Cho Oyu Expedition is also the sixth highest mountain, is a classic choice among the Fourteen peak 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, Mount Cho Oyu is also the westernmost peak in the Khumbu sub-section of the Mahalangur Range. Cho Oyu Peak (8188m) Expedition is considered as more accessible peaks with a very high success rate making it the second most climbed peak.
The first ascent to Climbing Mount Cho Oyu (8188 m) 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, on 19 October 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. The first Nepali mountaineer was Ang Phuri Sherpa, who scaled Mt. Cho Oyu (8188 m) on 29 April 1987. Since the first expeditions, hundreds of expeditions have been led to Cho Oyu Mountain (8188 m) with huge success rates.
The Cho Oyu Expedition is an extreme high-altitude mountaineering challenge requiring strong physical fitness, technical climbing skills and previous high-altitude experience. It is an ideal peak to experience thin air above 8000 m. But like all ascents in the higher altitudes, 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.
Join us on our Cho Oyu Expedition with a team of excellent Sherpas. 8K assures the best value for the price you pay.
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.
While in Kathmandu, you’ll have time to rest and prepare for the journey ahead. This important phase includes completing official formalities, processing your Tibet visa, and attending a detailed expedition briefing where you'll be introduced to the team and expedition plan. You’ll also conduct a thorough gear check to ensure all equipment is ready, with an opportunity to purchase or rent any remaining items.
Additionally, you’ll have time for last-minute shopping for personal essentials. This preparation period is designed to make sure you are fully equipped, informed, and mentally ready for the adventure that awaits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following three and a half weeks are allocated for the climbing period of Cho Oyu (8,188m). 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 (8,188 m).
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.
After the summit push or an acclimatization rotation, you’ll begin your descent by trekking down to Intermediate Camp. This stage allows your body to recover at a lower altitude while maintaining a steady pace. The trail may be technical and requires careful footing, but the drop in elevation often brings a sense of relief and renewed energy.
Along the way, you’ll retrace familiar paths, passing through dramatic mountain scenery. Upon reaching Intermediate Camp, you’ll rest, rehydrate, and reflect on your progress, preparing either for further descent or the next phase of the expedition.
Enjoy a scenic drive to Tingri, a high-altitude town on the Tibetan Plateau. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, Tingri serves as an important acclimatization stop before continuing the expedition.
Upon arrival, you'll rest, adjust to the altitude, and prepare for the next stage of your journey toward base camp.
After completing the expedition, you’ll drive back to Kerung, retracing the route through the Tibetan highlands. This marks the beginning of your journey home.
Upon arrival, you’ll rest and complete necessary exit formalities before crossing back into Nepal. It's a time to unwind and reflect on your successful adventure.
You’ll begin the final leg of your journey with a scenic drive back to Kathmandu, descending from the Tibetan Plateau into the lush landscapes of Nepal. The drive offers a chance to relax and reflect on your expedition.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Official Formalities, Expeditions Briefing and Farewell Dinner
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.
Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition cost vary depending on factors including group size, royalty and permit costs in different seasons, category of hotel accommodation, numbers of Sherpa’s allocated and equipment, type of arrangement and package customization. So, we would like to discuss this with our client before offering the cost. Please feel free to contact 8K Expedition for any information about your selected package.
The best seasons to climb Cho Oyu are generally spring and autumn, depending on weather, route conditions and expedition schedules. For the 8K Expeditions Cho Oyu Expedition, the fixed departure for 2027 is March 26, 2027, during the spring climbing season. The expedition follows a 32-day itinerary with dedicated acclimatization and climbing periods. Because conditions on an 8,188 m mountain can change rapidly, the final summit schedule depends on weather, route conditions, acclimatization and the expedition's safety decisions.
The Cho Oyu Expedition with 8K Expeditions starts in Kathmandu, Nepal. From there, the team travels overland through Kerung and continues into Tibet, reaching Tingri for acclimatization before heading to the Cho Oyu base area.
During the climb, mountaineers gradually move through higher camps at around 6,400 m, 7,000 m, and 7,400 m before making their summit attempt at 8,188 m. After the climbing period, the team descends through Tibet and returns to Kathmandu via Kerung.
Also Read : Gina Rzucidlo Summits Cho Oyu with 8K Expeditions (Oct 1, 2023)
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