EVEREST | Nepal
Price Range:
Starts at US$54,995
Elevation:
29,035 ft / 8850 m
Duration:
30-69 Days
Difficulty:
Advanced
Route:
South Side
Share Expedition
The crown jewel of any climbing career, Everest is a transformative peak that is guaranteed to not just challenge you, but to change you.
Highlights:
- Discover what you are truly capable of
- Stand on the highest point of our planet
- Be humbled climbing amongst the giants of the Himalaya
- Enjoy lifelong friendships with your Sherpa and fellow climbers alike
- Climb through the famous and rugged Khumbu icefall
- See the sunrise over the Himalaya from the highest point on earth!
CTSS is proud to be the gold standard in Everest expeditions.
Choosing the Right Option
Choosing the right service level is a decision based on your experience, desire for more supervision/personal attention or autonomy and that meets your budget can be tricky.
Essentially the greater level of experience you have, the more autonomy you can enjoy at a lower price point.
As the level of Guidance increases, naturally so does the cost.
Here’s a good way to start:
Everest Options
Allowing you to customize your expedition to suit your needs is a huge priority for us.
As mountaineers ourselves we understand that it’s the little things that can make the difference. Comfortable, well rested climbers are successful climbers.
Whilst people often dismiss these Add On’s as indulgent luxuries, for many it’s Therefore we encourage you to tailor your expedition and talk to us about any other options you may wish for.
Everest Amenities
- State of the art lightweight oxygen systems
- The best weather forecasts money can buy
- 5 star accommodation in Kathmandu
- Trek accommodations at some of the finest teahouses in the Khumbu
- The leading Everest Base Camp set up with dedicated 'Hotel Manager' at Base Camp to ensure camp is maintained
- Team jackets & hats
- Unlimited 3rd party wifi available for purchase
- State of the art communications tent and facilities
Everest Big House - The Heart of Camp
- A 10m insulated, powered geodesic dome
- Cafe with barista and espresso machine and unlimited cappuccinos
- Heaters
- Viewing windows overlooking the icefall,
- Raised, carpeted and even flooring, further insulating from the glacier
- Mud room entryway with shoe storage
- Relaxation zone with couches, beanbags
- Yoga and stretching area
- Tables and chairs for working
- Training seminar venue (oxygen clinics etc)
- Charging stations for your devices
- State of the art projector for movies
- Book swap library
- Ping-pong table
Everest Executive Domes
- Personal, powered, 4m geodesic domes
- Insulated throughout
- Personal heater & humidifier
- Personal US style power outlet for charging and power board
- Overhead lighting
- Queen sized bed with linen, pillows and comforter
- Table & chairs for a work station
- Raised and carpeted flooring
- Viewing window with curtains
- Covered foyer/entryway with shoe rack & private gear storage
- Morning ’to your tent’ beverage service
Everest Associate House Tents
- 2 room insulated house tent (vestibule entrance foyer for gear storage & bedroom)
- Single bed with linen, pillow and comforter
- Overhead lighting
- Raised and carpeted flooring
- Table & chair for work station
- Power outlet for charging
- Shoerack
- Morning ’to your tent’ beverage service
Standard Member Tents
- Individual custom-built 4 season tents with extra height and space
- Insulation layer with insulated flooring to avoid damp and cold of glacier
- 6 inch memory foam mattress with pillow
Dining - The Best Food on Everest!
- A team of chefs, cook staff & wait staff at Base Camp & Camp 2
- Fresh meat, eggs, dairy, fruit & vegetables helicoptered in weekly
- Full catering kitchen with gas stovetops & ovens
- Custom double walled, heated, insulated & carpeted dining tents with power
- Wide dining tables, padded & upholstered chairs with arm rests
- Warm water hand wash, hygiene stations with mirrors
- A wide array of healthy and nutritious high altitude food for the upper mountain
- A wide array of imported snacks & comfort food
Power in Camp
- State of the art solar array and battery bank for sustainable power in camp
- Generators for back up power
- Full time electrician
- Charging stations in the Big House & Dining tents
- Personal power outlets in Everest Associate & Executive Domes
Bathrooms
- 2x room hot shower tents; a dry room to get changed and a wet room with overhead shower-head and mirrors
- Multiple 2x-Room WC tents with Western Style sit down toilets & hygienic wash stations with mirror.
