FAQ

Aconcagua is a good recommendation for gaining experience in high altitude regions and to master technical skills. Further, an objectively easier mountain in the Himalayan region like Manaslu or Cho Oyu is recommendable before you summit Everest. For the perfect preparation a customized 1:1 tour with one of our certified Mountain guides (IFMGA / AMGA) is optional. Reach out to us and we will review all the alternatives for your project.

For a comfortable stay we offer cozy, heated group tents where you can spend your time with reading, watching TV and or just peacefully enjoying nature at 5,364 meter above sea level with a cup of delicious Italian coffee. It’s also the perfect time to chat with like-minded people and listen to one or two Everest insider-stories from Everest veterans.

However, if you’ve had enough of sitting around, you can also use your energy in a professional training session or go up to the viewing mountain Kala Patthar and enjoy a little change of perspectives on base camp.

Our Mount Everest Classic and Flash™ expeditions take place in the months of April to May. The exact schedule depends on regulatory requirements, the weather and snow conditions as well as the progress of security work along the route. In addition, the schedule of other groups is considered in order to avoid any potential traffic jams. As the jet stream weakens during this time and the monsoon has not yet reached Everest region, we use this time window to bring our customers on top of the world.

For our Mount Everest expeditions on the South and North side, each participant will receive a tent and a high-altitude generator including a training plan six to eight weeks before starting the expedition. You can acclimatize to an altitude of 6000m while sleeping, reading, watching TV or training on the ergometer. In addition, in the first few days you will feel much better and show less symptoms of altitude adjustment than climbers who are not pre-acclimatized. The set is picked up again before the expedition starts.

We started using hypoxic systems in 2002 and launched the first Everest expeditions with hypoxic pre-acclimatization in 2016. Meanwhile, our fastest Everest expedition only took 16 days, on contrary to the classic tour with 42-49 days.

Read more about our pre-acclimatization program featuring a hypoxic tent here.

Flash™ expeditions are not only much shorter, but also significantly safer than classic expeditions. The risk of getting sick during the expedition is reduced, as the time spent on the mountain is less. Besides that, you have unlimited oxygen and two Sherpas, which are by your side. You will also start your summit push much better recovered, since you did not waste all your energy on rotations. Therefore, our climbers are always able to descend in the lowest and safest camp after summiting while others need another 1-3 days and nights for their descent after summiting.

Another interesting thing to mention: Flash™ expeditions are more sustainable. With our shortened Flash™ Expeditions, which only last about 3 weeks instead of the regular 9 weeks, we save up to 50% resources and produce correspondingly less waste and are responsible for fewer CO2 emissions. And all this at the same payment for the local crew as with the previous 9-week expedition.

The answer depends on which kind of expedition you prefer. Choosing Flash™, you can shorten your trip up to half of the normal time and simultaneously reduce the risk of altitude sickness. In a world where time is a priceless asset, we offer the ultimate Everest expedition, but instead of the regular 40-50 days, in 21 days. Maximum experience, minimum time.

If you want to experience full camp atmosphere on site and have enough time, the classic expedition is more suitable for you. You spend more time on the mountain and can enjoy Nepal while trekking to Basecamp.

You should be an experienced climber and have a certain degree of altitude experience. Dealing with crampons, ice axes and ropes should not be unfamiliar to you. Otherwise, you can learn these skills in an expedition training. The decision is also based on fitness, age, altitude experience, athletic lifestyle, previous mountaineering experience etc. Tell us everything in the booking form and together we can make a decision. Be sure to carefully read the requirements mentioned in the trip description.

Beside the physical condition, you also need to know how to walk in rope teams, climb in ice, snow and firn and master basic rope techniques. All these things and much more will be explained, trained and mastered in our expedition training in the Monte Rosa range and Pitztal Valley in Tyrol, Austria. If you are based in the USA, we can offer you the same training in the Mount Hood Area. For all who dream of the expedition world.

Read more about the expedition training in the Monte Rosa range and in Pitztal Valley.

