Mera Peak Climbing

Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)

After breakfast, drive to the Domestic Airport for the flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region – south of Everest. Meet your local porters and head south and down through forest and farmland into the Dudh Koshi Valley and the hamlets of Surke and Paknapani. Then wind over the Chutok La (2 950m) with good mountain views, and drop to the village of Paiya above the Paiya Khola. This scenic, southern route to Tashing Ongma and Kothe should offer ample time for thorough acclimatisation before the high altitude work to follow. Overnight in Paiya.

Descend to cross the river on a wooden bridge and climb the Kharte La (slippery if wet) for panoramic views over the Middle Hill forests to the south. Descend past hamlets to Kharte for lunch before following an attractive, narrow trail that meanders through rhododendron and bamboo forest to the agricultural village of Panggom. Overnight in Panggom.

The trail now turns eastwards and a rocky path leads up, through thinning forest to the mani wall and prayer flags of the Narkung La. Ahead is the well forested Hinku Valley which, together with the parallel Hongu Valley east of the Mera massif drains the vast glacial fields south of the Hinku – Malangphulang – Ombigaichan – Baruntse ridge north of our destination. Drop to a small village for lunch. Then continue, past high points on the undulating trail with good views of Mera South (6 064m) and Naulek (6 320m) to the northeast. The trail finally descends to the village and temple at Shibuche. Overnight at Shibuche.  

After dropping to cross the Hinku Khola, the trail meanders steeply up through rhododendron and oak forest to Cheram. It continues up and down, in forest, crossing landslides and re-crosses the river twice before finally dropping through bamboo groves to a cave and campsite on the banks of the Chetra Khola. Overnight  at Chetra Khola.

The trail now enters the Makalu – Barun National Park, established in 1992, and continues to wind, through pine and bamboo forest, with good views over the Hinku Valley and of Mera from high points. Look out for forest animals that could include sloth bears, small cats and shy bharals on high slopes. The park is host to some 3 000 flowering plants and orchid varieties (mainly east of our trail) and a large variety of birds.

The summer village of Tashing Ongma is at the junction of three trails and hosts teahouses and shops in season. After lunch, continue through forest along a ridge, above the river to the kharka at Kothe. Overnight at Kothe.

Today’s short walk is countered by the increasing altitude: walk slowly. The trail roughly follows the west ridge opposite towering Mera with a lunch stop at Gondishung. There are good views of Kusum Kanggari and impressive Kyashar up the valley. Trail sections along the valley floor are rocky and require care. Nearby is the ancient Lungsumba Gompa; then the last hamlet of Thangnak – several days from the next settlement on trails that branch to the north and east beyond the Mera La. Overnight in Thangnak

Obey the acclimatisation rule of ‘climb high, sleep low.’ Enjoy a three hour walk up the slopes of Kusum Kanggari for great views of Mera North and Central as well as the Charpate Himal Ridge: sacred to the Sherpa people of Khumbu. Return to overnight in Thangnak.

Today’s trail climbs into alpine scenery, gradually rising above the tree line past the Sabai Tsho; then over rocky moraines at the snout of the Hinku Nup and Dig Glaciers before rising steeply to Khare. Views up to Mera North and back across the valley to the Kyashar Himal are particularly impressive from here. Overnight in Khare.

In Khare we will be joined by a mountain guide and additional porters for the three day/two night ascent of Mera Central. Here we also collect camping and climbing gear, including crampons, plus rations.

The trail is steep and slow as it is strewn with loose rock and boulders. An early lunch will be followed by a few hours of ice-climbing training in preparation for the rigours ahead. If time, there will also be a walk up to Mera La and back – to sleep lower. Views from the camp are good. Overnight at Mera BC.

Continue up the rocky path to Mera La. This can be hazardous in soft snow. Views from the summit are great. Above the pass, the trail steps onto the Mera Glacier and care must be taken to avoid crevasses – particularly if the ice is covered by recent snow. The route heads up to a rock band with the camping area clearly marked by a large stone pyramid. Sunset and sunrise views light the Mahalangur Himal along the border with Tibet with the last and first light playing on the four eight-thousand metre peaks of Cho Oyo, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse/Lhotse Shar and Makalu above countless lesser peaks. Overnight (early) at Mera High Camp.

Although Mera North is 15m higher than Mera Central, glacial movements and the development of shifting crevasses on the slopes of north peak have made summiting treacherous. Hence our Mera Central destination.

The crew will wake you with coffee at around 02:00 and breakfast shortly thereafter. For the final push up the snow slopes, crampons need to be worn and the party will be roped up for additional safety where necessary. Ideally, the ascent will take 4-6 hrs.

After a surfeit of viewing and photos from the summit, begin the trek back to High Camp for lunch and then return, through the Base Camp and on down to Khare for a lower and more comfortable night. Say goodbye to the Summit team. Overnight at our Khare teahouse.

Today’s 1 450m descent should provide easier walking. A relaxing afternoon can be followed by a warmer and a yet more comfortable night.

Follow the trail through mixed forest with rhododendrons back to Tashing Ongma. Then take the western (right) trail for the shortcut back to Lukla. The path climbs steadily towards the Charpate Himal ridge. At the tiny hamlet of Chetarwa there are excellent views back over the valley and its flanking peaks. Continue climbing to Thuli Kharka. Overnight in Thuli Kharka.

A two hour pull leads to the summit of the Zatrwa La and the last views of the north eastern landscape. To the west lies the huge Dudh Koshi Valley with splendid views to the northwest and south. These include distant Cho Oyo and its satellites, over numerous lesser peaks and on down over forest and farming villages towards the Middle Hills. The path gradually descends along the line of the ridge and then drops down the Surkhe Khola Valley to Chutanga and Nangbu followed by an easy walk back to bustling Lukla: where you will say farewell to your porters. Overnight in Lukla.

After an early breakfast, take the short flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Rest of day free.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.

NB: Cloud and turbulent weather along the mountain ranges is common and may lead to internal mountain flight delays or cancellations. We suggest you add at least one extra day after your trek before flying out of Nepal.