- Hand wash stations throughout camp
- Laundry service available for purchase
- Toilet tent at Camp 2
Upper Mountain Camps
- 4x full time cooks at Camp 2 and dedicated kitchen tent (while most other climbers eat dehydrated meals)
- Camp 2 Dining tent with table and chairs, plates, mugs, cutlery and condiments at Camp 2 (most other climbers eat on their laps in their sleeping tents)
- Camp 2 toilet tent and waste management
- Dedicated Camp 1 kitchen tent
Lobuche Camp
- 8m insulated, geodesic dome for dining/hang out
- Full time cook & dining facilities (tables and chairs)
- Toilet tent
- High Camp cook & kitchen tent
- Member tents at both Base Camp and High Camp to avoid packing down/re-pitching
- Porter service to High Camp
How early should I commit to my climb?
We feel that the sooner you commit the better as it gives you more time to prepare mentally and physically for the climb. Climbing Everest is a huge undertaking and something that you will want to work up to consistently. I have found that people are generally more successful when they commit earlier as it gives them longer to shake out any problems that may arise, arrange their home and work life to be away for a number of months, and build their fitness endurance and strength up over time and thereby avoid injury etc.
What’s the best climb to prepare for Everest?
Hands down I think that Manaslu is the best, most specific Everest prep. You get an understanding of how your body does at altitudes over 8000m and get familiar with the oxygen system and climbing with the Sherpa.
Will I need to purchase insurance?
Yes, trip insurance is required for this program and it needs to cover the entire cost of the trip and include trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, repatriation, and evacuation for the entire length of the expedition.
Unforeseen hiccups both before and during the expedition can be very expensive. For instance you may accidentally have a fall the week before you are due to leave, a family emergency might crop up half way through your trip or unsafe climbing conditions beyond anyone’s control may put a hard, premature end to the season in the name of your safety. In such circumstances we want you and your investment to be protected. It’s important to know that we pay for your expedition expenses well in advance so these costs are already sunk and irrecoverable whether things get shut down day 1 or day 60. Of course every effort is taken to account for every eventually in advance wherever possible.
Please forward a copy of your insurance for our records so that we can help you in the event of an emergency or hiccup during the expedition as most insurers require us to contact them immediately.
Trekkers are required to have the same coverage.
For more information on trip insurance please visit the “Trip Insurance” page
Why do you choose to climb from the south side?
I prefer the South side of Everest for a number of reasons. While people think avoiding the icefall means a safer climb, I beg to differ. The South side has a lot more infrastructure which means there are more assurances including helicopter access, the HRA (Himalayan Rescue Association) medical clinic manned with speciality trained doctors 24/7 at base camp. If something goes wrong, we have much higher chances of evacuating you and getting you to a hospital in Kathmandu within hours, whereas if something were to go wrong on the North Side, it could take days for a rescue and evacuation to be completed and to get you to the nearest hospital. The North side is also a more hostile environment being windier, drier and dustier. Further, the border to Tibet has often been closed to climbers on very short notice over the last 10 years.
What program upgrades are available?
The main add-ons for the Everest programs are extra oxygen, the Everest Executive & Associate Options, Helicopter drop backs, single rooms upgrades and/or deluxe rooms in the trekking lodges. If you are climbing Everest you may choose to add on an ascent of Lhotse. Please discuss these add-ons with us and we can help you decide if they are right for you.
It’s a long time away from home – can my family and friends join me?
Yes, your family and friends are more than welcome to join us on the trek in to base camp and even climb Lobuche peak if they like. (Our standard treks stay a 2 nights in Base Camp before departing but we have had people stay longer and this can be arranged by chatting to us directly) Please let us know immediately if you have people who want to join us so that we can make arrangements for them. Space in hotels in Kathmandu and in the teahouses is limited during climbing season so we need to know final numbers asap!
What’s the deal with extra oxygen?
