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Trip Facts
- Duration 43 Days
- Trip GradeEasy
Trip Highlights
- Views of the Everest, Jugal, and Tibetan ranges
- Climb the sixth highest mountain in the world- Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m)
- Explore Tibet and its capital, Lhasa
Trip Overview
Cho Oyu Expedition is one of the most iconic mountaineering ventures in Nepal. As such, the trip entails plenty of Himalayan sightings. Likewise, on this Cho Oyu Expedition, climbers can also explore the Tibetan highlands. The trip proceeds along with the southern parts of Tibet and even stops at Lhasa- the capital of Tibet. Thus, it is a brilliant mix of adventure and insight into ancient Tibetan culture. Moreover, the feeling of conquering the sixth highest mountain in the world- Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m) is surreal as well.
First of all, you will arrive in Kathmandu and stay here for a couple of days. Here, you will make the necessary preparations and procure the permits to enter Tibet. Then, you will take a scenic flight to Lhasa. The flight itself reveals an array of the Himalayas including the Mt. Everest (8488m) and Cho Oyu (8201m). Then, you will spend a day at Lhasa and take a tour around the city. You can enjoy the cultural heritage of the city and enjoy the local cuisine as well. Leaving Lhasa, you will drive to Shigatse with the company of arid Tibetan landscapes. Another long drive from Shigatse takes you to Tingri. Finally, you will head to the Chinese Base Camp located to the north of the Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m).
Further, climbers will pass middle camp and Advance Base Camp to reach the summit of Cho Oyu. The views from the top accommodate mountains like the Mt. Everest (8488m), Nuptse (7861m), Gauri Shankar (7134m) and few others in Tibetan ranges. After the climb, you will descend all the way to the Chinese Base Camp. Then, you drive all the way to Lhasa and spend your final night in Tibetan territory. Finally, a flight back to Kathmandu brings the trip to a close.
Autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are the ideal seasons for the Cho Oyu Expedition. Moreover, the trip is a difficult one extending along steep icy and snowy paths for many days. So, the climbers have to be at the peak of their physical and mental condition for the trip.
Note:
We, at Vista Treks, are proud to introduce the Cho Oyu Expedition to avid climbers and travelers. Also, we make sure that you do not experience unnecessary discomfort on the trip.
Trip Itinerary
- Upon arrival, a representative from Vista Treks will meet you outside the airport and drive you to your hotel as you view the bustling Kathmandu City. Check-in your room and enjoy the refreshment.
- You will be introduced to the climbing guide and other staff. In the meantime, we’ll settle the dues and complete the paperwork. You will need to provide your passport and other documents to help procure Chinese Visa and climbing permits.
- Your guide will take your documents and visit the Chinese Embassy to obtain your Visa. In the meantime, we’ll prepare other necessary documents including climb permits, national park permits, and contracts for you to reach Cho Oyu safely.
- As you have an additional day in hand, you can set out to explore Kathmandu City and explore some of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites includingPashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Boudhanath Stupa.
- You can visit the local gear shops at Thamel with your guide to purchase needed gear and equipment. Most climbing equipment can be rented as well.
- After breakfast, you’ll drive to the airport and embark on an adventurous trans-Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region of China and the highest city in the world lies almost 604km from Kathmandu.
- Along with the 1.5-hour flight, enjoy the majestic aerial view of some of the extraordinary mountains, including Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Kanchenjunga.
- Once in Tibet, the desert-like landscape will dominate the scenery as far as your eyes can reach. Upon arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel for check-in.
- As nothing is planned for today, you can set out to explore the vicinity and explore the evening life at Lhasa square.
- Overnight in Lhasa.
- You will spend the day acclimatizing before embarking on the trek. As you're above 3500 meters, you must spend a few days getting used to the local weather of Tibet. You can spend the day exploring the city and visiting some of the most popular tourist sites.
- The sightseeing tour of the city begins with a scenic visit to Potala Palace. Also known as ‘The Winter Palace,’ Potala served as the former royal palace and an administrative office to the Dalai Lama. It is turned into a museum that remains open for all kinds of tourists. You can visit the prayer room, former offices, library and other rooms with artifacts.
- Next, you can visit the Jokhang monastery or Jokhang Temple located at the heart of Barkhor Street, another historical and popular tourist site.
- Afterward, you can visit Sera Monastery. Sera is one of the Great Three Gelug university monasteries in Tibet. The monastery lies almost 2km north from your hotel.
- Shigatse prefecture lies 271.1km from Lhasa. You’ll embark on a scenic road journey southwest of Lhasa towards Shigatse.
- The road journey may last almost 5 hours. As an option, you can take a train ride to Shigatse instead. Known as “Tangzhu Ancient Route Train,” the train to Shigatse departs twice a day from the city. The entire route covers almost 248km within three hours.
