Cho Oyu Expedition Route Explained: Base Camp to Summit

Standing at 8,188 meters, it is known as the 6th-highest mountain in the world. Cho-Oyu is located between the Tibet and Nepal border, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, and other highest peaks of Nepal and Tibet. Cho-Oyo has earned a reputation as the easiest climb, and climbers choose it before undertaking a Mt. Everest expedition. A mountain of the edge/place of honor among the Himalayan giants. The mountain is seen as a living god/presence watching over the valleys below. Cho-Oyu is seen as a goddess, serene yet powerful, nurturing yet. Cho-Oyu is known as the "Tourquoise Goddess." Formidable, she is a source of life-giving water with glaciers and streams that sustain the village and wildlife in her shadow. For a climber, 8,188 meters is just a number. It's the ultimate goal, defining the length, difficulty, and danger of the journey. Cho-Oyu is the best choice for climbers who are seeking an experience to climb Mt. Everest. Cho-Oyu has one route only to summit Cho-Oyu. In June 2024, a team of seven summit Treks has opened a new route, but the route is considered too steep and dangerous, and it demands more technical, physical, and high-risk of avalanches compared to the Tibet routes. During the climbing period of Cho-Oyu, the accommodation is based on tent camps because above the Chinese base camp, there will be no teahouse or hotels. Until the expedition is complete, we have to stay in a tented camp, which includes dining, a kitchen, a guest room, and a bathroom, all in a tent camp. 
Before the expedition, it takes 8 days to reach the Chinese Base Camp (CBC) from where the expedition begins. Our team will set up the camps there. From there, the tented camp accommodation will start until you summit the Cho-Oyu. 
For routes, to climb and summit Mt. Cho-Oyu, the easiest and most popular route is from the Tibet side, which is the Northwest Ridge, known for the standard route and titchy route. It is the most popular, technically straightforward route, and the safest route compared to other new routes. It involves a short, steep wall of rock and ice and a large, flat summit plateau. You can do the summit of Cho-Oyu mountain with moderate challenge from the Northwest Ridge of Tibet. 
The climbing phases of the Cho-Oyu expedition are given below;

Base camp established at 4,900 meters to 5,700 meters near the Nangpa La Pass. In Basecamp, we can acclimatize and prepare for Camp 1. In Basecamp, everything is well organized, from camping to meals. When the base camp is organized well, you can be more focused on climbing. Basecamp teams will manage all camps and meals during the expedition period, so you can do proper acclimatization before summiting the Cho-Oyu. There are two base camps in the Cho-Oyu expedition. The first one is the Chinese Base Camp, and the second one is the Advanced Base Camp. After the Chinese Base camp, we will head to the Advanced base camp. In Advanced Base Camp, we performed a Puja ceremony for spiritual blessings and for the success of the summit. We will prepare for camp-1 climbing. The duration of CBC to ABC is around 6 days, where we will do preparation, acclimatization, gathering, and training. 

Camp-1 is located on a flat and broad snowfield that leads toward the upper mountain. Camp 1 is the high camp. It takes  4-6 hours of trek from the Advanced Base Camps. The routes begin along the Gyabrang Glacier and a steep scree slope. Camp -1 stands at 6,400 meters. It takes 3 nights in Camp-1. At climb 1, climbers will begin by using gear like crampons and other essential technical gear. Camp 1 is necessary for camp rotation, where climbers at high altitudes return to lower camps to acclimate their bodies to thin air so that they can avoid altitude sickness. 

Camp 2 is known as the 2nd high camp. After crossing the 20-to 30-meter ice cliffs, we will reach Camp 2. It involves 35-40-degree snow slopes. It takes roughly 5 to 7 hours to reach Camp 2  from Camp 1. We will descend from Camp 2 to Advanced Base Camp for acclimatization. Camp  2 is established at 7,100 meters high. Climbers use a jumar to scale steep ice sections safely, which is always secured with high-quality static ropes. At camp 2, there is a rotation, which involves climbing to the camp and back to the Advanced base camp. Some well-prepared climbers can summit Mt.Cho-Oyu directly from Camp 2.

Camp 3 is the final high camp, and the ascent climb to and at Camp 3 with supplemental oxygen to ensure we are strong and healthy on summit day. Camp 3 is established for shorten summit day. From Camp 2 to Camp 3, the route is short, and it takes 3-5 hours,  but it demands physical effort due to its high altitude. Camp 3 is located just below the Yellow band, a short but strenuous rock and snow cliff. Camp 3 stands at 7,450 meters high. At Camp 3, the camp is located under a series of protective rocks that intersect the upper basin's snowy slopes. Climbers depart from camp 3 for the summit push between midnight (11 PM-1 AM) to ensure a daylight return.  

The summit plateau is reached after ascending the 'Yellow Band' and the final steep snow slopes. Summit Plateau is a gently tilted field of snow and ice. Most summits begin at  Camp 3 (7,450 m- 7,500 meters around midnight to reach this plateau by early morning. The Summit Plateau of Cho-Oyu is a nearly flat snow and ice area situated at 8,000 meters to 8,188 meters. On a clear day, it offers breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Nuptse. It is the dangerous point, so following your climbers' guide's guidance routes keeps you safe from dangers. Reaching the true summit at 8,188 meters is confirmed when the ground finally drops away steeply on the other side, revealing a dramatic view of the Gokyo valley of Nepal from the top of Cho-Oyu. Cho-Oyu offers panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and the Gokyo Lake of Nepal. After summiting, climbers retrace their steps towards Camp-2 to stay overnight at a safe altitude. The next day, climbers descend to Advanced Basecamp, then prepare to return to Kathmandu after descending to Basecamp.