During our guided eight-thousander expeditions, you will be accompanied by a certified mountain guide and Sherpas. However, this will not be a guided tour in the traditional sense, as you may know it from a guided ascent of alpine peaks. The guide is responsible for the management of the group and makes all major decisions. The ascent takes place independently under the guidance of the mountain guide, accompanied by the Sherpas. On Mount Everest or other eight-thousands’, you are accompanied and supported by your own personal Sherpa on the day of the summit ascent.

Additionally, we offer the most exclusive and high-end possibility to summit Everest with our Signature Expedition. You will be accompanied by your own private IFMGA/AMGA mountain guide and two personal sherpas.  In this expedition, the client to guide ratio is therefore 1:1. In our Flash™ expedition the ratio of guide to client is 1:4, whereas the ratio of the Classic expedition 1:8 is.

We know that climate change and overuse are threatening not only us, but also the mountains all over the world. That’s why we, as Furtenbach Adventures, set ourselves goals: Sustainable expeditions, climate neutral as a minimum standard, Net Zero or true CO2 negative.  We all owe it to these mountains, to nature, to these countries and their inhabitants, and to the planet. However, we can proudly present our achievements we made until now. We are the first operator to implement wastewater treatment in the Everest Base Camps on the North and South side. For the duration of the expedition, we use 100% solar energy from a large photovoltaic farm at Basecamp. Besides strict waste management and Co2 minimization strategy for the entire expedition, our motto is:

Leave nothing on the mountain, but your own footsteps, protecting the natural resources for us and future generations.

Climbing Mount Everest is a pinnacle of mountaineering achievement, presenting both unparalleled challenges and unforgettable experiences. We offer you three different kinds of expeditions depending on what kind of experience you want to have – the Classic expeditions starting at 75.400 €, the Flash™ expeditions starting at 103.900 € and our privately guided Everest Signature expedition, which is the most exclusive and high-end option, with 199.000 €.

Here you can find the details about the cost.

It’s dangerous. Simply because of the altitude. As expedition operators, we try to ensure all that is possible in order to increase the safety of our participants. That includes, amongst other things, maximum oxygen and Sherpa support, licensed mountain guides and experienced expedition leaders, the currently most reliable weather forecast for the Himalayan region and the best equipment available on the market.

Furtenbach Adventures provides the complete and comfortable base camp and high camp equipment, including communication equipment and all rope material. Participants will be provided with the best, most reliable and lightest oxygen system currently available on the market. You only need to bring your own personal equipment including down clothing, expedition boots, and a sleeping bag for the base camp and high camp. You’ll receive a detailed list of required equipment including recommendations from us. We strongly advise you to use heated socks, especially at the summit day. Ideally, one should use a model with remote control, since you can very simply switch it on only when needed. We recommend either heated gloves or heating pads for gloves. Both things significantly reduce the risk of suffering frostbite.

You are also welcome to contact us in case of questions or if you need personal advice!

Once you have decided on an expedition or trip, it’s easiest to book online using the online booking form. Note that the sooner you book, the sooner we can confirm your spot on the selected trip. After receiving your booking, you will get a booking confirmation with all travel information and an invoice with the payment due dates.

For detailed information have a look here

We strongly recommend taking out personal recovery and repatriation insurance, but also cancellation and interruption insurance. During the organization of an expedition, high costs are incurred in advance and a great deal of organizational commitment, and financial advances are required from us as organizers. These costs are often not refundable for us (eg. permits, bank guarantees, oxygen, staff and guides). Therefore, for cancellations by participants, the deadlines and cancellation fees listed in our Terms and Conditions apply. We are very concerned about the satisfaction of our customers; in a particular case we will always try to find a mutually satisfactory solution together with the participants.

