Description
Mount Cho Oyu Expedition
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300 m):
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu international airport, our representative will meet and welcome you to Nepal and then you will be transferred to the hotel. Once you finish the check-in procedure, you can rest and relax at the hotel. After short rest, we take you short Thamel tour which is main tourist hub in Kathmandu to make you familiar with some good restaurants, ATMs, money changer, Supermarket, gear shop and other necessary things you might need for your trip. After a short explore you will be taken to our office for a trip briefing meeting. Overnight in hotel. If your arrival is late today, this tour and trip briefing will be shifted for the next day. - Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing:
Tour Duration: 4 Hrs. After having breakfast we will proceed for the sightseeing. Pashupatinath Temple: It is a most famous Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva, located beside the Bagmati River. One of the most significant temples for the Hindu devotees around the world and the UNESCO site. The golden pagoda style temple is richly carved with silver doors. During the day we will drive to Shivaratri. Here, a big fair is held around the month of February/March. Theanfter we will drive to Boudhanath stupa, one of the biggest Stupas in the world and is located on the east in Kathmandu. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four prime directions, keeping watch for virtuous behavior and human success. King Maan Deva at the advice of the Goddess Mani Jogini had built this remarkable Stupa. The Stupa resembles the Mahayana philosophy. After back from the tour you have some times for rest or you can do anything on your own. Overnight in hotel. - Day 03: Kathmandu: Preparation of official documents / Last minute shopping:
We take time to prepare and finalize with official formalities of permits and others. You will be also briefed on the nature of expedition, equipments and team composition and meeting with your Guide. You can also make your last minute shopping of personal items or junk items as you will be flying to the Himalayas the next day. - Day 04: Kathmandu – Kodari – Zhangmu
Drive to Kodari & transfer to Zhangmu (2,300 m.). We start our Cho Oyu expedition from north face with a scenic drive to Kodari (Nepal Tibet border town). We cross the border and then drive to Zhangmu. Overnight stay in the town. - Day 05: Zhangmu – Nyalam ( 2,750 m.):
Today, we drive to Nylam situated at an altitude of 2750m. Overnight in a local lodge. - Day 06 : Nyalam
Acclimatization day. We spend the day in Nyalam, acclimatizing. Overnight stay in the Hotel. - Day 07: Nyalam – Tingri
Drive to Tingri (4,340 m). We drive from Nyalam to Tingri. Overnight in a lodge. - Day 08 : Tingri
Rest day for acclimatization. - Day 09 : Tingri – Chinese Base Camp
Drive to Chinese Base Camp ( 5,000 m.). We take our early drive to Chinese Base Camp 5,000 m. Overnight in the camp. - Day 10 : Chinese Base Camp:
We move around the Chinese Base Camp to assess the environment of the camp. Overnight in the camp. - Day 11: Chinese Base Camp – Advance Base Camp
On this day, we prepare our boarding and loading to Advance BC (5,700 m). - Day 12: Advance Base Camp – To Middle Camp
From Base Camp, we proceed towards the middle camp with Yaks. Overnight in the camp. - Day 13 : Middle Camp – Cho Oyu Advance Base Camp
It is the turn to go to Cho Oyu Advance Base Camp from middle Camp. Overnight in the camp. - Day 14-32 : Climbing Period:
The next 19 Days (including this day) is for expedition or for climbing Cho Oyu. - Day 33 : Cho Oyou – Descend to Chinese Base Camp
We proceed towards Chinese Base Camp from Advance Base camp. Overnight in the camp. - Day 34 : Chinese Base Camp – Zhangmu:
On this day, we drive to Zhangmu from Chinese Base Camp. Overnight in a local lodge in Zhangmu. - Day 35 : Zhangmu – Kathmandu
We drive to Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu and relax on your own. Overnight in the hotel. - Day 36-37 : Kathmandu
The next 2 days (including this day) would be brought in Kathmandu. Tour of Kathmandu and free time for Shopping. You will enjoy these 2 days in Kathmandu on your own. Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu and then shopping. Farewell dinner party in the evening. Overnight in the hotel. - Day 38 : Departure
The trip comes to an end. As per your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the international airport of Kathmandu 3 hours prior to the flight time and your tour ends here.
Cho Oyu (8,188m) is considered an ideal training peak for an Everest expedition – probably the most accessible of the eight-thousanders. One base camp and three further high camps are supported by a highly experienced team of mountaineers, guides and crew. The expedition includes acclimatisation as well as a cultural tour of the Tibetan capital Lhasa and other ancient settlements.
