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Climbing to Camp on Cho Oyu, 2016 Besteigung mit SummitClimb Team. | © SummitClimb Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu Climb - 8,201m Expedition

Together we climb to summit Cho Oyu:

✪ Individual participation packages, best chances
✪ Top Sherpas, top teamwork, fair value
✪ The safest 8000 normal route
✪ Experienced Leadership

Facts

Country
China
Altitude
8201 m
Difficulty
Trip dates
30.08.2025 - 08.10.2025
Booking status
from €29,500.00
Book
Cho Oyu Summit: Bergsteiger Felix und Florian auf dem Gipfel der Göttin des Türkis. | © SummitClimb Cho Oyu

Overview

Cho Oyu: The sixth highest mountain in the world is known as the "Goddess of Turquoise" because of its turquoise glow in the evening light. Among mountaineers, reaching its summit considered the "easiest" of the 8000m peak ascents. According to mountain statistics, the normal route is by far the least dangerous route to reach a summit above 8000 meters height. The Tibetan plateau is now well developed and the journey to the base camp is quick and easy. But no movement is "easy" above 8000 meters: To climb Cho Oyu remains a challenge, even with great support and sherpas helping you. Accompanied by our SummitClimb professionals, we plan the climb this 8201 meters / 29,609 feet together and we invite you to join our expedition.

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Itinerary Cho Oyu Climb - 8,201m Expedition

Cho Oyu expedition: Every year (with the exception of a long Chinese Covid-19 break) we carry out our Cho Oyu expedition with a duration of 40 days in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. This is short, but due to the quickly reached base camp, we have sufficient time for acclimatization and a good summit-push. Should there be time left after an early ascent, we will be happy to organize an additional program to Lhasa, some days of relaxation in Nepal, or your early return to daily life.

Trip Itinerary Cho Oyu (40 Days)

Planned Itinerary

Preparation for your travel to Nepal.

Latest arrival, airport pickup, drive to accommodation in a comfortable hotel, introduction, and passport collection for permit process.

Group meeting, organization of the permit, gear check, leisure, and relaxation. 

Early start towards the Tibetan border. We travel through the Langtang Mountains via Dhunche and Syapru Besi to the Tibetan border.

Today we continue by bus to cross the border. After a short distance we reach Gyrikong (2,700 m / 8,850 ft) and are accommodated at a comfortable hotel.

For acclimatization, we can do a hike up to an altitude of about 4,500 m (14,500 ft).

We continue along the Gyrikong Zangbo River, then east over a 5000m pass to the plateau around Tingri (4340m) with views of Mount Everest and Cho Oyu. We stay overnight in a simple but comfortable hotel.

Another day in Tingri. Rest or hike for acclimatization.

The Chinese Base Camp (approx. 4,900 m / 16,076 ft) at the end of the Gyabrag glacier is reached.

A hike at 5500m altitude is initially planned here for better acclimatization.

For further acclimatization, we take our time to reach the actual base camp spending a night along the way camping.

The actual base camp named after Tichy, the leader of the first ascent expedition, is situated at an altitude of 5,780 m /  18,960 ft.

Very important for acclimatization. We are already at almost 6000 meters (20,000 feet) altitude.

Along the Gyabrag glacier, we hike along moraines into a basin opposite the Jasamba (7352m). The final ascent of about 400 meters / 1,300 feet of altitude difference follows over a flank of scree and gravel, which is called "killer slope" because of the effort of walking this kind of terrain at altitude. It will become easier with better acclimatization but never pleasant. 

Rest day.

We follow a ridge with some small ups and downs. On our first ascent to fix and prepare the route, it makes sense to set up an intermediate camp either before or after a striking steep climb (from 6650m to 6700m, in places 70° or steeper).

After a plateau, an ascent through a glacier break follows to reach another plateau. Here we set up the 2nd high camp, stay overnight if necessary, or descend directly to the 1st high camp (6300m).

We descend back to base camp.

We rest at base camp.

We rest at base camp.

Ascent.

Ascent.

Our attempt to reach the summit usually starts from the 2nd high camp. We follow a flank where at 7500m a 3rd high camp can be used if necessary to reach the yellow band at 7700m. Further slopes, rocky in the pre-monsoon, snowy in the post-monsoon, and a wide ridge lead to the eternally long summit plateau. At the end of this, with a bit of weather luck, the Mount Everest massif and the mountains of the Khumbu appear. After the summit, we descent back to the 2nd high camp follows.

