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UK: +44 (0)7810 375400 & USA: +1 360-570-0715
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Our comfortable ABC. Photo Fergal Savage..JPG)
Grace showing her country's flag on the summit of Cho Oyu. Photo Grace..JPG)
Climbing to high camp on Cho Oyu. Photo Vinenjolis.JPG)
Members heading down after a successful summit. Photo Vicen Jolis..JPG)
Fergal Savage on the summit. Photo Fergal Savage..JPG)
Member enjoying at camp 2. Photo Grace McDonald..JPG)
Holly, Patch, Tenji, and Ngima on the way to camp 2. Photo John and Debbie..JPG)
The Final push toward the summit. Photo Stefanous Voutselas.JPG)
Wayne Herrick on the summit of Cho Oyu. Photo Tenji Sherpa.JPG)
Cho Oyu Base camp. Photo Max.JPG)
Members enjoying a meal inside the dinning tent. Photo Max.JPG)
Members relaxing in base camp. Photo Max
Dates: 29 August - 5 October, 2019 or 5 April to 12 May 2020 or 30 August, 2020 - 6 October, 2020 (ask about flexible start dates). 38 days in Tibet and Nepal.
Full Service Cost: $24,450, £18,550, €21,550; Basic Climb Cost: $17,150, £12,950, €15,050. (Price fixed in $USD. £GBP and €EUR price for convenience only, converted March 03, 2019)
Our most recent expeditions got 8 members to the summit (4 with supplemental oxygen and 4 without)
Combine Shishapangma with Cho Oyu and earn a 20% discount.
Add an exotic and historical trip to the ancient Tibetan city of Lhasa. $2,450
Overview
At 8,201 metres (26,906 feet), Cho-Oyu is the 6th highest mountain on the planet. It is considered to be one of the easiest and most accessible 8,000m peaks. Cho-Oyu is an excellent choice for people looking to climb there first 8,000m peak or to prepare for Mt. Everest. The amazing views, Tibetan culture, and easy climbing on Cho-Oyu make for a perfect big mountain objective.
Our full-service expedition includes:
What is not included?
Our basic service expedition includes:
Add on High Attitude Support : Click here for prices
Oxygen: You should consider whether or not you wish to use supplemental oxygen, which is optional on Cho-Oyu. Approximately half of our member choose to use oxygen. Click here for prices
We recommend a three bottle set for Cho-Oyu. The price includes three large 4 litre Russian Oxygen bottles, mask, regulator, hoses, as well as carriage to the high camps by porters. Extra bottles are available for an additional fee. We have a 30% buy-back policy on masks, regulators, and unused oxygen bottles in good condition.
Oxygen supplies may be purchased separately. The same buy-back policy applies.The following may be purchased individually:
1) Arrive in Kathmandu, 1,350 metres (4,429 feet). Our staff will meet you at the airport. Stay at hotel.
2) Take passport to Chinese embassy for visa. Complete final logistics, orientation, purchasing, and packing. Stay at hotel.
3) Early morning drive to Rusuwaghadi at 2,557 metres(8,389 feet). Stay at hotel.
Lhasa option: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa or if you are coming from a city in China, arrive in Lhasa on this day.
4) Enter Tibet, drive to Gyirong at 2,700 metres (8,858 feet). Stay at hotel.
Lhasa option: Rest in Lhasa, tour Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.
5) Rest & acclimatization in Gyirong. Walk around the local hills. Stay in hotel.
Lhasa option: Drive to Shigatse. Rest and acclimate, Visit the 15th century Tashilunpo Monastery.
6) Drive to Tingri, 4,300 meters (14,107 feet). Stay at hotel.
7) Rest and acclimatization in Tingri. Stay at hotel.
8) Drive to Chinese Base, 4,900 metres (16,076 feet). Camp.
9) Rest and acclimatization in Chinese base. Organize equipment and supplies. Camp
10) Walk to interim-camp at 5,100 metres (16,732 feet).
11) Walk to advanced base camp at 5,600 metres (18,373 feet).
12) Rest and Acclimatization, training, and organization at advanced base camp
13) Walk to camp 1 at 6,200 metres (20,341 feet), return to advanced base camp.
14) Rest in advanced base camp
15) Walk to camp 1.
16) Walk to Camp 2 at 6,700 metres (21,982 feet). Return to advanced base camp.
17) Rest in advanced base camp.
18) Rest in advanced base camp.
19) Walk to camp 1.
20) Walk to camp 2.
21) Walk to camp 3 at 7,400 metres (24,278 feet), then return to advanced base camp.
22) Rest in advanced base camp
23) Rest in advanced base camp
24) Rest in advanced base camp
25) Walk to camp 1
26) Walk to camp 2
27) Walk to camp 3
28) Summit attempt
29) Summit attempt
30) Summit attempt
31) Summit attempt
At the summit of Cho Oyu. Photo Wayne
32) Summit attempt, descend to camp 2
33) Descend to advanced base camp, pack and prepare to depart.
34) Yaks transport equipment, supplies and rubbish to Chinese base. Members walk down.
35) Drive to Gyirong. Stay at hotel.
36) Drive to Kathmandu. Stay at hotel.
37) Finish packing, celebration, saying goodbye to new friends. Stay at hotel
38) Fly home. Thank you for joining our Cho Oyu Expedition
Climbing:
Upper Body:
Hands:
Head:
Lower Body:
Feet:
Sleeping:
Rucksack and Travel Bags:
Personal Hygiene:
Medical:
Personal Food:
Oxygen:
A 5 bottle set of oxygen is included in the cost of our full service Everest, K2, and Lhotse expeditions. It may be purchased for Broad Peak, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and Manaslu. Click here for pricing
Group Equipment:
We provide group gear, equipment, and supplies including: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection, tents; stoves, fuel, walkie-talkie radios, bamboo marker wands, etcetera. A personal tent will be provided for each member at base camp. On the upper mountain, team members will share tents. In base camp, a shower, toilet, solar charger, and a dining tent will be provided.
