Mera Peak Climbing

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 (Everest) Valley.
It is also favoured due to its easy standard route, which requires only basic mountaineering skills to achieve an altitude considerably higher than a European or North American peak and it is an opportunity to all the adventure seekers who are physically fit.
From the summit of Mera one can see 5 of the 6 highest mountains in the world: Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyo.

The standard route from the north involves little more than high altitude glacier walking. The ease of reaching this elevation may be its biggest danger but good weather and snow conditions are, of course, necessary for safety and success. The west and south faces of the peak offer difficult technical routes.

The first ascent was on May 20, 1953 by Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing. The region was first explored extensively by British expeditions in the early 50's before and after the ascent of Everest. Members of those teams included Edmund Hillary, Eric Shipton and Geroge Lowe. 

You will start your trek with a short and exciting flight to Lukla. The following days you will trek through big forests of Shivapuri National Park and slowly but steadily reach higher elevations and reach 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. The climb of Mera will be an lifetime adventure experience.


Details:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)
Day 02: Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft): Sightseeing and Preparation
Day 03: Fly to Lukla and explore around Lukla (2730m/8954ft)
Day 04: Trek to Chutanga (3,430 m/11,250 ft): 3-4 hours
Day 05: Trek to Thuli Kharka (4320m/13200ft) via Zwatra la (4600 m/14720 ft): 5-6 hours
Day 06: Trek to Kothe (3600 m, /11808ft): 5-6 hours
Day 07: Kothe to Thaknak (4,350m/14,270ft): 3-4 hours
Day 08: Thaknak to Khare (5,045m/16,486ft): 2-3 hours
Day 09: Acclimatisation day (Climbing practise near Khare)
Day 10: Khare to Mera Base Camp (5300m/17,384ft): 3-4 hours
Day 11: Mera Base Camp to High camp (5,780m/18,958ft): 4-5 hours
Day 12: Mera High Camp to Summit (6,461m/21,1907ft) and back to Khare (5045m/16,547ft): 8-9 hours
Day 13: Reserve Day for Contingency
Day 14: Khare to Kothe (3600m/11808ft): 4-5 hours
Day 15: Kothe to Thuli Kharka: 5-6 hours
Day 16: Thuli Kharka to Lukla: 6-7 hours
Day 17: Flight to Kathmandu, Transfer to Bhaktapur and free time (1300m)
Day 18: Sightseeing in Bhaktapur (1300m)
Day 19: Departure (1300m)

Details Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)
Upon our arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be picked up and transfered to the hotel. Today in the evening you will have a welcome dinner and can try authentic Nepali food like Dal Bhaat. Nepali people eat this meal 2 times a day and say winking that it makes them strong (Dal Bhaat Power - 24 hour). You will get to know your guides and they will provide you a detailed briefing on your upcoming trek so that you are well prepared for the trip and any last-minute question will be answered.

Day 02: Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft): Sightseeing and Preparation
Today you will visit the most famous Sightseeing locations of Kathmandu.
breakfeast you will drive to Swayambunath, also called "Monkey Temple", a buddhist pilgrimage place with a small Stupa. After that you will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square with its pagodes, the home of the living goddess Kumari.
Then you will drive further to Pashupatinath. It is an important pilgrimage place for Hindus and a lot believers from whole Nepal and India come there every week. There are lots of temples and at the shore of the holy Bagmati River, the believers burn there dead relatives.
Then you will go back to the big stupa of Boudha, which is also known as little Tibet and enjoy your dinner at the rooftop of the hotel with view of the Stupa. 
After the tour, we get our equipment checked by our climbing leader, get introduced to fellow participants, and discuss our trip.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla and explore around Lukla (2730m/8954ft)
After breakfast, we will be transferred to Kathmandu domestic airport for an early morning flight to Lukla. After flying above the breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains. After our arrival in Lukla we will spend the remainder of the day resting and acclimatizing. We can explore the nearby villages or the bustling, small town of Lukla with its numerous shops.

