Cho Oyu Expedition

• 1:2 climbing Sherpa to client ratio
• Oxygen Included in the trip cost
• Veteran American mountain guide staff with over 18 years of guiding in Nepal, to ensure seamless delivery and safety procedures
• Communications tent with access to satellite phone, wifi and email, dispatches of the team progress on our news site
• Emphasis is placed on providing high end logistics, staff, equipment and services to a small team of climbers
• Accommodation in Kathmandu at the Aloft Hotel by Marriott

Trip Description

We are excited to again launch an expedition to climb Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world. Our goal is to climb the Tibetan “normal route” first climbed by a foreign and Sherpa team in 1954. This is a true “big mountain” Himalayan expedition that involves a mixture of glaciated climbing on moderate to steep terrain, short sections of mixed rock bands, and a stunning summit plateau.

Our trip consists of high western staff to client ratio, 1:2 Sherpa to client ratio, and a small team mentality. We feel that this is a huge advantage in your summit chances and is backed up by our previous high percentage of summit success.

The normal route of Cho Oyu, in Tibet is one of the classic routes and a challenging endeavor in the Himalaya. We fly to Lhasa, Tibet via Kathamndu and begin overland journey in 4×4 Land Cruisers staying in small towns. We eventually reach Base Camp 5,015m and stay for just a couple nights to acclimatize. The route continues with a trek to advanced base camp 5600m, while our Yaks bring our expedition equipment to what essentially becomes our new Base Camp for the climb. The route consists of mostly moderate terrain on varying glaciated mountain slopes climbing over several rises and short steep sections. The key to a successful ascent of Mt. Cho Oyu is patience, good organization of logistics, and perseverance.

We feel that being part of a strong team on Cho Oyu has great advantages for reaching the summit. Our expeditions, although led by professional mountain guides, has a feeling of relaxed efficiency, with two-way communication between the staff and the team members. We feel there is an advantage to joining a small, highly organized group of climbers, led by our staff to manage all the on mountain logistics and risk management. This ensures that you can concentrate on climbing Cho Oyu and can rely on the experience of the expedition leader.

We will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal for our team organization and final preparations. We spend two full days in the city to rest, visit local sights, and obtain our Visas for entry into China. We will take an international flight to the city of Lhasa and begin our 5-day drive to basecamp. Our goal is to reach the 16,500′ basecamp feeling strong and ready to begin the climb. We stop in several small towns along the way to acclimate.

The route from Advanced Base Camp climbs through moderate scree slopes to the shoulder at Camp 1 at 6,400m. After sleeping in C1 we return to Base Camp for a rest and begin our planning for the next climb to the higher camps. We return to the upper mountain, stopping in C1 and then climbing a steep step with a slow ambling rise to Camp 2 at 7,100m. After sleeping in C2 for several days we do another acclimatization climb up towards camp 3 before we return to Base Camp. Our last foray up the mountain brings us to the to Camp 3 at around 7,500m. This will be our highest sleeping night in preparation for the summit push.

On summit day we climb from our Camp 3, up through mixed terrain at an initial rock band that is fixed with rope. The rock band consists of mixed rock and ice protected by fixed ropes and is a challenging first obstacle in the early morning, however the route eases back from here. We continue over several moderate snow rolls to the summit plateau. We traverse for about 40 minutes across the broad plateau to the true summit of Cho Oyu at 8,201m.

This is the highest quality expedition you will find for an exceptional cost benefit. All the in-country transportation, the on mountain services, food, tents, yaks, oxygen, and guides are included and are of highest quality.

Mountain Professionals guides have led 3 expeditions to Cho Oyu

We return to the Himalayas with a new Autumn trip offering our first expedition to Cho Oyu via the normal route. Interested climbers should contact us for more information. Mountain Professionals has staff have led expeditions to 8,000m peaks for over a decade.

• Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu Tribuvan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel Yak and Yeti (Welcome Dinner)
• Day 2: Relax and enjoy the vibrant city of Kathmandu. Getting Visa and preparation.
• Day 3: Internal Flight to Lhasa, Tibet.
• Day 4: Sightseeing Day in Lhasa.
• Day 5: Drive in Landcruisers to Shigatse
• Day 6: Drive to Tingri 4,300m.
• Day 7: We will take a rest and acclimatization day.
• Day 8: Drive to Chinese Base Camp at 5,000m.
• Day 9: Rest day in Base Camp with acclimatization.
• Day 10: Rest Day in Base Camp.
• Day 11: We make our way to Mid Camp at 5300m.
• Days 12: Trek to Cho Oyu Advanced Base Camp to stay.
• Days 13-35: Climbing period and Summit Window.
• Day 36: Base Camp.
• Day 37: Base Camp Breakdown and packing.
• Day 38: Early morning trek to Base Camp with return to Tingri.
• Day 39: Return to the border in Zhangmu.
• Day 40: Drive to Kathmandu. Evening Celebration Dinner.

Trip cost includes

• Mountain Professionals guides.
• 1:2 Nepali Sherpa climber to client ratio.
• Expedition permits.
• Three nights shared accommodation in the Kathmandu at the Yak and Yeti Hotel.
• Full board on twin sharing basis in Tibet, Lhasa, and Approach Drive.
• All transportation in as per itinerary.
• International flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
• Yaks, porters, and guides to and from Base Camp.
• Sherpa cooks, kitchen and climbing staff at BC; equipment allowances, daily wages, insurance, and food.
• Carry bonus for Sherpa staff.
• Wifi in Base Camp via Thuraya XP
• Heated and Carpeted- Dining tent, full kitchen, shower and toilet tents, chairs and tables at BC and C2; Espresso/Coffee, comfortable BC environment and highest quality food served in the Himalaya.
• Imported US and European food at BC; equipment allowances, daily wages, insurance, food and lodging for Liaison Officer and Interpreter,
  all route fixing costs.
• Group climbing equipment, high altitude tents, stove and fuel; high altitude food imported from the United States.
• Two way radios and VHF BC to mountain communications; full BC satellite phone communication setup.
• 2 bottles of oxygen, plus high camp sleeping O2 and use of mask and regulator.
• Comprehensive medical supplies and Wilderness EMT/First Responders.
• Chinese Government Fees
• Weather Reports.

Price does not include

• International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
• Meals in Kathmandu, outside of team dinners before and after expedition.
• Drinks, laundry, postage, telephone calls and all other items of personal nature.
• Nepal and China visa and re-entry visa, Kathmandu airport departure tax; personal travel.
• Personal climbing clothing and equipment.
• Travel/Trip Cancellation and Rescue Insurance (required).
• Staff gratuities.