Mera Peak Climb

MERA PEAK CLIMB ITINERARY 

Day-1: Arrival: Arrive Kathmandu

Day-2: Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.

Day-3: Drive Kathmandu to Rammechap. Flight to Lukla). Trek to Paiya (2,800m)

We drive away from Kathmandu around 02h00 for Rammechap to catch the flight to Lukla.  . If the sky is clear during our flight, we get our first views of Everest and the region in which we'll be trekking. The Twin Otter aircraft will take us to the hillside village of Lukla, the start of  our trek to Mera. Here we meet our staff and porters  and set off straight away for our first night at camp

Day-4: Lukla to Chutanga (3,450m)

Today is a relatively easy trek, through the woodlands above Lukla. A good trail leads through pastures into a forest of rhododendron and pine which covers the steep hillsides above Lukla. After 3 hours we reach Chutanga where we camp for 2 nights t an altitude of 3450m in order to acclimatise.   

Day-5: Chutanga 

This morning we take an acclimatisation trek up to around 4000m with views over the Dudh Khosi Valley and across to Zatwra La pass. We return to Chutanga. 

Day-6: Zatwra La Crossing (4320m) 

We start on a lengthy steep 1300m ascent to Zatwra Og then a short traverse the Zatwra La pass proper. If there is a lot of snow, you will need to make use of crampons to cross. At times there is the risk of avalanches. Once at the pass it is only a short steep descent to Tuli Kharka (which means big pasture. We camp above the Hinku valley. (4320m).

Day-7:Trek to Hinku Valley. Continue to Khote (3600m)

We ascend slowly passing through the jungle. We find virtually no human settlement on the trail. This will be one of our longest  treks mostly downhill. We traverse several flats and spurs until we gain our first view of Mera Peak. From here we drop down into the isolated Hinku Valley. Eventually we drop down into humid, bamboo forests, before turning north up along the west side of the Hinku River towards Mera Peak. We slowly ascend to Khote.                   

Day-8: Trek to Thangnak (4350m)

 We see amazing mountain views when we head north into the Hinku Valley. The trail gently climbs along the west bank of the Hinku River. Spectacular mountains, such as Kusum Kangari to the west and east is Mera Peak, will be in view throughout the morning.   Trekking onto the meadows on the western side of the Hinku Valley, we eventually climb above the tree line. Here we stop for lunch. Throughout the afternoon, we traverse meadows and hill slopes, dotted with grazing yaks,  until the settlement of Tangnak (4,350m, 14,268ft). If it's been a snowy season, the sound of avalanches will soon be familiar. We are approaching the heart of the high Himalaya.      

Day-9: Acclimatisation                  

We trek up above camp to around 5,000 metres for views across to Mera La and return to Tagnag.

Day-10: A second acclimatisation at Tagnag.

This is set aside for skills training particularly the techniques required for fixed lines and crevasse rescue. Camp.                   

Day-11:Trek to Khare (5100m)

 The climb takes us above 5,000 m (16,400ft). Our hike up to Khare (5,100m, 16,728ft) is short, if slowly, with frequent stops gives us time to soak up incredible surroundings. The trail heads eastward out of Tangnag, along the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier. We climb the moraine for a view of the pristine Sabai Tso glacial Lake.  We arrive at Khare in the early afternoon and have lunch. From Khare, the beautiful north face of Mera Peak appears in plain view and Mera glacier spills steeply down the valley.       

Day-12:Rest / Exploration for acclimatisation 

You can explore around or climb up for a few hours and come back to Base. The goal today will be do some technical training needed in preparation for moving higher on the mountain. Moving on a rope as a team is the most important part of moving on the glacier.                              

Day-13: Trek to Mera La (5400m)

Today is a short trekking distance, slowly ascending up onto Mera glacier. The climb is initially steep, but flattens out when we reach the crest of the glacier. We then traverse a long flat on top of the glacier making our way to the pass, called Mera La (5,400m, 17,710ft). From here, the views are stunning. Crevasse fields gently stretch out in front of the pass and we are literally enclosed by a ring of jagged peaks and blue-green glaciers. The remaining route up to the summit of Mera Peak is clearly visible. Lunch will be at Mera La and the afternoon spent relaxing and staying warm.         

Day-14: Continue to High Camp (5800m)

A short, steep climb takes us to High camp, but we take it very slowly so that we allow for altitude gains. At 5,800 m (19,025ft), high camp is nestled behind a large rock outcrop. We arrive here by lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing and further acclimatizing  and making preparations for the next day to get to the summit.    

Day-15: Summit Mera Peak (6,654 m) 

 We climb to the summit at 21,830 ft from where the views of Pumori (7,161 m) Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Lobuche (6,145 m) Cho Oyu (8,201 m) are spectacular. We depart high camp before dawn. The climb up to the higher northern summit is straight  forward, but will take 6-7 hours. The reward is  the world's most spectacular mountain views, including Everest and Lhotse just to the north, Cho Oyu to the northwest, and Kanchenjunga and Makalu on the eastern  side. We then make our way down to Mera La for lunch and to Khare to camp.                              

Day-16:Contingencies

Day-17: Hongu Valley 

We head up into the upper yak pastures of this incredibly remote valley. The giant flanks of Chamlang dominate on our left, and the spire of Baruntse comes into view beyond. The terrain is remarkably barren   with a wide valley floor. 

Day-18: Panch Pokhari - 5400m. 

We pass beneath the giant west face of Chamlang we follow the Hongu Khola and finally the Hongu Glacier to the holy site of Panch Pokhri (five lakes). Camp.      

Day-19: A rest day. 

The guides and Sherpas ascend the Amphu Lapcha to establish fixed lines and prepare the pass for tomorrow's crossing.  

Day-20: Amphu Lapcha Crosssing - Chukkung.

This is a long technically difficult trek. Starting from the south base of Amphu Lapcha, we start an early morning climb. The climb involves steep sections on rock and ice. It is better  to tackle the pass early in the morning when the snow is stable. We use climbing ropes wherever necessary. The last sections to climb to Amphu Lapcha winds up through snow shelves. On the other side, a steep descent awaits to be endeavored  on fixed lines leading down to the moraine. We then continue down the Imja valley on the other side to the small village of Chukkung.  

Day-21: Deboche 3710m

Our descent down the valley will be long as we ascend and descend over small passes Dingboche to the main Khumbu Valley, through the village of Pangboche to tonights stop at Deboche.  

Day-22: Namche Bazaar (3440m). 

We then climb up to Tengboche where we stop for a visit to the Monastery and then descend to Pungi Tanga and climb up to Namche  Bazaar. Namche is the largest Sherpa village  and is the unofficial capital of the Khumbu, gateway to the high Himalayas. This relatively small town is a bustling tourist zone and  trading hub literally is perched on a sloping hill. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, from Thamserku to Kongde Ri.

Day-23:Lukla

 Our final days trekking following the Dudh Khosi mostly downhill but with a last climb up to Lukla. We say goodbye to our support crew in traditional style. Overnight Lodge.   

Day-24:Flight: Lukla - Rammechap. Drive to Kathmandu (1,310m). 

 Hotel Overnight (B) 

Day-25: Free at leisure   

Day-26: Final Departure.                   

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