship mountaineering expeditions to all 7000m peaks. Full Board service means that we will provide a Trekking service, base camp service and high camp service executed by your Sherpa climbing guide. All of our full board clients will have a personal Sherpa climbing guide exclusively dedicated to the client for the duration of the climb.

Our climbing Sherpa guide team will establish and secure climbing route in collaboration with other climbing teams participating on the route. Establish all high camps with camping equipment, provisions, oxygen and prepare high altitude food for the client. Full board also indistinguishable client on the route while ensuring their safety and well being.We move at the clients preferred pace and ensure total commitment to the client in case of emergency with the clients safety and wellbeing being the overriding priority.

High camp service for the Full Board Service will consist of all of the equipment necessary to fix the route, all camping equipment, fuel and food for high camps.

Full Board Service Cost Includes:

  • Arrival and departure transfer services to and from both Domestic and International flight as per itinerary.
  • Assistance at the International airport by Satori adventures while arriving and departing in Kathmandu.
  • 4 Nights Yak and Yeti or similar hotels accommodation in Kathmandu on B/B basis.
  • Experienced and government licensed high altitude trekking guide during the trekking and climbing period.
  • Schedule Flight Tickets for Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu sector to all climbing member, Sherpa guide, liaison officer and kitchen staff.
  • All trekking and mountaineering equipment like; kitchen tent, stores tent, dining tents, toilet tents, tables, chairs, and cooking utensils for advance Base Camp and camp two.
  • Common climbing equipment (necessary fixed and main rope, ice bars, ice screws, snow bar etc) 
  • Services of cook and kitchen boy at Base Camp and cook at Camp 2
  • 3 meals a day (Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinners with tea/ coffee) in  available tea house/hotel/lodge during the trekking
  • 3 fresh meals a day (Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinners) will be serve at base camp, and camp two.
  • All food and fuel for Base Camp and higher camps during expedition for both members and crews.
  • Per person 30kg baggage allowance during trekking-up carrying by porter or Yak to climbing the Khumbu Icefall Climbing.
  • Daily Weather Report Services from Seattle based
  • Trekking Permit (Everest National Park entry fee)
  • TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System).
  • Expedition Royalty and climbing permit of Nepal Government to climb Khumbu Icefall.
  • Nepalese Government Royalty and fees;
  • One Experienced, Trained, Government Licensed, and 03 Times Everest Summiteers Climbing/expedition Guide (Sherpa) per client.
  • All wages, equipment, medical and accidental Insurances for all involved staffs in trekking and expedition.
  • Medical consultation services at the base camp with the HRA clinic at the base camp.
  • Equipment allowances and wages for Climbing Sherpa’s, cooks, kitchen boys.
  • Equipment allowances and wages for Government Liaison Officer.
  • First Aid medical kits for the Group and the staffs.
  • Satellite phone carrying by Guide for communication and available for members with the cost of US$ 3 per minute call.
  • Appropriate food for high altitude and all climbing crew at base camp and above as required.
  • Required fixed and dynamic rope during climbing period.
  • Heater will be provided at base camp for heating the dining room.
  • Emergency Oxygen, mask and regulator provided on requirement of guest with appropriate charge
  • Each expedition member will have an individual tent available in the ABC.
  • Solar panel for light and battery charger.
  • Tents for camp 1, 2 for members and staff.
  •  Ice fall charges by Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee.
  • Gamow Bags (Portable Altitude Chamber).
  • Sherpa's tents, food for climbing, and insurance for staff
  • Helicopter rescue insurance for high altitude climbing Sherpa guide, cook and staff.
  • Free assistance service for Cargo clearance and Duties.
  • Fresh cooked food and kitchen will be provided at camp two.
  • Trekking and Climbing map of the  Mount Everest. 
  • EPI Cooking gas, stove will be provided in camp one, three and south col for cooking food, boiling water.
  • Generator will be providing for back- up of lighting power and charging electronic tools.
  • Transportation of food supply to Base Camp from Kathmandu (Cargo to Lukla and then by porter/Yaks to base camp)
  • Our service charge and Government Taxes levied in Nepal.
  • Complete pre-departure information
  • Flight ticket reconfirmation
  • visa extension procedure services (if necessary)
  • Farewell Dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with domestic culture show in Kathmandu.
  • Satori T-shirt/Pashmina, broacher.