We give you plenty of oxygen to run a comfortable oxygen flow (3L/min or so) throughout the climb. As standard we give you 10 bottles (7 for your and 3 for your Sherpa). If you would like extra oxygen we encourage your decision and are happy to arrange an additional 3 bottles. With the extra Os you can run high flow (4 – 5L/min) throughout summit day, start oxygen at Camp 2, and have a bit extra in case of delays at the South Col etc. Extra oxygen can help keep you warmer and moving faster so it’s a great safety margin. You certainly don’t need the extra oxygen but I’ve always seen it as a good on-mountain insurance policy as such.
Will we be taught how to use the oxygen systems?
Top quality, reliable oxygen tanks, masks and regulators will be provided for you on your climb and we will go through their usage in depth at base camp so you can practice before your climb. We typically use oxygen from Camp 3 (roughly 24,500ft) to sleep & climb on to the summit. If you are interested in extra oxygen to use from C2 (roughly 23,000ft) on the summit bid and to run a higher flow rate on summit day please let us know in advance and we can arrange this.
What’s the acclimatization process?
Our entire expedition including the trip to base camp is slow in order to allow our bodies ample time to acclimate. In the Khumbu, we gaining altitude quickly and this slow process will allow us to acclimate properly and avoid altitude sickness. That means there is plenty of down time while your body adjusts. Please bring a few books or movies on your devices and be patient. This is a slow process but it will give you a much better chance at success on the climb and trek. Make sure to communicate with your guides directly if you are experiencing any altitude issues.
How much cash should I bring?
It is better to have more money than you need than not enough, while most things are covered on the trip once you land in Kathmandu (check what’s included/what’s not included list for details) you will still need cash. The cash that you need to bring includes money for visas ($100 for 1 single entry 90 day), Sherpa tip pool ($600 for climbers and $300 for trekkers), money for staff tips (customary but optional) $200 for potential consultation and treatment by the doctors at base camp, $500 to cover expenses for a potential early departure (not often, but sometimes this occurs) and $1,500 – $5,000 if you think you’ll want a helicopter ride out, $300 for miscellaneous expenses like non-group meals, shopping, drinks around Kathmandu and while on the trip to base camp if you want wifi, sodas, specialty coffees, bottled water, charging of devices or snacks (meals are covered), Generally we recommend bringing $2,000 – $3,000 USD plus a credit card to cover all potential expenses including an early departure but it is unlikely that you will need all of this. Small denominations (1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s) are better and although American dollars are accepted, you can change money into Nepali rupees at change houses when you arrive. Rates are generally about the same and I’ve never encountered one that isn’t legitimate. Also, there are now quite a few ATM’s around town where you can use your card to take out local cash at a good rate. It is much more difficult to change money, especially large sums, once in the Khumbu Valley. Please let your credit card company know you will be traveling so you can use your card (and not set off the fraud alert due to using the card in a foreign country)
How much gear can I bring?
We pay for yak + porter transport for two 50lb duffels (1x trekking duffel which will travel with you and 1x climbing duffel which will go straight to base camp) this should be more than enough weight. If you want toto bring more than this with you, you will be expected to pay for the excess weight. This amount will include excess on the flight to Lukla and then be roughly $300/duffel each way to base camp beyond the two duffel allotments. Transport is getting more expensive every year so please leave the kitchen sink at home! (we already have those at base camp) Just bring what you need to be comfortable but not more than that.
What immunizations do I need?
Make sure your immunizations are up to date. Consult your doctor, local travel clinic, or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for updated information on immunizations for Nepal and China. Recommended immunizations include diphtheria-tetanus (DPT), polio, mumps-measles-rubella (MMR), meningitis, hepatitis A and B, cholera and typhoid, and rabies. Malaria shouldn’t be a problem in Kathmandu or on the climb. If you plan to travel to lower-elevation areas in Nepal before or after the climb, you should consider malaria chemoprophylaxis.
How should I pack?
