The Himalayas: Expeditions for Every Kind of Adventurer
When people think of Himalayan climbing, they often picture the towering heights of Mount Everest, but the Himalayas offer a world of opportunities, from base camp treks and approachable intermediate peaks to the otherworldly giants like Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and Lhotse that can build your confidence, community, and climbing skills throughout your mountaineering journey. Whether you’re aiming to one day stand atop Everest or simply want to experience the beauty and culture of Nepal, there’s a perfect CTSS adventure for you in the Himalayas.
Get to Know the Himalayas through Treks and Advanced-Beginner Expeditions
If you’re new to the world of Himalayan climbing, a trek is a perfect way to dip your toes in without the full commitment of an expedition. Our Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay is not just a legendary adventure; it also offers incredible exposure to the high-altitude environment with unique opportunities to witness Himalayan climbing at its finest as you trek alongside our summit teams. Along the way, you’ll experience the breathtaking beauty of the Khumbu Valley, learn about Sherpa culture, and get a feel for high-altitude life. And don’t forget that we also offer our Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay in our famous, for which we’ve pulled out all the stops to ensure you can experience a dash of refinement in extremely remote places.
If you want to learn more about our Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay, join us in December for our live webinar with CTSS co-owner Caroline Pemberton. Click here to register.
For those eyeing bigger mountains down the line, maximize your time in Nepal with an advanced beginner summit climb like Lobuche East (6,119m). Our Lobuche climbers still have the opportunity to trek to and stay at Everest Base Camp while also honing your basic mountaineering skills like crampon use, ice axe techniques, and glacier navigation. The climbing consists of moderately steep snow and rock fixed line climbing, making it best for those with basic mountaineer skills and looking to attempt their first Himalayan climb. Once you reach the summit, you’ll know this is the first of many rewarding experiences in the Himalayas.
For an introduction to mountaineering skills that will jump-start your climbing career, check out our Alpine Academy programs.
Step Up Your Skills on an Intermediate Peak
For climbers ready to advance, intermediate Himalayan peaks offer the perfect balance of adventure and skill-building. Our signature 3 Peaks expedition (Lobuche, Pokalde, and Island Peak) builds upon the standalone Lobuche itinerary to provide the challenge of steeper terrain, basic rope skills, and exposure to changing weather conditions. These climbs are designed to help you develop your comfort with altitude and technical skills—perfect for those with some climbing experience who want to deepen their connection with the Himalayas.
For those looking for a standalone objective, our First Ascent program is designed for adventure seekers hoping to climb a peak that no one has ever summited before, putting yourself well and truly in the history books. Here, you can solidify your mountaineering skills—such as dealing with altitude, building up stamina for extended expeditions, and refining your technical capabilities. In addition, you will be able to truly experience Nepal’s rugged terrain as these trips are typically more remote and do not utilize the more established infrastructure that you find along the Everest Base Camp Trek.
We can help you choose an intermediate climb that suits your abilities, strengths, and goals.
Tackle an Advanced Peak by Climbing a Himalayan Giant
These peaks offer the ultimate Himalayan experience, blending high-altitude conditions with technical sections that push your skills and endurance. Some of the top choices for advanced Himalayan climbs include Manaslu (8,163m), Ama Dablam (6,812m)—though under 8,000m, often regarded as one of the most technically demanding climbs in the region—Cho Oyu (8,188m), and Lhotse (8,516m).
If you’re looking for a dress rehearsal for a bigger objective, like Everest, summiting an 8,000m peak like Manaslu, Cho Oyu, or Lhotse will be a rewarding experience that will prepare you before you commit to spending the amount of time and money required for Everest. You’ll be climbing in the same style, dealing with similar conditions, and pushing your body to the limits—all essential skills for Everest. Don’t miss an opportunity to test yourself beforehand so you have confidence and experience for the monumental task ahead. And remember, the Nepalese government requires all climbers to have at least one climb above 7,000 meters under their belt before they can attempt an Everest summit!
However, for many climbers, a peak like Ama Dablam or Manaslu is their ultimate goal and an incredible objective in its own right. Whatever you’re aiming towards, there is no doubt that we will have an advanced climb that will help you progress or celebrate your successes in the Himalayas.
The Roof of the World: Mount Everest
At the top of many climbers’ bucket lists is the world’s highest peak, Everest (8,848m). We are proud to be the gold standard in Everest expeditions because of our safety and success rate, expert leadership, Marginal Gains Philosophy, overall value, and unique customization options. As mountaineers ourselves, we know that not every climber is the same, which is why we do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. We believe an expedition should match your experience, climbing style, and budget.
Here is an overview of the customizations we offer on Everest:
- Western Guide: Private 1:1 Climb – Personal guidance and attention, the ultimate experience.
- Western Guide: Team Climb – Connection and community with team starting in Kathmandu.
- IFMGA Sherpa Guide: Private 1:1 Climb – Best value for a private climb with independence.
- IFMGA Sherpa Guide: Team Climb – Connection and community with team, great value
- Sherpa Guide: 1:1 Private Climb – Experts who are looking for the best value and a private guide.
- Sherpa Supported: 1:1 Summit Support – Experts who only need support on summit day.
You can dive into what climb is best for you with our easy-to-use flow chart, which can help identify what expedition is the best fit for you.
Perhaps you want to experience Everest beyond base camp but aren’t quite ready to make a summit bid. Partial Everest climbs to Camp 2 and Camp 3 offer unparalleled access to the realities of climbing Everest. A climb to Camp 2 is an excellent progression step in your climbing career, and the thrill of climbing in the renowned Khumbu Icefall and through the breathtaking Western CWM will stay with you for life. Our Camp 3 climbers are offered the opportunity to use oxygen while climbing on the Lhotse Face to become familiar with the systems and gain that invaluable skill set for the future.
Tiger of the Snows Fund
At Climbing the Seven Summits, Himalayan climbing isn’t just about summiting peaks,it’s about connecting deeply with the culture, the people, and the stunning landscapes of Nepal. While we explore these sacred mountains, we are also committed to giving back to the local communities that make these experiences possible. Through the Tiger of the Snows Fund, we aim to empower the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes of the outdoor tourism industry—guides, porters, and their families—by providing access to education and essential resources.
Recently, we provided a grant to support Mrs. Yangdi Sherpa, a mother of three daughters who has faced significant hardship after losing her husband, Nima Tenji Sherpa, in 2021 while he was working on Everest with another operator. This grant enables her daughters to continue their education near their home in Lukla, a critical piece of support as Mrs. Yangdi works to provide for her family on her own. This is just one example of how our grants help promote community development and opportunities for local families facing adversity.
Whether it’s through sponsoring a worker’s continuing education or supporting a child’s school tuition, we believe that helping local communities thrive is as important as any summit. Together, we can foster a more sustainable and equitable future for Nepal, where the benefits of tourism are shared by all.
