City Tours & Nepal Extensions
Nepal is one of the world’s most popular destinations. With incredible landscapes and rich culture, once there, it is truly worth seeing as much of the country as you can.
We can seamlessly organise a variety of fantastic customised excursions and extensions for you either prior to, or after your expedition.
Contact Us for any requests you have so we can plan them seamlessly for you
Pre Trip Full Day Kathmandu Cultural Tour
$200 per person
Kathmandu is one of the most exciting, culturally rich cities in the world. Unique, and overflowing with sights, smells, sounds and tastes, it’s both chaotic and charming. A city of true contrast which needs to be experienced to be understood. During our Kathmandu Cultural Tour an English speaking guide will show you the best history and culture the city has to offer.
Paragliding in Pokhara (Annapurna Region)
Take in the spectacular views of the Himalaya whilst paragliding over Lake Pokhara. Nepal offers some of the best flying in the world with low lying valleys, high cold mountains and natural rising thermals that you can share with the hawks! You can fly with world class pilots tandem or stay longer and benefit from the wealth of experience and get your international license in Nepal. Spend a few days at the Lake and truly unwind with a change of scenery.
Trek the Annapurna Circuit or Sanctuary Walk
On a mission to tick off the best treks in the world? Why not take advantage of your fitness and experience the Annapurna region with either the Sanctuary Walk (Slightly shorter and slightly lower altitude) or the Annapurna Circuit (Slightly longer and crosses the 5,416m Thorong La pass into the Mustang region)
Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park
One of the greatest drawcards of Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a World Heritage Site that protects 932 sq km of forest and grasslands and is arguably the best place in Asia to view wild game including horned rhino, monkeys, deer and over 500 species of bear. If you are lucky you may even spot a leopard, sloth or elephant or even the elusive Bengal tiger!
Visit the Upper Mustang
To trek in the Upper Mustang is a very rare privilege and has only been open to non-Nepali’ for just over 15years. Here you will experience a way of life of true mountain people, who for hundreds of years had very little contact with the rest of Nepal and retained their rich cultural heritage. In many ways, visiting the Upper Mustang is similar to Tibet as geographically it is a part of the Tibetan plateau.
Lobuche Family & Friends Options
We welcome you to invite friends and family to join your Lobuche.
The benefits are:
- Sharing the joy of this once in a lifetime experience with your loved ones
- Lessening the time apart
- Putting your family at ease as they get a firsthand understanding and empathy of the nature of your expedition and goal
Lobuche & Everest Base Camp Trek
$5,495 USD
The Everest Base Camp trek is widely heralded as the best trek in the world and for good reason; it’s beautiful, challenging yet achievable, and incredibly scenic. Roughly 40 miles/70 km you will trek through lush green pastures, blossoming Rhododendron forests and the most spectacular mountain terrain in the world.
Adding 2 extra days to the usual Everest Base Camp schedule family and friends are welcome to stay with you the entire time and relax at Lobuche Base Camp while you climb (time apart is minimal)
Following your ascent you will journey together into Everest Base Camp Proper at 17,600ft/ 5,500m where, being affiliated with an Everest climbing expedition, your friends and family are also able to enter and spend 2x nights within Base Camp, something the vast majority of trekkers never experience.
This allows them to get a sense of the Everest Base Camp scene, community, and what goes into an Everest expedition. If they are feeling good, they have the added option to join our climbing clinic or scale Kala Pathar the morning they leave Base Camp for stunning views of the Everest Massif, Lhotse, and Nuptse.
You descend back down the valley together before flying home.
Additional Nights at Base Camp:
If you, your friends and family want to stay at Base Camp longer than 2x nights we can add additional nights for $350/each
Everest Base Camp Executive Luxury Trek & The Gokyo Extension are also available to you, your family and your friends.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule will be strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc. We begin our expedition in Kathmandu, Nepal before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley to trek to Lobuche Base Camp. Our climb ends in Kathmandu where CTSS will cover one night accommodation. We recommend booking a flexible return airfare.