For the trip to base camp climbers will need to pack in two separate duffels: a base camp duffel and a trekking duffel. Climber’s base camp duffel will not be accessible while on the trek to Lobuche en route to base camp and should contain all of your climbing gear (crampons, axes, down suit etc) and items you won’t need until Lobuche. Your trekking duffel will contain everything you will need for the trip to base camp including your trekking gear, rain gear, street clothes, and a light sleeping bag. Trekkers will have everything with them in one duffel. Please keep everything you will need with you such as medications and medical supplies. What will go in your trekking and base camp duffels will be covered in more detail in Kathmandu. Pack an additional small lightweight duffel in your luggage to leave street, travel clothes and things you won’t need on the expedition at the hotel in Kathmandu
What is the food like on the climb?
At Base Camp CTSS has the best chefs and food, hands down. Our teams are consistently blown away by the quality of food and hygiene at base camp considering where we are in the world. Our head chef trains at 5 star restaurants during the off season. Think lemon crepes, cheese omelettes, chicken cordon bleu, pizza, fresh fruit almost daily, fresh salads, steaks, apple pie, fresh croissants and cinnamon rolls, and moist chocolate cake. We get shipments of fresh meat, fruit, vegetable, and other supplies weekly. Dave Hahn, non-Sherpa Everest summit record holder with 15 summits said about our head chef Kumar, “A real pro. Kumar is the reason I kept climbing in the Himalayas as long as I did.”
I have dietary requirements, can you cater for those?
Yes, our chefs are amazing on Everest and are well versed in catering for a wide variety of dietary requirements and allergies. Please feel free to chat to us about your needs.
Why do I need to bring my own snacks?
We do a big Costco run for group snack and meal food for the mountain and will have lots of good stuff but we want to make sure everyone has the food that they need. Even people who aren’t usually picky about food can get really particular about what they can digest on Everest due to the extreme altitude and getting lots of calories is hugely important. Gu packs, shot blocks, nuts, Snickers bars, cheese, etc… whatever it is that you know you can eat when you don’t want to eat anything is best. Getting speciality and familiar food can be difficult in Nepal so it’s best you bring what you love from home. Also, bring a good supply of cough drops or hard candy as you might like them in the dry air. We’ll have some for the team but people seem to go through them really quickly.
How safe is the food and water?
As in Kathmandu, once on the trail in to base camp it is highly recommended that you stick to treated rather than tap water. Properly boiled water is available in all the teahouses and bottled water is readily available in stores en route but to reduce the amount of trash and pollution in the valley we encourage you buying boiled or UV treated water from teahouses. You can also bring your own water treatment solution. We will provide some teas and coffees at meal times but if you want sodas, bottled waters, specialty coffees, or drinks outside of meal times we ask that you purchase them yourself. Nepal isn’t known for its cuisine. The food on the trek to base camp can become a bit monotonous but it’s energy dense and fufilling. Asian inspired, there is a lot of fried rice, rice based meals, soups, omlettes etc. Stick to meals where the food is obviously local and sourced from the valley. We stay in reputable teahouses who have a good understanding of food hygiene so our climbers and trekkers rarely get sick. It’s ok and somewhat expected to get a slightly upset tummy as you’ll be eating food that is different to what you are used to. At Base Camp, we have our own chefs who are incredible and take every precaution, in a full catering kitchen. They also cook Western foods, have fresh food including fruit, vegetables and meat resupplied regularly and serve a good variety. CTSS is known to have the best food on the mountain and given where in the world we are, that’s a remarkable feat.
What’s the accommodation at Base Camp like?
We use North Face VE-25 tents. They’re large, spacious (the same size as a 3 man tent) and extremely high quality. Inside you will have a thick, comfortable 15cm sleeping mattress and a pillow. This is placed on top of a ground cloth to keep out the wet and cold. We do offer a heated double roomed tent under our Everest executive program. To avoid you overcrowding your tent, there is a separate gear tent where you may store your climbing equipment.
Will I be sharing a tent?
No, for the majority of the climb you are not sharing a tent. We stay at the famous “Yak and Yeti” hotel in Kathmandu and in the finest teahouses while trekking to base camp. While at Everest base camp you will have your own tent to spread your gear out and call home. There will be times on the mountain where you will need to share a tent with another climber to reduce the number of dangerous loads the Sherpa need to carry through the treacherous Khumbu Ice fall. It’s also a lot warmer and safer when you can keep an eye on each other.
