About Cho-Oyu Expedition
Cho Oyu, 8201 mt / 26,906 ft is the 6th highest peak on the planet and one of only 14 peaks that rise over 8,000 mt / 26,247 ft. It is located in the Khumbu region about 20 km / 12.5 mi to the west of Everest along Nepal’s border with the Tibetan Plateau. Cho Oyu is unique in being not only one of the tallest but one of the most technically straightforward among the 8,000 m peaks and thus a major goal for worldwide mountaineers. We are ready and able to assist you in accomplishing your greatest climbing aims safely and soundly. Your dream of standing atop an 8,000 m peak and the feeling of ultimate success and achievement will be in safe hands as you let us take care of the logistics.
The peak is often considered as a first 8,000 mt peak before taking on more challenging peaks in the 8,000 mt group including Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. Cho Oyu was first climbed by an Austrian team in 1954. You can fulfill a lifetime highlight and individual ambitions and share the success in every walk of life from friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances, to climbing peers who will respect the hard work, commitment, stamina and skill it takes to get to the top of Cho Oyu.
The summit approach is usually the west ridge just north of Nepal’s border in Tibet. In fact, one route is a jeep drive through Tibet to a Base Camp on that side of the border. We prefer the trek through the Khumbu to Base Camp. As demanding as this high elevation climb is, you can leave everything to us and simply focus on achieving the aim of a lifetime. The Cho Oyu Expedition is a fully supported journey and we are with you in all ways every step of the way with Himalayan veteran Sherpas. You will be with knowledgeable, experienced specialists that take your well-being personally and offer the best chance of summit success.
The approach starts with a trek to Nepal’s iconic Khumbu Region. The highland terrain of the Khumbu offers a spectacular array of snowy mountains, remote Sherpa villages, and elegant Buddhist monasteries and will be unforgettable.
The journey begins with an enchanting hike from the lowlands or a quick and picturesque flight to the high altitude airfield at Lukla from Kathmandu. Our team assembles in Lukla and together we ascend through the famous locations of the region including the sprawling Namche Bazaar, Kunde, Khumjung, and Thame. After ascending to Base Camp we meet more crew and refresh our climbing skills. Along the journey, we include adequate rest days to ensure acclimatization. On these days, we take the chance to explore the beautiful surrounding area while we become accustomed to the altitude.
The Khumbu Region offers many options for exploration and some people choose to climb Island Peak (6,189 mt / 20,305 ft) and/or Lobuche Peak (6,119 mt / 20,075) as a “warm-up” that helps with both refreshing skills and adjusting to the altitude.
Spring is the best season for conditions on the mountain and Autumn is another option. Spring conditions are generally icier and the post-monsoon season of autumn is snowier.
The timetable is planned by veteran climbers with special attention to season and safety. We always adhere to the highest safety standards and ensure that this trip is designed for comfort and well-being, especially by following a graded ascent with proper acclimatization.
In Kathmandu, we begin with team introductions and expedition briefings, equipment inspection and other preparations.
We establish our Base Camp at 4,900 mt / 16,076 ft. Upper Base Camp is around 5800 mt / 19,029 ft, Camp I is nearly 6,400 mt / 20,997 ft, Camp II is about 7,000 mt 22,965 ft, and our High Camp III from where we push for the summit is 7,450 mt / 24,442 ft.
We arrange a crew of porters and sometimes yaks to transport provisions and gear, including food and a dining tent, tables, chairs, a toilet tent and personal, high-performance sleeping tents. At base camp, our skilled chef will provide the day’s meals and in the evening we will enjoy a magnificent camp under the stars, surrounded by the Himalaya and jaw-dropping surroundings while we enjoy a supper and a warm drink.
We are devoted to the highest standards in the industry and look forward to guiding you on the adventure of a lifetime to the top of one of the only fourteen 8000+ mt peaks in the world!