- Apr 3 Team Arrives
- Apr 4 KTM Day
- Apr 5 Fly to Lukla/Phakding
- Apr 6 Trek to Namche
- Apr 7 Rest
- Apr 8 Trek to Tengboche
- Apr 9 Rest
- Apr 10 Trek to Pheriche
- Apr 11 Rest
- Apr 12 Trek to Lobuche Base camp
- Apr 13 Acclimatization Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 14 Move to Lobuche High Camp (optional - family and friends are welcome to stay in the better equiped Base Camp if they prefer)
- Apr 15 Rest Day
- Apr 16 Climbers summit, family & friends rest day
- Apr 17 Trek to EBC
- Apr 18 Everest Climbing Clinic & Explore BC
- Apr 19 Trek to Pheriche
- Apr 20 Trek to Namche
- Apr 21 Trek to Lukla
- Apr 22 Fly Lukla to KTM
- Apr 23 Fly Home
- Apr 24 Contingency Day
Helicopter Options
Many of our climbers say that one of the best experiences of their entire expedition is taking a helicopter flight back down the Khumbu Valley and getting an aerial view of the trek, the peaks they’ve been climbing and the mighty Himalayan range. It is, without doubt, one of the most scenic, adventurous mountain flights in the world.
Further, while people initially think they will want to undertake the 3 day, 40 mile trek back down the valley, we’ve found that after a long expedition in mountains, the draw of civilisation, getting back to family and friends & enjoying that well-deserved beer can be irresistible.
We have a number of options available for you:
One Way Helicopter from Base Camp to Lukla
$2,995 USD
A helicopter from Everest Base Camp to Lukla avoids the three day, 40 mile walk back down the valley at the completion of your Lobuche Expedition. From Lukla you will catch a regularly scheduled fixed-wing plane back to Kathmandu either that day or the following day.
One Way Helicopter from Base Camp to Kathmandu
$5,995 USD
For those that aren’t as price sensitive and who want to get back to Kathmandu and homeward bound as quickly as possible at the end of the expedition, we can arrange a helicopter for you directly from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu.
EBCT Single Rooming Teahouse Upgrade
EBCT Single Rooming Teahouse Upgrade
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Single Rooming Option
We are happy to organize single rooming accommodations and a tea house upgrade for you (where available) throughout the expedition. If you snore or are easily awakened by others that do snore, this might be a great option. We feel that having a single room helps climbers stay healthy and adds a bit of comfort and personal space that can go a long way on a long expedition like a First Ascent.
If you would like a single rooming option please let us know. Please note that tent accommodations at Base Camp are single tents but above Base Camp they are double-occupancy for warmth and safety.
EBCT City Tours & Nepal Extensions
EBCT City Tours & Nepal Extensions
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Nepal is one of the world’s most popular destinations. With incredible landscapes and rich culture, once there, it is truly worth seeing as much of the country as you can.
We can seamlessly organise a variety of fantastic customised excursions and extensions for you either prior to, or after your expedition.
Contact Us for any requests you have so we can plan them seamlessly for you
Pre Trip Full Day Kathmandu Cultural Tour
$200 per person
Kathmandu is one of the most exciting, culturally rich cities in the world. Unique, and overflowing with sights, smells, sounds and tastes, it’s both chaotic and charming. A city of true contrast which needs to be experienced to be understood. During our Kathmandu Cultural Tour an English speaking guide will show you the best history and culture the city has to offer.
Paragliding in Pokhara (Annapurna Region)
Take in the spectacular views of the Himalaya whilst paragliding over Lake Pokhara. Nepal offers some of the best flying in the world with low lying valleys, high cold mountains and natural rising thermals that you can share with the hawks! You can fly with world class pilots tandem or stay longer and benefit from the wealth of experience and get your international license in Nepal. Spend a few days at the Lake and truly unwind with a change of scenery.
Trek the Annapurna Circuit or Sanctuary Walk
On a mission to tick off the best treks in the world? Why not take advantage of your fitness and experience the Annapurna region with either the Sanctuary Walk (Slightly shorter and slightly lower altitude) or the Annapurna Circuit (Slightly longer and crosses the 5,416m Thorong La pass into the Mustang region)
Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park
One of the greatest drawcards of Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a World Heritage Site that protects 932 sq km of forest and grasslands and is arguably the best place in Asia to view wild game including horned rhino, monkeys, deer and over 500 species of bear. If you are lucky you may even spot a leopard, sloth or elephant or even the elusive Bengal tiger!
Visit the Upper Mustang
To trek in the Upper Mustang is a very rare privilege and has only been open to non-Nepali’ for just over 15years. Here you will experience a way of life of true mountain people, who for hundreds of years had very little contact with the rest of Nepal and retained their rich cultural heritage. In many ways, visiting the Upper Mustang is similar to Tibet as geographically it is a part of the Tibetan plateau.
