Classic North Pole Expedition
$7,995 USD
Annually; April 3 - April 30th
Our classic 3 Peaks expedition is one of our most popular programs with so much incredible Himalayan climbing in a relatively condensed timeframe at a great price. It’s one of the best bang for buck trips you can take when it comes to climbing hours!
You start your adventure by meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal. Here we will do thorough gear checks, have team briefings, pack and organise our gear for the climbs head.
Following our time in Kathmandu we fly as a team to Lukla to start the trek. We land at the Hillary runway at roughly 9,000ft/3,000m. From the moment you land in Lukla you will be at altitude. It’s important to take it easy and let your body adjust to the altitude naturally.
You will love the famed Everest Base Camp trek which is perhaps the best and most iconic trek in the world and should be on everyone’s bucket list. What makes the beauty and excitement of trekking in this majestic land even better is being part of the lovely and hospitable Sherpa culture. Sherpa are known the world over for their graciousness and generosity.
Enjoy spending time visiting famous cultural and religious sights on our way through this scenic valley in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains. Our slow acclimatization schedule means there is plenty of time to explore landmarks like the famous Tengboche Monastery where you can stop by to visit a High Lama and receive a blessing, take time to explore the famous Namche Bazaar – the Sherpa capital or have a beer in the world’s highest pub. Passing by countless Tibetan Buddhist stupas and chortens, you will feel the rich culture of Tibetan Buddhism come alive.
We choose to implement a slow acclimatization schedule, not just so you can take in the sights and sounds of the valley but to ensure you enjoy your trek and climbs and feel great throughout.
Altitude isn’t something to be feared; it’s achievable for most people but it is a process which can’t be rushed. Generic treks that move too quickly often have disgruntled, unwell people because their bodies are struggling to adjust.
You will trek alongside an actual Everest summit team who you will also climb your first peak of Lobuche with. In fact, Lobuche is such a great, scenic climb (offering similar terrain & climbing to Everest, albeit at lower altitude) that all of our Everest climbers make the ascent of Lobuche en route to Everest base camp as one of their acclimatization rotations.
From Lobuche you continue your trek to Everest Base Camp where you can celebrate with a 2x night visit to Base Camp Proper staying at CTSS’ famed camp. Here you will also have the opportunity for additional training and ice climbing in the lower part of the Khumbu icefall and a free day to unwind and explore.
Leaving Base Camp the action heats up as the climbing continues. Crossing the legendary Khumbu glacier, traverse into the remote Pokalde base camp – an awe-inspiring bowl of Himalayan expanse where you will prepare for, and stage your next climb – Pokalde.
Following your ascent of Pokalde, you will cross into the Imja Tse valley for a climb of world famous Island Peak, the culmination of your 3 Peaks expedition and the highest altitude climb of the three.
Following your summits, enjoy the descent back down the valley, taking in your achievement in this remarkable corner of the world before flying back to Kathmandu and onward home.
Itinerary:
- 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 Trek to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 14 Move to Lobuche High Camp
- Apr 15 Acclimatize
- Apr 16 Summit and descend Lobuche BC
- Apr 17 Trek to EBC
- Apr 18 Rest at EBC - Training
- Apr 19 Trek to Lobuche
- Apr 20 Trek to Pokalde HC via Kongma La
- Apr 21 Climb Pokalde & descend to Chhukung
- Apr 22 Trek from Chhukung to Island Peak BC
- Apr 23 Climb Island Peak return Chhukung
- Apr 24 Trek Chhukung to Pangboche
- Apr 25 Pangboche to Namche
- Apr 26 Namche to Lukla
- Apr 27 Lukla flight to KTM
- Apr 28 Fly home
- Apr 29 Contingency day
- Apr 30 Contingency day
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 3 Peaks 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 Lobuche, Pokalde & Island Peak
- Training and skills refresher clinics at Lobuche &
- Everest Base Camp
- Domestic flights to and from Lukla
- In country transport associated with the program itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in Nepal including hotels and teahouses (twin share)
- 2x nights accommodation at Everest Base Camp proper
- 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 3 Peaks 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.