Back to base camp (5800m)

A full 10 days are available for reserve. The described schedule is idealistic. Very likely the weather (storm, high winds, precipitation) and conditions (snow, avalanches) will put a damper on our plans. We need to reach 7000m+ as safety prerequisite for climbing without artificial oxygen and often we descend to the road (acclimatized 2-3 hours hike) to rest after a 1-hour drive in Tingri before the summit push.
36th day - Back to Tingri: Early in the morning we start: With yaks first in a train directly back to the Chinese base camp and in the same afternoon even further into civilization to Tingri.

Early in the morning we start: With yaks first in a train directly back to the Chinese base camp and in the same afternoon even further into civilization to Tingri, or further to Gyrikong.

With jeeps and trucks, we travel further back via Gyrikong on the Tibetan-Nepalese, cross the border and change vehicles, to continue onwards to Kathmandu.

Free time in Kathmandu or reserve.

In the evening or early the next morning (depending on flight connection, flight wish) we transfer you to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport.

Return flight and arrival at the destination (Europe, other destinations on request)

Prepare

Der Cho Oyu (8201m) liegt am Himalaya Hauptkamm auf der Grenze von Tibet zu Nepal. Der Gipfel ist mit Höhen zwischen 8188m und 8201m vermessen. Damit ist der Cho Oyu der sechsthöchste Berg der Welt. Die chinesische Normalroute zählt er zu den "leichteren" an den Achttausendern und als diejenige mit den geringsten objektiven Gefahren. Neben unseren öffentlichen Informationen bekommst Du nach Anmeldung ein 1. Briefing zur weiteren Vorbereitung, organisieren wir Expeditionsevents und können bis zum 1:1-Coaching Dich auf Deine Cho Oyu Expedition vorbereiten.

About Cho Oyu

• Expedition to Tibet (China)

• 8000m ascent, 8000m+

• technically easy, objectively safe

• dry, very cold, very windy.

Temperatures:
• summit as low as - 35°C /
• with wind-chill factor down to - 55°C

Travel documents & visa

• Visa on Arrival (Nepal): Almost all foreign nationals will be able to obtain an on-arrival visa with a min. 6-month valid passport.

• We obtain the visa for China/Tibet at the embassy in Kathmandu (group visa, specific Tibet permit).

• Vaccinations: No vaccinations required.

• Vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended, possibly also hepatitis B or rabies (stray dogs in Tibet).

personal equipment

• To participate in the Cho Oyu expedition, each participant requires the recommended personal equipment listed here (PDF available for download).
!

Important information about this expedition

Each participant takes part in this expedition independently and at his own risk:

  • The extreme altitude and extreme cold bring subjective and objective dangers.
  • Due to the remoteness and altitude as well as the regulations in Tibet, the possibilities for rescue are extremely limited.

Participation requirements

Requirements: To participate in this expedition you should be an experienced climber in excellent physical condition. The ascent takes place over wide, moderately steep flanks and a longer ridge (6,300 m - 7,000 m). The summit push follows combined terrain (easy and mostly covered by snow in autumn). You should have experience in mountain climbing (at least AD/AS according to the French/SAC scale) and high altitude experience from altitudes above 6,000 meters / 20,000 feet.
Mountaineering skills
Stamina / Endurance
  • Climbing requirements

    Technical difficulties in terms of steep climbing and ice passages are only a few and they are short. Each participant must be trained in the relevant crevasse recovery procedures (possibly refresh during a crevasse recovery course). Ice and firn flanks up to 40° steepness must be able to be climbed without rope safety. The "Yellow Wall" (at 7,700m) with a total of 50 meters in altitude (two rope lengths) of approx. 50° steep combined terrain and 10 meters of rock climbing (approx. UIAA-grade 3, before the pre-monsoon, sometimes snowed up in post-monsoon) and a firn flank (approx. 70° steep, before the post-monsoon) forms the technical crux of the climb, which we try to fix throughout.

  • Zwei Bergsteiger im Nebel am Cho Oyu | © Felix Berg

    Physical requirements

    The harsh climate of Tibet demands good health and the willingness to forego comfort.

    A very good physical endurance is required for 1,000 meters / 3,200 feet of altitude at high altitude in 8-12 hour ascent and the subsequent descent.

    We plan the ascent without supplemental oxygen, but emergency oxygen will be available. The ascent with supplemental oxygen significantly eases the physical demands.

  • Bergsteiger Florian im Aufstieg zum Cho Oyu | © Felix Berg

    Individual customization

    Please note that you should meet the required prerequisites. If not:

    • If you lack the necessary knowledge, we recommend attending preparatory courses well in advance.
    • Any missing mountaineering experience should be addressed through a comprehensive training program.
    • Support from a personal Sherpa and the use of supplemental oxygen are available as optional add-ons.

