Cho Oyu Climb & Tibetan Cultural Trek

Climbing Cho Oyu, is one of the world’s great adventures and trekking through the exotic landscape of Tibet is like going back in time. On this expedition we have the pleasure of experiencing Nepali, Tibetan and Chinese cultures en route to the summit. Tibet is one of the most exotic and photogenic regions on the planet and Cho Oyu is a breathtaking and challenging climb and an excellent stepping stone to an Everest summit. This expedition offers one of few opportunities to add on a second 8,000m peak within the same departure. Despite its massive height of 8,201m it is the most accessible of the fourteen 8,000m peaks and one of the safest climbs at such extreme altitude offering less objective hazard and a drier climate than Manaslu or Dhaulagiri. 

Our Cho Oyu expeditions and Tibetan treks all begin in Kathmandu where we obtain our climbing permits and have a free day to check out the city before we drive to Tibet to start our voyage to base camp. This breath-taking drive is a beautiful way to start the trip. From the moment you land in arrive at the border you will be at altitude. From here we make our way across Tibet via Nyalam and Tingri staying at some of the finest accommodations the region has to offer before heading to Base Camp.

Hygiene is incredibly important to us and we take many precautions to make sure our teams avoid getting sick at all costs. Despite this, illness can be a fact of life in Tibet so chances are people will at least experience a stomach rumbling at some point during the expedition. Stay focused on sanitation to minimize illness. Be careful eating undercooked foods and always have a bottle of hand sanitizer with you that you use religiously after going to the toilet and shaking hands. Drink bottled or boiled water where you can. Once at base camp we get settled in and use a slow, methodical acclimatization strategy to position ourselves for the summit bid. Our base camp is first rate. We spare little expense making you feel as comfortable as possible.

Please note that Cho Oyu is a potentially dangerous mountain and climbing at 8,000 meters is very serious and meant for climbers with prior experience at altitude and sound climbing skills. Even while trekking in Tibet you are at altitude that average the summits of the tallest peaks in the continental US. Guides and Sherpa staff will work with you throughout the expedition to provide logistics, guidance, and information to best ensure your summit success.

This expedition will provide logistics, food, support, oxygen, and guidance for a summit attempt on Cho Oyu, the world’s 6th tallest mountain. We begin our trek by meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, obtaining our Chinese visas, then drive to Tibet via the stunning Kriyong Pass and tour Tibet en route to Cho Oyu base camp. We will then climb the mountain and return to Nepal by driving via Kiryong pass.

Cho Oyu is a special peak that offers pleasant climbing, milder terrain, more accessibility and less objective hazard than the other 8,000m peaks. However it is important to emphasize that it is a serious undertaking and requires preparation. Your climb begins long before you reach the mountain. We encourage you to incorporate training into your daily routine at least 6-9 months in advance of your Himalayan climb. As your climb rolls around you want to be in top physical and mental condition. While a mighty climb and a spectacular goal, Cho Oyu also offers the perfect training ground to prepare for even bigger peaks like Everest. On Cho Oyu you will become accustomed to the feel and function of oxygen systems, gain experience ascending fixed lines in severe temperatures and even sleeping and eating at extreme altitudes. All of these skills take time to integrate and become second nature but by the end of this expedition you will be set you up for on going success. 

We approach the mountain from the North West Route and employ a slow acclimitization schedule into our schedule. Many expeditions rush this process and suffer the consequences during the summit bid because of it. This is not our strategy. We employ the “carry high, sleep low”, principle of high altitude mountaineering by carrying up to our next camp and then returning to a lower altitude to sleep before moving to the higher camp the following day. From base camp we will make three forays up the mountain to successively higher altitudes to prepare for the summit bid, with plenty of time to rest back at base camp in between.

Our base camp is first rate. We spare little expense making you feel as comfortable as possible. Our top notch cooks make you the healthiest food possible with strong hygiene standards. Each of our climbers has their own tent at base camp where they can feel at home when not socializing in the group dining and hangout tents. We have a state-of-the-art communications tent and make internet available to our guests. We receive up-to-date weather reports and have satellite phones for group use. In between acclimatization rotations up the mountain we spend time strategizing our weather windows, skills training and troubleshooting to make sure you’re fully prepared for the climb ahead. We find much of the stress of a summit bid can be alleviated by early preparation.

Itinerary