Tibet Trek to Lhasa, Cho Oyu, and Everest ABC with International Mountain Guides

If you are interested in going on a real Tibet trek adventure, we've added a great option. Trekkers will travel with the climbing team from Kathmandu all the way to Cho Oyu. The route to Cho Oyu from Nepal is incredible via the Friendship Bridge and Friendship Highway. From Zhangmu we ascend one of the world's great canyons to the small Tibetan town of Nyalam (over 12,000' with great acclimatization hiking from here). Then, cross the 17,000' Tsong La pass and drop into the Tingri valley, where we stay in this famous town (at over 14,000', it is the historic trading partner with Namche Bazaar in the Khumbu).

After several days of acclimatization hiking on the beautiful hills above Tingri, join the Cho Oyu climbers on the yak supported trek up to Interim Camp (17,000'), and then on to Advanced Base Camp (18,500') just across the glacier from the famous Nangpa La pass to Nepal. You are right at the base of the mountain, surrounded by the big Himalayan peaks. This Cho Oyu Trek is is fantastic acclimatization to prepare for the journey to Everest ABC. This Everest ABC trek is often attempted by trekkers but is rarely accomplished unless the members are really well acclimatized.

Everest ABC Option — the Highest Trek in the World!

After a few days with the climbers at Cho Oyu ABC (18,500'), it is time to head for Rongbuk Gompa (monastery) and Everest Base Camp. After hiking down to Cho Oyu Base Camp, you'll jeep over to the Monastery for the night. From there, we move up to Rongbuk Interim Camp (over 19,000 feet) on the East Fork of the Rongbuk Glacier (on the route pioneered by Mallory and the 1921 British Expedition). After another acclimatization/rest day, we are off to Advanced Base Camp at over 21,000 feet!

IMG leader Adam Angel has done this trek several times; it is a serious trek for fit hikers. You are a long ways from home when you are way up the Rongbuk Glacier. No easy exit if you have a problem, so good acclimatization is the key! Advanced Base Camp is right below the famous North Col, some of the most famous real estate in the history of mountaineering. If permitting with the Chinese allows after finishing the ABC Trek, the trek team will head to Lhasa, and then from there back to Kathmandu by airline flight. If we can go to Lhasa, it will probably add two days to the itinerary and some extra cost. Lhasa is sometimes closed by the Chinese to tourists, so it is not 100% clear whether this is possible at this time, but we will try. Welcome to some "real" adventure travel, as there is some uncertainty here!

Note on Dates

Dates are listed starting with the arrival day to Kathmandu to the arrival day back to Kathmandu at the end of the trip. The ending date for the Tibet Trek is fixed. The ending date for the Cho Oyu Climb is flexible, depending on weather and conditions. It would be normal to add at least 7 extra contingency days on the itinerary for the climb. If necessary, climbers will change their departure flights from Kathmandu when they know exactly when the expedition is going to end.

International Mountain Guides (IMG)

IMG is the oldest and most respected high-altitude climbing service in the world and its three principals, Eric Simonson, Phil Ershler, and George Dunn, have led and organized hundreds of expeditions worldwide. Each is an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide with Himalayan expedition experience including Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Shishapangma, and Cho Oyu. IMG's Himalayan mountaineering programs are organized and directed by Eric Simonson, one of the world's premiere expedition organizers. Under his direction IMG has conducted over 40 Himalayan expeditions. His teams include a group of professionals and Sherpas who are the best in the business. Since 1990, over 490 IMG team members have summited the world's classic 8,000-meter peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.