Kilimanjaro Roof of Africa Climb and Safari

Difficulty Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Climb Kilimanjaro with Mike Hamill, 6-time Everest Summiteer, 6-time Seven Summiteer, the non-Sherpa Cho Oyu summit record holder, and author of “Climbing the Seven Summits.”  Over 150 people have summited 8000m peaks under Mike’s direct guidance.

Kilimanjaro Expedition and Safari Highlights:
  • Finally stand on the “Roof of Africa” and check this classic experience off your bucket list
  • Safari... ’nuff said
  • Watch the sun set over Ngorogoro crater
  • Experience our porters sing their famous Kilimanjaro song in unison at the end of our expedition
  • Experience a piece of Africa

Mike, Thanks to you, an ordinary Joe (me) got a chance to do something special. I will never forget everything you did for me and for our team. I wish you all the best.  ‑Doug B.

Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most popular climbs and the most highly trafficked of the Seven Summits for a good reason. This climb and mountain are absolutely classic and are easily accessible to just about everyone willing to train for the experience and work hard on the climb. Kilimanjaro should be on everyone’s bucket list and so should a safari in the Serengeti- combine the two and you have a once in a lifetime experience that can’t be missed! A climb of Kilimanjaro and safari are a perfect excuse to see Africa. Our logistics and amenities are simply the finest in the business. It’s time you joined CTSS and climbed Kilimanjaro!

The tallest mountain on the continent of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro sits 200 miles (322 km) south of the equator in Tanzania, a country located approximately half way up the eastern seaboard of Africa. Kilimanjaro’s summit, an incongruous island of rock and snow, rises more than 17,000 feet (5100 m) out of the arid plains below, just a short distance south of the border with Kenya. Viewed through the hazy heat waves of the equatorial plains below, the anomalous glaciated terrain of the mountain seems almost surreal. The mountain lies in Kilimanjaro National Park, which encompasses 756 square miles (1957 sq km) of terrain above the 9000-foot (2700 m) contour line. The lands below this delineation are inhabited by local Chagga tribespeople. The park was established in 1973 and officially opened in 1977. Tanzanians are uniquely positive and hospitable and make great hosts for our climbs. Many of our porters on the climb are extremely hard working Chagga tribespeople residing on the flanks of Kilimanjaro itself. Using porters allows you to trek with just a day, saving energy for the summit to come. The Machame route affords us the best climbing and chance of success. This is because it circumnavigates a good portion of the mountain gradually allowing climbers ample time to acclimatize. These extra days spent at altitude allow our clients to feel stronger at altitude and mitigates that chance of altitude illness. This makes the climb safer, increases our success rate, and gives us more time on this beautiful peak. Traversing so much of the mountain also lets us see more of the unique terrain and ecological zones which makes for excellent photo opportunities. You will see when you’re on the mountain that there’s no better way to climb the peak then the Machame route.

On safari you will take in some of the most awe-inspiring vistas imaginable, straight out of a National Geographic episode. We offer the best game viewing experience- we take you into the heart of the Tarangire National Park during the peak game viewing part of the year where large game viewing is the strongest. We then spend a day in the famous Ngorogoro crater all the while staying in some of the finest game lodges Africa has to offer. We traverse the rugged landscape in converted Landcruisers in search of the “Big Five.” We may even get a chance to peak into the local Masai culture whilst stopping by one of their villages. In short, we do it all in an action packed three days. I don’t know anyone that has been on safari and not been absolutely blown away!

Climbing the Seven Summits is committed to providing the highest quality Kilimanjaro expedition.  You can be assured that it will be both challenging and fun, a true once in a lifetime. Rest assured that our professional priorities are first and foremost “Safety” and “Success” which we achieve by outfitting our teams with the best logistics and the most capable, qualified and seasoned guides in the world.

