100+ Duffel Bag(s)
A durable duffel bag (100-120L) made of tough material with rugged zippers for gear transport and storage. Can be used as checked luggage and for organizing gear at base locations.
44
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Mountaineering
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29900.00
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$3,500
Deposit
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Expert
An 8,000-meter Himalayan expedition climbing the Northwest Ridge of Shishapangma (26,289'), the only 8,000er entirely in Tibet, with a small team, 1:1 Sherpa support, and supplemental oxygen.
Day-by-day program overview.
Fitness, experience, and preparation.
Gear requirements for this program.
Meals and nutrition on the mountain.
Getting there and local logistics.
Booking, cancellations, and requirements.
Common questions, direct answers.
What climbers are saying.
Climb Shishapangma (26,289'), the 14th-highest mountain on earth and the only 8,000er entirely in Tibet.
A deliberately small team with a 3:1 guide ratio and 1:1 Sherpa support for focused, individual attention.
Stocked climbing oxygen, Sherpa support, and comprehensive medical resources throughout the expedition.
Shishapangma (26,289' | 8,013m) is the 14th-highest mountain in the world and the only 8,000-meter peak lying entirely within Tibet. With a relatively direct route and a comparatively short approach to an established Base Camp, it is widely considered one of the most approachable of the world's fourteen 8,000ers — an ideal introduction to climbing above 8,000 meters.
Our route, the Northwest Ridge, leads to Shishapangma's Central Summit (26,270'); from there a corniced, knife-edge ridge connects to the true South Summit at 26,289' — the team's ultimate goal and the most demanding part of the climb. We travel overland from Kathmandu across the Friendship Highway into Tibet, then a long day's walk with yaks brings us to Base Camp, where we dedicate up to 28 days to the climb.
RMI deliberately keeps this team small. Rather than running a large expedition, we concentrate our resources on each climber with a 3:1 climber-to-guide ratio and 1:1 Sherpa support, well-planned use of supplemental oxygen, and a fully staffed, thoroughly organized expedition — the combination that we believe creates the safest, most enjoyable, and most successful climbing team possible.
An 8,000-meter peak demands experience, organization, and judgment, and RMI brings more than five decades of it. We have earned our standing as one of the most distinguished guide services in the world by maintaining strict risk-management protocols, climbing with small ratios, and building an infrastructure geared entirely toward each climber's wellbeing and success in the Himalayas. Our comprehensive trip preparation handles the logistics — flights, permits, Tibet visas, and in-country arrangements — so you can focus on the climb.
We intentionally keep our team small. Instead of a large expedition, we lead a personal climbing team with a 3:1 climber-to-guide ratio and 1:1 Sherpa support, concentrating our resources on each individual. The smaller team facilitates better dynamics, closer communication, and individualized attention — and helps avoid the fragmentation common to larger expeditions.
At RMI, the security and wellbeing of our climbers and guides are our highest priorities. Our guides complete avalanche and technical rescue training, hold wilderness medicine certifications (WFR or comparable), and carry comprehensive medical kits, radios, and satellite communication. Our camps are stocked with medical kits and two Gamow (hyperbaric) bags, and our well-planned use of climbing oxygen dramatically improves a climber's chance of success. To learn more about RMI's guides and guiding philosophy, visit our About page.
The expedition travels overland from Kathmandu across the Friendship Highway into Tibet — Zhangmu, Nyalam, and the Chinese Driver's Camp — before a yak-supported walk to Base Camp at 18,400'. From there we have up to 28 days to acclimatize through multiple rotations and make our summit bid on the Northwest Ridge, with contingency time built in before the overland return to Kathmandu.
Kathmandu, Nepal
26,289' / 8,013 m
44 Days
28
24,250'
Northwest Ridge
Depart the U.S. During your flight you will cross the International Date Line; travel time is approximately three days.
A second day of international travel en route to Kathmandu.
Arrive in Kathmandu. We transfer to our hotel for rest and recovery before an evening reception and welcome dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.
