Cholatse Peak Climbing
Max Altitude
6,423 m
Duration
21 Days
Difficulty
Hard
Best Season
Spring & Autum
Start Point
Kathmandu
Group Size
2-15 People
Trip Overview
The Cholatse Peak Climbing expedition is a professionally guided 21-day technical mountaineering journey to the 6,423-metre summit of Cholatse, also known as Chola Tse or Jobo Lhaptshan. Located between the Gokyo and Khumbu valleys, the mountain is recognised for its steep ridges, exposed snow and ice terrain and demanding alpine character.
Cholatse is substantially more technical than conventional trekking peaks. The climb involves glacier travel, fixed ropes, steep snow and ice, mixed terrain, exposed climbing and high-altitude camping. Previous alpine or Himalayan climbing experience and strong rope skills are essential.
The expedition begins in Kathmandu before travelling overland to Manthali for the mountain flight to Lukla. From Lukla, the trekking approach follows the Dudh Koshi Valley through Phakding and Namche Bazaar, with a scheduled acclimatization day before continuing towards Khumjung.
The route then enters the Gokyo Valley through Dole and Machhermo before reaching Gokyo. An early acclimatization ascent of Gokyo Ri provides valuable altitude exposure before the team continues towards Thangnak.
A rest and technical training day at Thangnak allows the climbing guide to review crampon use, ice-axe technique, fixed-rope movement, jumaring, controlled descent and safety procedures before the team approaches Cholatse Base Camp.
From Base Camp, climbers progress through Crampon Point towards High Camp. The exact climbing line depends on seasonal snow, ice, crevasse conditions and route-fixing arrangements.
The summit attempt normally begins during the night or early morning. Above High Camp, climbers may encounter steep ice, hard snow, mixed rock-and-ice terrain, crevasses, exposed ridges and fixed-rope sections. Progress depends on weather, route conditions, participant health and the climbing guide’s assessment.
If conditions permit, climbers reach the 6,423-metre summit before beginning the technically demanding descent. A contingency day is included after the mountain section to provide limited flexibility for delays elsewhere in the programme, although it does not guarantee an additional summit attempt.
The package includes professional climbing Sherpa guide support, porter service during the trekking approach, domestic flights, ground transportation, trekking and climbing accommodation, meals specified in the itinerary and the required climbing and regional permits.
All climbing activities remain subject to weather, route safety, acclimatization and participant readiness. The expedition leader and climbing guide retain final authority over climbing schedules, turnaround times and summit decisions.
Accommodation & Food standards
Standard
- Teahouse / lodge accommodation
- Basic but comfortable rooms
- Hygienic Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Premium (Comfort)
- Upgraded lodges / boutique hotels where available
- Private rooms with better facilities
- Enhanced meal options with greater variety and comfort
Meal Types
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day-By-Day
Your 21-Day Itinerary
A Hatti Hatti Treks representative will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, rest following your international journey and begin organising personal trekking and technical climbing equipment.
Max Altitude
1,400 m
Accomodation
Four-star hotel in Kathmandu
Meals
Not included
Leave Kathmandu for Manthali, normally requiring approximately 5–6 hours depending on traffic, weather and road conditions. After arrival, check into the hotel and prepare for the following morning’s mountain flight.
Max Altitude
1,400 m
Accomodation
Hotel in Manthali
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Take the scheduled mountain flight from Manthali to Lukla, subject to weather and operational conditions. After organising expedition baggage, begin the approximately 4–5 hour trek through villages and cultivated hillsides towards Phakding.
Max Altitude
2,840 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Phakding
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Follow the Dudh Koshi River through forest and mountain settlements before entering Sagarmatha National Park. The approximately 7–8 hour trek crosses several suspension bridges before the sustained ascent to Namche Bazaar.
Max Altitude
3,440 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Namche Bazaar
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Spend a second night in Namche to support gradual altitude adaptation. Complete an approximately 2–3 hour acclimatisation hike above the town before returning to Namche for rest and recovery.
Max Altitude
Varies according to the acclimatization hike
Accomodation
Teahouse in Namche Bazaar
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Make the approximately 2–3 hour trek from Namche to Khumjung, a traditional Sherpa settlement above the main valley. The shorter stage supports further acclimatisation while introducing the team to the cultural landscape of the Khumbu.
