Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m)

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

On the boundary between Nepal and Tibet, Cho Oyu, which is 8,201 meters (26,906 feet) high, is found. It is a gorgeous piece of the Khumbu region of the Himalayas and offers an exciting challenge for mountaineers looking to test their limitations. The journey then begins with a flight or a drive to the Tibetan city of Shigatse. Before arriving at the Chinese Base Camp of Cho Oyu, the adventure continues with a drive to ancient Thingri, allowing for a gradual acclimatization. Rest and acclimatization days are incorporated into the schedule to guarantee a safe and effective ascent. It is an occasion for success, personal development, and a strong bond with nature. A high level of physical fitness, mountaineering expertise, and experience at high elevations are necessary for the challenging and rewarding Cho Oyu Expedition. Climbers can experience the exhilaration of climbing one of the world's great peaks while reveling in the unrivaled beauty of the Himalayas with the aid of adequate acclimatization, the assistance of knowledgeable guides and Sherpas, and a well-structured itinerary that we offer.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu — Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up by our representative at the airport and taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek. If you have an early arrival, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel. From 20th March 2020 due to heavy congestion, all flights to and from Lukla depart from Ramechhap airport, 130km, a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu. It means now it’ll take an extra day to get to Lukla from Kathmandu though the flight price is the same. Day Day 2: Welcome brief, Gear check and Official formalities in Kathmandu — On this day, you will go on a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting some of the popular tourist attractions. In the afternoon, you will have a pre-climbing briefing with your guide and do some final preparation. Day Day 3: Tibet Visa Collection and expedition briefing — A Tibet visa is a crucial requirement for entry into Tibet. Thus, you pick up your visa from the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu on day 3. After receiving your visa, you will go to an expedition briefing where you will learn crucial details about the travel ahead, safety precautions, and other preparations that may be required. Day Day 4: Fly to Lhasa and transfer to hotel — Kathmandu - Lhasa On this day, you will take a flight from your current location to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The flight duration will depend on your departure point. Once you arrive in Lhasa, you will be transferred to your hotel. It's essential to take it easy upon arrival in Lhasa to allow your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. Day Day 5: Drive to Shigatse — Lhasa - Shigatse You will embark on a scenic drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. The second-largest city in Tibet, Shigatse, is situated around 280 kilometers to the west of Lhasa. You will pass through beautiful countryside during the route, including breathtaking mountain ranges, wide plains, and Tibetan settlements. Once you arrive in Shigatse, check into your lodging. The rest of the day is yours to unwind and explore the city. Day Day 6: Drive to old Thingri — Shitgatse - Old Thingri Driving from Shigatse to Tingri, also known as Old Thingri, will take place on the sixth day. Old Thingri, a small settlement at an elevation of around 4,300 meters (14,100 feet), is a well-liked starting point for mountaineering treks to nearby peaks. You will pass through tough terrain on the route, including steep mountain passes and wide lowlands. Day Day 7: Acclimatize in old Thingri — This day is set aside for us to adjust to the high altitude in Old Thingri. Acclimatization is essential to reduce the likelihood of getting altitude sickness. You will have the chance to rest, drink water, and do light exercises throughout this day so that your body can become used to the thin air and low oxygen levels. During this phase of acclimation, it's crucial to pay attention to your body's signals and take it easy. Day Day 8: Drive to Cho Oyu Chinese Base Camp via Rombuk Monastery — Old Thingri - Cho Oyu Chinese Base Camp You will travel by car from Old Thingri to the Cho Oyu Chinese Base Camp on Day 8. You will be driven through Tibet's beautiful countryside and through the well-known Rombuk Monastery. One of the highest monasteries in the world, Rombuk Monastery provides breathtaking views of Mount Everest. Following your visit to the monastery, you will continue your trip to the Cho Oyu Chinese Base Camp, where you will set up camp and get ready for the expedition's forthcoming days. Day Day 9-11: Acclimatize at Chinese Base Camp — The Cho Oyu Chinese Base Camp will be the location for Days 9 through 11. This time frame enables thorough acclimatization and ascent preparation. You will have enough time to set up your base camp, prepare your gear, and practice climbing or engaging in training exercises to improve your mountaineering abilities. It is crucial to adhere to the advice of knowledgeable advisers and make sure you are sufficiently equipped to face the challenges ahead. Day Day 12: Drive to Cho-Oyu base camp — Chinese Base Camp - Cho-Oyu Base Camp From the Chinese Base Camp, you will drive to the Cho-Oyu Base Camp. This base camp serves