Alpine Ascents Cho-Oyu Expedition Itinerary
Itinerary Overview
The next three-four days are spent establishing Advanced Base Camp and making short acclimatization forays to the lower reaches of the West Ridge. With the assistance of our Sherpa team, we place Camp I (21,000’) atop the West Ridge. Over the next ten days we establish Camp II (23,100’) and Camp III (24,500’). We repeatedly move up and down the mountain to enhance strong acclimatization and overall fitness. Once our last camp is set and the team has rested for a few days at Advanced Base Camp, we begin the summit climb. Prior to our summit attempt, team members will spend the night at Camp III sleeping on supplemental oxygen, strengthening and abetting the body’s circulation systems.
Our summit attempt begins between midnight and 1:00am. We will climb with supplemental oxygen on summit day. From High Camp we ascend the West Face through a rock band and up snow slopes of 25-40º to reach the West Ridge proper. This gentle ridge leads to the large summit plateau at approximately 26,000'. From here we spend the next hour traveling across this plateau to reach the true summit and a spectacular 360º view which includes Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and an array of Himalayan peaks. To the north lies the Tibetan plateau (the highest in the world) and to the south stand hundreds of Nepalese peaks.
After reaching the summit, our team descends to Camp II. It takes approximately five days to clear the mountain and move equipment back to Base Camp. Once we have arrived at Base Camp and said farewell to our Tibetan yak-drivers, we begin our return to Lhasa. After arriving in Lhasa, we sort equipment and celebrate in the fascinating capital city before our international departures.
Day-to-day Itinerary (Updated)
Team officially meets in Lhasa
Day 1: Depart home country
Day 2: Transit.
Day 3: Arrive Kathmandu.
Day 4: Fly to Lhasa (12,140’)
Day 5: Tour of Lhasa including Potala, Drepong Gompa & Barkhor- Hotel
Day 6: Tour of Lhasa, Norbulinka, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery
Day 7: Begin driving tour of Tibet, stay in historic Gyantse (12,960’).
Day 8: Travel to Shigatse Tour Monastery (seat of Panchen Lama) (12,795’).
Day 9: Drive to Tingri (14,400’).Rest, and acclimatize.
Day 10: Drive to Base Camp (15,500’).
Day 11: Short acclimatization hikes, gear organization and rest.
Day 12: Organize loads to be transported to Advance Base Camp.
Day 13: Travel to an intermediate Camp (17,000’) accompanied by our yaks.
Day 14: Move to Advanced Base Camp (ABC) (18,500’).
Day 15: Organize and set up camp.
Day 16: Rest and short hikes.
Day 17: Carry to Camp I (21,000’) and return to ABC.
Day 18: Rest day.
Day 19: Rest day.
Day 20: Carry and sleep at Camp I.
Day 21: Return to ABC
Day 22: Climb to Camp I and spend night.
Day 23: Spend another night Camp I for further acclimatization.
Day 24: Carry to Camp II (23,100’). Overnight.
Day 25: Return to ABC.
Day 26: Rest Day.
Day 27: Rest at ABC and prepare for summit push.
Day 28: Move to Camp I.
Day 29: Move to Camp II.
Day 30: Move to Camp III.
Day 31: Summit Attempt.
Days 32 - 41: Extra days
Day 42: Return to ABC.
Day 43: Organize loads for trek out.
Day 44: Yaks arrive to carry our gear and we return to Base Camp, Drive to Tingri
Day 45: Drive Tingri to Zhangmu.
Day 46: Zhangmu to Kathmandu.
Day 47: Overnight Kathmandu
Day 48: Depart Kathmandu for Home Country.
Day 49: Arrive home country
Please ensure that this departure date is flexible. Do not plan any important business for
Two weeks following the expedition and ensure that your plane ticket is changeable.