We are. Together with the best IFMGA/AMGA certified mountain guides available! Furtenbach Adventures is a fully licensed travel and expedition operator based in Innsbruck / Austria and conforms to the legal EU Package Travel Directive. We are registered operators in the Austrian Tour Operator Directory of the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economics with insurance against bankruptcy in order to protect our clients’ money in accordance with the regulation on travel agencies. Within this framework, our promise of high quality begins. This means maximum consumer protection and safety regarding booking, payment and travel service. For products we sell as an agency we take special care on choosing our partners to fulfil our highest quality and safety demands.

Safety is our greatest concern. It is in the nature of things that expeditions and adventures involve some risk. In particular, the 8000er mountaineering trips can never guarantee 100% safety. We are currently doing everything that is possible and permitted by the authorities in order to increase safety and will never cease to strive towards more. We have summarized and explained the key points on this topic on the Safety Page. Please click here.

Undeniably, the ascent of an eight-thousander remains one of the biggest adventures of our day, but it goes hand in hand with corresponding risks.

General health and a good physical condition are basic requirements for an expedition to a high mountain. Training within the basic endurance range is particularly important. Due to the altitude and the associated oxygen depletion, blood becomes thicker and circulates more slowly. One consequence is that in high altitudes, our heart rate cannot climb as high as usual during exertion. Endurance training within the basic endurance range with a moderate pulse is more effective for good performance at high altitudes than intensive training at a maximum heart rate. The majority of your training should therefore be done in the basic range. Always depending on your preferences or availability while running, biking or swimming. In between, you should incorporate regular, shorter intensive units or interval training, and strengthen your upper body in preparation for climbing on the fixed rope. In cooperation with Uphill Athlete, we offer you customized and professional coaching plans to achieve your mountain aspirations. Use the discount code “furtenbach” and receive a 10% discount on the Uphill Athlete membership program. Redeem now

In general, the fitter you are when you arrive to the mountain, the better. Spend as much time in the mountains as possible in the months leading up to the expedition. Go hiking, climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking or on a ski tour. The mountains are the best preparation for the mountains. Do not underestimate the possibilities of mental training. During an eight-thousander expedition, a lot is going on in your head. When in extreme situations or under high stress, mental strength has often been the key factor of success.

Neither. On the one hand, the less kilos you have to carry, the easier your ascent will be. On the other hand, the altitude, cold and exertion are demanding on the body, and they consume reserves. In the course of an expedition, you almost always lose weight. As a basic rule, you should be in a physical condition that makes you feel fit and well. If necessary, a nutritionist can put together a special diet plan, specifically tailored to your needs and in accordance to your expedition destination. Contact us for an offer.

The risk of diarrheal disease is particularly high in Kathmandu and would be not only uncomfortable but also dangerous before the expedition. It strictly applies: always have a small hand sanitizer spray on you and use it often. Always wash your hands or disinfect them before eating or drinking and after taking your shoes on or off. Brush your teeth with bottled water and drink only bottled water. Avoid ice and raw foods like salads, as these are often washed with local tap water. For the duration of the whole trip, always wash your hands before every meal and after each visit to the toilet. Here one also bears responsibility towards other participants. Germs are transferred from the toilet to the food or dishes and then into our bodies. Not the other way around. Our teams in Nepal and Pakistan are trained in kitchen and food hygiene, they are strictly controlled and take this issue very seriously.

In our Basecamp our climbers get nourishing food prepared by our outstanding Argentinian chef. From hearty soups to energizing meals and snacks, our team is fueled by a variety of nutritious meals throughout the expedition. In the high camps we provide our climbers with a comprehensive selection of high-altitude meals that have been carefully put together and optimized by our nutrition expert. Furthermore, we prepare you a variety of snacks like cereal bars, isotonic drinks and gels, basically everything that gives you power. If you have a favorite brand or snack in general, feel free to take it with you. What tastes best at home is often the only thing you can enjoy eating in the high camps.

Yes! Clients with special dietary requirements receive dishes tailored to all their wishes. Just tell us in the booking process and we will forward it to our kitchen staff. From vegan, gluten free to halal, everything is possible.