Cholatse Expedition (6,440 m)

We complete the formalities for your Cholatse climbing permit and hold a full expedition briefing. Your climbing leader checks your technical equipment carefully, from boots, crampons and harness to ice axes and down clothing, so that anything missing can be bought or hired in Thamel. Group gear, ropes and expedition food are packed for the flight to Lukla. In the evening we discuss the route, acclimatisation plan and safety procedures.

An early flight from Kathmandu, or from Ramechhap during the busiest seasons, lands at Lukla's mountain airstrip. After meeting our porters, we walk down the Dudh Koshi valley on a gentle trail past mani walls, prayer wheels and farming villages to Phakding. The walk takes 3-4 hours and loses a little height, an easy start that lets the body begin adjusting to the mountains.

We follow the Dudh Koshi upstream across several suspension bridges and enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where permits are checked. After crossing the high Hillary Suspension Bridge, a long climb through pine forest brings the first view of Everest on a clear day and leads to Namche Bazaar, the busy trading town of the Khumbu. Walking time is 5-6 hours. Overnight in a teahouse.

A day to help the body adapt. We hike above Namche to the Everest View Hotel at around 3,880 m, or on to the village of Khumjung, for wide views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku, then return to Namche to sleep. Allow 3-4 hours of walking. In the afternoon, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum or simply rest, hydrate and enjoy Namche's bakeries.

Leaving the main Everest trail, we climb to the Mong La ridge, crowned by a chorten, with views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Khumbila. The path then drops steeply through forest to the Dudh Koshi at Phortse Tenga before climbing to Phortse, a peaceful village of stone-walled fields and home to many experienced climbing Sherpas. Walking time is 5-6 hours, on a much quieter trail than the main route.

A quiet high trail traverses the hillside above the Imja Khola to join the main route at Pangboche, home to one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu. Above the tree line, we follow the Imja valley past yak pastures to Dingboche, a village of stone-walled fields beneath Ama Dablam and Island Peak. Walking time is 5-6 hours at a steady, unhurried pace.

We climb the ridge of Nangkartshang above the village to around 5,000 m for views of Makalu, Lhotse and the Imja valley, then return to Dingboche to sleep. The 4-5 hour hike is valuable preparation for the Cho La and base camp. In the afternoon your climbing guide reviews rope techniques, jumar use and abseiling, and checks how each member is coping with the altitude.

We climb over the ridge above Dingboche and join the trail towards Thukla, then branch west on a quieter path that contours above the valley, with the Chola lake below and the ice faces of Cholatse and Taboche towering ahead. Dzongla is a small group of lodges set in a high bowl directly below the Cho La. Walking time is 5-6 hours.

An early start takes us up a rocky trail and across the small glacier below the pass, with microspikes or crampons if conditions require, to the prayer-flagged Cho La at 5,420 m. We descend the steep western side, then leave the Gokyo trail to reach base camp at around 5,000 m below the south-west ridge of Cholatse. Expect 6-8 hours. Our crew will have camp ready.

A day to rest and adapt to base camp. In the morning our Sherpa team leads the traditional puja ceremony, asking for the mountain's blessing and a safe climb. Your climbing guide then runs a full skills session on the nearby glacier, covering crampon technique, ice-axe arrest, roped travel, jumar and abseil methods, and checks that all equipment fits and works perfectly.

The Sherpa team fixes ropes through the small icefall and up to Camp 1 at around 5,700 m, with Camp 2 at around 6,000 m when needed. After a load carry and an acclimatisation night at Camp 1, we wait for a clear forecast and climb the long snow and ice arête of the south-west ridge to the summit, then descend to Camp 1 or base camp. Remaining days are kept spare for weather or a second attempt.

After clearing base camp and packing out all rubbish, we descend into the upper Dudh Koshi valley and follow the quiet trail along its eastern side, past summer settlements and juniper slopes, back to Phortse. Losing more than 1,100 m of height brings warmer air and much better sleep. It is a long day of 7-8 hours, so we set off early and take regular breaks.

We descend to Phortse Tenga, climb back over the Mong La and follow the balcony trail to Namche Bazaar, with fine views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega. The walk takes 5-6 hours. After weeks in camp, Namche's hot showers, coffee shops and bakeries are a real treat, and the afternoon is free for a little souvenir shopping.

The final trekking day retraces the route down to the Dudh Koshi, across the suspension bridges and through Monjo and Phakding, before a last gradual climb to Lukla. It is a long day of 6-7 hours. In the evening we share a farewell meal with our Sherpa team and porters, a chance to thank everyone who made the expedition possible.

Morning flights leave Lukla when the weather allows, landing in Kathmandu after a short flight, or at Ramechhap followed by a road transfer of 4-5 hours. We transfer you to your hotel for a long shower and a rest. Because Lukla flights are weather dependent, the following day is kept as a reserve so that delays do not affect your international flight.

This day absorbs any delay in the Lukla flights. If it is not needed, you are free to explore Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath or Patan Durbar Square, or to shop for souvenirs in Thamel. In the evening we host a farewell dinner to celebrate your climb and talk through photographs and plans for your next Himalayan objective.

Our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport around three hours before your flight home. If time allows beforehand, enjoy a final walk around Boudha or Thamel. Thank you for climbing Cholatse with Nima Adventure; we look forward to welcoming you back to the Himalaya for your next climb or trek.