Mera Peak Climbing - 18 Days

After breakfast, you will start the day by exploring the culturally and historically significant sites of Kathmandu. You will visit the Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world.

Next, you will visit Boudhanath Stupa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest stupas in the world. Finally, you will visit Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, which offers stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley. After the sightseeing, you will attend a pre-trek meeting where you will meet your trek guide and discuss the details of the trek.

Your trek adventure starts with a short drive to Kathmandu Domestic Airport after having a light breakfast. From here, you will catch a half-hour scenic flight over the snowcapped mountains to Lukla Airport, which is one of the most electrifying high-altitude airports in the world.

Your guides and porters will accompany you on the flight. Upon arrival in Lukla, your trek will kick off. The trail leads towards the east, passing through a number of hamlets and wooden yards, taking you to a thick forest of silver fir, birch, pines, and rhododendron. You will make steady progress on a good trail, crossing ridges and streams up to “Kharka”, the summer pasture used for grazing yaks. You will spend your first night in a hotel in Chutanga.

The trekking adventure continues as you start your journey with a steep climb to cross the Kalo Himal ridge in the Nau Lekh range, which separates the Khumbu Valley from the Hinku Valley. After a steep climb up to a ridge, you will see the colorful flags, and this spot is called Zatrwa La. Then, you will finally descend steeply to Tuli Kharka, where you will spend the night at a hotel.

After breakfast, you will begin walking on a descending trail for a while and then cross a few ridges, after which you will walk steeply down to the Hinku River. Then, you will slightly ascend uphill, which will take you to Gothey in the Hinku Valley. Here, you can check in to several seasonal hotels and lodges. Spend some time exploring the local lifestyle. You will spend the night at a hotel in Gothey.

After breakfast, you will start your trek by crossing a wooden bridge over the Hinku Khola River. You will then walk on a relatively easy path alongside the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. As you walk, you will notice the landscape changing from lush green forests to barren rocky terrain. After a few hours of walking, you will arrive at the small settlement of Thangnag, where you can check in to a tea house and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains.

This is a rest day to allow your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. You can spend the day exploring the nearby areas and enjoying the breathtaking views of the mountains. You can take a short hike up the valley to the top of the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier or relax and enjoy the local culture and hospitality.

Today, you will walk on a relatively steep path that leads to the foot of the Mera Glacier. You will then continue your trek to Khare, a small settlement with a few tea houses, which is located at the base of the Mera La Pass. Here, you will have stunning views of the Mera Peak and the surrounding mountains. You will spend the night in a hotel in Khare.

This is another rest day to allow your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. You can take a short hike up to the Mera La Pass, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. You can also take some time to prepare for the upcoming summit attempt.

On this day of your journey, you will embark on a short trek to Mera Base Camp. The trekking distance for the day will be around 5-6 km or 3-4 miles. This relatively short trek is designed to help you acclimatize to the high altitude and challenging terrain. As you make your way towards Mera Base Camp, you will first climb to the crest of the moraine. From here, you will navigate the steep slope of scree or snow to reach a boulder-strewn bowl below the lower tongue of the Mera Glacier.

The trek will then take you to the Mera La pass, where you can take a moment to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. After admiring the views, you will begin the descent towards the Hongu side, eventually reaching the moraine below the ice where you will set up base camp. This will be your home for the night, and you can expect a comfortable and well-equipped campsite with all the necessary amenities.

In this day, you will climb to Mera high camp, which is located at an altitude of 5,750m/18,865ft. You must be cautious while trekking as the trail can be dangerous if it has recently snowed due to crevasses along the way. Once you reach the top of the rock band, which is identified by a large cairn, you will establish a high camp. You will have the opportunity to rejuvenate and take in the breathtaking views of the mountains piercing the skyline during your stay at high camp.

The much-awaited Day 12 is the summit day, and you will finally ascend Mera Peak.

You should wake up early around 2 a.m. and prepare yourself with crampons and ropes. A well-acclimatized group will ascend the peak in 3-4 hours from High Camp. When you reach the summit, you will be able to witness the spectacular views of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,201m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Nuptse (7,855m), Lubuche (6,145m), Chamlang (7,319m), and other mountains over 6 thousand meters.

After taking some photographs and enjoying the stunning views of the snowline, you will retrace your steps back to Khare, where you will spend the night after a rest and some hot soup at high camp.

Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather in the Himalayas, it is always wise to have a contingency day in the itinerary. This day serves as a buffer and can be used in case of unfavorable weather conditions or any other unexpected obstructions that may delay the group in their ascent to the peak. Having a contingency day built into the itinerary helps to mitigate some of the risks associated with climbing in such unpredictable conditions. This extra day can be used to make up for lost time, should the group encounter any unexpected setbacks along the way.

On this day, you will descend through the Hinku Valley to reach Gothey.

The Hinku Valley is known for its stunning landscapes, and you will have ample time to soak in the breathtaking views. Upon reaching Gothey, you can take a moment to celebrate your successful summit of Mera Peak. Whether you choose to raise a glass of local wine or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this quaint little town, you will find plenty of ways to relax and unwind after a challenging trek.

For your overnight stay, you will be accommodated in a lodge in Gothey.

Day 15 marks the beginning of your journey back towards Lukla. You will climb up through the lush forest of rhododendron, bamboo, and pine on the west side of the Hinku valley that will lead you to Tuli Kharka. As you make your way through the dense forest, you will be treated to some spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of wildlife such as musk deer, Himalayan Thar, and even snow leopards.

Upon reaching Tuli Kharka, you will settle into your lodge for the night. Take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this remote mountain village.

The trek will begin with a climb up to the Zatrwa La top, from where you will have panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. From there, you will make your way down towards Lukla via Chutanga. The trail will be relatively easy, with plenty of opportunities to stop and rest along the way. As you near Lukla, you will begin to see signs of civilization once again, including small villages and farms.

Upon reaching Lukla, you will be accommodated in a lodge for your final night in the mountains. Take the time to celebrate your successful trek with your group and crew members, and reflect on the incredible experiences you have had over the past two weeks.

On the final day of your trek, you will board a short flight back to Kathmandu, covering a distance of approximately 136 km/84 miles. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Take the time to rest and reflect on your incredible journey through the Himalayas. Whether you choose to explore the bustling streets of Kathmandu, indulge in some shopping, or simply relax at your hotel, you are sure to find plenty of ways to make the most of your final day in Nepal.

In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant discussing the trip.

This is the day of farewell where you accomplish the journey and leave for your home. Three hours prior to your boarding time, our staff will receive you from your hotel and drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. We really enjoyed hosting you. Many thanks for having us and safe travels returning home.