Cho Oyu Wall
Leadership: Dan Mazur is a relaxed, friendly, well organised, and highly skilled professional with over 20 years of experience leading people to the summits of Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Shishapangma. With expedition leaders Dani Fullier and Don Wargowsky (add links to leader’s pages) you will have an excellent experience on Cho-Oyu.
Sherpas: We employ some of Nepal, Tibet, and the Karakorum’s best local mountaineers and Sherpas to assist team members in realizing their summit goals. Our friendly and loyal high altitude climbing staff has supported teams to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya.
Winter snow walking experience and experience at high altitude is highly recommended. The trip includes brief climbing clinics. We will teach you everything you need to know on glacier near basecamp. To be successful, proper conditioning is critical to your success on Cho-Oyu. Team members are expected to be very fit and in good health. Proper training with a focus on long hikes carrying a backpack is essential.
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Please fill out an application and return it to us with your refundable ten-percent deposit to hold your place on the team.
In addition to your application, we will need the following at least two months before the trip begins:
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Cho Oyu High Camp
Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. In 2013, the cost of a 90 day visa was $100 USD & 30 days visa cost $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport). Because the expedition is in Tibet, we provide special support to you in Kathmandu in organizing your Tibet-China visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $165 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. It may be cheaper, but we will tell you and provide a receipt. Thank you. Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months fom the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.
Because the expedition is in Tibet, we provide special support to you in Kathmandu in organizing your Tibet-China visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $165 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. It may be cheaper, but we will tell you and provide a receipt. Thank you.
We accept credit card, cheque, electronic bank transfer, cash, traveler's cheque, etcetera. You may post us cheques, pay in cash on arrival (initial payment required), send a bank wire, etcetera.
If you wish to make a bank to bank transfer, please request our bank details via email.
If you wish, we are able to take your credit card details and charge your card. 
In that case, please send:
Type of card: Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Discover;Please send these details to us via email to info@SummitClimb.com (perhaps safer to divide this information into two emails) or via phone or post when you are ready to pay.
When sending your details, would you please include the name of the trip, month and year of the trip, and amount you wish to pay, ie: "refundable deposit" or "full-payment", etcetera. Thank you.
Here are our phone details:
In case you wish to use paypal, our paypal address is info@SummitClimb.com .
Our postal addresses are:
Many medical precautions are advised, including vaccinations. Please see your local tropical/travel medicine clinic, physician, or general practitioner. There are also numerous immunization resources on the internet, and one of the best is from Kathmandu's famous CIWEC Clinic:
http://ciwec-clinic.com/
Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu, but we recommend you obtain the vaccinations in your home country.
Mount Everest Summiter's Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses) E-mail: evecom@mos.com.np, Tel: (9771) 4468775 (Res), (9771) 4219404 (Shop), (977) 9841237504 (Mob)
Shona's Shop - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest) e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: (9771) 4265120Everest Hardwear - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest. A bit better quality than Shona's.) e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel (9771) 4230399, mobile (977) 98510 45706
Peglers - UK
www.peglers.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 1903 883375
Pegler's have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the UK.Second Ascent - SeattleMountain Equipment Co-op - Canada
www.secondascent.com, Tel: +1 206 545 8810
Check out their new online shopping store for used and discontinued equipment, clothing, and boots.
http://www.mec.ca/, Tel: +1 888 847 0770
MEC have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the Canada.
Snell
Sports - Chamonix
Tel. : + 33 4 50 53 02 17, email: snell@cham3s.comDecathlon - France
http://www.decathlon.fr/FR/index.htmlAu Vieux Campeur - France
www.au-vieux-campeur.frChamonix Alpine Equipment - Hong Kong
www.hongkongclimbing.com/chamonix/chamonix.htm
Tel: +852 2388 3626, +852 2374 0924Everestgear.com - Onlinewww.everestgear.com
Because there are a group of you, you can benefit from our group discounts:
2-3 persons receive a five percent discount. 4-5 persons receive a ten percent discount, and 6-8 members receive a 15 percent discount (we also provide discounts for doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners, returning members and combining trips). If you would be so kind as to send the email and postal addresses of the other person(s) in the group, we would be glad to send them the information and a colour card as well. Thanks.
We have not canceled a trip before. If we decide to cancel the trip, 100 percent of your payment shall be returned.
Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, and the harsh "no-refund" policies of third-world tour operators and government mountaineering offices, We must adhere to a stringent refund policy. PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVISED TO PURCHASE TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. Specific cancellation and refund policies may supersede those enumerated below. If you cancel your trip membership 60 or more days before scheduled departure, this will result in an 75% refund. 59-30 days before scheduled departure will result in a 50% refund. 29-14 days before scheduled departure will result in a 25% refund, 13 or less days before scheduled departure results in zero refund.
Note: Our leaders are not guides. They are there to coordinate the expedition and may or may not climb with you personally on the mountain. Our leaders will try to do everything they can to help you, but it is your responsibility to have the skills, strength, equipment, etcetera to do this climb. If you are unsure, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa.
Please click here to view our Cho Oyu leadership page for more about our leader, organizer, sherpas, and staff.
In addition, we urge you to participate in our GLACIER SCHOOL held each spring and autumn, where you can meet and climb together with the leader(s).
All of our full-service expeditions include sherpas for the group. We hire Sherpas and high altitude porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal and Tibet's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Cho Oyu more than 5 times. One of our lady sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Cho Oyu. Many of our sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya, and Cho Oyu as many as five times.
Note: We strive to provide one group sherpa for each 3-4 members. The group sherpa's duty is to help the members and to carry group equipment such as tents, rope, food, and gas up and down the mountain. Group sherpas help to setup and take down camps. They are also there to try to assist in any rescues, so the other members do not have to give up their summit attempt to rescue a sick member. Our group Sherpas will help you throughout the climb and they will also help you during the ascent up to the summit and back down. If you need more sherpa assistance, we encourage you to hire a personal sherpa.
