Your safety and success are the top priorities, in that order.

A climbing or trekking company should invest heavily in planning, leadership, and systems that protect your well-being, and we take that responsibility seriously. We have an unparalleled safety record, and our clientele’s well-being factors into every decision we make while on expeditions.  Our approach is grounded in risk management, clear judgment, and decades of Himalayan experience. Our teams carry multiple communication devices, comprehensive medical kits, and high-quality equipment to ensure a controlled and well-managed environment throughout your time in the Khumbu.

At CTSS, your safety and experience are shaped by one of the most accomplished leadership teams in the industry. All of our Himalayan programs are overseen by CTSS owner Mike Hamill, one of the world’s most respected high-altitude mountaineers and expedition leaders. With more than two decades of guiding experience, six Everest summits, and a 91% global expedition success rate, Mike sets the strategic standards, safety protocols, and program design that define our approach in the Khumbu.

Your Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay will be led by a seasoned, expert CTSS guide with extensive experience in Nepal and a proven track record at altitude. Paired with our world-class Sherpa team, your leadership ensures a thoughtful acclimatization schedule, strong logistical support, and a safe, well-managed experience from Lukla to Base Camp. Our philosophy is conservative and deliberate, built entirely around giving trekkers the best possible chance to feel well, adapt smoothly, and enjoy every step of this iconic journey.

We take a conservative, well-designed acclimatization progression to support your health and comfort at altitude. Many operators rush clients up the Khumbu Valley to cut costs or shorten schedules, often resulting in ill trekkers and poor outcomes. Our strategy is slow, deliberate, and built around your success: more time to adapt, more time to explore, and more time to enjoy the cultural richness of the Khumbu. With CTSS, you benefit from world-class leadership, meticulous planning, and an approach that prioritizes safety, preparedness, and the quality of your overall experience.

Decision-making at altitude is critical, and our guides are among the most experienced and trusted professionals in the Khumbu. They bring deep regional knowledge, strong judgment, and a calm, measured approach to every stage of the trek. All of our Himalayan programs follow a conservative acclimatization schedule designed to reduce altitude-related risks and give trekkers the best possible chance to feel strong, healthy, and successful throughout their journey.

Our guide team is highly qualified and includes some of the most highly experienced climbers in the world. Chosen for their attention to detail, safety records, and with their fun, genuine, and caring personalities, we have no hesitation in saying they are the best. Mike Hamill, CTSS Founder and Owner, holds the CTSS staff to the same high standards he holds himself to.

Who you choose for you expedition organization and leadership is a big deal; it can be the difference between a great trek and a miserable, potentially dangerous one, and you only want the best in your corner. The fact that Mike and his guides have an unprecedented safety record should be a paramount consideration in who you choose to climb with.

Our Sherpa team is the best of the best and is led by our Sirdar, Tendi Sherpa. Tendi is one of the most respected members of the Everest and Lhotse community and has completed a dozen Everest summits on both the south and north sides of the mountain, in addition to numerous other summits worldwide. Tendi is an internationally certified guide, co-owns a logistics company based in Kathmandu, and is the best in the business.

He holds his team of Sherpa to the same high standard he holds himself to and hand-picks only the strongest, most skilled, and most trusted Sherpa friends. Some of our Sherpa team are fully IFMGA-certified, and all are incredibly strong and proficient climbers. Tendi and his team will work incredibly hard to make your trek a success and become friends for life. Tendi and the Sherpa team undergo extensive technical and customer service training before each expedition to ensure their skills are sharp. Our Sherpa team is paid more than any other Sherpa team on the mountain because we believe in them and want them to feel valued and well cared for. This will ensure they do their best work for you. You will quickly notice our Sherpa team has many character traits, including hard work, humility, friendliness, gregariousness, and, not to mention, strength.

We are proud to be a holistic mountaineering guiding service committed to keeping you a happy climber. We work with trekkers and mountaineers throughout their lifelong adventures, getting to know each individual as they progress. This means we are deeply invested not only in your safety and success but also in your goals, your learning, your journey, and your satisfaction. An Everest Base Camp-only trek operator only needs your business once, whether you make it to Base Camp or not, get altitude sick or not. Our goal is for you to trek with us and stick with us, expedition after expedition.

Our team looks forward to helping you create a path that makes your big mountain dreams come true. You won’t get a generalized plan for your journey from our team. You get a custom-tailored plan designed for you, your budget, and your timeline. We are always ready to answer your questions and provide personalized support, rather than becoming just another faceless online booking platform.

Does an operator have strong values?

This is sometimes a little harder to identify, as it’s more of a feeling than a sales pitch, but you should get a sense of a company through their interactions, care factor, attention to detail, corporate social responsibility, and responses to you.

High-altitude trekking can be high-risk and stressful, so choose an operator with strong core values and a team mentality that aligns with yours. When things get challenging, you can rely on open lines of communication and know they will do what they can to support you.

It is this team cohesiveness that flows through to each individual trekker and helps them reach their goals.