Overview
Mt. Cho Oyu, 8188 m, also the sixth highest mountain, is a classic choice among the 14 peaks above 8000 meters. The name Cho Oyu means “the Turquoise Goddess” in the local Tibetan Language and once you conquer it, you will come to know the relevance of its name. Located at the border of Nepal and China, Mt. Cho Oyu is also the westernmost peak in the Khumbu sub-section of the Mahalangur Range. Cho Oyu Expedition is considered one of the easiest ones with a very high success rate making it the second most climbed peak.
The first ascent to Cho Oyu was attempted in 1952 by Edmund Hillary, Tom Bourdillon, and George Lowe but they had to retreat because of technical difficulties and risk of avalanches. Later in 1954, Cho Oyu was ascended for the first time via North-West Ridge by Herbert Tichy,Joseph Jöchler, and Pasang Dawa Lama in an Austrian Expedition. Since then hundreds of expeditions have been led to Cho Oyu with huge success rates.
Cho Oyu is an ideal peak to experience thin air above 8000m. But like all ascents in the higher altitude, the climb is strenuous and challenging. Proper acclimatization is required before heading to the summit for which we will allocate enough days in the base camp and upper camps.
Max. Altitude8,188 m
Trip GradeExtreme Challenging
Best SeasonsSpring, Autumn
Group Size1-15 Person
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival In Kathmandu And Transfer To The Hotel
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will need to obtain Nepal Entry Visa at the counter. After these procedures, one of our representatives will meet and greet you and transfer you to the pre-booked 3-star hotel for you to rest. You can freshen up and enjoy your evening in Thamel.
Altitude 1400 m
Meals N/A
Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
DAY 2: Preparation Day
On the second day, we will fulfill the required documentation and official formalities. We will also obtain the necessary permits. Meanwhile, you may go shopping for personal stuff that you might need during the trekking and Expedition.
Altitude 1400 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
DAY 3: Drive From Kathmandu To Timure (1742m )
Our journey starts early in the morning after a warm and fulfilling breakfast at the hotel. We will drive to Timure, a small village in the Gosaikunda Rural Municipality. The drive will be quite tiring as we travel on bumpy roads up the hills, but nature’s beauty will deviate the pain towards tranquillity and peace.
Altitude 1742 m
Meals BLD
AccommodationHotel/Lodge
DAY 4: Drive To Kerung (1962 M)
After staying overnight in Timure, we will then resume our journey to Kerung. Kerung is a village in the Solukhumbu District and serves as a trading route between Nepal and China. The road leading to Kerung is equally adventurous and bumpy.
Altitude 1962 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
DAY 5-6: Drive To Tingri And Acclimatize (4300m)
After Kerung, we will then cross the border and enter Tibet, the autonomous state of China. We continuously drive uphill and finally reach Tingri. Tingri is an old settlement in Tibet that used to be an important trading point for farmers in Nepal and Tibet. The beautiful meadows, rivers with fresh water, and picturesque villages make Tingri a beautiful place to stop and acclimatize.
Altitude 4300 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
DAY 7-9: Drive To Chinese Base Camp (5100 M) And Acclimatize
From Tingri, we drive to Chinese Base Camp for Cho Oyu and stay 2 more days for acclimatization. We must allocate some good time for acclimatization as we will be gaining high altitude within a day as we drive instead of trekking.
Altitude5100 m
MealsBLD
AccommodationFull Board Camp Service
DAY 10: Trek To Intermediate Camp (5400 M)
We will be driving only to the Chinese Base Camp. After acclimatizing for two more days, we will then trek towards the Intermediate Camp. Our luggage and logistics will be carried by Yaks and Porters till the Intermediate camp. At the altitude of 5400 m, we will set up our intermediate camp with full board tented service.
Altitude 5400 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Full Board Camp Service
DAY 11: Trek To The Advanced Base Camp (5700 M)
After the intermediate camp, we then climb up to the Advanced base camp set up at 5700 m altitude. We will segregate the gear and equipment required for climbing and prepare for our climb to Cho Oyu summit.
Altitude5700 m
MealsBLD
AccommodationFull Board Camp Service
DAY 12-37: Climbing Period Of Cho Oyu
The following three and a half weeks are allocated for the climbing period of Cho Oyu. During this course, we follow an acclimatization schedule of climbing with equipment and rest days. The summit climb requires setting up three higher camps on the upper flanks of the mountain above the base camp.
Camp 1 is set up at 6400m which is led by the route following the moraine up the main glacier which then turns towards the east to a tributary glacier requiring the climbers to climb steeply up the scree and snow.
The route to Camp 2 (7000 m) follows a moderate snow and ice ridge before a small ice serac out to a broad plateau.
After Camp 2, we need to climb up on a 30-degree snow slope to reach Camp 3 at 7400 m.
On the Summit day, we head towards the Yellow Band, a short but steep wall of rock and ice, technically challenging and demanding. After traversing the Yellow Band, we move up the West Face to the summit plateau. Most climbers stop at a set of prayer flags believing that they have summited the peak but there is still a 15-minute walk across the plateau to reach a point that offers spectacular views of the Gokyo lakes of Nepal, that point is the Summit of Cho Oyu.