Full board service Cost Excludes:

  • Lunch and Dinner during your stay in Kathmandu (except for the farewell dinner)
  • Any packed food/snacks, aerated drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, nutria-bars during the trekking.
  • Items of personal nature, Laundry Expenses, Tips.
  • Any extra expenses arising out of various/unforeseen situations like natural calamities, landslides, political disturbances, strikes, changes in Government regulations, etc.
  • Extra transportation then display in itinerary program.
  • Any additional staff other than specified.
  • Rescue, Repatriation, Medicines, Medical Tests and Hospitalization expenses.
  • Medical Insurance and emergency rescue evacuation if required.
  • Travel Insurance and helicopter rescue.
  • Wallie-talkies & Filming permit (if special camera or walllie-talkies).
  • Personal climbing gears;
  • Expenses incurred towards usage of landlines, mobiles, walkie-talkies or satellite phone And Internet expenses
  • Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Camera/Video Fees or Trekking Gears
  • Nepal custom duty for import of expedition goods.
  • Summit bonus for climbing Sherpa Guides as per Mountaineering Association rules. Minimum US$ 700.00 per climbing Sherpa guide.
  • Our involved expedition staff (chef cook, cook, cook assistance, base camp manager) are hoping for tips, gifts, or something at the end of the trip, which is an opportunity to say how happy you are with our staff and thank you for the kind of service you have rendered. Normally US$ 150.00 per person collected by the team leader and divide to all involved base camp staff except climbing Sherpa guide.
  • Airfare of international flights.
  • Nepal entry visa fee (Visa issuance on arrival in Kathmandu)
  • Any extra services or products or offers or activities which are not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Any other item not included in “COST INCLUDES” section.

In Base Camp

Satori Adventures provides very professional, helpful and friendly service from Kathmandu to the ABC as well as during the climb. Our objective is to provide a good quality, helpful, safe, friendly, stress free and comprehensive service to maximize your summit opportunity.

In the base camp our chefs and helpers will prepare and serve three delicious, freshly cooked and plentiful meals a day. We will also ensure that hot and cold drinks are available 24 hrs a day. In the base camp we provide spacious expedition quality personal tents for all our clients both with full board or base-camp service only. In base camp we also provide dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet facilities and portable shower facilities and tent accommodation for our staff.

In base camp we provide access to communication including satellite telephone and internet access, solar panels to charge your batteries and UHF/VHF hand held radios on the mountain to maintain communications between ABC and high camps.

Our camp manager as well as guides and climbing Sherpa’s have an extensive experience on multiple Everest climbs. They will ensure cooperation with other companies and organize base camp operations. In base camp our guides will work with other teams to ensure contribution from all operators for tasks such as route fixing and to ensure the safety of climbers from ABC to the summit.