Mike is pleased to boast a 100% expedition success rate on Kilimanjaro of the expeditions he has led, all while maintaining an unparalleled safety record. Who you choose as the leader of your Kilimanjaro expedition will be one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Sound leadership is the difference between a great expedition and a miserable experience. Kilimanjaro is a potentially dangerous mountain and climbing at nearly 6,000 meters is very serious.

This expedition will be organized and led by Mike Hamill, Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits. Mike has personally guided nearly well over 100 high altitude expeditions, 10 Mt. Everest expeditions, 23 X 8,000m expeditions, has 6 Everest summits, currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu, and has written the guide book to “Climbing the Seven Summits,” making him one of the most experienced guide on the mountain. Climbing the Seven Summits expeditions are meticulously organized with the best logistics.

Mike has an impeccable safety record and an unmatched success rate due to his expertise and professionalism. We feel that our guides are an incredibly important to our success. CTSS employs only world-class leaders who are known for their focus on client care and experience. Our local guides are some of the strongest and most experienced high altitude climbers in the world and their great personalities will make them friends for life.

Kilimanjaro is a serious undertaking meant for climbers with prior experience at altitude and some climbing skills. The guides will work with clients throughout the expedition to provide logistics, guidance, and information to best ensure the clients summit success.

Welcome to “Climbing the Seven Summits”  Kilimanjaro Expedition!

Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa and one of the most sought after of the famed “Seven Summits.” Climbing such a mighty peak is no easy feat and you are to be applauded for setting such a lofty goal. We look forward to helping you achieve success on the “The Roof of Africa.”

As one of the premier high altitude guide services, CTSS is committed to your safety and success. We are not a huge “climbing factory” but a modestly sized, nimble guide service that can tailor our services to your individual needs.

In choosing us you are hiring among the finest guides and logistical support in the industry. Benefiting from many Kilimanjaro expeditions and drawing on decades of first hand guiding experience, we have worked hard to refine our logistics in order to offer you the highest chance of success at an exceptional value. In fact, I personally lead all of our Kilimanjaro expeditions and am pleased to say that I’ve had a 100% success rate on climbs under my direct leadership.

We look forward to sharing a great experience with you on Kilimanjaro. Please contact me directly regarding the expedition.

Best regards,
Mike Hamill
Owner and Lead Guide, Climbing the Seven Summits

About Mike Hamill

Expedition Options (Schedule and Prices)

At CTSS we offer a variety of different climb options to customize your Kilimanjaro experience to your climbing style and ability:

Kilimanajaro Team Guided Climb (Machame Route)
August 8 – August 19, 2018; $4,295

This expedition is our traditional guided team climb which ascends the stunning Machame route. Provided are guidance, leadership, and expedition oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, local guides, logistics, team gear, porters, food, and support for a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanajaro Team Guided Climb and 3 Day Serengeti Safari
August 8 – August 21, 2018; $5,995

This is our most popular option. This expedition is our traditional guided team climb which ascends the stunning Machame route. Provided are guidance, leadership, and expedition oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, local guides, logistics, team gear, porters, food, and support for a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro. Plus, you’ll spend three days in the Tarangire National Park and Ngorogoro crater taking in one of the best safari experiences in Africa while staying in some of the finest lodges available.

Kilimanjaro Private and Custom Climb
(Please contact us directly for dates and prices)

Having your own private guide climbing with you can be an indispensable advantage and allow you to customize your itinerary and program to fit your schedule. A personal guide will give you total autonomy and control over your trip, and they can coach you throughout the expedition, give you valuable feedback, be available if there are any medical issues and make your climbing experience more enjoyable overall.

Although summits are obviously never guaranteed, there is no better way to stack the odds in your favor than climbing with a private guide.

This expedition provides a Private guide, logistical oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, logistics, food, team gear, and support for a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro. This is our signature premiere expedition. Our private guided climb is for those who want to stack the odds in their favor as highly as possible with unparalleled safety and personal attention. Whether you’re a less experienced climber or have climbed at altitude many times before, our private climb with 1:1 Private Guide will give you the best chance at standing on top of Kilimanjaro.