EBCT Classic Expedition
$19,995 USD
Annually; 10th October - 8th November
Our Nepal First Ascent climb is one of our most prized programs and an opportunity for you to do something truly unique. We look forward to exploring a never-before visited part of the world with you.
You will start your trailblazing adventure by meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal. Here we will do thorough gear checks, have team briefings, repack and reorganise our gear for the journey ahead.
Following our time in Kathmandu we fly domestically as a team to a remote part of Nepal to begin our trek to Base Camp. From the moment you begin the trek you will be at altitude. It’s important to take it easy and let your body adjust to the altitude naturally. Altitude isn’t something to be feared; it’s achievable for most people but it is a process which can’t be rushed. Inexperienced operators and generic expeditions that move too quickly often have disgruntled, unwell people because their bodies are struggling to adjust.
It’s also important to be aware we will be traveling through more remote regions of Nepal that receive very little, if any, tourism so expect this to be real adventure travel. That said, you will be awed by the beauty of the landscape and the genuine and friendly Nepali people. You can expect it to be rugged and strenuous at times but this hard work will pay dividends.
As we acclimatise we will enjoy spending time absorbing the rich Tibetan culture passing by countless Tibetan Buddhist stupas and Chortens and taking in any sightseeing landmarks. We will endeavour to visit a High Lama and receive a traditional blessing for our mountain ahead.
Once at base camp we will set up our own comfortable ‘home away from home’, settle in, plan and adjust our approach to the peak. We will run through an alpine training and refresher skills clinic while at base camp and go through the various equipment/food caches that we will need for the upper mountain.
We will make a series of forays up the mountain in order to continue our acclimatisation, test our route and scout for hazards before our summit attempt.
Following your climb there will be ample time to celebrate while returning back down the valley and take in your achievement in this remarkable corner of the world before flying back to Kathmandu and onward home.
Unlike our other expeditions, a solid itinerary isn’t possible for such an unknown and unpredictable climb and will vary widely as we’ll be setting it as we go! (in any case we need to keep details scarce as possible in public forums for obvious reasons)
We will have a more detailed itinerary for the team in Kathmandu but you can expect a rough timeline like this:
Rough Itinerary:
- Days 1-3 Team Arrives/Gear Checks/Briefings
- Days 4-12 Journey & Trek to Base Camp
- Days 13-15 Acclimatisation & Training
- Days 15-22 Climbing rotations & summit
- Days 23 - 26 Descend and Return to Kathmandu
- Days 26 - 29 Contingency Days
- Day 30 Fly home
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the First Ascent Expedition:
- Leadership, strategy, climbing oversight including full support for a summit attempt
- Climbing Sherpa to assist with carrying personal gear
- Full expedition logistics, weather forecasts, etc
- Climbing permits for an unclimbed peak in Nepal
- Training and skills refresher clinics
- Domestic flights internally to and from the mountain region
- In country transport associated with the program itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Lodging in Nepal including hotels in Kathmandu, teahouses (twin share) and mountain camps
- Welcome dinner & meals throughout the expedition
- Access to medical and communications gear
- Mountain camp infrastructure and logistics including tents
- On mountain meals
Excluded in the First Ascent Expedition:
- International flights to Kathmandu, Nepal
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport,
- Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, 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 contingencies 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.
EBCT Family & Friends
We welcome you to invite friends and family to join you on your First Ascent Expedition
The benefits are:
- The joy of sharing this once in a lifetime experience with your loved ones
- Lessening the time apart
- Puts family at ease as they get a first hand understanding and empathy of the nature of your expedition and goal
First Ascent Trekking Team
$6,995 - $8,995 USD
Family and Friends often love to share your expedition and the Nepal First Ascent expedition is an ideal adventure as it allows your loved ones to not only trek in one of the most beautiful places on earth but explore off the beaten track elements of Nepal. These are seldom seen valleys far from the main thoroughfare full of authentic local culture minus the crowds.
If they are pressed for time, they can elect to just accompany you to Base Camp for 2 nights and then descend back to Kathmandu ($6,995) or they are welcome to stay with us for the entire expedition ($8,995)
If they choose to stay for the entire expedition, the time you are separated is actually quite limited. When you are high on the mountain, they can enjoy the relaxing down time at base camp taking in the majestic Himalaya with some local Chai tea or take up the opportunity to go on lite excursions with our camp staff on their rest days.
We’d be delighted to make it a family or friends adventure! Feel free to extend the invitation!