as the beginning point for the ascent and is situated closer to Mount Cho-Oyu. As you near the base camp, the drive will take you over rocky terrain and breathtaking scenery. When you get there, you'll set up camp and get ready for the hike. Day Day 13: Acclimatization/rest day at Cho-Oyu base camp — At Cho-Oyu Base Camp, this day is separated for acclimatization and rest. To help your body acclimate to the high altitude and lower the danger of altitude sickness, acclimatization is essential. This day will be used for relaxation, rehydration, and light exercise around the base camp. Before continuing, it's crucial to pay attention to your body's signals and properly acclimate. Day Day 14: Trek to intermediate camp — Cho-Oyu Base Camp - Intermediate Camp The journey to the Intermediate Camp will start from Cho-Oyu Base Camp. You will pass through difficult terrain and heights along the walk. A critical location for more acclimatization and getting ready for the summit push, the Intermediate Camp is strategically located at a greater height than the base camp. Day Day 15-41: Climbing Period (advance base camp - summit - advance base camp) — Base Camp will already have a route set up with ropes and ladders leading to Camp 1 by the time we first arrive there. Our strong Sherpa team will be hard at work carrying loads of gear up the mountain which will help ease the burden on the climbers. Two days for ladder training and familiarization in the lower Khumbu Icefall before going ascending to Camp 1(5,900m/19,500ft). Spend a couple of days at Camp 1 then proceed to Camp 2(6,400m/21,000ft) and stay several nights there to help the climbers adjust to the altitude. We also make a trip to Nuptse Camp 3(6,800m/22,300ft) to help fasten this process. Our Camp 2 is set up with cook tents, specialized cooks, and a heated dining tent with tables and chairs which will provide some level of comfort to the climbers. On the mountain, we use shared sleeping tents. After finishing this phase, we return to Base Camp to recover before making one more loop up the mountain to Camp 3, where we spend the night. Then we descend once more to Base Camp where we wait for a weather window to launch our summit attempt. When we do, we ascend through Camp 2 for a few nights before making our summit attempt after spending a night at Camp 3. The group will probably descend to Camp 3 after their long day of climbing. You would go back to Base Camp the next day. Overall, the climbing plan needs to take into consideration the various factors that can affect a climb in the Himalayas. With the right weather conditions and a strong team effort, the summit attempt is achievable. Day Day 42: Descend to Cho Oyu Base Camp — Advance Base Camp - Cho Oyu Base Camp You will return to Cho-Oyu Base Camp from the Intermediate Camp after spending several weeks on the mountain. The expedition's timetable includes this descent, which enables a steady drop back to lower elevations. Due to the potentially hazardous mountain conditions, the descent will call for cautious walking and attention. You will have time to recuperate, pack up your gear, and get ready to leave once you get to the base camp. Day Day 43: Drive back to Shigatse — Cho Oyu Base Camp - Shigatse From the Cho-Oyu Base Camp, you will travel back to Shigatse. You can see mountains, valleys, and Tibetan villages as you travel through the beautiful Tibetan countryside. As soon as you arrive in Shigatse, check into your lodging. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recharge from the excursion. Day Day 44: Drive to Lhasa — Shigatse - Lhasa Shigatse to Lhasa drive and you can revisit some of the picturesque locations along the road as you go back to Tibet's capital city. When you get to Lhasa, check into your accommodation, then spend the rest of the day unwinding and exploring the area at your own pace. Day Day 45: Fly back to Kathmandu — Lhasa - Kathmandu You will return to Kathmandu from Lhasa by plane on the last day of the program, capping off your journey. The length of the flight will be influenced by the weather and airline scheduling. When you get to Kathmandu, you may either plan your next leg of the tour or extend your time there to see more of this exciting city. Day Day 46: Leisure day at Kathmandu — This is a free day in Kathmandu. Visiting Durbar squares, temple and stupas some of which are also listed in UNESCO world heritage sites or strolling around Thamel area for some souvenir shopping are the few activities you can enjoy in Kathmandu. Try various Nepali and newari cuisines if you are a food lover and want to try something new in Nepal. On top of it, people in Nepal are really humble and hospitable. You can try talking to locals and learn a few Nepali words. In the evening, you can go to local bars or pubs if you love live music where local bands perform live every night especially on weekends. Day Day 47: Departure from Kathmandu — If your flight is in the evening, we will take you for sightseeing in one of the Buddhist stupa; Boudhanath/Swayambhunath which is also listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, Our representative will receive you from the hotel and drop you at the airport for your return journey back home.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu — Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up by our representative at the airport and taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek. If you have an early arrival, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel.+