Question about Cho Oyu?

Cho Oyu was first ascended on October 19, 1954. The first ascent was achieved by an Austrian expedition led by Herbert Tichy, who, along with Tyrolean Sepp Jöchler and Nepali (Sherpa) Pasang Dawa Lama, reached the summit. This was one of the first successful ascents of an 8,000-meter peak and was completed without the use of supplemental oxygen.

The normal route on Cho Oyu is considered one of the "easier" routes among the 8,000-meter peaks, with the fewest objective dangers. As a result, it has often been the destination of expeditions, though it has been visited less frequently in recent years due to rising costs. With a ratio of one fatality for every 65 summits, Cho Oyu has the lowest risk of all 8,000-meter peaks.

We highly recommend that you have some prior mountaineering experience, particularly at high altitudes, before joining an 8,000-meter expedition. If this is your first time, it’s important to assess your fitness, skills, and comfort level in challenging conditions. We also suggest you complete a training program or preparatory courses tailored to high-altitude climbing to ensure you're well-prepared for the demands of the expedition. Please feel free to share your experience or reach out for further guidance!

Cho Oyu remains, after Mount Everest, the second most frequently climbed 8,000-meter peak, with nearly 4,000 summit successes as of 2024. However, due to China’s high bureaucratic requirements and expensive fees, it has seen a decline in visits since 2017. Currently, Manaslu is certainly the more overcrowded 8,000-meter peak, having significantly closed the gap with over 3,000 summits. Cho Oyu is no longer climbed as frequently as it was 10 to 15 years ago; in fact, it could be said that, for an 8,000-meter peak, it remains relatively quiet. It is still popular among experienced climbers due to its very safe and well-established ascent route.

Autumn (Post-Monsoon) or Spring (Pre-Monsoon): We offer both options. In autumn, the weather tends to be more stable, and the snow cover is thicker, making the rocky sections of the Yellow Band less challenging. In spring, temperatures are higher, generally with less wind, but there is a greater risk of storms. Additionally, avalanche risk is typically lower before the monsoon than after it. Statistically, we have slightly more success in autumn than in spring. However, your decision should ultimately be based on your own strengths and weaknesses (rock climbing ability, tolerance to cold), and which timing suits you best!

Since 2004, we have successfully guided over a hundred Summit-Climb expedition participants to the summit of Cho Oyu. As a result, we have a team of highly experienced expedition leaders and Sherpas who are intimately familiar with the mountain, the route, and the region of Tibet. On average, 65% of our participants have successfully reached the summit. However, this success rate depends significantly on the season (weather conditions, mountain conditions) and your personal support package, suitability, and your preparation.

Team von Bergsteigern vor dem Cho Oyu | © Felix Berg
Team 2018 am Cho Oyu mit Leiter Felix Berg (c) SummitClimb Int.

Testimonials

We are distinguished by our highly experienced 8,000-meter expedition leaders, goal-oriented planning, strong infrastructure on the mountain, and long-established contacts at Cho Oyu. Many of our Sherpas have summited Cho Oyu more than 10 times. Since 2004, we have regularly organized expeditions to Cho Oyu. In 2018, we successfully guided numerous participants to the summit on two separate expeditions, one of which was personally led by our CEO Felix Berg.

Due to the Covid-19-pandemic, China was closed for an extended period, completely from 2020 to 2022, and only sporadically reopened in 2023-24. However, we believe that by 2025, Cho Oyu expeditions will be able to proceed normally once again.

