Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu means 'Turquoise Goddess' in Tibetan, and Sherpa tradition personifies the peak as one of the goddesses of the Himalaya.

The official elevation stands at 8,188 m (26,864 ft) at the western end of the Mahalangur Himal, guarding the Nangpa La (5,716 m) — the ancient trade pass between Nepal and Tibet.

Historical Fact: Cho Oyu was first climbed on 19 October 1954 by Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler and Pasang Dawa Lama — a rare first ascent of an 8,000 m peak achieved by a small, lightweight team.

Cho Oyu is climbed mainly from the Tibetan side, while its Nepali flank is graced by the famous Gokyo valley trek.

The standard season on Cho Oyu is Spring & Autumn (Mar–May / Sep–Nov). Altitude Awareness: Cho Oyu may look gentle, but above 8,000 m there are no easy mountains. Acclimatise properly at Namche Bazaar and Gokyo before any high camp.

Approaches to Cho Oyu begin from Tibet Side in Solukhumbu District, where the main objective is the Northwest Ridge. Confirm current permit, insurance, and national park requirements before departure.

Plan for road travel to the Tibet Side trailhead, then several days of walking before you reach the foot of Cho Oyu. Gain height gradually, take a rest day before moving to high camp, and keep a spare weather day in reserve during Spring & Autumn.

Summit day on a 8,188 m objective is long, so start early and set a clear turn-around time. If the Northwest Ridge is crowded or the snow is unstable, waiting a day is almost always better than pushing on.

Cho Oyu "The Turquoise Goddess" stands at 8,188 m in Solukhumbu District, Nepal–Tibet Border. The figures below summarise the mountain for trip planning.