Everest South Side Summit Climb with International Mountain Guides

Organizing expeditions to Mount Everest is a monumental task that requires meticulous planning and a deep understanding of the unique challenges posed by the world's highest peak. Over four decades of experience has honed our ability to assemble teams that not only have the necessary skills and experience but also share a common ethos and approach to climbing. This commitment to excellence and compatibility is crucial for the safety and success of the expedition, reflecting a profound respect for the mountain and the climbers who take on its slopes.

IMG has long been a leader in innovative climbing programs for the Himalayas. We were one of the very first companies to offer guided programs to Everest (1991), the first company to offer a stand-alone climb to the North Col (1994) and to 8000m (2001). We were one of the first companies to guide Shishapangma (1990) and Cho Oyu (1995), first to guide the Khumbu Icefall as a stand-alone program (2000), first to offer the option of personal Nepalese guides to climbers (2002), first successfully guided climb of Lhotse (2009), first with the Hybrid concept (2010), first to offer an Everest “Express” itinerary (2010), and the first to rappel an alternate route around the Hillary Step (2013).

With over 800 summits of 8000-meter peaks to our credit, 605 of them on Mount Everest, we’ve demonstrated our focus on innovation, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to first-class logistics and staffing. Our Everest program sets a high standard in the industry. The emphasis on conducting a top-tier program without cutting corners, all at a fair price, reflects a deep understanding of the needs and expectations of climbers aiming to conquer the world's highest peak. It's clear that your team's efforts are driven by a passion for adventure and a relentless pursuit of improvement.

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

The 2025 IMG climbers and trekkers will travel to Everest Base Camp in separate teams, each led by IMG guides. We will be using helicopters into Lukla. Inclement weather can cause delays with fixed wing flights and by utilizing helicopters, we will have a much better chance of staying on schedule.

Lobuche Base Camp
Our Lobuche Base Camp strategy has been working great for many years, and we will do it again in 2025 for the trekkers and climbers. Three nights of camping at Lobuche BC (with gorgeous day hiking in the area) provides for excellent acclimatization and means our climbers and trekkers will feel good when it’s time for them to move up to Everest Base Camp! We will have our own cook team preparing meals at Lobuche BC to keep our team members healthy.

Everest Base Camps
IMG Base Camp is fully stocked with double wall dining tents with carpets, top notch food (fresh food delivered weekly), propane heated showers, custom weather forecast, internet is available (price TBD). Solar power at Base Camp quietly supports our satellite communications, allowing us to maintain excellent emergency contact capabilities and keep friends and family informed of our progress during the long weeks away from home. IMG will post regular internet dispatches from all of our teams during the expedition. We have multiple generators for backup power on inevitable snowy/cloudy days, and 110v power for charging your electrical devices.

We will have two separate (adjacent) base camps, one for the IMG Climbers, and one for our IMG Nepalese Staff. Each camp will have separate dining, toilet, shower, and kitchen facilities. In between the camps, we have our common meeting facility—the giant Eureka Military MGPTS tent, complete with 70,000 BTU military hazmat tent heater that runs outside the tent and pumps the heated air inside (so no danger of carbon monoxide). This is the place to be if you want to hang out in a carpeted and warm environment, watch movies, read, work on the computer, make a phone call, or just socialize! Wireless internet will be available at Base Camp (price TBD). In our communication tent, we have a VHF radio base station and large antennas that let us talk with the South Col and all the way down to Pheriche. We subscribe our climbers and local staff to the service provided by the HRA Base Camp Medical Clinic, so you have access to unlimited consultation with the HRA doctors.

Food
Nothing is more important to health and morale on a long trip than good food. We have very experienced Lobuche BC, Everest BC, and Everest Camp 2 cook teams. At Base Camp, they bake fresh bread, rolls, cakes, etc. regularly. We receive regular deliveries of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat to Base Camp in addition to staples purchased in Kathmandu and “goodies” brought from USA. We also include gluten free and vegan options (please advise if you have food issues). Most climbers will spend about two weeks at high altitude (over 6000m/20,000ft) during the course of the trip, when appetites really wane, and life is truly uncomfortable. We assist climbers to choose their high-altitude food items at Base Camp from our food supply tent, so you know exactly what you will be eating up high. Also, climbers should bring about 10 pounds/5 kg of additional “lunch” snacks which you know you can eat at high altitude, when some people’s appetites become very picky.

Note on Dates

Dates are listed starting from the arrival day to Kathmandu to the return day back to Kathmandu from Lukla at the end of the trip.

EBC Classic Trek, Lobuche Climb and Mera Peak end dates are FIXED, but you should add one contingency day in Kathmandu at the end, before flying home, in case of Lukla flight delay.

Everest, Lhotse, C1 & C2 & Ama Dablam Climbs end dates are FLEXIBLE, depending on weather and conditions. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam Climbers: please note on the itinerary the maximum number of days possible for climbing, we plan to stay at Base Camp for climbing until approximately the end of May. We suggest you make your return plane reservation home for June 1. Normally climbers will reconfirm or change their homeward departure flights when you know exactly when the expedition is going to end for you (contact your travel agent from Everest BC). C2 and C3 Climbers: it would be prudent to add at least one week of contingency days to your itinerary.