Explorer's Grand Slam
EXPLORER'S GRAND SLAM
What is the Explorer’s Grand Slam?
The Explorer’s Grand Slam, often referred to as the Adventurer’s Grand Slam, is the challenge to complete ALL of the famed Seven Summits as well as ski to both the North and South Poles.
It is one of the most coveted adventure achievements on earth and only a tiny handful of people have ever completed this feat. (Approximately 70!)
It was first achieved by David Hempleman-Adams in 1998.
The Explorer’s Grand Slam is a huge undertaking that will challenge you mentally and physically. You must be in top physical shape and be able to persevere in the face of intense hardship and discomfort. You will be subject to brutal cold, storms, extremely high altitudes, punishing load carries, and likely the best and most memorable experiences and people of your life!
What Order Should I Complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam in?
The beauty of the Explorer’s Grand Slam is it has a natural progression that suits a beginner adventurer all the way through to more experienced climbers meaning that while monumental, it is a goal that can be held by anyone.
There are lots of ways to tackle the Explorer’s Grand Slam and the progression you take will depend on your individual situation (time constraints, financial constraints, family/life/work situation) Everyone is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Most climbers tend to tackle this goal starting from easiest to hardest, from lowest altitude to highest, and by trying to group expeditions by region. For instance, new climbers can start with smaller, shorter expeditions like Elbrus and work their way up to bigger, more committing climbs. These trips will give climbers an indication of how they will do on the more serious climbs and at higher altitudes. The financial and time burdens of these smaller expeditions are also less onerous than Mount Everest or Vinson Massif.
More experienced climbers might tackle the goal by grouping climbs in regions and capitalizing on prior climbs as training and acclimatization for the next one. For instance, they might go directly from Everest to Denali earlier in their goal as it suits their schedule/world travel plan.
Climbers will always have different opinions about which peaks are more serious and which should be tackled first, but ultimately, the order is up to each individual.
Here is a general progression that you might consider:
How long does it take to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam?
Completing the Explorer’s Grand Slam can take as little as 1 year and as long as a lifetime to complete. The amount of time that it takes you depends on how much (or how little) time you have, your financial resources, and your work/home/life/family situation.
CTSS can help you plan your goal to meet your needs whether you are going for a new ‘World Record’ or chipping away at it over a decade.
How Much Does The Explorers’ Grand Slam Cost?
To complete the entire Grand Slam from start to finish is a solid financial, physical and time commitment. The total cost depends on how you approach the project, your experience level and climbing style.
The most cost effective way to tackle them is to join us our regularly scheduled team expeditions but you can also customize your timeline by doing private expeditions that suit you. You should be budgeting at least $135,000 as a starting point, not including gear, travel, insurance etc.
Committing to multiple expeditions or your entire goal also enables CTSS to give you a discount so feel free to chat to us about price and how we can help save you money.
Special considerations on gear: To be economical, we recommend taking a smart approach to buying your gear for the Explorer’s Grand Slam. Most of the gear you buy can be used for many, if not all of the expeditions, so make sure to capitalize on these efficiencies while purchasing gear.
Please talk to us about this & check out our Gear Guide for more information.
Prior Experience & Prerequisites for the Explorers Grand Slam
The Explorer’s Grand Slam is a great progression goal meaning you don’t need prior experience to get started.
It does however help to have a solid background in alpine, ice, and rock climbing techniques, a familiarity with cross country skiing and be very physically fit.
Mentally; you should be comfortable with being away from home/work for weeks/months at a time, have the desire for ‘rugged’ adventure travel, be able to manage stress effectively, be open to guidance and able to work well in a team environment.
