The summit of Mera Peak (6,461m/21,190ft) which is the highest trekking peak in Nepal. Ascend Mera Peak preferably during the spring and autumn seasons as it’s the best time to climb the mountain for its astonishing views of the Himalayan Vista. Five 8,000m peaks are visible from the summit including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga. Alpine Club of Himalaya organized its first climbing trip to Mera Peak in 1992. Our itinerary is carefully designed with steady ascent and a separate day set aside in Khare to allow plenty of time for acclimatization. The usual route to Mera Peak is direct via the Zatra La Pass, but we follow the route that heads south from Lukla and up the beautiful Hinku Valley and later returns via Zatra La pass. Following this route has a few advantages. We not only pass through the beautiful Nepalese wilderness but also through quaint villages which will give us a glimpse into the rich culture of the locals. Additionally, since the route is longer, it’s better for acclimatization. This is an excellent option for anyone with moderate mountaineering experience. It is a challenging trekking peak due to its elevation, but the technical mountaineering skills requirement is very basic. Besides, Alpine Club of Himalaya’s seasoned Sherpa guide will provide us with basic mountaineering training before the actual summit.

Transportation

Private vehicle / Flights

Arrival on

Kathmandu, Nepal

Departure from

Kathmandu, Nepal

Maximum Altitude

5,780m

Tour type

Trekking and climbing

Essential Personal Climbing Gear:

Alpine Climbing Harness
Crampons
Ice axe
Ascender
Multi-LED Head Lamp
Karabiners
Rappel device
Ski poles
Slings
Climbing helmet

Clothing

Upper Body:

One T-shirt Icebreaker Merino 150 or lightweight 200.
Two long Icebreaker Merino 150 or lightweight 200 shirts.
One polar fleece pullover, medium weight.
One polar fleece jacket.
One Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable jacket with a large hood to accommodate a climbing helmet.
Lightweight down jacket for chilly days in base camp or warm layer when stopping for short breaks.
One very warm goose-down (duvet) jacket with hood or a down/duvet suit if you prefer, for high altitude use.

Hands:

One pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
One pair of mittens consists of 1 Goretex over mitt matched with the very warm polar fleece mitt liner

Heads:

Warm hat wool or synthetic that covers your ears
Balaclava
Scarf or neck sleeve
Face mask
Ball cap or brimmed sun cap
Glacier Sunglass with side shields

Lower Body:

One pair of walking shorts for trekking
Two pair Icebreaker Merino 150 or lightweight 200 thermal bottoms
One pair of Icebreaker Merino 200-weight thermal bottoms
One pair of polar fleece trousers
One pair of Gore-Tex trousers or bibs. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips
One pair of Goose-down (duvet) trousers or bibs. You may prefer a down (duvet)

Feet:

One pair One-Sport Millet climbing Overboots or equivalent (with Aveolite liners; good quality plastic shells with inner boots; avoid tight fit with heavy socks.)
One pair of sturdy leather or synthetic (Gortex) hiking boots with good ankle support for the walk to advanced base camp
Two Pairs of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool
Two pairs of lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool
Light Icebreaker Merino wool or cotton socks for in-town.

Rucksacks and Travel Bags:

One medium rucksack (50-70 liters / 3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for airplane carry).
One large (120 L / 7500 cubic inches) duffle kit bag for clothing and equipment. Must be durable for use on pack porter.

Sleeping Gear:

For high altitude, one down (duvet) sleeping bag (rated to –25 C (-30 F). In the high camp, you can sleep in your down (duvet) clothing inside your sleeping bag;

Important Note :

Your safety is of paramount importance to us at Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Dates

Map

Review

Overview

Accommodations :
You will be accommodated in Alpine Hotel and Apartment or similar hotels in Kathmandu, standard teahouses during trekking, and tents when climbing. Most teahouse accommodations will only have shared toilet facilities. For tent accommodation, a foam mattress will be made available. In the climbing section, toilet facilities will be provided with necessary natural preservation. All accommodations in Kathmandu and teahouses are on a twin-shared basis whereas a single tent will be provided to each individual for the climbing section. We can cater to special requests for a single room in Kathmandu by paying a single supplement of USD 310. However, there are several teahouses on the trekking route that doesn’t allow single room accommodation. On paying a single supplement, you will get a single room in Kathmandu however sometimes it is feasible only in the trekking areas of the lower elevations.