Serengeti Safari
August 17 – September 2, 2018; $2,795

If you’re climbing Kilimanjaro and want to bring friends and family who don’t climb along for the safari experience of a lifetime then we offer our “safari only” option. This is a great way to celebrate your success on Kilimanjaro with those closest to you. They will meet us after the climb and head on safari with us to both Tarangire National Park and Ngorogoro crater.

Kilimanjaro Speed Ascent w/ Private Guide and Hypoxic Pre-acclimatization Chamber
(Please contact us directly for dates and prices)

CTSS offers select climbers our “Speed Ascent” option which employs state-of-the-art technology to allow you to summit in less time. We use a time-tested training program in conjunction with the use of a portable hypoxic altitude chamber to pre-acclimate your body to the rarefied air found at altitude. This option is perfect for those who want to minimize time away from home while still stacking the odds in their favor for summit success.

If you think this option may be right for you please contact us directly and we will work with you on a personalized plan to allow our “Speed Ascent” Program to maximize results for you.

Having your own private guide climbing with you can be an indispensable advantage and allow you to customize your itinerary and program to fit your schedule. A personal guide will give you total autonomy and control over your trip, and they can coach you throughout the expedition, give you valuable feedback, be available if there are any medical issues, and make your climbing experience more enjoyable overall.

Although summits are obviously never guaranteed, there is no better way to stack the odds in your favor than climbing with a private guide.

This expedition provides a Private guide at a 1:1 ratio, logistical oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, logistics, food, team gear, and support for a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro. Whether you’re a less experienced climber or have climbed at altitude many times before, our speed ascent private climb with 1:1 Private Guide will give you the best chance at standing on top of Kilimanjaro in less time than the normal expedition.

All prices are in US Dollars.

CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.

All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.

  • Kilimanjaro lies in northern Tanzania just south of the border with Kenya.
  • There are five distinct climatic zones on Kilimanjaro.
  • Kilimanjaro is the closest of the Seven Summits to the equator.
  • Scientists predict that all the glaciers on Kilimanjaro will be gone by 2030 to 2050.
  • The second-tallest mountain in Africa is mount Kenya at 17,057 feet (5199m).
  • Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano.

Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

Climbing Kilimanjaro requires solid fitness and an ability to perform well at altitude, but it is not beyond the abilities of many people who are willing to train for the climb and work hard on the trip. If you want to join this expedition but don’t have these skills, we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climb. Please let us know how we can help! We take immense pride in helping people to achieve their goals.

