Cho Oyu Expedition - 33 days

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition is an adventurous journey that will take you to the top of the world's sixth highest mountain. This mountain was first scaled by an Austrian Expedition team in 1954. Known as one of the easier 8,000 meters mountains to climb, Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition is a lifetime journey. Located 20 kilometers away from Everest between Nepal and China border, Mt. Cho Oyu is a beautiful mountain. This mountain can be climbed from both Nepal's side that is south faced, northeast ridge route and Tibetan side northwest ridge route. However, the northwest ridge is easier to climb then northeast. There is no technical climbing and big snowfields will often be your path. In Tibet, Mt. Cho Oyu is known as the Turquoise goddess.

**Himalayan Penchant **

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition will allow you to have a lifetime experience that will lead you to the top of the world's sixth highest mountain. This experience will surely transform your prospect of life and bring you closer to yourself. You will have ample time to look into you and understand your purpose of life. Plus, the incredible beauty of Himalayas and isolation of the region will increase the joy of the expedition. The alluring views of snow-covered mountains like Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Mt. Baruntse (7,162 m), Mt. Pumori (7,161 m), etc will accompany you through the journey.

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition landmark

The first and foremost landmark of this expedition is Mt. Cho Oyu itself. It is the sixth highest mountain in the world. Likewise, you will reach Naylam, a Tibetan town. Here, you will get to see the culture, tradition, and values of Tibetans. The next highlight of this expedition is Advanced Base Camp that is located at the foot of Nangpa La Pass. Here, you will stop for a couple of days to gear up yourself before heading towards the summit of Mt. Cho Oyu.

Culture and Ethnic Diversity

Cho Oyu Expedition will present you a rich experience where you will get to see people of both Nepal and Tibet. During your drive to Nylam, you will see small settlements and Sherpa people. Likewise, as you will reach Nylam the lifestyle of Tibetans can be seen. You will not find a major difference between the way of life as that part of Nepal is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.

Natural Aptitude

The trail takes you from the lower part of Tibet to the alpine zone where everything is cold and freezing. As you will be driving up to Cho Oyu Base Camp, the drive will go through busy towns. Likewise, you will get to see the beautiful Tibetan scenery during the drive. From Cho Oyu Base Camp onwards, you will walk on rugged, steep, and glacier paths.

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition difficulty

Climbing 8,000 meters above the mountain is no doubt an easy thing. High stamina, lots of energy, patience, strong will power, and physical fitness is required to cross many crevasses, steep ascends, and narrow glacier paths. Plus, as you go higher the air gets thinner and oxygen level of your body drops down, so you have to use oxygen tanks to move further. With our proper guidance and expertise, you will complete this difficult journey without having any problem.

Altitude Sickness and Prevention

High elevation journey carries risks of altitude sickness, which can occur to anyone regardless of their age and health. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is no means a joke at more than 8,000 meters. If it happens to anyone immediate action has to be taken to control the situation before it goes out of hand. Proper acclimatization is very crucial to keep yourself moving ahead. Therefore, we, Peak Explorer have designed our Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition itinerary with adequate acclimatization days.

Below is the symptom of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness):

● Difficulty sleeping.

● Dizziness or light-headedness.

● Fatigue.

● Headache.

● Loss of appetite.

● Nausea or vomiting.

● Rapid pulse (heart rate).

● Shortness of breath with exertion

Preventive measures of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness):

● Inform your guide on time.

● Climb slowly.

● Eat carbs.

● Avoid alcohol.

● Drink plenty of water.

● Take it easy, don't panic.

● Sleep at a lower elevation.

● Medication.

Transportation and Bag Pack

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition begins with a long drive to Nylam. From here, you will drive to Cho Oyu Base Camp. After spending a couple of days in base camp, you will move ahead towards the Advanced Camp and then to the summit of Mt. Cho Oyu.

Food and Accommodation during Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition

During the Cho Oyu Expedition, you will stay overnight in lodge or guest house up to Nylam. From here onwards, you will spend the night in tents. All the tents and other necessary equipment will be carried by our porters. Tents will be of high quality and insulating, so don't worry too much about the cold.

