Overview
Mera Peak at 6,654 meter one of the highest trekking peak of Nepal, situated in one of the remote isolated area of Khumbu. The trek starts from the village of Lukla, the gate-way to Everest. The trek from here leads to the adjoining high mountain hills of Naulekh. As we leave the last settlement behind, heading east to a steep climb of three hours to the top of the ridge. From here, its a steep descent to the hidden valley of Hinku, as the bottom is reached, the valley, a pleasant walk takes you through the serene forest of pines and rhododendron with grazing pastures and meadows, then a high camp at 5,800 meter at the foot of the Mera Peak. The climb to the summit is technically straight forward on a long glacier. At the summit, we will have time to immerse ourselves with the surrounding beauty and a panorama of the mountains, including the top five 8000 meter Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Mt.Cho-Oyu. After the great challenging trek, retrace the remaining journey back to Lukla for the sweeping flight to Kathmandu.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu. 1,300m transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and escort you to the Hotel, where our guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trek / Climbing and Camping, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.
Day 2: A day in Kathmandu climbing Preparation day.
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest on request. and climbing Preparation day.
Day 3: Fly to Lukla. Approx: 45 minutes flight to Lukla 2,800m.
Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from the Hotel to domestic Airport, a short drive of 20-30 minutes, after the necessary security formalities and then board in the smaller twin otter or similar plane for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla, on arrival you will be received by our trekking guides. In Lukla you will have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the load baggage to prepare for this outstanding adventure
Day 4: Trek to Chutanga 3,430m 3-4 hrs walks.
First day trek is an easy walk which leads eastwards, the path from here is less frequented than the other main trails from Lukla, walk follows through a number of hamlets and wood yards until we reach thick forest of silver fir, birch, pines and rhododendron trees and bushes on the hill side below Nau Lekh also known as Kalo Himal Ridge, on this portion follow the Sherpa or the group as there are many path leading away from the main trail. There are many small streams with numerous places for camp, whole of this area referred to as Chutanga which is a summer pasture. Our first campsite is pitched on the meadows with time for a short walk around.
Day 5: Rest day at Chutanga.
A necessary rest day for acclimatisation, before advancing to the higher region and crossing of Zatrwa-la at 4,600m. A short hike can be done to stretch your leg and muscle walking up to a small peak at around 4,000m below the Zatrwa Teng Pass, which offers excellent views over the valley of Dudh Koshi, and also views of our route towards the Zatrwa-la.
Day 6: Trek to Tuli Kharka 4,300m. 6-7 hrs.
After a good rest day at Chutanga, adventure continues with a steep climb to cross the Kalo Himal Ridge in the Nau Lekh range which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. A steep uphill climb from our camp brings us to a cairned notch in the ridge with a collection of buddhist prayer flags at 4,450m. This small pass is called the Zatrwa Og, from here the path traverses across a boulder slope, round a corner and climbs once again to the Zatrwa-La at 4,600meteres. In bad weather to find the path of our route can be quite misleading care should be taken.
In fine weather, the view across the Dudh Kosi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal are very impressive, and the scenery across the rolling foothills of the Hinku Valley. From here less than hour descends will bring us to a large boulder which will be our campsite for the overnight at Tuli Kharka.
Day 7: Trek to Mousum Kharka. 3,430m. 3-4 hrs.
After camp at Tuli Kharka, today will be a short trek on the downhill slope, the path descends with superb scenery of Peak 43 and Kusum Kanguru and then coming to a fine vantage point of the Hinku Valley, with grand views of the South Face of Mera Peak entering the forest once again, the trail drops steeply into the Hinku Vally. A pleasant walk leads through the forest full of tall Himalayan pine and rhododendron trees. We make our camp on the clearing known as Mosum Kharka by the Hinku Drangka River.
Day 8: Trek to Thagnag. 4,360m. approx. 5 hrs.
From Mousum Kharka, our route follows the west bank of the Hinku Drangka northwards, eventually leaving the forest, the valley widens and opens, coming to a pasture and small kharkas(barn shade of the shepards) used for grazing goats, sheep and yaks, then our path leads to a small bridge to reach at Gondishung at 4,350m, a summer settlement of Tagnag with its huts and stone walled enclosures. Gondishung itself has a fascinating 200 year old gompa (monastery) beneath a great rock overhang, is a small Gompa with a buddha and several buddstava, prayer flags and number of crude mani walls. Trek continues for another hour passing beyond Lungsamba as the valley narrows between the flanks of Kusum Kangguru 6,369m to the west and the truncated far western peak of Mera 6,255m then finishing our today's walk here at Thagnag, a settlement made by the yak herders. Now days there are several tea houses here to cater the needs of the local staffs and porters who accompany. Mera expeditions and beyond. Here will have two nights camping on this beautiful surrounding.