  • Best expedition at a great value: CTSS believes in providing our clients with the highest quality service in the industry at a great value. Climbing and trekking is our passion, and our goal is to share these unique places and experiences with you. We want you to feel good about your experience because we believe word-of-mouth is the best advertising, and that begins with satisfied customers. There is a difference between our expeditions and those of our competitors, especially local cut-rate options. In choosing us, you are hiring the finest guides and logistical support in the industry. Benefiting from many Kilimanjaro expeditions, well over 100 high altitude expeditions, and drawing on decades of first hand guiding experience, we have worked hard to refine our logistics in order to offer you the highest chance of success at an exceptional value.
  • We are a modestly sized guide service with highly personalized service: We maintain a moderate size so that we can tailor our Kilimanjaro experience to you. Not all climbers are the same, which is why Mike Hamill will work with you directly to make sure you choose only the programs that are right for you.
  • The best route: CTSS climbs Kilimanjaro by the beautiful Machame route. By using this route, we provide you with the highest chance of success and give you the best climbing experience available on the mountain. This is due to the more relaxed terrain and greater amount of time for acclimatization en route to the summit. This route allows you to see more of the mountain and shorten the walk out. We climb through a variety of different ecological zones and take in breathtaking vistas of the Breach Wall, the Barranco Wall, and the plains below. You will see when you’re on the mountain that there’s no better way to climb the peak than via the Machine route.
  • Safari: Not all safaris are created equal. We take you into the heart of the Tarangire National Park in search of the “Big 5” at the peak game viewing time of the year when elephants, wildebeests, and zebras congregate here. Opportunities for seeing lions, leopards, giraffes among other big game abound. We then head in to the famous Ngorogoro crater where cheetahs and rhinos are plentiful. We may even stop by a traditional Masai village all while staying at some of the finest lodges available.
  • Leadership: As expedition leader, Mike’s almost unparalleled experience base at high altitude can make the difference between success and failure. Let Mike guide you through the many nuances of climbing Kilimanjaro that will allow you to be successful. From start to finish, he will work with you to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to reach your goal of standing on top of Africa. Often being able to trouble shoot problems before they occur can make the difference, and this is where Mike’s vast experience becomes crucial. See Mike's success rate.
  • The Seven Summits specialist! Climbing the Seven Summits is THE Seven Summits specialist. We focus primarily on the mountains of the Seven Summits, and Kilimanjaro is one of our favorite peaks. After decades of guiding on Kilimanjaro, we are well prepared to create the perfect climbing experience for you. We love the diversity of the “Seven Summits,” and the challenge of climbing them all which is why we focus on these climbs in particular.
  • Best guides: The quality of an expedition is, in large part, dictated by the individual guide(s) leading the trip. CTSS hires only the finest guides operating at the highest standards for client care who are highly trained, well respected in the industry, and close friends that we trust. The have excellent personalities and are some of the most experienced professionals in the world. Mike and the rest of our guides are strong leaders who maintain high standards. Our guides make our company what it is and have extensive resumes of personal climbs, high altitude guiding, and certifications. All our lead guides maintain at least a Wilderness First Responder medical standard. Our local guides around the world are the best in the industry and do an amazing job helping you attain your goals and navigating local obstacles.
  • Safety: Our primary goal at CTSS is safety. We have an unparalleled safety record and our clientele’s well being factors in to every decision we make while on expeditions. Although we like to stand on the top of mountains more than anyone, we believe that climbing is a round trip endeavor and getting you back to your loved ones safely is paramount. We take many safety precautions including bringing multiple communication devices, high altitude safety equipment, medical kits, and the highest quality gear to ensure a safe environment in which to climb.
  • Success: Success rates on expeditions under Mike’s leadership are among the best in the business. Mike has maintained a 100% expedition success rate for expeditions under his direct guidance on Kilimanjaro. This is a testament to our quality of service and attention to detail. Mike and our team of guides are incredibly proud of their summit success and work hard to get their clients to the top. As Mike says, “You can’t buy a summit, but you can buy better odds.” With our expertise, experience and infrastructure, you can stack those odds in your favor. We offer a longer acclimatization progression for proper acclimatization to mitigate the risks of altitude sickness. Many guide services race their clients up the mountain, especially local companies, to cut corners on costs. We are highly invested in our reputation for safety and success and are always striving to improve our programs to maintain our hard-earned status. Decision making in the mountains is supremely important, and our guides are the best in the business, have a hunger to summit whenever it’s safe to do so, and have a proven track record. All of our programs acclimatize conservatively to mitigate the risk of having altitude issues and to give them the highest chance of success.
  • You!: Why choose us? Because of you! We consistently attract the best clients and believe this is because we offer the highest quality expedition at a great value. Our clientele takes the time to educate themselves about their options and choose us because of this. We feel that surrounding yourself with the right people will make you successful, and that goes for guide service owners, guides, and even those with whom you climb. Having a team with the right attitude and camaraderie is a key factor in making you successful.
  • Logistics: We have led countless high altitude expeditions and have perfected the logistics, allowing you to focus on climbing, safety and success. We eat well and live well on expedition. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while on your climb or safari to not be distracted from the task at hand. We feel that these creature-comforts go a long way to making your time in the backcountry enjoyable. We strive to work with the best local outfitters and provide the best local logistics hands down.
  • Updates: In today’s connected world people want to know how things are going on expedition. CTSS maintains regular updates on our blog to keep friends and families informed. This can relieve a lot of the stress loved ones have when you’re away on climbing. We want to make the climb as stress-free for both the climber and the folks back home.
  • Professional Business Practices: Running a professional guide service that you feel comfortable putting your trust in is important to us. We comply with all local, state, federal and international laws. We hope that this makes you feel more confident about choosing us and our programs.
  • Enjoyment: This is your vacation, and you’re here to have a good time. Our goal is to give you the experience of a lifetime, inspire you in the mountains, and to have a great time doing it. This, again, comes back to our guides; they all have great personalities, and their love for the mountain is contagious.
  • Low client to guide ratio: We operate all of our trips at a low client to guide ratio which offers you a better, safer, and more personalized experience.