What about phones & wifi?
We understand it’s important to stay in touch with friends and family and on top of your inbox. There are a number of ways to do this;
We suggest picking up a local Ncell sim card in Kathmandu with a data package. Signal is reliable in Kathmandu & for most of the trek up the Khumbu valley it is strong enough to support both calls and data. Once you get to base camp cell service becomes unreliable, although it can sometimes pick up a low signal (not enough to support data). You can buy a local Ncell sim card in Kathmandu and there is a Ncell store close to our hotel that we are happy to show. Your phone will need to be unlocked and you will need your passport to get a sim card. You can get recharge cards almost anywhere. This is by far the most affordable way of staying connected and getting data in the Khumbu valley up until base camp. If you’d like to use your own sim card, talk to your provider about activating your international roaming and you should be able to tie into the local networks. At base camp, when the cell service runs out, you can connect to the wifi network and make calls on facetime, Whatsapp, FB, or Skype. It is available for individual purchase which means you only pay for what you use. Please note, this is operated by a third party and we have no control over whether it works or the expense. There are also internet cafes in the bigger towns along the route to base camp to get online and third-party wifi available for purchase in most of the teahouses. Please keep devices like laptops, smartphones and iPads waterproofed in your trekking packs so they don’t break in your duffels. You will be responsible for your own valuables. There will be a satellite phone with the team but we don’t expect to use it until above base camp. It can be made available to team members at $3/minute. If you plan on bringing your own satellite phone with you, you are required to register it with Nepal which costs thousands of dollars. Should you choose not to register it and use it anyway, you do so at your own risk.
How heavy will my pack be?
In general, climbing packs on Mt. Everest are relatively light. You will likely be carrying 15lbs – 30lbs (7kg – 12kg) most of the time while climbing and less on the trek into base camp. While climbing you should be prepared to carry your gear for the day and some of your personal gear for the mountain. Sherpa will carry all of the group gear and help with personal gear where possible.
How do I charge my devices?
Given the local expense of electricity, teahouses charge you to repower and recharge your electronic devices en route to base camp. This tends to get more expensive up the valley and a portable battery pack is a good idea. You will need to bring an adapter. This cost is your own expense. Once at Base Camp we will have power and power cords that fit North American plugs. Charging is dependent upon the sun or fuel for the generator so it won’t be available all the time but we will try to make it available enough to meet your need.
I’d like my own room in hotels & teahouses…
All hotels and teahouses are double or triple occupancy but once we get to base camp you will have your own tent to spread out in. If you want single rooms en route to base camp, we can arrange this at an additional cost. Sometimes teahouses are full during the climbing season and may not have room to accommodate single rooms so please let us know as early as possible for the best chance of us securing a private room. Again this is adventure travel and we ask you to roll with the punches if they are not available.
Do I need a visa? How do I navigate Kathmandu airport arrivals?
Often just getting to Nepal can be the hardest part. Once you’re on the ground it’s time to relax. Upon exiting the plane walk to the left of the customs area and have your passport, photo, money, and visa form handy. You must pay for your visa first at the desk straight ahead and to the left before getting in the “Visa Upon Entry” line (far left of the large room). Purchase the a 90 day for Everest and Lhotse climbers or the 30 day visa for trekkers and Lobuche climbers single entry Nepali visa.
http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/visa-on-arrival
In the Khumbu, what’s not included?
We cover almost everything in the cost of the trip once we fly into the Khumbu valley so there shouldn’t be too many other expenses that you need to worry about. The biggest expense is tips. The Sherpa tip pool is $600 and I will collect that at the beginning on the climb to disperse amongst the entire team at the end of the climb including cook staff and dining staff. People sometimes tip their individual summit Sherpa a bit more than this and it seems like people have been tipping their guide about 1k-2k on the Western Guided option. The other personal expenses people accrue are wifi (through third party operators) additional personal snacks, drinking, charging of devices & toilet paper. We suggest you bring a portable charger and pack a few additional rolls of toilet paper for the trek in.
What if we can’t get into Lukla in time because of weather?
