Known as the “Turquoise Goddess,” Cho Oyu offers climbers a perfect introduction to high-altitude mountaineering above 8,000m, combining extreme altitude with a relatively non-technical route. The standard ascent follows the Tibetan Northwest Ridge, featuring broad snow slopes, minimal objective danger, and fewer technical sections compared to other Himalayan giants, making it an ideal first 8,000m expedition for well-prepared climbers.
The expedition begins with a scenic journey to Tibet via Kathmandu, followed by gradual acclimatization through carefully planned rotations between Base Camp and high camps. This approach allows climbers to adapt safely to altitude while enjoying spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Shishapangma along the way. Thanks to regulated access by the Chinese authorities, Cho Oyu experiences far less crowding than peaks like Everest or Manaslu, offering a quieter, more remote, and genuinely expedition-style experience in one of the world’s most dramatic mountain landscapes.

• Day 1

  Arrival in Kathmandu

  You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel where you can relax after a long flight. Standard check-in times are around 12pm, but usually we can arrange an earlier check-in (depending on the hotel occupation). If you arrive really early this day its better to request for an early check-in or just enjoy breakfast and wait until your room is ready.

• Day 2

  Tibet Visa Preparation day in Kathmandu.

  Filling VISA application form, Passport collection, passport Photo collection etc. (Tibet VISA applications can only be done with original passport) at breakfast. Afternoon free for leisur

• Day 3

  Apply for Tibet Visa with your original passport.
  Expedition briefing by expedition leader in the morning. Afternoon is free for last minute shopping, sightseeing etc.
• Day 4

  Shivapuri Hike day while we wait for visa in Kathmandu.
  Shivapuri day hike to stretch our legs while we are waiting for the Visa.
• Day 5

  Drive from Kathmandu to Timure.
  Timure is the Nepalese border town with Tibet. It takes approximately 8hr to drive here from Kathmandu across a windy road.
• Day 6

  Cross the border of Nepal and Drive to Kerung (1962m).
  Today we cross the border with all our expedition gear and drive into Tibet. It will take serval hours to cross the border due to the border formalities. We need to change from Nepali to Chinese vehicles and trucks. From the border its about an hour drive to our Hotel in Kerung.
• Day 7

  Drive from Kerung to Thingri (4,300m)
  Today we head straight up to the Tibetan plateau. The first hours we follow a the road up the pass that ends up at a spectacular lake. From here we will be at 4200+m and there is no going down until the expedition ends.
• Day 8

  Tingri: final checks, acclimatization
  Rest day, final shopping (fresh food), meet yak/porter teams and liaison officers. Brief on approach and safety.
• Day 9

  Drive Tingri → Cho Oyu Base Camp (approx 4,900m)
  Drive to Chinese/British basecamp area on the Tibetan plateau. Set up camp, short walks, rest.
• Day 10

  Base Camp: rest & orientation
  Acclimatization: short hikes, set up communal tents, Team medical checks, arranging Yaks.
• Day 11

  Trek from Cho-Oyu Chinese Basecamp to Intermediate Camp (5,400m)
  Trek from Cho-Oyu Chinese Basecamp to Intermediate Camp (5,400m)
• Day 12

  Intermediate camp → Advanced Base Camp (ABC) (5,700 m)
  Trek or load-carriage with yaks/mules to ABC at foot of the Nangpa La valley; set up ABC.
• Day 13

  ABC: rest & light hikes
  Short climbs around ABC (sleep low, walk high principles). Organize caches and check comms and oxygen equipment.
• Day 14

  ABC rest + equipment sorting
  Recovery day at ABC; staff may begin fixing ropes lower on the route.
• Day 15

  ABC → Recon/Carry to Camp 1 (6,300–6,400 m) (touch & go)
  Load-carrying reconnaissance to Camp 1: establish tent sites briefly and return to ABC to sleep (first rotation).
• Day 16

  ABC → Camp 1 (move higher)
  Move higher to Camp 1 and sleep there if weather/fitness good. Continue route fixing and caching.
• Day 17

  Camp 1 → Return to ABC (sleep low for recovery)
  Carry loads to deposit, descend to ABC to consolidate acclimatization. (Classic climb-high/sleep-low rotation.)
• Day 18

  ABC rest day
  Recovery, medical check, adjust plan based on weather forecasts.
• Day 19

  ABC → Camp 1 and sleep there
  This will be our 2nd night in C1 for acclimatization.
• Day 20

  Camp 1 → Camp 2 (7,000–7,200 m) (establish C2)
  Climb to C2 and return to ABC or C1 for recovery depending on team condition.
• Day 21

  Rest in ABC in preparation for summit push.
  Recover from rotation, eat & sleep.
• Day 22

  Rest in ABC in preparation for summit push.
  Recover from rotation, final gear check for summit push, prepare freeze dried meals & snacks
• Day 23

  Rest in ABC in preparation for summit push.
  Final weather report check and enjoy the last day of comfort in ABC.
• Day 24

  Climb to C1 6400m & sleep
  Climb to C1 6400m & sleep
• Day 25

  Climb to C2 approx 7000m & sleep
  Climb to C2 approx 7000m & sleep
• Day 26

  Climb to C3 7400m & sleep
  Climb to C3 7400m & sleep
• Day 27

  Contingency day if something didn’t go as planned or rest in C3
  Contingency day if something didn’t go as planned or rest in C3
• Day 28

  Summit Day (Camp 3 → summit 8,188 m → Camp 3/Camp 2)
  Depart pre-dawn (typically 00:00–02:00), ascend final snow slopes and summit plateau; return the same day to Camp 3 or Camp 2. Round trip from Camp 3 is commonly 8–12 hours but can be longer depending on conditions and party speed.
• Day 29

  Rest / contingency
  Used if summit was delayed or as recovery day for those who summited.
• Day 30

  Descend to ABC (safe descent, break down higher camps)
  If summit successful, staged descent to ABC; begin breaking down upper camps.
• Day 31

  ABC — pack & prepare for base camp descent
  Consolidate gear, demobilize caches, pack for drive back.
• Day 32

  ABC → Base Camp (drive/lower porters/yaks)
  Return to base camp social debrief, large meals, begin packing for overland return.
• Day 33

  Drive Base Camp → Tingri
  Drive to Tingri; sleep in lodge/hotel big warm meal and showers (if available).
• Day 34

  Tingri → Kerung (Chinese side border)
  Begin return over the border; overnight near Kerung/China-Nepal border area.
• Day 35

  Kerung→ border crossing toward Nepal side → Kathmandu (long drive )
  Drive back to Kathmandu
• Day 36

  Departure
  Relax in Kathmandu, theoretically its possible to book an afternoon/evening flight.