Classic Everest Climb with 1:1 Nepalese Guide

This is the program which the majority of our IMG climbers have done over the years and is perfect for the climber with previous experience on big mountains. This is a complete expedition: no cutting corners, nothing less than the finest support on the mountain and offering you the ultimate flexibility to tailor your schedule to your personal needs. This program is led by IMG Senior guides, and you will be assigned a personal guide when climbing. IMG does not allow members to climb solo. Included is unlimited consultation with the IMG staff, consultation with the docs at the HRA BC Medical clinic, Icefall fees, all expedition food and camp support, communications, stand up tent at EBC, complete trek service, and total expedition logistics from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. On summit bid you will be provided climbing oxygen @ 3 Liters Per Minute starting at Camp 2. Our itinerary includes staying at our custom Lobuche Peak base camp for great acclimatization hiking on the way to Everest BC at the beginning of the expedition, a subsequent ascent of Lobuche for further acclimatization and training prior to the first rotation on Everest, then an extended acclimatization rotation to C3, followed by an optional descent to Pangboche for several days of lower altitude rest, prior to the Everest summit bids. The goal is maximum practice and acclimatization before going high on Everest, for the best possible chance of success.

Hybrid Everest Climb with 1:2 Nepalese Guide + Extra Oxygen

Some of our customers have asked about a higher level of support for climbing Mt. Everest. We have what you are looking for, with our revamped Hybrid Program which combines the oversight of our IMG Senior guides, along with additional support (two guides per climber) and Extra Oxygen (enough for climbing @ 4 liters per minute on the Summit Day). The general itinerary for the Hybrid Program is the same as the Classic climb. You will be assigned your personal guides for the acclimatization rotations and summit attempts. IMG does not allow members to climb solo. With this revamped Hybrid Program, you will have more flexibility than if you were required to follow the schedule of other climbers. This program will give the Hybrid climber maximum flexibility while climbing, maximum support, and a generous amount of oxygen.

Private Everest Climb with 1:1 Senior IMG Guide

For the customer who is not cost sensitive and who wants the optimum support, we assign one of our Senior IMG guides on a 1:1 basis and include our “extra” oxygen option (1 bottle at C2 and 4LPM on summit day during your summit rotation). At Base Camp you will be provided a large standup personal tent with a cot for sleeping and organizing. This is the Cadillac program for the discerning climber who wants the very best. Please contact our team for more information.

Lhotse Climb

Lhotse climbers accompany Everest and Lobuche climbers to EBC, and for the acclimatization climb of Lobuche Peak. With an itinerary that is similar to the Classic Everest climb, this program is led by IMG Senior guides, and you will be assigned a personal guide when climbing. The Lhotse route follows the Everest route to the South Col (which is a better campsite). From there you traverse into the Lhotse Couloir and then climb directly up to the summit. Lhotse is a stiff climb, more difficult than Cho Oyu. The climbing route will be fixed all the way to the summit, but there is steep ice and rock in the Lhotse Couloir, so you need to be very fit and capable. On summit bid you will be provided a similar amount of oxygen as the Classic Everest climbers. The goal will be to descend to C2 after the summit. IMG has now done nine Lhotse climbs, each successful (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’18, ‘19, ’21 and '22).

Khumbu Icefall Climb to Camp 2/Camp 3

Our Khumbu Icefall programs are for the climber who wants an up close and personal Everest experience without a summit attempt. All climbers join the Lobuche Peak itinerary with the IMG guide team for instruction and evaluation. Then, you climb the famous Khumbu Icefall and on up the Western Cwm to Camps 1 and 2. Similar to our Classic IMG Everest Climb, this program is led by IMG Senior guides, and you will be assigned a personal guide when climbing. This is real climbing with some risk, so you need to be in good shape and have solid skills with crampons, fixed rope, etc. Camp 3 climbers will be provided oxygen for you to practice with as you climb the Lhotse Face to Camp 3. For the fit and adventurous climber, if you are thinking about coming back to climb Everest someday, this is great practice!

Ama Dablam Climb (Classic or Hybrid)

This is one of the most famous and beautiful peaks in the world, rising above the Dudh Kosi River valley on the way to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Our Ama Dablam expedition will utilize the new model we pioneered in 2022, with the team acclimatizing on Mera Peak, and then flying by helicopter direct to Ama Dablam BC. Mera Peak is a fun climb, higher than 21,000 ft, the perfect preparation for Ama Dablam, plus you get to visit the Hinku Valley and see a different part of Nepal! The Classic program is suitable for experienced climbers and will be led by our IMG guides from USA and Nepal. The Hybrid Program includes additional Personal Sherpa to climb with you 1:1, an excellent choice for climbers who would prefer additional support.

Ama Dablam Climb + Everest Classic Climb

April 2, 2025 – May 25, 2025 (plus contingency days through May 31, 2025) For those that want to add an 8000-meter peak after Ama Dablam, why not take on Everest or Lhotse?

