
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!
Pros:
- High degree of autonomy and independence
- Highly affordable
- Recognises past skillset and qualifications as a mountaineer
- Gives access to CTSS logistics but maintains independence as a climber
Cons:
- Personal Sherpa assistance only above Camp 2 on the summit bid
- No Professional Guidance and therefore higher risk
- Less comradery as climbing mostly alone
- Lack of Everest specific knowledge (unless you have climbed high on Everest previously)
- Possible language/cultural barriers
- Personal Sherpa have less qualification than IFMGA, Western Guide or Private Guides
- No refresher training
The Sherpa Supported Climb is designed for the highly experienced mountaineer. These are climbers who are qualified to, and prefer, climbing autonomously but are looking for logistical support and expedition oversight.
This option will see you climbing fully independently until the summit rotation when you will be partnered with a personal Sherpa above Camp 2.
Throughout the expedition, you will have full access to CTSS logistics, the support of our Everest Expedition Leader in advising you, support from our Sherpa team throughout the expedition to assist you with your load carries.
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, where we obtain our climbing permits before flying to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley to trek to Everest base camp. Our climb ends in Kathmandu. We suggest you book 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 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
- Apr 19 Rest
- Apr 20 Train/acclimatise
- Apr 21 Rest/Pack for first rotation
- Apr 22 Climb to C1
- Apr 23 Climb towards C2 rturn to C1
- Apr 24 Descend to base camp
- Apr 25 Rest
- Apr 26 Hike to Pumori
- Apr 27 Rest
- Apr 28 Climb to C1
- Apr 29 Climb to C2
- Apr 30 Climb above C2
- May 1 Climb to C3 and descend to C2
- May 2 Descend to base camp
- May 3 Rest
- May 4 Rest
- May 5 Rest
- May 6 Rest
- May 7 To C1
- May 8 To C2
- May 9 To C3
- May 10 To C4
- May 11 Summit and descend to C2
- May 12 Descend to base camp
- May 13 Rest
- May 14 Pack up base camp
- May 15 Trek to Pheriche
- May 16 Trek to Namche
- May 17 Trek to Lukla
- May 18 Fly to KTM
- May 19 Fly Home
- May 20 Contingency
- May 21 Contingency
- May 22 Contingency
- May 23 Contingency
- May 24 Contingency
- May 25 Contingency
- May 26 Contingency
- May 27 Contingency
- May 28 Contingency
- May 29 Contingency
- May 30 Contingency
- Leadership, strategy, climbing oversight by Everest Expedition Leader including full support for a summit attempt
- A personal climbing Sherpa above Camp 2 on the summit bid
- Climbing Sherpa to assist with carrying personal gear
- Full expedition logistics, weather forecasts, etc
- Everest climbing permit
- Domestic flights to and from Lukla
- In country transport associated with the program itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation in Nepal including hotels and teahouses
- Welcome dinner & meals throughout the expedition
- Oxygen system and oxygen
- Lobuche East peak training and acclimatization climb
- CTSS Base Camp setup and tent accommodation
- Access to medical and communications gear
- High mountain camps (Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3, Camp 4)
- On mountain meals
- 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.
What a difference a year makes for weather and pandemics! But the one thing that stayed consistent and true is Climbing The Seven Summits (CTSS). I returned this year for another shot at Everest (last year we were unable to go for summit bid due to covid infecting most of the climbing sherpa support on the mountain) and there is no other company I would choose other than CTSS. The caliber of guide, the attention to fine details, the accommodations, the CHEF and upper mountain cooks, the level of safety and backups plans prepared, the pre/post trip care, and on and on… ranks far above any company I’ve climbed with over my career. The camp is clean, stunning and always in a prime spot. Brining on an international chef this year made a huge difference to me, who has food allergies to work around! My Executive dome tent was SOOOOO worth it and allowed me more space for gear, warmth and rest! And my FAVORITE tiny comfort… the CTSS espresso machine and an actual barista serving it up!! It also means something when world renowned guides remain with CTSS year after year. High retention rates shows you a company is doing something right by their employees. That’s important to me. So, this “mountaineering company” becomes more than just getting you to the top of a hill and back down, it becomes life long friendships and a family. Last year, making it to camp 3 before the trip needed was also such an amazing benefit. I went into this year knowing what to expect, way more relaxed (which helps you sleep) and fully prepared (with the help of the CTSS thorough gear list and trip prep). Thanks to my AMAZING guide, climbing sherpa and CTSS, I was able to summit on May 12 this year. It was a long time coming for this climbing family and what a sweet celebration we all had! I will finish my 7th summit this fall WITH CTSS!! And then we’ll see what other fun we can get ourselves into! So many places to explore! And I know the quality and experience I will receive staying with CTSS!
Incredible experience all the way, from trek in, Basecamp, to summit and back. We were well-supported at every point. The crew was well-trained, and guides were very experienced. The lead guides worked well with Mike as a team, and placed climbers’ interest and safety first. Very well-executed. 👍

CTSS and their logistics partner TAG Nepal put on an amazing expedition, all the way from the insulated basecamp tents to the calibre of the climbing Sherpas to the high end oxygen systems. Basecamp was extremely comfortable with padded dining chairs, carpet, and heating, thick mattresses in the personal tents, and then there was the huge chillout tent known as the Big House. For those with extra Dollars an upgrade to exec level tents was possible bringing the comfort level up another notch. Intermediate camp 2 facilities also provided that little bit of comfort, with an insulated dining tent, decent food and a great placement high up in the Western Cwm. The higher camps were as expected, the Sherpas making sure that we wanted for nothing. Accurate weather forecasting ensured we eventually made the summit and as usual the highly qualified Sherpa team were faultless throughout. In my case, requiring a helicopter evac, the guiding team did everything necessary to get me off the mountain and on to Kathmandu for treatment. Wouldn't hesitate to climb with Mike Hamill and CTSS in the future.
- $47,995
- April, May 50 - 65 Days
- Mountaineering
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