Mera Peak Climbing – 18 days

The flight into Nepal is majestic, with views of endless Himalayas. Once you land in Kathmandu, a representative from Female Guide Kathmandu will meet you and drive you to your hotel and assist you in check-in. After a brief rest head out and take a stroll around Thamel, a lively tourist hub. Later in the evening join in for a special welcome dinner and cultural show at an authentic Nepalese restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Head out on a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu valley, and visit various ancient temples, monasteries other landmarks listed on the UNESCO world heritage site. Stroll around narrow alleyways and streets of the valley and witness the true culture and lifestyle of the region. In the evening join in for a short briefing with your guide about the trek and climbing. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Duration: 35 minutes flight, Walking Distance: 5-6 hours Catch an early flight to Lukla from the domestic airport of Kathmandu. The Tenzing–Hillary Airport in Lukla lies on a high plateau, surrounded by steep hills. Once you land at Lukla, your trek officially starts. From Lukla head to the southern trail towards Paiya. The trail descends towards Surkye and climbs up towards a mountain pass of Chutok La. Following the trail, you will eventually reach the settlement of Paiya. Overnight in Paiya.

Walking Distance: 6-7 hours After an early breakfast head towards the trail. The trail takes you across lush agriculture belts, terrace fields, and dense woodlands of sub-tropical jungles. As, you progress on the trail cross Paiya Khola over a wooden bridge and ascend towards Khari La, a mountain pass. Follow the trail and ascent past the deep wilderness of rhododendron and bamboo. Along the way enjoy views of the variant Dudh Koshi Valley. Emerging out of the deep wilderness you will reach the isolated settlement of Panggom. Overnight in Panggom.

Walking Distance: 5-6 hours Today you will be trekking towards Ramailo Danda via Ningsow. The trail takes you across impenetrable woodlands of varieties of rhododendron and bamboo. Following the trail, you will come across a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,174 meters Pankongma La. As, you progress on the trail you will come upon a junction separating the Dudh Koshi River Valley and Hingku Valley. Head towards the Hingku Valley this section of trail is filled with majestic views of Kongde, Manju Peak, and Numbur Himal. Following the trail, you will descend towards the settlement of Ningsow. At, Ningsow after a stop for lunch break head towards Ramailo Danda. As you approach Ramailo Danda, enjoy the first view of Mera Peak and other Himalayan giants. Overnight in Ramailo Danda.

Walking Distance: 4-5 hours Today you will traverse the mysterious and deep wilderness of the Makalu Barun National Park. The national park is the world’s only protected area with a tropical forest as well as snowcapped mountains with an elevation gain of 8000 meters. The park is home to unique biodiversity, and you may come across red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan Tahr, and musk deer so keep an eye out. This section of the trail has no tea houses, so you will be having a packed lunch today. Following the Pasang Lhamu trail, which is named after the first Nepalese female mountaineer, to scale Mount Everest, you will reach the settlement of Chhatra Khola. Overnight in Chhatra Khola.

Walking Distance: 6-7 hours Today you will be traversing the banks of the Majhang Khola, after crossing the river the trail takes you alongside the Hinku Khola. Following the trail, you will eventually reach a bridge and cross the Hinku river next after a short walk you will reach the settlement of Kothe. Overnight in Kothe.

Walking Distance: 3-4 hours After breakfast, head onto the trail towards the Upper Hinku valley. This section of the trail is filled with majestic views of Mera Peak, Kusum Kanguru, Charpati Himal, and Thamserku. As you gain altitude the tree line disappears and the terrain changes into alpine topography. Progressing on the trail you will reach high alpine pasture lands for yaks known as Kharkas.. After crossing the Kharkas you will reach the settlement of Gondishung. A brief stop for refreshments and head into the trail again. En-route visit the ancient 200 years old Lungsumgba Gompa. At the Gompa attend a ritual for safe climbing of Mera peak. After a brief stop head into the trail again towards Thaknak, a summer camp used by yak herders. The settlement of Thaknak has few tea houses providing basic amenities. After check-in at your tea house head out to explore the region. The Charpati Himal looms close offering a view of the entire mountain. Overnight in Thaknak.

Walking Distance: 2-3 hours Head towards Khare today, the trek is short, but you will be traversing at high altitude so take slow. Following the trail ascend towards the Dig Glacier and past the Charpati Tal, a glacial lake. The path takes you down the glacier towards Dig Kharka, another Himalayan pastureland with views of the Kyeshar glacier, Charpati Himal and Mera Peak. Next head towards Khare traversing across the Hinku Nup and Shar glaciers. Mera Peak Base Camp locally is known as Khare and has a close-up view of the north face of Mera Peak. Once you reach the settlement rest and later on explore the area. Overnight in Khare.

