Mera Peak
Hard
Mera Peak lies at the elevation of 6647m, is considered the highest trekking peaks in Nepal. A demanding trek with climbing lies in the lower Khumbu region and is suitable for experienced trekkers looking for some challenging adventure. Our itinerary takes you to Mera Peak via Lukla however another option by either flying to Phaplu or driving to Phaplu is also possible passing through the beautiful villages. The itinerary is prepared ensuring proper acclimatisation and providing rewarding views from the summit of many 8000m peaks including Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Nuptse.
Trip Highlights
- Trek through the rhododendron forest that blooms specially during the spring time.
- Pass through the Mera glacier towards the Mera high camp.
- Summit Mera Peak and enjoy stunning views of the panoramic Himalayas.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Depending on your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel.Overnight in Hotel
Meals: B
Day 2: Fly to Phaplu (2930m). Drive to Adheri and trek to Khari khola (2040M) – 6 hrs drive / 3 hrs trek.
We will be transferred to domestic airport for our 25 minutes flight to Phaplu where our staff will be waiting for us. The route from Phaplu to Ringmo previous used to a trekking trail, however with the road being built, we can choose to drive upto Ringmo from where we will start our trek to Taksindo through the rhododendron forest. We will stay in a lodge near monastery for the overnight.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 3: Trek to Pangom (2850m) - 5/6 hrs trek
After an early breakfast we continue our trek over a steep ascending trail that heads for passing through Bupsa towards crossing the Poyan Khola as we ascend towards Khari La which lies at the elevation of 3081m as we pass through different village of Kharte, Nyungso to arrive at a beautiful village at Pangom.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 4: Acclimatisation day in Pangom
After an early breakfast, we have a day hike to the monastery.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 5: Trek to Ning So (3160m) - 4/5 hrs trek
We head towards Ning So as we ascent Nankung La (3110m) as we get a superb view of Mera Peak before descenting towards Sibuje (2770 m) as we arrive at a nice camp at Ning So.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 6: Trek to Bamboo forest (3580m) - 6/7 hrs
We start with a steep climb up to an elevation of 3280 m from where we get amazing views and continue the climb until we reach the top to take a descent until we arrive at the lunch spot near the river at the elevation of 2850 m. We continue our trek to arrive at the Bamboo forest where we will spend over night in a lodge.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 7: Trek to Kote (3691) – 6/7 hrs trek
Today, we advances through the dense forest filled of Rhododendron, oak, pine and juniper trees.During our trek today we will be seeing amazing views of Mera Peak and surrounding snowcapped peaks. We will take a steep descent to the Hinku River and a final uphill climb will lead us to Kothe. It lies to the west side of the Hinku Valley, and offers pure wilderness with lush vegetation to trekkers.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 8: Trek to Thangnag (4356m) - 3/4 hrs trek
The route will pass through Lungsumgba Gompa which was built approximately 200 years ago. Here, we can find the Mera Peak along with its route scripted in rock which is fantastic piece of rock carving architecture. Thetrek continues with a rather easy walking route that leads to the summer grazing area of Thangnak where there are shops and number of good tea houses.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 9: Acclimatization Day in Thangnak
Today, we will acclimatize and local hike in this wonderful settings surrounded bystunning peaks, especially Peak 43. The north from camp there is a huge moraine behind which is gorgeous lake known as the SabaiTsho, into which plummets the hanging Sabai Glacier wellworth exploring with time spent will help you to acclimatize well.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 10: Trek to Khare (5000m) - 4/5 hrs trek
After the amazing time at Thangnak, today our tail goes over the lateral moraine towards Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers. From there our further trekking is a steep climb all the way to Khare.We will be facing magnificent view of Northern side of Mera Peak.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 11: Trek to Mera high Camp ( 5780m) - 6/7 hrs trek
Leaving Khare, we will advance towards Mera peak base camp. Out trail gradually ascend over to Mera Glacier. We will climb steeply towards the top of the glacier before traversing along the glacier to finally arrive at Mera peak base camp. Again after the camp, we will advance and follow the trail hat climbs over through Mera La pass and continue trekking along rocky and often snow covered tails towards Mera Peak High Camp. The route crosses the bowl and then climbs the ground to the right of the tongue to a large rock platform beside the glacier after another careful walk. Once at the high camp our Sherpa crew will quickly set up the camps and make necessary check on our climbing gears. From the high camp site, we can enjoy the amazing views of Everest, Makalu, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Baruntse and Chamlanag.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 12: Summit Mera peak - Back to Khare (5045m) - 8/9 hrs trek
Big day indeed!. We have to start early morning for the summit of Mera Peak. Properly equipped and fully acclimatized we start early with the aim to reach the summit before noon. Strong windsafter mid-day can created obstacles in reaching the summit. We will start around 2 am in the morning after having breakfast. We will begin to climb up the glacier and onto a ridge. By following thefootsteps and guidance of our experienced climbing expert, we advance towards the Mera Peak summit.Once the top, we are rewarded with magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Mt, Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga,Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Chamlang. After spending some quality time at the peak we will descend the same route and headback to reach khare for our overnight stay.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 13: Trek to Kothe (4300m) - 5/6 hrs trek
