Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world and, even though it is regarded as a technically straight forward 8000m peak, its altitude is a serious undertaking and requires careful preparation and a high level of fitness. It is said that Cho Oyu means ‘Goddess of Turquoise’, as its stark shadows appear this color in the light of the setting sun when viewed from Tibet. This mountain is a vast bulk of sweeping snow slopes and clean glaciated lines; a most noble and impressive first 8000m peak.
The elegant North West face of Cho Oyu brings us up fairly easy angled 30 degree snow slope. There is one steep serious barrier to negotiate at 6800m. Where necessary, fixed lines will be placed to aid us on steeper sections. Following our acclimatization walks in Nylam and Tingri, we will arrive at the Chinese Base Camp where we begin our exciting preparations to move up to Base Camp at 5700m via an Intermediate Camp at around 5400m, to aid acclimatization.
Camp 1 (6400m) is reached in 4-6 hours via an initial walk up the Gyabrag Glacier, up a steep scree to a broad snow shoulder and our first high camp.
Camp 2 (7100m) we follow the snow ridge out of Camp 1 with a steep 50 meter ice wall, which provides us with our most challenging climbing on this route. To make this ascent safe we use fixed ropes.
Camp 3 (7500m) we are now on easier ground and we reach our third camp in around four hours. At this altitude there is a tremendous sense of effort to gain further height.
Summit Day It takes 6-9 hours to attain Cho Oyu’s grand summit plateau. The route takes us over moderately easy snow and rock; it is now only the weather and altitude that can stand in our way of conquering this grand 8000m peak.
Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu - Transfer to Hotel.
Day 02 - 03: Preparing for Expedition and Tibet visa
Day 04 Drive to Zangmu (2350m) O/N Hotel
Day 05 Drive to Nyalam (3750m)- O/N Guest House
Day 06 Rest day for acclimatization- O/N Guest House
Day 07 Drive to Thingri (4350m)- O/N Guest House
Day 08 Rest day in Thingri for acclimatization- O/N Guest House
Day 09 Drive to Cho-Oyu Base Camp (4900mt)
Day 10 At the base camp to acclimatize and preparing loads to advance base camp
Day 11 Trek to Intermediate camp (5400m)
Day 12 Arrive at advance base camp (5600m)
Day 13-40 Climbing period
Day 41 Trek back to base camp
Day 42 Drive to Nyalam- O/N Guest House
Day 43 Drive to Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel
Day 44: Free Day and Shopping in Kathmandu
Day 45: Final departure