Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport meet our staff with GA complimentary transport transfer to relevant Hotels, our guide will give you information of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, and related information that you might require while in Nepal with GA.
Day 02: Half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
In Kathmandu, half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest, as Kathmandu valley is rich in World’s Heritage Sites.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla 2,800m. 30 minutes flight.
An early morning start with a drive to domestic airport board as per the flight time board in the smaller twin otter or similar plane for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla, our trekking guides will receive you. Overnight in Lukla preparation for the trek and climb to Mera Peak, afternoon free for short hike and explore the Lukla town area.
Day 04: Trek to Chutanga 3,430m. 3 – 4 hrs walks.
First day trek an easy walk leading east, the path here is less visited than the other main trails to Namche from Lukla, walking through number of hamlets and wood yards until the trail reach the thick forest of silver fir, birch, pines and rhododendron trees and bushes on the hill side below Nau Lekh also known as Kalo Himal Ridge, on this portion follow the Sherpa or the group as there are many path leading away from the main trail. There are many small streams with numerous places for camp, whole of this area referred to as Chutanga which is a summer pasture. Our first campsite is pitched on the meadows with time for a short walk around.
Day 05: Rest day at Chutanga.
A necessary rest day for acclimatisation, before heading higher region and crossing of Zatrwa-la at 4,600m, a short hike can be done to stretch your leg and muscle walking up to a small peak at around 4,000m below the Zatrwa Teng Pass, which offers excellent views over the valley of Dudh Koshi, and also views of our route towards the Zatrwa-la.
Day 06: Trek to Tuli Kharka 4,300m. 6 – 7 hrs.
After a good rest day at Chutanga, adventure continues to a climb across the Kalo Himal Ridge in the Nau Lekh range which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. A steep climb brings to a cairned notch in the ridge with a collection of Buddhist prayer flags at 4,450m. This small pass is called Zatrwa Og, from here the path leads across a boulder slope, round a corner and climbs once again to the Zatrwa-La at 4,600meteres. In bad weather to find the path can be quite frustrating and misleading, in fine day view across the Dudh Kosi, Karyolung and the Lumding Himal are fantastic, the scenery across the rolling foothills of the Hinku Valley. From here hour downhill will bring to a large boulder which will be campsite for the overnight at Tuli Kharka.
Day 07: Trek to Mousum Kharka 3,430m. 3 – 4 hrs.
From Tuli Kharka, a short trek on the downhill slope, the path descends with superb scenery of Peak 43 and Kusum Kanguru and then coming to a fine vantage point of the Hinku Valley, with grand views of the South Face of Mera Peak entering the forest once again, the trail drops steeply into the Hinku Valley.
A pleasant walk leads through the forest full of tall Himalayan pine and rhododendron trees. We make our camp on the clearing known as Mosum Kharka by the Hinku Drangka River.
Day 08: Trek to Thagnag 4,360m. 5 hrs.
After Mousum Kharka, route follows the west bank of the Hinku Drangka northwards, leaving the forest as the valley widens and opens, coming to a pasture and small kharkas (shade of the Shepard’s) then walk leads to a small bridge to reach at Gondishung at 4,350m, a summer settlement of Tagnag with its huts and stone walled enclosures. Gondishung itself has a fascinating 200 year old gompa (monastery) beneath a great rock overhang, is a small Gompa with a buddha and several buddstava, prayer flags and number of crude mani walls. Trek continues for another hour passing beyond Lungsamba as the valley narrows between the flanks of Kusum Kangguru 6,369m to the west and the truncated far western peak of Mera 6,255m then finishing our today’s walk here at Thagnag, a settlement made by the yak herders. Now days there are several tea houses here to cater the needs of the local staffs and porters who accompany to Mera expeditions and beyond. Here with a rest day on this beautiful surrounding.
Day 09: Rest day for acclimatisation.
A rest day for acclimatisation and local hike in this wonderful setting surrounded by staggering mountains, Peak 43 rises to 6,769m altitude. Just north from the camp there is a huge moraine which is dammed with a beautiful glacial lake known as the Sabai Tsho, into which plummets the hanging Sabai Glacier well worth exploring to acclimatize well.