The following is a sample daily schedule of our Machame route:

  1. Depart home for Tanzania
  2. Arrive in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to hotel
  3. Gear checks, team meeting, and check out town
  4. Drive to Kilimanjaro Park gate(5,800ft) and climb through rainforest to Machame camp(10,000ft)
  5. Continue to the climb  through Heather forests to the Shira Plateau camp(12,300ft)
  6. Continue the climb to Barranco Camp climbing over a pass at nearly 15,000ft underneath the precipitous Breach Wall before descending to 12,800ft
  7. Climb the Barranco Wall to about 14,500ft before again descending to Karanga camp at around 13,000ft
  8. Climb to our high camp at 15,500ft before turning in early for our summit climb early  the next morning.
  9. Summit Day! We awake in the wee hours of the morning (night) working our way to the roof of Africa at 19,344ft. The day is cold and can be windy and snowy so make sure you have proper warm gear! After standing on top we descend back to high camp and take a brief respite before packing up and heading down to our final camp at 12,000ft
  10. Pack camp and descend to the trail head. Here we bid farewell to our porters and guides before driving back to town for lunch. Celebration Dinner
  11. Those not joining us for Safari transfer to the airport where they begin the journey home. Those joining us on Safari drive to Tarangire Park for an afternoon game drive. Stay in Tarangire at a game lodge.
  12. Continue our Safari by exploring the famous Ngorogoro Crater before returning to the crater rim to watch the sunset over Ngorogoro from our game lodge
  13. Drive to KIA airport for afternoon return flights.
  14. Arrive home

This detailed gear list is provided for your reference. Each item has been selected over many expeditions to Kilimanjaro. Please follow these guidelines carefully. Every item on the list is mandatory, and if you arrive in Tanzania missing some of them, you will be required to track them down in town prior to the climb at your own expense which can be difficult and costly. Please make sure you are fully prepared so that your trip, and the trip of your teammates, goes smoothly. If you have any questions about the gear, please contact us, and we can discuss it: we’re here to help!