After witnessing the extraordinary views of the mountain ranges including Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and mesmerizing Gokyo Lakes, we slowly retrace our trail to the Advanced Base Camp. The summit day requires 10-12 hours of walking on rocks, ice, and snow.
Altitude8188 m
MealsBLD
AccommodationFull Board Camp Service
DAY 38: Trek Down To Intermediate Camp
With the joy and feeling of victory, we then trek back to Intermediate Base Camp.
Altitude5400 m
MealsBLD
AccommodationFull Board Camp Service
DAY 39: Drive To Tingri
After the Intermediate Base Camp, we will take a ride back to Tingri, the old settlement in Tibet.
Altitude4300 m
MealsBLD
AccommodationLodge/Camping
DAY 40: Drive To Kerung
After staying overnight in Tingri, we then take a ride to Kerung, the border of Nepal and China, and rest overnight.
Altitude1962 m
MealsBLD
AccommodationHotel/Lodge
DAY 41: Drive To Kathmandu
Following the same rugged, rocky path that we took earlier, we drive back to Kathmandu and relax in our hotel.
Altitude1400 m
MealsBreakfast And Lunch
Accommodation3-5 Star Hotel
DAY 42-43: Sightseeing In Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a beautiful city with numerous attractive destinations. There are many heritages listed in the World Heritage List as well. You can go sightseeing around Bhaktapur, Patan, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath Temple, or even roam around in the streets of Thamel trying some exotic cuisines. You can get beautiful souvenirs in Kathmandu that you can take back home for your loved ones.
Altitude1400 m
MealsBreakfast
Accommodation3-5 Star Hotel
DAY 44: Final Departure
If you have not signed up for any other Add-ons Adventure packages, it’s time to bid you farewell. One of our representatives will drop you off at the airport 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
Altitude 1400 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation N/A
Includes
- Airport transfer costs (Pickup and Drop-off)
- 4 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with Bed and Breakfast
- Land transportation and cargo from Kathmandu to Chinese Camp and back to Kathmandu
- Tibet Entry Visa Fee and Cho Oyu Climbing Permit
- Charges for Highway and Conservation Areas
- Transportation and cargo for all members and staff
- Carriage cost for Yaks from Base Camp to the Advance Base Camp and back.
- 3-time full course meal with hot soups and drinks during the journey.
- High Foods during trekking and Expedition
- 1 professional Climbing Sherpa Guide
- Professional and experienced Cook and Kitchen Helpers
- Daily wages, equipment, allowances, and logistics for all members including Sherpa Guide, Cook, and Porters
- Medical Insurance for involved Nepali Staff during the expedition
- Branded individual tent for each expedition member
- Branded tents for Dining, Kitchen, Toilet, Ho Shower, Communication Room as well as comfortable mattresses, pillows, tables, chairs, and other necessary logistics at the Base Camp and upper Camps
- The facility of Generators or Solar Panels for charging batteries and other Electronic devices
- 3 bottles of Oxygen (4ltrs) for climbing members and 2 bottles for climbing Sherpa
- Top Out or Summit Mask and Regulator for each member and Climbing Sherpa
- Reserve of Oxygen Bottles and Masks Regulators available at base camp ($550 extra per bottle if required)
- Logistics and equipment like EPI Gas and Gas Burner, Dynamic Climbing Rope, Ice Screws, Snow Shovel, Snow Bars, Carabiners, etc.
- Walkie-talkie per member and climbing Sherpa
- Availability of Satellite Phones for emergency (Extra Cost Applicable)
- Service of Daily Weather Forecast during the entire Expedition
- Garbage Disposal Fee
- Government Taxes and Company Service Charge
- Farewell Dinner at a Typical Restaurant with Cultural Show
Excludes
- International Flight Tickets
- Nepal Entry and Re-entry Visa Fees
- Lunch and Dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
- Personal, medical, and Travel Insurance for you during the expedition
- Customs Duty and Import Duty fees for Expedition equipment and stuff in Nepal by Air/Road
- Expenses of personal nature like phone calls, Internet Usage, Battery REcharge, Mineral Water, Hot Shower, Laundry, Alcoholic beverages,
- Personal Trekking and Climbing Gears,
- Drone ad special filming permit,
- Internet and Data Service during the Trek and Expedition
- Permit for Satellite phone if required at $500 per set
- Summit Bonus for Climbing Sherpa $1000 (Mandatory)
- Tips and Gratuities for General Staffs $200 (Mandatory)
- Any service not mentioned in the Cost Inclusions section
Trip Notes
Please do remember these things.
- We also offer tailor-made options in our expeditions according to your time availability.
- If the member decides to depart earlier than the itinerary schedule, the member shall bear all the expenses for transportation from Cho-Oyu Base Camp to Kathmandu.
- In case the Chinese Government closes the entrance, we need to take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa to Kathmandu which will come up with an extra cost of $1000 USD including a 2-night stay in Lhasa.