Meals :
During the trip, you can enjoy Nepali, Tibetan, Indian as well as more common continental cuisines. Breakfast (only) will be provided during your stay in Kathmandu whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be available during the trek and climb. While trekking, breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay the night. Similar arrangements can also be arranged for dinner. Lunch will be taken en route to the next destination. During the climbing session, hygienic and freshly-cooked food will be provided. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.

Trip Highlight

Take a fantastic mountain views
Meet local people as you travel
Panoramic views of Mera Peak
Scenic flight and return
Explore Lukla and Mera High Camp
Sherpa culture and splendid views

Day 1 :

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m/4265ft)

Upon arrival, complete the customs formalities at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. Then our representative will greet you at the gate and drive to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the day taking a rest. In the evening, let's try Nepalese cuisine at a welcome dinner hosted by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Dinner

Day 2 :

Day 2: Kathmandu for trip preparation

Today is mostly rest and unpack. Then visit our office in the afternoon. Our climbing leaders will check your set of climbing equipment to make sure that they are in good condition for the coming journey. We also get introduced to fellow participants and discuss the trip. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3 :

Day 3: Fly to Lukla, trek to Paiya (Chutok) (2,730m/8,956ft): 40 mins flight, 5-6 hours trek

Early morning flight to Lukla and begin our trek to Paiya after landing at the Tenzing-Hillary airport. We walk on a jungle trail, cross a bridge over the Handi Khola and reach Surke Village. From here continue moving south and cross the Chutok La pass before reaching the small settlement of Paiyan, also known as Chutok. Overnight in Paiya.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 :

Day 4: Paiya to Panggom (2,846m/9,337ft): 5-6 hours

Descend for a while and reach a small bridge. From here the trail is slippery until we cross the Kari La pass. We walk through rhododendron and bamboo forests on a narrow mountain trail. On today’s trip, we also get to be in awe of the Dudhkoshi Valley. Continue our trek to Panggom Village whose settlers are dependent on farming and trading. Overnight in Panggom.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 :

Day 5: Panggom to Ningsow (2,863m/9,393ft): 4-5 hours

After breakfast, start trekking out from Panggom. Cross the Panggom La pass then ascend, walk on a steady path and turn north. We cross Peseng Kharka Khola first then after walking for some time, reach Peeng Kharka Danda. We cross Ningsow Khola (stream) before reaching the Ningsow Village. Overnight in Ningsow.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 :

Day 6: Ningsow to Chhatra Khola (2,800m/9,186ft): 7-8 hours

From Ningsow, climb first then descend for a while and climb some more to reach Ramailo Danda. From here we get extraordinary views of Mera Peak and Salpa. After ascending and descending on our trail, we enter the Makalu Barun National Park. From here to Chhatra Khola is called Pasang Lhamu trail. On the way, if we are lucky, we might even come across the elusive Red Panda. Overnight in Chhatra Khola.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 :

Day 7: Chhatra Khola to Kothe (3,691m/12,109ft): 6-7 hours

Start walking towards the north on the main trail to Mera Peak. After walking on a trail next to the Majang Khola, we merge with another trail that moves alongside the Hinku Khola. Our trail moves straight ahead towards Tashing Ongma which has seasonal tea shops. Continue our trek and cross the bridge over the Sanu Khola before reaching Kothe. Overnight in Kothe.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 :

Day 8: Kothe to Thaknak (4,358m/14,297ft): 3-4 hours

We trek along the ridge of the Hinku Khola in the shadow of Mera Peak. 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. A short walk takes us to Thaknak, which is a summer grazing area with primitive lodges and shops. Overnight in Thaknak.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 :

Day 9: 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 climbs more steeply to Khare. From here, we can see the northern face of Mera Peak which will be an amazing experience. After lunch, we can hike in and around Khare. Overnight at Khare.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 :

Day 10: Khare: Acclimatization and pre–climb training

We have a separate day set aside solely for acclimatization and basic training just to prepare ourselves better for the Mera Peak climb. Our climbing leader will help us polish our basic climbing techniques and demonstrate the best ways to use our climbing gears like the ice axe, harness, ascender climbing boots, and crampons. The training will also include learning the best climbing technique with the rope. Overnight in Khare.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 :

