Mera Peak Climbing - 17 Days

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative from Outfitter Nepal will be waiting outside the Terminal. They will be holding a playcard with your name on it. After a warm exchange of greetings, you will be escorted to a private vehicle, which will transfer you to a designated hotel. Once you check in, you can freshen up and visit the vibrant Thamel Bazaar, the tourist hub of Nepal.

Note: Check your packing list and ensure you have everything needed for the trek and climb ahead. If you are missing any gears or equipment, we will assist you in buying or renting them from a trekking shop in Thamel.

Today you're boarding a short domestic flight to Lukla. It's a heart-pounding, 40-minute scenic aerial ride. Throughout the flight, you get jaw-dropping views of snow-capped giants, rivers, lush forests, terraced hillsides, and villages. Have your camera or phone ready because the first glimpses of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu above the clouds are just magical.

Once you land at the legendary Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla—famous for its short, steep runway—it's time to hit the trail toward Everest. You'll wander through thick, shady forests, cross a swaying suspension bridge to reach Surke at around 2,290 meters.

The trail then leads you to Chutok La Pass (2,945 m) before dropping down to Paiya, also known as Chutok, at about 2,730 meters. From your teahouse in Paiya, enjoy stunning panoramas of Kongde Ri, Khatang, Tang Ragi Tu, and other peaks in the evening.

Tips: Walk slowly and deliberately on downhill sections, using your trekking poles for balance.

The day starts with a short descent from Paiya, crossing a small wooden bridge over a stream, but then quickly begins the most sustained ascent of the day. The path is often rocky, root-filled, and can be quite slippery. You'll move through dense, lush rhododendron, bamboo, and pine forests. As you gain altitude, the climb to Kari La Pass can feel demanding, but the moment you reach the top, the effort is instantly rewarded.

You'll be treated to a majestic panorama of the surrounding hills and, on a clear day, stunning views of peaks like Dudh Kund Himal and the vast expanse of the Dudh Koshi River Valley. From the pass, it's an easier, refreshing walk down into our destination. We will then gradually descend to the charming, traditional Sherpa village of Panggom (2,846 m/9,338 ft).

Tip: To prevent chafing and blisters, make sure your socks are clean and dry.

We start the day with a focused, steady climb out of Panggom and head toward the Panggom La Pass. This climb is your second significant pass crossing, and it’s a brilliant physical workout that continues the critical process of acclimatisation. After making it past the crossing, the rest of the day is a steady descent to the small settlement of Ningsow.

We'll follow a rock-strewn trail and cross the Peseng Kharka Khola stream on a small wooden bridge. The route is rugged and uneven, demanding concentration and careful footing. Ningsow itself is a very small, basic community, and staying here gives you a genuine experience of Himalayan hospitality in a remote location.

The hike starts with a steady descent through forests, crossing several streams and rivulets. You’ll notice the path becoming increasingly remote, with fewer signs of human settlement. Eventually, you will make your way up to Ramailo Danda; from here, you will get extraordinary views of Mera Peak and Salpa.

The second half of the day involves a noticeable change as we eventually reach the main trail coming from the Taksindu/Ringmo area (the traditional route from Jiri). Moving on, you will enter the Makalu Barun National Park and follow the Pasang Lhamu trail to Chhatra Khola. It is a small cluster of teahouses and lodges located by a river.

Note: Remember to keep fueling yourself with snacks like nuts or energy bars, and stay hydrated.

The hike begins early as we follow a trail close to the Majang Khola (river), which leads to a trail alongside the Hinku Khola. Our trails then lead towards Tashing Ongma (3,530 m), where we can have a break for refreshment before heading towards Sanu Khola.

Following the river downstream brings you to the cluster of lodges at Kothe. The small settlement is surrounded by massive cliff walls and alpine forests. In the evenings, the temperature drops dramatically. So, be ready to layer up immediately upon arrival to keep yourself warm and comfortable.

Today, you will be crossing the 4,000-meter threshold and entering the true alpine zone of the Hinku Valley. The focus today will be on covering distance and more on achieving safe altitude gain while allowing your body to acclimate. The path ahead is generally flat and steady, winding past summer pastures (kharkas). In the afternoon, we will be having lunch at Gondishung, the summer herders' settlement on the west bank of the Hinku Drangka.

After we leave Gondishung, we arrive at a 200-year-old Lungsumgba Gompa. This sacred site is etched with ancient rock carvings, including an image of Mera Peak itself and inscriptions detailing the traditional climbing route. After exploring the Gompa, we will resume our hike towards Thaknak, a small settlement consisting of sturdy stone-built lodges located below the Dig Glacier.

Tip: Take a moment to spin the prayer wheels and absorb the spiritual energy of this place. It’s a moment of reflection on your commitment to the mountain journey.

This is a short but visually pleasing hike as you leave the river valley and head onto the moraine with spectacular views of Charpate Himal. The hike takes you along an initial path to the vast Dig Glacier, where you will walk on loose rock and scree, requiring careful footing and navigation.

As you hike, you'll walk parallel to the moraine wall, eventually gaining a vantage point high above the Hinku Khola. From here, you will have incredible views of massive snow-peaked mountains surrounding you. Moving on, you will navigate the glacial water channels and rocky landscapes. The trail climbs through moraines to the snouts of the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers, then steepens to Khare.