A thorough team meeting and orientation, equipment check, fitting for oxygen masks, and any last-minute preparations. The rest of the day is for enjoying the city and local cuisine. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Leaving Kathmandu, we travel the Friendship Highway toward Tibet, crossing the Chinese–Nepali border on foot via the Friendship Bridge. We check in to our hotel in the Chinese town of Zhangmu.
We drive across the spectacular Nyalam Thongla Pass and through the Nyalam Gorge into the town of Nyalam, where we see our first displays of typical Tibetan buildings and attire.
We spend the day acclimatizing in Nyalam after the big jump in elevation. A short hike in the nearby hills aids the process and offers our first views of the higher Himalayan peaks.
After an early start, we drive to the trailhead at "Chinese Driver's Camp," the furthest point reached by vehicles from the 1964 Chinese expedition. These idyllic meadows on the Tibetan Plateau serve as our camp for the next few days as we continue to acclimatize and sort gear to be carried to Base Camp by yaks.
The walk from Driver's Camp to Base Camp is a 10-mile hike that, while not steep (gaining about 2,000'), takes most of the day. The views of Shishapangma from Base Camp are astonishing. We pitch our tents and establish what will be home for nearly the next month.
Once at Shishapangma Base Camp the itinerary can vary greatly; what follows is an outline of the expedition's movements. If weather and conditions allow all team members to summit earlier, the schedule will adjust accordingly. We are permitted a total of 28 days on the mountain.
We rest at Base Camp to adapt to life at 18,400', review our climbing techniques on nearby terrain, and take part in the Puja, a meaningful Buddhist ceremony led by a local lama before any climbing begins. We then begin our acclimatization rounds, working slowly up the mountain. Above Advanced Base Camp (19,500') we establish three camps: Camp 1 (20,990') at the top of a long snow slope above an intricate field of seracs; Camp 2 (22,650') with views of Pola Gangchen and Porong Ri; and Camp 3 (24,250') at the base of the steep headwall below the Northwest Ridge. Summit day climbs intermediate snow slopes to the Central Summit (26,270'), from which we use our best judgment on the corniced, knife-edge crossing to the South Summit (26,289') — the most difficult part of the climb. The number of days this takes varies with weather, acclimatization, and team strength; our guides draw on deep experience to maximize each climber's chance of reaching the summit.
We descend from Base Camp to Driver's Camp, unload the yaks, and transfer to vehicles for the drive to Nyalam — and a well-deserved hot shower and night in a bed.
We descend the Friendship Highway to the border, cross into Nepal, and arrive back in Kathmandu by dinner.
A contingency and rest day in Kathmandu to recover and celebrate before heading home.
Depart Kathmandu for home.
Arrive home.
Arrive in peak condition for weeks at extreme altitude, multiple carries between camps, and a long summit day above 8,000 meters on supplemental oxygen.
Requires prior high-altitude experience (e.g., Denali, Aconcagua, Huascarán, Ama Dablam, or another 7,000–8,000m peak); admission is by individual screening of your climbing resume.
An extended acclimatization on the Tibetan Plateau and multiple rotations on the mountain, with supplemental oxygen above the high camps, prepare climbers for the 26,289' summit.
The Shishapangma expedition is for experienced high-altitude climbers. Each team member must have a solid foundation of mountaineering skills and previous high-altitude experience — for example Denali, Aconcagua, Huascarán, Ama Dablam, or another 7,000- to 8,000-meter peak. Admission is by individual screening: we review your climbing resume and our Shishapangma guides speak with you directly before final selection.
Altitude is the defining challenge of any 8,000-meter peak. The expedition is built around an extended acclimatization — time on the Tibetan Plateau followed by multiple rotations on the mountain — and the well-planned use of supplemental oxygen above the high camps. First-time 8,000-meter climbers are expected to use bottled oxygen, which is carried to high camp and worn on the summit bid.
Physically, this is among the most demanding programs we offer. Be prepared for weeks of expedition life at extreme altitude, multiple carries between camps, and a long summit day on supplemental oxygen. Training should emphasize aerobic endurance, sustained uphill movement with a pack, and the mental resilience required for a multi-week expedition.