Is it possible to hire a sherpa to provide me a bit of extra help?
We are offering two different sherpa services to provide a bit of extra help and greatly increase chances for a successful summit to our members.
Full personal-private sherpas-
For those who do not wish to carry their own rucksack, or prepare their own meals and drinks above basecamp, we offer full personal-private sherpas (or, you may wish to share one with another member). A personal sherpa climbs and camps with you at all times and carries approximately ten kilos/22 pounds of your personal belongings. He also helps with boiling water and making your meals on the mountain.High altitude "personal-equipment-carriage-service"-
If you are thinking about either option, please let us know so we can find a sherpa most suitable to your needs. We must know two months before the climb. Please feel free to ask us any questions about sherpas and about which of our two options may be most suited to your needs. Thank you.
The above costs of hiring your own personal-private Sherpa include their equipment, food, accommodation, clothing, permits, visas, transport, and insurance. The above prices do not include oxygen (normally Sherpas do not use Oxygen on Cho Oyu), nor do they include gratuities, summit bonus, and tips. Please see our other questions about tipping and bringing gifts for sherpas .
Yes, we do offer discounts for "leaders-in-training". For those members who are aspiring leaders and/or mountain guides, and want to learn about what is involved in being an expedition leader, and are willing to arrive a few days before the expedition and stay a few days after the expedition, and help with logisitics and leadership before, during, and after the expedition, the "leader-in-training" position may be a desirable one. Many of our expedition leaders started in such a role, and progressed on to become full time leaders. Please view our new Leaders-In-Training Website.
It is customary that each expedition member will make a contribution toward staff gratuities. Our staff are extremely proud of their efforts, and receiving a gratuity is a matter of the utmost honour, a mark of recognition of a job well done. We will "pool" these tips together and then, as a group, we will vote on the distribution of the tips to the individual staff. This method has seemed to be the fairest and has worked very well in the past. Our staff of more than 23 Sherpas is an extremely loyal and hard working group. You will be duly impressed by their level of effort and reliability. The main reason our staff are consistently some of the hardest working people in town, on trek, and on the mountain, is that they know they can rely on the generosity of our members to consistently provide a good tip. Please be sure to keep up the tradition, for future team members, as you have benefited from the reliable generosity of team members who came before you. Thank you very much.
There are two types of tips, the staff tip, and the summit-attempt bonus.
The "staff tip" will be $250 USD per foreign climber. Expect to pay this tip no matter what.
For the "summit-attempt bonus" a group Sherpa who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay $700 per Sherpa for summit success and $400 per Sherpa for an attempt on the summit, where you tried but did not succeed. That amount of money may be split between the climbers in the summit party. If you have a personal Sherpa, your tip will be more. Thank you very much.Please do. Clothing and equipment gifts are highly appreciated. Also, Sherpa children and wives and sisters and mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers need clothing and shoes too. Please remember that sherpas come in all shapes and sizes, from children to adults. Items that are very small or very large can be traded for items that fit. There are men and women Sherpas, and they may be tall, short, extra-large, large, medium or small. The clothing and equipment you bring will be collected from you at the end of each expedition, then stock-piled by the lead staff and handed out to the Sherpas at the beginning of each expedition. In this way, we can ensure that they will actually use it during the expedition and not sell it immediately.
Here is a list of items that are needed broken into sections. Please click a link below to go directly to that list or scroll down.
Clothing and shoes for the village and in town (men, women, and/or children)Clothing and shoes for the village and in town (men, women, and/or children):
Clothing and shoes for the mountain (men and women):
Climbing equipment (men and women):
Communications and electronics:
Members are men and women from around the world who enjoy touring, walking, climbing, camping, and being in the mountains with friends. Our youngest member was age 20, and our oldest 69 years of age. The average age is 36, with many members in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. We have neither a lower nor an upper limit on group size.
PLEASE NOTE: We seek out members who can bring to this expedition a friendly spirit of team-work, as high altitude climbing and trekking are all about cooperation and working together and getting on with your team-mates.
We have been told that our members and groups get along extremely well, and members are pleased to learn how enjoyable our expeditions are, and often say how pleasantly surprised they are by how well our team members and staff and leaders function together.
In basecamp and advanced basecamp, WE PROVIDE YOUR OWN PERSONAL TENT, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SHARED. Most members prefer a single room while in Kathmandu. Our trek-tents and high-altitude tents are based on sharing.
On Cho Oyu, it is common to use fixed lines, where groups of as many as 5 people ascend and descend together. However, team members are individually clipped to the fixed line. Each night, the groups will camp in an established campsite where there are multiple expedition tents. Throughout the climbing days and camping nights, our leaders and Sherpas will be climbing and camping together with you to help set up tents and make sure you are staying healthy and safe and that things are going well.
If you did not join together with your climbing partner (many members join as individuals), you will have ample opportunity, during the training, approach/trekking, and first expedition days to determine who you would prefer to climb with. Depending upon the variable speed with which everyone is acclimatizing, these groups and partnerships can form and recombine several times throughout our expedition, where the pace is slow and careful, and there is enough time for multiple summit attempts.
We offer a 5% cash "finders-fee", paid to you for each of your friends and colleagues who become a member of our team.
Often, someone is well-placed as a guide, lecturer, eminent community figure, travel agent or tour operator, etcetera. We are glad to offer increasing commissions based on multiple referrals to any of our various trips and classes in any calendar year:
5% commission for the first 1,2, and 3 people who you refer;
10% commission for the next 4-8 people you refer;
15% for the next 9-15 people;
20% for 16 or more.