Max Altitude
3,790 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Khumjung
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Leave Khumjung and enter the Gokyo Valley route. The approximately 6–7 hour trek crosses forested terrain and exposed hillsides with several ascents and descents before reaching Dole.
Max Altitude
4,030 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Dole
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Continue into the upper Gokyo Valley towards Machhermo on an approximately 3–4 hour trek. Although the walking time is shorter, the significant altitude gain requires a controlled pace and careful monitoring of acclimatisation.
Max Altitude
4,470 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Machhermo
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Follow the upper valley towards Gokyo, passing glacial terrain and the high-altitude lakes of the region. The approximately 3–4 hour trek ends at the lakeside settlement beneath the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Max Altitude
4,790 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Gokyo
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Begin early for the ascent of Gokyo Ri before descending back towards Gokyo and continuing to Thangnak. The combined day normally requires approximately 5–6 hours, with the route crossing terrain associated with the Ngozumpa Glacier.
Max Altitude
5,357 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Thangnak
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Spend the day acclimatizing and preparing for the climbing phase. The climbing guide inspects equipment and reviews crampon and ice-axe technique, fixed-rope movement, jumar use, controlled descent, safety attachments and climbing communication.
The session is intended as expedition-specific preparation and does not replace previous technical mountaineering experience.
Max Altitude
Approximately 4,700 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Thangnak
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Leave Thangnak and approach Cholatse Base Camp through remote moraine and glacial terrain. The approximately 3–4 hour journey leads into increasingly rugged mountain surroundings before the team settles into expedition tents.
Max Altitude
Approximately 5,000 m
Accomodation
Sleeping tent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Leave Base Camp and progress towards Crampon Point, where the route becomes increasingly technical. Climbers may use crampons, harnesses, helmets and fixed ropes according to current snow, ice and route conditions before continuing towards High Camp.
Max Altitude
Approximately 5,700 m
Accomodation
Sleeping tent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Begin the summit attempt during the night or early morning. Above High Camp, the route is technical and exposed, potentially involving steep ice, hard snow, mixed terrain, crevasses, narrow ridges and fixed ropes.
If weather, route safety and participant performance allow, the team reaches the 6,423-metre summit before beginning the long and demanding descent to High Camp. The climbing guide may establish a turnaround time or stop the attempt whenever safety requires it.
Max Altitude
6,423 m
Accomodation
Sleeping tent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Descend from High Camp through the technical climbing route towards Base Camp before continuing into the Gokyo Valley towards Machhermo. This is a long and demanding descent, and the climbing guide may adjust the pace and timing according to route conditions, participant fatigue and available daylight.
Max Altitude
Approximately 5,700 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Machhermo
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This day provides limited flexibility for weather, route delays or changes earlier in the programme. If the climbing schedule proceeds as planned, use the day for rest and recovery in Machhermo.
Because the contingency day follows the scheduled descent from Cholatse, it should not be considered a guaranteed additional summit day.
Max Altitude
4,470 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Machhermo
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Descend through the Gokyo Valley past Dole and continue towards Namche Bazaar. Although the approximately 6–7 hour route loses altitude overall, several uphill sections remain before reaching the lodge.
Max Altitude
4,470 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Namche Bazaar
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Descend from Namche and retrace the Dudh Koshi Valley through Sagarmatha National Park. The approximately 6–7 hour trek includes several short climbs before reaching Lukla for the final mountain overnight.
Max Altitude
3,440 m
Accomodation
Teahouse in Lukla
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Take the scheduled flight from Lukla to Manthali, subject to weather, visibility and operational conditions. After landing, continue overland to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.
Max Altitude
2,840 m
Accomodation
Four-star hotel in Kathmandu
Meals
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to rest, organise climbing equipment, purchase souvenirs or explore Kathmandu independently. The day also provides limited scheduling flexibility following the weather-dependent return flight from Lukla.
Max Altitude
1,400 m
Accomodation
Not included
Meals
Not included
Your Cholatse Peak Climbing expedition concludes today. A Hatti Hatti Treks representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your international departure schedule.