Here are the skills that you will master on the smaller peaks which you will need to be successful on the larger expeditions;
- Ropped glacier travel
- Rigging for glacier travel with a sled
- Cramponing
- Ice axe techniques
- Self arrest and team arrest
- Crevasse rescue
- Fixed line ascension; using a harness, ascender (jumar), ascender carabiner, primary safety (lobster claw) for descending or traversing while passing other climbers of anchors
- Rappelling
- Snow, ice and rock anchors
- Running belays
- Altitude illness awareness
- Camp setup
- GPS use and route finding
- Rest step
- Pacing
- Packing a pack
- Layering clothing
Training for the Explorers’ Grand Slam
Completing the Explorer’s Grand Slam is difficult even for extremely fit individuals. If you have the desire to tackle this goal, having top notch fitness over a long period of time is a must. Further this needs to be a high level of ‘climbing specific fitness’ and aerobic capability and strength.
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. While some of the expeditions are easier than others or require different types of fitness (rock climbing, carrying heavy loads etc) generally the best way to get fit for climbing is to climb. There is no substitute for getting out there and the more you climb the more prepared you will be for an expedition.
As a general rule climbers need to be able to carry heavy loads or pull heavy sleds for six to ten hours per day for multiple days in a row. Summit days on most of the Seven Summits consist of 3000-5000ft (1000 – 2000m) of elevation gain over ten to twenty hours of climbing. Outside of climbing, the most effective way to train is to undertake day hikes and multi day hikes of long distances at least once a week for five to ten hours at a stretch.
For success you should:
- Be able to start training specifically at least 6 months in advance of your first departure
- Have the time to commit to training 5-6 days a week
- Be comfortable hiking 1,500 vertical ft per hour with a 20lb pack.
- Concentrate on High Volume but Low Intensity training.
- Remember that high altitude climbing is more about endurance than short, quick bursts of power.
- Remember that high altitude climbing is more about endurance than short, quick bursts of power.
Rest is also an important part of training. Make sure you taper off and rest several days before leaving on an expedition, because travel and jet lag can take a toll on the body. Most importantly don’t overtrain to exhaustion before you begin, or risk injury before the climb!
We have found that climbers who are the most successful work with specific mountaineering coaches who map out a specific training regimens for the mountains that suit your schedule and lifestyle.
6x Reasons to Choose CTSS
Safety
Your safety and success are our priorities in that order. We make conservative decisions, plan redundancies and all our guides have wilderness medical training, safety & rescue plans & access to doctors 24/7 to help keep you safe.
Value for $
We keep our overheads low to pass savings on to you. We are proud to offer the best service for the most competitive price, without skimping on safety or taking shortcuts with logistics, staffing and infrastructure.
Holistic Approach
Our service goes far beyond the mountain. Think of us as your climbing coach, we’ll be there from start to finish to prepare, debrief and plan your progression as a mountaineer, whether your goal is a single summit or the Seven.
Guides & Team
Guides can make or break your climb. We hand pick the most qualified, tenured, tested and personable guides and Sherpa in the world. Owner and mountaineer Mike Hamill personally oversees the management of each expedition.
Our Values
We care about you, our people and the planet and we walk our talk by donating a percentage of every expedition to Tiger of the Snows fund which supports outdoor tourism workers all over the world and following strict Leave No Trace principles amongst other initiatives.
Success
We have an unparalleled summit success rate. How? We do it in a myriad of ways; like a great chef’s secret sauce, we've fine tuned the recipe over decades but most importantly, we believe in you & your ability to achieve your goals and are invested in putting you on top.
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The word trust comes to mind when I think about CTSS and why I will continue to engage them in future. When undertaking activities as serious as mountain climbing you need people you can trust, not to just make the good times happen but who have your back if things go bad.
- Scott G, Australia
Testimonials
Explorer's Grand Slam Inquiry Form
Lobuche Single Rooming Teahouse Upgrade
Single rooming option
$1,250 USD
We are happy to organize single rooming accommodations and a tea house upgrade for you 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 3 Peaks. If you would like a single rooming option please let us know. Please note that tent accommodations on Lobuche, Pokalde & Island Peak are double-occupancy for warmth and safety.
We stay at some of the nicest teahouses in the Khumbu valley throughout our trek to keep you healthy and to provide you with comfort. Many teahouses offer room upgrades which may include an en suite bathroom and more space, whereas our normal rooms generally have a shared bathroom and shower for an added fee.
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
Share Expedition
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
Share Expedition
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!