IfOnly, a luxury outfitter specializing in 鈥渦nique and memorable experiences,鈥 is now offering a hot air balloon ride that passes over the top of the world鈥檚 tallest mountain. The price tag for the two spots in the balloon is $5,215,000.
鈥淛oin the ranks of pioneers from history like Shackleton, Livingstone, and Hillary,鈥 reads the description on , 鈥渁s you venture to rarely explored heights for an expedition that will capture imaginations and headlines around the world.鈥
The balloon will be piloted by Australian Chris Dewhirst, who flew the first hot air balloon over Everest in 1991 for a project that was the subject of a National Geographic film.
The two customers who land the one-time-only trip will be asked to sign an extensive liability waiver, commit several weeks for their travel and stay in Nepal, and be prepared to reschedule, at further cost, if the weather makes the attempt to cross over Everest impossible. Dewhirst will also be given free rein to judge the 鈥減hysical and mental faculties鈥 of prospective customers, who will work as active crew members for the duration of the flight. All customers will be asked to spend up to a month in physical and skills training in advance of their trip.
This extravagance is typical of IfOnly鈥檚 offerings, many of which involve experiences with highly accomplished athletes. Shoppers can also play golf with Jerry Rice ($71,500 for three people), take tennis lessons with Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf ($116,000 for four people), or spend a weekend in Aspen with Greg Norman ($200,000 for eight people).