Recommended climbing experiences include:
Your climbing resumé should include:
Previous high-altitude experience on a 7,000–8,000m peak or a major expedition (e.g., Denali, Aconcagua, Huascarán, Ama Dablam)*
Roped glacier travel and crevasse rescue*
Fixed-line ascending with a mechanical ascender (jumar)*
Snow and ice climbing and cramponing on steep terrain*
Ice axe self-arrest*
Comfort with extended expedition life at altitude
Admission is by individual screening of your climbing resume
Items marked with an Asterix (*) are considered mandatory prerequisites for this program.
Mountaineering places sustained demands on your body and your ability to stay composed under effort. Even very fit people find that moving uphill with weight, for long hours, in variable weather is a different kind of challenge than most everyday training.
Preparation matters. Fitness directly affects how well you move, how much you learn, how the team functions, and how enjoyable the experience is overall.
Start early. Begin training well in advance of your program with the goal of arriving rested, resilient, and confident in your capacity for sustained effort.
Train intentionally. Emphasize aerobic endurance, uphill movement, and strength that supports long days on your feet. Core stability, balance, and mobility all play an important role in efficiency and injury prevention.
Train specifically. The closer you get to your program date, the more your training should resemble the demands of mountaineering: hiking uphill with weight, moving steadily for hours, and recovering well enough to do it again the next day.
Across RMI programs, strong preparation typically means being comfortable with long days of continuous movement, carrying a pack appropriate to the objective, and maintaining focus and decision-making when tired. Technical skills are taught or reviewed as appropriate to each program, but fitness is something you bring with you.
Nothing contributes more to a successful and rewarding experience than arriving well prepared. Plan to be in excellent physical condition and ready for a demanding day in the mountains.
A detailed daily distance and elevation breakdown is not published for this expedition, as the day-to-day schedule on the mountain varies with weather, acclimatization, and team strength across the 28 days permitted on Shishapangma.
Our guides have decades of experience training for alpine objectives, and we've done our best to put together relevant resources to help you with your expedition preparation.
Acclimatization is the process by which your body adjusts to lower oxygen levels at altitude. How well this happens has a direct impact on how you feel, how you perform, and how much margin you have as the climb progresses.
Program length and structure matter. Longer expeditions are designed with ascent profiles that allow your body more time to adapt. Shorter programs often move through altitude faster than the body can fully adjust. In these cases, climbers typically experience mild but normal symptoms associated with early acclimatization rather than full adaptation. This is expected and accounted for in program design.
Physical conditioning plays a major role. Well-conditioned climbers generally have more energy available to support the acclimatization process over consecutive days. Fitness does not prevent altitude exposure, but it improves resilience, recovery, and the ability to function well while your body is adapting.
How you take care of yourself matters just as much as the itinerary. Arriving healthy and rested, staying well hydrated, eating consistently, and managing heat loss all support acclimatization and performance. These factors become increasingly important as altitude, duration, and cumulative fatigue increase.
RMI programs are structured to balance objective goals with appropriate acclimatization strategies for the terrain and timeframe involved. Individual responses to altitude vary, but strong preparation and good self-care remain the most reliable ways to support a positive experience at elevation.
Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Before any program begins, RMI works directly with prospective climbers to confirm that everyone joining a team is genuinely prepared for the demands ahead. Depending on the program, this may involve conversations with our office staff, a review of your climbing history, or feedback from guides and other climbers who know your abilities. The goal is straightforward: to ensure that every person on the rope belongs there. We ask that each climber hold themselves to the same standard:
The standards we set exist to protect everyone on the team. RMI holds all climbers accountable to them, and we take seriously our responsibility to build teams of people who are ready to be in the mountains together. RMI reserves the right to remove a participant from a program or send them to a lower altitude if our guide staff determines, in their sole discretion, that the participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared or capable of participating, or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the participant or the group. In such cases, no refunds or credits will be issued, and the participant will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including evacuation, transportation, lodging, and meals.