EBCT Helicopter Options
We can arrange a Helicopter from Base camp back to either the domestic airport and possibly Kathmandu at the end of the expedition:
Many of our climbers say that one of the best experiences of their entire expedition is taking a helicopter flight back down the valley and getting an aerial view of the trek and the climb they’ve just achieved. It is, without doubt, one of the most scenic, adventurous mountain flights in the world.
Further, while people initially think they will want to undertake a long, arduous multi-day trek back down the valley, we’ve found that after a long expedition on the mountain, the draw of civilisation, getting back to family and friends & enjoying that well-deserved beer can be irresistible!
Chat to us about what helicopter options are open for your First Ascent
EBCT Preparation & Prerequisites
Experience Level
The 3 Peaks Expedition is a great intermediate expedition which is well suited to climbers who are fit and have basic mountaineering skills and a good sense of adventure. (It’s ok to be a little rusty on your skill set as we will do a comprehensive refresher as part of your climb with skills clinics at both Lobuche & Everest Base Camp to get you up to speed)
Ideally you are already confident and familiar with your harness, crampon and ice axe techniques and cold management.
If you’re not sure if you have the experience for this climb, please ask us as we can help recommend other training to get prepared for the 3 Peaks Expedition.
Physical Training:
It is important that you are very physically fit and healthy and you can dedicate time to ‘climbing specific training’ in the lead up to your expedition. You will be required to climb up to 8-10hrs per day. Being in top shape will also ensure you enjoy your climb, feel good throughout and get the most out of the experience.
It is vital that your training closely simulates what you will be doing on the mountain. Traditional gym workouts or general fitness plans aren’t targeted enough. Instead you need to emulate long physical days (8hrs +) in the mountains.
We recommend that you:
- Start specific mountaineering training at least 3 months in advance
- Train at least 5 days a week for an hour or more
- Focus on high volume but low intensity training
- A good goal is to be able to comfortably climb 1,500 vertical ft per hour with 6-8kg, 15lbs day pack
- Schedule a few weekends where you can do two or more full days back to back. Multi day hikes with good elevation are ideal.
Mindset:
Mindset and mental preparation are integral to your success on any peak.
You should be prepared:
- To be away from home/work for 3 weeks with long periods of being out of range
- Have a desire for rugged adventure travel
- Be open to receiving and deferring to guidance, support and advice from your guides/expedition leaders (even if you are an experienced mountaineer)
- Be comfortable having open conversations with your guides
- Be able to work well in a team environment by being supportive and respectful of fellow team mates
- Be humble, respectful and considerate even under pressure
EBCT Advice from Mike Hamill
A Personal Welcome to 'Climbing the Seven Summits' First Ascent' Expedition from Mike Hamill
It has been our dream (and the dream of many of our climbers) to tackle an unclimbed peak.
In many ways this expedition is the culmination of all that we have learned as Guides and Expedition Leaders over the years and puts all our expertise and skill to the test. As such, this expedition is not for the faint of heart. If you are looking for a tranquil beach vacation or even a standard program on one of the Seven Summits, you may have stumbled upon the wrong expedition page… This is said not to dissuade or intimidate you, but instead to ask for your full buy-in to this amazing adventure.
With no one coming before us, there is no detailed route information or pool of common knowledge to to draw on. Our prior knowledge will be drawn from scouting missions (don’t worry our scout teams won’t tag the top without you!) and satellite images so we must rely on each other to climb as a team.
This is critical and we need to have full reliance and stick together, engaged and motivated towards our common end. Humility, patience and determination are prerequisites on this program.
As we progress we will inevitably need to adapt our plan of attack, our schedule and probably our route multiple times throughout the expedition. This is all part of the joy of discovering the undiscovered and climbing as the pioneers did centuries ago. Not to sound cliche but the ultimate reward on this expedition will be in the journey and not the summit.
My best piece of advice is to remain open minded as the expedition advances. There will be days when it seems achievable and within reach, and days when the summit seems elusive. We will spend much of our time troubleshooting routes to find the safest & best path, navigating the weather and patiently acclimatizing. We’ll be in a remote place without the usual infrastructure or amenities so it’ll be roughing it in parts but truly off the beaten track and wild.
The excitement is that no one knows what will eventuate but keeping positive and in the spirit of adventure will help make sure your expedition and that of your teammates is safe, enjoyable and successful.
All the best,
Mike Hamill