It’s good to remember that we are in the Himalaya and weather can be variable so it’s important to be patient. Generally, it’s no more than a day or two delay. If it looks like we’ll be unable to get in on the plane then we’ll look at hiring helicopters to get into a safe spot in the valley to stay on schedule.
What’s the deal with blog updates?
We know family and friends will want to follow your progress so we will be posting regular updates to the Climbing the Seven Summits blog here: http://climbingthesevensummits.com/blog/ We try to update it as often as possible but make sure your loved ones know that ‘no news is good news’. If a few days pass between updates it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong, simply that we are probably busy climbing.
Didn't find an answer to your question? Don't hesitate to ask us.
2018:
100%
Success Rate
2019:
100%
Success Rate
2020:
0%
Covid Cancelled
2021:
60%
Covid Impacted
2022:
100%
Success Rate
2023:
85%
Success Rate
2024:
90%
Success Rate
Don't take our word for it, hear it directly from our CTSS family
From my earliest interactions with CTSS, there was a difference. Not only an emphasis on safe and enjoyable climbing but also, critically, the social dynamics of the team, the nuances of individual needs and patient and complete answers to months of questions. My first attempt on Everest surpassed all expectations: smooth CTSS logistics ensured bags were never misplaced; An outstanding staff that provided spectacular meals; And remarkably comfortable facilities base camp. The entire CTSS team provided encouragement and support, generously sharing knowledge and experience on each acclimatization climb. Positive attitudes throughout turned a “climb” into a marvelous experience. Unsurprisingly, not everyone summits Everest first time. CTSS accommodated occasional setbacks with a flexible climbing schedule, tailoring each rotation to my progress. While I was unable to summit due to unexpected health issues, the world class expertise of my guide and CTSS safety practices ensured an exceptionally well managed evacuation and timely treatment with a full recovery. If you don’t make the summit, consider the sum of the parts: all those acclimatization climbs en-route to base camp, achieving your own elevation objectives, the extraordinary people you meet, engagement with Nepalese culture, the opportunity to strengthen climbing skills and experience, and climbing with some of the best guides in the World.2024 Everest Climber
“I had the pleasure of being guided by Tendi Sherpa, the most humble and respected individual on Mt. Everest. Tendi is famous in Nepal and widely regarded as one of the top three Sherpa. I have never met a more positive individual in my life, his laugh and smile are a permanent smile from Kathmandu airport to the roof of the world and back. During the 6 weeks we spent climbing together, he never once overlooked a clip, anchor or footstep. I can confidently say there is no safer way of climbing the tallest mountain in the world than by having Tendi by your side. With twelve Everest summits and perfect english, Tendi is like a Western guide on steroids. My favourite analogy was when I was told ‘Tendi could climb faster without oxygen and with me on his back, than I could running 6 litres per minute of oxygen” And it’s true! If you are going to take the time to climb Everest there’s no better way to stack the odds in your favour than climbing with Tendi Sherpa as your guide”Mat Wood – Dual Everest and Lhotse summiteer in under 24 hours
After doing research on the various Everest mountaineering guide companies, I could find no reason to use anyone other than Climbing The Seven Summits. Now that I’ve returned from a successful summit of Mt. Everest with CTSS, I would highly recommend them to any climber, for any summit in the world. CTSS provides an unparalleled level of guide expertise, and very experienced Sherpa support staff, as well as exceptional accommodations and sustenance. All of this, at very competitive pricing, with different levels of service available, depending on the climber’s experience. Mike Hamill has the highest level of integrity and mountaineering expertise, constantly adapting to the needs of the team members, as well as the changes on the mountain. CTSS has significantly raised the bar in the mountaineering world – and all the other companies know it.William B, (USA)
Tendi Sherpa – a truly amazing person and an inspirational leader… It is plain to see that the leaders of the other guiding companies hold him in the highest regard. As a client that gives you great confidence in your leader’s decision making. It was that decision making that made it such a successful trip. Thank you Tendi.Richard W
Kind, inspiring, courteous, strong and always smiling. There are truly no words I can write that do him justice. I look forward to more climbs with Tendi in the future.Peter W
CTSS is a class act! The team and facilities are world class. Every detail of the expedition was perfect. Mike’s decision making, Tendi’s guidance, the strength of our Sherpa team and the food Kumar was producing were second to none. You only had to see the look on the faces of team members from other operators…to know we had something special. I can’t wait to climb with CTSS again.Peter W
Free Expert Advice
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.
