An Expedition to Mera Peak

Trip Overview

Rewarding and challenging at the same time, Mera Peak at 6461 meters offers unbeatable views of five of the six world’s highest peaks– Mt. Everest (8848m) (1st), Kanchenjunga (8586m) (3rd), Lhotse (8516m) (4th), Makalu (8463m) (5th), Cho-Oyu (8201m) (6th). Imagine that – a window to the world’s highest peaks from atop another peak.  Offering one of the most spectacular views, Mera Peak, a trekking peak lies in Baruntse National Park – one of Nepal’s most pristine national parks with diversified landscapes.  
Travel through an era as if forgotten by mankind as we traverse through landscapes that change with each passing day.  Begin your trek from Lukla and pass through remote and alpine areas of the Hinku and Honku Dragkas –juniper and rhododendron thickets, hemlock and silver fir forests, to faintly arid valleys to wide expanses of snow.  Pristine views of the Himalayas as we steadily make way atop Mera Peak. 

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival: TIA, Kathmandu
Overnight: Hotel
Arrival in Kathmandu, met by a Khempalung Adventure representative and hotel transfer. Relax the rest of the day. 

Day 2

Am: Sightseeing (optional) PM: Trek Briefing/Last minute essentials purchase
Overnight: Hotel
The day is required for us to procure necessary permits and other legal documentations to grant guests permission to climb a peak in Nepal. 

In the meantime: 

AM: Tour Kathmandu valley and travel through time as you visit UNESCO Heritage sites like the Durbar Squares and Swayambhu Temple.

PM: Briefing about the trek and allow time for last minute purchases of necessary equipments. 

Day 3

Flight: Lukla, Hike to Paiya (2800m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 4 ½ hours.
Enjoy a short yet a spectacular flight to Lukla – watch snowcapped mountains, winding rivers, and beautiful valleys en route. Meet with Sherpa companions/porters at Lukla and take a short break before beginning trek. 

Begin trek: head south and enter Makalu Barun National Park. Sharp descend towards Dudh Koshi (  gushing river with its source at the Himalayas). Observe Sherpas carry gravity defying goods making their way up to Namche Bazaar – a bustling town along in the region. Reach Surkey, two hours ascent, alluring glimpses of Cho Oyu. Lunch, and walk along rhododendron forests, awash in red and pink during spring. Reach Paiya, be greeted with tea. 

Day 4

Pangkongma (2846m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours. 
Cross Poyan Khola and turn off the main trade route and pursue an older route. Steep climb to the ridge-line overlooking Khare Khola; descend the other side of the ridge. Contour along the hillside before climbing steadily up to the farming and trading village of Pangkongma.

Tents allocated and tea served upon arrival. 

Day 5

Nashing Dingma (2963m)
Dinner and overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 5 ½ – 6 hours.
Steep climb through bamboo and rhododendron forests with views of Numbur and Kongde peaks behind us.  Reach a pass to catch our first glimpse of Mera’s impressive south face. Long and steep descent towards the valley. Lunch, cross a suspension bridge across the Hinku River and a 2 hour climb up east side of the valley to Nashing Dingma. 

Day 6

Chholem (3600m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 6 – 6 ½ hours.  
Prominent characters of the first part of the trek are the continuous uphill and downhill – which we do so again today. Trail becomes steeper as we approach Surkye La (3,060m) a pass that offers us a taste of the altitude ahead of us. Continue ascent to Chholem Kharka, a summer pasture for cattle. Late lunch and those who wish can walk up to the surrounding ridges to take in the view. 

Day 7

Khola Kharka (4270m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge    Trek Duration: 6 ½ hours. 
Mark contrast in landscape as we leave prominent lines of trees and make way to shrubby and rocky topography. In this land Sherpa’s only herd their cattle during the summer months. Although a bit short, the day’s trek is a little strenuous with steep climbs and several ridges. Begin ascent along stone steps to reach the first col (the lowest point on a mountain ridge between two peaks) and head further up to a second col (4,300m). On a clear day, we will be able to see stunning and dazzling views of Kanchenjunga and its pointed neighbor Jannu which is in eastern India.

Descend from second col and reach the beautiful and holy lakes at Panchpokhari. A short way past the lakes we reach Khola Kharka. 

Day 8

Kote (3550m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge    Trek Duration: 5 – 6 hours. 
No lodges’ en route today, thus necessary to carry snacks and plenty of water as lunch will be late. Short but steep climb up Khola Kharka to reach a spot with prayer flags. Around the corner, catch some great views of Numbur, Pike Peak and the Lamjura Pass. The route contours around the hillside following a steep descent to Mojang Khola. Cross the river, further descent to Hinku Khola. Follow an undulated trail to reach a bridge to cross the roaring Hinku Khola. Late lunch, after which free to explore the village. 

Day 9

Tangnag (4,300m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 3 ½ – 4 hours.
Following the rocky riverbed upstream, we are reminded of the damage the glacial dam break at Sabai Tsho Lake caused in 1998. Further up, we join the Mera trail. We walk along meadows dotted with dwarf junipers and approach the village of Tangnag – a deep valley created by the towering walls of Kusum Kanguru and the western peak of Mera. 

Day 10

Acclimatization
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 3 – 3 ½ hours.  
Before proceeding to any higher altitude, to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), it is essentially we let our bodies acclimatize. We walk up to 5,000m to catch astounding and awe inspiring views of Kusum Kanguru, Chamlang and the Mera La. 

Return to camp for lunch. After lunch, a gear check and compulsory abseil training. 

