Cho-Oyu Expedition (8,201m) – 2026
Duration
44 days
Activities
Climbing and Trekking
Max Altitude
8,201m (26,906ft)
Group Size
02-15
Expedition Overview
Facts of the trip
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Arrival On
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Departure From
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Accommodation
Hotel, Teahouse Lodge - Tented Camp
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Best Time
October-December, February- Jun
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Transportation
Private Car, Jeep, Domestic Flight
Cho Oyu Expedition (8,201m) – 2026/2027
Standing at 8,201 meters (26,864 feet) on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China), Mount Cho Oyu is the sixth-highest mountain in the world. Known in Tibetan as the “Turquoise Goddess,” the Cho Oyu Expedition (8,201m) is widely celebrated as the most accessible, achievable, and safest of all the 8,000-meter peaks. Because its standard route features long, rolling snow slopes rather than sheer vertical ice walls, it serves as the ultimate stepping stone for mountaineers transitioning from 7,000m peaks to the true death zone.
Cho Oyu Expedition Overview
| Metric / Detail | Quick Facts |
| Elevation | 8,201 meters / 26,864 feet (Sixth-highest globally) |
| Location | Himalayas, Tibet Autonomous Region (China) / Nepal Border |
| First Ascent | October 19, 1954 (Austrian team: Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler, and Pasang Dawa Lama) |
| Best Climbing Seasons | Autumn (September–October) & Spring (April–May) |
| Standard Climbing Route | Northwest Ridge / Normal Route |
| Trip Duration | 35 to 45 Days |
| Climbing Permit Agency | China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) |
Why Choose the Cho Oyu Expedition?
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The Friendliest 8,000-Meter Peak: Cho Oyu lacks the objective dangers of massive serac falls or vertical technical cruxes found on peaks like Everest, K2, or Makalu.
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Drive-In Base Camp Logistics: Rather than enduring multi-week trekking approaches, teams drive through Tibet via the Friendship Highway directly up to Chinese Base Camp, simplifying logistics.
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Ideal Skill Builder: It offers climbers the chance to experience extreme altitude, heavy mountaineering boots, and supplemental oxygen use in a controlled, less punishing environment.
Highlights:
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Elevation: 8,201 meters (26,864 feet) – the sixth-highest mountain in the world.
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Location: Himalayas, on the border of Tibet (China) and Nepal.
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Reputation: Widely regarded as the safest, most accessible, and least technical 8,000-meter peak.
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First Ascent: Achieved in October 1954 by an Austrian expedition via the Northwest Ridge.
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Route Characteristics: Long, sustained snow and ice slopes, gentle plateaus, and a broad, flat summit plateau.
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Logistics: Accessible via a drive-in base camp through Tibet, avoiding multi-week walking approaches.
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Ideal Objective: The premier choice for experienced mountaineers taking their first step into the true “Death Zone.”
Itinerary
Check Available Dates
| Start | Finish | Duration | Gurop Size | Price | Status |
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Cost Details
What's Included
- 4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu with bed & breakfast tourist standard
- Expert professional Nepalese expedition crews like Cook, Kitchen boy, ABC
- guide & mountaineering gears till to the ABC Dining tent, Table, Chairs, toilet tent & Kitchen tent are provided; and our staff get all expedition facilities from our office itself
- Tibet visa & Travel Permit for the expedition staff
- Full board hotel in route to Tibet side Zhangmu, Nyalam & Tingri (bed & breakfast, Lunch, dinner)
- Base Camp – Advance Base Camp 1 tent for 1 person (North Face brand or similar)
- Per person’s (30 KG) Load is carried by the Yak till to the from BC-ABC
- Per person’s (20 KG) Load is carried by the Yak on the way back to ABC to the BC
- Kathmandu – Zhangmu – Base Camp – Zhangmu (vice versa) are provided the Mini bus or Jeep for the members & Truck for the equipment + expedition food carrying
- Climbing permit for Cho Oyu 8201 meter
- If join Trekker or BC – ABC member includes all services
- Cook and Helper permit fee USD 3000 each staff is includes
- One Senior climbing Guide and supporting climbing Sherpa
- Tibet Visa for member + Nepali staff
- Liaison officer & Interpreter
- Nepalese staff life & medical insurance
- ABC – Oxygen for Emergency but if use and pay it
- Welcome dinner typical Nepali restaurant
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Air or land travel to and from Kathmandu
- Laundry, telephone calls, all other items of personal nature
- Entry visa and Re-entry visa for Nepal
- Personal Expenses
- Medical and rescue insurance
- Personal Climbing equipment
- Bar bills & Beverage
- Medicine and first aid expenses
- Personal Oxygen and Mask Regulator
- Tips for Expedition staff
- Emergency rescue jeep in case needed
- Extra yak USD 150 & carrying load 40 KG
- Rescue Jeep Cost
- Any extra expenses
What to Expect
Highlights of Cho-Oyu Expedition.
