Mera Peak (6,461m/ 21,190 ft) is an exciting, scenically stunning mountain becoming popular among trekkers and climbers as it is the highest trekking peak in Nepal in Khumbu valley. 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. Mera Peak climbing begins following a short and exciting flight to the mountain airstrip of Lukla and after continuous trek for days through the high and lovely valleys you will get to the area of Mera. Although physically very demanding on account of the altitude, the climb on Mera Peak is not technically difficult as ascending snow slopes rarely exceed 40 degrees. The only qualification you need to ascend Mera peak is your excellent physical fitness and an extrovert sense of adventure.
Our Mera peak itinerary has been carefully designed to allow gradual acclimatization for the climbers. The walk in initially through the virgin forest of the Hinku Valley is incredibly beautiful and provides excellent acclimatization for the peak itself. Our service, quality equipment, food, trekking staff and an experienced leader ensure that your Mera trip will be an lifetime adventure experience in Nepal.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.After your checkin the group leader will set a time for your trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organise a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Today, you will visit BodhnathStupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the Hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the “ghats”. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be handed over with your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given. Meals included: B
We take the spectacular flight to the small airstrip at Lukla, (2800m) the gateway to the Khumbu region and the start point for the popular trail towards Everest. It is a busy little village with many lodges, equipment and supply shops as well as the airport. Our staff will organize the huge entourage of porters and loads for the trek ahead; as Lukla is the only substantial sized village we will visit on this itinerary.We walk south to Puyan (2800m). Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we leave the main trade route which goes south to Phaplu. Instead we climb eastwards on a quieter trail which winds steadily upwards, over a ridge, and through lush farmland towards the small trading centre of Pangkongma (2850m). Meals included: B, L, D
We climb through a lush forest of bamboo and rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal, to the Pangkongma La. From here we catch our first views of Mera’s impressive South Face, and that of its closer neighbour, Naulekh. We descend to the bottom of the valley, with views south over the hills of the lower Himalaya. We cross the Hinku River using a suspension bridge, and have a 2 hour climb up the east side of the valley to the campsite at NashingDingma (2600m). Meals included: B, L, D
The trail becomes increasingly steeper as we walk to the Surke La, a pass that gives us a taste of the altitude yet to come. We’ll need a cup of tea to catch our breath in the teahouse just over the pass, before continuing on to camp at the summer grazing land of ChalemKharka (3600m). Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we leave the treeline behind, and approach wilder country, where the Sherpas only herd their animals in the summer months. Crossing a small pass, we have a stunning view of Kanchenjunga and its pointed neighbourJannu far away to the east in India. We continue climbing to the holy PanchPokhari Lakes, and then descend to camp at ChangbuKharka (4200m). Meals included: B, L, D
The route contours around the main Hinku Valley, then descends steeply through the different climate zones; from montane grassland, through juniper and rhododendron thickets to hemlock and silver fir forests. In the afternoon we continue descending through the atmospheric Mojang Forest and drop into the main Hinku Valley to our camp in the small settlement of Kote (3550m). Meals included: B, L, D
We follow the rocky riverbed upstream, a reminder of the destruction caused by the glacial lake bursting, to join the main Mera trail. Further walking through meadows dotted with dwarf junipers brings us to the village of Tangnag, where we camp (4300m). We are now in a deep valley created by the towering walls of KusumKanguru and the western peak of Mera. Meals included: B, L, D
We spend the day acclimatising to the altitude. There will be a walk this morning to the top of a ridge south of Tangnak. We walk to approx. 5000 m and should have great views of KusumKanguru, Chamlang and the Mera La. We return to camp for lunch and in the afternoon there will be a gear check and compulsory abseil training. Your leader will also demonstrate how a PAC bag is used. Meals included: B, L, D<
A short day with approx. four hours of gradual ascent past Dig Kharka to Khare, the Mera Peak Base Camp. Generally we do not camp at Khare itself but continue for 40 minutes above the main settlement of Khare to a spectacular wild camp at 5000m. However if water is not available at this wild camp we will stop at Khare itself. The afternoon is spent practicing ice axe and crampon techniques on the nearby glacier. Many of the porters will return to the more hospitable climate of Tangnag and await our return from the peak. Meals included: B, L, D