Shishapangma is an 8,000-meter expedition, and the gear list reflects the demands of weeks at extreme altitude on snow and ice: a full high-altitude clothing and sleep system, technical glacier and fixed-line equipment, and protection for the cold, wind, and sun of the Tibetan Plateau. RMI provides the expedition's climbing oxygen and masks as well as group and high-altitude camp equipment; your personal list focuses on clothing, boots, and technical gear.
Most required equipment is available for rent or purchase from our affiliate, Whittaker Mountaineering, and RMI climbers receive a 10% discount on new clothing and equipment ordered from them. Guides conduct a thorough gear check (including oxygen-mask fitting) in Kathmandu. If you have questions about specific items, contact the RMI office directly.
Each RMI program includes a required personal equipment list built around the specific terrain, conditions, and objectives of the climb. Every item serves a purpose and supports safety, efficiency, and comfort in the mountains.
Guide Picks™ are examples that meet our performance standards and illustrate the type of gear we recommend. Each year, our partners at Whittaker Mountaineering survey our staff of 70+ guides to get a consensus on the best gear for the job. You do not need to purchase the exact item shown, but any alternative must offer comparable function and durability.
All listed items are required for the gear check. Final adjustments may be recommended by your guide based on conditions and team needs once the expedition begins.
Most of the required equipment is available for rent or purchase from our affiliate Whittaker Mountaineering. RMI climbers receive a 10% discount on new clothing and equipment items ordered from Whittaker Mountaineering.
Bring as needed. Make sure these are TSA-compliant.
10- or 12-point adjustable steel crampons with anti-balling plates for general mountaineering and glacier travel. Automatic, semi-automatic, or strap-on attachment depending on boot compatibility. Ensure crampons are compatible with your specific boots before your program.
Glacier glasses are protective sunglasses that provide close to 100% frame coverage (wrap-around frames and side shields ensure no light can enter from the top, bottom, and sides of the glasses) and transmit less than 10% of visual light.
We recommend a minimum of five upper body layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Two of these should be insulating layers, one light, and one medium, that fit well together. Today there are many different layering systems to choose from, including fleece, softshell, down, and synthetic options.
A lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirt in synthetic or merino wool for sun protection and moisture management during active climbing.
One step up in warmth and bulk from a baselayer. A technical fleece makes an ideal light weight insulating layer.
An insulated jacket or softshell for warmth during low-output activity and extended rest breaks. Should fit over baselayers and midlayers, and under a shell.
An expedition-style down parka that extends below the waist with an insulated hood, designed to fit over all other layers. Worn primarily in camp, during rest breaks, and on summit day. Down fill recommended over synthetic.
We recommend a system of four layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Products which combine several layers into one garment, such as traditional ski pants, don’t work well as they don’t offer the versatility of a layering system.
Lightweight synthetic or merino wool baselayer bottoms for moisture management and temperature regulation during active climbing.
Softshell climbing pants can be worn in combination with a base layer on colder days, or alone on warmer days.
Non-insulated, waterproof shell pants must be able to fit comfortable over your baselayer bottoms and softshell climbing pants. Full side zippers or 7/8 side zippers are required so that shell pants can be put on while wearing boots and crampons.
A pair of lightweight, insulated pants are ideal for extra warmth on summit day and cold days at camps. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots.
Boots are one of the most important pieces of mountaineering gear, and bringing the right pair is critical to your safety and success on Mt. Rainier. You will need one pair of boots for this climb, and the type of boot you wear will be dictated by freezing level. If the freezing level is below 10,000 feet, your guide will require the use of double boots. If the freezing level is above 10,000 feet, you may use either single or double boots. We consistently see freezing levels below 10,000 feet in April, May, June, and September, though periods of cold weather are not uncommon in July and August.
Insulated, full-shank, crampon-compatible leather or synthetic boots designed for general mountaineering. Lighter and more comfortable than double boots but with less insulation for extreme cold.
Great for traveling and wearing around town or camp. A pair of tennis shoes or light hikers works well.
A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampon spikes on loose clothing. Not needed if using a boot with an integrated gaiter.
Either wool or synthetic. Whatever sock combination you are accustomed to wearing during your training or previous adventures (whether single medium weight socks, a medium weight with a liner sock, two medium weight socks together, etc.), should work just fine for this climb.