- Sixth highest of the fourteen 8,000 meter peaks.
- Semi-technical climbing.
- Clear view of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Friendship.
- Most experienced expedition operator in the Himalaya.
- Excellent preparation for Everest.
- Safe climbing route.
- Experienced staff, quality ABC arrangements.
Equipment List
Fourteen Summit has compiled a list of necessary equipment, personal medical supplies and symptoms of medical condition likely to face during trekking / peak climbing. Also, please do understand that items listed below should be considered as an essential summary.
We highly recommend you to be familiar with all of your equipment and basic understanding of medical Conditions related to high elevation.
Your document to travel to Nepal:
Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
Dollars in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport
Credit cards, bank/ATM/cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards)
Personal Climbing gear:
Harness: A climbing harness should be lightweight and fully adjustable. Easy to put on and take off.
Ice axe: General mountaineering axe. Should be light and easy to use.
Crampons: It must fit boot perfectly and lighter is better.
Carabineers: Two large locking “pear” shaped 4 regular mountaineering carabineers
Prussik cord: You can use in many situation, carry couple more.
Ascenders: One left or right hand orientation, does not matter (Petzl)
Rappel device: Figure 8, ATC or similar. Very important to devices for descending.
Ascender / Jhumar: Must be comfortable to be use with gloves.
Helmet: It is very important to use while crossing areas through rock fall, ice cliff. Better light weight.
Walking pool: Adjustable types are the best, it will be very much helpful while walking through snow field or rocky trail.
Accessories:
Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F
Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
Basic First Aid Kit (see Health and Medicinal)
Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside trek bag
Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
Water bottles
Toiletries
Small wash towel
Rain coat
Personal Clothing items.
Head:
Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses with UV protection
Upper Body:
T-shirts
Weight thermal tops
Fleece jacket or pullover
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Down vest and/or jacket (optional)
Hands:
Lightweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
Lower Body:
Underwear
Hiking shorts
Lightweight cotton long pants
Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
Fleece or wool pants
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feets:
Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Hiking boots with spare laces
Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
Personal Hygiene:
Personal hygiene supplies;
Two tubes lip sun cream, at least 1 large tube regular sun cream (min. factor 30), some after-sun lotion in case you do get asunburn
Anti-mosquito cream;
One toothpaste/brush set;
One hand sanitizer gel
1 (fast drying) synthetic towel
Medical Supplies:
Personal prescription medications; Please let your leader know about any medical issues before the climb.
Small personal first-aid kit; (Simple and Light): first-aid tape, plasters (Band-Aids),alcohol-free wipes for cuts, personal medications, etc. (The leaders will have more extensive first-aid kits)
One skin blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium) (one regular package)
Anti-headache medication (Aspirin or Ibuprofen) (one regular package)
One small bottle cough and/or cold medicine.
One course antibiotics for chest infection, available locally at chemist shop or pharmacy with no doctor’s prescription.
One course antibiotics for stomach infection, available locally at chemist shop or pharmacy with no doctor’s prescription.
One small bottle anti-altitude sickness medication: Diamox (Acetylzolamide), available locally, for more about this medication, please contact us or your doctor
One small bottle of water purification tablets (needs to contain silver-ions AND chlorine) or a water filter or UV sterilizer.
Earplugs
Extra prescription glasses/contact lens. Contact lens wearers, please bring glasses in case of emergency.
Photo and Video
FAQ
The Cho Oyu Expedition is a high-altitude mountaineering journey to the sixth highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,201 meters (26,906 ft). Located on the Tibet–Nepal border just west of Everest, Cho Oyu is considered the most accessible and “easiest” 8,000-meter peak. Though no 8000er is easy, Cho Oyu offers a non-technical route, making it an ideal objective for climbers aiming to enter the world of extreme-altitude mountaineering.
The most favorable seasons are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). Spring offers better snow conditions and a more established route, while autumn has clearer skies and colder but more stable weather. For 2025, spring is expected to attract more expedition teams, which helps with route fixing and overall support.