  • Water treatment (Iodine tabs, Chlorine tabs, or water filtration system)
  • Sunscreen (like All Good 35spf with high Zinc Oxide content)
  • Small Aloe Vera for sun burn
  • Lip balm
  • Hand Cream
  • Camera or phone camera
  • Power battery/recharger/solar charger with cords
  • 1 ski/winter hat
  • 1 ball cap for sun protection
  • 1 balaclava/face mask
  • 1 buff
  • 1 pair liner gloves
  • 1 pair heavy ski gloves (like OR alti glove)
  • 1 pair heavy mitts, recommended (like OR altimitt)
  • 1 pair dark goggles (like Smith turbofan)
  • 1 sleeping bag, rated to -10F (like Marmot Col)
  • 1 thermarest
  • 1 ridge rest
  • Travel shoes/sneakers
  • Climbing/hiking boots (must be insulated and warm as it is quite cold on summit day)
  • 1 thin long john pants, and 1 pair of medium weight long john pants
  • 1 pair of light trekking pants
  • 1 pair medium weight climbing pants (like OR)
  • 1 goretex water proof pants, must be full zip (like OR)
  • 1 goretex waterproof jacket, (like OR)
  • 1 pair trekking shorts
  • 2 pairs trekking socks
  • 3 pairs climbing socks (1 thin, 2 thick (1 for sleeping))
  • 2 pair climbing underwear
  • In town clothes (some restaurants are nice so a collared shirt/dress is not a bad idea)
  • Swimsuit for pool at hotel
  • Heavy gaiters (like OR Crocodiles)
  • 2 long john tops (1 light, 1 medium)
  • Synthetic Sun hoodie or trekking shirt, long sleeve (like Patagonia sun hoody)
  • Upper body Pile Layer, like Patagonia R1 or similar hoodie
  • Synthetic pile jacket/pile fleece, front zip with hood or similar (fits over micro puff, like Patagonia Puffball)
  • Mid to heavy weight down parka with hood (like Mountain Hardware subzero or similar)
  • book
  • alarm (on watch or other)
  • headphones
  • baby wipes, for staying clean
  • meds (bandages, triple antibiotic ointment, tums, antacid, immodium, ciproflacin, azithromycin, ibuprofen, aspirin, blister kit, bandaids, etc) keep it fairly small and light to reduce weight
  • toilet paper (2 rolls)
  • Ear plugs (for sleeping)
  • Pee bottle (liter)
  • Pee funnel (women)
  • 2 liter Nalgene-type water bottles with full covers (Camelback-type hydration systems are fine until base camp but are unacceptable above there. They freeze, pop and break, so are unreliable.)
  • Pack for climb (also doubles as a carry on, 35 – 45L)
  • 2 large duffels, water proof PVC rugged construction (like North Face XXL, one will stay at hotel)
  • 5 trash bags (for waterproofing duffels, backpack, and caching gear)
  • Travel wallet
  • Passport
  • Cash (small bills are more useful, you can change money in Tanzania after you arrive)
  • Tooth brush and paste
  • 1 light headlamp with extra batteries
  • 1 pair glacier glasses
  • Belt for climbing pants
  • Collapsible trekking poles
  • 3 stuff sacks
  • 1 compression sack
  • Print out of team emails to bring with you
  • Hand sanitizer (small container)
  • Marker
  • Pen
  • 3lbs personal snack food (real food and stuff that you know you will want to eat at altitude when you don’t feel like eating: nuts, jerky, granola bars, dried fruit, candy, etc.)
  • Cup
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  1. Select the program for which you would like to apply.
  2. Fill out the CTSS online application form completely, truthfully and to the best of your ability or ask us to email you the application package. Pay initial deposit of 25% of the program fees into our trust account to reserve your place. Payment can be made by credit card, PayPal or bank wire transfer. Your spot will not be secured until monies have been received, and we have reviewed your application and accepted you to the program.
  3. Upon acceptance of your application*, we will send you follow up forms including a waiver form, physicians medical form, travel sheet, and passport information form to make sure we have all of your details. We will also begin sending you the program emails to get you up to speed on all the details for your trip.
  4. Submit your remaining 75% balance payment and paperwork prior to 120 days before the program start date.

*Note: This application requires the acceptance of CTSS personnel before the applicant will be enrolled on the program. CTSS reserves the right to deny an applicant enrollment in its programs. Further, if the applicant is under the age of 18, the application must be signed by their legal parent or guardian and they must be accompanied by a legal parent of guardian on the program. If you are not accepted for the program your deposit will be refunded.
 (Please Note: Full Payment Terms & Conditions, Cancellation & Refund Policies can be found on the Waiver Release Form.)

Included:
  • Guides
  • Porters
  • Hotels
  • Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early then the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
  • Food
  • All Group Gear: Four season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
  • Satellite Phone: To update the blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Not Included:
  • Flights to and from Tanzania
  • Personal gear: all personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
  • In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
  • Guide and Porter Tips (customary but optional)
  • Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)

Mike Hamill oversees each Kilimanjaro expedition and leads many of them personally.

Mike Hamill, lead guide and owner of CTSS, is universally regarded as one of the most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers in the world. Well over 150 climbers have stood atop 8000m peaks, including Everest, under his direct guidance.