Mera Peak Express

The Mera Peak Express program climbs 21,246ft (6,476m) Mera Peak in less than three weeks, including travel time and contingency days. This program features a fantastic trek and a spectacular climb with world class summit views of five 8000-meter peaks clearly visible (East to West: Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu). Our trek route to Mera essentially wraps around the south, west, and north sides of the peak to the Mera La (the 17,767ft / 5415m pass which leads to the Hongu Valley). We will practice our crampons and fixed rope technique before we move up to high camp, which will require roping up and using crampons and ice axes to ascend the glacier. The final pitch is a short steep ice step which we will fix with rope, or belay, depending on the conditions.

Lobuche Peak Climb

If you would like to visit Everest Base Camp with Teams 1 or 2 and stay longer and go higher, bring your crampons and ice axe and add a climb of Lobuche Peak (to over 20,000 feet--we stop at the false summit—the last pitch to the real summit is difficult technical climbing). After spending nights at Everest BC for acclimatization, our Lobuche climbers and members of the Guide Team will drop one day back down the valley to climb this beautiful peak, with world class views of Everest from the summit. From the beautiful IMG Lobuche Base Camp tucked up in a side valley from the EBC trek route, the route climbs to a high camp which leads to the summit ridge. The steeper parts of the climb to the ridge are normally fixed with about 500 meters of rope. Lobuche Peak is a perfect objective if you are fit and have Mt. Rainier type skills (ice axe, crampons, and roped glacier travel). We will review the use of fixed ropes for climbers who have not done this before. Afterward, trek back out to Lukla with our crack Nepalese Trekking Team for the flight to Kathmandu.

Classic Everest Base Camp Trek (+add optional Gokyo Extension)

The trek to Everest BC is one of the world’s classic human powered adventures! We have two trekking departures to Base Camp; each trek accompanies the IMG climbing team and sees all the famous sights on the way up and down the Khumbu Valley. Our itinerary includes staying in lodges between Lukla and Pheriche, then in our custom Lobuche Peak base camp (for fantastic acclimatization hiking) for several nights prior to moving on up to Everest BC at the beginning of the expedition. Rub shoulders with the climbers and see what a real expedition is like. Climb Kala Pattar, hike up to the base of the Khumbu Icefall and get some photos, then join in with the expedition puja ceremony at Base Camp. You stay overnight at Everest Base Camp as a guest of the expedition; only trekkers associated with expeditions are allowed to stay at EBC. Then, trek back out to Lukla with our crack guide team for the flight to Kathmandu. We have a limited number of positions available on these Classic EBC Treks, accompanying each of our three climbing teams.

For trekkers wishing to extend their trek, we have the Gokyo Extension Option which adds 6 days of trekking. You’ll cross two more high passes (Cho La and Renjo La @ 5300+m) and visit the famous Gokyo Valley. What a classic! From the summit of Gokyo Ri you see Cho Oyu (8153m), Gyangchung Kang (7922m), Lhotse (8501m), Makalu (8475 m), Cholatse (6440m), Taweche (6542m), Kantega (6685m), Thamserku (6808m), Lobuche (6145m) and Mt. Everest (8848m).

Expedition Organization and Leadership

International Mountain Guides (“IMG”) is the oldest and most respected high-altitude climbing service in the world. IMG’s Himalayan mountaineering programs are organized and directed by Eric Simonson and include a group of professionals who are the best in the business. Since 1990, we have conducted over 60 Himalayan 8000-meter expeditions and over 800 IMG team members have summited the world’s classic 8,000-meter peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Shishapangma. Our Everest programs are led by our IMG Senior guides.

IMG leaders are professionals and are great teachers as well as strong climbers. All have done numerous high-altitude expeditions, including the Himalaya. Our clients enjoy the immense benefit of a core group that has climbed together extensively, producing a team that knows how to work well together. We do not think you will find any other Everest climbing or trekking programs that will be led or staffed by persons of the caliber we will field for Everest 2025.

Ang Jangbu Sherpa and the Nepalese Team:
A veteran of dozens of expeditions and an Everest summiter, Ang Jangbu has worked on every IMG Himalayan program since 1991 and is an immensely popular leader. Ang Jangbu puts together a superb local staff for IMG. We are proud to have a group of Sherpa guides and cooks working for us who are among the best paid, best led, best equipped, and best trained in the business.

IMG Sherpa Guides & Nepalese Staff:
Most IMG Sherpa Guides are from Phortse and Pangboche. We hire the same great Team every year, we treat them with respect, we pay them well and they like working with our teams. Most of them have been on many climbs with us over the years and many of them have multiple Everest summits. The Senior guides (the ones we assign to climb with our climbers) have solid English language skills, first aid and rescue training, and tremendous 8000m experience. We have a great crew of men and women working for us, and many have been with IMG exclusively for over ten years. It is a tight knit bunch, managed by Ang Jangbu, Phunuru and Ang Pasang. Our enthusiastic cooks do a great job, and our menus are well considered. It makes a difference!