Day 10: Trek to Kharka or Mera Base Camp 5,000m. 4 – 5 hrs.
After a good time at Thagnag, today a short walk of 3 – 4 hours but will take it slowly acclimatizing and enjoying the surrounding scenery. Route follows a relatively good trail leading up across the moraine which dams the Charpatti Tal, and then reaching a high point lined with cairns overlooking the glacial lake after half hour climb. From here the path descends slightly turning to a ridge and crossing a sandy bowl to the steep stream that descends from Dig Kharka, proceeding on the right bank until after 45 minutes reaching large pasture of Dig Kharka, here cross the stream towards the walls of an old shelter. We will have a break here perhaps time for lunch, after Dig Kharka, walk leads to a steep climb for few minutes, passing a large bivouac stone and then contouring around the hillside reaching the stream once again, cross the stream at an obvious spots on large boulders. Following a trail for more than an hour across the boulder strewn hillside, reach Kharka for the overnight stop.
Day 11: At Mera Base Camp.
Another rest day for acclamatisation and local hike, there are some interesting hikes from Kharka, above the camp it is possible to climb 5,550m on a high moraine ridge for more good views of the Mera La and the route up the mountain.
Day 12: Trek to Mera High Camp 5,800m. 6 hrs.
From Kharka route leads towards south up the moraine and following the crest to the foot of the black, steep scree slope, the path zig zags its way up to the top, across a boulder strewn bowl to the lower tongue of the Mera Glacier after less than two hours hard walk from Khare. The route crosses the bowl and then climbs the ground to the right of the tongue to a large rock platform beside the glacier after another hour of careful walk. From here we must be on crampons for safety to climb the 30-35 degree ice for quarter of an hour to reach the plateau leading to Mera la. The trail are well marked,(unless there has been recent snowfall) the path weaves its way around and between the crevasses toward the Mera-la, from here its another hour to reach the pass, on reaching Mera-la after 3-4 hours of morning walk, continue trekking for another 3 hours to overnight high camp beneath Mera Peak, the first hour climb offers grand view of the northern peaks of Makalu, then Everest with cloud plume peeking over the massive black wall of Nuptse. Later coming near to High Camp view of Cho Oyu can be seen. On reaching at High Camp if the weather is favorable, panorama of Kanchenjunga comes into view at far east.
Day 13: At Mera Peak High Camp.
Another important rest day for acclamatisation and preparation for the climb.
Day 14: Climb of Mera 6,654m.
A bog day early before dawn for the summit of Mera, climbing first to the foot of the dome of the southern summit, to reach the main summit, descend the opposite side of the south summit and continue along the southern rim, which is sometimes corniced until it is possible to climb up and through the slope of the main summit, after 3-4 hours of hard climb to the summit, offering breathe taking scenery of the surrounding high snow capped peaks and feeling high on the highest spot of this extreme adventure. After a great moment of a life time retrace back on the 2-3 hours downhill path to camp-site on the Hongu side of the pass.
Day 15: Spare day in case of delay and bad weather.
This reserve day can be used on some other days back to Lukla or before the climb, depending upon the situation.
Day 16: Trek back to Thagnag.
Retrace the journey back the same way.
Day 17: Trek to Mousum Kharka.
Retrace the journey back the same way.
Day 18: Trek to Lukla.
Retrace the journey back the same path. Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walk to Lukla, you can walk at your own normal pace, leisurely and enjoying the lush green scenery around. On reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members.
Day 19: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu.
The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason, this scenic flight from Lukla takes about 30 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, GA office staff will receive and transfer you back to the Hotel.
Day 20: In Kathmandu.
Free day at leisure in Kathmandu; please inform GA staff for guide sight seeing at places of interest in Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur.
Day 21: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, Great Adventure Treks & Adventure staff will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from the high Himalayan country, Nepal.
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Mera Peak Climbing
