Cho Oyu

Stepping stone for higher 8000er peaks

Despite standing an imposing 8,188m above sea level, the world’s sixth highest mountain is actually a relatively straightforward climb - at least when compared to some of the other 8,000ers. Its flat summit plateau, and the relatively gentle slopes approaching it don’t require the same level of technical climbing expertise that, say, Kanchenjunga or Makalu do. It’s often the first 8,000m peak that climbers tackle, and is a popular preparatory peak for people training themselves to climb Mount Everest.

Despite its comparatively mellow reputation, this is still a significant mountaineering challenge, which involves spending long hours in the death zone. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can skimp on preparation or planning, just because it’s a popular peak. 

Elite Exped’s expert team of highly-trained mountain guides have extensive experience of climbing Cho Oyu, with multiple successful summits between them. We’re well aware of the pitfalls of underestimating this mountain, and will ensure that everyone on this expedition meets the required levels of fitness, and has the ability to make it to the summit and safely back home.

The Elite Exped Cho Oyu expedition tackles the conventional route up the mountain’s Northwest Ridge, and the relative accessibility of this peak means it can be completed in 47 days. Our approach to expedition planning means that we control every aspect of the trip, from the food provision to the fixing of ropes. We leave nothing to chance, controlling the controllable to ensure that your expedition experience runs as smoothly as possible.

Our leaders Nimsdai and Mingma David Sherpa have built their careers on careful planning and stringent safety standards. All our guides are trained in high-altitude rescue and recovery techniques. Nimsdai’s 100 percent summit record when tackling 8,000m peaks speaks for itself, but his and our team’s long history of conducting successful rescue operations - coming to the aid of other expeditions in need - is arguably more important. Simply put, you could not be in safer hands when attempting this 8,000m peak.