Day 9: Rest day for acclimatization.
A well worth rest day for acclimatization and local hike in this wonderful setting, surrounded by stunning peaks, specially Peak 43 which rises to 6,769m altitude. Just north from the camp there is a huge moraine behind which is dammed a beautiful glacial lake known as the Sabai Tsho, into which plummets the hanging Sabai Glacier well worth exploring with time spent will help you to acclmatise well.
Day 10: Trek to Kharka. Mera Base Camp. 5,000m 4-5 hrs.
After a great time at Thagnag, today’s destination is a short day walk of 3-4 hours but we will take it slowly acclimatizing and enjoying the surrounding scenery. Our route follows a relatively good trail leading up across the moraine which dams the Charpatti Tal, and then reaching a high point lined with cairns overlooking the glacial lake after more than half hour climb. From here the path descends slightly before turning the ridge and crossing a sandy bowl to the steep stream that descends from Dig Kharka, as we proceed on the right bank until after 45 minutes we reach the large pasture of Dig Kharka, here we cross the stream with the help of stepping stones towards the walls of an old shelter. We will have a break here perhaps time for lunch, after Dig Kharka, walk leads to a steep climb for few minutes, passing a large bivouac stone and then contouring around the hillside reaching the stream once again. We re-cross the stream at an obvious spots on large boulders. Following a trail for more than an hour across the boulder strewn hillside, we reach Kharka for our overnight stop.
Day 11: At Kharka. Mera Base Camp.
Another rest day for acclamatisation and local hike, there are some interesting hikes from Kharka, above the camp it is possible to climb 5,550m on a high moraine ridge for more good views of the Mera La and the route up the mountain.
Day 12: Trek to Mera High Camp. 5,800m 6 hrs
From Kharka our route advances towards south climbing the moraine and following the crest to the foot of the black, steep scree slope, the path zig zags its way up to the top, as we look across a boulder strewn bowl to the lower tongue of the Mera Glacier after less than two hours hard walk from Khare. The route crosses the bowl and then climbs the ground to the right of the tongue to a large rock platform beside the glacier after another hour of careful walk. From here we must be on crampons for safety to climb the 30-35 degree ice for quarter of an hour to reach the plateau leading to Mera la. The trail are well marked,(unless there has been recent snowfall) the path weaves its way around and between the crevasses toward the Mera-la, from here its another hour to reach the pass, on reaching Mera-la after 3-4 hours of morning walk, we continue our journey for another 3 hours to our overnight high camp beneath Mera Peak, the first hour climb offers grand view of the northern peaks of Makalu, then Everest with cloud plume peeking over the massive black wall of Nuptse. Later as we come near to our High Camp view of Cho Oyu can be seen. On reaching at High Camp if the weather is favorable, panorama of Kanchenjunga comes into view far to the east
Day 13: At Mera Peak High Camp.
Another important rest day for acclamatisation and preparation for the climb.
Day 14: Climb of Mera 6, 654m.
Big day! Start early before dawn after an early morning tea and simple breakfast, for the summit of Mera, climbing first to the foot of the dome of the southern summit. To reach the main summit, we descend the opposite side of the south summit and continue along the southern rim, which is sometimes corniced until it is possible to climb up and through the slope of the main summit, after 3-4 hours of vigorous climb to the summit. Enjoy the breathe taking scenery of the surrounding high snow capped peaks and feeling physically, spiritually and emotionally high being on the highest spot of this extreme adventure. After a great moment of a life time at the top, we retrace back on the 2-3 hours downhill path to our camp-site on the Hongu side of the pass, which has already been set up by our trekking staffs.
Day 15: Spare day in case of delay and bad weather
This reserve day can be used on some other days back to Lukla or before the climb, depending upon the situation.
Day 16: Trek back to Thagnag.
Retrace the journey back the same way.
Day 17: Trek to Mousum Kharka.
Retrace the journey back the same way.
Day 18: Trek to Lukla.
Retrace the journey back the same path. Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walk to Lukla, you can walk at your own normal pace, leisurely and enjoying the lush green scenery around. On reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members.
Day 19: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu.
The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason. Depending upon the flight time make way to the terminal for security check, this scenic flight from Lukla takes about 30 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our office staff will receive and escort you back to the Hotel.
Day 20: Kathmandu
In Kathmandu.
Free day at leisure in Kathmandu; please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley.
Day 21: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.
