Mera Peak Summit Climb

Thamel is a fascinating area to explore, with good restaurants and shops selling a variety of eastern handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, and exquisite jewellery – many bargains to be found! You can explore the district in the afternoon or simply relax at the hotel following your flight. In the evening, you will be joined at the hotel by your chief climb guide to go through the itinerary and to ensure that you are well prepared for the journey ahead.

This is a short, 40-minute flight on what is one of the most scenically impressive air routes in the world, taking you over the lower Himalayas and culminating in a dramatic landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, perched on a hillside outside Lukla and surrounded by high mountain peaks.

On arrival at the airport you will be met by the rest of your climb crew. There will be time to have a stroll around Lukla while the guide divides and manages the baggage to be carried by the porters.

You’ll aim to begin your trek by noon, leaving Lukla and walking down through the jungle to Surke, and then on to Pakhapani, where you stop for lunch. This region is lightly settled, and you’ll pass through a number of villages and mountain hamlets before reaching Paiya, where you rest tonight.

From Paiya, on a clear evening you can see a number of Himalayan peaks, including the 6,000m+ Kongde Ri and Khatang.

Crossing over the pass, you’ll stop for lunch in a nearby settlement, and then begin a gentle uphill trek along a narrow mountain trail and through forests of rhododendron and bamboo – keep your camera ready to catch the outstanding views over the Dudh Koshi River Valley. Expect to reach the village of Pangkongma late this afternoon.

Descending the pass, you enter the Hinku Valley, and immediately there is a feeling of unspoilt remoteness. Your objective, Mera Peak, soon comes into view at the head of the valley – from this angle it looks hugely impressive, its immense walls seeming to reach straight out of the valley. During this morning’s trek, you’ll also get your first glimpse of the Hinku River crashing through inaccessible gorges down from the north.

The afternoon takes you down a steep path to cross the river, and then into deep forests before emerging in the pastures of Narjing Dingma (2,650m).

Kangchenjunga is visible from here, while below you stretches the remote Hongu River Valley. Following the ridge line north, you’ll soon arrive at the grassy pastures of Chalem Kharka (3,450m), where you stay tonight.

One final pass at 4,330m brings you to the five sacred lakes of Panch Pokhari, a pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. A short descent from Panch Pokhari brings you to Khula Kharka (4,120m), where you stay this evening.

En route, you’ll pass through rhododendron forest and have lunch near the roaring Hinku River. Evidence of the devastation caused by a huge flood when the Sabai Tcho glacial lake broke its moraine dam is clearly visible around you, while Mera Peak offers glimpses of its summit at the head of the valley.

Beyond Gondishung, you’ll pass the 200-year-old Lungsumgba Gompa, a remote Buddhist shrine built in the early 19th century. You may like to stop here to pray for a successful ascent of Mera Peak and offer incense in the boulder of the Gompa!

From the temple, a short walk takes you to Thangnag, a summer grazing area with a few simple lodges and trekkers’ shops.

Though it is a rest day, you needn’t be idle. After breakfast, there will be the option to trek approx. 3 hours up to the glacier at Charpate Himal. Here you can observe Mera North at close range. After an hour's pleasant hike downwards, you will be back at Thangnag.

The trail then climbs steadily to the snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers, and then climbs more steeply to Khare, where you stay tonight. From Khare, you can view the Northern face of Mera Peak.

Later in the day, return to Khare for a good night's rest.

Upon reaching camp, and after a short rest and lunch break, you’ll have a session of ice climbing training with your guide. Inexperienced climbers will need to learn more today. After 2-3 hours’ training, you may choose to continue to Mera La, depending on the strength of the group.

Making your way to the top of the rock band, which is marked by a large cairn, you’ll set up a high camp. From here, you can see the Himalayan giants of Everest, Makalu, and Cho Oyu piercing the skyline, as well as the southern face of Lhotse, Nuptse, and Chamlang. This evening, you stay at Mera High Camp.

Temperatures are likely to be ten degrees below zero, but you will begin to warm up as you make your way up the glacier and the first rays of sunlight hit the Himalayan peaks in an amazing red glow. The route is non-technical, meaning the altitude will be the primary obstacle you face as you 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, your guide may attach you to a fixed rope depending on the conditions. The summit of Mera Peak is only a few metres away.

The views from Mera Peak’s summit are among the best of all of the Himalayan Peaks. You’ll spend some time taking it all in before descending back down to Khare for a well-deserved round of celebratory drinks and rest.

This makes for a quicker return while also offering some fantastic views back to Mera Peak from a completely different angle.

Tonight you’ll stay in Chetera (4,100m), a small pastoral settlement by an enormous free-standing rock.

You then traverse the rocky outcrop of the Zatr Og before descending steeply down into the Sherpa populated Dudh Koshi Valley. You can expect to reach the tourist bustle of Lukla (2,840m) by late afternoon.

Tonight will be spent in a comfortable lodge in Lukla.

Enjoy the mountain views, and perhaps enjoy a short hike along the start of the trail Everest Base Camp, which leaves from the opposite side of Lukla to the trail to Mera Peak.

On arrival in Kathmandu, you will have the rest of the day to explore, go shopping, and visit the palaces and markets. An enduring favourite destination is the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or perhaps you might like to join the thousands of Hindus who journey in pilgrimage to Pashupatinath, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal. The day is for you to enjoy, relax and recover in this remarkable city.