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Cholatse Ascent 

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Cholatse Ascent  23 Days

Cholatse is located to the north of spectacular Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Valley at the heart of the Everest region. Cholatse Ascent climbing becomes both a full-fledged mountaineering expedition and an adventure trek into the Himalayas of Nepal. 


Trip Overview

Cholatse is located to the north of spectacular Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Valley at the heart of the Everest region. Cholatse Ascent climbing becomes both a full-fledged mountaineering expedition and an adventure trek into the Himalayas of Nepal. Take any route to approach and return from the mountain. You will have absorbed much of the wonders and grandeur of marvellous Himalayan terrains in the Everest region. Cholatse was first climbed by Vern Clevenger, Galen Rowell, John Roskelley, Bill O’Connor, and Peter Hackett via the southwest ridge on April 22, 1982.

As Cholatse lies between the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys, just south of Chola Pass, we can reach there through both these valleys. While the path from Gokyo valley is relatively easier, the one up Khumbu is a much tougher, harder option. Ascents have been made from the South-West, South-East, North-West and North-East Ridges but the South-West Ridge is comparatively easier than the other routes. An award-winning film, Light of the Himalaya, was made by an expedition team in 2005 A. D. The film provides detailed pictures of the climbing route from the South-West face of the peak. Cholatse Ascent is a pleasant experience for climbers. The following itinerary describes the path to reach its western base camp.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01-02 Arrival at Kathmandu and Preparation

A representative from Outdoor Himalayan Treks will receive you at the airport when you land there. Then we will transfer you to your hotel. If you still have spare time, you can go on a guided half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley. There are plenty of monumental sites in Kathmandu to engage you for several days. On the second day, we will introduce you to your guide, arrange all gears and necessary equipments, and also prepare permits for the area. As we take it upon our own hands to make all the preparations, you can explore the rich cultural heritage of Kathmandu Valley on this day.

Day 03 Kathmandu to Lukla (2750m) flight and trek from Lukla to Phakding (2610m)

We will board an early morning domestic flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. The flight will land us at Lukla airstrip in about 45 minutes. You will enjoy grand Himalayan sceneries through your window during your journey through a very beautiful aerial route. After landing there, we will trek to Phakding, which takes about 5 hours.

Day 04 Trek from Phakding to Namche (3446m)

From today, breathtaking scenes of sky-rising peaks start to open up into our sight from different angles. You are likely to be very excited and busy yourself with your camera. But, watch out! The full majesty of Himalayan peaks is yet to come and each further scene will rival and even outdo the other in your imagination. The peaks you will see today are Thamserku, Kusum Kangru, Tamache, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest.
The trail from Phakding to Namche mainly follows the Dudh Koshi River, which we will cross more than once on suspension bridges on this very day. The hike includes ups and downs, and the last leg consisting up a demanding ascent up the Imjatse River to Namche Bazaar, the last town on the way to Everest region.

Day 05 Acclimatization in Namche

A day at Namche is necessary for adjusting in the high altitudes. Make it fruitful by engaging yourself in several pleasant activities. One good option is to visit the headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park, from where you can have your fill of watching mountain sceneries. There is also a Sherpa Museum in Namche Bazaar, from where you can satisfy your curiosities about these famous “men of the east”. Or, if you really want to get in touch with the authentic Sherpa lifestyle in high mountain region, visit the nearby village Khumjung or Khunde.

Day 06 Namche to Phortse Tenga (3,500m)

After leaving Namche Bazaar, we should go up to Khumjung, then down to Dudhkoshi. A short while later we reach Phortse Tenga. Outstanding sceneries of Thamserku and Kangtewa greet you at the stopover.

Day 07 Phortse Tenga to Machermo (4410m)

We will walk through rhododendron and juniper trees today. This will be relatively short, relaxing walk that helps you to acclimatize in high altitude. We will have superb views of Choyou Peak. Walking through alpine meadows, we will reach Dole and then to Machhermo.

Day 08 Machermo to Cholatse Base Camp

We will move up the valley today, but take a turn towards Na instead of going towards Gokyo Lake. After walking through slopes and rocky terrain, we reach the base camp in some flat land above Galgha. The base camp offers enticing views of Cholatse and its neighboring peaks as well as a host of sky-piercing crowns of numerous mountains to the north.

Day 09-18 Acclimatization and Summit Ascent

We will spend 5 to 7 days for the sake of adjusting in the altitude. At that time, we can explore the lower part of Cholatse glacier and trace the appropriate route to climb to the summit. At last we make an attempt to stand atop its summit, for which we have to negotiate steep ice and rocks. As you shall see, the mountain gives a good test to even a veteran mountaineer. But when you stand at the top in clear weather, you will scarcely believe you eyes with stunning Himalayan vistas unfolding to your view all around.

Note: There is also an alternate route to reach the mountains base camp via Chola Pass (5483m). If you decide to take this route, you will explore wonderful Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Valley. You can also climb Gokyo Ri (5483m) and enjoy the unbeatable Himalayan panorama from the top. In that case we will set aside a day for Gokyo exploration and Gokyo Ri ascent after we start from Machermo early in the morning. We will spend the night in Gokyo and next day reach Chola Phedi from there. On the third day we will go over the formidable Chola Pass and reach Zongla. From Zongla, we will finally reach Cholatse’s Base Camp (4750m).

Day 19 Base Camp to Pangboche (3900m)

We trek back to Pangboche today after our successful ascent of Cholatse. This is a beautiful town set against the backdrop of marvelous Himalayan peaks. Pangboche offers close views of Mt Ama Dablam.

Day 20 Pengboche to Namche (3446m)

Again we make further descend towards Namche from Pangboche. The terrain is rough and rocky, but stunning sceneries will glimmer all the way to Namche, relieving your fatigue.

Day 21 Namche to Lukla

We trek back to Lukla from Namche to board a flight back to Kathmandu. The mountains will look more and more distant, making you sad to miss them after so much time you spent amidst the galaxy of majestic peaks.

Day 22 Lukla to Kathmandu flight

We board a flight to Kathmandu from Lukla. It will be an exciting flight that lasts for about 45 minutes. Check into your hotel and relax yourself.

Day 23 Return to your home

We will drop you at the airport and pay you farewell for this time. We hope the mountains will only fan your thirst to visit Nepal again as they have done to the numerous travelers. Hoping you to welcome again in Nepal, we say goodbye to you.