- Shigatse lies within the historical Tsang province of Tibet. Along the road journey, you can catch the beautiful sight of the Tibetan landscape and the massive Tsang Po River. Tsang Po is a major River originating inside Tibet that later meets the Brahmaputra River in India.
- Catch the beautiful sights of ShigatseDzong, an empty fort, and Tashilunpo Monastery, the official seat of the Panchen Lama (the second revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama)
- Overnight at a hotel in Shigatse.
- You’ll embark on a scenic road journey that takes you further southwest and close to the mountains. The entire journey spans 236.7km, and the ride may last almost 4 hours.
- Drive along the Tibetan plains and arrive at Shegar. Shegar is the administrative center of Tingri County. It is home to ShegarDzong (Crystal Fort), a fort with one of Tibet’s most fantastic defensive walls.
- Once at Tingri, you will catch the beautiful sights of Mt. Everest and Mt. Cho Oyu in the distance. You will also meet other climbers at the hotel.
- Located at 4700 meters, you will visit Basum Primary School -the world’s highest primary school.
- You will also get to see Rongbuk Monastery, the highest Buddhist monastery in the world.
- Overnight in Tingri.
- Leaving Tingri, you’ll make your way towards Chinese Base Camp. This brings you close to Cho Oyu Peak.
- Chinese Base Camp, at 5150 meters is a short drive from Tingri. Once at the base camp, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains to the south.
- You will use this day to acclimatize before approaching the Middle Base Camp. Your guide will organize yaks to help carry the load through the rugged terrain.
- You will prepare for climbing. As you are at an altitude of 17,000/18,000 feet, you must acclimatize well.
- You can consider going for a short hike and explore the vicinity before resting for the night.
- Overnight in Chinese Base Camp.
- You will not haste and make a short hike towards the Middle Camp or Intermediate Camp. Once at Middle Camp, you will stay put and acclimatize before approaching Advanced Base Camp at (5608 meters).
- Today is an acclimatization day. So, you can indulge in a short trek on the moraine. This part of this trail is drier.
- Catch the amazing sights of Jobo-Rabzang and many other unnamed 6000-meter peaks as you trek alongside the Gyabrag Glacier.
- Most of the time will be spent acclimatizing. The exact schedule of the climb will be adjusted depending on the need for acclimatization, prevailing health condition, and weather.
- Here on, you’ll attempt for the summit. You will be climbing the north-west face of Cho Oyu. The route is divided into two-three different camps before arriving at the summit.
- Leaving the Base Camp, you’ll approach Camp I located at an altitude of 6,400 meters. This will be a rather long and tiring walk. You will cross more than a kilometer-long moraine before walking up the steep scree known as “Horrible Hill.” You will arrive at Camp I located at the top of the ridge.
- You’ll begin climbing towards Camp II at 7,000 meters. You will follow the snow and ice ridge that will require you to use fixed rope and ascenders. There are many steeper parts in this climb. Camp II is an open plateau that looks like a football field.
- You will climb down to Advanced Base Camp to recuperate and regain your energy before attempting for the summit.
- Leaving Camp II, you’ll encounter a 30-degree snow ascent that leads directly to Camp III at 7,400 meters. You’ll climb another headwall at about 28-46 degrees to Camp III located on a low angle slope. It lies on a flat space of the northwest ridge-face of the peak.
- From Camp III, you’ll approach the summit that may take almost 7-8 hours. It involves climbing through a rock band or Yellow Band just before approaching a couloir that leads to the summit. It takes about 7-10 hours to complete the summit and back. After enjoying the beautiful scenery from the top, you’ll begin descending back to Advanced Base Camp.
- Overnight in Advance Base Camp.
- You will take some time recuperating at Advance Base Camp before dismantling the camp and heading back home.
- After dismantling ABC, you’ll head back to Chinese Base Camp along with a Yak Caravan. From Chinese Base Camp, you’ll make your way back to Shigatse prefecture via Tingri.
- Overnight at a hotel in Tingri.
- You will indulge in a rather exciting drive back to Lhasa viewing the wide, plain valley and the massive Tsang Po River.
- Once at Lhasa, you will check into your hotel.
- After breakfast, you’ll drive to Lukla airport and embark on a scenic trans-Himalayan flight to Kathmandu.
- Bid farewell to Lhasa and the dominating scenery of Potala Palace, as you cross over the mountains to arrive in Nepal.
- Enjoy the aerial view of Mt. Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga peaks.
- Once in Kathmandu, you will check into the hotel.
- As a leisure day, you can choose to either relax at the hotel or embark on a city tour.
- Visit some of the popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites located outside Kathmandu City such as Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner in one of the finest Nepali restaurants in Thamel.
- Care to share your holiday experience with us over dinner.
- Shop for souvenir at Thamel.
- Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.
- Depending on your flight timing, we’ll drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport.
