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 Paiya (Chutok)  (2,800m). 

Day-4: Pangkongma (2,846m) 

After crossing Paiya Khola, we turn off the main trade  route and join an older route, which climbs steeply to the  ridge-line overlooking Khare  Khola. Descending the opposite side to the ridge, we then contour along the hillside before climbing up to  the attractive farming village of Pangkongma  (2,846m). Many expedition members have been welcomed by the  villagers here, spending several pleasant hours warming themselves in front of an open fire in the enveloping and  welcoming atmosphere of the local's traditional Sherpa homes.       

Day-5:  Nashing Dingma (2,600m) 

With fine views  towards Takshindu monastery and Lamjura, we climb through thick rhododendron forest and bamboo leading on steep winding stairs  to Pangkongma La. From here, we have good views of the south  face of Mera with its twin peaks and of its neighbour . We then make a scenic descent with beautiful views  across the endless foothills rising from Hinku valley. This steep descent leads down to the wire rope bridge that spans Hinku Khola. A steep, strenuous climb on the opposite side leads to Nashing Dingma(2,600m). We stay here the night at the excellent campsite established by the Makalu National Park. 

 Day-6: Chalem  Kharka (3,600m)

Gaining height gradually through pasture and lush greenery, the trail steepens as its ascends to Surke La. It is possible to  take a nice, welcome cup of tea in a lodge just over the pass. Walking on, we eventually reach an attractive campsite  about 1km beyond Chalem Kharka (3,600m), set among fir trees  and rhododendron bushes.

Day-7: Chunbu Kharka (4,200m)

The day starts with a long ascent 900m/ 2,953 feet up hill to our high point of 4,500m/ 14,764 feet. Climbing the ridge, we emerge from the last traces of rhododendron and the terrain becomes more rugged. Passing  through high grazing country and crossing a small pass, we are treated to some excellent views of Kangchenjunga and  Jannu to the east. We then tackle endless rock stairs and climb to Panch Pokari and  then on to camp at Chunbu Kharka (4,200m). 

Day-8: Trek to Hinku Valley  and then Khote (3600m)

We ascend slowly passing through the forest. We find virtually no human settlement on the trail. This will be our longest trek, mostly downhill. We traverse several flats and spurs until we gain our first view of Mera Peak. From here the paths drop down to the isolated Hinku Valley. Aside from mountaineers, the Hinku Valley is sparsely populated and very pristine. We ascend a steep section of trail until we enter the forest, where a lunch break is taken. Eventually we descend into humid, bamboo forests, before turning north up along the west of Hinku River  towards Mera Peak. We slowly climb to Khote, also known as Mosom Kharka. 

Day-9: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-10: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-11: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-12: 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-13: 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-14: 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-15-16:Contingencies

Day-17-19: Over the course of the next 3 days, retrace our steps and drive back down to Lukla, camping overnight.    

Day-20: Flight: Lukla (2,840m) - Kathmandu (1,310m).

Day-21: Free at leisure to explore, and enjoy                              

Day-22: Final Departure.

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