We have an acclimatisation day at Khare and there will be the chance to walk up on to the glacier towards the Mera La, where we will practice our ice axe, crampon and rope technique and use of jumar. Please note that equipment checks and all practice sessions with the equipment both in Tangnag and at Base Camp are compulsory for everyone before the climb. Meals included: B, L, D
We now take supplies up to the Mera La (5400m) and set up our camp just below the pass on the Honku side. The sunset from this campsite is truly spectacular with the peaks of the HonkuHimal glowing red in the setting sun. Meals included: B, L, D
We ascend the Mera Glacier up to a rocky outcrop to establish High Camp at 5800m. Even those who are not climbing, may well come up to the Mera La, to see how things are progressing. From this point it is possible to see five out of the six highest mountains on earth, stretching from Kanchenjunga in the east through Makalu, Lhotse and Everest to Cho Oyu in the west. This afternoon there will be a final gear check and we will prepare our clothes ready for tomorrow. After sunset (an unmissable sight on Makalu) we retire to the warmth of our sleeping bags to rest before the summit attempt tomorrow. Please note camping space is extremely limited at high camp and occasionally three people will need to share a tent.A dining tent will not be erected and meals will be served in your tent. Meals included: B, L, D
A extremely long day as we have a very cold start at around 2am. We will set off roped up in teams. You will need to carry your ice axe and wear crampons as we ascend the wide, open glacier, avoiding the few crevasses. The terrain here is not very steep but the going is very slow going due to the altitude. As dawn approaches the trail starts to ascend steeply to the east of the left-hand ridge before swinging right on easier ground to approach the summit. As we approach the summit we will rest at a col whilst the sherpas fix a safety rope to the bottom of the last part of the summit climb. The last 50m to the summit is the steepest part of the climb. We will need the jumar for this last section – it is steep and makes the climb more challenging. The sherpas will fix the rope accordingly and help you up this section. (Please note crevasses here change from year to year. These notes were written as per the route in 2011). Once at the top the views from the sun rising over Kanchenjunga in the east, past Makalu to the plumed Everest Himal in the centre and Cho Oyu further west, make every painful step well worthwhile. Descending this steep section will involve abseiling from the summit and we will use the fixed rope back to the col. From here the descent is usually quicker although we will still be roped as care must be taken because of crevasses. We descend back down to our base camp. After a long but rewarding day, returning to a lower altitude (5000m) means that we should all sleep soundly. Meals included: B, L, D
A beautiful walk as we retrace our steps down the valley to Tangnag, and our first beer (chilled, of course) after the exertions of yesterday. Meals included: B, L, D
We complete this circular trek by returning to Lukla over the Zatrwa La (4600m). It’s not all downhill though, and there are some steep climbs and narrow trails on the return especially crossing the Zatrwa La. The pass has at least 3 different tops and the trail undulates precariously high above the valley floor. We spend one night at Chatrabuk (4270m) and then cross the second part of the Zatrwa La the following morning (4500m). From this trail we have magnificent views of Mera’s vertical west face. After the passes the trail descends all the way down to Lukla where we will celebrate the last night with our sherpas and porters. Meals included: B, L, D
You will rise early in the morning today for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred back to the starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do some souvenir shopping or further sightseeing. Your final night in Kathmandu offers you the chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with your travelling companions and newfound friends. Meals included: B
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included.
| Trip Start | Trip End | Group Size | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/10/2023 | 24/10/2023 | 2 - 14 people | Guaranteed | Enquiry |
| 06/03/2023 | 27/06/2023 | 2 - 14 people | Guaranteed | Enquiry |
| 14/03/2023 | 04/04/2023 | 2 - 14 people | Available | Enquiry |
SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST
Head:
Lower Body:
Feet:
Upper Body:
Hands:
Accessories:
Toiletries:
Personal Hygiene:
Extras/Luxuries:
Please note:
The gears with an asterisk (*) sign are handed out by Himalayan Hikers as a part of service You can use your personal gears if you prefer to do so i.e. sleeping bag, liner, down jacket
We would like to inform you that the weight limitation for Everest treks is 33 pounds or 15 kg approximately