Yes, we do offer discounts for "leaders-in-training". For those members who are aspiring leaders and/or mountain guides, and want to learn about what is involved in being an expedition leader, and are willing to arrive a few days before the expedition and stay a few days after the expedition, and help with logisitics and leadership before, during, and after the expedition, the "leader-in-training" position may be a desirable one. Many of our expedition leaders started in such a role, and progressed on to become full time leaders. Please view our new Leaders-In-Training Website.
Hotel :Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip but not food. For more information, please click here .
We recommend the following tip for our group staff: Cho Oyu: $250. Expect to pay the above tip no matter what.
For the "summit-attempt bonus" a group Sherpa who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay $700 per Sherpa for summit success and $400 per Sherpa for an attempt on the summit, where you tried but did not succeed. That amount of money may be split between the climbers in the summit party. If you have a personal Sherpa, your tip will be more. Thank you very much.
Car or Jeep hiring for Tibet members: Please note that your amount of cash you need to bring is about $1800 more than our Nepal trips because it costs that much to hire a jeep to take you out early if you wish to leave before the scheduled end date of the itinerary.
Also not included are: International flights, personal clothing and equipment (sleeping bag, boots, ice axe, etc.), personal sherpas, climbing oxygen, visas, vaccinations, health, travel and rescue insurance, snack-energy food, gratuities, drinks on the road or in town, expenses of a personal nature, changes to the pre-planned itinerary (such as early departure), and expenses while traveling away from the group or leader. Not included are unexpected expenses, such as expenses due to emergencies, rescues, weather, political situations, transport delays, etc.
Our prices reflect our honesty, integrity, efficiency, and emphasis on providing a safe, high quality expedition for a fair price, as our company was founded 17 years ago by climbers for climbers, and we still have some of the original founders with us and strive to maintain these priorities. In addition, we have very long experience and deep connections with the mountaineering authorities in Nepal and Tibet, and we are fortunate to receive favourable prices and better treatment. Even though our prices are less, our approach reflects the best possible value for money and emphasizes effective team building within our own expedition, as well as good relations with everyone on the mountain.
This is neither a luxury nor a 5-star expedition.Our goal is to work together as a team so that all members reach the top safely. We do not expect you to be expert (although some members are) but, nor are we a climbing school (although we do conduct one or two days of training at the beginning of each expedition).
If you need fundamental technical training, and snow and ice experience, we urge you to participate in our GLACIER SCHOOL held each spring and autumn.
Members need to have experience in being part of a team, working toward a common goal, and be ready to work with the group and be a good "team-player".Cho Oyu is basically a 10 to 50 degree mostly snow slope, with a few tiny pitches of steep rock, snow, and ice. The highest technical section is an "ice/snow-step" just six metres/20 feet high. These sections are 100 percent climbed on fixed lines, with the highest degree of safety.
Our leaders and our team-climbing-sherpas are there to ensure (for our full-service members) you make it up to the summit and back down safely. However, this is not a guided expedition (although you could hire your own personal guide, sherpas , etcetera), and team members are expected to be able to care for themselves in a winter-camping and climbing environment. Although Cho-Oyu is considered to be the world's most accessible 8000 metre peak, there are hazards present, and members must have experience in roped rock and ice climbing techniques (to protect from falling down the mountain or into crevasses), and have winter-condition climbing experience in the greater ranges of the world, including placing and retrieving anchors, belaying, abseiling/rappelling, glacier rescue and avalanche awareness. It is also required that all members will have knowledge of altitude sickness, frostbite, and the recognition of their symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
We welcome you to join our expedition as an individual and most of our members do. We plan to assemble our team members into groups so you should not have to climb alone, although occasionally it may happen. By the way, we are unable to accommodate 'soloists' who are not willing to climb together with other team members or sherpas from our team. The main expectation is that members will be prepared to climb with a team member or sherpa above basecamp if possible. This practice ensures that the entire team has a fun, successful, and safe time on the mountain.
In addition, for Cho Oyu, you should have previously climbed on a high mountain (such as Ama Dablam or Lhakpa Ri / North Col ).
To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter-walker and climber in good health. Make sure you have physically trained yourself very thoroughly before joining this climb.
Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.
Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu. On our application form we ask you to inform of us your condition, previous illnesses, health and medical situations we should know about, what medications you are taking, etcetera. Please help us to be informed by being honest and fully truthful when you complete it. Thank you.
We encourage climbers of all ages to consider joining our team.
The youngest summiter we have had on Cho Oyu was 26.
The oldest summiter we have had was 69 years old. We notice that people who are older may need more rest, acclimatization, and a careful attention to nutrition and hydration, and they can certainly benefit from a personal sherpa if not at least a "quarter-share" sherpa . Any one of any age should gain from being helped by these hard-working stalwarts, and the older you are the more likely the benefit.
We don’t want to sound pessimistic, rather we strive for realism, but there may be a certain debacle in encouraging climbers who are older. All of us, no matter what age, race, or gendre, can push ourselves beyond our limits and "hit the wall", become exhausted, etcetera. Let's face up to it, the "wall" might come up a bit more rapidly for those of us who are a bit older, than for the youngsters in our midst. Its important to be well trained physically and mentally, and know how to maintain one's health and stamina throughout the climb, whether its climbing up, preparing meals and drinks and filling water bottles in the camps, taking good care of oneself on summit day, or climbing safely back down the mountain. Sometimes its good to have an extra hand round, like a personal sherpa , who will carry the load and remain focused on you and your health, nutrition and hydration.
You may wish to engage the services of a personal trainer, who could help you to fine tune your fitness to a higher level while minimizing strain and maximising your potential in ways you might not have imagined. Personal trainers can also be a great motivator, as you and the trainer have your weekly session, thus you will feel an incentive to complete your planned fitness programme for that week.
We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.
Please see the Equipment link , to study what is needed. If you are not familiar with the necessary equipment, we suggest you attend one of our Glacier Schools , to learn about it and buy it affordably .
Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.
In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos/50 pounds of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos/33 pounds (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos/88 pounds. First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).
If you are unable to attain a sport baggage allowance, obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram/2.2 pounds, of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.
You may wish to investigate cargo shipping from your home country to Kathmandu.
Those members flying from North America are currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 50 pounds/23 kilos each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds/13 kilos, for a total allowance of 130 pounds, or 60 kilograms. Baggage allowances change frequently. Before departure, you must ring your airline to verify the exact amount.
In North America it may be possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound/32 kilo bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you.
Gauri Shankar Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses and hiring ) - contact SummitClimb's Kathmandu offfice to check availability: info@summitclimb.com . Thank you very much
Shona's Shop - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest) e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: (9771) 4265120Everest Hardwear - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest. A bit better quality than Shona's.) e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel (9771) 4230399, mobile (977) 98510 45706
Peglers - UK
www.peglers.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 1903 883375
Pegler's have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the UK.Second Ascent - SeattleMountain Equipment Co-op - Canada
www.secondascent.com, Tel: +1 206 545 8810
Check out their new online shopping store for used and discontinued equipment, clothing, and boots.
MEC have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the Canada.
Snell
Tel. : + 33 4 50 53 02 17, email: snell@cham3s.comDecathlon - France
http://www.decathlon.fr/FR/index.htmlAu Vieux Campeur - Francewww.au-vieux-campeur.frChamonix Alpine Equipment - Hong Kong
www.hongkongclimbing.com/chamonix/chamonix.htm
Tel: +852 2388 3626, +852 2374 0924Everestgear.com - Onlinewww.everestgear.com
We recommend the 3 bottle set for Cho Oyu.If purchased separately:
Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. The cost of a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD & a 30 day visa costs approximately $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport).
For Tibet visa for your expedition or trek - We provide you special support in Kathmandu to organizing your Tibet-China visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $165 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. It may be cheaper, but we will tell you and provide a receipt. Thank you. Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months fom the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.
Please also bring plenty of cash for tips + gratuities, for shopping, drinks, etcetera. You will be paying for your own hotel and meals in Kathmandu . There are good cash/atm machines and traveler's cheques will work, especially in Kathmandu. Members who don't bring enough cash are often found sitting on their hands in a dark and cold hotel room or tent while the rest of the team are out having fun enjoying the night life that is surprisingly exciting and even funny, the sometimes fun pubs and shopping.
Cho Oyu members are requested to bring at least $1800 cash with them to Tibet.
Because you are going to Tibet, also be sure to bring cash for your China-Tibet visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $165 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. You may encounter the occasionally very good inexpensive carpet and souvenir shopping that can be found in Tibet, at low prices where no credit cards and no traveler's cheques may be used. Those of you going to Tibet may wish to consider bringing only dollars or changing all of your currency into local currency in Gyirong, upon crossing into Tibet from Nepal. There is a new cash machine in Gyirong, hopefully it's still working.
We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.
Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu, where there are so many shops that you will find almost everything you need.
For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal & Tibet, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for a Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here".
Gauri Shankar Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses and hiring ) - contact SummitClimb's Kathmandu offfice to check availability: info@summitclimb.com . Thank you very much
For soft goods like down jackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
A. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel. e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel 4230399, mobile (977)98510 45706
B. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: 4265120
Warm mittens are necessary for your expedition. Please don't frostbite your hands. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. The warmest mittens come with a sturdy Goretex outer shell and a very warm polar fleece removable mitten liner.
You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. In Kathmandu you can find good quality Black Diamond and Mountain Hardwear mittens.
We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.
Most equipment, boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses are available for purchase and hire in Kathmandu. We allow extra time for our leaders to check your equipment in Kathmandu. If you need additional items, we allow time for shopping and have staff and members to show you where the shops are.
Here is a partial list for those desiring to contact Nepalese manufacturers:
Gauri Shankar Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses and hiring ) - contact SummitClimb's Kathmandu offfice to check availability: info@summitclimb.com . Thank you very much
For soft goods like down jackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
A. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel. e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel 4230399, mobile (977)98510 45706
B. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: 4265120
There are so many shops in Kathmandu, you will find almost everything you need.
In Nepal, using your bank, cash or atm card (as long as it's a Cirrus, Plus, or Visa), you can usually obtain rupees at a bank machine in Kathmandu. The machine will not give you dollars, or any other foreign currency. Sometimes, foreign cards dont work in Nepal. The most international bank is Standard and Chartered, and if you plan on using a credit card, you might ask your company to check if your card will work at S&C.
In Tibet, there is a new cash machine in Zhangmu (just across the border from Nepal), hopefully it's still working. Those of you going to Tibet may wish to consider bringing only dollars or changing all of your currency into local currency in Zhangmu, upon crossing into Tibet from Nepal.
There is a difference of opinion. However, if you have not been to high altitude often, we suggest you consider trying Diamox. You may wish to start with one half of a tablet in Kathmandu to see how you react to the medication and if you have any side effects. During the approach to basecamp, as well as once we are on the mountain, we suggest you consider taking one to two tablets per day, depending upon your body weight, rate of ascent, and your reaction to the medication.
We encourage members who are going to high-altitude for their first time to try Diamox. During our expedition, we can often tell which team members are using Diamox and which are not according to their level of activity vs. lethargy. Those trying Diamox are often seen laughing, playing cards, and throwing frisbees in basecamp, while those who are not are often seen hunched over their tea in the dining tent, holding their heads and grumbling about a headache. The non-users may also not be seen at all, as they are in their tent lying in their sleeping bag suffering a migraine-like headache.
