Mera Peak

Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport you will be transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.

After a 40mn morning Twin Otter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gate of Khumbu. We meet our local staff at the airport and walk till the end of the village. A last checking of the altitude equipment is done with the Altitude Sherpas and the trekkers can stroll in Lukla bazaar.

Trek to Chutok (2730m). 3h 30 [585m ascent – 660m descent]. The route descends along the runway then through fields till a bridge at Surkhe then climbs through a forested area till the Chutok La at 2945m and on a hillside path reaches Chutok also called Paiya.

The trail makes a series of ups and downs mostly through forested area till the Khari La at 3145m then descends till Bupsa at 2300m. From here, it climbs on the old trail to the large white house at the top of Kharte, then climbs over a fence and turns south-east up the broad Khari Khola Valley. There are some ups and downs as the trail gradually gains elevation up the forested valley, passing isolated Sherpas houses and small streams, to the village of Pangom.

It is a short walk but all the day up. The trail climbs up a forest till the Pangom La at 3120m then takes on the left path to follow the Charpate ridge on a winding trail through forest. The small camp site is on the Kurke La and there is no water obliging the kitchen staff to walk 1h there and back.

From the Kurke pass the trail climbs steeply on the ridge then becomes less obvious and sometimes exposed, winding on the west of the upper ridge. The path makes a last steep climb up to a pass at 4400m then descends through pastures till Thuli Kharka.

The trail descends the rock-strewn path leading to a fine vantage point of the Hinku valley where mesmerizing views of the south face of Mera Peak become visible. The trail zigzags through forested areas and then descends steeply into the Hinku valley. Enchanting panorama of Peak 43 and Kusum Kangguru unfolds as we bask in the splendor of nature surrounding us from the Hinku Valley. We experience the most exotic and delightful feelings as we walk past forests of pine and rhododendron.

Overnight at Camp Tashing Ongma

Today walk is long but without steep sections upstream the west bank of the Inkhu Khola through forest and the valley zooms out. We spot meadows being used as grazing areas for goats, sheep and yaks in the Upper Inkhu. After several ascents, we approach summer settlement of Tangnag as we cross a single-plank bridge at Gondishung. We halt for lunch at this spot. Lying in its vicinity is 200 year-old gompa resting beneath a massive boulder and a number of crude mani walls. The trail offers an outstanding view of Peak 43.

We utilize this day getting completely acclimatized. After proper rest, we can explore other adventure possibilities like strolling by Sabal Tsho, beautiful moraine-dammed lake which is hidden behind the Sabal Glacier and climbing a peak up to an altitude of nearly 5000m. We can also explore Hinku Nup Glacier which leads north toward Kangtaiga. The upper Hinku valley turns to the east at Tangnag, crossing the moraine of the Dig Glaciers.

Overnight at Camp Thagnak

The trail goes through the Thangnak meadow amidst blocks brought by the break of the moraine of the south side of the lake in 1999. Then it climbs steeply to the stream bed coming out on the wide grassy basin of Dig Kharka. From the camp we have superb views of the northern face of the Mera Peak.

Overnight at Camp Khare

No need to speed up to reach the base camp which is not a holiday spot. The trail begins just above Khare leading to the glacier and after one hour at 5150m we can step on the terminal part of the glacier. Crampons are required there. Further on the glacier becomes flat till the Mera la reached 40 minute later. Our camp will be set about 100 meters to the east of the pass.

Overnight at Mera Base Camp

It is important not to avoid this short day as it allows a better acclimatization with a good body’s recovery too. There is no need to start early as it will be very cold at camp 1 and it is better not to start before 10 am. All the way up the panorama is superb: Kanchenjunga, Chamlang, Makalu, Baruntse, Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu.

Wake up at 3 am and start at 4 am. From the high camp the route follows SW entering a broad comb on the left on the steep slopes. Then it reaches a pass at the bottom of a final steep slope (450). From the summit, we can embrace the most spectacular view of at least five of the world's fourteen 8000m peaks. From the summit we descend to the BC, then down the small valley toward the east till about 5100m. From there, follow a NE route that allows to cross the hilltop before descending steeply through short grass till the camp site.

Today’s walk is short to recover from the previous days efforts. The trail climbs steeply up the hilltop during 80m toward the NE and the path is not obvious. Then it descends gradually toward the Hunku Khola that we follow upstream. About 1h 30 later we reach the Chamlang BC at 4900m. We continue upstream to reach a very nice camp site above the Seto Pokhari at 5100m. Superb views of Chamlang, Peak 41 and Lhotse.

The trail continues upstream the Hunku Khola during one hour before crossing the moraines of the Hunku Glacier. The Baruntse towers at the end of the valley. Our route passes by the biggest of the five lakes at Panch Pokhari. The Amphu Phedi camp is 45 minute further on, just above the last small lake.

From the bottom of the pass it seems impassable! In fact the route crosses the Japanese Pass easier than the Amphu one. The trail climbs up NW to a rocky crest under the barrier of the seracs to step on a glacier and continue through the many seracs till a big cairn marking the Japanese Pass. On the other side of the pass the trail is quite difficult requiring fix ropes for the porters. Then it descends through scree slope and passes between the Amphu Labtsa lake and the Imja lake.

The trail descends through pastures of Bibre kharka along the Imja Khola to reach Dingboche, a nice Sherpa village with outstanding mountain scenery. The path continues descending the Imja Khola, then crosses the Khumbu Khola on a wooden bridge and climbs to rejoin the upward trail. Following the trail downhill, it is easy to make a detour and visit the upper part of Pangboche and the village monastery.

The path descends to a steel bridge, swaying a terrifying distance above the river at a spot where the river rushes through a narrow cleft the trail passes through a deep rhododendron forest passing Devuche then makes a short, steep ascent to Thengboche. The route makes a descent through forest till Phunki Thengka. After crossing the Dudh Kosi on a bridge, the trail climbs steeply to Teshinga then gradually to Sanasa then to Namche.

From Namche, the trail makes a steep descent back to the Dudh Kosi river to Jorsale then follows the upward route as far as Chablung, then turns off above the village of Chaurikharka towards Lukla.

The flight takes 40mn and is a jarring return to the noise, confusion and rush of a large city. Transfer to hotel.

Start your sightseeing with the medieval city of Bhaktapur and its numerous pagodas and temples.

On the way back we stop at the biggest hindu temple of Pashupatinath alongside the Bagmati river and finally circumambulating the huge white Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath with the Tibetan people doing the kora.

Transfer to airport for return flight.