Reaching Khare is an immense emotional and physical achievement, as you've passed the 5,000-meter mark, a significant milestone for anyone trekking in the Himalayas. At Khare, we suggest that you rest, replenish, and hydrate yourself as your body needs to recover.

You've now reached 5,045 meters, a significant altitude at which your body needs time to adjust. Today is about staying active but at a slow pace, allowing your body to adapt to the increased elevation and atmospheric pressure. The morning is devoted to practical, hands-on training on a nearby slope, right outside Khare.

Your expert guides will teach the basics of the core mountaineering techniques you absolutely need for the summit push. The training includes walking in crampons, using the ice axe, and rope techniques. Today is invested in your safety as you practice the required skills, and allow maximum acclimatisation by remaining physically active.

Tip: We will review your boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, and ropes to make sure they are safe, sturdy, and reliable.

Before leaving the teahouse/lodge at Khare, we have to put on crampons to walk on thick layers of snow and icy terrain. The first section of today’s ascent begins with a steep climb up the moraine ridge out of Khare. This initial rocky ascent is tough and physically demanding. Once you reach the top of the ridge, you’ll step onto the Mera La pass (5,400m).

From here, the ascent across the lower glacier slopes is moderate but involves sustained snow climbing. The oxygen level is significantly low at this altitude, so you will need to maintain a steady pace and take frequent breaks to reach Mera High Camp. You will spend the night in a tent, which, although not luxurious, offers unparalleled mountain views. You will have a 360-degree panorama of five of the world's six highest mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kanchenjunga.

Tip: Lay out your summit gear, including boots, headlamp, batteries, gloves, and water, inside your sleeping bag liner to prevent them from freezing overnight.

Today is a demanding day for both body and mind as you conquer Nepal's highest trekking peak. You wake before dawn, around 1:00 AM, for a quick, essential breakfast of tea, energy bars, or oatmeal. Climbing starts at 2:00 AM. The first hours are spent moving slowly and methodically across the upper glacier's snowfields.

It takes us around 4-6 hours to set foot on the summit of Mera Peak. The climb is slow and gradual, and we will use ropes to maintain our pace and ensure safety as we cross crevasses. The final section is the steepest challenge; a short but exhilarating final pitch of snow and ice right before the summit ridge. This section will be equipped with a fixed rope by your guides, and you will pull yourself up the last slope using ascenders.

Finally, you will reach the top of Mera, experiencing a profound sense of achievement and adrenaline. You are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the 4 highest mountains on earth, such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu, along with several other mountains around the region. After spending some time at the summit, we will then descend back to High Camp and Khare.

The descent is long and requires the same level of focus as the climb. We retrace our steps back to High Camp, briefly break camp, and then continue the long descent down the moraine to Khare (5,045m).

Guide Tip: We will spend no more than 30 minutes on the summit because the wind is extremely cold.

If you completed the summit yesterday, today is a well-earned day of deep, restorative rest. On the other hand, if the summit push was delayed due to bad weather, difficult snow conditions, or a team member’s minor health issue, then today becomes your crucial second window.

The goal today is to descend to a lower altitude to aid your body’s full recovery. We begin by retracing the spectacular path we took to reach Khare. The route descends the moraine from Khare; be careful, as the path is strewn with loose rock and uneven terrain.

Moving on, you will follow the Hinku Khola towards Thaknak and pass through the Lungsumgba Gompa. Finally, by late afternoon, you will arrive at Kothe village, where you will be welcomed by dense rhododendrons and pine forests surrounding the village.

Expert Tip: Use your trekking poles as shock absorbers and keep a steady pace as you descend the steep slope.

The day starts by tracing the western side of the Hinku Valley. The trail then ascends, crosses several tributaries, and passes a Buddhist Chorten. Moving ahead, the hike leads you past settlements like Gondishung (4,180m), Mosom Kharka (3,691m), Tashing Ongma (3,530m) and Tashing Dingma (4,010m). The hike today ends at Thuli Kharka, where you will have a hearty meal at a teahouse and stay for the night.

Today involves a challenging crossing of Zatrwa La Pass and marks the end of your high-altitude journey in the Everest region. The top of the pass is adorned with colourful prayer flags and offers a breathtaking panorama of Mt. Cho Oyu, Kongde Ri, Karyolang Peak, Mt. Kusum Kanguru, and Khatang.

After leaving the pass, the trail drops steeply down into a thick rhododendron and pine forest, passing through small, temporary settlements like Chutanga. Upon your arrival in Lukla, you can enjoy the rest of the day with a warm shower and a celebratory evening at a cafe or restaurant.

Guide Tip: Your guide will make frequent breaks to avoid overexhaustion and help your body conserve energy.

From Lukla, we will board a scenic 35–40-minute flight to Kathmandu, offering a magnificent aerial perspective of the Everest mountain range. Upon landing in Kathmandu, you will be escorted to your hotel via a private vehicle. You can spend the remaining time refreshing yourself and resting.

And please don’t forget we will have a farewell dinner tonight at an authentic Nepalese restaurant with our travel planner and your trekking guide. It is a perfect opportunity to share with us your experience and provide valuable feedback and reviews of our service and hospitality.

You leave Nepal not just as a traveller, but as a high-altitude mountaineer who has accomplished an extraordinary feat of summiting Mera Peak. Depending on your international flight schedule, you will have time for a final, relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Our representative will pick you up from the hotel approximately 3 hours before your flight and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). We at Outfitter Nepal thank you for choosing us as your travel partner, and wish you a safe journey back home.