We recommend you speak with your physician about which medications you should have for high-altitude climbing. These medications are only used in emergency situations, and if someone is showing symptoms of HAPE or HACE, our standard protocol is for immediate descent. We do not take any of these medications prophylactically, and please talk with your guide before taking medications.
We require each climber to have the following medications:
Broad spectrum antibiotics for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems like Azithromycin (250mg tablets).
125mg tablets for the prevention or treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness. A normal prescription is 125mg tablets, twice a day. Recommend 15 - 20 tablets.
4mg tablets for the treatment of altitude illness. Recommend 12 tablets.
30mg slow-release tablets for the prevention or treatment of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Recommend 8 - 10 tablets.
Our guides carry comprehensive medical kits, so keep yours small and light. We recommend a selection of adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, Moleskin and blister care, medical tape and/or duct tape, basic pain reliever, and personal medications.
You are responsible for providing your own meals and snack food in town and while on your program. See the Food tab for suggestions and quantities.
Heavy-duty trash compacter bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. You can also use a waterproof pack liner.
Books, magazines, or a journal for downtime at camp; a Kindle or similar e-reader is a practical alternative for longer expeditions where weight and bulk matter. Choose based on program length and personal preference.
Disposable or reusable ear plugs for sleeping in shared tent or hut accommodations.
Spare prescription glasses if you wear contact lenses/eyeglasses.
For use in tea houses that provide showers during trek.
Many smartphones have excellent cameras. Action cameras, small point-and-shoots, and compact dSLRs are lightweight and work well at altitude.
A small power bank, enough to charge a phone or e-reader several times.
For charging personal electronics while traveling internationally.
We recommend bringing a selection of clothing to wear while traveling, sightseeing and dining.
If Glacier Glasses are not required, regular sunglasses will suffice on this program.
For, you know, swimming.
Valid for six months beyond your return date.
The first two pages of your passport.
A printed or digital copy of your complete flight itinerary, including confirmation numbers and times, for reference during travel and check-in. Keep this easily accessible throughout your journey.
Additional passport-sized photographs beyond those required for your visa application, useful for visa extensions, permits, or emergency document replacement during international travel. Bring 4-6 extra photos.
Purchase travel insurance.
Purchase airplane tickets.
Reserve rental equipment.
Be in the best shape of your life!
RMI provides the following equipment for your program: group and personal tents, stoves, group cooking equipment, fuel, radios for on-mountain communication, and comprehensive first aid and repair kits.
On the Shishapangma expedition, all meals are included as stated in the itinerary — prepared by our dedicated cook staff at Base Camp and provided at the higher camps. You are responsible only for personal snacks for climbing days, any meals in Kathmandu not included in the itinerary, and your own drinks and bottled water.
Bring a supply of your favorite snacks for climbing days — items you genuinely enjoy and that require no preparation or hot water. Eating well is the key to maintaining strength at altitude, so aim for variety across the whole palate, from sweet to sour to salty: energy bars, GORP, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, hard candies, jerky, and drink mixes all travel well.
Our cook staff prepares fresh, hearty breakfasts and dinners at Base Camp throughout the expedition, with a generous variety to keep the team strong and well-fed during the weeks of acclimatization and climbing. Hot drinks — coffee, tea, and cocoa — are always available.
At the higher camps, meals are primarily freeze-dried entrees, soups, and other high-calorie, low-weight foods that are quick to prepare and easy to eat at altitude. Every effort is made to provide variety and adequate quantity throughout the climb.
This page covers the practical details you’ll want to review before your trip, including travel logistics, entry requirements, local considerations, and required policies. Taking time to understand these details ahead of departure helps ensure a smoother experience once you’re on the ground and focused on the climb.
Please confirm any current travel advisories/warnings as well as passport and visa requirements for both Nepal and Tibet (China) with the U.S. Department of State.
During your flight to Kathmandu (KTM) you will cross the International Date Line. Travel time is approximately three days. If you want to see the mountains as you fly into Kathmandu, make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the plane.
