Mera Peak Climbing

A full-day guided tour around Kathmandu city's historical and cultural landmarks. Visit Bouddhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, the most important sites of Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal. Catch the playful antics of the monkeys and beautiful city views at Swayambhunath temple. Get lost in Kathmandu's old city bazaars, public squares, and former royal palaces at Durbar Square.

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the Kathmandu domestic airport for the early morning flight to Lukla. This flight is really going to be spectacular beginning to the trek as you fly over the rolling foothills of Nepal with the huge Himalayan peaks visible to the north. After arriving at Lukla, we will meet our trek crew and porters and then start trekking to Puiyan.

After 45 minutes, we turn off the main Jiri to Namche trade route and then ascend on a quieter trail to Khari La. From this pass, there are good views up the Dudh Koshi valley towards Namche Bazaar and Mount Khumbila. After having lunch, we start contouring through oak forest towards the east before climbing steadily up to the Sherpa village of Pangom.

From Pangom, we walk through rhododendron forest and bamboo up to Pangom La where we get our first view of the impressive Mera Peak. After the pass, we descend to Shibuche Village and then drop steeply on a loose trail to a suspension bridge crossing the Hinku bridge. After lunch, we have a sustained climb to our campsite at Nashing Dingma normally taking further 2-3 hours.

From Nashing Dingma, it takes about one and half hours to climb over Surke La. Then only another hour until lunch, as there is not water available further along the ridge. After lunch, the trail follows Surkhe Danda ridge covered in bamboo and rhododendron with beautiful views looking out to the hills east of the Hongu valley. Finally, we will reach at Chalem Kharka.

To aid our acclimatization, we spend two nights at Chalem Kharka. You also can explore around that area.

Today, we retrace yesterday’s trail and then carry on further hour and a half to the second pass. It is a short descent taking 20 minutes to the stunning Panch Pokhari lakes where we usually eat our pack lunches while enjoying the view of this magnificent place. We finally reach at Chunbu Kharka and stay there at the camp.

There is a steep climb out of our camp to gain a ridge. Then from here the trail contours high above the Hinku River. Trekking poles are essential for today’s walk as the trail is steep in places and can be icy due to its northern aspect. After a long walk and lunch, we cross the Hinku River Bridge to reach Kote where there are a number of lodges.

Today, it feels like you are entering into the high mountains of the Himalaya for the first time rather than seeing them from distance as on the trek so far. There are superb views of Kyashar and Kusum Karguru. Finally, we reach at Tagnag.

To aid our acclimatization, we spend two nights at Tagnag.

On leaving Tagnag, we cross the boulders left behind when Sabai Tsho glacial lake burst in 1998 during GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood). After about one hour walk from Tagnag, it is worth walking over to see Sabai Tsho as this is only a short detour from the main trail. Finally, we reach at Khare.

To aid our acclimatization, we spend two nights at Khare. For those, who would like to practice skills needed for glacial travel, we will organize a session on the glacial above Khare. Alternatively, you can go for a day walk and explore the area to the north of camp towards Kangtega.

Leaving Khare, we ascend a moraine ridge, then followed by a scree slope to arrive at a small tea shop, this normally takes one and a half hours walking. It is a further half hour to reach the snout of the glacial where we gear up putting on crampons and harness. Then, we follow all the way to the Mera La.

From our camp, we ascend back to Mera La taking half an hour or so then our route turns left and following easy angled snow slopes. As you climb higher, the Himalayan vista opens up. We will enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Makalu to the east. Higher, you see Mount Everest and finally shortly before arriving to High Camp, you will see Mount Kanchenjunga.

Today, we will climb to Mera peak Summit and then trek back to Khare. Overnight we will say at the camp here.

This spare day could be used for a second summit attempt if poor weather and conditions were experienced yesterday. This is also a buffer day in case of any other delays experienced along the way such as Lukla flight. We will stay overnight at our camp.

Today, we retrace our route back to Kote. It takes two hours to walk to Tagnag then a further two hours to lunch. Then, afterwards, it takes a further and then two and half hours to Kote. Overnight, we will stay at our camp.

Coming out of Kote, we follow Hinku River downstream for a while before ascending to our lunch place at Tattor. After lunch, we climb through blue pine forest. Then, rhododendron followed by a long undulating traverse to reach our camping place at Thuli Kharka. Overnight, we will stay at our camp.

There is a steep ascent from Thuli Kharka to the first pass Zatra Og, normally taking an hour and half followed by a traverse to the second pass Zatra La taking a further 40 minutes. Finally, the trail will take us to Lukla through forests and then cultivated farmlands.

If the weather is fine, then hopefully we will get an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arriving at Kathmandu, you can explore around the city and enjoy.

A Cold Feet representative will accompany you to the airport to catch your returning flight. We hope to see you again soon!