Base Camp Service Cost Includes

  • Arrival and departure transfer services to and from both domestic and international flights as per itinerary.
  • Assistance at the international airport by Satori adventures while arriving and departing in Kathmandu.
  • 4 Nights Yak and Yeti or similar hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on B&B basis.
  • Experienced and government licensed high altitude trekking guide during the trekking and climbing period.
  • Schedule flight tickets for Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu to all the climbing members, Sherpa guide, liaison officer and kitchen staff.
  • All trekking and mountaineering equipment such as: Kitchen tent, storage tent, dining tent, toilet tents, tables, chairs, and cooking utensils for advance base camp and camp two.
  • Services of chef and kitchen assistant at Base Camp and chef at Camp 2.
  • 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner with Tea/coffee available in the tea house/hotel/lodge during the trekking.
  • 3 fresh meals a day: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at base camp, and camp two.
  • Per person 40kg baggage allowance during trekking to base camp which will be carried by porter or yak to the Mt. Everest base camp.
  • Daily weather report services from Seattle, Washington based company.
  • Trekking permit (Everest national park entry fee).
  • TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System).
  • Expedition royalty and climbing permit of Nepal government to climb Khumbu Icefall climbing(5943m/19,500ft)
  • Nepalese government royalty and fees.
  • All wages, equipment, medical and accident insurances for all involved staff in trekking and climbing period.
  • Medical consultation services at base camp with an HRA clinic at the base camp.
  • Equipment allowances and wages for, cooks, kitchen boys.
  • Equipment allowances and wages for government liaison officer.
  • First aid medical kits for the group and the staff.
  • Satellite phone carried by guide for communication. Available to clients with the cost of $3USD per minute call.
  • Heater will be provided at base camp for heating the dining room.
  • Emergency oxygen, mask and regulator provided at the request of the client with appropriate charges.
  • Each expedition member will have an individual tent available in the ABC.
  • Solar panels for light and battery charger.
  • Gamow Bags (Portable Altitude Chambers).
  • Helicopter rescue insurance for high altitude staff.
  • Free assistance service for cargo clearance and duties.
  • Fresh cooked food and kitchen will be provided at camp two.
  • Trekking and climbing map of Mount Everest. 
  • Generator will be providing for back-up lighting power and charging electronic devices.
  • Transportation of food supply from Kathmandu to base camp (Cargo to Lukla and then by porter/yaks to base camp).
  • Our service charge and government taxes levied in Nepal.
  • Complete pre-departure information.
  • Flight ticket reconfirmation.
  • Visa extension procedure services (if necessary).
  • Farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with domestic culture show in Kathmandu.
  • Satori Adventures T-shirt/Pashmina, broacher.

Cost Excludes:

  • Lunch and Dinner during your stay in Kathmandu (except farewell dinner).
  • Any packed food/snacks, aerated drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, nutria-bars.
  • Items of personal nature, laundry expenses, tips.
  • Expenses incurred towards usage of landlines, mobiles, walkie-talkies, satellite phones and internet expenses.
  • Clothing, packing items or bags, personal medical kit, personal trekking gear.
  • Any extra services, products, offers or activities which are not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Any extra expenses arising out of various/unforeseen situations like natural disasters, landslides, political disturbances, strikes, changes in government regulations.
  • Any additional staff other than specified.
  • Recuse, repatriation, medicines, medical tests and hospitalization expenses.
  • Medical insurance and emergency rescue evacuation if required.
  • Travel insurance and helicopter rescue.
  • Airfare of international flights.
  • Climbing Sherpa, high altitude food and fuel above base camp (in camp two we have kitchen to provide food even for base camp service user).
  • Tent above base camp (except camp two).
  • Nepal entry visa fee.
  • Wake talkies filming permit.
  • Personal climbing gear.
  • Nepal custom duty for import of expedition goods.
  • Government licensed climbing guide(s).
  • Appropriate food for high altitude.
  • Any other item not included in “THE PACKAGE COST INCLUDES” section
  • Tips, gifts, souvenirs.

Why climb with Satori Adventures in Khumbu IceFall?

How to Choosing a experience Provider

It is important for each climber to choose the right expedition guide service that not only suites their needs, but provides the best safely and secure mountaineering experience possible. There are more than 1,700 trekking companies in Nepal who offer 8,000 meter expeditions including Everest, but only about 30 companies who operate 8,000 meter peaks on a regular basis. We are proud to be one of these 30 companies and consistently offer, run and succeed at these types of expeditions year after year.
It is very important that the climbers who choose Satori Adventures for this trip of a lifetime experience have expectations that are compatible with the program we offer and the style of expedition Satori Adventures runs. We do not want to simply “fill our expedition”, but instead we want to comprise a team of companionable people who are focused on reaching the summit with the highest level of support and safety standards that can be provided by a guiding service on Mt Everest. We team this with the best standards of food and quality equipment to further assist each client reach their full potential. We feel that we offer the best environment and opportunity for you to be successful on the world’s highest mountain.

