Cholatse

Overview

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Climb the technical south west ridge of this beautiful mountain in the Everest region

Introduction

Located between the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys, Cholatse (6,440m) is a steep and spectacular-looking mountain with no easy route to the summit. The south-west ridge is a serious undertaking with a glacial approach and exposed ridge climbing. Technically it is slightly harder than Ama Dablam. You must negotiate the lower glacier and a 200m steep, fluted headwall to attain Camp 1 at 5,750m on the south-west ridge proper. From here, the lower section of the ridge has a series of rock sections to negotiate before the long, sinuous snowy ridge kicks in.

Extend your time in Nepal by 2 weeks and climb Ama Dablam following Cholatse - see itinerary.

Join us on Cholatse

• NEW Return Helicopter charter from Kathmandu to Lukla.
• A much quieter mountain than Ama Dablam, but with sustained, steep and exposed climbing in a fantastic position.
• Small group size - maximum 8 climbers.
• UK expedition leader, supported by Jagged Globe Sherpas.
• Highly successful expeditions in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

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Experience Required

The expedition grade reflects the technical nature and physical toughness of the climb. You need to be psychologically prepared for living high on a precipitous mountain in cold conditions. The route is extremely exposed in places, where a small mistake or fall could be fatal. To join this expedition and have a good chance of success you need:

• Previous expedition experience and experience of mountains at altitudes above 6,000m.
• Experience using a handled ascender/jumar.
• To be confident climbing British Severe in mountain boots and having climbed VS (UK) or 5.7 (USA) in rock shoes.
• To be confident on mixed Alpine AD routes and Scottish Grade IV
• Psychologically prepared for living high on a precipitous mountain in cold conditions.
• To be able to climb on steep ground carrying a pack of 10 - 15Kg.

Our Alpine Ice course and our Alpine Climber course would provide good training for this expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sat 10 Oct – Sun 8 Nov 2026	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
3 more required	£8,520	£6,995
Sat 9 Oct – Sun 7 Nov 2027	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
2 places left with £300 early booking offer	£8,295 £7,995	£7,095 £6,795

This expedition is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 5 – 8 people.

Single room supplement: £300

For comparison, this expedition starts from £241 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Nepal on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airport taxes.
• One in-country, return flight between Kathmandu and Lukla by chartered helicopter.
• Return transfers between Kathmandu airport and the hotel (one on arrival and one on departure of your international flight).
• Return transfers between the hotel and Kathmandu Airport to meet your helicopter charter.
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 10 nights' full-board lodge ("Tea House") accommodation on the trek to/from base camp.
• 15 nights' full board accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing basis.
• Emergency equipment (oxygen for therapeutic use, Portable Hyperbaric Chamber (PAC), Satellite Communicator (either phone or InReach)) – see trip PDF for more details.
• Cholatse Trekking Peak permit.
• All porterage costs.
• All costs for Jagged Globe Expedition Leader, Sherpa guides and local helpers..
• Jagged Globe kitbag or Fleece top.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Any costs associated with you leaving the expedition early or spending additional nights in the valley in lodges, whilst the expedition is resident in base camp.
• Any costs associated with arriving back in Kathmandu early, for example, having climbed the mountain ahead of schedule.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Kathmandu Team members joining on a “land-only”, please plan to arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2 no later than 1630, when your services will begin. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Fly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla Early morning flight by chartered helicopter to Lukla (2,840m), the gateway to the Khumbu Valley. Trek to Phakding. Overnight lodge.
Day 4:	Trek to the famous Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar (3,400m)
Day 5 - 9:	Trek to Machhermo (4,475m) via Namche Bazaar You have five days to slowly walk to Machhermo (4,475m), which is the settlement nearest to base camp. The trek takes you through Namche Bazaar, where you'll spend two nights, before trekking via the Mong La (3,900m) to Machhermo, where you'll also spend two nights before moving to base camp.
Day 10:	Move to Base Camp (4,750m)
Day 11 - 24:	Ascent of Cholatse The leader will take a flexible approach to the climb based on their own experience. Typically, the team will spend a day at base camp organising food, before moving above base camp. The team needs to be back at base camp by Day 24. At this point, the porters arrive for your return trek to Lukla.
Day 25 - 27:	Return trek to Lukla
Day 28:	Fly by helicopter from Lukla to Kathmandu Charter helicopter flight. Transfer to hotel.
Day 29:	At leisure in Kathmandu
Day 30:	Depart Kathmandu Airport transfer. For those joining “land-only”, you should book your flight home today.

PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The Expedition Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Optional Ama Dablam Extension

Day 25 Trek to Phortse

Day 26 Trek to Pangboche

Day 27 - 28 Rest in Pangboche

Day 29 Move to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4,750m). From the top of Pangboche you cross the Dudh Kosi immediately and climb up the far side of the river, following the trail and ridgeline up to base camp (3.5 hours from Pangboche). Base camp is an idyllic spot from which the majority of the route is visible. At an altitude of 4,570m it provides a comfortable escape from the rigours of the climb. At base camp youíll have a dining tent, separate kitchen tent and a sleeping tent, which youíll share with another team member. These are roomy so thatís thereís enough space for you to organise all of your gear. Base camp is very cold when the sun leaves it, so youíll need a good 4-season sleeping bag to be comfortable at night.

Day 30 - 31 Preparation in BC / Puja.

Day 32 - 38 Ascent of Ama Dablam. An ascent of the mountain utilising all of the camps is a 5-day round trip. As you will already be acclimatised, you can climb to camp 1 (5,700m), then camp 2 (5,900m), camp 3 (sometimes called camp 2.5 at c6,250m), summit and return to ëcamp 2.5í before descending to base camp the following day.

Day 39 - 41 Return trek to Lukla. You descend via Deboche, Thyangboche, Namche Bazaar and Phakding (where youíll overnight) to arrive back in Lukla ready for the morning flight to Kathmandu.

Day 42 Fly to Kathmandu

Day 43 Kathmandu, shopping and sightseeing.

Day 44 Fly home.

Price £6500 per person

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Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: Oct '16
Total: 3 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

There are currently no team member reviews for this trip.

Leader Reports

• Cholatse 2018
  “Silence fell as the team got their first glimpse of the scale of the South West Ridge of Cholatse, the beautiful commanding mountain they had signed up for. Cholatse meaning Lake pass peak 6435m grew in stature as we reached base...”
  report added 28/Nov/18
• Cholatse 2017
  “Before I go into detail on this year’s Jagged Globe expedition to Cholatse, I feel that this mountain deserves perhaps a little more introduction than usual.  Cholatse is located just North of Taboche and next to the...”
  report added 05/Dec/17