Cho Oyu is ideal for anyone who has ever dreamed of climbing one of the world’s highest eight-thousanders. Despite being the sixth-highest mountain on the planet, Cho Oyu has the highest success rate among the world’s fourteen 8,000m Himalayan peaks. The ascent to the summit is short and direct, with just a few small technical sections that can be climbed safely using fixed lines – the normal route is not considered technically difficult. Access is also relatively easy, since the mountain can be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle and you can walk to Camp 1 in ordinary hiking boots. Even so, climbing Cho Oyu remains a demanding undertaking, being one of the highest mountains on earth.
Cho Oyu lies about 20km west of Mount Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border. Also known as Mt. Qowowuyag, it sits in the middle section of the Himalaya. An Austrian team was first to climb Cho Oyu in 1954, followed by Indian and German teams in 1958 and 1964 respectively. Cho Oyu consists mainly of five ridges – northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest and west – with the Jabula Glacier to the north, the Lanba Glacier to the south, and the Gecongba Glacier.
What’s Included
Cost includes:
- All arrival and departure transfers to/from the international airport
- 5 nights’ hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, bed and breakfast, per category
- Kathmandu-Kyirong-Kathmandu transfer for logistics and staff
- Tibet travel visa and permit for the climbing member and staff involved
- Cho Oyu climbing permit including Chinese government royalty (approx. $7,500 per person)
- Fully paid Tibetan liaison officer for the expedition
- Kyirong-Tingri-Chinese Base Camp return: accommodation and transport, bed and breakfast
- All camping equipment at Chinese Base Camp and Advance Base Camp
- Food during the expedition for members and staff, prepared by our cook
- Experienced climbing Sherpa guide and shared base camp staff
- Cargo and customs clearance assistance at the Kyirong border
- Gamow bag available for the expedition group
- Solar panel for lighting and battery charging
- Individual tent per member at Advance Base Camp
- Insurance, wages and meal allowance for private Sherpa and shared base camp staff
- First-aid kit for the group and staff
- Satellite phone carried by the guide (available to members at $4 per minute)
- All necessary paperwork, office service charge and government taxes levied in Nepal
- Farewell dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant with a cultural show in Kathmandu
Cost excludes:
- Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu (except the farewell dinner)
- Lunch and dinner during travel through Tibet (except at camp)
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips etc.
- Any communication costs
- Clothing, bags, personal first-aid kit, personal trekking/climbing gear
- Any extra services or activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Extra costs from unforeseen events (natural disasters, landslides, political unrest, strikes, regulatory changes etc.)
- Any additional staff beyond those specified
- Rescue, repatriation, medicines, medical tests and hospitalisation costs
- Oxygen bottles, masks and regulators as required
- Travel/medical insurance including emergency rescue
- International and domestic airfare
- Nepal entry/re-entry visa fee (easy to obtain on arrival)
- Icefall garbage deposit fee where applicable (shared with other members)
- Nepalese customs duty for imported expedition gear
- Emergency/rescue/early jeep cost (approx. $1,200)
Nepal Highlights:
Best time to visit Nepal – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
Nepal can be visited all year round, but a few natural hazards are worth noting: heavy flooding during the monsoon (mid-July to mid-August) and extreme cold in the high Himalaya (late November to mid-December). Nepal is a land of hills and mountains, and its high peaks are one reason the country is so rich in water resources – fast-flowing rivers and beautiful lakes. Heavy rain, or even several days of light rain, can cause flooding in the lowland Terai region, so extra caution is advised there during the monsoon. Away from the monsoon, the hill regions enjoy sunny days even in winter, making for a pleasantly mild travel season.
Seasons in Nepal – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
Nepal recognises six seasons: Basanta Ritu (spring), Grishma Ritu (early summer), Barkha Ritu (monsoon), Sharad Ritu (early autumn), Hemanta Ritu (late autumn) and Shishir Ritu (winter).
Outside the monsoon (early July to late August), any season is suitable for a trip – Yetiland-nepal.de advises against travelling in the Terai lowlands during the monsoon.
Summers can be hot, with temperatures ranging from around 25 to 40°C depending on location. In the upper Himalayan region, summer temperatures reach up to about 30°C, while the lower Terai plains in southern Nepal can see highs of 40°C or more.
Winter days are mostly sunny, with cold mornings and evenings. If you’ve experienced winter in Greece, the feeling in Kathmandu is similar – from mid-December the sun keeps days pleasantly warm, while evening temperatures can drop to around 5°C. In the high Himalaya, however, temperatures fall well below 0°C.
Buddha was born in Nepal – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
This is a matter of pride for Nepalis: neighbouring countries, India in particular, sometimes claim Buddha’s origins lie there, which stirs up debate from time to time. In fact, Buddha was born in Nepal.
Well worth a visit is Lumbini, his birthplace southwest of Kathmandu. The prince who left his palace in search of lasting peace and meaning in life attained enlightenment (Nirvana) there. His teachings have since spread across the world and are followed by millions of people; in modern Western society too, Buddhism and meditation – a path to self-awareness and inner peace – have become popular everyday practices.