Today we will start retracing our steps from Khare and trek through Thangnak before advancing towards Kothe.With mostly downhill trekking, we will leave high altitudes behind and enter into the dense sub-tropical forest filled with rhododendron, Oak, Pine and birch trees.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 14: Trek to Chetarwa (4300m) - 6/7 hrs trek
Today we will be leaving Kothe behind and go through uphill trekking which goes over the western section of Hinku valley towards Chetrawa La.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 15: Trek to Lukla (2540)
The last day of our trekking begins crossing Zatrawa La pass via Thuli Kharka and from the top of the pass we start descend back to Lukla. In the evening, we will be celebrating together with our crew for successful summit of Mera Peak.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: BLD
Day 16: Flight: Lukla-Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
We will enjoy our last view of the high mountains while flying back to the Kathmandu from Lukla. The snow-capped mountains will be worth to watch. After 25 minutes of flight our representative will be waiting for you at domestic airport to take you back to the hotel where you can enjoy your chilled beer and warm shower.Overnight in Hotel
Meals: B
Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu
You’ll have a day free in Kathmandu Valley and enjoy your time.Overnight in Lodge
Meals: B
Day 18: Final Departure
Depending on your flight time you will be transferred to the airport. The airport checks in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12PM. In case our flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel.Essential Info
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.Eating & Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.
Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.
All teahouses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.
If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the teahouses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.
While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.
Weather
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.
Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.
Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
More Info
This is a Tough+ trek. It is activity level 9 with 16 days walking and full porterage throughout. The maximum altitude is 6,189m (or 5,545m without Island Peak) and the average is 3,680m. There are some steep ascents and descents and some narrow trails. As this trek also ascends to very high altitudes participants should be confident of their physical fitness and must have previous experience of trekking at altitude and in snow.Although it is not compulsory to participate in the climb (the summit attempt is optional), anyone who does must have previous ice axe and crampon experience and know how to use a jumar and abseil device. There will be equipment checks and practice sessions for rope use, ice axe, crampon and harness use, abseiling and crevasse rescue. For safety reasons it is compulsory to participate in these sessions. If you do not take part the leader and climbing Sherpas will not allow you to take part in the climb.
Though technically harder than Mera Peak, for those with the necessary experience this expedition is within the reach of those seeking their first Himalayan summit. The climb requires strong lungs and a great deal of will power - it is graded alpine PD+ and starts with some rocky scrambling to a glacier. We cross the glacier roped up (there is one ladder to cross), and then come to a 200m steep 40-45 degree headwall, which leads to a 20m summit ridge. We will rope up to cross the glacier and you will be walking with an ice axe, crampons and plastic boots. There are fixed ropes up the headwall (approximately 200m) and along the summit ridge. On the ascent you will need to use a jumar and on the descent you will need to use an abseil device.
Please be aware that altitude can have a significant affect on your physical state. It is important that you take heed of the leader's advice and decisions at all times. The leaders are trained in first aid and are well aware of AMS symptoms and will keep a close eye on the group. We ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes.
The climb itself is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights or vertigo and the main trail itself crosses three modern suspension bridges over rivers and valleys - all of these have mesh sides but some are quite long and high.
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Secure your place
You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
To Book
Let us know which trip you would like to join. For trips that require a certain level of skills and prior experience, we will ask you to provide us with details so that we know the trip is the right one for you.We will send you a form for you to complete your personal details, medical and fitness information. We will also send you our bank details for you to make payment – we will tell you how much and how to pay.
When you are ready, simply complete the form and send it back to us and let us know once you have deposited the relevant funds into our bank account.
We will send you back a written acknowledgement and other information about your trip such as a gear list and any other relevant information specific to your trip.
Of course, at any time leading up to your trip, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us as we will want to give you as much information as you need so that you can feel comfortable and excited about your forthcoming adventure.
We look forward to having you on an adventure with us!