A valid passport is required for entering both Nepal and Tibet. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the expected date of return. U.S. passport holders can stay up to 90 days without special visas.
We suggest making a copy of the first two pages of your passport and keeping them in a separate bag as a backup. A copy should also be left with your emergency contact.
Nepal: All foreigners (except Indian Nationals) require visas, which can be obtained in advance or upon arrival with one passport photo and payment in cash (U.S. Dollars).
Tibet: All arrangements for our Tibet visas are made in Kathmandu, and the cost of the Tibet visa is included in the price of your program.
Upon arrival at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), follow signs to the Arrivals Building and proceed to the visa counter for Visitors without a Visa. You will need one passport photo for your visa application. After collecting your bags and clearing Customs, look for a sign with the name Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. A private vehicle will take us to our hotel.
The provided transportation as stated in the itinerary is via authorized taxi or private vehicle.
For the most current information on inoculation requirements and recommendations, please refer to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.
Excellent care for minor illnesses and injuries is readily available. In the event of more serious illnesses or injuries, we recommend transport to any of the Level 1 care centers in Kathmandu.
Your travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, and evacuation.
Navigating through the different options for travel insurance can be challenging. When purchasing Travel Insurance, here are a few items to consider:
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer Travelex Insurance protection plans to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
For more information on the available plans visit Travelex Insurance Services or contact Travelex Insurance (800) 228-9792 and reference location number 47-0370.
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York). RETWEB
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is travel insurance designed for adventurers, including the best evacuation and rescue services available.
Benefits are tailored for adventurers and include:
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, a medical and travel security risk company. Their team is comprised of special operations veterans, paramedics, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, former intelligence officers, insurance actuaries and global security experts with dozens of years of experience in theaters around the world. The Redpoint network covers the globe, making them uniquely equipped to provide elite rescue travel insurance – in every sense of the word. Whether it’s reimbursing you for a cancelled trip, paying your travel medical bills or evacuating you home in an emergency, Ripcord takes the worry out of your travel.
RMI has partnered with Erin Rountree to provide travel planning support. Erin is an independent agent with extensive experience booking travel for adventure programs worldwide and understands the specific needs of RMI expeditions.
Phone: (208) 788-2870
Email: [email protected]
It is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance policy provides appropriate coverage for your specific program and activities. Review policy details carefully before purchasing, and confirm coverage well in advance of your departure.
Nepal occupies the central sector of the Himalayan arc, where the collision of the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian continent produced the Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau. The first civilizations flourished around the 6th century B.C. in the fertile Kathmandu Valley, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Now a Federal Democratic Republic of nearly 29 million people, Nepal is primarily Hindu, and its largest city, Kathmandu, has under one million inhabitants.
Tibet is bound by the high Himalaya to the south and is predominantly high plateau (13,000–16,400 feet), earning its nickname "the roof of the world." It is an internationally recognized autonomous region within the People's Republic of China and, as the source of five of Asia's largest rivers and the largest store of glacial water after the poles, is known as the world's "Third Pole."
Nepal: The dry season runs October to May and the monsoon June to September; spring and fall bring the best conditions. Tibet: Higher altitudes mean lower temperatures, generally below freezing even during the day, with negligible rainfall in our climbing window. Our climb takes advantage of what are generally considered the best weather, road, and mountain conditions of the year.
Dress modestly and comfortably. When eating, use only your right hand, which also extends to passing food and plates. A person's head is considered the most spiritual part of the body, so avoid physical contact with it (including patting a child's head). Ask permission before photographing people, and note that most monastery interiors are off-limits to photography. "Namaste" — said with palms pressed together at the chest — is the essential greeting in Nepal.
Electricity in Nepal and Tibet is normally 220 Volts / 50 cycles. Carry voltage converters and plug adaptors.
Nepal: The official currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR); ATMs are common in Kathmandu. We suggest bringing $900–$1,100 total for personal spending money, including restaurant meals, drinks, pocket money, and the Support Staff Tip Pool. Tibet: The official currency is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY); your guides can help you exchange U.S. Dollars as needed.