Whatever your opinion is, Diamox is a very vital part of any high altitude climbers medical kit, used in the prevention of mountain sickness, also known as high altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). It's a very old drug, originally developed for cardiac patients in the 1930s. It is the most well known and tested of all of the high altitude drugs. It works well as a preventative medication, taken in advance of symptoms, proactively. It also works acutely in first-aid situations to reduce the severity of symptoms once high-altitude sickness ensues. Common dosage is a half tablet (tablets are 250mg) before AMS occurs, to see if any severe side effects occur. Common side effects include tingling, 'pins and needles' and excessive urination. If no severe side effects occur, it's common to take one 250 mg tablet per day. Up to 2 or even three tablets may be taken per day, depending upon body weight (smaller people need to take less, and larger people more). Be sure to drink enough water, as Diamox is a diuretic (increases urination and thus dehydration).
Diamox increases your body's uptake of carbon dioxide through a ph change in the blood, so as an indirect reaction of your body, it causes you to breath (exhale) more to get rid of the extra CO2. The other mechanism your body uses to get rid of extra CO2 is to urinate more. Breathing more causes you not only to exhale more CO2, but also to take in more oxygen. Your body responds to all of this fresh new oxygen by making your red blood cell count increase. This is what you need to become acclimatized to the higher altitude, more red blood cells to carry more oxygen. Whether you take Diamox or not, this red blood cell increase happens naturally as you slowly ascend to higher altitudes. Diamox just causes the red blood cells to multiply a little faster because you are breathing a bit more. Some people say you can do this yourself without taking Diamox, just hyperventilate all of the time!
It's best to purchase your international air ticket several months before trip departure. Although, surprisingly inexpensive air tickets may be available on short notice only a few weeks before the trip begins. However, for some busier times of year known as "high season", it might be best to purchase your air tickets 4-5 months before flying, or, if you are trying to use frequent flyer or air miles, 6-12 months prior to the beginning of the trip.
We can recommend agencies and airlines that offer the lowest prices and best service.
Flights from UK or Europe to Kathmandu currently cost £450-£700 (GBP), or €665-€1000 (EURO).
For Kathmandu, the most normally used airlines are Gulf Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Ethitad Airways or occasionally Jet Airlines. It takes 1 or two days to fly there, and one or two days to fly back. Many Europeans prefer to fly to London first, to take advantage of the inexpensive flights. Flying from London, to begin, may we recommend you contact anyone at Trailfinders on 0207 9383939. Also, please ring the Flight Centre in London on: 08705 666627, or 0207 9356669.
First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera.
WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).
Be sure to mention that you are one of our members when you ring your travel agent, as the above companies arrange quite a few of our flights and they may give a discount or provide extra baggage allowance.
Flights from North America to Kathmandu currently cost $1200-$1700.
When flying from North America to Kathmandu it takes three days on the way there (because you are crossing the date line), and two on the way back.
All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation and training before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two.
After completing our orientation session and receiving our permits, we plan to depart Kathmandu the morning after the orientation, although the schedule may differ by one day.
Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu, where there are so many shops that you will find almost everything you need, except good high-altitude mittens and gloves.
For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal & Tibet, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for a Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here".
For hardwear like boots, crampons, ice-axes and harnesses, go to the Everest Summitters shop in Thamel. Email: evecom@mos.com.np , phone: (9771) 4219404, 4468775.
For soft goods like downjackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
A. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: 4265120
B. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel. e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel 4230399, mobile (977)98510 45706
Warm mittens are necessary for Cho Oyu. Please don't frostbite your hands. As of this writing, Kathmandu does not have very good mitts and gloves, but that is certain to change. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. If you are in London, try visiting a snow and rock shop and trying some on. Here is a link to one of the better mittens we have seen so far: http://outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/ascent/71870 .
All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation and training before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two. Of course it is fine if you wish to arrive earlier than the first day of our scheduled itinerary.
In addition, we need you to stay until the last day of the expedition unless you have made special arrangements. Its OK if you want to leave a bit earlier, but schedule your flight for the final day in any case. You never know when bad weather or route conditions can slow you down and cause you to need each and every day. Of course its fine if you want to stay on after the expedition ends.
We are now offering a Lhasa option at the start of the expedition for those members wishing to tour this ancient capital of Tibet before arriving at basecamp. The cost is $2450 USD.
Most members fly to Kathmandu first because of the excellent equipment shopping and because it is easiest. From Kathmandu you will fly to Lhasa on the day the rest of the team leaves by motor vehicle. There are two to three flights each week.The flight takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and goes over Mount Everest. It's only possible to take 20 kilos on the flight, so your big expedition bags will be brought to basecamp by truck from Kathmandu.
Some members wish to fly to Lhasa from another city in China. We can also help you to arrange that.
Upon arrival in Lhasa you will rest for 2 nights and one day. It's important that you use the rest day to get acclimated to the high altitude. Also, during your rest day in Lhasa, you could visit the beautiful Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.
It is a three day drive from Lhasa to basecamp. You will be driven in government cars. One car can hold four people and some luggage. If you have a lot of luggage you may incur high excess baggage penalties. Generally, you only bring a small bag with essentials and all your climbing equipment and clothing goes on the truck overland. The cost of the hotels and meals are included in the transport cost. If you wish to do the Lhasa option, please tell us as soon as possible.For more information about the route for the optional Lhasa tour, please click here.
For more information about the itinerary for the optional Lhasa tour, please click here.Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.
In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos/50 pounds of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos/33 pounds (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos/88 pounds. First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).
If you are unable to attain a sport baggage allowance, obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram/2.2 pounds, of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.
You may wish to investigate cargo shipping from your home country to Kathmandu.
Those members flying from North America are currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 50 pounds/23 kilos each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds/13 kilos, for a total allowance of 130 pounds, or 60 kilograms. Baggage allowances change frequently. Before departure, you must ring your airline to verify the exact amount.
In North America it may be possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound/32 kilo bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you.