Day 10

Acclimatization
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 3 – 3 ½ hours.  
Before proceeding to any higher altitude, to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), it is essentially we let our bodies acclimatize. We walk up to 5,000m to catch astounding and awe inspiring views of Kusum Kanguru, Chamlang and the Mera La. 

Return to camp for lunch. After lunch, a gear check and compulsory abseil training. 

Day 11

Khare (5045m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 3 – 4 hours.
Follow the later moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka – spectacular views of Charpate Himal. Climb the trail through moraines to the snout of Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers. A steeper climb follows as we make way to our camping site – Khare. Now, Khare is something out of the world – the memories of camping at Khare will last a lifetime. Watch the beautiful North face of Mera Peak from Khare – up so close you will feel are in the lap of the Himalayas. 

Note: Some porters will head back to Tangnag in pursuit of a more hospitable climate and will await our return. 

Day 12

Acclimatization & Ice Axe/Crampon Training
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge
We take a day to allow our bodies to acclimatize before pursuing higher altitudes. In the meanwhile, we walk up to the glacier towards Mera La and practice our ice axe and crampon skills, learn rope techniques and the use of jumar. 

Day 13

High Camp (5780m)
Dinner and Overnight: Camp       Duration of Trek: 7 ½ hours 
Head towards Mera Glacier and head up to a rocky outcrop to establish High Camp at 5,800m. Members of group not summiting the peak are also welcome to watch the progress and of course watch stunning views of five of the world’s six highest mountains – Kanchenjunga in the east to Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Cho Oyu in the west. 

Evening: Final check of gear, prepare clothes for the next day’s climb. Watch the sunset and retire early for the climb the next day. 

Note: Because camping space at High Camp is extremely limited, a tent will be shared by 3 people. A dining tent will not be erected and food will be served in your tents. 

Day 14

Summit Mera Peak & back to Khare
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 8 ½ – 9 ½ hours. 
The day has arrived and it starts early – 2 or 2:30 a.m. We will set off roped up, carrying our ice axe, strapped on crampons, and in teams. We ascent the wide and open glacier and avoid the few crevasses. Although not a steep terrain, we walk slowly due to the altitude. As dawn sets in, the trail becomes steep giving way to an easier path. The last 50 meters is the steepest – we rest while the Sherpas fix a safety rope. We climb slowly with the help of the jammer. 

Lo and behold, you are atop Mera Peak- Incredible, spectacular, stunning, dazzling, all the adjectives fall short to describe the view – after all it is nature’s treat and offered only to those who have worked to reach the top. Watch uninterrupted views of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu and several other Himalayan peaks and glaciers. Take in the heavenly sight, relish in your accomplishment and slowly head down, carefully as we need to avoid the crevasses. Cross high camp, reach base camp, and settle for the night at Khare. 

Day 15

Contingency Day
Dinner and Overnight: Camp/ Lodge
Allow for contingencies such as bad weather, illness of a team member, etc. 

Day 16

Khote
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 5 ½ hours.
Retrace our steps down the valley of Khote and enjoy a beer (chilled of course) and allow our muscles to relax to the yesterday's exertions.

Day 17

Chatrabuk (4,270m)
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Duration of Trek: 5 – 5 ½ hours
An uphill trek through lush rhododendron (Nepal’s national flower and found only in high altitude areas) forests on the west side of the Hinku Valley to Thulu Kharka.  Chatrabuk offers exceptional views of Mera North, Mera Central and South Face. 

Day 18

Lukla
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge     Trek Duration: 6 ½ – 7 ½ hours. 
Today we reach the point where we started our trek a few days ago. Early on we ascend to Zatrwa La Pass and upon crossing it are welcomed by the beautiful Lukla Valley wit tantalizing views of Cho Oyu, Kongde Peak, Numbur Himal, Kusum Kangru and other Himalayan peaks in the backdrop – painting a perfect picture of Nepal. 

Enjoy dinner with our lovely companions in the evening. 

Day 19

Flight: Lukla to Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
We are sad to leave the laps of the mountains, yet exhilarated with a sense of accomplishment. We board a flight back to Kathmandu Valley, modern day civilization after weeks in the mountain side. Free to explore Kathmandu the rest of the day. 

Day 20

Kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
The day is for you to tour around Kathmandu or get a good day’s rest. 

Day 21

Departure
Transfer to airport, check into TIA for onward journey. 

Catch a last glimpse of the slipping Himalayas, say a small goodbye, and be surprised at the amount of times, the places will reappear in your dreams. 

Trip Facts

Best Period: Feb, Mar, April, May – Oct, Nov, Dec

Time Period: 20 Nights / 21 Days.

Trek Period: 16 Night / 17 Days

In Kathmandu: 04 Nights

Flights: 2 Ways. (Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu)

Trek Type: Strenuous

Highest Altitude: 6461 meters

Warning: Altitude Sickness.

Trek Start /End Point: Lukla

Accommodations:     Hotels in Kathmandu. Camping when climbing & Lodge on trek.

Features

National Park: Makhalu Barun National Park (2330 sq. kms)

Mountains: Mera peak, Naulekh, Peak 41, Hunku

Rivers: Bhote Kosi, Inkhu Khola, Cherem Khola, Changbu Khola, Sanu Khola.

Villages: Lukla, Pangkoma, Nashing Dingma etc.

Tribes: Mostly Sherpas & Tibetans 

Forest: Of Rhododendron and Pine. 

Landscapes: Varying from temperate valleys to snow clad mountains

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