Local waiters, drivers, and other service personnel expect to be tipped, with ten to fifteen percent standard. Support Staff Tip Pool: we recommend each climber contribute $500 to the Tip Pool, collected at the start of the trip to cover group tips for all support and mountain staff. Customary guide gratuities are separate and at your discretion — tips for excellent service normally average 10–15% of the program cost.
The following policies are applicable for this expedition.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. reserves the right to modify the land cost of a trip at any time before departure.
Deposit Payments: A non-refundable deposit payment of $3,500 per person secures your reservation.
Balance Payments: The balance payment is due 120 days before the start of your program.
*There is a 3% surcharge on all credit/debit card transactions.
The $3,500 per person deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Due to the time-sensitive nature of these programs, and the amount of preparation time required for this program, we strictly adhere to our policy and cannot make exceptions for any reason.
We require that everyone purchase travel insurance. Please see our Travel Tab for details.
Please clearly understand that mountaineering is inherently hazardous. Managing risk is RMI’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in mountaineering, but they cannot eliminate them. Objective hazards include rockfall, icefall, avalanches, slides or falls by individuals and rope teams on steeper slopes, weather-related problems including cold, heat, high winds, and other unnamed dangers that can occur while climbing.
You are choosing to engage in an activity in which guided and non-guided climbers have been injured or killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risks and hazards of mountaineering and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in this activity.
Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Each Participant is required to share in the responsibility of the safety and success of the team. For this reason, we ask that each Participant:
RMI reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a program or to send the Participant to a lower altitude at any time if the RMI Guide Staff determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating in the program or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health or well-being of the Participant or the entire group. If this decision is made, the Participant will not receive any refunds or credits and will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to, evacuation, transportation, hotels, meals, etc.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) does not tolerate harassment or mistreatment of our participants or employees. Inappropriate conduct under this policy may include conduct that creates a disrespectful, intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for a participant or employee. Engaging in such conduct is a violation of this policy.
RMI may consider conduct to violate the policy even if it falls short of unlawful harassment under applicable law. When determining whether conduct violates this policy, we will consider whether a reasonable person could conclude that the conduct created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or demeaning environment.
Violation of this policy may result in removal from a program, as well as refusal to provide services indefinitely. We place the utmost value on the safety of our participants and employees. Please report any incidents to RMI management.
All participants must be 18 years old at the time of registration.
RMI’s Photo Release outlines the terms and conditions for using your likeness in photographs, videos, or other digital media.
I hereby grant Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) or its affiliates permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications. By granting permission, you allow RMI to utilize these media for lawful purposes.
Here are the key points:
RMI cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities, or the abilities of other climbers may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire group may have to turnaround without reaching the summit.
Failure to reach the summit due to a person’s own lack of fitness or to any of the events associated with mountaineering (such as weather, route conditions, avalanche hazard, team dynamics, etc.), are not Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.’s responsibility and will not result in a refund, credit, or reschedule.
RMI’s program schedule and itineraries are subject to change or adjustment based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, group strength, terrain, or other environmental factors, and many other factors. RMI has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including but not limited to, increases in program fees, changes to program schedule or itinerary, and changes to guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. Once the program has started, the Lead Guide will decide on any changes to the itinerary, including ending the program early if the continuation of the program may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the group.
We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather, route conditions, or for any other reason. In such a case, we will make every effort to reschedule the Participant on a different program date. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue the Participant a refund for all program fees paid to RMI, less any non-refundable payments made on behalf of the Participant to secure any of the included land costs provided for this program, including but not limited to, hotel accommodations, transportation, transfers, tours, group equipment and food, permits, and local outfitter services, prior to the cancellation of the program. Additionally, RMI cannot be responsible for any non-refundable expenses the Participant incurred in preparation for the program (i.e., airline tickets, hotel reservations, rental cars, equipment purchases or rentals, etc.).
Once a program begins, there are no refunds or credits for weather-related cancellations or for a program that may end early due to weather, route conditions, or any other circumstances that may compromise the health, safety, or well-being of the group. Furthermore, if the Participant decides for any reason not to begin a program or discontinue a program at any time, no refunds or credits will be issued. The Participant will be responsible for all additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to evacuation, transportation, hotel reservations, meals, etc.