Teilnehmer auf dem Gipfel des Cho Oyu. 8201m. Blick auf Mount Everest. | © SummitClimb
  • Unser Basislager bot allen Komfort, den ein Basecamp bieten kann: fleißige Tibeter, die für unser Wohl sorgten und uns mit leckerem Essen versorgten, nepalesische Sherpas, die sich um alles kümmerten... Unser Expeditionsleiter Dan ist um unser Wohl sehr besorgt und hat seine Schäfchen gut im Griff.
    Ray Drömmer, Belgien, 01.10.2016
  • Insgesamt war ich sehr zufrieden! ... Rundum super, einschließlich des Umwegs über Lhasa. Perfekte Organisation. Dan hat sich gekümmert wie eine Mutter. Ich war vor allem angenehm überrascht, mit welchem Augenmerk eine schonende Akklimatisation angegangen wurde. Von anderen Expeditionen kenne ich das wesentlich weniger sicherheitsorientiert. Hoch motiviert und stets hilfsbereit: Sherpas, Koch und Team! - Man muss sich schließlich vor Augen halten... read more
    Detlef aus Berlin, Deutschland, 25.10.2016
  • Insgesamt habe ich ein positives Fazit! Was ich sehr gut fand war die Organisation, Abholung etc. was immer top funktioniert hat. Bei Dan fand ich gut, dass er zulässt in den Kulturtagen (Lhasa etc.) auch mal eigene Wege zu gehen und nicht nur in der Gruppe zu bleiben. Mir war seine Erfahrung wichtig, die uns allen am Berg geholfen hat. Das fand ich sehr gut. Koch und Sherpas waren auch top. ... Betreuung durch Melanie in Berlin war sehr gut, da ... read more
    Erik Ziegler, Deutschland, 29.10.2016
  • Die Reise zum Basislager war professionell und Interessant. Martin war jedenfalls immer für mich da, und sehr hilfsbereit. Mit den anderen hatte ich wenig Kontakt. Essen war trotz meiner anfänglichen Magenprobleme wirklich sehr gut. (Dieser Koch ist in Ordnung). ... Martin hat sich um auch immer wieder nach meinem Befinden gefragt. Alles OK. ... Die Aklimatisationstour in Kyrong ist einfach für die nachfolgende Reise viel zu wenig und nieder. Wen... read more
    Hans F., Österreich, 23.06.2019

Costs & Services

Our basic packages (base price) should only be selected if you have sufficient experience, not simply as a cost-saving measure. Please outline your experience or provide a list of your past expeditions in the notes field or by email (if we are not already familiar): the major climbs and expeditions of the last 5 years, to give us an understanding of your abilities.

If you meet the specified "requirements," you can secure a spot in our team with your confirmed booking. Together, we are stronger, and we tailor individual, high-performance expeditions to ensure the best possible outcome.

Basic Package

  • SummitClimb-Leadership
    - with min. 2 members: experienced SummitClimb-Sherpa-Guide
    - with min. 6 to max. 12 members: international SummitClimb leader
  • Organization and coordination of the expedition
  • 4 nights in Kathmandu in a ***hotel with overnight stay/breakfast
  • Permit to climb Cho Oyu:
    - Laison with CTMA
    - Liaison officer 
  • Transfers by program: Kathmandu - Base Camp - Kathmandu
  • Accommodation and full board during the trip from Kathmandu to the base camp
  • Yak transfer for personal equipment from paddock to base camp, max. 40kg.
  • All BC equipment:
    - common tent, kitchen tent and material, toilet tent, shower tent
    - Single tent per participant
  • Catering by experienced Nepali and TMA kitchen team
  • Full board in base camp
  • Access to fixed ropes along the route
  • Extensive emergency pharmacy + pulse oximeter + medical oxygen (for emergency only)
  • Satellite telephone (usage at an extra fee)
  • Internet and email at base camp (usage at an extra fee)
  • Solar power system
  • Radio for emergencies
Selected Trip: 
30.08.2025 - 08.10.2025
€29,500.00
Booking status
Book
Bergsteiger im Aufstieg zum 2.Lager am Cho Oyu (8201m). Der "leichte" 8000m-Berg. | © SummitClimb

Full Service Package

Alle basic-services plus:

  • Expedition leadership during the ascent
  • Support and coordination:
    - Fixed ropes, group ropes and fixing material, radio equipment
    - All high camp equipment: tents, stoves, pots, and gas
    - For high camps and the ascent: Emergency pharmacies and emergency oxygen
  • Support by Sherpas with the high camp setup and cooking
  •  Sherpa and/or CTMA high altitude porters including their insurance, equipment, fees
  • 1:1 Sherpa to member ratio, joint summitpush
  • O2-bottle, mask, regulator (for Sherpa, emergency)
Selected Trip: 
30.08.2025 - 08.10.2025
€43,950.00
Booking status
Book
Not included
  • International flight
  • Personal equipment (equipment hire available)
  • Private expenses (such as telephone, alcoholic beverages, gifts, etc.)
  • Insurances:
    - compulsory: health and accident insurance with emergency service
    - recommended: cancellation insurance, luggage insurance
  • Visa for Nepal (90 days, USD 125 / EUR 115)
  • Visa for China/Tibet (USD 200 for EU citizens)
  • Tips: Summit-Bonus for Sherpas and accompanying team
Suggested upgrades
The following options can be added to your booking:

Book now

Feel free to call us:
+49 30 774 90 34
Or send us an e-mail:
info@summitclimb.de

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