In the lower part, the food will be served as per the menu of lodge or guesthouse. However, during the expedition, all the foods will be cooked and served by the porters. Our porters are professionally trained for cooking. They will make you appetizing meals that will warm your body and give you enough energy to move ahead.

Best Season to go on Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition

The best time to do Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition is in Spring. Many climbers take on this challenging venture from late March to May. The weather is much more suitable as well as enduring. Similarly, the lower part of the Khumbu region also bloomed up with lovely rhododendron making the trail more beautiful. Likewise, Autumn is another most preferable time for this expedition.

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition Cost

Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition cost includes all the necessities that you will require for a successful expedition. From government permits to utensils for the preparation of the food, everything is in the cost. Likewise, to survive in that extreme cold, you have to have the warm sleeping tents, oxygens tanks, first aid, and lots of other equipment. All of these cost good money to take with yourself during the journey. You can contact us anytime for more detailed information about the Mt. Cho Oyu Expedition cost.

Essential Document

Here is the list of things that you have to carry during the expedition:

● Passport & Visa.

● Travel Insurance.

● Extra Photos.

● Permits.

● Cash (as per need).

What is done in Base camp?

At the base camp, your guide will teach you basic uses of climbing gear. He will teach you how to properly use gears like harness, rope, ice-ax, etc. Likewise, he will brief you about the route and the issues you might have to face. You will go on a short hike or climb nearby small peaks to acclimate your body and increase your confidence level.

Training and Climbing Strategy

Advance Base Camp (5,700 m/18,700 ft):

Located at the northwest face at an elevation of 5,700m/18,700ft. From here, you will get to see wonderful views of the glacier and mountains. In the coming few days, you will spend learning basic mountaineering skills from your guide and acclimatize your body nicely with the altitude before moving forward.

Cho-Oyu Camp I (6,400 m/20,997 ft):

From the base camp, you will ascend for around 4 to 6 hours to reach Camp I. Walking along the Gyabrag Glacier, you will move on a steep scree slope that will take you to the shoulder broad of snow-field.

Cho-Oyu Camp II (7,100 m/23,294 ft):

On a wide snow face just above 25 meters high ice cliff, Camp II is located. Your Sherpa guide will fix the rope to make the climb safer. Camp I to Camp II will take most climbers 5 to 7 hours mostly on 35-38 degree snow slopes.

Cho-Oyu Camp III (7,500 m/24,606 ft)

Upon reaching Camp III, you will only have to ascend 700 meters to reach the summit. Camp III is located just below the yellow band, which is a rock cliff. You have to cross this cliff to reach the summit. You will spend a short time here, therefore not many amenities are needed to carry up here.

Cho-Oyu Summit (8,201 m/26,906 ft):

Leaving Camp III behind, you will reach the summit of Mt. Cho Oyu after 7 to 9 hours of hard climbing. The climbing route is a straightforward, but steep snow slope above the yellow band is very strenuous. After spending some time, you will safely descend to lower camps for night stay.

Extra Personal Expenditure

Do carry cash with yourself so that you can get the service you are in need of. Extra expenditure like food and drinks out of itinerary meals, hot shower, charging appliance may cost you a few bucks. With the increase of elevation, the facilities will get limited and little things will cost you a few extra bucks. Also, there are no ATMs available on the trail, and none of the teahouses accepts the card for payment.

Safety & Precaution in Expedition

Expedition in the Himalayas is a life-risking activity. With the surreal view and lifelong achievement comes lots of dangers and troubles. There are so many things that need to be taken care of before and during the expedition. From preparing the gears to set the ropes, everything should be perfect because the Himalayas do not accept any mistakes.

Here is the list of things that you can take into consideration for safety & precaution during the expedition:

● Make sure to take out insurance that includes emergency air evacuations.

● Make sure to check your gears properly before the beginning of the journey.

● Follow the lead of your guide.

● Don’t rush, walk slowly & safely.

● In case of any problem inform your guide imitatively.

● Collect enough information on the weather and temperature.

● Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.

● Take plenty of rest and acclimatize your body on the trail.