$58,995 USD
April 3 – May 31 (58 Days)
Pros:
- High degree of autonomy and independence
- Highly affordable
- Recognizes past skillset and qualifications as a mountaineer
- 1:1 climbing partner during the entire climb from Everest Base Camp to the summit and on each rotation. (You will likely be partnered with multiple Sherpa companion climbers from rotation to rotation, giving you the opportunity to figure out who you climb best with, so you can partner with them on the summit push)
- Pre-climb ladder and climbing clinics
Cons:
- No professional guidance, and therefore higher risk
- Personal Sherpas are more of a climbing companion and less of a ‘guide’ and have fewer qualifications than IFMGA, Western Guides, or Private Guides.
- Limited Everest-specific guide knowledge
- Less camaraderie
- Possible language and/or cultural barrier
- Personal Sherpa doesn’t climb Lobuche
The Personal Sherpa Climb is a 1:1 climb that offers the benefit of self-directed climbing with the safety and personal attention of having a Sherpa companion climber with you. This option differs from the ‘Sherpa Supported Climb’ option, which only partners you with a companion climber on the summit rotation.
This option is well suited to self-sufficient climbers who want autonomy, are highly competent in the mountains, and are familiar with using high-altitude oxygen systems.
This option also includes the oversight and assistance of our Everest Expedition Leader throughout your expedition, support from our group Sherpa team to assist with load carries, and full access to CTSS’s logistics.
With this option, you will meet the Sherpas with whom you will climb at Everest Base Camp. Don’t worry. You will be met by one of our team members in Kathmandu and guided by CTSS during your trek and Lobuche climb.
Please note that this option is a 1:1 companion climb, meaning someone will always be with you, but it is important to note that it may not be the same person from rotation to rotation. The Sherpa share load-carrying work and the joy of climbing with you equitably amongst their team. The benefit of this is that it allows you to figure out who you climb best with and select them as your summit rotation companion climber.
When you are resting at Everest Base Camp or on the Lobuche East peak acclimatization climb, the whole Sherpa team will be ferrying loads to the upper camps.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule will be strategically planned to account for the best weather, summit windows, etc. We begin our expedition in Kathmandu, Nepal, where we obtain our climbing permits before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley to trek to Everest Base Camp. Our climb ends in Kathmandu. We suggest you book a flexible return airfare.
- April 3: Team Arrives
- April 4: Kathmandu Day
- April 5: Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- April 6: Trek to Namche
- April 7: Rest Day
- April 8: Trek to Tengboche
- April 9: Rest Day
- April 10: Trek to Pheriche
- April 11: Rest Day
- April 12: Trek to Lobuche Base Camp
- April 13: Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- April 14: Move to Lobuche High Camp
- April 15: Acclimatization Hike
- April 16: Summit and Descend Lobuche Base Camp
- April 17: Trek to Everest Base Camp
- April 18: Rest Day
- April 19: Rest Day
- April 20: Train and acclimatization hike
- April 21: Rest and Pack for First Rotation
- April 22: Climb to Camp 1
- April 23: Climb towards Camp 2 return to Camp 1
- April 24: Descend to Everest Base Camp
- April 25: Rest Day
- April 26: Hike to Pumori
- April 27: Rest Day
- April 28: Climb to Camp 1
- April 29: Climb to Camp 2
- April 30: Climb above Camp 2
- May 1: Climb to Camp 3 and descend to Camp 2
- May 2: Descend to Everest Base Camp
- May 3: Rest Day
- May 4: Rest Day
- May 5: Rest Day
- May 6: Rest Day
- May 7: Move to Camp 1
- May 8: Move to Camp 2
- May 9: Move to Camp 3
- May 10: Move to Camp 4
- May 11: Summit and descend to Camp 2
- May 12: Descend to Everest Base Camp
- May 13: Rest Day
- May 14: Pack Up at Everest Base Camp
- May 15: Trek to Pheriche
- May 16: Trek to Namche
- May 17: Trek to Lukla
- May 18: Fly to Kathmandu
- May 19: Fly Home
- May 20: Contingency Day
- May 21: Contingency Day
- May 22: Contingency Day
- May 23: Contingency Day
- May 24: Contingency Day
- May 25: Contingency Day
- May 26: Contingency Day
- May 27: Contingency Day
- May 28: Contingency Day
- May 29: Contingency Day
- May 30: Contingency Day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature, like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions so you know what to expect.
Included in the Personal Sherpa Everest Climb:
- Personal climbing Sherpa for the entire Everest climb
- Leadership, strategy, and climbing oversight by our Everest Expedition Leader, including full support for a summit attempt
- A climbing Sherpa to assist with carrying personal gear
- Full expedition logistics, weather forecasts, etc.
- Everest climbing permit
- Domestic flights to and from Lukla
- In-country transport associated with the program itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in Nepal, including hotels and teahouses
- Welcome dinner & meals throughout the expedition
- Oxygen system and oxygen
- Lobuche East peak training and acclimatization climb (please note: you will climb with the wider Everest team on Lobuche as your personal Sherpa will meet you at Everest Base Camp)
- Lobuche Base Camp and High Camp setup and tent accommodation
- Everest Base Camp setup and tent accommodation
- Access to medical and communications gear
- High mountain camp infrastructure and logistics (Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3, Camp 4)
- On mountain meals
Excluded in the Personal Sherpa Everest Climb:
- International flights to Kathmandu, Nepal
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses, including visa, passport, reciprocity fees, vaccination charges, and excess baggage
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries, etc.
- Personal sundries including but not limited to: non-team meals while in Kathmandu, personal snacks, specialized high altitude climbing food, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, 3rd party internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Sherpa tip pool
- Guide tip (customary but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
- Unused Contingency Days at the end of your program: CTSS covers one night in the hotel in Kathmandu on your return. If you decide to stay longer in Kathmandu beyond this night, those costs are your responsibility. We highly recommend that while you should plan to be away from home for the entire duration of the expedition, including contingency days, you book a flexible return airfare so you can move your flight forward if you don’t use all of the contingency days or push it back as you need.