Today is your acclimatization day. Due to thin air at higher elevations, proper acclimatization is very crucial. The area has various points ideal for acclimatization hikes. After the hike, attend the pre-climbing training. Organize your gears, and the climbing guide will demonstrate the proper use of a harness, ascender, carabiner, rappel device, ice axe, etc. As part of the training session, you will have to climb up and descend using ropes. This pre-climb training is critical, especially for first-time climbers, as it will increase their confidence. After training head towards your tent and rest as tomorrow you will have to wake early. Overnight in Khare.

Walking Distance: 5-6 hours Leave Khare early in the morning after breakfast, following the arid rocky trail. This section of the trail presents you with majestic views of all the three summits of Mera Peak. Mera North at an elevation of 6,476 meters, Mera Central at 6,461 meters, and Mera South at 6,065 meters, you will be summiting the Mera Central. Follow the trail and cross the Mera glacier moraine and rugged terrain with loose rocks and boulders. As you traverse the trail you will reach Mera Peak high camp. As your walk over 5000 meters take it slow and have frequent rest. Once you reach the Mera High Camp, head towards your tent and rest. After some refreshments head out and witness majestic views of the world's five highest peaks Mount Everest stands tall at an elevation of 8,848 meters, Kanchenjunga at 8,586 meters, and Lhotse at 8,516 meters, Cho Oyu at 8,188 meters, and Makalu at 8,485 meters. Also witness views of other snowy peaks including Baruntse (7,129m), Gaurishanker (7,134m), and Chamlang (7,319m). After soaking in the views of the mountains head towards your tent and rest as tomorrow you have to start early. Camping at Mera High Camp.

Walking Distance: 10-12 hours Wake up around 1 AM and make an early start by 2 AM or earlier. It is very vital to start early at high elevation the weather deteriorates as the day progresses. Follow your climbing guide's instructions and ready all your gears. The trail takes you across an open glacier secured by a rope line. The trail is not too technical except for the altitude so take it slow and have frequent rest. On the last section of the trail, you will have to use a jumar and fixed ropes. Once you reach the summit witness panoramic views of snowy mountain peaks. Mount Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,481m), and Cho Oyu (8,201m) are five of the world's highest peaks and endless other mountain peaks. After a brief stop retraces your steps back to high camp, where you will stop for lunch, and back towards Khare. Once you reach Khare celebrate your success with your team. Overnight in Khare.

If your summit attempt on Day 12 is called off due to weather conditions or lack of proper fitness, this extra day has been set aside for summiting, this day can also be used in the case of an emergency, such as flight delays or cancellations and other unanticipated situations. If all goes according to plan, the additional day may be used to take it easy and explore more of the path. Alternatively, you might spend the additional day tour in Kathmandu.

Walking Distance: 4-5 hours Head towards Kothe today, this section of trail is covered with dense woodlands of sub-tropical forest and miles of undergrowth. Oaks, mixture of conifers, varieties of rhododendron, bamboo with ferns, orchids, and moss-draped trees. Traverse across the dense jungle and reach the settlement of Kothe. Overnight in Kothe.

Walking Distance: 6-7 hours Follow the trail on the western part of the Hinku Valley ascending through dense woodlands and get a sense of the scale and beauty of the old-growth forest. Emerging back out of the forest you will eventually reach Thuli Kharka. The settlement is a summer camp used by yak herders and has several new tea houses once you reach here head out and explore the area if you’re not too tired. Overnight in Thuli Kharka.

Walking Distance: 5-6 hours Today leave Thuli Kharka and cross a pass at 4,600 meters of Zatrwa La. From the summit of the pass witness a different view of the trail that you have been traversing and the entire Lukla village, Numbur Himal, Dudh Kunda, Kongde, Khumbila, and Hinku Valley. A steep descent from the pass crossing sections of the sub-tropical forest will bring you to Lukla. Once you get to Lukla head towards your tea house. After refreshment head out to explore the region and later celebrate your last night in the mountains with your climbing team. Overnight in Lukla.

Duration: 35 minutes flight Wake up early and witness the view at dawn, after breakfast head towards the Lukla airstrip. On the flight towards Kathmandu witness the grand view of the snowy mountains and lush deep wilderness. Once you land in Kathmandu head towards your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy, take a stroll around the valley or go souvenir shopping. In the evening join in for a special farewell dinner program to mark the success of your trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today after breakfast, our staff will drop you off at the airport, and bid farewell to your newfound friends as well as Nepal. NOTE: All of the trekking hours and distances mentioned above are estimates and should only be used as a general guideline.