Here is some information on Kathmandu equipment prices:
Prices for hiring are the same as purchasing used equipment, seen below in Nepalese Rupees (Rs), at the lowest range of the used prices. $1 USD = 75 rupees (as of 2011)
Here is a partial list for those desiring to contact Nepalese manufacturers:
For hardwear like boots and crampons, go to the Everest Summitters shop in
Thamel. Email: evecom@mos.com.np , phone: 9771 4219404, 9771 4468775.
For soft goods like down jackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
1. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone:
9771-4265120
2. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel.
e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com
tel 4230399
mobile 98510 45706
There are so many shops in Kathmandu, you will find almost everything you need, except good mittens and gloves.
Nearly all developed countries have agents who offer travel and mountain climbing insurance at a reasonable price. Full-coverage insurance is essential, because it not only covers mountain climbing, but also travel to and from the mountain. This could cover you for lost bags, a car accident on the way to the airport, etcetera. When you see what high-quality insurance covers, you will realize that it is a very good value. BEFORE PURCHASING, BE SURE TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE POLICY AND BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT. Please enclose proof of insurance with your final team-membership payment. If you are one of the unfortunates who come from a country where such insurance is not available, we will accept an authorization letter and your credit card. You must be covered for travel, full domestic rescue, helicopter (where available) and international rescue and repatriation expenses. NO CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION = NO EXPEDITION MEMBERSHIP.
In UK, Europe, South America, Asia, the Antipodes, etcetera, many of our members are now using a company called Global Rescue, http://www.globalrescue.com , which can be combined with a standard travel policy, such as InsureMyTrip.com , CSAtravelprotection.com , or TravelInsuranceDirect.com.au .
Here are some other options our members have used successfully:
https://www.ingleinternational.com/ (with "sports rider" coverage)
(Get the "Adventurer Plus Pak". This Pak is required to receive medical and evacuation coverage for mountaineering and a rental allowance in the event your gear is lost. To receive this benefit, your policy and Pak must be purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit.
http://www.snowcard.co.uk/ Mountaineering up to 5000m covered on Extreme Adventure package and up to 7000m guided only on Pro adventure Package. Insurance policies available from this website can only be used by uk & channel islands residents
http://www.hccmis.com/ (with sports rider added on)
http://www.dogtag.co.uk
In the US and Canada, your total full-coverage insurance package may vary, depending on trip duration and amount of coverage. We have seen several companies that offer comprehensive plans for travel and mountain rescue. A company called Global rescue is worth checking out; http://www.globalrescue.com , which can be combined with a standard travel policy.
Those who wish to shop further, or have higher incomes and/or assets to protect may also be interested in: Access America, Travelex, Travel Guard, etc. Be sure to check what the policy covers before you buy.
Also it's worth checking out https://www.dogtag.com/
In case of emergency, God forbid, our leader and Sherpas would help apply first aid, provide medicines and assistance with our medical oxygen, and "Gamow-Bag", then we would transport you to basecamp, or advanced basecamp, where an evacuation would take place. In Nepal, this evacuation would be via helicopter, at your expense.
In Tibet and China, neither helicopters nor light aircraft are allowed. The evacuation might be via Yak and Jeep to the nearest hospital. The nearest hospital is in Kathmandu. You might reach KTM by road or you may have to take a helicopter from the border to KTM, again, all at your expense.
BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING, TRIP INTERRUPTION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE.
Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you do not wish to share, you can pay an extra $20 for a single room (during any of the included 4 nights). If you want a room for extra nights, outside of the included 4 nights, the price will be $30 (single room). Price includes good delicious breakfast and mandatory 25% Nepal government tax and government service charge. Meals in Kathmandu (other than breakfast) are at your expense. Please bring cash (credit cards are rarely accepted) to pay for your expenses and extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti Hotel also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, health spas, massage, swimming, beauty spas and hair stylist salons, motorbiking, yoga courses and retreats, river rafting, painting, sculpture, and handicrafts classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, poetry workshops, bungie jumping, all types of religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, ayurvedic spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shops, discotheques, dance clubs, airport transfers, Scenic Flights Around Mount Everest, dance classes, cooking classes, sampling micro brews, trying Nepalese Cuisine, handicrafts and carpet shopping, looking for good deals on outdoor gear, climbing gear and trekking gear, "designer" clothing, and watches, and much much more.
On the drive to basecamp we stay in rustic "hotels", at the organizers expense, so you do not have to pay. In Tibet, all hotels are government property and we are not allowed to choose one hotel over another. The "hotels" are rather austere. Rooms are generally shared, and the accommodations are very primitive. Most towns in Tibet have no plumbing. Here is some text from the Cho Oyu itinerary page:
Driving to Basecamp:
All of our team members cook their own food unless they have a personal sherpa to cook for them. For more about personal sherpas, please click here .
We provide you with a special high altitude stove and fuel canisters. Our stoves are of the "hanging" type, designed to be used inside the tent (well ventilated of course). We have found these to be the best possible stoves for high altitude use, as it is essential to cook inside the tent during stormy weather. Our stoves are suspended above the floor so you have room to sit comfortably and warmly in your sleeping bag while cooking.
Our high altitude fuel is of two types. Above 7000 metres/23,000 feet we use imported propane/butane 250 gramme canisters. Below 7000 metres/23,000 feet we refill the canisters with propane gas. Liquid fuel does not work above 6000 metres/19,700 feet so we don't use liquid fuel above basecamp or advanced basecamp.
We have a satellite telephone members can use for incoming and outgoing calls for $4 a minute. In addition, members can receive short text messages/SMS for $4 a message from their friends and family.
SummitClimb has a local agent in Nepal available from 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Nepal time. Family and friends can contact our agent and have their emergency messages relayed to members on the mountain during the expedition.
Laptops work well up to about 4000 metres/13,000 feet. Altitude can destroy or wipe hard drives bigger than 7 - 10 GB above this altitude, or hard drives that have a moving disk. There are several options out on the market for non moving hard drives that work well in altitude. Panasonic make a special laptop called a "Toughbook"; it is expensive, but I once chipped one out of the ice in a tent at 7500 metres and it still worked.