Need More Experience?
Consider these expeditions
After doing research on the various mountaineering guide companies, I could find no reason to use anyone other than Climbing The Seven Summits. Now that I’ve returned from a successful summit of Mt. Everest with CTSS, I would highly recommend them to any climber, for any summit in the world. CTSS has significantly raised the bar in the mountaineering world – and all the other companies know it.”
– William B, (USA)
Testimonials
Kind, inspiring, courteous, strong and always smiling. There are truly no words I can write that do him justice. I look forward to more climbs with Tendi in the future.Peter W
From my earliest interactions with CTSS, there was a difference. Not only an emphasis on safe and enjoyable climbing but also, critically, the social dynamics of the team, the nuances of individual needs and patient and complete answers to months of questions. My first attempt on Everest surpassed all expectations: smooth CTSS logistics ensured bags were never misplaced; An outstanding staff that provided spectacular meals; And remarkably comfortable facilities base camp. The entire CTSS team provided encouragement and support, generously sharing knowledge and experience on each acclimatization climb. Positive attitudes throughout turned a “climb” into a marvelous experience. Unsurprisingly, not everyone summits Everest first time. CTSS accommodated occasional setbacks with a flexible climbing schedule, tailoring each rotation to my progress. While I was unable to summit due to unexpected health issues, the world class expertise of my guide and CTSS safety practices ensured an exceptionally well managed evacuation and timely treatment with a full recovery. If you don’t make the summit, consider the sum of the parts: all those acclimatization climbs en-route to base camp, achieving your own elevation objectives, the extraordinary people you meet, engagement with Nepalese culture, the opportunity to strengthen climbing skills and experience, and climbing with some of the best guides in the World.2024 Everest Climber
“I had the pleasure of being guided by Tendi Sherpa, the most humble and respected individual on Mt. Everest. Tendi is famous in Nepal and widely regarded as one of the top three Sherpa. I have never met a more positive individual in my life, his laugh and smile are a permanent smile from Kathmandu airport to the roof of the world and back. During the 6 weeks we spent climbing together, he never once overlooked a clip, anchor or footstep. I can confidently say there is no safer way of climbing the tallest mountain in the world than by having Tendi by your side. With twelve Everest summits and perfect english, Tendi is like a Western guide on steroids. My favourite analogy was when I was told ‘Tendi could climb faster without oxygen and with me on his back, than I could running 6 litres per minute of oxygen” And it’s true! If you are going to take the time to climb Everest there’s no better way to stack the odds in your favour than climbing with Tendi Sherpa as your guide”Mat Wood – Dual Everest and Lhotse summiteer in under 24 hours
After doing research on the various Everest mountaineering guide companies, I could find no reason to use anyone other than Climbing The Seven Summits. Now that I’ve returned from a successful summit of Mt. Everest with CTSS, I would highly recommend them to any climber, for any summit in the world. CTSS provides an unparalleled level of guide expertise, and very experienced Sherpa support staff, as well as exceptional accommodations and sustenance. All of this, at very competitive pricing, with different levels of service available, depending on the climber’s experience. Mike Hamill has the highest level of integrity and mountaineering expertise, constantly adapting to the needs of the team members, as well as the changes on the mountain. CTSS has significantly raised the bar in the mountaineering world – and all the other companies know it.William B, (USA)
Tendi Sherpa – a truly amazing person and an inspirational leader… It is plain to see that the leaders of the other guiding companies hold him in the highest regard. As a client that gives you great confidence in your leader’s decision making. It was that decision making that made it such a successful trip. Thank you Tendi.Richard W
CTSS is a class act! The team and facilities are world class. Every detail of the expedition was perfect. Mike’s decision making, Tendi’s guidance, the strength of our Sherpa team and the food Kumar was producing were second to none. You only had to see the look on the faces of team members from other operators…to know we had something special. I can’t wait to climb with CTSS again.Peter W