Day 11: Khare to Mera High Camp (5,780m/18,958ft): 6-7 hours

Walkthrough a boulder-strewn course on a steep trail to reach the Mera Peak Base Camp. From here, we continue further through the Mera La pass to reach the Mera High Camp. The 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. Then we set up a high camp while enjoying excellent views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, the south face of Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang, and Baruntse. Overnight at Mera High Camp.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 :

Day 12: Mera High Camp to Summit (6,461m/21,1907ft) and back to Khare (5045m/16,547ft): 8-9 hours

Today is a really important day for the expedition. We wake up around 2 am for breakfast. It’s going to 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 use a fixed rope if the climbing leader believes it’s required. The summit is only a few meters away. From the summit, we take in spectacular 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 retrace our steps back to the high camp where we rest for a while before descending to Khare. Overnight in Khare
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 :

Day 13: Reserve Day for Contingency

There is no guarantee that we will have favorable weather on our planned day for the summit. Therefore, this day is set aside as a contingency in case we are unable to summit the Mera on the desired day due to bad weather conditions or any other unanticipated reason. However, if the trip goes smoothly, this day will not be required.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 :

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

Start trek from Khare to Kothe along the same trail used previously. After reaching Kothe, we celebrate our success by trying out local delicacies and wines. Overnight in Kothe.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15 :

Day 15: Kothe to Thuli Kharka (4,300 m/14,107ft): 5-6 hours

Start trek to Thuli Kharka after breakfast. We climb up and descend, cross several tributaries of the Inkhu Khola before reaching a forked trail nearby Taktho. We choose the trail on our right and continue walking. This trail passes by a Chorten after which we walk downhill on a steep trail. Next ascend to Thuli Kharka and pass by another Chorten on the way. Overnight in Thuli Kharka.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16 :

Day 16: Thuli Kharla to Lukla via Zatrwa La pass: 6-7 hours

Today we cross the Zatrwa-La pass at 4,600. 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 Chutang and then straight forward to the Lukla village. In the evening enjoy dinner in the Himalayas of Nepal with our crew. Overnight in Lukla.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17 :

Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu

Catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping. If you want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu, we could plan today. Our guides can help you with both souvenir shopping or sightseeing. There will be a farewell dinner in the evening to celebrate your successful summit of Mera Peak. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 18 :

Day 18: Final Departure

Our adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but exchange emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. Our representative will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Cost Include

Arrival and departure transfer services to and from both domestic and international flights as per itinerary.
3 Night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast. 3* and Twin Sharing
Experienced and government licensed high altitude climbing and trekking guides during the trekking and climbing period
Schedule flight tickets for Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu to all the climbing members and climbing guides.
3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea/coffee available in the tea house/hotel/lodge during the trek.
Professional porters with proper safety equipment and walking equipment, his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance (one porter for two people).
Trekking permit (Sagarmatha national park entry fee).
TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System).
Climbing permit of Nepal government to climb Mera Peak.
First aid medical kits for the group and the staff.
Use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, and walking poles (if you don’t have your own, to be returned after trip completed).
Helicopter rescue insurance for high-altitude staff.
Trekking and climbing map of Mera peak.
Our service charge and government taxes are levied in Nepal.
Farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with a domestic culture show in Kathmandu.
Alpine Club of Himalaya T-shirt.
Oxygen meter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness symptoms which will ensure your health during the trek.
Ncell Sim Card (Nepalese Sim Card including 20 GB data pack) - Only 1 for a group.

Cost Exclude

Lunch and Dinner during your stay in Kathmandu (except farewell dinner).
Any packed food/snacks, aerated drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, health bars.
Items of personal nature - laundry expenses, tips.
Rescues, repatriation, medicines, medical tests, and hospitalization expenses.
Medical insurance and emergency rescue evacuation if required.
Travel insurance and helicopter rescue.
Airfare of international flights.
Nepal entry visa fee (easy to obtain the visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport – Kathmandu). $30 USD for a 15-day visa.
Personal climbing gear.
Tips, gifts, souvenirs.
Tips for the guide, porter, and driver (tipping is expected)