Day 04: Trek to Chutanga (3,430 m/11,250 ft): 3-4 hours
Our trek will start easy following the path eastwards. This route is less frequented than the other main trails from Lukla and we will walk through a number of hamlets and wood yards until we reach a 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 paths leading away from the main trail. There are many small streams with numerous places en route, whole of this area referred to as Chutanga which is a summer pasture. After our arrival you can explore the surroundings of Chutanga or just relax in the lodge. 

Day 05: Trek to Thuli Kharka (4320m/13200ft) via Zwatra la (4600 m/14720 ft): 5-6 hours
In the morning we have to climb steep up to cross the Kalo Himal Ridge in the Nau Lekh range which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. Then we will reach 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 4,600m. In bad weather it can be quite misleading to find the path of our route but when the weather is fine, the views across the Dudh Kosi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal are very impressive, as well as the scenery across the rolling foothills of the Hinku Valley. From here we will reach Thuli Karkha in less than one hour.

Day 06: Trek to Kothe (3600 m, /11808ft): 5-6 hours
Chirping birds wake us up early in the morning. After breakfast we follow a delightful descending trail across three ridges, before dropping steeply down to the Hinku River and a final uphill to Kothe  through lush rhododendron forests on the west side of the Hinku Valley .
Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal and on our journey we get to admire beautiful hills dotted with rhododendrons. During march and april the rhododendron trees are in full blossom and the landscape looks especially beautiful.

Day 07: Kothe to Thaknak (4,350m/14,270ft): 3-4 hours

Today is another short-trek day in which we trek along the ridge of the Hinku Khola in the shadow of Mera Peak. We take lunch at Gondishung, the summer herders' settlement in the west bank of the Hinku Drangka. Beyond Gondishung we pass a 200 year-old Lungsumgba Gompa where we can find Mera peak scripted in rock along with its route to reach Mera. We pray for our successful ascent of Mera Peak in the boulder of the Gompa offering incense. A short walk takes us to Thagnag, which is a summer grazing area with the primitive lodges and shops. 
 

Day 08: Thaknak to Khare (5,045m/16,486ft): 2-3 hours

Leaving Thaknak, we follow the lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, which offers spectacular views of Charpate Himal. The trail climbs through moraines to the snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers, and then we have to climb steep up to Khare. From here, we can see the Northern face of Mera Peak which will be an amazing experience. After lunch you can go hiking in the surroundings of Khare.
 

Day 09: Acclimatisation day (Climbing practise near Khare)
Today the guides will carry out the last minute checking of the gears for the climb, and decides, if any equipment becomes necessary to rent. Thereafter, our guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques and the proper ways of using climbing gears such as the ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, etc. The training will also include using ropes to go up and down. Although it is not mandatory to have prior training for Mera Peak Base Camp, we strongly believe that some training experience will boost your confidence and your climbing skills to increase the chances of scaling the summit as well as to fully enjoy the experience. 

Day 10: Khare to Mera Base Camp (5300m/17,384ft): 3-4 hours

Today we first climb to the crest of the morraine above Khare and then up a steep slope of scree or snow to reach a boulder strewn below the lower tongue of the Mera Glacier.  
Upon reaching the base camp, we rest for a while. If anyone feels the previous training was not sufficient and wants to train more to build confidence to succeed the climb, there can be an additional training on climb provided. Rest of the day would be to rest and prepare for the next day. 

Day 11: Mera Base Camp to High camp (5,780m/18,958ft): 4-5 hours
We take the route through Mera La pass to reach the Mera High Camp today. Our path is along a rocky trail, which can be hazardous if it has recently snowed, as there are a number of crevasses here. We make our way to the top of the rock band, which is marked by a large cairn. We set up to high camp from where we have outstanding views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, south face of Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang and Baruntse. 