A mountain guide for over 20 years, he boasts a 91% expedition success rate and an 83% climber summit success rate for all of his expeditions world-wide.

Who you choose as the leader of your expedition is a big deal. Sound leadership is the difference between a great expedition and a miserable, potentially dangerous one. Climbing above 8,000 meters is serious, and you want the best in your corner. Mike has an unprecedented safety record and has personally guided ten Mt. Everest expeditions, 23 8,000m expeditions and thousands of clients.

He has 6 Everest summits and currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu. He’s also the author of the guide book “Climbing the Seven Summits,” making him among the most experienced Western guides on the mountain.

An adventurer by nature, he has skied to the South Pole, cycled unsupported across the United States and completed the famed Seven Summits 6 times. He has competed as a nordic skier, ultra marathoner and cyclist. His love for the mountains continues to compel him to travel the globe and connect with local mountain communities, particularly the Sherpa of the Khumbu region. This bond was his motivation for creating the “Tiger of the Snows Fund,” a not-for-profit that provides educational opportunities for workers (and their families) involved in outdoor tourism.

Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing this great planet and it’s unique cultures, in a safe and professional manner. We strive to offer the highest quality expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment of the experience. We achieve this through our extensive experience base, top of the line logistical support, individualized service, and world-class guides. Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style” in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way.

To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top of the line camping and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders and don’t skimp on costs. We would rather suffer on our profit margin than offer a less expensive, unorganized, factory style approach to climbing and trekking.

Our clients form lasting friendships because the strongest bonds are those formed when teams work together to overcome tough challenges. We take immense pride in our expeditions and this shows through during the entire process, from start to finish.

We also seek to promote a socially and environmentally responsible and sustainable approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities. We have been a member of “1% for the planet” for many years giving 1% of our revenues back to environmental conservation organizations, and we also donate a portion of the proceeds from every trip to a non-profit Mike started called “Tiger of the Snows Fund.” This Fund promotes educational opportunities globally for for mountain tourism workers and their families, including many of the communities that support us on our climbs and treks.

We are an independent climbing team and plan to climb as such. Everyone needs to show up prepared to climb, in shape, and ready to perform the skills necessary to summit. Be positive, encourage your teammates, and maintain clear lines of communication with your guides. We ask that everyone help each other and the guides on the expedition, and climb responsibly for the benefit of the team. These traits will help you and your team reach the top. Make everyone else wish they were climbing with your team and take pride in your mountaineering. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s, and everything will fall in to place.

Please visit our Client Testimonials page for quotes reflecting CTSS leadership and experience. If you would like to talk to previous customers as references, please contact us, and we can put you in touch with many satisfied climbers. Please feel free to give us a call or send us an email, and we will be happy to discuss the expedition with you. Joining a climbing or trekking expedition is a big deal, and it’s important to feel comfortable with the expedition leadership. The majority of our clients are return customers because of their overwhelmingly positive experiences.

Kilimanjaro FAQ

Yes, both hotels and tents on the mountain will be shared accommodations due to limited tent space and the weight of carrying extra tents. We do offer a single rooming option for an additional $500 if you would prefer your own hotel room and tent.

In general, climbing packs on Kilimanjaro are quite light due to the use of porters while on the climb. You will only need to carry what you need for the day which shouldn’t be more than 10- 15lbs (5kg). Hiring porters provides jobs and helps the local economy.

Yes. Trip delay and cancellation, rescue, repatriation, medical insurance is mandatory for this program for your own benefit. We have seen too many times people need to cancel their trip either before or during the expedition for reasons such as injury, health, family and business matters. With such a long trip and so much at stake, climbers need to be prepared for contingencies.

In general our food on and off the mountain is excellent. We eat well at our hotel off the mountain, and on the mountain, we employ a first-rate cook staff to prepare our meals. The food is fresh and healthy, and there is plenty of it!