Mount Cho-Oyu Expedition (8201m) - 42 Days

Mount Cho Oyu, meaning ‘Turquoise Goddess’ in Tibetan, is situated 20kms west of Mt. Everest, straddling the border between China & Nepal. Rising to an elevation of 8,201m, Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world. The Expedition on Mount Cho-Oyu was first done and summited on 19 October 1954 via the north-west ridge by Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jochler and Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama, members of an Austrian expedition.

The Nangpa La, a 19,000-foot glacier pass which lies west of Cho Oyu makes it easier for climbers to approach the mountain. Other than the challenge of the climb itself, an expedition to this mountain offers climbers spectacular views of Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,856m) and other Himalayan peaks.

Mount Cho-Oyu expedition is an achievable undertaking for intermediate climbers who wish to attempt an 8,000 m peak. The expedition of Cho-Oyu provides a perfect entrance into the world of high-altitude Himalayan climbing. The sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu lies in the heart of the Tibetan/Nepalese Himalayas and offers climbers views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and literally hundreds of other Himalayan peaks. The Cho Oyu climbing expedition exposes climbers to the ancient culture of Tibet.

While the challenge of high-altitude climbing cannot be underestimated, the technical nature of the ascent is moderate. Our route is composed of snow slopes with short sections of ice and rock scrambling. We use some fixed ropes for speed and safety. We climb Cho Oyu in classic Himalayan expedition style, employing Sherpa who assists with load carrying and camp preparation. The assistance of expert Sherpa, many of whom have guided with us on Mt. Everest, greatly increases our chances of success. We move up and down the mountain three to four times while establishing camps and acclimating to the extreme altitude. Supplemental oxygen is used for the summit attempt and while sleeping at High Camp. Our itinerary has extra days built in for inclement weather and slow acclimatization. The relatively short time needed to complete the climb adds to the attraction of this tremendous ascent.

This is a fully guided ascent, led by experienced guides who will climb the mountain with you. We are one of the few outfitters offering this type of support (and, as a result, we have a high success rate and an outstanding safety record). It should be noted that most outfitters merely offer a supported trek, where a single guide facilitates the climb but does not act as a guide during the ascent.