Day 12: Mera High Camp to Summit (6.461m/21.190ft) and back to Khare (5045m/16.547ft): 8-9 hours
This is the most important day of our trip because today we will reach the summit of Mera Peak.
We have to wake up around 2 in the morning and eat a breakfast. It will be very cold in the beginning but soon we warm up as we continue up the glacier and onto a peculiar ridge.
The first rays of the sun hit the big peaks in an amazing red glow. The route is still non-technical as we slowly climb higher into the ever-thinning air. The slope steepens for a section behind the ridge and the summit comes back into view. At the foot of the final steep summit cone, we may attach to a fixed rope depending on the conditions. The summit is only a few meters away. From the summit, we take in amazing views of the mighty Himalayas including Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,210m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Nuptse (7,855m), Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7 ,129m) and others. Later, we will return to the high camp where we rest for a while before descending to Khare.

Day 13: Reserve Day for Contingency
Nobody can know how the weather will be on our planned day for the summit and because of this, we have this day in our program, which allows us to try it again in case we are unable to summit the Mera on day 12 due to bad weather conditions or any other unanticipated reason. However, if the trip goes smoothly, we do not need this spare day, we can use this day to walk back to Lukla at a leisurely pace. 
 

Day 14: Khare to Kothe (3600m/11808ft): 4-5 hours

We trek from Khare to Kothe along the same trail used previously. After reaching Kothe we have time to celebrate our success by trying out local delicacies and wines.

Day 15: Kothe to Thuli Kharka: 5-6 hours
It is an uphill trek through lush rhododendron forests on the west side of the Hinku Valley to Thuli Kharka. Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal and on our journey we get to admire beautiful hills dotted with rhododendrons. After reaching Thuli Kharka, we enjoy remarkable views of Mera North, Mera Central and South face.

Day 16: Thuli Kharka to Lukla: 6-7 hours
We begin today’s trek by ascending to Zatrwa La Pass. As soon as we cross the pass, we are welcomed by the sight of the beautiful Lukla Valley which is surrounded by Cho Oyu, Kongde Peak, Numbur Himal, Kusum Khangru and other Himalayan peaks. From Zatrwa La Pass we walk all the way down to Chutanga and then straight forward to the Lukla village. In the evening we enjoy dinner in the Himalayas of Nepal with our crew.

Day 17: Flight to Kathmandu, Transfer to Bhaktapur and free time (1300m)
We will fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning and drive to our hotel in Bhaktapur. If you want you can relax or recover from the hard trek or explore the Durbar Square yourself.

Day 18: Sightseeing in Bhaktapur (1300m)
After having breakfast you will go for Sightseeing in Bhaktapur which is located in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley. It is an ancient Newar city abought 8 miles far from the capital city Kathmandu. Bhaktapur was the largest of the three Newa kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley, and was the capital of Nepal during the great "Malla" Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. It is famous for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artworks. Because of this it is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In the evening you will have a farewell dinner with the guide of your tour because it will be the last evening all together.

Day 19: Departure (1300m)
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives. Then you will be transferred to the airport and fly home - with a lot of stories to tell!

Inclusive

- all domestic flights

- 3-star Hotel in Bhaktapur: Sweet Home Bhaktapur 

- 3-star Hotel in Boudha: Boudha Stupa Hotel

- Entrance fee for Trekking and Sightseeing

- Simple Clean lodge accommodation during the Trek

- Services of English speaking, trained and experienced staff including trekking guide (leader), climbing guide (leader), assistant guides and porters including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging

- One porter for 2 persons

- Welcome and farewell dinner in a typical nepali restaurant

- Insurance of Staff

- All government taxes and office expenses

- All necessary paper work; trekking permits and Island Peak climbing permit

- Group mountaineering (climbing) equipments

- Medical kit

- Travel and rescue arrangements

- Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, duffel bag, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)

Exclusive

- Nepalese visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)

- International airfare to and from Kathmandu

- Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen

- Meals during the trek and lunch during your Stay in KTM or Bhaktapur

- Travel and rescue insurance

- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)

- Personal climbing equipment

- Personal climbing guide if requested

- Optional trips and sightseeing if extended

- Tips for guides and porters

- Services not listed in the ‘What Is Included’ section

What To Bring?

To get to know the price please write an inquiry to us. 
e-mail: travelcorporationnepal@gmail.com