Diminutive climbing Team members

We are always developing and growing our operational systems to ensure you participate will provide as much as facilities provided. We figure our expedition members do not deserve anything less during the trekking and climbing! In the interests of giving you the most optimal chance to summit, we limit our team size to ensure the group summits on the best weather day; sometimes there are less window days for summit in Everest. In big size of group offering cheap climbs often miss out as they split their groups over several potential summit days. We feel like our climbing members are feeling that they are climbing as a family and friends team even on international people. We accept maximum 08 people in a group and if we have more than that we always split in two groups. So that our base camp staff cooks, climbing Sherpa guide will fully taking care about you and provide service as per your desire.

Maximum summit Success;

The Satori Adventures methodology and tactical approach to climbing Mt Everest has seen us achieve the highest success rates and our extensive experience gives us the edge when it comes to making the right decisions. We provide a consistently higher Sherpa and Guide ratio than any other operator, resulting in more support and backup for your summit attempt and therefore a greater safety margin and chance of success. There is always a 1:1 ratio of the climbing Sherpa/guide and client. We always use professional and experienced climbing Sherpa or guides who have all reached the summit of Everest.

Highly Qualified Sirdar/Team leader

Our guides are professionals who are trained and assessed either via the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) resulting in a greater repertoire of skills that enables them to provide a dedicated level of security to you during the expedition, or many years of mountaineering experience on the world’s biggest peaks. Our guides are experience in both advanced and basic rescue courses and all have a minimum of 3 years guiding on Everest.

Advanced Communication method

Satori Adventures Everest expeditions have been at the forefront of providing top communications for our Everest expeditions. This allows us to obtain and deliver comprehensive weather forecasts via U.S., European and Kathmandu weather forecasting. Our lead guide is always equipped with a satellite phone during the climbing and at base camp. Two way radio communications between climbing members, guides, Sherpa and base camp staff is also provided. There is also local mobile network available at base camp that provides easy connection with your family during your stay at base camp.

Facilities camp setup at Base Camp and Kitchen at camp two

Satori Adventure focuses on comfortable conditions at base camp, including good quality food and other services. We find this helps clients with their overall success rate on the mountain. Our cooks are regarded as the best in the business, providing wholesome and appetizing meals with an agreeable array of menus to suit all your food requirements. The meals you are served on the mountain are also of the highest standard and designed to sustain you for the rigorous ascent. We offer various choices that will suit any diet plan, including vegetarian, Vegan, continental, Indian and others. If you have special food consideration, please provide this to us 60 days prior to the expedition so we can plan the best meals for your trip.

Approaches to ABC

From South (Nepal): The approach on its south side is through the Khumbu region of Nepal leading up to the Khumbu Glacier extending down to Lobuche (4900m). It starts with the flight to Lukla and the trek via Namche Bazaar (3440m), Tengaboche (36600m), Pheriche (4270m), Lobuche (4910m), Gorak Shep (5140m) to Khumbu Ice fall Base Camp (5200m). It takes typically 8 days to reach ABC from Kathmandu.

Highlights of the Trip:

  • A great training route for a full Mt. Everest expedition in the future
  • A carefully designed itinerary with no wasted time
  • A chance to test yourself against some of the most varied terrain that the Himalaya can offer
  • Experienced and strong climbing guides
  • Yaks carry your expedition equipment
  • Prices include all permits and ice fall charges
  • A great scouting mission for a Mt. Everest expedition
  • A chance to climb on the mighty Mt. Everest

Route Map:

98khumbu ice fall route