Mera Peaks

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19 days
Strenous

Highlights

This is a thrilling, scenically magnificent peak that offers a fantastic challenge to the fit, experienced hill hiker. The trek to Mera Peak is technically easy, but it is physically challenging because it is Nepal's highest trekking peak at 6,476m/21,246ft.

Introduction

Our Mera Peak trek begins with a hike through the Hinku Valley's virgin forest. The valley is breathtaking, and it serves as a wonderful acclimatization for the Mera Peak trip. Walking along the glacier with magnificent panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and other 7–8,000m giants is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We don't retrace our tracks on our return walk, which takes us over the Zetra La, so we get to see new sights from beginning to end.

Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrive in Kathmandu

As you land in Tribhuvan International Airport, our staff will greet you and transfera you to the designated hotel. The trekking guides will further brief you about the trek and do’s and don’t’s while you are in Nepal.

DAY 2

Fly to Lukla (2,866m/9,403ft.) 45 mins flight. Trek to Puiyan (2,835m/9,301ft) - 6 hour trek.

You will be transported from your hotel to the airport in Kathmandu for your trip to Lukla. This is one of the world's most stunning flights. Twin Otter aircraft fly this route above contrasting terrain, with the Himalayan range's snow line to the north and Nepal's rough foothills below and reaching away to the south. The 2,866m/9,403ft landing at Lukla airstrip adds to the general excitement and expectation. You can enjoy a cup of tea upon arrival while the crew handles the luggage.

As you leave Lukla, make a quick left turn and travel south, passing through rhododendron forests, which are particularly beautiful in the spring. On your right, dramatic views of the Dudh Koshi slashing through the high forested valley await you. The trail to Surke, 2,339m/7,674ft, takes roughly an hour to weave your way down. There's a nice, flat patch of land with the Surke Khola running through it that's perfect for a little lunch. Looking back up the valley beyond Namche, you have good views of Mount Kumbila, 5,761m/18,900ft. Chotak La, 2,945m/9,662ft, is reached after a solid ascent of roughly 2-3 hours, and then you contour for about an hour to reach Puiyan, 2,835m/9,301ft, your overnight camp. Puiyan is a charming village with a few lodges strewn about.

DAY 3

Trek from Pangom to Najing Dingma (2,850m/9350ft). 6 - 7 hour trek.

The journey to the top of Pangkongma La, 3,178m/10,426ft, takes around half an hour through rhododendron forest. This is where the main tributaries of the Dudh Kosi River meet, and it's from here that you'll get your first glimpse of the majestic, snow-capped Mera Peak. The settlement of Sibuje, at 2,770m/9,088ft, is reached after a hard half-hour descent from the pass. To reach Najing Dingma, the trail undulates along the forested river valley from Sibuje.

DAY 4

Trek from Najing Dingma to Cholem Pati (3,160m/10,367ft) 6 - 7 hour trek.

Today you will have a tough climb to the Bhairum Danda tea house at 3,280m/10,761ft, where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of peaks and valleys all around. The ascent continues to the day's high point of 3,350m/10,991ft, followed by a steep descent back to the river and a welcome lunch stop. After lunch, you'll ride a roller coaster through a beautiful forest, including some fairly steep sections. To reach Cholem Pati at the end of the day, you cross the river on a spectacular bridge constructed from a massive tree trunk.

DAY 5

Trek to Khola Kharka (3,600m/11,811ft). 5-6 hours trek.

Following the Hinkhu Khola north, you'll journey through moss-draped woodland with several ups and downs as you negotiate side valleys and rocky hills. Your total height progressively rises until you reach Khola Kharka, a sandy, boulder-choked area after crossing a long ridge of mixed forest.

DAY 6

Trek from Khola Kharka to Kote Mausam Kharka (3,691m/12,110). 6 - 7 hour trek.

You're travelling from one kharka to the next today, a kharka being a high-altitude grazing area for yaks and other livestock. Today's track has a lot of ups and downs, and you could be starting to feel the altitude. Finally, you arrive in Kote, a small settlement on a small plateau with a couple of recently built cabins.

DAY 7

Trek to Tangnag (4,350m/14,271ft). 5 hour trek.

On a boulder-strewn route near the Hinku Kola, you begin gently ascending. As you rise to about 4,000m/13,000ft, the terrain changes from woodland to scrub and moraine. As you ascend today, you will surely feel the altitude. At the head of the valley, you can see Kyashar, 6,800m/22,309ft, and Kusum Karguru, 6,100m/20,013ft. After around 5 hours of traveling, you'll arrive to Tangnag's settlement and its collection of huts and lodges.