Take a look at our tours that include a visit to Lumbini.
8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains are in Nepal – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
Nepal is home to 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains: Mount Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), Cho Oyu (8,188m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m) and Annapurna I (8,091m). Yetiland-Nepal offers three categories of trip in these regions: Expedition – climbing an eight-thousander (for experienced professionals only); Trek – trekking through the same region at much lower altitude (ideal for those who want to experience Nepal’s mountains without climbing them); and Holiday – for enjoying Nepal’s nature, scenery and leisure activities.
One of the world’s most dangerous airports
Lukla Airport, the gateway to the Everest region, is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Wedged between steep hills, it makes for a genuinely challenging landing and take-off. Pilots speak of a “point of no return”, beyond which all preparation and technical alignment must already be complete to bring the aircraft in safely. Thousands of passengers fly in during peak season each month – a truly unique experience. Thanks to their extensive experience across almost all of Nepal’s hill regions, Nepali pilots rank among the most skilled in the world.
New Year in Nepal – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
Nepal follows its own calendar, the Vikram Sambat. Nepali New Year falls around mid-April, marking the start of the Nepali summer. People also follow the lunar calendar for religious festivals and family celebrations. As Nepal is home to many ethnic groups, each with its own history, several local New Year dates exist side by side – a well-known example is Losar, celebrated among others by the Sherpa community.
Nepal’s unique flag – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
Nepal’s flag is the world’s only non-rectangular national flag, formed of two stacked triangles bearing the sun and the moon. These symbols reflect the character of the Nepali people: the moon for humility, the sun for courage. Nepalis are famed for their hospitality towards visitors – in the hill regions, hosts will traditionally slaughter their own livestock (such as chickens or goats) to honour guests. To this day, many Nepali soldiers, known as Gurkhas, serve in armies around the world.
A one-of-a-kind weapon
The handcrafted khukuri knife is world-famous and originates from Nepal. Carried by Nepali soldiers and used in both World Wars, it is credited in veterans’ accounts with contributing to the legendary fighting prowess of the Gurkha regiments. A khukuri also makes an excellent souvenir.
Suspension bridges – additional information on the “Mount Cho Oyu Expedition”
Nepal is famous for its many suspension bridges spanning valleys between its hills, long a practical way of life for people in the mountainous regions. The idea even inspired Germany’s own Geierlay suspension bridge in Rhineland-Palatinate, built as a nod to Nepal’s example.
Landslides
As a very hilly country, Nepal is prone to flooding and landslides during the monsoon, especially in the lower-lying Terai region with its year-round vegetation. The combination of Nepal’s fast-flowing rivers and sustained monsoon rain can trigger landslides in the hill regions, so travel during the monsoon season is best avoided.
Earthquakes
Nepal sits in a zone of high seismic risk. This doesn’t mean major earthquakes happen constantly, but history shows a serious quake roughly every 50 years. The cause lies beneath the surface: the Indian Plate shifts about 5cm against the Eurasian Plate every year, gradually pushing the Himalaya upward over millions of years. The April 2015 earthquake (magnitude 7.8, at a depth of 8.2km) was one of the most recent major quakes, causing severe economic and geographic damage, killing around 9,000 people and injuring roughly 22,000.
Flying in Nepal
Nepal’s civil aviation is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal: CAAN – Nepal.
A number of airlines operate in Nepal, including Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, Himalaya Airlines, Simrik Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Sita Air, Summit Air and Tara Air.
Private helicopter charters are also available, including through Air Dynasty, Simrik Air, Prabhu Helicopters, Altitude Air, Fishtail Air, Manang Air, Makalu Air, Kailash Helicopter Services and Heli Everest.
Airports in Nepal
Numerous domestic airlines operate flights throughout the year. Nepal stretches roughly 880km along the Himalayan axis and 150–250km across, covering a total area of 147,516km². With an average domestic flight time of just 1.5–2 hours, all major airports are reachable within a maximum of 3 flying hours: Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla), Pokhara Airport, Simara Airport, Bharatpur Airport, Biratnagar Airport, Surkhet Airport, Nepalgunj Airport and Jomsom Airport.
Of these, Lukla Airport is considered one of the most dangerous in the world – a unique experience that thousands of travellers still make every month. When you book a complete package with Yetiland-Nepal, you don’t need to arrange any of this yourself.
Note that during winter (November to December), heavy morning fog often causes flight delays, and in some cases full-day cancellations after long waits. For this reason, Yetiland-nepal.de typically relies on tourist buses rather than domestic flights during this season.
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More background on Nepal
More background on Cho Oyu
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