Max Altitude
1,400 m
Accomodation
Not included
Meals
Not included
We Accept
What's Covered
Inclusion And Exclusions
What's Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu
- Two nights at a four-star hotel in Kathmandu
- One night of hotel accommodation in Manthali
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the scheduled Manthali stay
- Ground transportation between Kathmandu and Manthali
- Scheduled domestic flights between Manthali and Lukla
- Teahouse accommodation during the trekking approach and return journey
- Expedition tent accommodation at Cholatse Base Camp
- High-altitude tent accommodation at Cholatse High Camp
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the specified overland travel, trekking and climbing sections as stated in the itinerary
- Technical training and climbing preparation in Thangnak
- Experienced, government-licensed climbing Sherpa guide
- Porter support during the trekking approach and return journey, subject to the confirmed baggage allowance
- Cholatse / Chola Tse climbing permit managed through the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card / local entry permit
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card
- Applicable expedition administration and permit documentation
- Guide and porter salaries, meals and accommodation
- Insurance for expedition guides and porters
- Group medical and first-aid kit
- Applicable government taxes and company service charges
What's Not Included
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa fees
- Comprehensive travel and mountaineering insurance
- Emergency rescue and helicopter evacuation
- Hospitalisation and medical treatment
- Additional Kathmandu accommodation outside the two scheduled hotel nights
- Accommodation and meals on Day 20 unless separately arranged
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal trekking and climbing clothing and equipment
- Equipment rental unless specifically included
- Hot showers during the trekking sections
- Wi-Fi and charging fees during the trek
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks and bottled water
- Personal snacks and expenses
- Tips for the climbing guide, trekking staff and porters
- Excess baggage or additional porter services beyond the confirmed baggage allowance
- Additional accommodation, meals, helicopter flights or transportation caused by delayed, diverted or cancelled domestic flights
- Costs resulting from weather, route changes or itinerary modifications
- Expenses caused by illness, early withdrawal or unforeseen circumstances
- Costs resulting from changes requested by the participant
- Any fixed-rope or route-fixing charges not specifically confirmed under Cost Includes
- Any service not specifically mentioned under Cost Includes
Common Questions
FAQs
The complete Cholatse Peak Climbing expedition lasts 21 days. This includes arrival in Kathmandu, transportation to Manthali, the Gokyo Valley approach, acclimatisation, technical training, the summit programme, return journey and final departure.
Nepal’s official Himalayan Peak Profile lists Chola Tse at 6,423 metres. The mountain lies in the Khumbu region between the Gokyo and Khumbu valleys and is also known as Jobo Lhaptshan.
Participants should have strong alpine or Himalayan climbing experience and be comfortable using crampons, an ice axe, fixed ropes, jumars, descending devices and personal safety systems on steep and exposed terrain.
The programme includes gradual acclimatisation through the Gokyo Valley, an ascent of Gokyo Ri, technical preparation in Thangnak, a move to Cholatse Base Camp, High Camp establishment and the final summit attempt.
Yes. An experienced, government-licensed climbing Sherpa guide is included. The guide supports technical climbing operations and makes safety decisions according to weather, route conditions and participant readiness.
No supplementary oxygen is specifically listed as included in the standard Cholatse package. Any oxygen support required or requested should be confirmed separately before departure.
The package includes two nights at a four-star hotel in Kathmandu, one hotel night in Manthali, teahouse accommodation during the trekking approach and return journey and expedition tents at Cholatse Base Camp and High Camp. Meals are provided during the Manthali, trekking and climbing sections as stated in the itinerary.
The package includes the Cholatse/Chola Tse climbing permit managed through the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card/local entry permit, TIMS Card, transportation between Kathmandu and Manthali and scheduled flights between Manthali and Lukla.
Lukla flights and climbing activities remain subject to weather, visibility, snow and ice conditions, route safety and operational decisions. The itinerary may be modified when necessary, and additional accommodation, meals, helicopter flights or transportation caused by disruption are normally not included.
No. A Cholatse summit cannot be guaranteed. Weather, route hazards, acclimatisation, participant health, technical ability and operational conditions determine whether the summit attempt can continue. The expedition leader and climbing guide retain final authority over turnaround decisions and participant safety.