DAY 8

Acclimatization day at Tangnag.

A return hike to Dig Kharka, at 4,660m/15,288ft, is a good way to acclimate. You leave Tangnag and set out on a path littered with boulders. You begin a slowly rising traverse after about an hour of gradual climbing, until you reach Dig Kharka, a flat stretch of ground. The climb takes roughly two and a half hours and the descent takes about one and a half hours. From Dig Kharka, you have a good view of your way up to the base camp, as well as partial views of Mera. Today's view is breathtaking, as you're surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

DAY 9

Trek from Tangnag to Khare (5,000m/16,404ft). 5 - 6 hour trek.

Before a difficult half-hour ascent, you journey towards the valley's head. As you continue to ascend more gradually all the way to Khare, 5,000m/16,404ft, at the valley's head, the panoramic alpine panorama is breathtaking. There are a number of cottages and lodges here, as well as a suitable level camping area. You'll have great views and be able to see your route to the Mera La as it climbs towards the ridge.

DAY 10

Khare acclimatization day.

We propose either taking an hour-long hike along the ridge behind the campsite or walking up to Mera Base Camp. The possibilities will be discussed with your journey leader.

DAY 11

Trek up to the glacier and cross glacier to High Camp (5,800m/19,029ft). 6 - 7 hour trek.

After leaving Khare, you'll hike up a nice trail to the glacier, where you'll put on crampons and venture out onto the ice. The angle eases considerably after a steep start, and you stroll to the Mera La with amazing views along the way. You can see your High Camp, which is located at 5,800m/19,029ft, from here. To the east, Kanchenjunga, Chamlang, and Baruntse, to the north, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, and to the west, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyo, and Kantega.

DAY 12

Summit day! Climb Mera Peak (6,476m/21,246ft). Descend and trek to Mera La (5,400m/16,404ft). 9 - 10 hour trek.

Today, a very early morning start is required, so you will start your long day by walking in head-torch light. Dressed warmly, you slowly make your way to the summit (5-6 hours) where you will be rewarded for all your efforts with the most stunning panoramic views of 8,000m giants, including Mount Everest. From the summit, you head back down to High Camp for an early lunch and then continue down to the Mera La. Today is a very long day, but extremely satisfying. In the event of inclement weather the 'spare day' (Day 17) will be used here to give a second chance at a summit attempt.

DAY 13

Trek to Tangnag.

Retrace your step back towards tangang.

DAY 14

Trek to Kote.

From tangnag, you again retrace your steps towards kote.

DAY 15

Rest day / Spare day.

In the event that the weather on Day 14 - Mera Peak summit day - is unfavourable, this'spare' day can be used for a second summit attempt.

DAY 16

Trek to Tuli Kharka (4,300m/14,107ft). 6 - 7 hour trek.

For a short distance, you follow the Hinku Khola downstream before turning right through rhododendron forest and returning to Takthok, which has a lone tea house. You can either stop here for lunch or continue on the trek to Lukla for another 112 hours to a couple of lodges. You weave your way up the lovely zigzag woodland track for a couple of hours before the path narrows and becomes steep; you then walk around the mountainside for about half an hour. After a while, you'll come to a col marked by a big chorten. Tuli Kharka, a little hamlet with a few of tea houses and a few shops, is reached along an undulating walk resembling the Scottish Highlands.

DAY 17

Trek back to Lukla over the Zetra La (4,500m/14,764ft). 7 hour trek.

Today will be a lengthy day with a lot of descending. On an excellent track, you ascend for about an hour to the first col, which is marked by chortens. After that, you'll walk for around half an hour to the 4,500m/14,764ft Zetra La pass, which is marked by prayer flags, before descending to a tea shop and a well-deserved rest! If you're not prepared, descending from the pass can be dangerous when it's blanketed in snow. If there is snow on the ground, make sure you have crampons and an ice axe. After leaving the tea shop, you proceed down through a rhododendron forest for almost an hour until you reach your lunch destination. Following that, you'll pass through deforested woodland and then farmed farmland before reaching lukla.

DAY 18

Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

Another opportunity to enjoy this fantastic flight, but please be aware that flights into Lukla are occasionally delayed due to weather conditions in either fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; rest assured that our staff in both Lukla and Kathmandu will do everything possible to minimize the inconvenience if this occurs.

DAY 19

Transfer to airport.

Keep your air ticket and passport with you on this day as our staff will transfer you to airport for the international departure.