Note: Some early ipod and mp3 players have this problem as well. Check to make sure your ipod does not have a moving drive, especially before you turn it on above 4000 metres. We have had several instances where these were wiped or crashed.
Digital cameras work well. We recommend that you keep them in your jacket during the day and in your sleeping bag at night.
Many members do bring their laptop , ipod, mp3 player, and/or digital camera.
We bring a solar charging system on the expedition that members have access to. As long as there is sun, we are able to charge batteries easily on the mountain.
Bring the "wall charger" for your appliance and if possible, please bring an automotive 12 volt charger for your laptop, digital cameras, ipod, and mp3 players, as you can plug it straight into our solar system.
In Nepal and Tibet, electricity comes from the mains in your hotel at 220 volts with a European style two-round-pin plug. There is an automatic converter in most North American appliances which will allow you to plug 110 volt items into the 220 volt electricity in Nepal and Tibet. Please be sure to read the back of your appliance or charger to make sure it does this conversion automatically.
If you are in a hotel or village in Tibet, you may have to plug into the ceiling light fixture and it's possible to buy a simple bayonet adapter in Kathmandu, Zhangmu, etcetera. Warning, there are power spikes and surges which may damage your appliance.
NOTE: Our Basic climb is open to groups of two or more. We welcome you to join the basic-climb as an individual and hire a climbing sherpa or join our full-service programme. Our full service climbs are open to members joining as individuals and groups of two or more. If you wish to save money, we encourage you to pick and choose the services you want and need from a "menu" you can see listed under "what the basic-climb includes" on the "cost" page for Cho Oyu on the upper right hand side of this site. Once you are inside the Cho Oyu "cost" page, scroll down to see the two available options, "basecamp" and "high altitude".
"Full Service" expeditions feature almost every imaginable service. "Basic-Climbs" feature the lowest possible prices. Please read down through the questions to learn more.
NOTE: Our Basic climb is open to groups of two or more. We welcome you to join the basic-climb as an individual and hire a climbing sherpa or join our full-service programme. Our full service climbs are open to members joining as individuals and groups of two or more. If you wish to save money, we encourage you to pick and choose the services you want and need from a "menu" you can see listed under "what the basic-climb includes" on the "cost" page. Once you are inside the Cho Oyu "cost" page, scroll down to see the two available options, "basecamp" and "high altitude".
(unused oxygen bottles and supplies in good condition can be sold back for 30% of purchase price)
• 3 bottle set, mask, regulator, hoses, and carriage to high camps: $2,450 USD
• Extra Oxygen bottle: $610 USD
• Mask and hoses: $285 USD
• Regulator: $485
Please book well in advance.
• Basecamp and ABC: kitchen, cooks, meals, dining, toilette, shower and sleeping tents: $2,850 USD.
• High altitude: leaders, Sherpas, tents, equipment, walkie-talkies, food, stoves, fuel, etcetera: $2,450 USD
Here is what Rick from Iowa, USA says:
"The trip was great! The team selection was great and I really enjoyed everyone. I thought the information we received pre-climb was very good and the suggestions for conditioning were right on. The sherpas were really amazing people and I enjoyed all of them. The food was delicious."
Here is what Kurt from Durango, CO says:
"I enjoyed the trip to Cho Oyu. I felt that the leaders were all very effective and that they went above and beyond their duty to facilitate a successful expedition."
Here is what Krzysztof from Warsaw says:
"I very much enjoyed dealing with all the staff. The leader was very professional and helpful. The Leaders in training were also great and trustworthy guys. It is worth mentioning that the expedition is a good value for the price."
Here is what Vik from Seattle says:
"The leader was a fantastic climbing leader and I look forward to climbing with him again. The Sherpas and leaders in training were very helpful at taking us around Kathmandu to acquire last minute gear. The staff did a great job organizing the hotels in Kathmandu.
I was really impressed with the food at ABC. It was good and there was plenty of it, all with good variety. It was great that we ran a ropes course down on the glacier for everyone. I think it was helpful to several people and also was a fun way to spend the day."
Here is what Mor from Israel had to say:
"I had a very good trip, I have nothing but good words about the organization and staff. I especially want to mention Arnold as a quite good and team organizer. I have no doubt I would not have succeeded in the climb if it weren't for him."
Here is what Neil, summiter, says about Cho Oyu:
"Reaching the summit was a fantastic feeling - and made even better by a swift descent to ABC knowing that I would not have to climb the scree hill on the way to Camp 1 again (you will get to know that hill very well during the expedition!). Back in basecamp there were celebrations to be had in ABC and yet another brilliant cake from the cook tent!!
All in all, the Summitclimb expedition was a great experience - so much so that we are heading to Everest north side with them in the spring. Everyone at SummitClimb's enthusiasm, the attention to detail and most importantly the feel that the expeditions are put together with people who enjoy climbing and mountains and the people who work and climb there make Summitclimb a great choice.
Cho Oyu is one hell of a mountain. The feeling as you come up over the summit plateau and Everest pops into view beyond is amazing! Oh and when you see Everest clearly - stop climbing - you are on the summit!"
Here is what Arnold, climber of Cho Oyu says:
Dear SummitClimb, thank you for engaging our excellent team leader for this Cho Oyu autumn ascent. The leader you chose was perfect in guiding us on the mountain. I appreciated very much his: - Advice on how to get along with high altitude - Support in medical Issues - Spreading good mood - Clear announcements and recommendations - Support in the high camps - Guiding of the sherpas - Listening to our problems and questions . Therefore he was a lot responsible for my success on the mountain. Please tell him this. Best greetings, Roland
It was a great trip, the leader was really good to be with on the mountain and the Sherpas were great as usual. Thanks, Sam