Land Costs are provided as a package, and refunds or credits will not be issued for any unused meals, accommodations, group transportation, or other unused costs. Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A Single Supplement Fee will be charged to those Participants occupying single accommodations either by choice or circumstance. If you are willing to share a room, we will make every effort to pair you with another same-gender team member. We will match willing same-gender team members based on the order of registration date. If we are unable to match you with another same- gender team member, a single supplement fee will be charged. The availability of single accommodations is limited in most of the hotels where we stay, and single accommodations are not available while in the mountains.
The Participant understands and agrees that RMI assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with any travel and hospitality services provided to the Participant by other companies in connection with the program, including but not limited to, the services provided by airlines, hotels, rental cars, and transportation companies. In addition, RMI is not responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, or danger by a supplier of travel or hospitality services to the Participant in connection with the RMI program. The Participant will be responsible for all costs associated with any travel delays, missed connections, or missing baggage that requires additional arrangements (separate transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, etc.) to be made on your behalf for you or your baggage to rejoin the program.
The Shishapangma expedition raises questions specific to climbing an 8,000-meter peak in Tibet over a multi-week expedition. The answers below cover the team approach, oxygen, how the climb is structured, access to Tibet, and how to prepare.
We intentionally keep the team small. Our climber-to-guide ratio is 3:1 and our Sherpa-to-climber ratio is 1:1. A smaller, fully staffed team means closer communication, individualized attention, and stronger team dynamics — which we believe makes for the safest and most successful expedition.
Yes. RMI's well-planned use of climbing oxygen dramatically improves a climber's chance of success, and first-time 8,000-meter climbers are expected to use bottled oxygen. Oxygen and masks are provided, carried to high camp, and worn on the summit bid. Personal exceptions are addressed individually with the guides.
From Base Camp (18,400') we acclimatize through multiple rotations, establishing camps above Advanced Base Camp at Camp 1 (20,990'), Camp 2 (22,650'), and Camp 3 (24,250') before a summit bid on the Northwest Ridge. We are permitted up to 28 days on the mountain, and the exact schedule flexes with weather, conditions, and team strength.
Summit day climbs intermediate snow slopes to the Central Summit (26,270'). From there, the team uses its best judgment on the corniced, knife-edge crossing to the true South Summit (26,289') — the most difficult and committing section of the climb.
The Puja is a meaningful Buddhist ceremony led by a local lama at Base Camp before any climbing begins — a longstanding Himalayan tradition that blesses the team and the climb.
We travel overland from Kathmandu on the Friendship Highway, crossing into Tibet at the Friendship Bridge and continuing through Zhangmu and Nyalam to the Chinese Driver's Camp. From there, a yak-supported walk brings us to Base Camp. Tibet visa arrangements are made in Kathmandu and included in your program.
This is a peak for experienced high-altitude climbers. We require previous high-altitude experience — for example Denali, Aconcagua, Huascarán, Ama Dablam, or another 7,000–8,000m peak — and admission is by individual screening of your climbing resume and a direct conversation with our guides.
Travel insurance is required, including a medical evacuation policy with minimum coverage of $500,000, plus trip cancellation/interruption and medical coverage. We also recommend security-evacuation coverage.
Our camps are stocked with comprehensive medical kits and two Gamow (hyperbaric) bags, and each team member carries a hand-held radio. Guides hold wilderness medicine certifications and avalanche and technical rescue training, and the expedition carries satellite communication and receives dedicated weather forecasting throughout.
Climbers rated RMI with an average of 5 stars across 0 ratings
Climber reviews of the Shishapangma expedition consistently reflect the appeal of an approachable yet serious 8,000-meter peak climbed with a small, well-supported team. Participants frequently highlight the strength of the RMI and Sherpa teams, the depth of organization and oxygen logistics, and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing above 8,000 meters in Tibet. For many climbers, Shishapangma is a milestone toward the world's highest peaks.
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